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The Hang Glider[1] (ハングライダ[2] Han Guraida?) is a gimmick that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is an aircraft used by the playable characters for midair traversing, usually for the purpose of crossing pits or reaching elevated areas.

Description[]

The general Hang Glider resembles its typical real-life counterpart; it has a thin frame covered with sailcloth to form a wing reminiscent of a triangle and a harness suspended from the airframe to carry its pilot. Details varies between games.

In gameplay, the Hang Glider allows the player to travel through midair, usually for crossing bottomless pits or reaching out-of-reach pathways. To begin riding a Hang Glider, the characters simply have to touch it. While using them, the player can control their movements to evade midair obstacles.

Game appearances[]

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)[]

Hang Glider Sonic 2

Sonic using a Hang Glider, from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit).

The Hang Glider first debuted in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit). In this game, its sailcloth is white, orange, and blue. They also serve as the central gimmick of Sky High Zone.

In gameplay, Hang Gliders are used by Sonic to travel between peaks, and can be used in non-obligatory ways. However, to gain sufficient momentum for the flight, players must run into the Hang Gliders with as much pace as possible. While riding the Hang Glider, the player can press Left to go up and Right to dive. However, while the former action gives added speed, the latter will make the Hang Glider slow down, and if the player loses too much speed, Sonic will fall off it. At occasional points in Sky High Zone Act 2, the player can catch the Act's local updrafts on the Hang Glider to increase its altitude. To get off it, the player has to press 1/2.

Outside the game, Sonic riding a Hang Glider is featured prominently on many of the box and cartridge designs for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit).

Sonic Rush series[]

Sonic Rush[]

Hang Glider Rush

Blaze riding a Hang Glider, from Sonic Rush.

In Sonic Rush, the Hang Glider is wider and its sailcloth is more arrow-shaped with an orange and yellow coloration. In this game, it is a gimmick exclusive to Altitude Limit.

In gameplay, the Hang Glider serves as the obligatory mean to crossing expanses of open sky for Sonic and Blaze. As the characters start riding the Hang Glider, the player's perspective switches to a forward-oriented 3D view. The player can then press Up to ascend, Down to descend, and Left and right to steer and avoid Flappers or gather Rings. Eventually, the game returns to its usual 2D perspective and the player will automatically leave the Hang Glider behind.

Sonic Rush Adventure[]

Hang Glider Rush Adventure

Sonic on the Hang Glider, from Sonic Rush Adventure.

In Sonic Rush Adventure, the Hang Glider has been redesigned into a steam-powered contraption with grey wings and yellow edges. They appear as exclusive gimmicks in Machine Labyrinth, Hidden Island 9 and Hidden Island 10.

In gameplay, the Hang Glider will automatically fly to the right at the speed which Sonic or Blaze made contact with it. While riding it, the player is even able to use the Super Boost/Fire Boost. The Hang Glider slowly descends while using it, but the player can gain a sudden burst of altitude by pressing Up. To get off the Hang Glider, the player must press WiiDSA/DSB. Sometimes, blue arrows in the background will tell the player when it is appropriate to increase altitude.

Touching enemies without boosting will both damage the characters and wrestle them free from the Hang Gliders. Similarly, touching the ceiling will cause the playable character to lose the Hang Glider. Machine Labyrinth's steam jet gimmicks will also make the player lose control with the Hang Glider as the characters get blown away.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)[]

Main article: Glider

In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), a G.U.N. variant of the Hang Glider (known as just the Glider) is used only by Shadow in a few Action Stages. Aside from flight, the Glider possesses also armaments.

Sonic Rivals 2[]

Hang Glider Rivals 2

Shadow riding a Hang Glider, from Sonic Rivals 2.

In Sonic Rivals 2, the Hang Gliders are more slender, but still arrow-shaped. Their sailcloth is as well red with blue and yellow patterns. They are only encountered in Blue Coast Zone Act 3.

In gameplay, the Hang Gliders are used for swift travel above a section of the track, meaning they serve no obligatory purpose. While in midair, the player can move the Hang Gliders Up and down/Analog-Stick. Upon touching the ground or reaching past a certain point in the section, the characters will dismount the Hang Gliders.

Sonic Colors[]

In the Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors, the Hang Gliders have sharp red wings with a yellow frame and a totem head on the front. They are only encountered at the end of Tropical Resort Act 1.

In gameplay, the Hang Glider serves the same purpose as in Sonic Rush and works much in the same way. Like in Sonic Rush, the player's perspective turns to a forward-oriented 3D view when Sonic starts riding it. The player can then move left and right with Directional buttons to avoid floating bombs or gather Rings. Eventually, the game returns to its 2D perspective and the player will automatically release the Hang Glider.

Sonic Mania[]

HangGliderMania

Sonic and Tails riding the Hang Gliders, from Sonic Mania Plus.

In Sonic Mania (v1.05.0713) and its extension Sonic Mania Plus, Hang Gliders are featured at the end of Flying Battery Zone. In this game, they are used as part of the transition to Press Garden Zone, where the player's character(s) escape the Flying Battery Zone using a Hang Glider. The design of the Hang Gliders in this game is taken straight from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit).

Sonic Frontiers[]

GreenHillGlider

Sonic the Hedgehog riding a Hang Glider, from Sonic Frontiers.

In Sonic Frontiers, Hang Gliders appear exclusively in Cyber Space stages. Here, they function similarly to the rockets from Sonic Adventure 2.

Gallery[]

Artwork[]

Sprites[]

Screenshots[]

Gallery

References[]

  1. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Game Gear) United States instruction booklet, pg. 6.
  2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Game Gear) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 8.
Navigation templates to Hang Glider




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