Tension Bonus (multiplayer)

The Tension Bonus, also referred to as the Max Tension Bonus, is an Item Box power-up in Sonic the Hedgehog series. The multiplayer version of the Maximum Tension Bonus, it can affect both players' Tension Gauge during a match.

Description
The Item Boxes with Tension Bonus feature the icon of two arrows pointing in opposite directions, with the one on the left pointing up and the other pointing down.

Tension Bonus is designed specifically for multiplayer gameplay. When the player obtains Tension Bonus, it refills the player's Tension Gauge to its maximum, overcharging it and enabling unlimited use of the Super Boost/Fire Boost for a short time. At the same time, it will deplete the opponent's Tension Gauge to zero, thereby preventing the opponent from using the Super Boost/Fire Boost.

Sonic Rush
The Tension Bonus first appeared in Sonic Rush under the name Max Tension Bonus. In this game, the Tension Bonus only appears in Battle Play (the multiplayer mode of Sonic Rush). During gameplay in this mode, the Tension Bonus can be obtained from any Item Box, whose content in Battle Play changes at random, often forcing the player to wait for the Item Box to contain Slow.

Sonic Rush Adventure
In Sonic Rush Adventure, this power-up is referred to as the Tension Bonus. In this game, the Tension Bonus only appears in Battle mode (the multiplayer mode of Sonic Rush Adventure). During gameplay in this mode, the Item Boxes cycle through the power-ups available, including the Tension Bonus. As such, the player more often than not has to wait for the Tension Bonus to become available.