- For other uses, see Grinding (disambiguation).
Grinding[1] (グラインド Guraindo?) is a move that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a technique that encompasses the act of balancing on and moving down a Grind Rail.
Description[]
Grinding is the act of balancing on a Grind Rail and then moving down such rails at high speeds. Most practitioners grind with their shoes on the Grind Rails while others grind using other parts of their bodies, like their rear. Some Extreme Gear also come with the ability to grind, while others require the Grind Skill Gear Part to possess said feature.
In gameplay, grinding is used by the player to move down Grind Rails. By doing this, the playable characters can gain more speed/momentum while grinding, usually by performing a specific action, typically boosting. In addition, the playable characters' speed will be maintained when and after grinding. Through grinding, the player can also take shortcuts or obligatory paths made up of Grind Rails through the levels. Grinding is typically as fast as or faster than running. Sometimes, while grinding, the player can also pull off special actions.
To start grinding in gameplay, all the player (normally) has to do is touch a Grind Rail. In some games however, the player is required to perform a certain action in order to interact with the Grind Rails.
Game appearances[]
Sonic Adventure 2[]
In Sonic Adventure 2 and its enhanced port Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, grinding is a technique that Sonic and Shadow can use. However, in multiplayer, Amy Rose and Metal Sonic can use it as well. Grinding is relatively difficult in this game due to the fact that the Grind Rails are thin and do not "attract" the player when they approach them.
Sonic grinding down a Grind Rail, from Sonic Adventure 2: Battle.
In gameplay, the player can crouch to achieve higher grinding speed. However, crouching may do the opposite if the playable characters are not properly balanced or are leaning too far on one side of the Grind Rail. While grinding, the player also has to use the control stick to help the playable characters balance on the Grind Rails, which is important as not doing so will significantly reduce one's grinding speed or cause the playable characters to fall off the Grind Rail. The player can also jump between parallel Grind Rails while grinding with the Grind Step.
Some Grind Rails in the game allow the player to finish grinding with a trick; by pressing 
at the end of these Grind Rails, the character performs a trick that can be worth 200, 500, or 1000 points (Shadow occasionally gets a close-up on his body doing the trick). There is also a special Grind Race in two-player mode in Sonic Adventure 2: Battle.
Both Sonic and Shadow wear customized shoes, the Grind Shoes and Air Shoes respectively, that are suitable for grinding.[2] Grinding is an essential element in this game, and is not only useful for cutting time off one's record, but is also necessary for crossing certain paths in stages. It is also used as a mechanism by which to aid in defeating more difficult foes.
Sonic Advance series[]
Sonic Advance[]
 |
 |
In Sonic Advance, the grinding technique was featured for the first time in a 2D game. In this game, only Sonic and Amy are capable of grinding. When grinding, Sonic grinds with his sneakers while Amy grinds on her rear.
In gameplay, to start grinding on the Grind Rails, the player must first jump onto the flat portion of the Grind Rails at the beginning. Sonic and Amy will then begin grinding down the Grind Rails. Also, pressing in the opposite direction the grinding playable characters are heading in with 
will cause them to slow down. Conversely, pressing in the direction the grinding characters are heading in with will cause them to speed up.
Grind Rails in the game also allow the player to finish grinding with a trick by pressing 
at the end of these Grind Rails.
Sonic Advance 2[]
 |
 |
 | |
 |
 |
Sonic grinding, from Sonic Advance 2.
In Sonic Advance 2, the grinding maneuver is available to all five playable characters. In gameplay, grinding is now fully automatic, meaning that simply jumping onto the Grind Rail will result in grinding. In addition, Amy grinds with her boots rather than her rear, something which she would do in all future games from then on.
Like Sonic Advance, the Grind Rails allow the player to finish grinding with a trick by pressing at the end of these Grind Rails, but only when playing as Sonic or Amy.
Sonic Advance 3[]
In Sonic Advance 3, all five main playable characters in the game are capable of grinding. In gameplay, grinding works exactly like it did in Sonic Advance 2, except that pressing at the end of Grind Rails do not cause a playable character to perform a finishing trick.
Sonic Heroes[]
Sonic grinding, from Sonic Heroes.
In Sonic Heroes, grinding is a technique that all playable characters can make use of. When the characters are in Fly Formation though, it is only the character on the bottom of the chain that grinds.
In gameplay, the player just has to land on the Grind Rail to start grinding. While grinding, the player has to use the control stick to help the playable characters balance on Grind Rails in order to maintain their speed. The player can also use the Grind Step to switch between parallel Grind Rails and the crouch to increase the playable characters' acceleration while grinding (which is useful for when they are stuck at the bottom of a sloping or vertical Grind Rail).
The speed of which the playable characters will grind depends on the player's team formation: Speed Formation grinds the fastest, Power Formation grinds the second-fastest, and Fly Formation grinds the slowest. In addition, in Fly Formation, the playable characters do not make a noticeable trick when crouching (unlike the other team formations).
Sonic Rush series[]
Sonic Rush[]
Blaze grinding, from Sonic Rush.
In Sonic Rush, both Sonic and Blaze are able to grind. Gameplay-wise, the grinding maneuver works like it did in Sonic Advance 2, except the player is now able to pull off Grind Tricks and Just Tricks at the end of Grind Rails (the latter which grants 400 points) while grinding. In addition, the characters can use the Super Boost/Fire Boost move while on the Grind Rails.
Sonic Rush Adventure[]
Blaze grinding, from Sonic Rush Adventure.
In Sonic Rush Adventure, the grinding maneuver is again reserved for Sonic and Blaze. In gameplay, the grinding mechanics are the same as in Sonic Rush. Also, during the final grinding section in Plant Kingdom Act 1, the player is able to use the Grind Step.
Shadow the Hedgehog[]
Shadow grinding, from Shadow the Hedgehog.
In Shadow the Hedgehog, grinding is only useable to Shadow (and the Shadow Androids in the multiplayer). This is also the first 3D Sonic game in which no balance mechanic is used while grinding.
In gameplay, to start grinding, all the player has to do is touch the Grind Rail. While grinding, the player can crouch to gain an extra boost of speed and the Grind Step to jump to parallel Grind Rails. While grinding, the player can also use various weapons, but they can only be aimed in the forward direction.
Sonic Riders series[]
Sonic Riders[]
Amy grinding, from Sonic Riders.
In Sonic Riders, grinding is a Speed Type maneuver. As such, only characters that are classified as Speed Types, or are equipped with a special Extreme Gear that grant the Speed Type attribute, can grind.
In gameplay, grinding allows one to travel faster than the standard riding speed. One may only grind on a Grind Rail that starts with a blue light and ends with a red light. To connect to such a Grind Rail, the player must approach the blue light and press 
/
/
. Grinding surfaces must be approached from above, so it might be necessary to first jump or make use of a ramped surface
The player can also jump from one Grind Rail to another by jumping off at the red point and then pressing // while near a Grind Rail with a blue point. For every jump between Grind Rails the player makes, they earn one "link". While grinding, the player will also receive extra Air. The more links the player makes, the more Air they will receive.
Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity[]
Sonic grinding, from Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity.
In Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, the users of the grinding maneuver depend on the Extreme Gear they use rather than the character. This means only characters equipped with Skate-type Gear, or Gear with the Grind Gear Part, are able to utilize Grind Areas. Skate-type Gear allows grinding by default while the Grind Gear Parts must be activated manually after collecting a certain amount of Rings.
In gameplay, grinding allows one to travel faster than the standard riding speed. Like in Sonic Riders, one can only grind on edges that glow blue at the start and red at the end. To start grinding on a suitable Grind Area, the player has to press one of the following buttons while close to the start of a Grind Area:
| PS2 | Wii | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wii Remote (vertical) |
Wii Remote (sideways) |
GameCube controller | |
|
|
|
|
|
When encountering a split in the Grind Areas, the player can simply jump across them to continue grinding, earning one "link" in the process. While grinding in this game, the player also earns Gravity Points. The more links the player makes, the more Gravity Points they will receive.
Sonic Free Riders[]
Sonic grinding, from Sonic Free Riders.
In Sonic Free Riders, every character is capable of utilizing the grinding technique, as long as their Extreme Gear is equipped with the Grind Skill Gear Part, or they are using the Omnitempus. The Grind Skill Gear Part can be activated at any time the player pleases.
In gameplay, grinding allows the player to travel faster than the standard riding speed. Like in the previous titles in the Sonic Riders series, grinding edges are marked with a blue glow at the start and a red glow at the end. To get on a Grind Rail and start grinding, the player must either cross over a Grind Rail, jump onto a Grind Rail, or reach a Grind Rail by successfully performing an Air Trick. While grinding, the player also gains more Air. Also worth noting is that the player can gain more grinding speed by accurately riding the Grind Rail by leaning left and right to follow the curves (as per the game's Kinetic controls).
Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)[]
Sonic grinding, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).
In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), the grinding maneuver is a technique usable by every playable character, although only Sonic, Blaze, Shadow, Tails and Omega encounter grind rails during gameplay. During multiplayer, Silver also encounters them. This game also marks the first time since Sonic Adventure 2 where sparks fly from the Grind Rail as the character grinds on it.
In gameplay, the player can start grinding by just landing on a Grind Rail. The grinding mechanic was also given widely different behavior compared to previous games. In this game, a character's maximum grinding speed and acceleration is predetermined, although it can be sped up slightly by crouching. In addition, the player can now target the Grind Rails with the Homing Attack, thus allowing the player to zoom towards a Grind Rail and instantly grind on it, although the player can only target the middle of the Grind Rails rather than the ends. Also, starting from this game, merely jumping onto a Grind Rail will accelerate the player to a high grinding speed.
Interestingly enough, the game contains unused grinding animations for Sonic for leaning both left and right, similar to Sonic Adventure 2.
Sonic Rivals series[]
Sonic Rivals[]
Shadow grinding, from Sonic Rivals.
In Sonic Rivals, the grinding maneuver is used by all five playable characters in the game. In gameplay, the characters can start grinding by just landing on the Grind Rail. When grinding, the characters automatically accelerate to top speed. Also, by pressing 
+ , the player can jump off Grind Rails.
Sonic Rivals 2[]
In Sonic Rivals 2, all eight playable characters are able to grind. In gameplay, grinding works just like in the previous title, except the player cannot jump off the Grind Rails.
Sonic Storybook Series[]
Sonic and the Secret Rings[]
Sonic grinding, from Sonic and the Secret Rings.
In Sonic and the Secret Rings, the grinding maneuver is used only Sonic. In gameplay, Sonic can start grinding by simply landing on a Grind Edge. The player can also equip Sonic with different Skills that allow him to increase his acceleration while grinding:
- Quick Grind: Using Grind increases Grind speed
- Fast Grind: Increases acceleration more than with Quick Grind.
- Mach Grind: Increases acceleration more than with Fast Grind.
- Sub M-Grind: Maximum grind speed increases but gradually consumes Rings when in use.
When grinding in this game, the player can crouch to regain speed and press 
to brake while Sonic grinds forward, although the latter can cause him to fall off if used severely. In addition, Sonic can jump between parallel Grind Edges using the Grind Step.
Sonic and the Black Knight[]
Sonic grinding, from Sonic and the Black Knight.
In Sonic and the Black Knight, only Sonic is capable of grinding. In gameplay, Sonic can start grinding by just touching a Grind Rail. While grinding, Sonic can crouch and swing his sword to attack targets that appear along the Grind Rails. Also, by grinding continuously, the player will earn "Grind Bonus" points.
Sonic Unleashed[]
Sonic grinding, from the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed.
In both the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version and Wii/PlayStation 2 version of Sonic Unleashed, the grinding maneuver can only be used by Sonic in the daytime. In gameplay, Sonic can start grinding by simply landing on the Grind Rails. The player can also use the Grind Step to switch between parallel Grind Rails and the Sonic Boost (on most Grind Rails) to accelerate while grinding.
In the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed, Sonic will perform an 180 degree spin while grinding when the player presses 
/
. However, this action slows Sonic down slightly rather than giving him a boost of speed.
Sonic Colors[]
Sonic grinding, from the Wii version of Sonic Colors.
In the Wii version and Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors, and the remaster Sonic Colors: Ultimate, the grinding technique is used by Sonic, the Virtual Hedgehogs and Super Sonic. In the original Wii version, the Mii can grind as well. In their respective games, Sonic, the Mii, and the Virtual Hedgehogs grind with their feet. When Super Sonic grinds however, he simply floats above the Grind Rails.
In gameplay on the Wii version of the game and Sonic Colors: Ultimate, grinding works much like in the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed; the player can start grinding by jumping onto Grind Rails, accelerate while grinding by boosting, and jump between parallel Grind Rails by Grind Stepping. Also, the player periodically earns 3,000 "Grind Bonus" points for some time by grinding continuously.
In the Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors, grinding is only used by Sonic. In this game, it works like in Sonic Rush and Sonic Rush Adventure, but without the Trick Action system.
Sonic X Shadow Generations[]
Sonic Generations[]
Modern Sonic grinding, from the console/PC version of Sonic Generations.
In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, the grinding maneuver is used by both Modern Sonic and Classic Sonic. While Modern Sonic grinds like he has always done, Classic Sonic grinds by rolling down the top of the Grind Rails in Spin Attack form instead of standing on them (bizarrely, this still causes sparks and metallic scraping). Modern Super Sonic also again grinds by floating above the Grind Rails. In gameplay, the grinding mechanics for Modern Sonic are the same as in Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed: the player can start grinding by jumping onto Grind Rails, jump between parallel Grind Rails with the Grind Step, accelerate while grinding on most Grind Rails by Boosting, and perform an 180 degree spin by pressing /. However, the last action, unlike the crouching, will only slow Modern Sonic down slightly. The player can also target the Grind Rails with the Homing Attack, thus allowing them to zoom towards a Grind Rail and instantly grind on it. Also worth noting is that grinding for Modern Sonic is slightly faster than running (without using the Boost).[3] For Classic Sonic, grinding occurs fully automatically once initiated.
In the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, only Modern Sonic can grind since only his Acts have Grind Rails. In this game, the grinding mechanics are similar to how they were in the Sonic Rivals games; Modern Sonic can ride a Grind Rail by jumping onto it, and he can fall through a Grind Rail if the player hold + /
. In addition to that, Modern Sonic can Boost while grinding. Also, during the final, non-Boosting grinding segment in Tropical Resort Act 2, the player can use the Grind Step.
Shadow Generations[]
| This section requires an expansion. |  |
Sonic Lost World[]
Sonic grinding, from the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World.
In the Wii U version and PC version of Sonic Lost World, Sonic, Super Sonic and the Virtual Hedgehogs are all capable of grinding. Like in Sonic Colors, Sonic and the Virtual Hedgehogs grind while standing on Grind Rails in this game, while Super Sonic simply floats above them. Other than that, the player has no special moves or tricks associated with grinding in this game, although they can still jump between parallel Grind Rails while grinding.
In the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Lost World, grinding is reserved for only Sonic and Super Sonic, both of whom grind by standing on the Grind Rails. In this game, unlike its console/PC counterpart, Sonic has access to the Grind Step, which allows him to switch between parallel Grind Rails. In addition, the player can target the Grind Rails' ends with the Homing Attack, thus allowing the player to zoom towards a Grind Rail and instantly grind on it. Also unlike the Wii U/PC version, grinding is featured in both 2.5D and 3D sections.
In both versions of the game, the player can start grinding by simply landing on the Grind Rails.
Sonic Forces[]
The Avatar grinding, from Sonic Forces.
In Sonic Forces, the grinding maneuver is exclusive to Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Sonic, Shadow the Hedgehog and the Avatar. In this game, all playable characters grind with their feet on the Grind Rails, including Super Sonic.
In gameplay, grinding works much like it did in Sonic Unleashed. To start grinding, all the playable character has to do is touch the top of a Grind Rail. The player can also perform both the Grind Step to switch between parallel Grind Rails and the Boost (Sonic only) to accelerate while grinding. Much like in Sonic Colors, the player also earns 1,000 points per second the playable characters are grinding. Additionally, the player can be speed up slightly by crouching.
Sonic Frontiers[]
In Sonic Frontiers, grinding reappears as a technique used by Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy.
In gameplay, all the playable characters have to do to start griding is to jump or touch the Grind Rail, and they can use the Boost to increase their speed.
Sonic Superstars[]
In Sonic Superstars, the player is able to grind on the vines in Speed Jungle Zone.
Sonic Dream Team[]
| This section requires an expansion. | |
Other game appearances[]
Sonic Runners Adventure[]
Shadow grinding, from Sonic Runners Adventure.
In Sonic Runners Adventure, all the playable characters can perform the grinding maneuver. In this game, grinding is something the characters pull off automatically during the section transitions in the levels that feature Grind Rails. During such sections, the player has no control over the characters as they grind.
Sonic Forces: Speed Battle[]
In Sonic Forces: Speed Battle, every playable character in the game is capable of grinding. In gameplay, all the playable characters have to do to start grinding is to touch a Grind Rail. Also, upon starting to grind, the characters will move at speeds surpassing their running speeds. They are also able to jump between parallel Grind Rail by using the Grind Step while grinding. The controls while grinding remain the same, except that the characters cannot slide.
Sonic Speed Simulator[]
In Sonic Speed Simulator, every playable character is capable of performing the grinding maneuver. In this game, all playable characters grind with their feet on the Grind Rails.
In gameplay, all the playable characters have to do to start grinding is to touch a Grind Rail. Also, while grinding, the characters will move with the exact same momentum they had when they began began grinding and jump on it without falling off. Other than that, the player has no special moves or tricks associated with grinding in this game. However, the player's grinding speed will slowly decrease if they are moving up a slope on a Grind Rail.
Sonic Rumble[]
| This section requires an expansion. | |
In other media[]
Animation[]
Sonic X[]
Sonic grinding, from "Desperately Seeking Sonic".
In the Sonic X anime series, grinding appears as a maneuver used by Sonic.
Books and comics[]
Archie Comics[]
Sonic grinding, from Sonic the Hedgehog #253.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, grinding is a technique that is virtually identical to its video game counterpart.
IDW Publishing[]
Sonic grinding, from Sonic the Hedgehog #63.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series published by IDW Publishing, grinding is a technique that Sonic can perform. It first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog #63.
Miscellaneous[]
Sonic Boom[]
In the Sonic Boom series, grinding is a technique used by all members of Team Sonic and Shadow.
Trivia[]
- In Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic and Shadow wore Soap brand grinding shoes as part of a promotion for the shoe company. Later games dropped this, allowing Sonic to grind with his regular shoes.
- Western manuals of Sonic Advance have incorrectly stated that the player is required to press
in order to grind on Grind Rails.[4] However, this is not essential, since the player will automatically begin grinding in Grind Rails regardless in the game. - Grinding also appears in Lego Dimensions as a technique that can only be performed by Sonic and Legolas. The technique is used almost exclusively in the Sonic the Hedgehog level pack and Adventure World.
.png){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
References[]
- ↑ Sonic and the Black Knight (Wii) European instruction booklet, pg. 7.
- ↑ Sega of America (March 2007). Sonic Central. Sega. "Darrell C: Why did you change your shoes in Sonic Adventure 2 Battle? / Sonic: Those were special shoes that were specifically made for grinding. It was something that I've always wanted to try and it sure came in handy! Look forward for some more intense and extreme grinding in my next adventure, Sonic Heroes."
- ↑ Sonic Generations: BradyGames Official Strategy Guide. BradyGames. 1 November 2011. p. 15. ISBN 978-0761555100.
- ↑ Sonic Advance (Game Boy Advance) United States instruction booklet, pg. 6.