Grabber

The Grabber^[1] (グラバー^[2], Gurabā^?) is an enemy in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, tarantula-based Badnik model created by Dr. Eggman. Grabbers can be found hanging on ceilings, where they will drop down and grab their targets from above.

Appearance

Grabbers strongly resemble spiders. Their main body has yellow and black stripes that flash red and black as they are about to self-destruct. On their back is a wheel which they use to move on ceilings. They also have a round black head with two black eyes and white mandibles. They possess as well eight long, mechanical limbs, four on each side, on the bottom of their bodies.

In Sonic Generations, Grabbers were redesigned. In addition to appearing larger, they were given black limbs and cyan eyes with black pupils and two smaller eyes above each of them. The wheel on their backs were also removed. In Sonic Lost World, Grabbers returned to their original design, except with cyan irises and additional, smaller eyes.

Game appearances

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)

The first appearance of this Badnik was in the 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, where it served as an enemy. This time around, this Badnik is referred to as Grabber^[1] (グラバー^[2], Gurabā^?). In this game, the player encounters them in Chemical Plant Zone. They are located in the hall sections of the Zone, where one or two of these Badniks hang from ceilings.

In gameplay, Grabbers glide along the ceilings, waiting for the player to come. Once a playable character gets below a Grabber, it drops down and grabs him, causing damage. Upon getting a hold of the player, the Grabber starts flashing for few seconds before self-detonating, destroying both itself and its Animal, and dealing further damage to the player. One way to escape a Grabber's hold is by pressing left and right repeatedly on . Alternatively, if Tails is with Sonic, he can try to destroy the Grabber before it explodes.

It is best to attack Grabbers from the side with the Spin Jump rather from down below, because the player may risk being captured by them. Also, upon a Grabber's destruction, it releases an Animal.

Sonic Generations

In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, Grabbers appeared again in the Chemical Plant. Though they received an updated design, they retained the same attack patterns from the previous game and are located in the hall sections of the Stage.

In Sonic Generations, Grabbers are able to crawl along the ground as well as hanging from the ceiling. Like in the previous game, if the player is grabbed, they can break free before the Grabber self-destructs. Destroying a Grabber will also not release an Animal.

Sonic Lost World

In both version of Sonic Lost World, the Grabbers make a reappearance as enemies. During the game, the Grabbers and the other Badniks got hijacked by the Deadly Six. Otherwise, they retain their attack patterns from previous games.

In the Nintendo 3DS version, Grabbers can be found specifically Windy Hill Zone 2 and Desert Ruins. In gameplay, they appear along linear route sections, where up to three of them will hang on the roof. The player can destroy these Badniks using the Homing Attack.

In the Wii U/PC version, Grabbers appear in Desert Runs Zone 1 and Silent Forest Zone 4. On this version, Grabbers can only be destroyed by luring them down and then hitting them with a Bound Jump, as they cannot be locked-on to by attacks. In Desert Ruins Zone 1, a trail of Rings appear after they are defeated, while in Silent Forest, they sometimes give the player one Ring after being destroyed.

Sonic Mania

In Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, the Grappers appear as enemies. As far as designs go, they look identical to how they appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. In these games, they only appear in Chemical Plant Zone.

In gameplay, the Grabbers' attack patterns are identical to the ones they had in Sonic the Hedgehog 2: while gliding along ceilings, they will pick up those who get below them and then try to self-destruct to damage their victim. Also, when destroyed by the player, they release an Animal.

Powers and abilities

Grabbers can hang from ceilings using incredibly strong and durable wires. When they manage to catch their prey in their grasp, they are able to self-destruct to inflict damage to their captive.

In other media

Sonic the Comic

Main article: Grabber (Sonic the Comic)

In the Sonic the Comic series published by Fleetway Editions, the Grabbers are a part of Robotnik's Badnik army. Depending on the artist, the Grabbers' appearance would be different for each issue. They were usually stationed in underground caves and Robotnik's facilities where they would catch intruders from above.

Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog

In Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Doctor Robotnik summons Grabber Badniks (which he miscalled as Burrobots) but instead of grabbing Sonic they just run after him. They are defeated when Sonic spins around an ice platform and they fall in the water.^[3]

Merchandise

With the announcement of Sonic Generations, Jazwares had made figures of the character from the Sonic series into figures. The characters would include a little figure with the package. A Grabber was included with a Classic Tails figure.

Trivia

Spider robot that appears in Flying Battery Zone.

A spider robot that is similar to Grabber appears at two sections of Flying Battery Zone Act Two in Sonic & Knuckles. Instead of self-destructing, these robots can grap the player, starts carry across large gaps and then releases the player off.
In episode "The Price of Freedom" of Sonic Underground, there appears similar spider-robot that used to disguise itself as watch to spy on the fighters.
In the episode "Unfair Ball" of Sonic X anime, Doctor Eggman activates one of the E-21 Ballios that grab Sonic's head that will self-destruct similar to the Grabber.
A previously unseen jellyfish Badnik appears in the 2013 mobile re-release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Residing in the waters of the Hidden Palace, it looks entirely different but has similar programming to a Grabber.

In LEGO Dimensions, Grabbers can be found hanging over the entrances of various pipes in the Chemical Plant Zone portion of the Sonic the Hedgehog World. Interestingly, their designs are based on their appearance in Sonic Generations rather than in Sonic Lost World or Sonic the Hedgehog 2, like most of the other Badniks featured.

Gallery

Concept artwork

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Artwork

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Models