Boost


 * For the move used by the Gaia Colossus, see Boost (Gaia Colossus).

The Boost (ブースト), also known as the Sonic Boost (ソニックブースト) or the Super Boost (スーパーブースト), is a move in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a special technique that turns the user into a destructive high-speed projectile. It is also one of Sonic the Hedgehog's signature moves.

Conception
The concept of the "Sonic Boost" was first introduced in Sonic Heroes, where any character could repeatedly use a short momentary "Dash" of speed in the Special Stages. It was later in Sonic Rush and Sonic Rush Adventure that the technique was redeveloped for universal usage and dubbed the "Super Boost". Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) would later develop an exact picture of the mechanism, a technique which subsequently appeared in Sonic and the Secret Rings. In Sonic Unleashed that technique was finally fleshed out for the consoles, drawing much of its content and dynamic from its Sonic Rush series counterparts.

Description
When performing the Boost, the user surrounds themselves in a fiery energy shield and propels themselves forward at speeds beyond the sound barrier,  thus turning the user into a highly destructive projectile. The color of the energy field depends on the user: Sonic's is (usually) blue, Shadow is orange-yellow, Classic Sonic's is light blue, and the Avatar's is white. While using this move, the user is able to plow straight through obstacles at staggering speeds without slowing down.

The performance of the Boost may vary slightly between users. Sonic, for example, simply runs along the ground in an aerodynamic pose. Shadow, on the other hand, spears ahead in a comet of his own aura, hovering above the ground in the torrent of increasing speed. Additionally, the Boost can be enhanced further to increase its power through Super State or Energy Cores. The latter empowerment enables the user to fling Meteorite fragments at their opponents with extreme accuracy.

In gameplay, the Boost is a technique that not only allows the player to increase their running speed for as long as the move is active, but also to damage and/or destroy enemies and breakable obstacles without taking damage or slowing down. In some games, using the Boost can also attract nearby Rings. Also, while the player is unable to activate the Boost in midair (the Air Boost fills out that role), the move will still stay active whenever the playable characters jump or drop down from a ledge during the Boost.

While the user is nearly invulnerable while using the Boost in gameplay, they can still take damage from running into indestructible hazards, like spikes, or get crushed. The Boost will similarly get canceled out if the player runs into unbreakable obstacles (like walls) or utilize certain gimmicks. Also accompanying the Boost in gameplay is the Boost Gauge. This game mechanic contains the energy needed to maintain the Boost, and it depletes whenever the Boost is used. Once the Boost Gauge empties, the Boost can no longer be performed. However, the Boost Gauge can be recharged through various means, depending on the game.

Also worth noting is that when initiating the Boost in gameplay, it sometimes creates a distortion in space.

Sonic Rush
The move first appeared in Sonic Rush, where it was given the name "Super Boost". In this game, it is one of Sonic the Hedgehog's actions. When performing the Boost in this game, Sonic gets surrounded by a blue and white, arrow-shaped aura while leaving a colored trail in his wake..

In gameplay, if the Tension Gauge is charged to maximum capacity, the player will have unlimited usage of the Boost for a short time. To perform the Boost in gameplay, the player must press / while Sonic is standing on the ground and there is energy in the Tension Gauge. The player can hold the buttons to Boost continuously.

Sonic Rush Adventure
In Sonic Rush Adventure, the Boost is again referred to as the "Super Boost". In this game, it is again an action exclusive to Sonic the Hedgehog. The move's appearance is also the same as in Sonic Rush.

In gameplay, the Boost works exactly like it did in Sonic Rush: the player has unlimited Boost when the Tension Gauge is at maximum capacity. To perform the Boost in gameplay, the player must press while Sonic is standing on the ground and there is energy in the Tension Gauge. The player can hold the button to Boost continuously.

In Sea Stages, the player can perform the Boost as well while riding the Wave Cyclone. To perform the Boost in gameplay, the player must tap the stylus twice on the Touch Screen or press the L or R Button while there is energy in the Boost Gauge. Hold the stylus/button down in order to maintain the Boost.

Sonic Unleashed
In Sonic Unleashed, the move is referred to as the Sonic Boost and is used exclusively by Sonic the Hedgehog in the daytime Stages. When performing the Boost on the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of the game, Sonic gets surrounded by a comet-shaped blue aura while he runs. On the Wii/PlayStation 2, Sonic uses the Spin Dash while surrounded in a comet-shaped blue aura when performing the Boost.

On the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of the game, the player can Boost continuously by holding down the trigger button. In addition, the Boost automatically draws in nearby Rings when in use.

On the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of the game, the player is unable to perform a continuous Boost. Instead, the Boost runs automatically for a short time whenever it is triggered. In addition, the Boost Gauge is divided into subunits; using one Boost costs one unit, and the player is unable to use the next Boost until the first one runs out. The player is also be unable to use the Boost until at least one of the Boost Gauge's subunits are completely full.

To use the Boost in gameplay, the player has to use one of the following commands while there is (enough) energy in the Boost Gauge.

Sonic Colors
In both versions of Sonic Colors, the move is called the Boost. This time, it is used by Sonic, as well as the Virtual Hedgehogs on the Wii version.

When performed on the Wii version, the Boost looks similar to how it looked in the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed. This includes creating a shockwave effect on the screen, although the user releases multicolored waves on both sides when using it. On the Nintendo DS version, the Boost's appearance is similar to its Sonic Rush and Sonic Rush Adventure predecessors, albeit it also flashes in a multi-colored fashion. When Boosting on, or under water however, the Boost's color returns to the static blue-and-white color palette from the Sonic Rush games.

On the Wii version of the game, the Boost can draw in nearby Rings. The player can also hold down the trigger button for the Boost to use the technique continuously. Also, when Sonic transforms into Super Sonic, the Boost gets replaced with the Super Sonic Boost.

On the Nintendo DS version of the game, the Boost's properties are the same as in the Sonic Rush series. Like on the Wii version, the player can also hold down the move's trigger button to Boost continuously. In additon, if the player collects all the Nintendo DS version's Special Rings, they will unlock the "Infinite Boost" feature. While this feature is activated, Sonic becomes able to Boost as much as he wants, even if the Boost Gauge is empty.

To use the Boost in gameplay, the player has to press one of the following buttons while there is energy in the Boost/Boost Gauge:

Sonic Generations
In Sonic Generations, the move is referred to as the Boost again. Here, the methods to using it are the same as in Sonic Unleashed. To charge the Boost Bar, the player can defeat enemies, collect rings, drift, break objects or perform Freestyle Tricks. The boost's pull radius (used for attracting rings) is a lot weaker than in Sonic Unleashed and the Boost Gauge depletes more quickly when moving on top of water. Also its aura has been lowered (In some views). In the White Space, Sonic can use this technique infinitely.

In the rival battle against Shadow the Hedgehog on the console/PC version, Sonic and Shadow race against each other using their own versions of the move. If the two collide with each other whilst performing their boosts, they will be repelled slightly.

Sonic Forces
In Sonic Forces, the move is once again referred to as the Boost. In this game, it is one of Sonic's moves, and is said its features have been reworked in comparison to those in Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Generations.

In gameplay, the Boost's radius is less lengthy than in Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Generations, but has a darker shade of blue and a blue trail that appears in Sonic's wake, like in Sonic Unleashed. When initiated, it creates a distortion around Sonic while white streams of air appear around the screen as Sonic accelerates. Shadow also uses the Boost in the DLC "Episode Shadow", functioning similarly to Sonic's albeit with prolonged airtime. His version of the Boost is a thin yellow-colored aura surrounding him that appears while he is using his Air Shoes to propel himself faster.

In this game, the Boost is charged by releasing White Wisps from Wisp Capsules or by defeating Badniks. To perform it in gameplay, the player must press // while the Boost Gauge has some energy remaining. If the player attempts to Boost while their Boost Gauge is empty, a small wave of distortion will appear in front of Sonic instead of a white fog like in the previous games.

Air Boost
The Air Boost is an airborne variation of the Sonic Boost which is simply the Boost performed while in midair. It turns the user into a destructive aerial projectile that allows them to cross over far distances in the air.

Boost Mode
Boost Mode refers, in its most general sense, to a high-speed dash state which some characters are able to perform, most notably Sonic the Hedgehog. The mode is accompanied by after-images of the character to emphasize the eye-blistering velocities involved. It appears in Sonic Advance 2, Sonic Advance 3, Sonic Rush, Sonic Rush Adventure and the DS version of Sonic Colors.

Super Sonic Boost
The Super Sonic Boost is the variation of the Boost that super transformed characters uses and is much more powerful than the Boost. Its name comes from the fact that it is Super Sonic's main form of attack against his foes and it is mostly used by him.

Fire Boost
The Fire Boost is Blaze the Cat's version of the Boost and is utilized by her in Sonic Rush and in Sonic Rush Adventure.

Burning Fire Boost
The Burning Fire Boost a variation of the Super Sonic Boost. It is used by Burning Blaze instead of the Super Sonic Boost.

Infinite Boost
In the Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors, if Sonic manages to collect all of the Special Rings in the game, he unlocks the Infinite Boost. When activated, Sonic can boost as much as he wants, even if the Boost Gauge is empty. The Infinite Boost also appears as an unlockable skill in Sonic Generations. However, the downside is that Sonic can't collect any rings, meaning one hit is instant death.

Speed Break
The Speed Break is a move in Sonic and the Secret Rings that gives Sonic a boost of speed that knocks enemies out of his way. It is unlocked when the 9th paragraph of the Lost Prologue is completed, and can be performed as long as Sonic has energy in his Soul Gauge.

Mach Speed
The Blue Gem Level Up Item for Sonic, which can be purchased in the local shop in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), gives Sonic a small boost of speed called Mach Speed when activated.

Sonic Boom
The Sonic Boom is Sonic the Hedgehog's signature move in Sonic Rivals and Sonic Rivals 2. It is a more wild and slightly uncontrollable version of the Boost.

Chaos Boost
In the Mario &amp; Sonic series, Shadow uses a similar move to move forward quickly. The stance that he uses is the same as the stance in Sonic Generations when he is boosting and in Sonic Dash when he uses the Dash.

Soul Surge
The Soul Surge is a Skill used by all playable characters in Sonic and the Black Knight. When activated on the ground in an open terrain with no enemies, the user gains a surge of speed, but will automatically go into an attack when within proximity of an enemy target. The user is invincible to almost all obstacles during the Soul Surge.

Final Color Blaster
In the DS version of Sonic Colors the Wisp combine with Sonic to greatly boost his boost power to destroy the Nega-Wisp Armor.

Dash
The Dash appears in Sonic Dash and functions nearly identically to the Sonic Boom in Sonic Rivals and Sonic Rivals 2.

Double Boost
The Double Boost is a move that appears in Sonic Forces and can only be used by Sonic and the Avatar during the Tag Team stages. It is a significantly faster version of the regular boost that can only be triggered by Real-Time Interactions.

Triple Boost
The Triple Boost is a move that appears in Sonic Forces. It is technique where three Boost-users comes together to form one unified Boost. It is utilized as the coup de grace against the Death Egg Robot, which was practiced by both Sonic the Hedgehog, the Avatar, and Classic Sonic.

Trivia

 * The Wii version of Sonic Colors is the only game that does not allow modification of the Boost Gauge.
 * In earlier builds of Sonic Unleashed, the boost "aura" was originally colored white as it was initially intended to be wind resistance.
 * If someone hacks through the physics of Sonic Generations stop the Boost function, the player has to go to a file named "Chaos Energy" and modify "BoostEnableChaosEnergy" file. This implies that the power supply of the Boost may be chaos energy.
 * Shadow never used his Boost when grinding a rail in the rival battle with him in Sonic Generations.
 * When using Boost in Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Generations, the player will notice a distortion effect, or fisheye effect. This "distortion" is probably used to indicate a sonic boom.
 * The magnetic force of the boost has been lowered significantly in Sonic Generations compared to Sonic Unleashed.
 * It is should be noted that when Sonic destroys the robots in the first cutscene of Sonic's story of Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) there is a blue aura surrounding him which is identical to the Boost.
 * This might infer that the idea of Boost was present in that time, but was not put in the gameplay.
 * In Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations, Sonic's hands will clench when he boosts.
 * In Sonic Rush, if Sonic kept on boosting for too long, he appears to dash ahead and outside of his Boost field.
 * In the Special Stages of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II, Sonic (and Tails) can perform a boost similar to the Boost having similar accelerating and ring magnet properties but does not give them the invincibility.