Container

The Container^[1] (コンテナ, Kontena^?) is an object that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Designed as cubic-shaped boxes that are generally set around the levels in the various Sonic games, Containers are made of a plurality of different materials, which may or may not be useful. As such, they come in different variants, the most basic of which are the Wooden Containers, which are just breakable objects, Steel Containers, which are sometimes harder to break down, and more heavy-looking ones called Unbreakable Containers, which are indestructible objects. More often than not, the player can take advantage of the items inside the destroyable Containers by breaking them.

In their debut game, the Containers were separated into five different materialized types of boxes. Since then, they have become some of the more generally seen objects in the Sonic series, with some of the games having introduced new types of containers.

Description

The basis appearance of the Containers has remained largely the same since their debut in terms of the simple, cubic-shaped design. However, their superficial appearance has varied since Sonic Adventure 2, where all types of containers were marked with GUN logo. In several games since Sonic Heroes, the most common superficial appearance of the Containers has replaced the GUN logo with a more colorful circle with a five-pointed white star in the middle, while Shadow the Hedgehog have logos of different enemy groups. Sonic Unleashed on the other hand, features simple Containers with no unique logo on them.

There are several types of Containers, each one serving a different purpose in the games. While some of them are broken easily with certain attacks, others more heavy and even impossible to interact with, making them part of the levels themselves. There are also a few types of containers that serve different purposes or include other level objects, and can be opened by destroying certain amount of enemies (Cases). Containers can also be used against enemies by certain characters, such as Silver the Hedgehog and Sonic the Werehog.

Game appearances

Sonic Adventure 2

Containers first appeared as major gameplay objects in Sonic Adventure 2 and its remake Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. These Containers come in five different variations, each of them serving different purposes in the game. They are commonly placed in rows or other formations in every stage of the game. Some of them hide Item Boxes and other items, while others block obligatory or secret pathways. Breaking a Container grants the player twenty points.

Wooden Containers are the most basic Containers in this game, as well as the most fragile. Above them are Steel Containers which are sturdier. Regardless of durability, both the Wooden Containers and Steel Containers may hide certain objects and gimmicks inside them or block pathways. There are also Unbreakable Containers that cannot be destroyed by any means. There are also Cages, which either block certain pathways or keep Animals imprisoned inside them. Lastly, there are the Chao Containers, of which there are three of in almost every stage. These ones contain different items, such as Chao Keys, common Animals, or rare Animals.

Sonic Heroes

In Sonic Heroes, the Containers were made more colorful in design. There are five variations of them in this game, the first four of which include the Wooden Containers, Steel Containers, Unbreakable Containers, and Cages, the last of which are sometimes flying in mid-air with the aid of a propeller. Sonic Heroes also introduces the Cases. These Containers function as high-tech prisons and have objects inside them, such as Switches, Springs, Item Boxes etc. The Cases are either guarded by enemies or require a Switch. If the player defeats all enemies around the Case or activates a nearby Switch, it will automatically open the Case.

Like in Sonic Adventure 2, Containers like the Wooden and Steel Containers can hide Item Boxes inside them. However the player does not gain any points from breaking them excessively. Because they usually block pathways, the Containers (except from the Cases) are often stacked in two-boxed towers, sometimes with different types of Containers added to their mix.

Shadow the Hedgehog

In Shadow the Hedgehog, Containers contain weapons and guns. The sort of weapons they hold depend on the Containers' logo.

In this game, there are four types of Containers. The first three are the classic Wooden Containers, which have weapons from the Eggman Empire and additional handguns, Steel Containers, which have weapons from either the Eggman Empire or GUN, and Unbreakable Containers. The fourth one is a new type of Container called the Special Weapon Container. These ones hold special-class Weapons which are far more powerful and versatile than the regular ones.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), Containers appear as one of main level objects. If the player is using Sonic or Shadow, Containers serve the same purpose as they did in previous games. However, if the player is using Silver the Hedgehog, they can utilize Containers as weapons to throw at enemies using Psychokinesis and Psycho Smash.

Normally, Containers lie around within Action Stages, although some of them can also be found in Town Stages and during boss fights.

The game itself features five different types of Containers, two of which are new. First, there are the Wooden Containers which are the second most common Containers in the game and may serve special purposes in Town Missions. Secondly, there are the Steel Containers which are the most Containers this time around. Thirdly, there are the Cases which have been given a new high-tech look. Lastly, there are the two new Containers which have explosive properties. The first of these are the explosive crates which can damage surrounding enemies with a short-ranged blast when broken. The second of these containers are the blue crates which create a flash of light that paralyzes surrounding enemies when broken.

Sonic Rivals 2

In Sonic Rivals 2, Wooden Containers appear as breakable obstacles in some of the Zones. The three basic Containers (Wooden, Steel and Unbeakable) also appear as collectible cards in the game.

Sonic Unleashed

In both versions of Sonic Unleashed, a total of three Container types appear: the Wooden Containers, explosive crates (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version only), and Steel Containers (Wii/PlayStation 2 version only). In this game, Sonic the Werehog is able to pick up Containers and either carry them around, throw them, or attack enemies with them.

The Wooden Containers can be found nearly everywhere and are mostly set in rows or other formations. The explosive crates on the other hand, are extremely rare. Steel Containers in this game also either block paths or are used as weights for Switches or shields against flame plumes.

Sonic Colors

In the Wii version of Sonic Colors, Wooden Containers, Steel Containers and Unbreakable Containers appear. While the Wooden and Steel Containers both serve their traditional purposes and new ones in this game, the Unbreakable Containers in particular are used as building block for level structures in the different levels' Acts.

Sonic Generations

In both versions of Sonic Generations, the Wooden Containers and Steel Containers make an appearance. In these games, they work almost like they did in Sonic Colors. On the console/PC version of the game, the Unbreakable Containers make an appearance as well.

In the Nintendo 3DS version of the game, the Containers can be targeted and destroyed by the Homing Attack. The most common type of Container in this version of the game is the Wooden Container, which appears in most stages. In Tropical Resort on the other hand, the most common Container type is the Steel Container. Also, during the boss battle with Silver the Hedgehog on this version, the hedgehog will throw Containers at Modern Sonic.

Sonic Forces

In Sonic Forces, both the Wooden Containers and Unbreakable Containers appear in the gameplay. Like in previous games, the Wooden Containers sometimes hide objects from the player. The Unbreakable Containers on the other hand are mostly used to reach higher areas or construct pathways throughout the stages.

Variants

Black Mound

Main article: Black Mound

The Black Mound is a variant of the Unbreakable Containers. They are composed of black metal and are aligned with white lines and a bright core. In gameplay, they can only be destroyed by certain Color Powers and Super Sonic. They only appear in the Wii version of Sonic Colors.

Blue Crate

Main article: Blue crate

The blue crate is a special variant of Containers. Like the Wooden Containers, the blue crates can be destroyed by any normal attack that the playable character can have. When destroyed though, they releases a light that temporarily paralyzes all nearby enemies. In some cases, they also contain items and can even destroy enemies with their light. They first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).

Cage

Main article: Cage (metal bar container)

Cages are another variants of Containers, which are cubic shaped boxes and made of bars. These Containers usually have objects inside them that can be collected by the player, but can normally only be broken under special circumstances. They first appeared in Sonic Adventure 2.

Case

Main article: Case

The Case is a high-tech version of the Containers. It is slightly larger than a normal Container. It typically contains either a Switch, Spring or other objects that the player has to use to progress in the levels. It is typically surrounded by numerous enemies, which the player has to destroy in order to open it. It first appeared in Sonic Heroes.

Chao Container

Main article: Chao Container

The Chao Container is a unique variant of Containers. These Containers can contain Chao Keys and Animals, both regular and rare. These Containers are less numerable than the other variants of Containers in the game, as there are only three Chao Containers within each Action Stage, each of them features different item. They first appeared in Sonic Adventure 2.

Explosive Crate

Main article: Explosive crate

The explosive crate is a special variant of Containers. Like the Wooden Containers, the explosive crates can be destroyed by any normal attack that the playable character can have. When destroyed though, they create an explosion of fire that deals one hit worth of damage to nearby enemies. They first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).

Special Weapon Container

Main article: Special Weapon Container

The Special Weapon Container is a variant of the Wooden Containers. They are distinguished from regular Wooden Containers by the icon of Shadow the Hedgehog on each of its faces. These containers hold special-class Weapons which are far more powerful and versatile than normal ones. They first appeared in Shadow the Hedgehog.

Spike Block

Main article: Spike Block

The Spike Block is a variant of the Unbreakable Containers. It has a pink coloration with a metallic and crystalline-like structure. In gameplay, they cannot be destroyed by anything except the Pink Spikes. They only appear in the console/PC version of Sonic Generations.

Steel Container

Main article: Steel Container

The Steel Container is another common variant of Containers. These Containers are mostly made of steel or iron, which the player is unable to break under normal circumstances, requiring the use of stronger attacks while sometimes possessing a certain Level Up Item. They first appeared in Sonic Adventure 2.

Unbreakable Container

Main article: Unbreakable Container

The Unbreakable Containers is the heaviest variant of the Containers and are virtually indestructible obstacles. These Containers are resistant to any possible attacks from both playable characters and enemies alike, meaning they cannot be destroyed by any of the player's means (they can be broken in Sonic Heroes using the Cannon). They first appeared in Sonic Adventure 2.

Wooden Container

Main article: Wooden Container

The Wooden Container is the standard variant of Containers, and has appeared in most games. It is the most easily breakable version out of all Containers, as it can be broken with any normal attack the playable character has. They first appeared in Sonic Adventure 2.

References