Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26167440-20160111225919/@comment-679780-20160124171336

I do know what you mean in Sonic Advance 3. In a cutscene Sonic became Super Sonic while the hud was still there displaying 0 rings during the transformation. But the following battle Super Sonic starts with 50 rings.

This can mean 2 things. Either somewhen between Altar Emerald and nonaggression, Super Sonic picked up 50 rings to sustain his power, or actually playing as Super Sonic in the game is regarded as non-canon other than major events that involve him.

As for Sonic Unleashed, you're half wrong there. Sonic the Hedgehog needed rings for his boost meter. When he got hurt he the very least lose 50 rings which is not as bad as all of them but still a usual loss. It's Sonic the Werehog who has a "Vitality Gauge". He takes damage and rings replenish a bit of health. Theres also health rings (regular rings with green stars in them, I don't think we have an article on them.)