This article is about the technique used to get through tight turns. For the game, see Sonic Drift .
Drift
Utilization
High-speed traversal of tight corners Charging the Boost Gauge
Description
A technique for making sharp turns.
Sonic spins while turning, allowing him to turn tight corners at high speed.
— Instruction booklet, Sonic Generations
The Drift [1] [2] (ドリフト , Dorifuto ? ) , also called the Sonic Drift [3] (ドリフト[4] , Dorifuto ? , lit. "Drift") , is a move that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series . It is a technique in which the user makes sharp turns while moving at high speeds.
Description
When performing the Drift, the user creates friction to one of their sides while either sliding or spinning at high speed, causing their direction to shift rapidly in a smooth curve without losing much momentum.
In gameplay, the Drift is useful for the player when they have get through tight turns at high speeds. In addition, it can be combined with the Boost to amplify its speed and power.
Game appearances
Sonic Unleashed
Sonic using the Sonic Drift, from the Xbox 360 /PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed .
The move first appeared in both the Xbox 360 /PlayStation 3 version and the Wii /PlayStation 2 version of Sonic Unleashed , where it is referred to as the Sonic Drift .[3] It is only usable by Sonic in the gameplay of the daytime Stages . When drifting in this game, Sonic leans down on one arm while pushing his feet sideways in the opposite direction.
By drifting, the player is able to recharge the Ring Energy Gauge /Boost Gauge , though the mechanics differ between game versions: On the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version, the Ring Energy Gauge is constantly charged while drifting, but only in small amounts equivalent to the amount of energy required to boost. In the Wii/PlayStation 2 version, drifting charges more of the Boost Gauge at once, but only if it is pulled off correctly for long enough, which is referred to as a "Drift Bonus."
To perform the Sonic Drift in gameplay, the player has to use the following controls:
PS2
Wii
PS3
Xbox 360
Wii Remote + Nunchunk
Classic Controller
GameCube Controller
+ L Stick left/right
+ Control Stick left/right
+ L Stick left/right
+ Control Stick left/right
/ or + L Stick left/right
/ or + L Stick left/right
Sonic Colors
The Drift, from the Wii version Sonic Colors .
In the Wii version of Sonic Colors and its remaster, Sonic Colors: Ultimate , the move's name was changed to Drift .[1] In these games, it is performed by Sonic , the Mii (Wii version only), and the Virtual Hedgehogs . When drifting this time around, the user leans down on one arm while pushing their feet sideways in the opposite direction, much like in Sonic Unleashed , except that the user shoots rainbow-colored sparks from their feet (similar to the Boost ).
In gameplay, the Drift is only useable in parts with curved points where the Drift icon is displayed on the screen. While drifting in this game, the move is more "slippery" and difficult to use than in Sonic Unleashed , but the player earns 3.000 points per-second with a maximum of 100.000 points per Act. It can also be used to crash into enemies and objects. In Super Sonic 's case, he cannot use Drift in the "Drift sections", but he can use the Super Sonic Boost easily and with more control.
To use the Drift in gameplay, the player has to use the following controls:
Wii
Xbox One
PS4
Switch
PC
Wii Remote (sideways)
Wii Remote & Nunchuk
Classic Controller
GameCube controller
+ left/right
+ Control Stick left/right
+ L Stick left/right
+ Control Stick left/right
Sonic Generations
Modern Sonic using the Drift, from the console/PC version of Sonic Generations .
In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations , the move is referred as the Drift ,[2] and is only usable to Modern Sonic . When drifting in this game, Sonic revs into a Spin Attack as he turns, much like when charging the Spin Dash .
Modern Sonic drifting on his Snowboard , from the console/PC version of Sonic Generations .
In Sonic Generations , the Boost Gauge will be charged constantly in small doses while drifting, much like in Sonic Unleashed . The Drift is also easier to control than in Sonic Unleashed and can be used to attack enemies. Although, when using the Drift as Super Sonic , the aura of the move will not be changed from blue to golden. In addition, Sonic can also use Drift when riding a Snowboard or a Cart .
To use the move in gameplay, the player has to use the following controls:
In other media
IDW Publishing
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series published by IDW Publishing , the Drift is a move used exclusively by Sonic the Hedgehog . It first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog #4 , specifically during a battle Sonic had with a battalion of Badniks .
Trivia
In the Xbox 360 /PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed , it is possible to cross water surfaces without using the Boost if the player simply uses the Drift and constantly alternates Sonic's direction, much like snaking in other games with a drifting mechanic.
The Avatar 's Drift-like maneuver, from Sonic Forces .
In Sonic Forces , a Drift-like maneuver is used by the Avatar . This maneuver is an automatic move used by the Avatar in the Avatar Stages and Tag Stages when they have to get through a sharp turn.
References
Main article | Script | Credits | Glitches | Beta elements | Gallery
Playable characters
Sonic (Super Sonic , Sonic the Werehog ) | Gaia Colossus
Non-playable characters
Apotos
Alexis | Anastasia | Eric | Gregorios | Hot Dog Vendor | Ice Cream Vendor | Lambros | Lucas | Milos | Sandra
Spagonia
Aida | Barbara | Ciccio | David | Denise | Dora | Elio | Federica | Franco | Gigi | Hot Dog Vendor | Ippolita | Irma | Josef | Lilli | Lucia | Marcantonio | Mauro | Natalia | Otto | Professor Pickle | Professor Pickle's Assistant | Raimondo
Mazuri
Ana | Essie | Gwek | Hog Dog Vendor | Kofi | Kwami | Kwod | Yawa | Yaya
Chun-nan
Chun | Hot Dog Vendor | Hualin | Jinlin | Lin | Shuifon | Wang | Yilin | Zonshen
Holoska
Hot Dog Vendor | Jari-Pekka | Jari-Thure | Marketa | Sarianna | Ursule
Shamar
Ara | Dimah | Ehsan | Erhan | Hizir | Hot Dog Vendor | Iman | Labib | Latif | Layla | Mufid | Musaid | Raniya | Sa'id | Sadiq | Safi | Samia | Sammar | Shadi | Utba | Yasmine
Empire City
Boss | Brenda | Charles | Def Big | Elizabeth | Hot Dog Vendor | Li'l Kate | Louie Montaine | Robert
Adabat
Hot Dog Vendor | Jamal | Kaeo | Nagi | Rudi | Teanchai
Eggmanland
EF-DC1998 | EF-MD1991 | EF-XB2006 | Hot Dog Vendor
Misc.
Amy | Chip | Dark Gaia (Perfect Dark Gaia ) | Dr. Eggman | Tails | SA-55 | Su | Uh | Wentos
Town Stages
Apotos | Mazuri | Spagonia | Chun-nan | Holoska | Shamar | Empire City | Adabat | Eggmanland
Action Stages
Windmill Isle | Savannah Citadel | Rooftop Run | Dragon Road | Cool Edge | Arid Sands | Skyscraper Scamper | Jungle Joyride | Eggmanland | Tornado Defense
Enemies
Eggman's Machinery
Aero-Cannon | Aero-Chaser | Egg Blizzard | Egg Burst | Egg Fighter | Egg Fighter: Knight (Electric shield , Spring shield ) | Egg Fighter: Shield (Electric shield , Spring shield ) | Egg Fighter: Sword | Egg Flame | Egg Launcher (H) | Egg Launcher (H+V) | Egg Launcher (V) | Egg Shackle | Egg Shooter | Egg Typhoon | Gold Aero-Cannon | Interceptor | Little Fighter | Mole Cannon | Spinner | Thunder Ball | Thunder Spinner
Dark Gaia's minions
Big Mother | Cure Master | Dark Bat | Dark Bat Sniper | Dark Eel | Dark Fright | Deep Nightmare | Evil Flower | Fire Master | Fright Master | Killer Bee | Lightning Master | Little Rex | Nightmare | Power Master | Red Fright | Red Killer Bee | Red Rex | Thunder Bat | Titan
Bosses
Egg Beetle | Egg Cauldron | Egg Devil Ray | Egg Dragoon | Egg Lancer | Dark Gaia | Dark Gaia Phoenix | Dark Guardian | Dark Moray | Perfect Dark Gaia
Moves/ Techniques
Sonic
Air Boost | Cartwheel | Crouch | Foot Sweep | Grind Step | Grinding | Homing Attack | Hop | Jump Dash | Lightspeed Dash | Slide | Skydiving | Sonic Boost | Sonic Drift | Spin Jump | Stomp | Quick Step | Wall Jump
Werehog
Dash | Double Jump | Grab | Guard | Unleashed Mode | Wall Shuffle
Misc.
Boost | Drill Attack | Super Sonic Boost | Turbo Boost
Skills
Straight attacks
Donkey Kick Combo | Double Axle Combo | Double Kick Combo | Feral Were-Hammer | Knuckle Sandwich Combo | Sho-Hog-Ken | Unleashed Knuckle Sandwich | Vertical Were-Hammer | Were-Hammer | Werewheel Rush
Hook attacks
Earthshaker | Egg Scrambler | Feral Wild Whirl | Rolling Kick Combo | Sho-Claw-Ken | Ultimate Wild Combo | Unleashed Wild Combo | Wereclap | Wild Whirl | Wild Whirl Were-Hammer
Aerial attacks
Aerial Claw Slash | Aerial Claw Slash and Spin | Aerial Piledriver | Crescent Moon Strike | Diving Bodypress | Flying Double-Punch | Flying Double-Punch Crush | Hurricane Combo | Shooting Star Combo | Typhoon Combo
Special attacks
Comet Punch | Missile Punch | Spinning Needle Attack | Tricky Tornado Uppercut | Triple Wild Claw | Were-Claw Charge | Were-Cyclone | Were-Rush | Were-Tornado | Wild Werewhip
Gimmicks and obstacles
Balloon | Blue spring | Bobsled | Bomb | Buoy | Check Point | Conveyor Belt | Crane Lift | Crank | Dash Panel | Dash Rail | Dash Ring | Door | Fountain | Grind Rail | Hanging vine | Hint Ring | Horizontal Bar | Hourglass | Icicle | Iron ball | Jump Selector | Laser field | Lever | Movable box | Moving Crate | Rainbow Ring | Ramp | Snowblower | Spike Trap | Spikes | Springboard/Spring | Springpole | Switch | Thorn Spring | Trap Spring | Trick Jump Panel | Wide spring | Zip Line
Items
General
1UP | 5 Ring Bonus | Art Book | Audio System | Blue Tea | Bookshelf | Boss Gate | Chaos Orb | Container (Explosive crate , Steel Container , Wooden Container ) | Crystal Ball | Dark Gaia Force | Edible item (Apple , Banana , Canned Juice , Chai , Chili Dog , Donut , Sundae Supreme ) | Gaia Gate | Gaia Key | Goal Ring | Gift | Gramophone | Green Tea | Key Stone | Lovely Ring | Maiden Statue | Moon Medal | Old Necklace | Pick-Me-Up | Pretty Bouquet | Power Shield | Record | Red Tea | Ring | Shield Charge | Souvenir | Sun Medal | Super Claw | Super Ring | Turquoise Tea | TV | Videotape | Violet Tea | White Tea | Yellow Tea
Level Up Items
Air Boost Shoes | Light Speed Dash Shoes | Stomping Shoes | Wall Jump Shoes
English voice actors
Jason Griffith (Sonic , Werehog , Prof. Pickle's Assistant ) | Amy Palant (Tails ) | Lisa Ortiz (Amy ) | Anthony Salerno (Chip ) | Mike Pollock (Eggman , Zonshen ) | Christopher Collet (SA-55 ) | Dan Green (Ice Cream Vendor , Prof. Pickle )
Japanese voice actors
Jun'ichi Kanemaru (Sonic ) | Tomokazu Seki (Werehog ) | Chikao Otsuka (Eggman ) | Chō (Prof. Pickle ) | Ryō Hirohashi (Tails ) | Taeko Kawata (Amy ) | Ryōko Shiraishi (Chip )
Music
Songs
"Endless Possibility " | "Dear My Friend "
Albums
Planetary Pieces: Sonic World Adventure Original Soundtrack
Other
Auto Running | Boost Gauge | Boost Gauge | Chao | Chaos Emerald | Chaos Energy Cannon | Chun-nan's Treasure | Collection Room | Combo | Critical Attack | Don Fachio | Dr. Eggman's chair | Earth | Eggman Fleet | Egg Dragoon | Egg Mobile | Entrance Stage | Exorcisms | Experience Point | Freeze | Gaia Manuscripts | Gaia Temple | Gaia Temple guardian | Hallowmoon | Havok | Health Gauge | Miles Electric | Mission | Real-Time Interaction | Ring Energy Gauge | Shield Gauge | Shop (Counter of Dreams 2 , Eggshop , Flying Fish Beach Shop , Golden Trading Company , Josef's , Surfside Seagull Sundries , Traveling Salesman Wentos , Treeshade , Ursule's Trading Post , Wang's Emporium ) | Shuttle loop | Sonic: Night of the Werehog | Sonic World Adventure (manga) | Spagonia University | SPD | Tornado-1 | Rank | Time of awakening | Unleashed Gauge
Main article | Script | Staff | Glitches | Beta elements | Gallery
Playable characters
Sonic (Modern) (Super Sonic (Modern) ) | Sonic (Classic) (Super Sonic (Classic) )
Non-playable characters
Amy | Animals (Flicky , Picky , Pecky , Cucky ) | Blaze | Cheese | Cream | Cubot | Dr. Eggman (Classic) | Dr. Eggman (Modern) | Knuckles | Metal Sonic | Omochao | Orbot | Perfect Chaos | Rouge | Shadow | Silver | Tails (Classic) | Tails (Modern) | Team Chaotix (Charmy , Espio , Vector ) | Time Eater
Wisps
Orange | Pink
Stages
Green Hill | Chemical Plant | Sky Sanctuary | Speed Highway | City Escape | Seaside Hill | Crisis City | Rooftop Run | Planet Wisp | Casino Night
Challenge Acts
Doppelganger Race! | The Buzz Bombers' Revenge! | Knuckles: Horde of Enemies | Swingset Circus | High Speed Challenge | Look Out Below! | Tails: Way Past Fast | Jump Rush | 300% Boost Gauge Challenge | Tails: Toxic Skies | Which Switch is Which? | Aqua Shield Challenge | Invincibility Challenge | One Ring Challenge | Amy: Taking the Leap Together! | Grappling with Grabbers | Underwater Ring Machine | Eggrobo Rush | Aerial Paradise | Ring Time Challenge | Amy: Topsy Turvy | Knuckles: Buried Treasure | 200% Boost Gauge Challenge | Balloon Bonanza | High-Speed Hijinks (Modern) | Cream: Chao Hunt | Hot Pursuit (Classic) | High Speed Challenge 2 | Resisting Arrest | Overdrift | Hot Pursuit (Modern) | Drill Baby Drill | Espio: Master of Camouflage | Lord of the Board | Thunder Shield Challenge | Rouge: The Bombardier | Rite of Spring | Cream: Helping Hand | Dash Ring 1-2-3 (Modern) | Topsy-Turvy | High-Speed Hijinks 2 | Rescue the Animals! | Espio: Way of the Ninja | High-Speed Hijinks (Classic) | Underwater Challenge | Rouge: The Temptress | Trick Island | Surf, Sea, and Sand | Terror From the Deep | Goal Post Juggle | Vector: Through the Storm | Flame Shield Challenge | Ring Time Challenge 2 | Power Stomp Challenge | Switcheroo | Blaze: Piercing the Flames | Four-way Cannon Cavalcade | High-Rise Balloon Climb | Dash Ring 1-2-3 (Classic) | Charmy: Don't Bug Me! | One Ring Challenge 2 | Barrel Ring Bonus | Rooftop Rail Grind | Endless Boost | Vector: Pick Up the Beat | With Your Powers Combined | Goal Post Juggle 2 | Chase After Blaze | Rescue the Animals 2! | Cart Challenge | Charmy: High in the Sky | Action Master | Orange Rocket, Blast Off!
Enemies
Aero-Cannon | Buzz Bomber (Classic) | Buzz Bomber (Modern) | Buzzer (Classic) | Buzzer (Modern) | Chopper (Classic) | Chopper (Modern) | Cop Speeder | Crabmeat (Classic) | Crabmeat (Modern) | Egg Chaser | Egg Fighter | Egg Fighter: Sword | Egg Launcher (H) | Egg Launcher (H+V) | Egg Launcher (V) | Egg Pawn | Eggrobo | Giant Chopper | Grabber | Gun Beetle | Gun Hunter | Iblis's Minions (Iblis Biter , Iblis Taker , Iblis Worm ) | Mono Beetle | Moto Bug (Classic) | Moto Bug (Modern) | Sandworm | Spinner | Spiny | Sprinkler | Thunder Spinner
Bosses
Metal Sonic | Death Egg Robot | Shadow | Perfect Chaos | Silver | Egg Dragoon | Time Eater
Moves/ Techniques
Playable characters
Air Boost | Atomic Spin | Boost | Bound Jump | Cartwheel | Crouch | Double Jump | Drift | Freestyle Tricks | Grind Step | Grinding | Homing Attack | Hop | Insta-Shield | Jump Dash | Kick boost | Lightspeed Dash | Mid-Air Dash | Quick Step | Slide | Skydiving | Spin | Spin Dash | Spin Jump | Stomp | Super Sonic Boost | Super Sonic Missile | Wall Jump
NPCs
Chaos Spear | Dig | Drill Attack | Fire Beam | Heart Effect | Ice Wave | Meteor Smash | Ninja Arts: Camouflage | Propeller Flying | Psychic Knife | Restraint Trap | Ring Spark Field | Sun Burst | V. Maximum Overdrive Attack | Warping arm attack | Whirlwind
Color Powers
Orange Rocket | Pink Spikes
Skills
Aqua Shield | Flame Shield | Thunder Shield | Twin Spin Attack | Invincible Start | Shield | Power Sneakers | Long Spin Dash | Treasure Scanner | Homing Attack | Hercules Muscles | Breath Holder | Boardmaster | Ring Time | Blast Off | Speed Up | Direct Jump | Power Stomp | Quick Slide | Acceleration | Smasher Bonus | Ring Energy Bonus | Boost Gauge Up | Serial Homing | Auto-Gauge | Gauge Rebooter | Trick Mastery | Endless Boost | Power Brake | Sure-Footed | Safety Net | Last Chance | 10-Second Rings | Athleticism | Time Break | Super Sonic | Sega Genesis Controller *
Gimmicks and obstacles
Balloon | Barrel | Big Balloon | Bomb | Bonus Bell | Bottomless pit | Bumper | Cannon | Capsule | Car | Cart | Cloud | Crusher | Dash Panel | Dash Rail | Dash Ring | Dimensional Bomb | Explosion Trap | Fan | Flipper | Four-way Cannon | Gear Platform | Goal Plate | Gondola | GUN Military Truck | Hanging Bell | Heart bomb | Helicopter | High-speed warp tube | Horizontal Bar | Iron ball | Jump Panel | Kao | Laser field | Meteorite | Movable box | Pole Elevator | Propeller Spring | Pulley | Rainbow Ring | Rocket | Route Signal | Saw | Seesaw | Slot machine | Spike Trap | Spikes | Spinning Top | Spinning Platform | Spotlight | Spring | Spring Catapult | Spring Pole | Star Post | Switch | Trap Spring | Trick Jump Panel | Wall Jump Block | Warp Point | Wide spring | Zip Line
Items
Air Bubble | Boss Gate | Boss Gate Key | Buoy | Chaos Emerald | Container (Case , Spike Block , Steel Container , Unbreakable Container , Wooden Container ) | Energy Core | Goal Ring | Information Pod | Item Box (1-Up , Aqua Shield , Flame Shield , Invincible , Power Sneakers , Skateboard , Super Ring , Thunder Shield ) | Medal | Mega Mack | Musical note | Red Star Ring | Ring | Snowboard | Time Bonus | Wisp Capsule
English voice actors
Roger Craig Smith (Sonic (Modern) , Wisp announcer) | Mike Pollock (Eggman (Classic) , Eggman (Modern) ) | Kate Higgins (Tails (Classic) , Tails (Modern) ) | Travis Willingham (Knuckles ) | Cindy Robinson (Amy ) | Kirk Thornton (Shadow ) | Quinton Flynn (Silver ) | Laura Bailey (Blaze , Omochao ) | Karen Strassman (Rouge ) | Michelle Ruff (Cream ) | Keith Silverstein (Vector ) | Troy Baker (Espio ) | Colleen O'Shaughnessey (Charmy )
Japanese voice actors
Jun'ichi Kanemaru (Sonic (Modern) ) | Chikao Ōtsuka (Eggman (Classic) , Eggman (Modern) ) | Ryō Hirohashi (Tails (Modern) ) | Takuto Yoshinaga (Tails (Classic) ) | Nobutoshi Canna (Knuckles ) | Taeko Kawata (Amy ) | Kōji Yusa (Shadow ) | Rumi Ochiai (Rouge ) | Daisuke Ono (Silver ) | Nao Takamori (Blaze ) | Sayaka Aoki (Cream ) | Kenta Miyake (Vector ) | Yūki Masuda (Espio ) | Yōko Teppōzuka (Charmy ) | Etsuko Kozakura (Omochao ) | Fumihiko Tachiki (Wisp announcer)
Music
Songs
"Escape from the City " | "You're My Hero " | "Open Your Heart "
Albums
20 Years of Sonic Music | Blue Blur: Sonic Generations Original Soundtrack | History of the 1st Stage Original Soundtrack White Edition
Other
Boost Gauge | Chao in Space | Collection Room | Combo | Corkscrew | Death Egg (Classic) | Death Egg (Modern) | Death Egg Robot | Egg Dragoon | Egg Gun | Egg Mobile | Egg Spear | Havok | Lair of the Time Eater | Life | Loop | Miles Electric | Orca | Perfect Bonus | Rank | Sonic's birthday | Sonic Generations (manga) | Sonic Generations of Skate | Statue Room | Time Hole | Tornado-1 | Totem pole | Tunnel | Water | White Space
* Appears only in the console version