Tails' Skypatrol


 * For the 2003 McDonald's LCD game of the same name, see Tails' Skypatrol (LCD game).

Tails' Skypatrol (テイルスのスカイパトロール) is a spin-off game for the Sonic the Hedgehog series, developed by JSH and published by Sega for Sega Game Gear. It is one of two handheld games in Game Gear to feature Sonic's sidekick Miles "Tails" Prower as main character. The game follows adventures of Tails, as he tries to save an island from Witchcart, who claims to be able to turn dissenters into crystals with her magic.

It was originally released on 28 April 1995 as an exclusive game to the Japanese market. However, Tails' Skypatrol later saw an overseas release as it was included as an unlockable minigame in Nintendo GameCube's Sonic Adventure DX, and was re-released as one of the featured games in GameCube's Sonic Gems Collection.

Storyline
Tails decides to go on his own adventure separate from his friend Sonic, and was flying aimlessly when he stumbled upon a solitary island with a huge steel railroad. He worried that Dr. Eggman was making yet another base, so he checked it out. When he arrived, he sensed vibrations on the railroad, so he jumped into the bushes to hide. To his confusion, an eccentric lady naming herself the great Witchcart rode past him and announced to no one in particular that she owns the island and claimed that dissenters will be turned to crystal. Tails was determined to rescue the animals of the island, so he went to oppose Witchcart and her like-minded minions.

Gameplay
The gameplay of Tails' Skypatrol is less in line with the familiar platforming style of the traditional Sonic games. There are no rings or emeralds to be collected, Dr. Robotnik is entirely absent, and Tails is constantly "suspended" in flight mode. Stages are cleared simply by completing each course from left to right. Automatic scroll constantly moves Tails along the level; should he fall, bump into objects or touch the ground, he loses a life.

Across each stage Tails carries a golden ring with him which he can throw as a projectile to defeat enemies or break walls. Using the ring, he will also latch on to any number of devices the player will encounter in each stage, ranging from gymnastics bars to railcarts. It is Tails' only form of attack to damage enemies and it can even be used to grab bosses and other items in the area.

In order to stay afloat, the player must constantly watch Tails' flight meter, which slowly drops to zero. Scattered across the map are mint candies which Tails can collect to replenish his stamina.

Training Area
Tails starts off his adventure in the "Training Area", a colorful seaside highland without foes. If one manages to complete this introductory stage, Tails flies on to the first genuine level, RailCanyon Area.

Robotic Enemies

 * Tobikoshi Crow
 * Balloon Gun
 * Dorigame
 * Bee Fly
 * Haneruton
 * Bound Head
 * Minokichi
 * Captureberry
 * Gon
 * Carronade
 * Tashiya

Bosses

 * Focke-Wulf
 * Bearenger
 * Carrotia
 * Witchcart

Re-releases
While the original release of the game only happened in Japan, it has been released many years later on several game compilations and featured once as an unlockable content.

Tails' Skypatrol was first time released outside of the Japan as an unlockable minigame along with many other Game Gear Sonic titles at Sonic Adventure DX in 2003 for Nintendo GameCube and PC. Another re-release of the game has been at Sonic Gems Collection for Nintendo GameCube and Sony PlayStation 2 in 2005.