The Dash Ring,^[1] also known as the Ring Booster (リングブースター^[2], Ringu Būsutā^?) and the Speed Ring,^[3] is a gimmick that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. They are the airborne counterparts of the Dash Panels, that give those that pass through them a boost of speed through midair.

Description[]

The Dash Rings are large rings, up to a couple of meters in diameter. Their primary function is to send the playable character flying through the air. In gameplay, as soon as the playable character enters the middle of a Dash Ring or touches its edges, they will be shot through midair with a short burst of speed, with the direction of the burst depending on the Dash Ring's angle. However, the Dash Rings can only launch the playable characters in one direction.

Dash Rings can always be found floating in midair and serve primarily as a way for the player to move across gaps, get through small passages in the walls or even reach otherwise unreachable areas. As such, they are usually found at the edges of gaps, above Springs or platforms, or just beyond roads and Grind Rails that abruptly end.

Though Dash Rings can provide a necessary boost to proceed, they also serve to guide the player down certain pathways in automated sections of the levels. Commonly, the Dash Rings are aligned in tube-like formations, so when the player enters one of these Dash Rings, the playable character will automatically be guided through the Dash Rings one by one to the intended location.

The Dash Rings' design has been changed frequently over the course of the series. In the initial games, they looked like metal rings with a glowing inner rim (often green) and three or two plates on the edges that show arrows pointing into them. These types of Dash Rings are referred to as Mechanical Rings.^[4] Even so, these rings' appearance would differ slightly between games. In Sonic Advance 2, the Dash Rings were given a more simple design, resembling thinner and smaller red-orange rings. This design was initially restricted to handheld games, but was later implemented into the main series in Sonic Unleashed. From then on, the Dash Rings would use this design as their standard design.

Game appearances[]

Sonic Adventure[]

The Dash Rings first appeared in Sonic Adventure, and later in its enhanced port Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut. In this game, they look like Mechanical Rings with green-glowing inner rims and two arrow plates on the edges.

In gameplay, the Dash Rings only appear in Tails' Action Stages where they help increase his flying range by boosting him towards areas he cannot reach otherwise. However, they cannot keep Tails flying once he reaches his flying limit.

Sonic Advance series[]

Sonic Advance 2[]

In Sonic Advance 2, the Dash Ring is referred to as the Boost Ring^[5] (ダッシュサークル, Dasshu Sākuru^?, lit. "Dash Circle"). In this game, the Dash Rings were given a completely new design, resembling simple red-orange rings, albeit with flat edges. In addition, after using them in gameplay, the player can pull off Mid-Air Trick Actions.

Sonic Advance 3[]

In Sonic Advance 3, the Dash Rings are identical to those that appeared in Sonic Advance 2, both in terms of appearance and game mechanics.

Sonic Heroes[]

In Sonic Heroes, the Dash Rings again look like Mechanical Rings, except they are slightly smaller than the ones in Sonic Adventure. They also have three black, rectangular plates with red arrows on their edges, and their inner rims glow yellow and green. Also, whenever a playable character passes through one, the characters will be surrounded by their respective aura.

In gameplay, the Dash Rings appear in almost every Stage. While every character in the game can use them, they are most frequently used by Fly Type characters to help them get through midair sections. They are also sometimes found around Grind Rails and small roads to give the player a speed boost.

Shadow the Hedgehog[]

In Shadow the Hedgehog, the Dash Rings look exactly like they did in Sonic Heroes. In this game, they only appear in the sections of the Stages where Shadow is riding flying vehicles, and around Grind Rails to boost Shadow's grinding speed.

Sonic Rush series[]

Sonic Rush[]

In Sonic Rush, the Dash Rings look like the red-orange rings from Sonic Advance 2 and 3, except their angle had been shifted slightly so their inner hole can be seen. In this game, they are usually placed so they lead the player into a Rainbow Ring. Also, besides giving a boost through midair, they allow the player to perform Trick Actions as soon as they pass through them.

Sonic Rush Adventure[]

In Sonic Rush Adventure, the Dash Ring look and work exactly like the Dash Rings in Sonic Rush.

Sonic Riders series[]

Sonic Riders[]

In Sonic Riders, the Dash Rings are referred to as Accelerators.^[6] In this game, they look identical to how they appeared in Sonic Heroes.

In gameplay, only Flight Type characters or characters with Extreme Gear that grant Flight Type attributes can use the Dash Rings. Launching into a Dash Ring will propel the player forward at a higher speed than normal, sometimes as a shortcut bypassing part of the course. When sent flying through one of these Dash Rings, the player can often steer themselves through multiple sequential Dash Rings, thereby allowing the racer to maintain maximum speed. This is called Air Riding. To reach a Dash Ring, the player has to take off from a Catapult or Trick Zone. In addition, flying through Dash Rings will replenish a racer's Air Tank.

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity[]

In Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, the Dash Rings are referred to as Dash Rings.^[7] In this game, they look exactly like they in Sonic Riders.

In gameplay, only SCR-HD, characters equipped with Air Ride or Yacht-type Extreme Gear or Gear that possess an active Air Ride or Yacht Gear Part are able to utilize Dash Rings. In this game, Dash Rings serve the exact same purpose they had in Sonic Riders, and are reached in the same way. They also function in the same way too, the only difference being that the Dash Rings in this game replenish the racers' GP Gauge.

Sonic Free Riders[]

In Sonic Free Riders, the gimmick is referred to as the Dash Ring^[8] once more. In this game, they look identical to how they appear in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).

In gameplay, every character is capable of utilizing the Dash Rings, as long as their Extreme Gear is equipped with the Air Ride Skill Gear Part, or they are using the Omnitempus. In this game, Dash Rings serve the exact same purpose they had in Sonic Riders and Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, and are reached in the same way. Also, like in Sonic Riders, utilizing Dash Rings will replenish a racer's Air Tank.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)[]

In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), the Dash Rings are referred to as Mechanical Rings.^[4] In this game, their design is similar to the one they had in Sonic Heroes, except that their inner rims glow blue, the plates on their edges are more triangular, and their edges have outward curves.

In gameplay, the Dash Rings are primarily used by Tails, sometimes by Silver in multiplayer mode, and sometimes by Rouge in the game's Very Hard mode. They are mainly used to give Tails and Silver a boost through midair. However, the former cannot keep flying after using this gimmick if he is already tired.

In Team Attack Amigo, some Dash Rings are provided with laser fields inside them which activate/deactivate periodically.

Sonic Unleashed[]

In Sonic Unleashed, the Dash Rings are designed like red-orange rings with round edges. This marked the first appearance of this particular design for the Dash Rings on the home console Sonic games. In gameplay, whenever the player passes through the Dash Rings, they briefly contract and emit some sparkles.

Sonic Colors[]

In the Wii version and Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors, and the remaster Sonic Colors: Ultimate, the Dash Rings retain the appearance of red-orange rings, though their details differ slightly between the games. In the Wii version, they look and behave like they did in Sonic Unleashed. In the Nintendo DS version on the other hand, they look and behave like they did in the Sonic Rush series, except that they do not allow the player to perform Trick Actions. Finally, in Sonic Colors: Ultimate, they look like the Mechanical variant of Dash Rings from Sonic Generations but with a red hoop instead of a green one.

Sonic X Shadow Generations[]

Sonic Generations[]

In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, two versions of the Dash Ring appear. The first version are the red-orange rings. These objects look and behave as they did in Sonic Unleashed, and occasionally appear in trails that lead to a Rainbow Ring. The second version resembles the Mechanical Rings in Sonic Adventure (except smaller). These ones only appear in the Tails: Toxic Skies Challenge Act, where they help the player fly through the air with Classic Tails.

In the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, only the red-orange Dash Rings from the console/PC version appear. These Dash Rings are only encountered in Modern Sonic's Acts. Also, when passing through these Dash Rings, they give off some sparkles, but they do not shrink briefly.

Shadow Generations[]

In Shadow Generations, regular Dash Rings and Rainbow Rings appear. A new blue variant of Dash Ring also appears around water, which propels Shadow while he is using Doom Surf.

Sonic Lost World[]

In Sonic Lost World, the Dash Rings made a reappearance. In this game, they possess their modern red-orange circular ring design. However, they have a slightly more bright coloration this time around. Also, like in Sonic Unleashed, they will briefly shrink and give off sparkles whenever the playable character passes through them.

Sonic Forces[]

In Sonic Forces, the Dash Rings retain their basic red-orange ring design, which looks like how it appeared in Sonic Unleashed. In this game, it is a gimmick that appears in every type of stage except for those that Classic Sonic is playable in.

Sonic Frontiers[]

In Sonic Frontiers, the Dash Rings appear as gameplay gimmicks in Open Zone areas and Cyber Space stages. In this game, they sport their modern design in Open Zone areas, albeit being colored purple, while their appearance in Cyber Space stages remain identical to ones seen in previous mainline games.^[9]

While using the Party Decorations introduced in Update 2 (Sonic's Birthday Bash), or during certain platforming sections as Amy during The Final Horizon episode, the Dash Rings will be shaped like a heart. Additionally, in The Final Horizon, Dash Rings can sport a more Mechanical Ring design. These versions will push the player forward no matter which direction they're facing.

Sonic Dream Team[]

Other game appearances[]

Mario & Sonic series[]

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games[]

In the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, the Dash Rings again resemble simple orange hoops. In this game, the Dash Rings only appear in the Rocket Ski Jumping event, where the playable characters can pass through them to increase their speed and gather up some energy to stay afloat.

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games[]

In Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, the Dash Rings retain their modern red-orange circular ring design, but are much larger than normal. In this game, they are featured in the Bullet Bill Sledge Race event. In gameplay, each Dash Ring the player guides the playable characters through gives them a subtle boost of speed and height.

Sonic Runners[]

In Sonic Runners, the Dash Rings retain their basic red-orange ring design. However, these Dash Rings have flat outer edges that point inward. Also, when passing through a Dash Ring in this game, there will be a shock effect, followed by a small burst of sparkles.

In gameplay, Dash Rings are mainly used by the player to dash through strings of Crystals and/or Rings.

Trivia[]

• In the Wii U version and PC version of Sonic Lost World, there is a ring resembling the Dash Ring, but with three orange arrows in its center found in Hidden World Zone 2. When collected, it gives a significant boost in speed, akin to the Dash Rings in previous games.

References[]

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