The Flight Gauge[1] (フライングパワー[2] Furaingupawā?, lit. "Flight Power") is a game mechanic that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a gauge used to measure the time limit for the Heli-Tails.
Description[]
In Tails' Skypatrol, the Flight Gauge is a horizontal gauge with a yellow energy bar. In Tails Adventure, it is a vertical, gray-colored gauge with a light blue energy bar.
Overview[]
Tails' Skypatrol[]
Tails flying in Rail Canyon, in Tails' Skypatrol.
In Tails' Skypatrol, the Flight Gauge (here unnamed) is always present on the upper left corner of the screen, and starts nearly completely full in each level. Because Tails is always flying, the gauge constantly drains at a steady rate, which is quickened when he is made to move faster. When the gauge is completely drained, Tails loses all stamina and falls to the floor, making him lose a life. Mint Candies, which are spread throughout the levels, will replenish the Flight Gauge to varying degrees.
Tails Adventure[]
Tails using Heli-Tails during the fight against Battle Kukku XVI, in Tails Adventure.
In Tails Adventure, the Flight Gauge appears in stages where the player controls Tails on land. In gameplay, it appears on the left side of the screen, below the frame of the object the player has equipped. By default, the Flight Gauge will always be full; while the player uses the Heli-Tails however, it will begin to drain, and if it empties, Tails will get tired and fall down. The Flight Gauge fills automatically when the player stops flying, either by touching a surface or by pressing 
.
At the start of the game, the Flight Gauge drains rather quicky. The time it takes to fully empty, however, can be extended by collecting Chaos Emeralds. Additionally, during the first battle against Battle Kukku XVI at the end of Polly Mountain 1, the Flight Gauge will be absent, and the player will be able to fly indefinitely.
Trivia[]
- In Tails Adventure, the Flight Gauge fills up automatically when the player presses
, and they are allowed to resume flight by pressing . This allows the player to perform the Heli-Tails for long periods of time, regardless of the amount of Chaos Emeralds they have collected, by pressing in a quick succession. This is acknowledged in the "Tails Tells" section of the North American instruction booklet of Tails Adventure,[3] but it is nowhere to be seen in the Japanese booklet, suggesting this was unintentional.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tails Adventure (Sega Game Gear) United States instruction booklet, pg. 11.
- ↑ Tails Adventures (Sega Game Gear) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 12.
- ↑ Tails Adventure (Sega Game Gear) United States instruction booklet, pg. 18.