Spin Dash

The Spin Dash (スピンダッシュ), also called the Super Spin Dash, is Sonic's trademark move and variant of Spin Attack, which allows the user to instantly launch themselves forward into a high speed Spin Attack from a stationary position. Spin Dash has been first introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The Spin Dash is one of the most well known moves and a frequently used one throughout the series.

Description
Spin Dash is a different variant move, where the user crouches, performs an oval-shaped Spin Attack to charge (this part is dubbed the Spin Charge), then dashes off in a high speed rolling attack. The Spin Dash is used to attack enemies or break through walls, as well as dash up steep slopes without having to build up running momentum. Usually the player has to press down button to the bottom on D-pad and then start to pressing jump button few times in order to create the rotational speed while performing Spin Dash. After loading enough on speed, the player lets go of jump button and releases its user. Some games have different ways to do the move.

There have been many users who can perform this move, although it has become trademark move for Sonic the Hedgehog who has been used the move recurring times. Some of users have created their own variations of the technique.

Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)
Although the Spin Dash was not a move in the original Sonic the Hedgehog, it was added as an optional move in the 2013 re-release of the game for iPad and Android. It performs similarly to the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 appearance of the move, while unlockable Tails and Knuckles are able to perform it as well.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
The Spin Dash makes debut in 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, where the player can used it as Sonic or Tails. To perform the Spin Dash, the player has to press down button on the D-pad and then start pressing A, B or C several times. After loading enough on speed, the player can release it.

Doing Spin Dash also makes easy to destroy Badniks, go through broken floors in Hill Top Zone, upward from sharp ramps and Shuttle loops. If the player is skilled, it is possible to jump forwards to very high on steep hill at high speed after loading enough of speed in Spin Dash mode.

Sonic CD
Spin Dash makes another appearance in Sonic CD. However, performing Spin Dash is different. In the game, the player has to press down button to the bottom on D-pad, press A, B or C to the bottom and then release it after few seconds. If the player release it too earlier, the dash would not happen.

As looking up the player can perform the Super Peel Out similar way. When Sonic does Spin Dash, the ball mode is normal looking and does not have oval-shape look. Sonic can be seen doing Spin Dash in the bad ending of the game, as he loads it to throw the rock in the air which later hits to Robotnik.

In the 2011 re-release version, the player is able to switch to the original standard way of Spin Dash at options section, which is more similar from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. As Tails also become playable character, he has the same way to do Spin Dash from his first appearance.

Sonic Chaos
Spin Dash appears in Sonic Chaos, where Sonic and Tails can normally perform it. The player has to press down on the D-Pad, keep pressing the Jump button and then release it. As zones in the game are short, Spin Dash can be useful. In the game there are secret passages behind walls which can brake easily with Spin Dash. While looking as Sonic, the player can do Super Peel Out (called as Strike Dash in the game).

Sonic Spinball
The Spin Dash appears in both 16-bit and 8-bit versions of Sonic Spinball. Sonic can perform it in platforming sections of the pinball areas and can be useful to burst back to the pinball sections. Doing the movement is same from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, as pressing down on the D-Pad, keep pressing the Jump button and then release it.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
Spin Dash makes appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and its add-on continuation Sonic & Knuckles. In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the movement is able to do with Sonic and Tails while in Sonic & Knuckles and its lock-on version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Knuckles can also perform the Spin Dash. Doing the move is almost identical from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as pressing down button to the bottom, start pressing A, B or C few times and then release it.

There are moments when Spin Dash can be useful as loading Spinning wheels to open rock doors, roofs or floors in Marble Garden Zone. Rocks in Sandopolis Zone can more easily push with Spin Dash. There are elevators at Lava Reef Zone, which works while doing Spin Dash on them. There is Ring Shooter at Death Egg Zone, where the playable character curls to the Spin Dash mode for countdown and then starts flying in the air through yellow rings for while to the other side.

Sonic Triple Trouble
Spin Dash makes appearance in Sonic Triple Trouble as both Sonic and Tails can perform it well. Doing the move is identical from Sonic Chaos. There are minecarts at Sunset Park Zone, which are usually controlled by Motobug-looking badniks which can defeat and to ride with one of minecarts, the player has to keep pressing down and then repeatedly keep pressing Jump button to move the minecart.

Knuckles' Chaotix
Spin Dash makes appearance in Knuckles' Chaotix, as for the first time the move has not being used by Sonic. In the game Knuckles the Echidna, Espio the Chameleon, Mighty the Armadillo and Vector the Crocodile can perform the Spin Dash. Doing the Spin Dash is really similar to Sonic the Hedgehog 2, while it can be useful during the ring force bond gameplay. The playable characters are seen being sent to the stages by spin dashing on the launching platform which moves forward and hurls the characters to the stage.

Tails Adventure
In Tails Adventure, there's item with Sonic-icon (item being obviously called Sonic (ソニック)), which can be used by Tails. With item being used, the player has to press button 1 to roll into a stationary spin and then release to move forward as curling ball. With this move the player can easily destroy the breakable walls. The move is really similar to Spin Dash. It is possible that this is the way Tails learn to do Spin Dash, as the game is prequel to the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in Japanese instruction manual.

Sonic Labyrinth
In Sonic Labyrinth, as Sonic's shoes are replaced with the Slow-Down Boots, he can't move fast or jump high. While this doesn't effect to do Spin Dash which is key movement in the game to move from place to place with fast speed. It can be activated by pressing 1 or 2 buttons for while and then release it to move. At the same time player has to decide on the direction of character as the game is described in isometric perspective.

Sonic Jam
Spin Dash appears as movement at all games in the compilation game Sonic Jam, even in the original Sonic the Hedgehog where it has been featured exclusively in the compilation game.

Sonic 3D
The Spin Dash appears once again at isometric perspective in Sonic 3D Blast (also known as Sonic 3D Flickies Island). In the game Spin Dash has to activate by pressing B-button at bottom while deciding the direction of with D-pad at same time and after that release it.

There are devices that sends Sonic automatically spin dashing through loops and ramps during the game. There are also many hidden passages behind the specific breakable walls in the game that can be break with Spin Dash. Like Lava Reef Zone in Sonic & Knuckles, there are blue elevators at Volcano Valley Zone which work by doing Spin Dash on them.

Sonic Blast
The Spin Dash appears in Sonic Blast as both Sonic and Knuckles can perform it during the game. Doing it is similar from Sonic Triple Trouble.

Sonic R
The Spin Dash in Sonic R can be used by Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Super Sonic. To do Spin Dash, player has press B button few times and D-pad to get direction. The player can used to give extra boost at the beginning countdown of the race.

Sonic Adventure
The Spin Dash makes it's appearance in Sonic Adventure, as Sonic only can use it during the game. To do it, the player has to hold B or X button down and then release it. Sonic can easily load again Spin Dash during rolling so he doesn't need to stop separately. The Spin Dash also has to do to load enough of energy to perform the Light Speed Dash. Sonic also used his trademark move in several cutscenes, the most notable times being at the start of his story to follow the police, & in the ending of the Final Story, where, while not seen, can be heard using it to follow Eggman.

Sonic Pocket Adventure
The Spin Dash appears in Sonic Pocket Adventure once again only Sonic movements. It works similarly like in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and to do it, player has to duck, keep pressing A or B button to load it and then release it.

Sonic Adventure 2
The Spin Dash appears in Sonic Adventure 2 as now Sonic and Shadow can perform it. In the multiplayer mode, Metal Sonic and Amy Rose are able to do the Spin Dash too. The Spin Dash can be done similarly from Sonic Adventure. In this version, Sonic and Shadow don't need Spin Dash to load Light Speed Dash.

Sonic Advance games
The Spin Dash has appeared in Sonic Advance games, as in all three games Sonic, Tails and Knuckles can use it. In all games, it can be done by ducking, pressing A or B button few times and then release it. In Sonic Advance, Amy Rose is unable to do it, although she can do small Step movement with same control strategy.

In Sonic Advance 2, Cream the Rabbit and even Amy are able to do Spin Dash as well. Although instead of rolling as a ball, Amy only charge its speed as running at one point.

All characters can do Spin Dash in Sonic Advance 3. However as Amy Rose is partner character, Tails or Cream can do leap and Knuckles can do Step Dash, which is more similar to Super Peel Out. While Sonic has Amy as partner, he is able to do Spin Dash normally.

Shadow the Hedgehog
In Shadow the Hedgehog, Shadow can do Spin Dash with similar way to Sonic Adventure 2.

Sonic Rush games
The Spin Dash appears in both Sonic Rush and Sonic Rush Adventure as one on Sonic's moves. Blaze the Cat has its variation called Burst Dash. Like in Sonic Advance games, the player has duck, press A or B button few times and then release. As boosting is introduced in these games, Spin Dash has become sort of slower technique to get start-up speed.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
The Spin Dash has been featured in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) as one of Sonic's moves. As the player releases the character from spin dashing and keeps it rolling, the player can't jump or perform any other moves during rolling around and has to wait few few moments until Sonic stops rolling or cancels the roll by pressing the action button during it. The player can also Spin Dash while using the Red Gem, Purple Gem and Sky Gem.

Sonic Rivals games
In both Sonic Rivals and Sonic Rivals 2, every character can do a Spin Dash during races, including Rouge the Bat, Silver the Hedgehog and Espio the Chameleon. Similarly to the Sonic R, the player can also do Spin Dash during the beginning countdown to get extra speed for race.

Super Smash Bros Brawl
The Spin Dash becomes one of Sonic's movements in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, where he has 3 variations of this move; his down special (the original attack), his forward special (a slower dash that does not need to charge and begins with a hop to aid in recovery), and his down smash (a rapid Spin Dash back and forth).

Sonic Unleashed
While Spin Dash does not appear in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions of Sonic Unleashed, Sonic can Spin Dash at the start of stages in PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii versions of the game. If timed properly, Sonic will start the level with a free unit of boost energy; otherwise he will trip and fall. Touching Dash Pads while boosting will also play this animation in the PS2/Wii versions.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4
The Spin Dash is featured in both episodes of Sonic the Hedgehog 4, as Sonic can perform it in both episodes and Tails can do it in second episode. It works similar way like in Sonic Rush games, however in first episode as the player release the character for example, it doesn't roll down the hill or go up from ramps completely. This was later fixed in episode II as it has now appreciable to roll. While in Episode Metal, Metal Sonic is able to do Spin Dash as well. Sonic and Tails can be also seen doing Spin Dash in loading screen of episode II.

Sonic Colors
Not being featured in Nintendo Wii version, Spin Dash appears in Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors as one of the moves for Sonic. The Spin Dash can be activated similar way like in Sonic Rush games. However, there is a way to activate a version of the Spin Dash in the Wii version, while being under the effects of the Pink Wisp.

Sonic Generations
The Spin Dash returns in all versions of Sonic Generations as one of Classic Sonic's moves. However there are two ways to perform it as the player can do it the original way or just pressing/tapping the X(Xbox 360) or Square(PS3) button without doing separate ducking. Oddly, the Spin Dash in the game is more powerful than before, essentially serving as Classic Sonic's equivalent of Modern Sonic's Boost. When Modern Sonic touches a dash panel, he'll briefly use the Spin Dash, much like in the Wii/PS2 version of Sonic Unleashed. Unlike in Unleashed, however, Sonic doesn't have to touch the dash panel while boosting to activate the Spin Dash; the animation plays when Sonic runs over a Dash Panel at a certain speed. Modern Sonic can also somewhat use it freely when drifting, as he Spin Dashes to drift in the game. Classic Sonic can use a skill that enables him to spin dash longer.

Sonic Lost World
In Sonic Lost World, the Spin Dash will return as one of Sonic's main abilities, used in a more traditional sense in a 3D game for the first time since Sonic Adventure 2. Pressing both trigger buttons activates the Spin Dash.

Spin Slash
Spin Slash is a variant performed by Sonic the Hedgehog in the unreleased Sonic X-treme. It was an upgraded Spin Dash.

Whirl Dash
Whirl Dash is variant performed by Espio the Chameleon, which only appears in Knuckles' Chaotix and Sonic the Fighters. in this way, Espio assumes his Whirl tornado formation and spins on the tip of his toes like a top, diagonally pivoted and begins to rev up. as Lately in Sonic Heroes, Espio starts using the normal Spin Dash.

Donut Dash
Donut Dash is variant performed by Vector the Crocodile, which only has been featured in Knuckles' Chaotix. In the game Vector assumes a ring form, and begins revving up like a spinning wheel, due to his long and skinny body.

Burst Dash
Burst Dash is variant performed by Blaze the Cat. It is similar to Espio's Whirl Dash as Blaze assumes a tornado formation, but she revs up by standing and charging the fire at her feet and is instead surrounded by fire.

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie
The Spin Dash has only been seen once in Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie as Tails manages to corrupt Metal Sonic's data with Robotnik's navigator, Sonic quickly loads Spin Dash and knocks Hyper Metal Sonic to far away.

Sonic X
Sonic the Hedgehog in Sonic X has been performed numerous times during the series run.

Trivia

 * The Spin Dash has a different sound effect of Spin Attack in the beta version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. It has been changed to its own sound effect in the final version of the game as it sounds more efficient.
 * Tails' tails don't move along while his body is rolling during the Spin Dash or Spin Attack in earlier games and Sonic Advance games. This happens in a similar way with Cream's ears during the Spin Dash.
 * In the French Sonic & Knuckles guide, the Spin Dash is named Sonic Boom.
 * Tiara Boobowski was stated to be able to perform the Spin Dash in Sonic X-treme. However, because of the game's cancellation, this never happened.
 * Sonic can be seen doing Spin Dash in Sonic the Hedgehog Screen Saver.
 * In Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis, which is a port of the original game, features an anniversary mode feature, which includes the Spin Dash movement for Sonic.
 * In recent games (mostly on consoles) the Spin Dash has fallen out of Sonic's use, in favor of Boosts and Sliding, although he has been using it occasionally in several spin-off handheld games and as Classic Sonic in Sonic Generations.
 * As Sonic runs over a Dash Panel and while drifting in Sonic Generations, he's seen curling into ball which closely looks performing the Spin Dash, although it is very similar in essence to the Spin Attack.
 * When using the Pink Wisp in Sonic Colors (or in Sonic Generations), Sonic can perform the move which is similar to a Spin Dash as it bursts out as curling ball from a standing position.
 * Pac-Man's Rev-Roll move from the Pac-Man world games resembles the Spin Dash when it is used by Amy.