In gameplay, the Ice Wave can only be obtained at random from Item Boxes by Chaos and Jingle Belle Amy. As with most other Items, Metal Sonic can also use the Ice Wave if he uses the Steal Item to steal it from the aforementioned user.
When used, the Ice Wave will slide down the lane it was deployed on until it hits a player, collides with an obstacle or travels off course. Opponents hit by the Ice Wave will be frozen and lose Rings. Frozen opponents are unable to jump, slide, use their items or change path. This effect will last for a short amount of time or until the player gets hit by an obstacle or falls into a bottomless pit.
When the user is at level 1, the Ice Wave only covers one lane. At level 6, it covers two lanes, and at level 12 it covers three lanes. The Ice Wave on each track is treated separately, so if an Ice Wave on one lane collides with an opponent or obstacle, the others will not disappear and will continue their journey.