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Speed Highway (Sonic/Metal)
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Speed Highway (Tails)
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Speed Highway (Knuckles)
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A high-speed stage running through Station Square at night, lined with skyscrapers! Sonic freely runs at supersonic speed from building to building!


— Description, Sonic Adventure (original version)[1]

Speed Highway (スピードハイウェイ-[1] Supido Haiuei?) is an Action Stage that appears in Sonic Adventure, its enhanced port Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut and the 2010 remaster of the game. It is the sixth Action Stage played as Sonic, the fifth and final as Tails, and the first as Knuckles. Speed Highway is an elevated area of tall skyscrapers in Station Square that are connected by an intertwining network of roads.[1] As with most other Action Stages in its games, Speed Highway has different level designs for each character, which have three optional missions each.

Description[]

Speed Highway is an urban setting in Station Square. As Sonic and Tails, it is acceded through an elevator in a Cyber-Net Inc. building; while as Knuckles, it can be entered from the courtyard. The first section in Sonic's version and in Tails' version of the stage takes place on multiple highways at a nighttime setting with buildings and skyscrapers. Helicopters and other gimmicks help the player progress the stage.

The second section in Sonic's version has him running down a large building before crashing through a glass wall. The background in this section is the same as in the previous one.

The third section in Sonic's version and in Knuckles' version of the stage takes place on the streets of Station Square at the crack of dawn. Several cars, buildings, and more build up the section.

Story[]

Sonic the Hedgehog[]

After being separated from Amy and Birdie in Twinkle Park, who were already being pursued by ZERO, Sonic goes to Speed Highway to search for them. However, he does not find any signs of them there.

Miles "Tails" Prower[]

When Dr. Robotnik goes to Speed Highway to activate a missile with which he can destroy all of Station Square, Tails follows him and races against him. In the end, the doctor loses to the fox cub.

Knuckles the Echidna[]

During his mission to recover the Master Emerald shards, Knuckles travels to Speed Highway. There, he is able to successfully locate and get three shards.

Gameplay[]

In Sonic's first portion of the Action Stage, and in Tails' version of it, Speed Highway is a very fast-paced, albeit linear Action Stage. Though it features little to none alternate paths, it makes up for various secrets that can be found by skillfully jumping over the buildings. Unlike other Action Stages, which have a lot of ground to run over, Speed Highway takes place over linear roads which the player has to run across, usually with the aid of Dash Panels. However, due to the speed, running over these roads can be somewhat of a hassle, as the playable character can fall down them and into a bottomless pit.

Various common gimmicks featured in these versions of Speed Highway include rockets, which can be used to go from one part of the map to the other; chained iron balls; and yellow contraptions that, with enough speed, can send the playable character to the highway above them. Less common gimmicks include helicopters, which are similar to the rockets; and Hanging Bells, which, when jumped over, drop some Rings. In addition, some sections of the Action Stage feature platforms that move across a beam when the character steps on them; if brave enough, the player can run over the beam themselves, though this may be very risky. Also, the emphasis on speed is taken advantage of in some parts where the player has to run across walls; if done successfully, the character can get some Item Boxes and reach shortcuts.

In Sonic's second portion of Speed Highway, he is automatically running down a giant building. In this section, the player can jump and move left or right. Aside from Item Boxes, there are various small roadblocks that, when touched, slow Sonic down for a second. To avoid them, the player has to simply move aside or jump over them. In addition, near the end, there are also various horizontal pillars. These can only be avoided by moving to the sides, though touching them does not slow Sonic down or damage him.

Sonic's third portion of Speed Highway, and Knuckles' version of it, is a more relaxed Action Stage that is much slower than previous sections. Here, the player runs on the streets of Station Square. On the way however are cars, which, when touched from the front or, with enough speed, from the other sides, damages the character. The player can also run over to the buildings. Near the end of the stage as Sonic, or at the start as Knuckles, is also a fountain that can send the player flying forwards, like a Spring.

Overview[]

Sonic the Hedgehog[]

In Sonic's version of the Action Stage, the goal is to blast through this Action Stage and release the Animals trapped in the capsule.

Level Mission
C MISSION S BOX E
B MISSION S RINGBOX E
A MISSION S BOX3MIN E

Miles "Tails" Prower[]

Tails' version of Speed Highway is an expansion of Sonic's, with multiple platforms and Dash Rings, as well as another section. Unlike the previous Action Stages, the player must race Dr. Robotnik, who is piloting the Eggmobile. While the doctor is fast, the player can make up for this by using shortcuts and clever paths. In addition, Speed Highway is the only one of Tails' stages that features Star Posts; while this means that the player does not need to replay the entire stage if they fail, it also implies that Robotnik will respawn right next to them, which can cause trouble.

Speed Highway automatically ends once Tails enters a skyscraper with Robotnik's missile next to it, without needing to break any Capsules or collect any Chaos Emeralds.

Level Mission
C MISSION T MISS E
B MISSION T RINGEGG E
A MISSION T FASTEGG E

Knuckles the Echidna[]

Knuckles' version of the Action Stage begins the level searching for the three shards of the Master Emerald in the lower area of the city, which is the daytime area of Sonic's version of the stage. There are many hazards in this Action Stage, such as Cop Speeders.

Level Mission
C MISSION K 3EME E
B MISSION K NOHINT E
A MISSION K 1MIN E

Animals[]

Other game appearances[]

Sonic Generations[]

H2 04

Speed Highway, from the console/PC version of Sonic Generations.

In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, Speed Highway appears as the fourth Stage, as well as the first Stage in the Dreamcast era. In this game, Speed Highway features refreshed graphics and two Acts: one for Classic Sonic and one for Modern Sonic. Upon clearing it, the player will save Cream and Cheese from the Time Eater's petrification.

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games[]

In Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, a snow-capped version of Speed Highway appears as a route for the Roller Coaster Bobsleigh event. In this game, Speed Highway borrows many elements from its incarnation in Sonic Generations. Sometimes, there are obstacles in the form of speeding cars or Cop Speeders . The playable characters also sometimes slide down cranes or unfinished sections of the road. At the end of the course, the competitors also ride a helicopter, and will even slide down a building wall, much like Sonic does in Sonic Adventure.

Trivia[]

  • An area similar to this stage appears in the first episode of Sonic X.
  • During the US commercial of Sonic Adventure, gameplay footage of Sonic is shown in this stage.
  • The beginning of the music in the "Goin' Down!? ...for Speed Highway" from Sonic's version of the stage has lyrics. If one listens carefully, they can hear the vocalist saying, "Listen closely, approach me. Sucker punch me, those who try to treat me like bread and then toast me, impossible. I cut a sucker in small chunks, spit more rhymes than Michael Jordan makes slam dunks."
  • This is the only stage with Tails where the player does not race against Sonic.
  • Spider-Girl makes a cameo on some posters in this stage.

Music[]

Name Artist(s) Length Music track
"Run Through the Speed Highway ...for Speed Highway" Jun Senoue, Fumie Kumatani 1:56
"Goin' Down!? ...for Speed Highway" Fumie Kumatani 0:31
"At Dawn ...for Speed Highway" Jun Senoue 2:41

Videos[]


References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sonic Team (1998). ソニックアドベンチャー ステージ紹介! (Japanese). Sega. Retrieved on 13 August 2022.

Main article · Scripts (Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Big, Gamma, Super Sonic) · Story Screens (Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Big, Gamma) · Credits · Glitches · Beta elements · Gallery · Pre-releases (Limited Edition, DX Demo Version) · Re-releases (DX, 2010)
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