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|A red variety of Orbinaut that has four fireballs (one in ''[[Sonic Blast]]'') around it instead of spiked balls. It first appears in the [[Hill Top Zone]] from ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''. It became the most recurring offshoot of the Orbinaut series, with remodeled versions debuting in ''[[Sonic Adventure]]''.
|A red variety of Orbinaut that has four fireballs (one in ''[[Sonic Blast]]'') around it instead of spiked balls. It first appears in the [[Hill Top Zone]] from ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''. It became the most recurring offshoot of the Orbinaut series, with remodeled versions debuting in ''[[Sonic Adventure]]''.
Revision as of 15:11, 18 December 2015
This article is about the enemies with spiked balls for defenses. You could be looking for Orbot.
Orbinaut refers to a category of sea urchin-based Badniks that are created by Dr. Ivo Robotnik and are recurring enemies in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. The first Orbinaut models appeared in the original Sonic the Hedgehog, and have since also appeared outside of the video games.
Orbinauts are said to be based off sea urchins (uni in Japanese). Orbinauts are different colors of metal orbs which are able to hover in the air. This Badnik's signature weapons are four spiked balls that ringed around of them. Some Orbinauts throw at its prey which is its only method of attack for some of these Badniks. This is also a major weakness; as once all four spiked balls have been thrown, the hovering Orbinaut itself is completely defenseless.
However some Orbinauts do not throw its spike balls away, but keep moving forward and keep ringing its spike balls at same time as keeping its defense on. It is usually impossible to defeat these types of Orbinauts without getting hit, so it is good to avoid them and simply keep moving. Few Orbinauts utilize its spike balls with different methods to stop the player.
A blue variety of Orbinaut that sends the four spiked balls around it forward when an enemy is spotted. It first appears in the Labyrinth Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog. It is arguably the most recognizable rendition of Orbinaut, as it was retooled with a modernized design for Sonic Adventure.
A green variety of Orbinaut that keeps the four spiked balls around it for defense. Unlike the previous model, it can only be defeated while Sonic is invincible or his jump is timed very carefully (or during the brief invulerability period once Sonic loses Rings or his Shield). It first appears in the Star Light Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog.
A metallic gray variety that only appears in the Launch Base Zone. It keeps the four spiked balls around it for defense, and only move when the player also moves. It can only be defeated while the player is invincible or with a well-timed Insta-Shield move by Sonic (or, again, while the player character is flashing after being hit).
A red variety of Orbinaut that has four fireballs (one in Sonic Blast) around it instead of spiked balls. It first appears in the Hill Top Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. It became the most recurring offshoot of the Orbinaut series, with remodeled versions debuting in Sonic Adventure.
Appears in the IceCap Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and has four spiked ice balls around it. It sends the spiked balls forward to attack. Unlike projectiles from Orbinaut, the ice balls will be destroyed with no ill effects to the controlled character if they have any shield or contact with Knuckles' knuckles.
The Flamer is the latest variation of this Badnik from Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II. Flamers are yellow and have spinning flamethrowers. Flamers can be found in Oil Desert Zone and can temporarily ignite fire on the oily landscape.
In the Sonic the Comic series published by Fleetway Editions, the Orbinauts are a part of Dr. Robotnik's Badnik army and are among the first generation of Badniks the doctor produced. Depending on the artist, the Orbinauts' design or coloration would be slightly different between each issue.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Orbinauts were among the first generation of badniks produced by Dr. Robotnik. Over time though, the Orbinauts were rendered obsolete by more advanced robots and got decommissioned. Following the events of Worlds Collide, the Orbinauts' history became nearly identical to that of their game counterparts.
Unlike in the games, there has never been made any distinctions between the different types of Orbinauts in the comics. Also, these Orbinauts have also demonstrated the ability to shoot spikes from their spike balls, and are sometimes drawn with mouths.
