Trick Jump Panel

The Trick Jump Panel,^[1][2] also referred to as the trick jump platform, is a gimmick that first appeared in Sonic Adventure. It a variant of the regular Jump Panel that allows midair actions when used.

Description

The Trick Jump Panel usually resembles a ramp with arrows on it. When touching the pad on the Trick Jump Panel, the player is able to make extra large jumps by setting off it, allowing the player to either cross vast distances quickly or get over obstacles.

There also exist a more advanced form of the Trick Jump Panels. These panels resemble the right triangular prism variant of the Jump Panels, except that they have a yellow coloration and differently-colored arrows on them. When touching such a panel, it will automatically initiate a dash that sends the playable character flying through the air, during which the player can perform beneficial midair action exclusive to it. What effect these actions have differs between games.

Game appearances

Sonic Adventure

In Sonic Adventure and its later iteration, Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut, the Trick Jump resembles a regular, albeit long ramp with a yellow and orange-checkered surface. In this game, they are referred to as "Jump Ramps".^[3] They are only encountered in Icecap during the Snowboard section and in Sand Hill.

In this game, the Trick Jump Panel lets the player make extra long and high jumps, even without gaining speed, and is suitable for reaching unreachable areas and paths. To perform this in gameplay, the player must press the jump button when going off the Trick Jump Panel. Additionally, the player maintains their free movements when going off it.

Sonic Adventure 2

In Sonic Adventure 2 and its later iteration Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, the Trick Jump Ramp looks much like it did in Sonic Adventure, but its surface is now marked with orange and white arrows. It retains many of the same effects from the previous title, although the player must have gained momentum before using it, its jumping speed and flying distances are lessened, and the player cannot move on their own while in midair.

In gameplay, the player must press the jump button while moving over it to utilize its full effects. Depending on the player's timing, they will gain bonus points ranging from between 200-1,000 points.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), the Trick Jump Panels are white and red-arrowed plates embedded in the ground. They are only encountered in Sonic's version of White Acropolis, during the Snowboard sections. Like in Sonic Adventure, they are called "Jump Ramps".

Like in the previous games, using the Trick Jump Panel allows the player to make extra high and long jumps. However, due to game's glitches, they are not always reliable. To use the Trick Jump Panel in gameplay, the player has to hold the jump button and release it when touching the ramp.

Sonic Unleashed

In Sonic Unleashed, a new type of Trick Jump Panel was introduced. This variant looks like a Jump Panel, resembling a very technological right triangular wedge with yellow edges, a black running treadmill with yellow arrows on it, and red and blue arrows on the side. They are only encountered in the daytime Stages.

These Trick Jump Panels are used to reach shortcuts or cross obligatory paths. When touching them, the player is instantly sent into a flying jump, eliminating the need to build up momentum or manually initiate a trick. After being sent flying, the player must complete a series of Real-Time Interactions consisting of three or six-button sequences. Competing the interaction will result in Sonic pulling off a trick in midair that will increase his jumping height and allow him to complete the jump. Failing will make the player fall down prematurely, often into a bottomless pit.

Sonic Colors

In Sonic Colors, the same variant of Trick Jump Panels from Sonic Unleashed is used. These Trick Jump Panels are nearly identical to those in Sonic Unleashed, except they are now almost completely yellow and have multicolored arrows on them.

In gameplay, when Sonic is sent flying into the air by them, the player can press the jump button up to five times, with each press making Sonic perform a trick in slow-motion that increases his flying distance. For each trick, the player earns one of the following ranks: "Good", "Great", "Awesome", "Outstanding" and finally "Amazing". Upon reaching the final rank, the player earns a Trick Bonus on 10,000 points. When Super Sonic uses the Trick Jump Panel, the player will instantly reach the "Amazing" rank after performing the first trick.

Sonic Generations

In Sonic Generations, both variants of the Trick Jump Panel appear. The ramp-like Trick Jump Panels again resemble ramps, but now have yellow edges and blue, yellow and white arrows on top of them. These panels appear in both acts of City Escape and in the Rooftop Rail Grind Challenge Act. In gameplay, the player has to press / while on them to achieve a higher leap; in Modern Sonic's case, pulling such a trick off will also fill up a part of his Boost Gauge.

The second variant of the Trick Jump Panel looks exactly like they did in Sonic Colors. These panels only appear in the second Act of each Stage. In gameplay,y Trick Jump Panels are nearly ubiquitous; after being sent flying into the air by them, the player can move the left control stick in different directions to execute Freestyle Tricks that will fill up the Boost Gauge. Pressing and / and at the same time will trigger a combo finisher.

Gallery

Artwork

Gallery
Sonic Generations Sonic Generations Sonic Generations Add a photo to this gallery

Models

Sonic Unleashed

Sonic Generations

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Screenshots

Shadow (left) after using the Trick Jump Panel in Downtown Race.

Sonic after using the ramp version of the Trick Jump Panel in Sonic Generations.

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References