Trick Action


 * You may be looking for Mid-Air Trick Actions.

The Trick Action, also called Trick, Air Trick or Freestyle Trick, is a technique performed by several characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It first appeared in Sonic Rush. When performed, the user performs different movements while soaring through the air. This serves as a game mechanic that is used to fill up the games' different types of energy gauges needed for special actions and/or granting additional points to the player's score.

Sonic Rush
In Sonic Rush, Trick Actions can be used to fill up the Tension Gauge and as well grant extra points to the player's total score. Tricks can be performed by repeatedly pressing after jumping off a Spring or a springboard. Pressing at the end of the chain of Trick Actions gives a combo finisher and fills the Tension Gauge more. If this is repeated for the same chain of Trick Actions, the score increases by half as much, and the Tension Gauge does the same until it eventually only increases by one. Trick Actions can also be performed whilst Grinding. However, the player is required to press instead.

Sonic Rush Adventure
In Sonic Rush Adventure, the Trick Action system is almost exactly the same as in Sonic Rush, except it is now possible to perform tricks on rails by pressing. Also, the more Trick Actions the player can perform in a chain and then complete with a finisher (by pressing ), the more the Tension Gauge will be filled up.

Sonic Riders series
In the Sonic Riders series, Trick Actions is a system used for refilling the Air Tank/GP Gauge for Extreme Gear. A trick is performed when a character jumps off ramps or the sides of another characters' turbulence and performs different movements in air. The Trick Action system also has a ranking system that gives the player a certain Rank after performing the tricks, with the type of rank depending on the number and quality of tricks.

Sonic Riders
In Sonic Riders, to perform Trick Actions in gameplay, the player first has to press and hold down the jump button, then release it on a ramp to jump or simply reach the sides of the opponents' turbulence and then use arrow keys/control stick to perform spins in different directions (only on ramps). If the player holds the control stick down/down arrow key while releasing the jump button, it will propel the player high into the air allowing access to some shortcuts or bonus items located high above while holding the control stick up/up arrow key, it will propel the player further forward allowing access to reach distant shortcuts. The number of spins and how correctly the player lands determines how high the Rank the player will achieve and how much Air the player will gain for the Air Tank.

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity
In Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, where Trick Actions are renamed Tricks, tricks can only be performed in one direction. To perform Trick Action in gameplay, the player has to press the jump button on a ramp and use the control stick to rotate the playable character in any direction. Depending on the player timing for a jump, a rank is given to the player and Gravity Points are added to the GP Gauge.

Sonic Free Riders
In Sonic Free Riders, (where Trick Actions are renamed Air Tricks in the game) due to the Kinect gameplay controls, the player must jump when on a Kicker and move his/her body in specific directions (e.g turning the body 180 degrees). If the player crouches down long enough while approaching a Kicker and jumps, the player will gain height, being able to access higher routes. Depending on the timing and the tricks performed, a rank is given to the player and the Air Tank is refilled.

Sonic Colors
Trick Actions returned in the Wii version of Sonic Colors. Performing Trick Actions requires the player to run into a Trick Ramp. Once in the air, the player must press the Jump button repeatedly to perform tricks. Once finished performing tricks, the player's score will be tallied. Whenever the player does tricks after jumping off trick ramps, the Wisp announcer will shout "Good, Great, Awesome, Outstanding, Amazing" in this specific order.

If the player does a level as Super Sonic (after getting at least 50 rings) and performs a trick, the announcer will skip to "Amazing".

Sonic Generations
Trick Actions returned again in Sonic Generations where they are named Freestyle Tricks, but they are only used by Modern Sonic. To perform a combo of Freestyle Tricks, the player must run into a Trick Ramp or jump through Rainbow Rings. While in the air, the player must move the left analog stick in any direction to perform tricks. Each direction results in a different trick, and each one provides Boost Energy. Pressing the LB & RB/L1 & R1 buttons at the end of a combo allows the player to perform a Finish Combo, which creates a large amount of Boost Energy. The more Freestyle Tricks performed, the more Boost Energy the player receives from a Finish Combo.

Performing Freestyle Tricks is the only way to raise the energy in the Boost Gauge beyond the bar. Skills that allow for the faster performance of tricks are also available for purchase, but these are disabled when fighting a rival or boss of the game.

The Nintendo 3DS version contains a single scenario when Freestyle Tricks are required. At the end of Modern Sonic's Emerald Coast, Sonic bounces up from a spring and must perform three tricks by pressing the jump button in order to avoid being eaten by the whale.

Trivia

 * In Sonic Generations, the Finish Combo pose mirrors Sonic from the Sonic Adventure cover.
 * In Sonic Generations, if every Red Star Ring in Rooftop Run Act 2 is collected, the skill "Trick Mastery" is unlocked. With this skill, Trick Actions can be performed faster (nearly four tricks per second).
 * In Sonic Generations, when playing as Super Sonic, Trick Actions can be performed at a faster rate, though not as fast as when the "Trick Mastery" Skill is equipped.
 * In the demo version of Sonic Generations, holding the left analog stick in one direction provides more boost than moving it in a different direction. However, in the final build, moving the left analog stick in a different direction provides more boost than holding it towards one direction.