Gohla

Gohlas (ゴーラ) (also known as Sol and Gola) are a variety red of Orbinaut badniks, which are created by Doctor Robotnik. Gohlas were first seen in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and instead of spiked balls these Orbinaut variants have four fireballs around it, which badniks start firing forward after seeing its target.

The badnik was originally dubbed as Sol in the American instruction manual of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, though there was no accompanying illustration for the badnik. Sonic Jam named the badnik as Ghora after its Japanese name. Two E-series robot models were later seen to be based on Gohlas, called E-17 Ghora in Sonic Adventure and E-31 Gola in Sonic Adventure 2. These E-series robots have different attack patterns as well. These are all acceptable translations of the Japanese name, but Gohla appears to be the most consistent official spelling.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Gohlas made first appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, as these badniks are featured at overworld and cavers of Hill Top Zone. Similar to Orbinaut badniks from original Sonic the Hedgehog, as the Gohla sees the player while floating in the air, it fires its fireballs, that move slowly ahead in the air, while the player is recommended to avoid fireballs and wait until all of them are released. After that Gohla itself is floating forward without defense and the player is able to destroy the badnik with Spin Jump.

Apparently, flashing Gohlas without fireballs are also seen at other side of seesaw in Hill Top Zone, which the player has to bounce other side to get upper levels with seesaw.

Sonic Blast
Gohlas made next appearance as being featured at Red Volcano Zone in Sonic Blast. While having slightly different pattern, the badnik also has this time only one fireball floating around. Gohla also doesn't release its fireball as it now protects itself with it. These enemies are hard to avoid while crossing lava pools. The player is still able to destroy by without touching the fireball. Like every badnik in Master System / Game Gear title, Gohlas don't have animals inside them.

Sonic Adventure
In Sonic Adventure, there are E-series robots called E-17 Ghora, that are based on Gohlas as having four fireballs floating around and using them to defend itself. These robots are featured at Red Mountain and Lost World.

Sonic Adventure 2
Another slightly different models from E-series based on Gohlas are seen in Sonic Adventure 2 called E-31 Gola. These robots are similar to previous E-series models and are now only seen at Death Chamber.

Sonic Advance 2
Gohlas are next seen in Sonic Advance 2, while having slightly different appearance. Gohlas are now only featured at Hot Crater. Unlike in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, these robots hover slowly on the ground back and forth. These robots also don't release their fireballs (which are separated robots now) and only float around the Gohlas to lateral direction. The player can defeat robots by Spin Jumping above them.

Sonic Rivals 2
Gohla along with E-17 Ghora from Sonic Adventure make appearance in Sonic Rivals 2, only being featured on collectible cards. The Gohla card can be collected by completing the game fully, while E-17 Ghora card is able to by getting the high score third act of Frontier Canyon Zone and unlocking Chao Detector of that zone at the same time.

Sonic Lost World
Gohla will make appearance in upcoming Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Lost World, as they got the original, simplistic look from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. These badniks are being featured at Desert Ruins where they can be found from wide areas or tight cavities of pyramid. While normally spinning its fireballs around the orb body, an amount of fireballs varies to two and four.

Physical Appearance
Gohlas in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic Blast are simply described as floating red orbs with eyes on face and four fireballs or single one floating around. Gohlas are also seen to have small hatch beneath the body. These badniks are become different looking in Sonic Advance 2 as appearance is more close to variants in E-series. Gohla has now red center section where its eyes are located. Upper and lower parts are grey metallic plates and the behind the orb body are six spikes set. Fireballs are now orange spheres with eyes, which have flames on top.

Abilities
Gohlas with four fireballs appear to have same attack pattern like Unidus variants of Orbinauts from original Sonic the Hedgehog, as it fires its fireballs one by one forward from back bottom slowly. While Gohlas are normally seen making fireballs float around from the top downwards, it can also make them float around at lateral direction in Sonic Advance 2. Gohlas also share similarity to Uni-Uni variants, as they protect themselves with one floating fireball and don't fire to its target in Sonic Blast.

Trivia

 * Gohla hasn't appear in Archie Comics continuity at all. However it makes small appearance in the variant cover of Sonic the Hedgehog #251, as shown lighting the fire for Dr. Eggman and Dr. Wily around a campfire, while being along with others scared of Wily's ghost story.