Speed Type

The Speed Type^[1] (スピードタイプ, Supīdotaipu^?), also referred to as the Speed-Type, is a character type used in the Sonic the Hedgehog series and is represented by the color blue. It was introduced along with the Power Type and Fly Type in Sonic Heroes. As its name implies, Speed Type characters are generally faster than those of other types.

Game appearances

Sonic Heroes

The Speed Type was first introduced in Sonic Heroes. Speed Type characters are the fastest in the team and have access to several abilities such as the Homing Attack, Rocket Accel and a Tornado Jump. Speed Types can access specific routes by performing several Homing Attacks against airborne enemies in succession and by using Tornado Jump to traverse Poles and activate propellers.

In Battle mode and boss battles against other teams, Speed Types have an advantage over Fly Types, but are weak against Power Types.

Sonic Advance 3

The Speed Type returns in Sonic Advance 3. The Speed type can be gained by any creating any team involving Sonic. The Speed Type allows the player to enter Boost Mode at a certain speed for a certain amount of time, when running past a dash panel or using Tag Action (when Sonic is the partner character).

Speed Type teams

• Unbreakable Bond (Sonic & Tails)
• Fighting Buddies (Sonic & Knuckles)
• Lovely Couple (Sonic & Amy)
• Sonic & Cream
• Sonic & Dr. Eggman

Sonic Riders series

In the Sonic Riders, Speed Type characters are able to utilize grind rails for shortcuts and alternate paths that would be otherwise inaccessible. In Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, although Speed Type characters can use any other ability type, their exclusive Gears are Boards with a Gear Part which enable the ability to grind on rails. In Sonic Free Riders, Speed Type characters can use any ability. Regardless, all Speed Type characters have excellent top speed with average rating for all other capabilities (acceleration, power and curving). 

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series

In the Mario & Sonic series, the Speed Type is one of the four character types, alongside the Power, Skill and All-Around Types. Speed characters are best suited for races and track events, as well as other speed-based events. Although unplayable, Jet the Hawk and Banza Bill appear as Speed Type rival characters.

Sonic Runners

In Sonic Runners, Speed Type characters are able to perform a Triple Jump. While all levels in the game can be played with any character, Windy Hill is better suited for Speed Types. Buddies, companions that the player can equip to characters, also have different ability types. Pairing Speed Type characters with Speed Type Buddies will enhance the effects of said Buddy.

Team Sonic Racing

In Team Sonic Racing, the Speed Type appeared alongside the Power-Type and the debuting Technique-Type. In this game, the Speed-Type characters have the fastest top speed, well-balanced handling, and can expel a Radial Burst when performing a high-level drift boost. They are also the only ones that can obtain Red Wisps from Item Boxes. However, they have poor acceleration and defense.^[2]

List of Speed Type characters

• Amy Rose
• Blaze the Cat
• Classic Sonic
• E-10000R
• Espio the Chameleon
• Jet the Hawk
• Mephiles the Dark
• Metal Sonic
• Shadow the Hedgehog
• Silver the Hedgehog (Sonic Runners only)
• Sonic the Hedgehog
  • Super Sonic
• Sticks the Badger

Non-Sonic Speed Types

• Amigo
• Princess Daisy
• Ulala
• Yoshi

Speed Type Buddies

• Baby Cyan Wisp
• Block Bomb
• Carbuncle
• Cartridge
• Chao Walker
• Chip
• Christmas NiGHTS
• Easter Chao
• Egg Chao
• Erazor Djinn
• Green Crystal Monster (S)
• Halloween Chao
• Hero Chao
• Jewel Chao
• King Arthur's Ghost
• Light Chaos
• Mother Wisp
• NiGHTS
• Opa-Opa
• Orbot
• Orca
• Rappy
• RC Fighter
• RC Monkey
• RC Pinwheel
• RC Turtle
• Red Crystal Monster (S)
• Sonic Omochao
• Star-Shaped Missile
• Yacker
• Yeti

Trivia

• Amy and Blaze, both female Speed Type characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, are the only Sonic All-Around Type characters in the Mario & Sonic series.
• Espio is the only Speed Type character in Sonic Heroes to not be a hedgehog.

References