- For other uses of the term, see Star Pointer (disambiguation).
The Star Pointer[1] (アイスダス[2] Aisudasu?, lit. "Icedus") is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, sea urchin-based Badnik created by Dr. Robotnik, and a variant of the Orbinaut series.
Appearance[]
The Star Pointers resemble Orbinauts with a light-gray color scheme, cartoonish eyes with black pupils, and a yellow line across their spherical bodies. Unlike the Orbinauts, however, the Star Pointers have four balls made of ice orbiting their bodies rather than spiked balls.
Overview[]
In Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and the lock-on game Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Star Pointers appear only in IceCap Zone, where they slowly move around. When seeing the player however, the Star Pointers will slowly fire their orbiting ice balls one at a time at the playable character. Like the typical Orbinaut, the Star Pointers become vulnerable once all their ice balls are gone.
If the player possesses the Thunder Shield, the Star Pointers' ice balls will disintegrate upon impacting the shield. Alternatively, the player can go through the ice balls to defeat the Star Pointers directly, although they will at greater risk of taking damage. The player can also use the Insta-Shield to defeat the Star Pointers while still surrounded by their ice balls with the right timing.
Powers and abilities[]
As an Orbinaut variant, Star Pointers are capable of levitation. However, their main skill lies in their spiked ice balls which they can hold in orbit around them to act as both weapons and a shield and as well throw as projectiles against foes.
Variants[]
Big Icedus[]
The Big Icedus is a stronger variant of the Star Pointer, despite having no resemblance to them, that appears at the end of Act 1 of IceCap Zone. It can use its magnetic prongs to surround itself with snow blocks and throw said snow blocks as projectiles. Like Star Pointer, the Big Icedus first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
In other media[]
Sonic the Comic[]
Star Pointer in Sonic the Comic. Art by Mike Hadley and John M Burns.
In the Sonic the Comic comic series and its spin offs published by Fleetway Editions, the Star Pointers are Badniks and members of Dr. Ivo Robotnik's Badnik army. They first appeared during an assault on the Ice Cap Zone with Penguinators, where they attacked Sonic the Hedgehog and Knuckles the Echidna.
Archie Comics[]
A Star Pointer, from the Archie Comics.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Star Pointers are members of the Eggman Empire's Badnik Horde. They first appeared as a part of the Artika Egg Army's attack force.
IDW Publishing[]
A Star Pointer, from Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, while patrolling the Winter Caverns Zone, a Star Pointer got destroyed by Knuckles.[3]
Trivia[]
- The Star Pointer's Japanese name, "Icedus," is derived from aisu and dasu, meaning "ice" and "to send" in Japanese.
Gallery[]
Screenshots[]
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References[]
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Sega Mega Drive) United States instruction booklet, pg. 24.
- ↑ (in Japanese) ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ３ 公式ガイドブック. Shogakukan. 1 July 1994. p. 13. ISBN 978-4091024794.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special, "Seasons of Chaos"
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