The Beat Monster,[2] (ビートモンスター Bīto Monsutā?) also known as the Tailgator,[3] is a vehicle that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is Vector the Crocodile's personal sports car, specially created by Dodon Pa for Vector to let him participate in his Grand Prix competition.
Description[]
Personalized specifically for Vector, the default Beat Monster features a front grille resembling crocodile fangs and a pair of large speakers on its rear.[4] It is as well decorated with various details that are derived from Vector's own appearance and attire, such as its gold linings and three red spikes on the back.
Like other cars in Team Sonic Racing, its appearance can be customized with different paint jobs, Performance Parts and decals. Its horn can also be changed.
Game appearances[]
Team Sonic Racing[]
The Beat Monster's base stats in Team Sonic Racing.
In Team Sonic Racing, the Beat Monster appears as Vector's race car, specially created by Dodon Pa for Vector. During the events of the game, the Beat Monster was one of the cars Dodon Pa gave Vector and his friends so they could compete in his Grand Prix competition. Vector would afterward use it during the races and challenges he participated in. However, the Beat Monster was eventually destroyed when the heroes had to leave it aboard the crashing Final Fortress. Fortunately, Dodon Pa promised to replace it with a new one.
In this game, the Beat Monster's basic statistics show it has high defense and boost, with moderate top speed. It suffers though from poor handling, and especially in acceleration (as it especially mirrors the default stats of Knuckles' Land Breaker in the same setting). However, its statistics, as well as its artistic design, can be modified by replacing its parts.
The Beat Monster has the following exclusive Performance Parts that can be used to modify it:
| Image | Name | Stat modification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increase | Decrease | ||
|
Snapper Hood | Boost Defense |
Acceleration Top Speed |
|
Splash Engine | Top Speed | Acceleration Defense |
|
Rhythmic Accelerator | Acceleration Handling |
Boost Defense |
|
Legendary Snapper Hood | Boost Defense |
Acceleration Top Speed |
|
Legendary Splash Engine | Top Speed | Acceleration Defense |
|
Legendary Rhythmic Accelerator | Acceleration Handling |
Boost Defense |
| Image | Name | Stat modification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increase | Decrease | ||
|
Chain Thrusters | Boost Defense |
Acceleration Handling |
|
Stickle Tail | Boost | Defense |
|
Bass Blasters | Acceleration Defense |
Top Speed |
|
Legendary Chain Thrusters | Boost Defense |
Acceleration Handling |
|
Legendary Stickle Tail | Boost | Defense |
|
Legendary Bass Blasters | Acceleration Defense |
Top Speed |
| Image | Name | Stat modification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increase | Decrease | ||
|
Boom Wheels | Defense | Handling |
|
Razor Hubs | Acceleration Top Speed |
Boost Defense |
|
Tempo Tires | Handling | Boost |
|
Legendary Boom Wheels | Defense | Handling |
|
Legendary Razor Hubs | Acceleration Top Speed |
Boost Defense |
|
Legendary Tempo Tires | Handling | Boost |
Other game appearances[]
Sonic Racing[]
In Sonic Racing, the Beat Monster appears as the vehicle used by Vector.
In other media[]
IDW Publishing[]
The Chaotix in the Beat Monster, from Sonic the Hedgehog #43.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, the Beat Monster is a car used by the Chaotix. In an effort to get to Restoration HQ fast, the Chaotix tried using the Beat Monster to get there. However, they and the Beat Monster soon got stuck in a traffic jam.[5] Vector and Espio later drove the Beat Monster to Sunset City to pick up Charmy from the K-TBR 199.2 radio station. Soon after though, they got stuck in a traffic jam on the way to Central City. As such, Vector decided to pull over to the side of the road and let Charmy fly them there.[6]
Trivia[]
An ad in Wisp Circuit, showing an earlier version of the Beat Monster.
- Advertisements found on various tracks in Team Sonic Racing illustrate earlier concepts of the Beat Monster, with notable differences such as the car lacking its lower set of teeth, the spikes on the back of the car being white instead of red, the auto paint having different tones of green and instead being named "The Tailgator."
- Tailgator is a wordplay on "tailgating", which commonly describes the behavior of driving dangerously close behind someone, not leaving them any space, and "alligator".
- The advertisements also state that the Beat Monster is "from Donpa Motors".
Gallery[]
Concept artwork[]
Artwork[]
| Gallery |
|---|
Sprites[]
Merchandise[]
References[]
- ↑ Sonic Official - Season 3 Episode 3. YouTube. Sonic the Hedgehog Official Youtube (2 May 2019). Retrieved on 2 May 2019.
- ↑ Team Sonic Racing official website (Japanese). Characters. Sega. Archived from the original on 1 February 2019. Retrieved on 1 February 2019.
- ↑ Media:Team_Sonic_Racing_-_The_Tailgator.png
- ↑ 4gamer preview of Team Sonic Racing. Twitter (12 September 2018). Retrieved on 21 October 2018.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog #43, "Zeti Hunt, Part 3"
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog #48, "Hit the Pavement"