Drift (vehicle maneuver)


 * For the drifting maneuver performed by Sonic the Hedgehog, see Drift.

The Drift  is a move that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series and its spin-offs. It is a controlled skid that allows the user to take tight corners at high speed while building up a speed boost.

Description
The Drift is a move that is performed with race cars to get through sharp turns. When performing this move, the user makes a sharp turn while using their accelerator and drifting controls at the same time. This causes the user's direction to shift rapidly in a smooth curve without them losing much of their momentum. At the same time, the user builds up a speed boost that will be triggered once the user finishes drifting.

In gameplay, the Drift is useful for the player when they have get through tight turns at high speeds. In fact, mastering Drift can help the player conquer the most complicated of tracks by making them able to perform 180 degree turns or more. Sometimes, using Drift will be the only way to master tricky corners. In addition, by continuously drifting, the player earns a speed boost which will automatically propel the playable character forward quickly upon ending their drifting maneuver. By using the Drift long enough, the player will build up their boost, allowing it to power through three different boost levels. For each increase in level, the Drift's speed boost will be empowered further, allowing for greater and faster acceleration when triggered. A playable character's boost level earned from a Drift is indicated by the color of the exhaust coming out of the playable character's race car while drifting.

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing
The Drift made its first appearance in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. On the console/PC version of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, the color of the race cars' exhaust, which appear when using the Drift, will turn blue when the Drift's boost level reaches level one, yellow when reaching boost level two, and orange when reaching boost level three. On the Nintendo DS version on the other hand, a race car's exhaust that appear during a Drift is colored blue when reaching boost level one, yellow when reaching boost level two, and red when reaching boost level three.

To perform the Drift in gameplay, the player must first keep their finger on the Accelerator button and steer their character into a bend. While keeping the Accelerator button down, the player must then press and hold down the Drift button to make their character's vehicle start drifting. The player can at this point steer in both directions to control the Drift. Note that the vehicle will not change its Drift direction as long as both buttons are held down. The character's vehicle will continue to drift until the player releases either the Accelerator or the Drift button. At this point, the boost will kick in.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
In Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, the Drift made a return appearance. In this game, the color of the race cars' exhaust, which appear when using the Drift, will turn red when the Drift's boost level reaches level one, purple when reaching boost level two, and blue when reaching boost level three. In addition, whenever the playable character reaches boost level two or above, a notification of that achievement will appear on the screen.

To perform the Drift in gameplay, the player must keep their finger on the accelerator button as they approach a corner, before steering into said corner. They must then press and hold the Drift button to drift in that direction. In addition, the player can continue to make limited adjustments to their direction using the movement controls. The drift will continue until the player releases the Drift button. At this point, the boost will kick in.

Team Sonic Racing
In Team Sonic Racing, the Drift made another reappearance as a useable move. In this game, the color of the race cars' exhaust, which appear when using the Drift, will turn red when the Drift's boost level reaches level one, purple when reaching boost level two, and blue when reaching boost level three.

To perform the Drift in gameplay, the player must keep their finger on the Accelerate button as they steer into a corner. They must then press and hold the Drift button to drift in that direction. While drifting, the player can continue to steer to make limited directional adjustments. The Drift will continue until the player releases the Drift button. At this point, the boost will kick in.