The Roller[1] (アルマ[2] Arma?) is an enemy in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, armadillo-based Badnik model created by Dr. Robotnik.
Appearance
Rollers are blue round-shaped Badniks with a red V-shaped horn above their eyes. Their body is a sphere which has been open along the middle like a hatch, revealing a pair of black eyes and small gray three-fingered hands. They also have two mechanical feet and a sharp tail. All their limbs hide inside their body when they assume their spherical form.
Overview
The Rollers originally appeared in the 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog as enemies, where they can be found in Spring Yard Zone.
In gameplay, the Rollers tumble faster than Sonic runs, so leap to avoid being steamrolled. At the bottom of the hill, Rollers pause and briefly open up its casing to check the surroundings: this is the player's only chance to attack. They can also be defeated with a Spin Attack whilst moving (albeit with some difficulty).
Rollers have a tendency to plow through Sonic when the player least expects it, but the player should be particularly wary when crossing areas with steep hills as these places are where Rollers are more common.
Powers and abilities
The Rollers can curl into a ball, similar to the Spin Attack, and travel at high speeds with the intention of plowing through their prey.
Variants
Roller mk.II
Sonic Mania introduced a remodeled Roller named the Roller mk.II. These Roller variants are mass-produced Badniks that seem to be more energetic than the original model, bouncing around frequently and bumping into their opponents.
In other media
Sonic the Comic
A Roller in Sonic the Comic.
In the Sonic the Comic series published by Fleetway Editions, the Rollers are a part of Dr. Robotnik's Badnik army. They are also among the first generation of Badniks Robotnik produced, making them one of the doctor's oldest troppers. Also, a kindhearted Roller (named, simply, "Badnik") once befriended a young boy named Smokey, who convinced Sonic to spare it.
Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog
Roller in Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.
In the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog television series, Roller has a more humanoid design and wears a business suit. Also, instead of curling into a ball, he turns into a bowling ball. In this media, Roller and his partner Ball Hog were a part of Dr. Robotnik's Or Else Protection Service, who bullied Mobians into paying them to not destroy their business, but they were destroyed by Sonic. Later, Tails converted their remains into a waiter for Bert's Diner.
Archie Comics
Roller in the Archie Comics.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Rollers were among the first generation of badniks produced by Dr. Robotnik. One briefly appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog #18 to fight Sonic, but was easily defeated.
Merchandise
The toy company TOMY has released Roller action figurine during the release of Sonic & Knuckles as it also includes a series of 21 Sonic figurines and these figurines came in packs of four under the Sonic & Knuckles label and were also released individually under a Sonic the Hedgehog label.
Trivia
- Since the Spring Yard Zone was originally called "Sparkling Zone", Rollers were showed to be purple instead of blue in magazine screenshots.
Glitched Roller graphics.
- In Spring Yard Zone, for an odd reason, the Roller's sprites may start to get messed up (looking like part of a Caterkiller's head), which may be a graphical glitch in the game. This happens if the player keeps following it for a while.
- Rollers bear some similarities to Sonic the Hedgehog: Both have a blue and red coloration, are able to curl into balls, and can move at high speeds. They are seen being able to do both Spin Attack and Spin Jump-type moves.
- It can be noticed that the Roller has similar-looking legs as the Ball Hog and Bomb in artwork illustration.
- Roller is one of the Badniks (along with the Batbrain) that has not made an appearance in the 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, since Spring Yard Zone does not appear in 8-bit version. Unlike the Batbrain, none of the Roller's sprites are not found from the game's data.
Gallery
Artwork
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Screenshots
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 An early color scheme for the Roller. |
References
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Mega Drive) United States instruction booklet, p. 11.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Mega Drive) Japanese instruction booklet, p. 39.