Point

Points are abstracted units in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. They refer to the measuring system used for evaluating a player's performance during the gameplay. Points are acquired by collecting items, defeating enemies and bosses or performing different actions or other ways. The total of all points are calculated in-game as the score. After reaching the goal of a level, all point counters are then aggregated to the total score.

The first game in the franchise to demonstrate the score system is Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), with each game in the series having different ways to earn points.

Overview
Throughout the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series, points have referred to an abstract quantity associated with the player. During gameplay, various actions can raise the number of points the player have. Such actions include collecting different items like Rings, hitting breakable objects, utilizing gimmicks like the Rainbow Rings, defeating enemies or bosses, or executing certain tricks like Trick Actions or quick time events. Number notifications are usually seen on the screen afterwards, either popping out the collected item, destroyed target or close to the HUD. Earning a specific amount of points may grant the player extra lives or clear specific achievements/missions. In certain games, the player can multiply the points earned by hitting/defeating multiple enemies or breakable objects in a row. Providing multiple hits can as well result in a Combo which will grant more points the longer it last. In later games such as Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Heroes and Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), the player can also earn variable trick points with classifications from events like defeating enemies consecutively or performing certain moves, such as the Light Speed Dash.

Depending on the game, when the player reaches the end of a level, the end-of-level tally is split into different categories based on the HUD point counters and/or other gameplay elements. Like previously mentioned, the player can earn extra lives, Continues or other features while the acquired points are calculated during the aggregation of the total score. Evaluation-wise, Points are used as quantitative indicators of success in gameplay, and in most games, the quantity of points determines what rank the player will get at the end of a level. In games such as Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit), the final score tally aggregates all total scores from each Act of the game (including the Special Bonuses for each completed Special Stage) after the player has cleared the whole game.

Certain parts of the games may operate with their own score systems, such as Special Stages, Bonus Stages or mini-games, where the player earns points in a similar fashion, usually from Ring bonuses. In Special Stages specifically, the scores earned here will be calculated into the total score after exiting one. Different multiplayer modes may also award the players with points for their respective scores, which are tallied up upon finishing the multiplayer modes and may affect the selection of the multiplayer mode's winner. Arcade games may also feature high score lists which players can get their name on by getting enough points after clearing the gameplay.

There exist other forms of score categories that serve different gameplay purposes. Experience Points can be obtained from certain accomplishment and can be used to evolve the playable characters, while Gravity Points in Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity are stored in the GP Gauge and allow usage of Gravity Actions.

Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)
{|
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |
 * 1-Up: 50,000 points.
 * Hitting Badniks/breakable blocks
 * First hit: 100 points.
 * Second hit: 200 points.
 * Third third: 500 points.
 * Fourth through Fifteenth hits: 1,000 points each.
 * Sixteenth hits and above: 10,000 points each.
 * Bumpers: 10 points constantly until the tenth hit.
 * Bonus Points: 100, 1000, or 10000 points each.
 * Defeating Dr. Eggman: 1,000 points.

Special Stages

 * Ring Bonus: 100 points per Ring.
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |

End-of-Zone tally

 * Ring Bonus: 100 points per Ring.
 * Time Bonus
 * 0:29 or less: 50,000 points.
 * 0:30 to 0:44: 10,000 points.
 * 0:45 to 0:59: 5,000 points.
 * 1:00 to 1:29: 4,000 points.
 * 1:30 to 1:59: 3,000 points.
 * 2:00 to 2:59: 2,000 points.
 * 3:00 to 3:59: 1,000 points.
 * 4:00 to 4:59: 500 points.
 * 5:00 or more: 0 points.
 * }

Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)
{|
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |
 * 1-Up: 50,000 points.
 * Chaos Emerald: 20,000 points per Emerald.
 * Hitting Badniks: 100 points.

Final score tally

 * Total scores: 50,000 points per cleared Act.
 * Remaining lives: 5,000 points per life.
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |

End-of-Zone tally

 * Ring Bonus: 100 points per bonus.
 * Time Bonus
 * 0:29 or less: 30,000 points.
 * 0:30 to 0:59: 10,000 points.
 * 1:00 to 1:29: 5,000 points.
 * 1:30 to 1:59: 3,000 points.
 * 2:00 to 2:29: 1,000 points.
 * 2:30 to 2:59: 500 points.
 * 3:00 or more: 0 points.
 * }

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)
{|
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |
 * Defeating Master Robot: 5,000 points.
 * Defeating Silver Sonic: 10,000 points.
 * Defeating Dr. Robotnik: 20,000 points.
 * Hitting Badniks: 100 points.


 * style="vertical-align: top;" |

End-of-Zone tally

 * Ring Bonus: 100 points per each.
 * Time Bonus
 * 0:29 to 0.59: 50,000 - 10,000 points.
 * 1:00 to 1:59: 9,900 - 9,000 points.
 * 2:00 to 2:59: 8,900 - 8,000 points.
 * 3:00 to 3:59: 7,900 - 7,000 points.
 * 4:00 to 4:59: 6,900 - 6,000 points.
 * 5:00 to 5:59: 5:900 - 5,000 points.
 * 6:00 to 6:59: 4:900 - 4,000 points.
 * 7:00 to 7:59: 3:900 - 3,000 points.
 * 8:00 to 8:59: 2:900 - 2,000 points.
 * 9:00 to 9:59: 1:900 - 1,000 points.
 * }

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
{|
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |
 * 1-Up: 50,000 points.
 * Hitting Badniks/breakable blocks
 * First hit: 100 points.
 * Second hit: 200 points.
 * Third third: 500 points.
 * Fourth through Fifteenth hits: 1,000 points each.
 * Sixteenth hits and above: 10,000 points each.
 * Bumpers: 10 points constantly until the tenth hit.
 * Drop Targets: 10 points constantly until the third hit.
 * Slots: Eight sets of 10 points each.
 * Defeating Dr. Eggman: 1,000 points.

Special Stages

 * Ring Bonus: 100 points per Ring for each playable character.
 * Chaos Emerald: 10,000 points.
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |

End-of-Zone tally
after collecting every Ring from an Act.
 * Ring Bonus: 100 points per Ring.
 * Time Bonus
 * 0:29 or less: 50,000 points.
 * 0:30 to 0:44: 10,000 points.
 * 0:45 to 0:59: 5,000 points.
 * 1:00 to 1:29: 4,000 points.
 * 1:30 to 1:59: 3,000 points.
 * 2:00 to 2:59: 2,000 points.
 * 3:00 to 3:59: 1,000 points.
 * 4:00 to 4:59: 500 points.
 * 5:00 or more: 0 points.
 * Perfect Bonus:: 50,000 points
 * Continues: 100,000 points.
 * }

Sonic the Hedgehog CD
{|
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |
 * Hitting Badniks
 * First hit: 100 points.
 * Second hit: 200 points.
 * Third third: 500 points.
 * Fourth through Fifteenth hits: 1,000 points each.
 * Sixteenth hits and above: 10,000 points each.
 * Bumpers: 100 points constantly until the fifth hit.
 * Breakaway Bumper: 100 points each.
 * Slots: Two sets of 100 points each.
 * Defeating Dr. Eggman: 1,000 points.

Special Stages

 * Ring Bonus: 200 points per Ring.
 * Time Bonus: 200 points per each second remaining.
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |

End-of-Zone tally

 * Ring Bonus: 100 points per Ring.
 * Time Bonus
 * 30 seconds: 50,000 points.
 * 45 seconds: 10,000 points.
 * 1 minute: 5,000 points.
 * 1 minute, 30 seconds: 4,000 points.
 * 2 minute: 3,000 points.
 * 3 minute: 2,000 points.
 * 4 minute: 1,000 points.
 * 5 minute: 0 points.
 * }

Sonic Chaos
{|
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |

Clear Bonuses

 * Turquoise Hill Zone: 5,000 points.
 * Gigalopolis Zone: 10,000 points.
 * Sleeping Egg Zone: 15,000 points.
 * Mecha Green Hill Zone: 20,000 points.
 * Aqua Planet Zone: 25,000 points.

Special Stages

 * Small Rings: 1 point per Ring.
 * Large Rings: 10 points per Large Ring.
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |

End-of-Zone tally

 * Ring: 100 points per Ring.
 * Speed: 10 points each Km/h.
 * Continues (Sonic): 50,000 points.
 * Continues (Tails): 30,000 points.
 * }

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
{|
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |
 * 1-Up: 50,000 points.
 * Hitting Badniks/breakable blocks
 * First hit: 100 points.
 * Second hit: 200 points.
 * Third third: 500 points.
 * Fourth through Fifteenth hits: 1,000 points each.
 * Sixteenth hits and above: 10,000 points each.
 * Bumpers: 10 points constantly until the tenth hit.
 * Defeating mid-boss/Dr. Eggman: 1,000 points.
 * Hitting bonus plate:: 100 points each.

Special Stages

 * Ring Bonus: 100 points per Ring.
 * Perfect Bonus: 50,000 points after collecting every Ring.
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |

End-of-Zone tally

 * Ring Bonus: 100 points per Ring.
 * Time Bonus
 * 0:59 or less: 50,000 points.
 * 1:00 to 1:29: 10,000 points.
 * 1:30 to 1:59: 5,000 points.
 * 2:00 to 2:29: 4,000 points.
 * 2:30 to 2:59: 3,000 points.
 * 3:00 to 3:29: 1,000 points.
 * 3:30 to 9:58: 100 points.
 * 9:59 exactly: 100,000 points.
 * }

Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble
{|
 * style="vertical-align: top;" |

Bonus Plate rewards

 * Sonic: 10,000 points as Tails.
 * Tails: 10,000 points as Sonic.

Special Stages

 * Ring Bonus: 100 points per Ring.
 * Time Bonus: 100 points per each second remaining.


 * style="vertical-align: top;" |

End-of-Zone tally

 * Ring Bonus: 100 points per Ring.
 * Time Bonus: 100 points each second.
 * Continues: 50,000 points.
 * }

General

 * Rings: Collecting Rings grants a miniscule amount of points and is normally the most common way to get points. In certain games, recollecting Rings after they have been dropped may give points again.
 * Ring bonus: The player is granted an extra amount of points if they are able to reach the end of a Stage with Rings, with the amount of points awarded corresponding to the amount of Rings the player has with them.
 * Enemies: Destroying enemies is another method of gaining points. Often times, the more powerful an enemy is, the more points it grants. Killing multiple enemies in a row without pause or interruption will sometimes grant an increasing number of points.
 * Time bonus: Depending on how fast the player completes a Stage, they will be given an extra (and often large) quantity of points.
 * Tricks: Starting with Sonic Adventure 2 and onward, the player can earn points from executing tricks and Trick Actions in certain areas and after jumping off certain gimmicks.
 * Rainbow Rings: Rainbow Rings granted massive amounts of points to the characters that pass through them. In Sonic Heroes, more points are granted if all three members of the team pass through the Rainbow Rings together.
 * Combo: Achieving Combos in games grant the player points, with the quantity of points increasing the higher the combo is.

Sonic Adventure 2

 * Emerald Shards: Depending on how fast the player locates and collects Emerald Shards, the number of points granted when they find it will be higher, with the highest being 2000 points.
 * Lock-on: Depending on how many enemies and targets the player locks onto at once, the amount of points they will be given will increase accordingly. The maximum point award are 2000 points at ten lock-ons and above.

Sonic Heroes

 * Power Cores: If the player reaches the maximum amount of three Power Cores for any character, any other Power Core they collect will simply result in bonus points. For example, if the Speed Type character is at full power and a blue Power Core is collected, that Power Core provides points.

Shadow the Hedgehog

 * Environmental Objects: In Shadow the Hedgehog, destroying environmental objects can grant the player points. Depending on what the player destroys, they will either be granted Hero points or Dark points, although the majority of environmental objects that can be destroyed simply grant points

Sonic and the Black Knight

 * Fairy Bonus: Points are granted for collecting fairies, both yellow and red.
 * Grind Bonus: Points are granted for grinding continuously.
 * Jump Bonus: Points are granted when jumping using either blue fairies, ramps, or mushrooms.
 * Dash Bonus: Points are granted when dashing via Dash Panels or turquoise fairies.
 * Surge Bonus: Points are granted when using the Soul Surge attack.
 * Corner Pole bonus: Points are granted when using a Corner Pole.
 * Perfect Hit: Points are granted upon landing a perfect hit with the Soul Surge.
 * First Attack: Points are granted for killing an enemy before they have a chance to attack.
 * Double Attack: Points are granted upon killing two enemies with one attack.
 * Triple Attack: Points are granted upon killing three or more enemies with one attack.
 * Counter: Points are granted when countering an enemy attack.
 * Ring Chains: Points are granted for collecting multiple Rings in a row without much time passing between the acquiring of one ring to another.

Sonic Colors

 * Quick Step Bonus: Points are granted whenever the player perform a Quick Step, although the upper limit for how many times this bonus will work is at 100,000 points.
 * Drift Bonus: Points are granted while the player performs a prolonged Drift. The upper limit for how many times this bonus will work is at 100,000 points.
 * Color Bonus: Points are continuously granted as long as the player is using a Color Power. As such, forms like the Yellow Drill and Pink Spikes are most effective for gathering points while forms such as the Cyan Laser and Orange Rocket are more brief.
 * Super Sonic Bonus: Points are granted while transformed into Super Sonic. This bonus is given for each second the player stays as Super Sonic.

Sonic Runners

 * Crystals: Gathering Crystals grants varying amounts of points depending on the Crystal's size and color. Regardless of size, blue crystals give the least points, green crystals give more points, and red crystals give the most points.
 * Animals: Grabbing the Animals that come out of badniks will grant the player varying amounts of points. Certain character types such as the Rose and Wild Type increase the amount of points collecting Animals give.
 * Distance: Points are granted for each meter travelled. Certain character types, such as the Hero and Wild Type, increase the amount of points earned for covering more distance.

Trivia

 * Although the Xbox Live Demo of Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) gives points for using the Light Dash, this was not carried over to the final version.
 * Additionally, there is an unused sprite found inside the files of the final game that contain words for multiple set of points meant to be given to the player, along with scrapped ones, indicating the game was going to have a bonus points system similar to that of Sonic Adventure 2.