Tails' Skypatrol



Tails' Skypatrol (テイルスのスカイパトロール) is a spin-off game for the Sonic the Hedgehog series, developed by JSH and published by Sega for Sega Game Gear. It was originally released on April 28, 1995 as an exclusive game to the Japanese market. Tails' Skypatrol is also included as an unlockable minigame in Nintendo GameCube's Sonic Adventure DX, and was re-released as one of the featured games in GameCube's Sonic Gems Collection. The game is a spin-off in the Sonic series following the adventures of Sonic's trusty sidekick Miles "Tails" Prower as he tries to save an island from Wendy Witchcart, who claims to be able to turn dissenters into crystals with her magic.

Objective
Tails is determined to save a remote island that is ruled by a strange witch. Avoid obstacles and enemies using Tails' magical Ring and flying ability to get through the Area. You'll face the boss at the end of the Area, whom you must defeat to clear and advance to the next Area (*No boss on the first Training Area).

Gameplay
The gameplay of Tails' Skypatrol is less in line with the familiar platforming style of the traditional Sonic games. There are no rings or emeralds to be collected, Dr. Robotnik is entirely absent, and Tails is constantly "suspended" in flight mode. Stages are cleared simply by completing each course from left to right. Automatic scroll constantly moves Tails along the level; should he fall, bump into objects or touch the ground, he loses a life.

Across each stage Tails carries a golden ring with him which he can throw as a projectile to defeat enemies or break walls. Using the Ring, he will also latch on to any number of devices the player will encounter in each stage, ranging from gymnastics bars to railcarts.

In order to stay afloat, the player must constantly watch Tails' flight meter, which slowly drops to zero. Scattered across the map are candy bars which Tails can collect to replenish his stamina.

Training Area


Tails starts off his adventure in the "Training Area", a colourful seaside highland without foes which is supposed to let you get the hang of the controls. Of course, like the rest of Tails Skypatrol, even this area is ridiculously difficult, as the new player will doubtless find themselves crashing into the ground and instantly-fatal obstacles over and over and over again. Alas.

Still, if you manage to complete this introductory stage, Tails flies on to the first genuine level, Rail Canyon.