The Fireball Spin Dash[1] (火の玉ダッシュ Hinotama Dasshu?, lit. "Fireball Dash"), also referred to as the Mid-Air Dash,[2] is a move that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a special technique that turns the user into a fiery projectile.
Description
The Fireball Spin Dash is basically an enhanced version of the usual Spin Dash with the Flame Shield added to its performance. When performing it, the user curls into a ball and dashes forward through midair at high speed like a meteor, thanks to the Flame Shield.
In gameplay, the Fireball Spin Dash can only be used while Sonic is equipped with the Flame Shield. It is useful for dashing through midair, destroying breakable objects, damaging enemies and gaining a small speed boost, while wielding the effects of the Flame Shield. However, ramming into a non-fire obstacle will cancel out the Fireball Spin Dash (and cost the Flame Shield).
Games appearances
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
The Fireball Spin Dash, from Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, followed by its add-on continuation Sonic & Knuckles and the lock-on game Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, this technique made its first appearance. In these games, it is used exclusively by Sonic and is referred to as the Fireball Spin Dash[1] (火の玉ダッシュ Hinotama Dasshu?, lit. "Fireball Dash"). When performing it, Sonic is engulfed in white and red flames, making him resemble a fireball.
To use it in gameplay, the player must press 
, 
or 
during a Spin Jump. However, it can only destroy one target at a time. By comparison, this move is useful against Doctor Robotnik’s Flame Craft bosses, since most of their attacks are fire-based and they tend to float around in midair.
Sonic Generations
The Mid-Air Dash, from the console/PC version of Sonic Generations.
In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, the Fireball Spin Dash is referred to as the Mid-Air Dash.[2] In this game, the Mid-Air Dash look more like the Spin Attack, but with the Flame Shield surrounding it, and it can destroy several targets at once. It also creates a distortion similar to that of the Air Boost when used.
The Mid-Air Dash is only usable by Classic Sonic since only he can utilize the Flame Shield. To use it in gameplay, the player must press 
/
during a Spin Jump.
Sonic Mania
Sonic using the Fireball Spin Dash, from Sonic Mania.
In Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, the technique is once again referred to as the Fireball Spin Dash.[3] In this game, it is used by Classic Sonic and has the same properties as in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles. When performing the Fireball Spin Dash, Sonic is engulfed in yellow and red flames, making him resemble a fireball.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Sega Mega Drive) United States instruction booklet, pg. 13.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sonic Team (11 November 2011). Sonic Generations. Xbox 360. Sega. Area/level: Flame Shield Challenge. "Omochao: Open this Item Box to wrap Sonic in a Flame Shield! Press A button again while jumping with the Flame Shield activated to perform a Mid-Air Dash!"
- ↑ Sonic Mania United States instruction manual.
