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The Orbinauts return as one of Sonic's most challenging Badnicks![sic] Pay close attention, you only have a split second to defeat them.


— Profile, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I website[3]

The Uni Uni (ウニウニ[4][5] Uniuni?), also known as Orbinaut,[1][2] is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced Badnik model and an Orbinaut variant created by Dr. Eggman. Besides a different coloration from the Unidasu, they are programmed with alternate attack patterns.

Appearance[]

Uni Unis belong to the Sea Urchin-like Orbinaut series. As such, they look similar to their other variations. They have a green spherical body with wide eyes and four yellow spiked balls orbiting their body like a planet. They usually have black eyes, but had cyan eyes in Sonic Colors and Sonic Lost World.

In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, the Uni Unis' design is more detailed. They have two lines encircling it vertically and one horizontally. They also have two small black bases on both sides of their body.

Game appearances[]

Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)[]

Uniuni

In the 16-bit version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, the Uni Unis (ウニウニ[4] Uniuni?) are found in Star Light Zone. In gameplay, they are a bit more cool-headed than the Unidasus, namely by keeping their spiked orbs orbiting their bodies. While this means that the player does not have a tricky attack to avoid, they are virtually impossible to hit. However, the player can slip under them with a Spin Attack. They are best defeated while the player is invincible, although the player can also destroy them with a well-aimed hit or with a direct attack immediately after gaining invulnerability from taking damage. Also, due to their constantly orbiting spiked balls, they are hard to avoid at high speed. In case they are defeated though, they release an Animal.

In the 8-bit version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, the Uni Unis appear as enemies, but only in Sky Base Zone Act 1. Their appearance is also different, having an orange body surrounded by small yellow spiked balls. Otherwise, they behave identically to their 16-bit counterparts. Like all the other Badniks, they lack Animals as power sources.

Sonic Rivals[]

In Sonic Rivals, the Uni Uni made an appearance as one of the game's collectible cards. Here, it is referred to as "Orbinaut".

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I[]

S4 Orbinaut Sprite

The Uni Uni, from Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I.

In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, Uni Unis appear in Lost Labyrinth Zone with a slightly upgraded design. Despite that, they have the same attack patterns as in the previous games. However, they will expand their spiked balls' area once they detect Sonic. They would also appear in Act 4 of Episode Metal as well.

Sonic Colors[]

Coloursds orbinaut

In the Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors, the Uni Unis appear in Planet Wisp, Aquarium Park and Asteroid Coaster. They look similar to how they did in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, and appear both above ground and in underwater sections. Some Uni Unis block openings for the player to pass through while others move up and down. The best way to destroy them is by using Color Powers.

Sonic Lost World[]

Uni-Uni-Sonic-Lost-World

Uni Uni in the 3D sections, from the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World.

In the Wii U version, PC version and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Lost World, the Uni Unis return as enemies. During the games' events, the Deadly Six hijacked all of Dr. Eggman's Uni Unis. Uni Unis are found in Windy Hill Zones 1 and 2, Frozen Factory Zones 1 and 4, Silent Forest Zone 4, and Sky Road Zones 4 and ? in the Wii U/PC version of the game. In the game's Speed Race mode, Uni Unis are also encountered in Frozen Factory Zone 1. In the Nintendo 3DS version on the other hand, they are found in Tropical Coast Zones 2 and 3, Frozen Factory Zones 1 and 3, and Sky Road Zone 1.

In the 2.5D side scrolling sections in the Wii U/PC version, Uni Unis usually hover back and forth in one place while their spiked balls orbit them laterally. These Badniks usually come together in stacks to create tall enemy walls. Exclusively in the Wii U/PC version, they drop their spiked balls in a rain when the player approaches them. However, this leaves them defenseless against attacks.

During the main 3D sections in the Wii U/PC version and throughout the Nintendo 3DS version, Uni Unis' spiked balls orbit them horizontally, but they do not drop them under any circumstances. They will also move towards Sonic when he gets close to them. In the Nintendo 3DS version, Uni Unis usually appear individually or in groups with different Badniks, but they do not drop their spiked balls like in the Wii U/PC version, unless the player uses the Somersault to make them drop them. The player is best advised to attack the Uni Unis from above without touching their spiked balls, or use the Somersault to make them easier to defeat.

When a Uni Uni is destroyed in any of the versions of Sonic Lost World, it will release an Animal.

Sonic Superstars[]

SuperstarsUniUniScr

An Uni Uni, from Sonic Superstars.

Uni Unis reappear in Sonic Superstars, where they can be found in Sand Sanctuary Zone, Golden Capital Zone Act 2, and Frozen Base Zone Act 1 and Act Tails. The Uni Uni's attack pattern has been changed to be much more similar to Unidasu, where they hover in a singular area before throwing their spiked balls at the player. Once they run out of spiked balls, the Uni Unis will then look down and fly away. The best way to defeat a Uni Uni is by waiting for them to throw most or all of their spiked balls and then attacking them (as they are completely defenseless without their spiked balls). Upon destruction, a Uni Uni will release an Animal and award the player with 100 points.

Personality[]

While built to serve as work drones, the Uni Unis possess a degree of sentience and personality traits. These traits include fawning over Dr. Eggman and celebrating his birthday on their own volition.[6]

Powers and abilities[]

As an Orbinaut, Uni Unis are capable of levitation. However, their main skill lies in their spiked balls which they can hold in orbit around them to act as both weapons and a shield. In Sonic Superstars, they can throw their spiked balls similar to the Unidasus.

In other media[]

Sonic the Hedgehog Story Comic[]

Orbinaut manga

An Uni Uni. from Sonic the Hedgehog Story Comic Volume 2.

A single Orbinaut appears briefly in Sonic the Hedgehog Story Comic Volume 2's story Clash!! South Island. In Star Land Zone, it quickly appears in front of Sonic, who used the seesaw to get Egg Capsule. As the Orbinaut tries to stop him, Sonic uses Spin Attack which knocks Orbinaut from his way.

Sonic the Comic[]

Orbinaut STC 3

The Orbinaut, from Sonic the Comic.

In the Sonic the Comic series published by Fleetway Editions, the Uni Unis' name is never mentioned. Instead, they are referred to as Orbinauts. In this media, they are a part of Dr. Robotnik's Badnik army and are among the first generation of Badniks the doctor produced. Depending on the artist, the Orbinauts' design or coloration would be slightly different between each issue.

Archie Comics[]

Uni Uni Archie

The Orbinaut, from the Archie Comics.

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Uni Unis' name is never mentioned. Instead, they are referred to as Orbinauts. They were among the first generation of badniks produced by Dr. Robotnik. Over time though, the Orbinauts were rendered obsolete by more advanced robots and got decommissioned.

Following the events of Worlds Collide, the Orbinauts' history became nearly identical to that of their game counterparts'.

Sonic X[]

Main article: Uni Uni (Sonic X)
Orbinauts-Sonic-X-Comic

Sonic and his group avoiding Uni Unis, from the Sonic X comics.

In the Sonic X comic series published by Archie Comics, a group of Uni Uni Badniks appear in a virtual reality version of Star Light Zone. Sonic, Knuckles, Amy and Rouge encountered them on their trip through the Zone.

IDW Publishing[]

UniUniClassicIDW

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, a Uni Uni would help the other Badniks throw a birthday party for Dr. Eggman, which he did not enjoy.[6] Uni Unis were among the Badniks that Dr. Eggman used to attack an unsuspecting city.[7]

Trivia[]

Gallery[]

Artwork[]

Gallery

Sprites[]

Models[]

Screenshots[]

Gallery

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Pattenden, Mike (4 January 1993). "Robotnik's Badniks". Stay Sonic. Fantail. p. 36. ISBN 978-0140903904. "Orbinauts are extraordinary creatures. Part animal, part machine, all nasty, they can be found underwater in the Labyrinth Zone, on dry land in the Star Light Zone and in the Hilltop Zone in Sonic II. They come in all colours, some of them throw four spiky missiles, some have missiles but don't throw them, and some don't even have missiles (Sonic's careful of those ones because they can't be killed) but they all have a middle bit with big eyes, and they are all slow-moving. If Sonic sees an Orbinaut, back away from it. Jump over the missiles, then attack. If they don't throw their missiles, Sonic jumps over them."
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Additional Characters". Sonic the Hedgehog Classic Style Guide. p. 29.
  3. Sega . Sonic the Hedgehog 4 :: Episode I. Badniks: Orbinaut. Sega. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved on 27 October 2017.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Mega Drive) Japanese instruction manual, pg. 42.
  5. One of artworks showcasing Uni Uni and Unidasu from the Sonic World feature of Sonic Jam.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special, "Dr. Eggman's Birthday"
  7. Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Special, "Sonic Learns to Drive"
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