The Super Ring[1] (ビッグ10リング[2] Biggu 10 ringu?, lit. "Big 10 Ring"), also referred to as the 10 Rings[3] (10リング[4] 10 Ringu?, lit. "10 Ring"), 10 Ring Bonus[5] (10リングボーナス[6] 10 Ringubōnasu?), and bonus Rings,[7] is a power-up that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. When the player obtains this power-up, the playable character receives ten Rings at once.
Since their debut, the Super Rings have been featured in several Sonic games. It is generally a power-up contained in Item Boxes, but it has occasionally been featured as an independent, non-contained, and collectible item as well. Since its introduction, the Super Ring has functioned identically in every game, no matter how it appears.
Description
A Super Ring contained in a modern Item Box.
The Super Ring is a major power-up In the Sonic the Hedgehog series, and is generally the most common. When obtaining a Super Ring, the player is instantly granted ten Rings at once which are automatically added to the player's total Ring count. Rings granted by Super Rings function like regular Rings, as the player is able to lose them after taking damage and then recollect them.
A Super Ring without an Item Box containing it.
The Super Ring appears either as a power-up contained in an Item Box or as a floating golden Ring separate from Item Boxes that is slightly larger than regular Rings and has the number "10" in its center. Item Boxes containing Super Rings usually either contain or display an icon depicting a Ring, sometimes with the number "10" written somewhere on the icon or in the display. When the player breaks a Super Ring Item Box, the iconic Ring sample is heard in the background and the player receives the ten Rings. Like other Item Boxes, Super Ring Item Boxes can be hidden behind walls, palm trees or in other places. Super Rings that appear as large floating Rings on the other hand are obtained upon simply touching them, as there is no Item Box in-between them and the player. However, they cannot be targets by attacked like the Homing Attack, unlike Super Rings in Item Boxes. When collecting an Item Box-less Super Ring, a unique sound effect is played compared to the regular chime.
In some cases, the Super Rings can appear in groups to be picked up.
Game appearances
Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)
Three Super Ring Video Monitors in the original Sonic the Hedgehog, alongside an Invincible Video Monitor.
The Ring power-up made its debut in the 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, where it is referred to as Super Ring[1] (ビッグ10リング[2] Biggu 10 ringu?, lit. "Big 10 Ring"). In this game, it is exclusively a Video Monitor item. The Video Monitors that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)
In the 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, the Ring power-up is referred to as Super Ring[8] (ビッグ10リング[9] Biggu 10 ringu?, lit. "Big 10 Ring) again. In this game, it is exclusively a video monitor item. The video monitors that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
In the 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the Ring power-up is called Super Ring[10] (ビッグ10リング[11] Biggu 10 ringu?, lit. "Big 10 Ring") again. In this game, it is exclusively a monitor item. The monitors that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)
In the 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the Ring power-up is named Super Ring[12] (ビッグ10リング[13] Biggu 10 ringu?, lit. "Big 10 Ring") again. In this game, it is exclusively a Monitor item. The Monitors that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
Sonic the Hedgehog CD
In Sonic the Hedgehog CD, the Ring power-up is once again called Super Ring[14] (リング10[15] Ringu 10?, lit. "Ring 10"). In this game, it is exclusively a monitor item. The monitors that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
Sonic Chaos
In Sonic Chaos, the Ring power-up is called Super Ring[16] (10リング[17] 10 Ringu?, lit. "10 Ring") once again. In this game, it is exclusively a video monitor item. The video monitors that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
In the first two Special Stages of Sonic Chaos, there are also Rings as big as Sonic that are worth ten Rings each when collected. It is unconfirmed however, whether these Rings can be classified as Super Rings or not.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles, and the lock-on version Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, the Ring power-up is named Super Ring[18][19] (ビッグ10リング[20][21] Biggu 10 ringu?, lit. "Big 10 Ring") once more. In this game, it is exclusively a monitor item. The monitors that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
In Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, the player can also find gray gumballs with yellow Ring symbols on them in the Bonus Stage's Gumball Machine or Glowing Spheres Stage that work as Super Rings.
Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble
In Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble, the Ring power-up is referred to as Super Ring[22] (10リング[23] 10 Ringu?, lit. "10 Ring") again. In this game, it is exclusively a monitor item. The monitors that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
Knuckles' Chaotix
In Knuckles' Chaotix, the Ring power-up is named Super Ring'[24] (リング10[25] Ringu 10?, lit. "Ring 10") again. In this game, it is exclusively a Monitor item. The Monitors that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
In the Bonus Stages, there is also a block variant of the Super Ring called the Super Ring[26] (リング10[27] Ringu 10?, lit. "Ring 10"). Smacking into one of these boxes will grant the player ten Rings.
Sonic 3D Blast
In Sonic 3D Blast, the Ring power-up is referred to as 10 Ring (リング10コ[28] Ringu 10 ko?) in the Japanese manual. However, it is unnamed in the western manuals. In this game, it is exclusively a TV item. The TVs that contain the 10 Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
Sonic R
In Sonic R, the Ring power-up is referred to as Numbered Item Panel[29] (ビッグ10リング[30] Biggu 10 ringu?, lit. "Big 10 Ring"). In this game, the Numbered Item Panel can be obtained at random when touching one of the Item Panels that lie scattered across the racing courses.
Sonic Blast
In Sonic Blast, the Ring power-up is named 10 Ring (10リング[28] 10 Ringu?) in the Japanese manual. However, once again, it is unnamed in the western manuals. In this game, it is exclusively a TV item. The TVs that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
Sonic Adventure
The 10 Rings in Sonic Adventure.
In Sonic Adventure, and its remake Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut, the Ring power-up is named 10 Rings[3] (10リング[4] 10 Ringu?, lit. "10 Ring"). In these games, it is exclusively an Item Box item. The Item Boxes that contain the 10 Rings in this game hold an icon that shows a single Ring with the number "10" written in the lower left corner.
Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure
In Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure, the Ring power-up is called Super Ring[31] (ビッグ10リング[32] Biggu 10 ringu?, lit. "Big 10 Ring") again. In this game, it is exclusively an item box item. The item boxes that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
Sonic Adventure 2
The 10 Rings in Sonic Adventure 2.
In Sonic Adventure 2, and its remake Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, the Ring power-up is referred to as 10 Rings[33] (10リング[34] 10 Ringu?) again. In this game, it is exclusively an Item Box item. The Item Boxes that contain the 10 Rings in this game hold an icon that shows a single Ring with the number "10" written in the lower left corner.
Sonic Advance series
Sonic Advance
In Sonic Advance, the Ring power-up is named 10 Rings[35] (10リング[36] 10 Ringu?, lit. "10 Ring") once more. In this game, it is exclusively a box item. The boxes that contain the 10 Rings in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring with the number "10" written in its center.
Sonic Advance 2
In Sonic Advance 2, the Ring power-up is named 10 Ring Bonus[5] (10リングボーナス[6] 10 Ringubōnasu?). In this game, it is exclusively a box item. The boxes that contain the 10 Ring Bonus in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring with the number "10" written in its center.
Sonic Advance 3
In Sonic Advance 3, the Ring power-up is called 10 Ring Bonus[37] (10リングボーナス[38] 10 Ringubōnasu?) once more. In this game, it is exclusively a Box item. The Boxes that contain the 10 Ring Bonus in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring with the number "10" written in its center.
Sega Superstars Tennis
In Sega Superstars Tennis, the Ring power-up is called 10 Rings once more. In this game, it is exclusively an Item Box item. The Item Boxes that contain the 10 Rings in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
In Sega Superstars Tennis, 10 Rings only appears during Sonic the Hedgehog-related mini-games and side missions, where their Item Boxes randomly drop down from the sky and land on the playing field for the player to use.
Sonic Unleashed
A Super Ring in Sonic Unleashed.
In Sonic Unleashed, the Ring power-up is called the Super Ring[39] (スーパーリング[40] Sūpāringu?) again. In this game, it is exclusively a floating ring without an Item Box. It appears in both the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 and Wii/PlayStation 2 version of the game.
In gameplay, Super Rings appear in both the nighttime and daytime stages/Action Stages. However, while they are fairly common in the both the nighttime and daytime stages/Action Stages, they are more rare in the daytime Action Stages on the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Episode I
In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, the Ring power-up is named Super Ring[41] (ビッグ10リング[42] Biggu 10 ringu?, lit. "Big 10 Ring") once again. In this game, it is exclusively an Item Box item. The Item Boxes that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring with the number "10" written in its center.
Episode II
In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II, the Ring power-up is named Super Ring[43] (ビッグ10リング[44] Biggu 10 ringu?, lit. "Big 10 Ring") once more. In this game, it appears as both an Item Box item and a floating ring without an Item Box. The Item Boxes that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring with the number "10" written in its center.
Super Rings contained in Item Boxes appear normally in the regular Zones. Super Rings not contained in Item Boxes on the other hand only appear in the Special Stages.
Sonic Colors
In the Wii version of Sonic Colors, the Ring power-up is called Super Ring.[45] In this game, it is exclusively a floating ring without an Item Box.
Sonic Generations
In Sonic Generations, the Ring power-up is called Super Ring[46][47] again. It appears in both the console/PC and Nintendo 3DS version of the game.
In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, the Super Ring appears as both an Item Box item and a floating ring without an Item Box. Noticeably, Item Boxes that contain the Super Ring in this version of the game display an icon that shows a single Ring. In gameplay, Classic Sonic's Acts only feature the Super Rings as Item Box power-ups, while Modern Sonic's Acts only feature the Super Rings as Item Box-less power-ups.
In the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, the Super Ring appears exclusively as an Item Box item. Noticeably, Item Boxes that contain the Super Ring in this version of the game display an icon that shows a single Ring with the number "10" written in its center. In gameplay, unlike in the console/PC version, the Item Boxes holding Super Rings appear in both Modern and Classic Sonic's Acts.
Sonic Lost World
In Sonic Lost World, the Ring power up is called Super Ring[48] once more. It appears in both the Wii U/PC and Nintendo 3DS version of the game.
In the Wii U/PC version of Sonic Lost World, the Super Ring appears as both an Item Box item and a floating ring without an Item Box. However, in the Nintendo 3DS version, the Super Ring appears exclusively as a Item Box item. Noticeably, Item Boxes that contain the Super Ring in both versions of the game hold a golden Ring with the number "10" written in its center.
In Sonic Lost World, the Super Rings can be obtained through other means, outside of the Zones. On the Wii U version, they can be obtained and shared on the Miiverse. They can also be rewarded by completing missions on the Wii U/PC version. Also, on the Nintendo 3DS version, the player can make a Super Ring in Tails' Lab using three Green Materials. Once obtained, these Super Rings will be stored away for the player to use later in the Zones. During these Zones, the player can look up the Item Bag and select the Super Ring to instantly bestow it onto the playable character.
Sonic Runners series
Sonic Runners
In Sonic Runners, the Ring power-up is referred to as Super Ring once again. In this game, it is exclusively a floating ring without an Item Box.
In gameplay, when having an "Attack Eggman!" encounter during a stage, Dr. Eggman will show up in his Egg Mobile, carrying a huge amount of Rings. When attacking the Egg Mobile during these encounters, Eggman will occasionally drop one or more Super Rings. Also, some Buddies like the RC Turtle can turn regular Rings into Super Rings after every X Combo, while the Hunk of Meat Buddy gives extra Rings for getting each Super Ring. There is also the RC Pirate Spaceship Buddy which makes more Super Rings appear during boss battles.
Sonic Runners Adventure
In Sonic Runners Adventure, the Ring power-up makes a return appearance. In this game, it is exclusively a floating ring without an Item Box.
In gameplay, Super Rings appear in both the regular levels and the Bonus level. In addition, Chaotix Type characters possess an ability that allows them to turn 30% of all Rings in a stage into Super Rings for a limited time whenever they collect enough Rings. Also, during boss battles with Dr. Eggman and his Iron Ball Eggmobile, Eggman will occasionally drop one or more Super Rings when taking damage.
Sonic Mania
In Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, the Ring power-up is once again named Super Ring[49] (ビッグ10リング[50] Biggu 10 ringu?, lit. "Big 10 Ring"). In this game, it is exclusively an Item Box item. The Item Boxes that contain the Super Ring in this game display an icon that shows a single Ring.
Sonic Forces
In Sonic Forces, the Ring power-up is called bonus Ring.[7] In this game, the bonus Ring appears as both an Item Box item and a floating ring without an Item Box. Noticeably, Item Boxes that contain the bonus Ring in this version of the game display an icon that shows a single Ring. In gameplay, Classic Sonic's stages only feature the bonus Rings as Item Box power-ups, while the stages exclusive to Modern Sonic, the Avatar, and the Tag Team gameplay only feature the bonus Rings as Item Box-less power-ups.
Variants
5 Ring Bonus
The 5 Ring Bonus is a smaller variant of the Super Ring that gives five Rings when obtained. It first appeared in Sonic R.
20 Rings
The 20 Rings is a bigger variant of the Super Ring that gives twenty Rings when obtained. It first appeared in Sonic R.
Big 50 Ring
The Big 50 Ring is a larger variant of the Super Ring that gives fifty Rings when obtained. It first appeared in Sonic Unleashed.
Random Ring Bonus
The Random Ring Bonus is a variant of the Super Ring that give a random amount of Rings when obtained. The different amounts of Rings they grant depend on the game. It first appeared in Sonic Adventure.
Rich Ring
The Rich Ring is a silver variant of the Super Ring that physically resembles the Red Star Ring. Like the 20 Rings, the Rich Rings each give the player twenty Rings. They only appear in Sonic and the Secret Rings and Sonic and the Black Knight.
Rings
Rings is variant of the Super Ring that refers to Item Boxes containing different amounts of Rings. However, the individual Rings power-ups in the levels always grant the same amount of Rings, regardless of playthrough. It first appeared in Sonic Heroes.
Unnamed 30 Ring power-up
An unnamed 30 Ring power-up in Sonic Unleashed.
The unnamed 30 Ring power-up is a bigger variant of the Super Ring. It gives thirty Rings when obtained. So far, it has only taken the form of an Item Box-less floating ring with the number "30" written in its center, and has yet to appear as an Item Box power-up.
This power-up has only appeared in the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of Sonic Unleashed. In this game, it can only be found in the nighttime stages. It starts out as uncommon, but appears more frequently as the player advances through the game.
Unnamed 100 Ring power-up
An unnamed 100 Ring power-up in Sonic Unleashed.
The unnamed 100 Ring power-up is the biggest variant of the Super Ring. It gives one hundred Rings when obtained. So far, it has only taken the form of an Item Box-less floating ring with the number "100" written in its center, and has yet to appear as an Item Box power-up.
This power-up has only appeared in the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of Sonic Unleashed. In this game, it can only be found in the nighttime stages. It is by far the rarest of the Ring power-ups in the game, as it only appears in the game's last missions and stages.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Mega Drive) United States instruction booklet, pg. 6.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Mega Drive) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 19.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast) United States instruction booklet, pg. 11.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 13.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sonic Advance 2 (Game Boy Advance) United States instruction booklet, pg. 20.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Sonic Advance (Game Boy Advance) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 31.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sonic Forces United States instruction manual.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Game Gear) United States instruction booklet, pg. 7.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Game Gear) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 12.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Mega Drive) United States instruction booklet, pg. 10.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Mega Drive) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 22.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Game Gear) United States instruction manual, pg. 8.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Game Gear) Japanese instruction manual, pg. 14.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog CD (Sega CD) United States instruction booklet, pg. 10.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog CD (Sega CD) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 19.
- ↑ Sonic Chaos (Sega Game Gear) United States instruction booklet, pg. 8.
- ↑ Sonic Chaos (Sega Game Gear) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 17.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Sega Mega Drive) United States instruction booklet, p. 12.
- ↑ Sonic & Knuckles (Sega Mega Drive) United States instruction booklet, p. 10.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Sega Mega Drive) Japanese instruction booklet, p. 18.
- ↑ Sonic & Knuckles (Sega Mega Drive) Japanese instruction booklet, p. 22.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble (Sega Game Gear) United States instruction booklet, pg. 8.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble (Sega Game Gear) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 19.
- ↑ Knuckles' Chaotix (Sega 32X) United States instruction booklet, pg. 18.
- ↑ Knuckles' Chaotix (Sega 32X) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 29.
- ↑ Knuckles' Chaotix (Sega 32X) United States instruction booklet, pg. 19.
- ↑ Knuckles' Chaotix (Sega 32X) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 33.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Sonic 3D Blast (Sega Mega Drive) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 16.
- ↑ Sonic R (Sega Saturn) United States instruction manual pg. 13.
- ↑ Sonic R (Sega Saturn) Japanese instruction manual pg. 19.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (Neo Geo Pocket Color) United States instruction booklet, pg. 10.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (Neo Geo Pocket Color) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 10.
- ↑ Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast) United States instruction manual, pg. 19.
- ↑ Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast) Japanese instruction manual, pg. 26.
- ↑ Sonic Advance (Game Boy Advance) United States instruction booklet, pg. 18.
- ↑ Sonic Advance (Game Boy Advance) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 28.
- ↑ Sonic Advance 2 (Game Boy Advance) United States instruction booklet, pg. 22.
- ↑ Sonic Advance 3 (Wii U Virtual Console) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 41.
- ↑ Sonic Unleashed (Xbox 360) United States instruction booklet, pg. 14.
- ↑ Sonic Unleashed (Xbox 360) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 15.
- ↑ Dimps, Sonic Team (19 January 2012). Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I. PC. Sega. Area/Level: How to Play (10/14).
- ↑ Dimps, Sonic Team (19 January 2012). Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I (Japanese version). PC. Sega. Area/Level: How to Play (10/14).
- ↑ Dimps, Sonic Team (15 May 2012). Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II. PC. Sega. Area/Level: How to Play (14/24).
- ↑ Dimps, Sonic Team (15 May 2012). Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II (Japanese version). PC. Sega. Area/Level: How to Play (14/24).
- ↑ Sonic Colors (Wii) United States instruction booklet, pg. 16.
- ↑ Sonic Generations (Xbox 360) United Kingdom instruction booklet, pg. 10.
- ↑ Sonic Generations (Nintendo 3DS) United Kingdom instruction booklet, pg. 8.
- ↑ Dimps (29 October 2013). Sonic Lost World. Nintendo 3DS. Sega. Area/level: Tails' Lab.
- ↑ Sonic Mania United States instruction manual.
- ↑ Sonic Mania Japanese instruction manual.
