Case

For the cage made of metal bars, see Cage (metal bar container).

The Case (入れ物, Iremono^?), or Cage, is a reoccurring gimmick in the Sonic the Hedgehog series that first appeared in Sonic Heroes. It is a variant of the Containers meant to hold objects isolated from the player. By meeting certain criteria, the player can open them and access the objects they hold.

Description

The Case is a cube-shaped container built with highly advanced technology. However, the Case's design is often inconsistent, differing between games. Its purpose is to hold objects within them that the player can or must use or are going after, such as Item Boxes, Springs and even enemies. In most cases, it is obligatory for the player to get to the Cases' contents so they can progress with the Stage, though there are also times where opening them is optional.

The Cases are always locked when first encountered and are impervious to attacks from both playable characters and enemies alike, meaning they cannot be forced open by any means. To open them, the player has to either destroy the surrounding enemies or activate a nearby Switch.

Games appearances

Sonic Heroes

The Case's first appearance was in Sonic Heroes, where it can be found in almost every Stage in the game. In this game, the Cases consists of a square metal base with a red outline and three metal frames in the same shape and size as its base, floating above it in a stack. Also, on top of it, it has a thick lid with a retractable surface opening. When opened, the Chase's lid will retract and lower down, compressing the metal frames along with it, leaving only the base behind.

In gameplay, the Cases mostly contain Goal Rings, Chao, Item Box items, Warp Flowers, Switches and in a few missions, even enemies that must be destroyed.

Shadow the Hedgehog

In Shadow the Hedgehog, there are two variants of the Case. The first ones look like black hourglasses that glow red, hinting that they are inventions of the Black Arms, and the second ones look like the Cases in Sonic Heroes, except they are green and have the GUN logo on the top and bottom.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), the Cases are cubic containers consisting only of a red cubic frame and have surfaces made of light blue energy. In this game, they are usually used for guarding Switches and Springs. It should be noted that the player can use the objects inside the Cases without opening them by using the Chaos Snap as Shadow, though this may leave him imprisoned in the Case until the player restarts the Action Stage.

Sonic Generations

In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, the Cases can be found in various Challenge Acts. In this game, they have the same design as they had in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) and they primarily contain gimmicks the player can be used to reach higher areas.

Sonic Lost World

Cases reappear in the 3DS version of Sonic Lost World, though they have a drastically different design, appearing more cylindrical and with a glass casing instead of blue energy. As usual, they tend to have Springs or Teleporters necessary to progress, but they can also have items, Wisp Capsules, and even Red Star Rings.

The cases in this game have signs at the top that indicate what needs to be collected, activated, or otherwise interacted with to open it. For example, a Flicky icon with a number next to it indicates you need to defeat enemies and how many, respectively. Other methods of opening cases include switches, as well as level-specific gimmicks such as the fruit in Tropical Coast Zone 2.

Trivia

• In Radical Train of Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), one can notice that under certain platforms that have a Case on them that the energy field container of the Case is clashing with the underneath structures of the platforms when deactivated. This likely happens due to the fact that the energy field container normally sinks down when its Case is deactivated and remains under the ground of the gameplay arena.
• In Team Attack Amigo's Crisis City version, if one manages to go around the building on their right at the very beginning of the stage, they should find an activated giant Case on the other side of the building.^[1]

Gallery

Gallery
The Case in Sonic Heroes. One of the Case variants in Shadow the Hedgehog. One of the Case variants in Shadow the Hedgehog. The Case in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006). The Case in the 3DS version of Sonic Lost World. Add a photo to this gallery

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