Spring Pole

The Spring Pole^[1] (スプリングポール, Supuringu Pōru^?), also called the Pole (ポール, Pōru^?) and the Springpole,^[2] is a gimmick in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. A variant of the Spring, they are flexible bars that are used by the playable characters to launch themselves higher into the air, though they have also been known to give a horizontal boost.

Since their introduction, the Spring Poles have become one of the main gimmicks in several games. Spring Poles sometimes also poke out of the ground and can function or look different in several games.

Description

Usually, Spring Poles are metallic gray poles with a small red round pin on one end, though their appearance is known to have been altered on different occasions to better fit their location's environment. They are typically set on walls above Jump Panels or Springs. When a playable character presses against a horizontal Spring Pole from colliding with them, it will result in the Spring Pole launching the playable character high into the air. Usually, the height of the bounce on the Spring Poles is determined by how far out on the Spring Poles that the playable character is presses against them; in other words, the farther out on the Spring Pole the playable character is pressing against it, the higher will the character be thrown into the air.

When the player does not have enough speed to reach the top of the wall, they can use the Spring Pole to get launched into the air. In several games, the player can also utilize the Stomp to gain an extra amount of boost from the Spring Pole and go even higher than normal.

Game appearances

Sonic the Hedgehog CD

While not exactly Spring Poles, similar-looking, brown bendy poles appeared as minor objects in Sonic the Hedgehog CD. They are featured only in Palmtree Panic Zone 2 where they can be found in all of the Zone's time periods except for the present timeline. They are usually set on the ledges and walls of level structures or shuttle loops.

When the player jumps on a pole in this game, it will normally launch the playable character into the air while he is using his Spin Attack. Also, the player can be launched higher into the air by bouncing on the pole repetitively.

Sonic Advance series

Sonic Advance

In Sonic Advance, the Spring Poles are referred to as Poles and look like gray poles with a red pin on their outer end. In this game, the Spring Poles are only seen in Neo Green Hill Zone and Casino Paradise Zone, where they in the latter are decorated with red flags.

In gameplay, when the player makes contact with a Pole, the playable character will grab onto it and gain an extra vertical boost into midair. Casino Paradise Zone also features vertical Poles that are set on the ground, which can give the playable character an extra amount of running speed when making contact with them, similar to the Dash Panels. This only happens, however, if the player has enough momentum before touching them.

Sonic Advance 2

In Sonic Advance 2, the Spring Poles are referred to as Poles again. In this game, there are bouncy bars set on the walls which are similar to the Spring Poles in terms of both appearance and function. However, the player has to bounce on these objects as far away from the wall as possible in order to reach great enough bouncing height.

The aforementioned gimmicks aside, there are also Poles similar to the Spring Poles. However, these poles resemble more large pins and are standing upright on the ground. These pins also function differently from the Spring Poles: when the player runs into such a pin, the playable character sticks to it and spins around it once before being launched running in the opposite direction from where they came.

Sonic Advance 3

In Sonic Advance 3, the Spring Poles are called Poles once more. In this game, the Poles are again gray poles with a red pin on their outer end. Also, their mechanics are the same as those they had in Sonic Advance. While they are regularly seen in the Zones, Spring Poles also appear in the Zone Maps of each Zone. Also, after utilizing a Spring Pole in gameplay, the player can perform Mid-Air Trick Actions.

Sonic Rush

In Sonic Rush, the Spring Poles resemble stretchy green poles, like in Sonic Advance 2. In this game, they are regular objects that only appear in Leaf Storm.

In gameplay, the Spring Poles' mechanics are similar to those they showcased in Sonic Advance 2, which means that the player can bounce at them at one point to gain extra height.

Sonic Rivals series

Sonic Rivals

In Sonic Rivals, the Spring Poles resemble gray poles with a round red pin on their outer end and a dark gray and red foot on the wall. In gameplay, the playable character will achieve the same bouncing height, no matter how many times the playable characters bounces in one spot on a Spring Pole. Otherwise, its mechanics are the same as the typical Spring Pole, which means that the playable characters will bounce higher if they jump off nearer the end of the Spring Poles.

Sonic Rivals 2

In Sonic Rivals 2, the Spring Poles possess the exact same design they had in Sonic Riders, being gray poles with a red pin on one end and a dark gray and red foot on the other. Their gameplay mechanics are also the same as the common Spring Pole, like in Sonic Rivals.

Sonic Unleashed

In the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed, the Spring Poles are referred to as Springpoles.^[2] Spring Poles this time around are gray poles with a red pin on their outer end, like in the Sonic Rivals series. In this game, they only appear in Sonic the Hedgehog's daytime stages. In gameplay, they possess the typical mechanics for a Spring Pole. Also, because Sonic can use the Stomp in this game, the player is able to achieve high bouncing heights on the Spring Poles by using the Stomp on them.

Sonic Colors

In the Wii version of Sonic Colors, the Spring Poles possess the same design they had in Sonic Unleashed, making them resemble gray poles with a red pin on their outer end. In gameplay, they possess the standard mechanics for a Spring Pole. Also, because the playable characters are able to use the Stomp in this game, the player is able to once again achieve high bouncing heights on the Spring Poles by using the Stomp on them.

Sonic Generations

In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, the Spring Poles (as they are referred to as in this game^[1]) possess the same design they had in Sonic Unleashed, making them resemble gray poles with a red pin on their outer end. In this game, they only appear in Modern Sonic's Acts and Challenge Acts. In gameplay, they possess the standard mechanics for a Spring Pole.

Sonic Forces

In Sonic Forces, the Spring Poles once again resemble gray poles with a red pin on their outer end. In this game, they only appear in Sonic the Hedgehog and the Avatar's stages. In gameplay, they possess the usual mechanics for a Spring Pole. Also, when bouncing on a Spring Pole in this game, they make the Spring's sound effect instead of the distinct one heard in previous games.

References