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The Blaster[1] (ポンポン[2],Pon-Pon?) is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, beetle-based Badnik model created by Dr. Eggman which can fire different types of projectiles from their mounted cannon.
Blasters appear to be based on Hercules beetles. With a bulky brown and gray armor, Blasters possess a pair of tracked wheels underneath their body. The classic Blasters also have a long and straight cannon on their forehead as a horn.
In Sonic Lost World, the Blasters' design was simplified. Their horn was in particular redesigned as a male rhinoceros beetle horn, albeit with bisecting ends, although it still had a barrel hole in-between the horn ends.
In Sonic Mania Plus' Encore Mode, Blasters look the same, except that their armors are Argentine blue, and the silver parts of their bodies now have a brown tint, as if they showed signs of decay.
In Sonic Superstars, the Blasters were redesigned to be a lot more cartoonish, as they posses bold open eyes and a more reddish color scheme.
Game appearances[]
Sonic & Knuckles[]
In Sonic & Knuckles and the lock-on game Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Blasters appear in Flying Battery Zone, where they slowly roll around. When the playable character comes near, they start firing sparkling projectiles at them, one at a time. However, these projectiles will harmlessly bounce off of anyshieldtype. The Blasters will keep shooting until the player either defeats them or moves further away.
Along with Technosqueeks, Blasters can also be found hiding inside Capsules or pulled up by electricity bars on the ceilings in Flying Battery Zone Act 1. A Spin Jump or Spin Attack can easily defeat this Badnik. Also, upon their destruction, each Blaster will release an Animal.
Sonic Lost World[]
In the Wii U version and PCversion of Sonic Lost World, Blasters appear in Desert RuinsZone 2. Here, they are found moving backwards on routes where the player is obligated to go at high speed. Instead of shooting projectiles though, they shoot honey at the screen, temporarily obscuring the player's vision. Otherwise, the Blaster can be defeated with a Spin Jump or Homing Attack. Also, upon a Blaster's destruction, it will release an Animal.
Sonic Mania[]
In Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, Blasters are enemies found in both Acts of Flying Battery Zone. In gameplay, they slowly roll around. When the playable character comes near however, they start firing sparkling projectiles at them, one at a time. These projectiles can be deflected by using Shield-derived power-ups or through Mighty's Spin Attack. The Blasters will keep shooting until the player either defeats them or moves further away.
Due to their metallic bodies, Blasters can be pulled up by the electromagnetic ceilings in Flying Battery Zone. In Sonic Mania Plus' Encore Mode, they are also one of the two types of enemies that can be found hiding inside of Capsules, alongside Technosqueeks, in Flying Battery Zone Act 1. The player is able to destroy the Blasters by attacking them with a Spin Attack-related move. Upon their destruction, they will release an Animal and award the player with 100 points.
Blasters reappear in Sonic Superstars, where they can be exclusively found in Sky Temple Zone. In gameplay, the Blasters can be seen moving left and right on small platforms. When the player approaches them however, the Blaster will momentarily stop to shoot a small fiery projectile in an attempt to damage them. Unlike in their previous appearances, the Blaster's shot will now additionally cause a small fire trail to travel on the ground which damages the player if they come in contact with it. Like many other Badniks in the game, the Blaster can be easily destroyed with any attack method, with them releasing their Animal and awarding the player 100 points as well.
Powers and abilities[]
Blasters are equipped with a forehead-mounted gun that can load and fire different projectiles, be it energy blasts or honey. The models that surfaced during the Lost Hexincident have also demonstrate the ability to move at extreme speeds.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, sometime before the Eggman war, a Blaster tank was sent by Dr. Eggman to fight the Diamond Cutters after they attacked one of his bases. However, the tank was shot down by Whisper the Wolf before it could do anything.[3] Blasters later aided in the defense in Eggperial City with their fellow Badniks against Whisper and Sonic, who were being aided by Tangle and Lanolin in shutting down the city's expansion on orders from the Restoration.[4]
Trivia[]
Like Technosqueek, Blasters are listed in the western manuals of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.[5] This is due to Flying Battery Zone originally being planned to appear in the game, after Carnival Night Zone and before IceCap Zone. The Badnik itself even remains unused in Sonic the Hedgehog 3's data, though its programming is not quite finished as its projectiles can be destroyed with a Spin Jump or Spin Dash like regular Badniks.
In Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, Blasters are enemies found in both Acts of Flying Battery Zone. In gameplay, they slowly roll around. When the playable character comes near however, they start firing sparkling projectiles at them, one at a time. These projectiles can be deflected by using Shield-derived power-ups or through Mighty's Spin Attack. The Blasters will keep shooting until the player either defeats them or moves further away.
