Item Box

The Item Box (アイテムボックス), also referred to as the Video Monitor (アイテムボックス), Monitor (アイテムボックス), Item Capsule and TV (アイテムボックス), is an object that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Having been featured frequently in the series since the very beginning, Item Boxes contain various kinds of power-ups or bonuses which can be used by the player. Placed on the ground, in mid-air or even hidden in different places in the various levels, the player can open Item Boxes in order to obtain their power-ups.

Description
The appearance of Item Boxes has changed on several occasions throughout the Sonic series. In the early games of the series, they took the form of gray and rectangular/cubic television monitors with the icon of the power-up contained inside shown on said monitors' black screens. Even though they were replaced in later games, classic monitor Item Boxes have made appearances in recent games, mostly in those that feature 2.5D gameplay, such as Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, II and Metal, and Classic Sonic's levels in Sonic Generations and Sonic Forces. Otherwise, since Sonic Adventure, modern Item Boxes were designed to look like glass capsules with a red cap on the top and an icon inside them that identifies the power-up they contain. In games such as Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Lost World, the appearance of modern Item Boxes has been simplified so that they resemble round glass capsules with red top and bottom covers.

Item Boxes are usually placed on the ground, but they can also be hidden in a level's environment (i.e. in palm trees). They can also be found suspended in midair, particularly those designed without a base. In some games, when a classic monitor Item Box is hidden in the air (like when hidden in palm trees) or stuck to the ceiling, striking it from below will cause it to fall to the ground.

A classic monitor Item Box can be broken from directly above or from the sides with different attacks. This usually involves the player having to Spin Jump onto them, roll into them with the Spin Attack or Spin Dash, or attack them with similar ground-bound or aerial attacks. The Homing Attack can also target and break Item Boxes the same way it targets and destroys enemies. Certain playable characters can also use weapons to break Item Boxes. In several 3D games and certain 2D games since Sonic Adventure however, the modern glass capsule Item Boxes can be broken by simply touching them. After breaking open an Item Box, the icon that is seen in the Item Box will pop out and the player receives the power-up or item.

If the player holds the jump button while destroying a classic monitor Item Box from above, the playable character will bounce back as if they hit a Badnik; that is, the longer the distance the player falls onto the classic monitor Item Box, the higher the higher will bounce back up. The player can land normally on the Item Box, if the playable character does not perform a Spin Jump or any other variations of the move.

In the classic Sonic games, there is a brief delay between the moments where the player breaks the Item Box and when the player receives the power-up. For example, if the player gets a Shield or Invincibility item, it is still possible for the player to take damage before the power-up's effect is received.

The usage of Item Boxes has varied considerably through the series, being present in most 2D as well as 3D titles until Sonic Unleashed and its succeeding Boost-style games, in which they were replaced with different methods of getting power-ups, such as floating Super Rings and 1-Ups, which can be obtained by simply touching them. Despite this, Item Boxes continue to appear as a semi-regular feature in the series.

Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)
The Item Box first appeared in the original 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, where it is called the Video Monitor (アイテムボックス). In this game, the Video Monitors are presented as simple, gray cubic televisions with a base below them, a red button on their lower left, and a static screen that displays the icon of the power-up the Video Monitor contains.

In gameplay, the Video Monitors can only be opened by attacking them. The Video Monitor power-ups featured in this game are Super Rings, Shields, Power Sneakers, One-Ups and Invincibility. Debug Mode also features a non-functional Video Monitor with an icon of Dr. Robotnik's head (similar to the Eggman Mark in later titles) and a blank Video Monitor which does nothing in gameplay.

Contained in the game files is the "S" Video Monitor, which is only viewable via hacking and does nothing in gameplay. There are also files on a Video Monitor featuring a pair of goggles. This power-up's purpose is unknown and its functionality was not programmed into the final game; it can only be implemented in gameplay through hacking and does nothing. In the 2013 remake of the game though, this power-up can be placed in Debug Mode, where it behaves like the Shield, but only underwater.

Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)
In the 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, the Item Box is referred to as the video monitor (アイテムボックス). In this game, they look like basic, gray cubic television sets with a base below them and a static screen that displays the icon of the power-up the video monitor contains.

In gameplay, the video monitors can only be opened by attacking them. The video monitor power-ups featured in this game include the Super Rings, Shields, Power Sneakers, One-Ups, Invincibles, Continue Monitors, and Arrow Monitors.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
In the 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the Item Box is referred to as the monitor (アイテムボックス). In this game, they appear as gray cubic television sets with a base below them, a red button on their lower right, and a static screen that displays the icon of the power-up the monitor contains.

In gameplay, the monitors can only be opened by attacking them. As well as that, the player can hit a monitor suspended in the air from below in order to make it drop to the ground, but it can also crush the player. The monitor power-ups featured in this game's 1-player mode are Power Sneakers, Super Rings, One-Ups, Invincibles and Shields.

In the multiplayer mode of the game (where they are referred to as Item Boxes ), all monitors feature the Random power-up. Among the power-ups granted by Random are the exclusive Teleportation and Eggman Mark power-ups. In Options, the player can toggle the behavior of the Random monitors to either grant all the power-ups previously mentioned or grant Teleporation only. Also, in multiplayer mode, each of players has a chance to win the round depending on how many monitors they break. Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 features identical monitor power-ups as well.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)
In the 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the Item Box is referred to as the Monitor (アイテムボックス). In this game, their design is again that of a cubic television with a base below them and a static screen that displays the icon of the power-up the Monitor contains.

In gameplay, Monitors appear more generally and can only be opened by attacking them. The Monitor power-ups featured in this game include the Super Ring, Power Sneakers, Invincibility and 1-UP. The Sega Master System version contains a single Power Sneakers power-up in Aqua Lake Zone Act 2, which is removed and replaced with a Super Ring in the Sega Game Gear version. Unlike the previous 8-bit game, this version does not feature Arrow Monitors or Continue Monitors; though, the game has unused data and sprites for both power-ups. The game also has data for an unused Monitor power-up with a grey shoe icon on it.

Sonic the Hedgehog CD
In Sonic the Hedgehog CD, the Item Box is referred to as the monitor (アイテムボックス) again. In this game, they appear as gray cubic television sets with a base below them, a red button on their lower left, and a static screen that displays the icon of the power-up the monitor contains.

In gameplay, monitors appear normally and can only be opened by attacking them. The monitor power-ups featured in this game include the Power Sneakers, Super Ring, 1-UP, Invincible and Shield. Through the use of Debug Mode, the player can also access the "S" monitor and some kind of stopwatch monitor which has no effect other than freezing certain level elements (animation, etc.) when opened. Also, in the game's Special Stages, if the player blows up one of the UFOs, the player will sometimes receive monitor power-ups like Super Rings or Power Sneakers.

This game also features a non-functional monitor with a blue Ring icon on it, similar to the Hyper Ring power-up from later titles.

Sonic Chaos
In Sonic Chaos, the Item Box is referred to as the video monitor (アイテムボックス). In this game, their design is again that of a cubic television with a base below them and a static screen that displays the icon of the power-up the video monitor contains.

In gameplay, the video monitors can only be opened by attacking them. The video monitor power-ups featured in this game include the Rocket Shoes (which can only be used by Sonic), Power Sneakers, Super Ring, Invincible, Extra Life and Time Stop (which can only be found in certain Special Stages).

Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball
In the 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball, Item Boxes are featured as hidden objects in small chambers in the corners of each level. In gameplay, Item Boxes can only be opened by attacking them. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include extra lives and continues. There are also certain Item Boxes with the Japanese kanji for "look" (見る) on them. These variants contain hints to secret codes that can be used in the game.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, the Item Box is referred to as the monitor (アイテムボックス). In these games, the monitors are slightly different in terms of design. Rather than resembling cubic television sets, they look like light grey rectangular devices with a red button on their lower half. However, they retain the static screen that displays the icon of the power-up the monitor contains.

In gameplay, the monitors can only be opened when attacked. The monitor power-ups featured in these games' Single Player mode are Super Rings, 1-UPs, Invincibilities, Water Shields, Lightning Shields, Flame Shields, Super Shoes and Robotniks. The games also feature the return of the "S" monitor power-up in Debug Mode.

In addition to the monitors appearing normally in gameplay, the player can make a monitor pop out of the ground if they make the Goal Plate fall down in a certain spot. This monitor will contain either a Super Ring or one of the three elemental shields. Also, when the player enters the first and second Bonus Stages, the power-ups from Single Player mode (minus the "S" power-up) can be collected from multiple colored floating orbs.

The Competition Mode features different kinds of power-ups, which include Super Shoes, Slow-Down Shoes, Rings, Bananas, Self-Propelled Bombs, Springs and Changes. Competition Mode does not feature monitors, as the power-ups are collected immediately from small bubbles.

Sonic Drift
In Sonic Drift, the Item Boxes resemble cubic television sets with a base below them and a full-colored screen that indicates the type of power-up they contain.

In gameplay, the Item Boxes appear along the racetracks and are obtained once the playable characters make contact with them. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game only include the High Speed, which are obtained from red Item Boxes, and Invincibility, which are obtained from blue Item Boxes.

Sonic Drift 2
In Sonic Drift 2, like in Sonic Drift, the Item Boxes resemble cubic television sets with a base below them and a full-colored screen that indicates the type of power-up they contain.

In gameplay, the Item Boxes appear along the racetracks and are obtained once the playable characters make contact with them. However, to utilize an Item Box's effects in this game, the player has to press up on after obtaining said Item Box power-up. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the Dash (which are contained in red Item Boxes), Invincible (which are contained in blue Item Boxes), Jump (which are contained in yellow Item Boxes) and Mine (which are contained in black Item Boxes).

Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble
In Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble, the Item Box is referred to as the Monitor (アイテム). In this game, their design is again that of a cubic television with a base below them and a screen that displays the icon of the power-up the Monitor contains.

In gameplay, the Monitors can only be opened by attacking them. The Monitor power-ups featured in this game include the Super Ring, Power Sneakers, Invincibility, 1-UP, Chaos Emerald (which only appear in the first and second Acts of a Zone), Marker, Hyper Heli-Tails (which can only be used by Tails), Jet Board (which is exclusive to Robotnik Winter Zone and can only be used by Sonic), Propeller Shoes (which is exclusive to Tidal Plant Zone and can only be used underwater by Sonic), Rocket Shoes (which can only be used by Sonic) and Pogo Spring (which is exclusive to Meta Junglira Zone). Also, in the Special Stages with platforming, the player can find Time Bonus Monitors.

Knuckles' Chaotix
In Knuckles' Chaotix, the Item Box is referred to as the Monitor (アイテムボックス) yet again. In this game, they appear as gray cubic television sets with a wide base below them, a red button and two black buttons on their lower edge, and a static screen that displays the icon of the power-up the Monitor contains.

In gameplay, the player can only obtain the power-up inside a Monitor by attacking it. The Monitor power-ups featured in this game include the Super Ring, Combine Ring, Power Sneakers, Shield, Invincible, Swap, Grow, Shrink and Change.

Sonic 3D Blast
In Sonic 3D Blast, the Item Box is referred to as the TV. In this game, the TVs are featured in an isometric perspective and are presented as gray cubic television sets with a base below them and a static screen that displays the icon of the power-up the TV contains.

In gameplay, the TVs can only be opened by attacking them. The TV power-ups featured in this game include the Super Ring, Blue Shield, Red Shield, Gold Shield, Extra Life, Invincibility and Power Sneakers. In addition to this, the Flickies that follow Sonic also get a small version of the shield-based power-ups whenever Sonic is wearing one.

Sonic Blast
In Sonic Blast, the Item Box is referred to as the TV (アイテムボックス). In this game, the TVs are once more presented as gray cubic television sets with a base beneath them and a screen that displays the icon of the power-up the TV contains.

In gameplay, the TVs can only be opened by attacking them. The TV power-ups featured in this game include the Shield, Shoes, Super Ring, Invincibility, separate extra Lifes for Sonic and Knuckles (which do nothing if the player opens them with the opposite character), Marker, Eggman and ???.

Sonic Jam
In Sonic Jam, the Item Box is referred to as the Secret Card in-game. In this game, they use their design from Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, making them resemble light grey (and flat) rectangular devices with a button on their lower half and a video screen on their upper half.

In gameplay, Secret Cards appear briefly as hidden objects in Sonic World. These Secret Cards included cheat codes and major information from the Sonic games featured in the game's compilation.

Sonic Adventure
In Sonic Adventure and its remake Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut, the power-up container is referred to as the Item Box (アイテムボックス). In this game, the Item Boxes were redesigned to resemble glass capsules with a red lid on the top and bottom and the icon of the Item Boxes' power-up floating inside them.

In gameplay, the Item Boxes can be opened when touched by the playable character. Also, if the player is using Sonic, he can target the Item Boxes with his Homing Attack. In addition, when an Item Box is broken, the icon for the power-up it contained will be shown on the bottom of the screen. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the High-Speed Shoes, Invincibility, 5 Rings, 10 Rings, Random Rings, Shield, Magnetic Shield and Bomb.

Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure
In Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure, the power-up container is referred to as the item box (アイテムボックス). In this game, their design is again that of a cubic television with a base below them and a static screen that displays the icon of the power-up the item box contains.

In gameplay, the item boxes can only be opened by attacking them. The item box power-ups featured in this game include the Super Ring, 1UP, Power-Sneakers, Invincible Protect and Shield.

Sonic Adventure 2
In Sonic Adventure 2 and its remake Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, the power-up container is referred to as the Item Box (アイテムボックス). In this game, the Item Boxes resemble glass capsules with a red lid on the top and bottom and the icon of the Item Boxes' power-up floating inside them. Sonic Adventure 2 also introduces the Floating Item Boxes, variants of the Item Boxes which resemble red balloons.

In gameplay, the Item Boxes can be opened when touched by the playable character. Also, the player can target the Item Boxes with the Homing Attack. In addition, when an Item Box is broken, the icon for the power-up it contained will be shown on the bottom of the screen. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the High-Speed Shoes, Invincibility, 5/10/20 Ring, Shield, Magnetic Shield, Extra Life, Health (Shooting Stages only) and Bomb.

Sonic Advance
In Sonic Advance, the Item Box is referred to as the box (アイテムボックス). In this game, they are presented as hexagon-shaped blue capsules with a red cap on the top and bottom and the icon of the power-up the box contains emblazoned on the front.

In gameplay, the boxes can only be opened by attacking them. The box power-ups featured in this game's single-player mode include the Speed Boots, Invincible, 5 Rings, 10 Rings, ? Rings, Barrier, Magnetic Barrier and Extra Try.

In VS Mode (the multiplayer mode of Sonic Advance), the boxes' contents randomly change at a steady pace, with their constantly changing power-up icons indicating which power-up is currently available. The box power-ups featured in the Race multiplayer game include the 5 Rings, 10 Rings, ? Rings, Speed Boots, Invincible, Confusion, Warp and Brake, and the power-ups featured in the Chao Hunt multiplayer game include the Confusion, Blind and Transparency.

Sonic Advance 2
In Sonic Advance 2, the Item Box is referred to as the box (アイテムボックス) again. In this game, they are presented as round and blue capsules with a red cap on the top and bottom and the icon of the power-up the box contains emblazoned on the front.

In gameplay, the boxes can be opened by simply touching them with the playable character. The box power-ups featured in this game include the Invincibility, 1-Up, Shield, Ring Magnet, 5 Ring Bonus, 10 Ring Bonus, Random Ring Bonus and Maximum Speed.

In Multiplayer (the multiplayer mode of Sonic Advance 2), the boxes' contents randomly change at a steady pace, with their constantly changing power-up icons indicating which power-up is currently available. The box power-up featured in the Single-Game Pak Mode include the Mosaic, and the box power-ups featured in the Multi-Game Pak Mode include the 5 Ring Bonus, 10 Ring Bonus, Random Ring Bonus, Maximum Speed, Invincibility, Confusion, Warp, Attack and Brake.

Sonic Advance 3
In Sonic Advance 3, the Item Box is referred to as the Box (アイテムボックス). In this game, the Boxes are designed as blue and round glass capsules with a red cap on the top and bottom and the icon of the power-up the Box contains emblazoned on the front.

In gameplay, the Boxes can be opened by simply touching them with the playable character. The Box power-ups featured in this game include the Invincibility, Shield, Ring Magnet, 5 Ring Bonus, 10 Ring Bonus, Random Ring Bonus, Maximum Speed and 1-Up.

Sonic Heroes
In Sonic Heroes, the power-up container is referred to as the Item Box (アイテムボックス) yet again. In this game, they are designed as rotating triangular prisms with three screens to show the power-up's icon. The prisms themselves each rest on top of an orange and yellow disk.

In gameplay, the player can open Item Boxes by simply touching them with the playable character. Also, the player can target the Item Boxes with the Homing Attack. In addition, when an Item Box is broken, the icon for the power-up it contained will be shown on the bottom of the screen. Some Item Boxes are also found inside Cages that only Power Type characters can break or inside Cases that can only be unlocked with Switches or by clearing out surrounding enemies. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the 5/10/20 Ring, Power Core, High Speed, Invincible, Barrier, Team Blast Ring, 1 UP and Fly Charge.

Sonic Rush
In Sonic Rush, the power-up container is referred to as the Item Box once more. In this game, they are designed as cubic boxes with a blue coloration and the icon of the power-up the Item Box contains emblazoned on the front. The boxes themselves each rest on top of an orange disk, akin to those in Sonic Heroes.

In gameplay, the player can open Item Boxes by simply touching them with the playable character. In addition, when an Item Box is broken, the icon for the power-up it contained will be shown on the bottom of the screen that the playable character is on. The Item Box power-ups featured in Gameplay mode (the single player mode of Sonic Rush) include the 5 Ring Bonus, Random Ring Bonus, Barrier, Magnetic Barrier, Invincible, Tension Bonus, Max Tension Bonus and 1 UP.

In Battle Play (the multiplayer mode of Sonic Rush), the Item Boxes' contents randomly change at a steady pace, with their constantly changing power-up icons indicating which power-up is currently available. The Item Box power-ups featured in Battle Play include the Random Ring Bonus, Slow, Max Tension Bonus, Confusion and Attract.

Sonic Rush Adventure
In Sonic Rush Adventure, the power-up container is referred to as the Item Box again. In this game, the typical Item Box resembles a round, blue bauble that sits in an elaborate gray bowl and has the icon of the power-up the Item Box contains emblazoned on the front.

In gameplay, the player can open Item Boxes by simply touching them with the playable character. In addition, when an Item Box is broken, the icon for the power-up it contained will be shown on the bottom of the screen that the playable character is on. The Item Box power-ups featured in Adventure mode (the single player mode of Sonic Rush Adventure) include the 5 Ring Bonus, Random Ring Bonus, Barrier, Magnetic Barrier, Invincible, High Speed, Tension Bonus, Maximum Tension Bonus and 1UP.

In Sea Stages, the Item Boxes are slightly different in terms of design, being predominantly green instead of blue. The Item Box power-ups featured in these stages include the Repair, Random Ring Bonus, Boost Up and Score Bonus.

In Battle mode (the multiplayer mode of Sonic Rush Adventure), the power-up in an Item Box randomly changes at a steady pace, with the constantly changing power-up icon on each Item Box indicating which power-up is currently available. The Item Box power-ups featured in Battle mode include the Random Ring Bonus, Slow, Tension Bonus, Confusion and Attract.

Shadow the Hedgehog
In Shadow the Hedgehog, the power-up container is referred to as the Item Box (アイテムBOX) yet again. In this game, the Item Boxes resemble round glass capsules with two orange lids on opposite sides of the capsules and the icon of the Item Boxes' power-up floating inside them.

In gameplay, many Item Boxes float indirectly in the air. In addition, the player can open an Item Box simply by touching it or by attacking it with weapons. Also, when an Item Box is broken, the icon for the power-up it contained will be shown on the bottom of the screen. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the 5/10/20 Ring, Invincible, Barrier, Magnetic Shield, Heat Barrier, Damage Recover and 1-Up.

Sonic Riders
In Sonic Riders, the power-up container is referred to as the Item Box (アイテムBOX) yet again. In this game, the Item Boxes resemble glass capsules with a red lid on the top and bottom, like in Sonic Adventure 2. They all also have a blue icon depicting a yellow question mark floating inside them.

In gameplay, the Item Boxes can be opened by simply touching them with the playable character. There can appear up to more than eight Item Boxes in a row on the tracks and all of them give randomized power-ups which are indicated by the question mark icon in them. In addition, when an Item Box is broken, the icon for the power-up it contained will be shown on the bottom of the screen. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the Ring, Magnetic Barrier, High Speed, Explosion, Air, Invincible Barrier, Speed Down and Question Item.

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity
In Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, the power-up container is referred to as the Item Box once more. In this game, the Item Boxes possess the same design they had in Sonic Riders. As such, they resemble glass capsules with a red lid on the top and bottom and a blue icon depicting a yellow question mark floating inside them.

In gameplay, the player can open the Item Boxes by touching them with the playable character. There can appear up to more than eight Item Boxes in a row on the tracks and all of them give randomized power-ups which are indicated by the question mark icon in them. In addition, when an Item Box is broken, the icon for the power-up it contained will be shown on the screen. The primary Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the Ring, Magnetic Barrier, Speed Down, Attack, Parts Lock, GP Boost, High Speed, Explosion and Colorball. Also, in Survival Battle, the player will have two exclusive Item Box power-up to choose between: Missile and Shield.

Sonic Free Riders
In Sonic Free Riders, the power-up container is called the Item Box yet again. In this game, the Item Boxes possess the same design they had in Sonic Riders and Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity. As such, they resemble glass capsules with a red lid on the top and bottom. Most of them also have a blue icon depicting a yellow question mark floating inside them. The exceptions to this are the Air and Ring-related Item Boxes, whose icons show the power-ups they contain.

In gameplay, the player can open the Item Boxes by touching them with the playable character. There can appear up to more than eight Item Boxes in a row on the tracks and all of these give randomized power-ups which are indicated by the question mark icon in them. The exceptions to this are the Air and Ring-related Item Boxes as mentioned earlier, which sit for the player to grab with an outstretched arm or in hard-to-reach places. In addition, when an Item Box is broken, the icon for the power-up it contained will be shown on the bottom of the screen. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the Air, Ring, Bowling Strike, Free Throw, Octo-Boost, Octo-Ink, Ring Can, Soda Rocket, Target Torpedo and Tee Shot.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), the power-up container is again referred to as the Item Box (アイテムBOX). In this game, the Item Boxes resemble ellipsoid glass capsules with a red top lid and a red foot each, and the icon of the Item Boxes' power-up floating inside them. They essentially share their appearance with their Sonic Adventure counterparts, but have more details.

In gameplay, the playable character can break an Item Box simply by touching it. The player can also target an Item Box with the Homing Attack. In addition, when an Item Box is broken, the icon for the power-up it contained will be shown on the bottom of the screen. Also, unique to this game, after collecting a power-up from an Item Box, it will be left empty if the player returns to it after losing a life. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the 5/10/20 Ring, Invincible, Gauge Up, High Speed and 1-Up. The Shield was also programmed into the game, but was never featured in the final product.

In gameplay, Tails can throw Item Boxes as a part of his Dummy Ring-related attacks.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, Item Boxes are featured in Dream Event. The Power-ups they contain in these games include Bombs, Shields and Speed Shoes. They can also contain extra items from the Mario games such as Super Stars, Mega Mushrooms, Green and Red Shells.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
In Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Dream Events feature Item Boxes. The Power-ups they contain in these games include Bombs, Shields and Speed Shoes. They can also contain extra items from the Mario games such as Super Stars, Mega Mushrooms, Green and Red Shells.

Sonic Unleashed
In the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of Sonic Unleashed, Item Boxes are called Item Capsules. In this game, they received a more basic appearance, being rounder capsules with red cups on the top and bottom. Item Capsules in this game also have a certain object inside them that depends on the object they contain.

In gameplay, the player can open an Item Capsule by simply touching it with the playable character. Unlike normal Item Boxes however, these objects are dispersed throughout the stages and puzzles in the Gaia Gates, often in hidden locations or hand-to-reach places. The Item Capsule content featured in this game mostly include collectibles like movies, hints, soundtracks, and artwork. Such Item Capsules have a golden question mark inside them. However, they can also sometimes contain an extra life. Such Item Capsules have blue triangular prisms inside them. In the nighttime stages, many Item Capsules contain Dark Gaia Force which help Sonic the Werehog charge his Unleashed Gauge, restore his Vitality Gauge or contribute to the Orb Result at the end of the stage. These Item Capsules have floating energy orbs inside them.

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
In Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, the power-up container is called both the item box and the item capsule. In this game, the Item Boxes resemble glass capsules with a red lid on the top and bottom, like in Sonic Unleashed. They all also have a yellow question mark floating inside them.

In gameplay, the player can open Item Boxes by simply running over them with the playable character. There can appear up to several Item Boxes in a row on the tracks and all of them give randomized power-ups which are indicated by the question mark icon in them. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the All-Star Item, Bowling Bomb, Confusion Star, Energy Shield, Giant Rocket, K.O. Glove, Manual Rocket, Mega Horn, Mine, Pocket Rainbow and High Speed Shoes.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
In Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, the Item Boxes resemble glass capsules with a red lid on the top and bottom, like in Sonic Unleashed. They all also either have a yellow question mark or a yellow exclamation mark floating inside them.

In gameplay, the player can open Item Boxes by simply running over them with the playable character. There can appear up to several Item Boxes in a row on the tracks and those with question marks inside them give randomized Pickup items which are indicated by the question mark icon in them. The Item Boxes with an exclamation mark inside them on the other hand give Super Pickup items, which are fixed high-power Pickup items that depend on the Item Box's location. The Item Box Pickup items featured in this game include the All-Star Item, Blowfish, Boost, Drone, Firework, Glove, Hot Rod, Ice Cannon, Super Glove, Swarm and Twister.

Episode I
In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I (and Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode Metal by extension), the power-up container is called the item box. In this game, the item boxes resemble gray and cubic, yet modern television sets with a small base underneath them, a red button on the left side and a black screen that displays the icon of the power-up the item box contains.

In gameplay, the item boxes can only be opened by attacking them. Also, with Sonic/Super Sonic, the player can target the Item Boxes with the Homing Attack. The Item box power-ups featured in this game include the Super Ring, Power Sneakers, Shield, Invincible and One-Up.

Episode II
In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II, Item Boxes are primarily gray and cubic, yet modern television sets with a small base underneath them, a red button on the left side and a black screen that displays the icon of the power-up the Item Box contains. However, there are also Item Boxes that have a golden coloration, although those Item Boxes are only for containing special power-ups.

In gameplay, the Item Boxes can only be opened by attacking them. In addition, the player can target the Item Boxes with Sonic/Super Sonic's Homing Attack. Sometimes, the player will also come across Item Boxes that hover in midair. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the Super Ring, Power Sneakers, Shield, Invincibility, One-Up and Special Combination.

Sonic Colors
In the Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors, the Item Boxes are designed as blue and round glass capsules with a red cap on the top and bottom and the icon of the power-up the Item Box contains emblazoned on the front.

In gameplay, the Item Boxes can be opened by simply touching them with the playable character. In addition, the player can target them with the Homing Attack. In the game's single player campaign, the Item Box power-ups featured include 5 Ring Bonus, 10 Ring Bonus, Random Ring Bonus, Shield, Magnetic Shield, Invincibility, Power Sneakers and 1UP.

In Versus Mode (the multiplayer mode of Sonic Colors), the power-up in an Item Box randomly changes at a steady pace, with the constantly changing power-up icon on each Item Box indicating which power-up is currently available. Also, whenever the player opens a Item Box in this mode, a new one will soon reappear in the old one's place. Versus Mode also features power-ups tailored especially for multiplayers. These unique Item Box power-ups include Steal Boost, Steal Wisp, Reaper, Spring, Exploding Balloon and Mine.

Sonic Generations
In Sonic Generations, the power-up container is referred to as the Item Box. In this game, they appear as gray cubic television sets with a base below them, three red button and one light blue button on their lower edge, and a black screen that displays the icon of the power-up the Item Box contains.

In the console/PC and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, the Item Boxes can only be opened by attacking them on the sides or the top. The player is also unable to target them with a Homing Attack on the console/PC version of the game.

In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, the typical Item Boxes only appear in Act 1 of the Stages. The Item Box power-ups featured in those Acts include the Super Ring, Power Sneakers, Invincible, Skateboard (City Escape Act 1 only) and 1-Up. Certain Challenge Acts for Classic Sonic also include Item Boxes containing the Thunder Shield, Flame Shield and Aqua Shield. There are also several Challenge Acts that possess Item Boxes that regenerate after they have been opened. The player can also buy Skills from the Skill Shop that allow the player to activate specific power-ups without opening Item Boxes.

In the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, Item Boxes appear in both Act 1 and 2 of the Stages. In addition, when opening an Item Box in this version of the game, the Item Box's power-up icon appears on the left side of the screen. The Item Box power-ups featured in those Acts include the Shield, Super Ring, Invincible, Magnetic Shield and 1-Up. Also, in the game's "Keep the Pace" missions, the Time Item make an appearance as well.

Sonic Jump (2012)
In the 2012 remake of Sonic Jump, the Item Box is referred to as the TV. In this game, their design is again that of a cubic television with a base below them and a red and light blue button on their bottom edge. They all also have a static screen that displays a question mark.

In gameplay, the TVs can only be opened when attacked. Also, all of them give randomized power-ups which are indicated by the question mark icon on them. The TV power-ups featured in this game include the Magnet, Bomb, Shield and Ring Time.

Sonic Jump Fever
In Sonic Jump Fever, the Item Box is called the TV once more. In this game, the TVs are again designed as cubic televisions with a base below each of them and a red and light blue button on their bottom edges. They all also have a static screen that displays a question mark.

In gameplay, the TVs can only be opened when attacked. Also, all of them give randomized power-ups which are indicated by the question mark icon on them. The TV power-ups featured in this game include the Shield, Ring Time, Stun, Spring Shoes, Magnet, Detonate and Flame Jump.

Sonic Dash
In Sonic Dash, the Item Boxes resemble glass capsules with a red lid on the top and bottom, like in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. The insides of the glass capsules are also colored blue and they all have a blue question mark floating inside them.

In gameplay, the player can open Item Boxes by simply running over them with the playable character. In addition, Item Boxes can be found normally at corners, but also behind walls, Totem Poles or any other obstacles as well. Also, all of them give randomized power-ups which are indicated by the question mark icon in them. The Item Box power-ups featured in this game include the Ring, Shield, Magnet and X2 Multiplier.

Sonic Lost World
In Sonic Lost World, the Item Boxes sport their design from Sonic Unleashed, except with brighter red covers. They each also have the icon of the Item Boxes' power-up floating inside them.

In both the Wii U/PC and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Lost World, the Item Boxes can be opened by touching them with the playable character. Also, exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version, the player is able to lock onto them with the Homing Attack.

On both versions of the game, the Item Boxes found in Zones can contain Wisps, which include Cyan Wisps, Yellow Wisps, Indigo Wisps, Crimson Wisps, Magenta Wisps, Green Wisps and Black Wisps on the Wii U/PC version, and Cyan Wisps, Yellow Wisps, Indigo Wisps, Red Wisps, Ivory Wisps and Gray Wisps on the Nintendo 3DS version. These Item Boxes also usually regenerate after the player opens one.

In the Wii U/PC version of the game, Item Boxes found in-Zones are overall rare. They also mostly contain Wisps, and rarely contain power-ups other that Super Rings. However, there is an Item Box power-up called Warp that appears whenever the player fails to reach the next Star Post too many times, and is there to help the player skip to the next checkpoint or the end-of-level Capsule.

In the Nintendo 3DS version of the game, Item Boxes are featured more general in Zones and grant power-ups like Super Rings, Shields, Thunder Shields, Aqua Shields, Flame Shields, Power Sneakers and Invincibility in addition to Wisps. In the Nintendo 3DS version, Item Boxes can be found under rocks, in mid-air and inside other breakable objects and structures.

In the Wii U version, many of the mentioned non-Wisp power-ups are rewarded by completing certain missions in Zones, finding random drops on the World Map of the Lost Hex, or being gifted by other players through Miiverse. These Item Box power-ups can then later be activated while playing through a Zone by accessing the suitcase menu.

Sonic Runners
In Sonic Runners, Item Boxes retain their appearance from Sonic Lost World and are set on the pathways or floating in the mid-air. The Item Boxes can contain different types of Wisps, regular Shield, Magnets, Invincibility, and Combo Bonus. Like in Sonic Lost World, they are also featured as Equippable Items, which can be picked up by touching them on the screen. Super Ring Item Boxes appear as separated items, but also as Equitable Items, and they can be acquired as reward after getting a high enough score.

Sonic Mania
In Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, Item Boxes have their Monitor design from the Sega Genesis games, specifically taking influence from the Monitors found in the original Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Knuckles Chaotix. Power-ups in this game include the Super Ring, Power Sneakers, Invincibility, Shield, Flame Shield, Aqua Shield, Lightning Shield, and 1-Up. The sole new item in the game is the Hyper Ring, a modified version of the Combine Ring from Knuckles Chaotix. The "S" Monitor power-up returns as well, granting super transformation and appearing only in Debug mode as usual. The Eggman Mark item is also present as a detrimental obstacle. In Competition Mode, Monitors contain Random Items, including Player Swap which swaps places between both players.

Sonic Forces: Speed Battle
In Sonic Forces: Speed Battle, the Item Boxes retain the same design they had in Sonic Lost World. In gameplay, Item Boxes will regenerate a second after they have been obtained by a player. Every playable character has their own unique set of power-up Items they can obtain at random from Item Boxes, though all characters can obtain the Shield. Unlike in previous games, obtaining a power-up from Item Boxes stores it in one of the three slots at the bottom of the screen. As such, the player is able to store up to three Items at a time. These Items can then be used by touching their respective icon.

Sonic Forces
Monitors appear in Sonic Forces, as part of Classic Sonic's stages, with their design resembling the ones found in earlier games, but with a more modern design. Power-up items in this game include the Super Ring, Shield, Power Sneakers and Invincibility.

Team Sonic Racing
In Team Sonic Racing, the modern Item Boxes appear throughout the tracks. Upon being touched, the player will receive one of the fourteen Wisp power-ups available in the game. Additionally, there is a hidden Item Box in each stage that contains an Invincibility power-up.

Floating Item Boxes
The Floating Item Box, or simply Balloon, is an Item Box variant in the form of a red Balloon with white and blue circles containing a star on it. They function like regular Item Boxes, except that they are always floating in the air. While Floating Item Boxes do not display the power-up they contain, they do give an aerial boost when opening one. They first appeared in Sonic Adventure 2.

Target Switch
The Target Switch is an Item Box variant that appears as a target floating in midair. If the player tries to fly too close to it, the Target Switch will start spinning and cannot be hit. To earn its power-up, the player has to hit the Target Switch with Thunder Shoot from a safe distance. They first appeared in Sonic Heroes.

List of power-ups
The most common power-ups through the series found in both Monitors and Item Boxes are the Super Ring, Shield, Invincibility, Power Sneakers, and 1-Up, although their effects might vary depending on the game they appear.

Item Boxes
Key: SA1 = Sonic Adventure, SA2 = Sonic Adventure 2, SH = Sonic Heroes, ShTH = Shadow the Hedgehog, STH = Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), SR = Sonic Riders, SRZG = Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity

Items
In the Competition mode of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, power-ups which were not contained in Item Boxes were introduced. Instead they could be collected simply by touching them. Such power-ups when first introduced were initially held inside small floating bubbles during Competition Mode, allowing faster usage of them during races.

Games like Sonic Unleashed, Colors and Generations would later pick up this concept for more classic and common power-ups, but without anything encapsulating them.

Key: S3&K = Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (Competition Mode), SU = Sonic Unleashed, SC = Sonic Colors, SG = Sonic Generations, SLW = Sonic Lost World

Stay Sonic
Item Boxes, referred to as simply PCs, have been given some sort of a back story in Stay Sonic. As planning to use his Retro Orbital Chaos Compressor to contain all the negative energy of the planet within six emeralds, Doctor Ovi Kintobor required a seventh gem to stabilize the process, but could not locate one himself. To broaden his search, he set up a network of monitors across the entire planet that served as an interlinked communications system, allowing the people of Mobius to pass along any information to him that they could about the final emerald's potential whereabouts.

Sonic the Comic
Monitors also appear in Fleetway's Sonic the Comic, as sharing the same kind of background from Stay Sonic. The another one of Kintobor's creations was an artificial duplicate of Sonic known as an Extra Life, which was stored within one of the planet's many monitors.

Unfortunately, the Extra Life was never needed and so remained trapped in its monitor for years, slowly becoming corrupted and bent on revenge, until it duped Tails into freeing it by pretending to be the real Sonic. After besmirching Sonic's name by causing chaos in the Emerald Hill Zone, the Extra Life was sucked back into its monitor by Tails, and the box was then kicked into space by the real Sonic.

Archie Comics
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comics and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, an Item Box with the Flame Shield power-up was seen being developed in Sonic Universe #38. It was created by Hope Kintobor and was originally invented to be device to help E-123 Omega during combat battles.

In the Post-Super Genesis Wave timeline, the Item Box appeared once again, this time in the Soumerca Egg Army's base. There, it was used it to store the Master Emerald's shards. In this continuity, it borrows its designs from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) and Sonic Colors.

Trivia

 * Monitors from Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog CD are based on the basic CRT monitors, while Monitors in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles bear resemblance to Apple's Macintosh from the mid-1980's. Monitors in Knuckles Chaotix, Sonic 3D Blast and Sonic Mania seem to have a generic CRT design. Later on, Monitors in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 seem to be loosely based on modern flat-panel LCD TVs.
 * Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles are the only games where the player is able to get crushed by the fallen Monitor. Normally in games such as Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) and Sonic CD, Monitors usually are seen bouncing on Sonic's head and falling simply to the ground without damaging him or simply being broken open in other games.
 * In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, Sonic does not get crushed by a fallen Monitor, but instead he sinks through the ground and gets stuck. This is a regular in-game glitch, that is possible to happen often in corner sections.
 * In Sonic Generations (3DS), Monitors simply bounce repeatedly on Sonic's head until he moves out of the way. Jumping straight underneath them will not break them.
 * In games where players are allowed to choose both Sonic and Tails, the latter couldn't destroy Monitors on his own. However, this was possible in the Simon Wai and Nick Arcade prototypes of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
 * Although Item Boxes don't appear in the two-player Competition Mode of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, one Item Box can be seen at the options menu of Competition Mode, as items can be set on and off.
 * The same way, Tails Adventure doesn't feature Item Boxes, although one can be seen upper left corner of gameplay hud, showing the amount of the rings that player has.
 * City Escape has advertisements of different stuff in Sonic Adventure 2, one of them being Item Boxes with ten Rings and various other power-ups.
 * In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, an extra-life Monitor can be seen at the top of the loop in the Green Hill Zone stage.
 * Item Monitors make several appearances in LEGO Dimensions. Extra-Life and Ring monitors appear in several places, and Item Monitors displaying a picture of a 1x1 Lego brick serve as the Minikit collectable in Sonic's level pack.