Bungee Rope

The Bungee Rope^[1] (バンジーロープ, Banjīrōpu^?) is a recurring gimmick in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Essentially a bungee cord, it allows players to launch themselves into the air.

Description

The Bungee Ropes are similar to the Bungie Vine. Like its real-life counterpart, it is presented as a rope (often more accurately as a string of circles) that can attach to the users' legs, and expand and contract accordingly.

In gameplay, the Bungee Ropes can launch the players into the air, similar to the Spring. They are found at the edges of routes leading into gaps. Such edges normally curve downward so the characters are running straight down when going off them. At first invisible, the Bungee Ropes become visible as they automatically attach to the characters' legs when they run off the edges. After the characters have fallen slightly downward, the Bungee Ropes will then contract, bouncing them straight upward into the air (releasing their legs on the way). This way, the player can reach routes or other targets above or ahead that are otherwise out of reach. After being bounced by the Bungee Ropes, the player can pull off certain Trick Actions. Also, using the Bungee Rope will not interrupt the Boost Mode.

Game appearances

Sonic Advance 3

In Sonic Advance 3, the Bungee Rope appeared exclusively in Sunset Hill. Whenever the player gets bounced by the Bungee Rope in this game, they are able to pull off Mid-Air Trick Actions.

Sonic Rush series

Sonic Rush

In Sonic Rush, the Bungee Ropes are gimmicks exclusive to Leaf Storm only. In this game, the player can pull off aerial-orientated Trick Actions after getting bounced by the Bungee Rope.

Sonic Rush Adventure

In Sonic Rush Adventure, the Bungee Rope can be encountered on the Hidden Island-themed Hidden Islands. Like in Sonic Rush, the player can use aerial-orientated Trick Actions after the Bungee Rope bounces the characters.

Beside the regular Bungee Rope, variants of it appear in other stages, but otherwise work in the same way. In Coral Cave, the Bungee Ropes resemble huge mechanical pulleys, each with a hook. Unique to these ones, the player can grind and pull off Grind Tricks on the section leading to the edge and the bungee cord. The characters also hold onto the hook by their hand rather than their feet. In Blizzard Peaks, there are Bungee Ropes that look like blue springboards. When using these ones, the characters grab hold of the tip as they run off the edge while the springboard bends downward, before bouncing them upward.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), a vine-based gimmick similar to the Bungee Rope appears in Tropical Jungle. It is only encountered on one occasion though.

Like the Bungee Rope, this gimmick extends downward as Sonic grabs it, then bounces him upward. Unlike the Bungee Rope though, this gimmick is triggered when Sonic reaches the end of a Grind Rail rather than an edge. He also holds onto it by hand rather than having it bound to his feet.

Sonic Rivals 2

In Sonic Rivals 2, the Bungee Rope appears in Sunset Forest Zone. In this game, it is disguised as a cluster of green vines, but otherwise retains its standard mechanics.

Sonic Mania

In Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, the Bungee Rope appears in Stardust Speedway Zone Act 2.

References