V. Maximum Overdrive Attack


 * You may be looking for the Archie Comics version of this move.

The V. Maximum Overdrive Attack is an attack used by Metal Sonic. It was first used during during Metal Sonic's race with Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog CD and has since made several other game appearances. When using the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, Metal Sonic speeds up considerably and can reportedly penetrate any substance he comes in contact with, albeit only for a short time.

Description
When performing the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, Metal Sonic begins to overload his circuitry. When this happens, blue sparks emit from his body and a chemical reaction which forms the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, is triggered. Metal Sonic then forms a destructive energy field around his body that can burn through or penetrate any substance, and shoots himself forward four times his already high acceleration, allowing him pierce through any substance in his way.

The drawback of the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack is that it cannot be sustained for extended periods of time, since its unfavorable performance cost has Metal Sonic strain his circuitry beyond its limits, and could potentially destroy Metal Sonic himself.

Sonic the Hedgehog CD
The V. Maximum Overdrive Attack first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog CD during Metal Sonic's race with Sonic on Stardust Speedway. In this game, whenever Metal Sonic began to fall behind the real Sonic, Metal Sonic would initiate the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack in order to catch up to Sonic and attack him, if possible. In this portrayal, when Metal Sonic is using the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, he surrounds himself in a smooth, golden shield and flies above the ground with his arms outstretched, pursuing Sonic directly.

Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble
The V. Maximum Overdrive Attack also appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble, where it was used by Metal Sonic during his battle with Sonic in Atomic Destroyer. In this battle, Metal Sonic would use this attack in succession to strike Sonic quickly from both left and right. Its appearance is identical to that in Sonic the Hedgehog CD.

Knuckles' Chaotix
The V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, while not named, is seen briefly in Knuckles' Chaotix. If the player starts the Stage by doing nothing than standing on the one place for about one minute, Metal Sonic appears from the left side of the screen and flies above the playable character and his Combi partner. He then loads either the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack or Plasma Pulse Attack, and strikes the playable character. This causes the player to temporarily lose the Combi Partner.

Sonic Generations
The move returned in Sonic Generations during the game's recreation of Metal Sonic and Classic Sonic's fight on Stardust Speedway. In this game, the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack has a much larger energy field in the shape of a sphere, which is colored orange, and lets out electrical sparks when used. The energy field's size, however, will decrease the longer the move is used. In addition, Metal Sonic now spins when performing the move, with one hand reached out in front.

After Classic Sonic has landed the penultimate hit on Metal Sonic during the battle, Metal Sonic will use the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack on Classic Sonic from behind as his last resort. Classic Sonic then has to outrun Metal Sonic until the robot can no longer maintain the attack. During the battle, Metal Sonic appears to be rather careless using the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, as he constantly moves up and down, instead of pursuing Sonic directly. This could be due to the fact that he is spinning when performing this move, and therefore cannot see properly since he is constantly rotating.

Archie Comics
The V. Maximum Overdrive Attack made an appearance in the Archie Comics' Worlds Collide #11 during the Sonic & Mega Man: Worlds Collide crossover event, where it was used by Metal Sonic v3.8.

As Sonic and Mega Man's battle with Metal Sonic, Bass and Treble began to turn in their favor, Metal Sonic initiated the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack in a last attempt to win. With it, Metal Sonic was able to initially overwhelm Mega Man, but the move's cost performance soon caught up with him, allowing Sonic and Mega Man to defeat him.

The V. Maximum Overdrive Attack appeared once more in Sonic the Hedgehog #256. This time, Metal Sonic used it briefly in an attempt to kill Sally Acorn, Amy Rose, and Cream the Rabbit.

Trivia

 * The V.Maximum Overdrive is likely a reference to the 1985 anime Blue Comet SPT Layzner, whose protagonist possessed a nearly identical attack also named V-MAX.
 * In Knuckles' Chaotix, Metal Sonic will not always load and then strike the player with the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack. In certain Stages and acts, Metal Sonic will arrive normally, but will fire a bright laser blast from the compression chamber on his stomach at the playable character, making him fly away. This attack has the same effect as the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, and is known as the Plasma Pulse Attack.