The Jump Dash[1] (ジャンプダッシュ Janpu Dasshu?) is a move that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. At first was exclusive to Sonic the Hedgehog, it has since been used by numerous other characters. It is variant of the Homing Attack where the user hurtles forward in midair.
Description[]
When performing the Jump Dash, the user launches themselves straight forward in midair with a burst of speed while usually leaving a colored trail in their wake, before descending downwards in an arc.
In gameplay, the Jump Dash typically shares the same controls as the Homing Attack. However, the Jump Dash is usually only performed when there are no enemies nearby or other targets that the Homing Attack can lock onto. Regardless, this move is useful for getting a burst of speed, crossing gaps, and accurate platforming. If a target gets in contact with the Jump Dash by coincidence though, it will interrupt the move.
Game appearances[]
Sonic Adventure[]
The Jump Dash first appeared in Sonic Adventure and its enhanced port, Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut. In this game, the Jump Dash is only usable to Sonic the Hedgehog. When performing the Jump Dash, Sonic keeps his limbs stretched out as he dashes forward. To use it in gameplay, the player has to press 
/
in mid-jump without any targets within range. The range of the Jump Dash can be shortened by pressing the action button.
Sonic Adventure 2[]
In Sonic Adventure 2 and its enhanced port, Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, the Jump Dash can be performed by both Sonic and Shadow, and as well Amy and Metal Sonic in the games' multiplayer mode. Like in Sonic Adventure, when performing the Jump Dash, the users keep their limbs stretched out as they dash forward. To perform Jump Dash in gameplay, the player has to press / while mid-jump without any targets within range.
Sonic Advance series[]
Sonic Advance[]
In Sonic Advance, the Jump Dash can only be used by Sonic the Hedgehog. In this game, using the Jump Dash leaves Sonic vulnerable to damage, so it must be used with caution when near enemies. To perform it in gameplay, the player has to quickly tap 
twice while in midair.
Sonic Advance 2[]
In Sonic Advance 2, the Jump Dash can only be used by Sonic the Hedgehog. In this game, using the Jump Dash leaves Sonic vulnerable to damage, so it must be used with caution when near enemies. To perform it in gameplay, the player has to quickly tap twice while in midair. In addition, the move can be performed after using Insta-Shield (which was impossible in Sonic Advance).
Sonic Advance 3[]
In Sonic Advance 3, Sonic can perform the Jump Dash when partnered up with Cream. Similarly, Amy can perform it when partnered up with Sonic. Other than that, the move works identically to how it did in previous Sonic Advance titles. To perform it in gameplay, the player has to press 
while jumping when there are no targets nearby.
Sonic Heroes[]
Team Sonic using the Jump Dash, from Sonic Heroes.
In Sonic Heroes, the Jump Dash is used by all playable characters in the game. However, the player can only use it manually when playing as a Speed Type character. The other characters on the playable teams in the game will instead automatically try to perform the Jump Dash whenever the Speed Type character uses it.
Unlike in previous installments, the Jump Dash can in this game be used offensively against enemies. If a Jump Dash connects with an enemy, it still does the same damage as the Homing Attack. In addition, the Jump Dash shares the Homing Attack's attributes, meaning that for each blue Power Core the player collects (up to three), the Jump Attack becomes more powerful while gaining the same upgraded abilities as the Homing Attack. Each Power Core also adds more colored rings to the Jump Dash's trail, along with a multicolored Mach cone. While dashing due to the Jump Dash, the playable characters stretch their limbs outward.
To perform the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player has to press /
/
during a jump when there are no targets in the vicinity. In addition, the Jump Dash can be canceled by pressing the attack button or pushing the dashing-direction with the control stick to increase the distance.
Shadow the Hedgehog[]
Super Shadow's Jump Dash, from Shadow the Hedgehog.
In Shadow the Hedgehog, the Jump Dash is mainly used by Shadow. It is also used by every playable support character in the game (with the exception of Maria) instead of the Homing Attack. While dashing due to the Jump Dash, Shadow stretches his limbs outward.
Like in Sonic Heroes, the Jump Dash can be used offensively against enemies. If a Jump Dash connects with an enemy, it still does the same damage as the Homing Attack. Super Shadow can also use the Jump Dash to dash without jumping in the battle with Devil Doom, similar to the Super Sonic Boost, but without the offensive capabilities. However, if Super Shadow Jump Dashes into an obstacle, it will either make him descend or ascend. If the former does happen, he automatically returns to normal altitude.
To perform the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player has to press // during a jump when there are no targets in the vicinity. Holding down the button for longer will allow the player to travel further.
Sonic Rush series[]
Sonic Rush[]
In Sonic Rush, the Jump Dash can only be performed by Sonic. While dashing due to the move, Sonic keeps his limbs stretched outward. Other than that, its mechanics are identical to those it had in the Sonic Advance series. Blaze the Cat's equivalent to this move is the Burst Hover. To perform the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player has to press 
during a jump.
Sonic Rush Adventure[]
In Sonic Rush Adventure, only Sonic can use the Jump Dash. While dashing due to the move, Sonic keeps his limbs stretched outward. Other than that, its mechanics are identical to those in Sonic Rush. Blaze also retains her equivalent of the move: the Burst Hover. To perform the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player has to press during a jump.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)[]
In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), both Sonic and Shadow can use the Jump Dash. While performing the Jump Dash, the user curls into a spinball and flies straight forward through the air instead of at a slight arc like in previous games. Also, in this game, Shadow's Jump Dash is longer than Sonic's, and the colored trail left by using this technique is absent in the game's multiplayer. When using the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player can control the playable character's direction after launching it. To use it in gameplay, the player must press / while airborne when there are no targets in their vicinity.
Sonic Storybook Series[]
Sonic and the Secret Rings[]
In Sonic and the Secret Rings, the Jump Dash is a Skill for Sonic which is obtained at the beginning of the game and costs 10 Skill Points to be equipped. In this game, the Jump Dash can be augmented with additional capabilities by equipping additional Skills. While dashing due to this move, Sonic keeps his limbs stretched outward.
To use the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player has to quickly move the Wii Remote forward while jumping when there are no targets in the vicinity.
Sonic and the Black Knight[]
In Sonic and the Black Knight, the Jump Dash is usable to all playable characters in Adventure Mode and Battle Mode, except for King Arthur and Sir Lamorak in the latter. Like in earlier games, while dashing due to this move, most playable characters keep their limbs stretched outward. Other playable characters will use a different move instead when using the Jump Dash:
- The Blacksmith will use Propeller Flying
- Sir Gawain/Knuckles will use Glide
- Sir Galahad will use Levitate
To perform the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player has to press 
during a jump when there are no targets in the vicinity (otherwise the player will perform the Homing Dash). To cancel the move during the dash, the player has to press again.
Sonic Rivals series[]
Sonic Rivals[]
In Sonic Rivals, the Jump Dash can be performed by every playable character. Like in earlier games, while dashing due to this move, the playable characters keep their limbs stretched outward. Otherwise, the move's mechanics are the same as those it has in the main series. To perform it in gameplay, the player has to press during a jump when there are no targets in the vicinity.
Sonic Rivals 2[]
In Sonic Rivals, the Jump Dash is again usable to every playable character. Like in earlier games, while dashing due to this move, the playable characters keep their limbs stretched outward. Otherwise, the move's mechanics are the same as those in Sonic Rivals. To perform it in gameplay, the player must press during a jump while there are no targets close by.
Sonic Unleashed[]
In Sonic Unleashed, the Jump Dash is only used by Sonic in the daytime Stages. In the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of the game, the Jump Dash is too slow to be used to gain speed but is effective for traversing the Town Stages, due to its great length. While dashing due to the Jump Dash, Sonic curls into a Spin Attack. After obtaining the Air Boost Shoes, the player cannot use the Jump Dash until the Ring Energy Gauge is emptied, as the Jump Dash and the Air Boost share the same controls and the latter will take priority as long as the Boost Gauge has energy. To use the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player has to press 
/
while jumping when there are no targets in the vicinity.
In the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of the game, the Jump Dash has a shorter range, making it pretty much useless to reach midair gimmicks. However, it can used offensively against enemies who are too close for the Homing Attack to work. To use the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player has to execute the following controls while jumping:
| PS2 | Wii | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wii Remote |
Classic Controller |
GameCube controller | |
|
|
Shake Wii Remote |  /
|
/ /
|
Sonic Colors[]
In both the Wii version and Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors, and the remaster Sonic Colors: Ultimate, the Jump Dash is again only used by Sonic. In the Wii version of the game and in Sonic Colors: Ultimate, the Jump Dash works like in Sonic Unleashed, meaning the player cannot use the Jump Dash until the Boost Gauge is emptied since the Jump Dash and the Air Boost share the same controls and the latter will take priority as long as the Boost Gauge has energy. While dashing due to the move, Sonic keeps his limbs outward without leaving a trail. To perform the Jump Dash in gameplay in the Wii version of the game and in Sonic Colors: Ultimate, the player has to execute the following controls while airborne:
| Wii | Xbox One | PS4 | Switch | PC | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wii Remote (sideways) |
Wii Remote & Nunchuk |
Classic Controller |
GameCube controller | ||||
|
|
|
|
||||
In the Nintendo DS version of the game, the Jump Dash can be used at any time as it does not share the Air Boost's controls. Other than that, its mechanics are the same as in the Sonic Rush games. To perform it in gameplay in this version of Sonic Colors, the player has to press /
while airborne.
Sonic Generations[]
In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, the Jump Dash is shorter than in Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colors, and can be used by both Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic. Modern Sonic has the Jump Dash as a default ability, while Classic Sonic can only use it by equipping the Homing Attack Skill. Classic Sonic's Jump Dash is also slightly shorter than Modern Sonic's. While dashing due to the Jump Dash, the Sonics curl into a spinball. To use the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player must press / during a jump when there are no targets in the vicinity.
In the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, the Jump Dash has a short range, but can be used by both Classic and Modern Sonic. Modern Sonic can use the Jump Dash by default, while Classic Sonic can use it after unlocking the Homing Attack. Other than that, the two characters' Jump Dash is basically identical. While dashing from the Jump Dash, the Sonics curl into a spinball, but without leaving a colored trail. To perform the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player has to press / during a jump when there are no targets around.
In the remaster Sonic X Shadow Generations, Modern Sonic can perform a Drop Dash after performing a Jump Dash.
Sonic Speed Simulator[]
In Sonic Speed Simulator, the Jump Dash can be performed by every playable character. However, the move is absent of the colored trail that appears in some of the past games. Furthermore, the range of the Jump Dash depends on the playable character's level. Alternatively, the player can adjust the Jump Dash's range in the menu by changing the value on the playable character's Power parameter under the options menu.
To perform the Jump Dash in gameplay, the player has to press the following buttons during a Spin Jump when there are no targets in the vicinity:
| PC | Mobile | Xbox One |
|---|---|---|
| [SPACE] | Jump button | 
|
Sonic Dream Team[]
In Sonic Dream Team, the move is called the "Air Dash" (エアダッシュ Ea Dasshu?) and can be performed by Sonic the Hedgehog and Amy Rose.
| Touch controls | PS4/PS5 controller | Xbox One/Xbox Series X/S controller |
|---|---|---|
| Jump button > Hold Boost button | x2
|
x2
|
Variants[]
Homing Attack[]
The Homing Attack is the offensive version of the Jump Dash where the users dashes through midair to attack enemies ahead of them. It first appeared in Sonic Adventure.
Air Boost[]
The Air Boost can be used as a far more powerful version of the Jump Dash. In addition to allowing the user to fly greater distances through midair at high speed, it also lets the user plow through airborne enemies. In exchange though, the users have much less control over their movements due to the speed.
Triangle Jump[]
Espio performing the Triangle Jump, from Sonic Heroes.
The Triangle Jump is an application of the Jump Dash that first appeared in Sonic Heroes. It consists of the users doing Jump Dashes between walls, allowing them to travel between parallel walls and avoid obstacles.
Trivia[]
- Jump Dashing in certain areas in the Sonic Rivals series and the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of Sonic Unleashed causes the player to gain height for an unknown reason.
- The Jump Dash in Sonic Generations eliminates forward momentum, making it useless to gain speed. The same is the case, though to a lesser extent, in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) and the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of Sonic Unleashed.
- In the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed, if the player tries using the Jump Dash on an obstacle or on a human, it turns into a Homing Attack.
- In Shadow the Hedgehog, if the player performs a Jump Dash near Devil Doom's eye, it will become a Homing Attack and aim for his eye. However, it does not hurt him very much.
Notes[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Could use this move in Sonic Speed Simulator.
References[]
- ↑ Sonic Advance (Game Boy Advance) United States instruction booklet, pg. 8.