The track switch^[1] is a gimmick that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a variant of the switch that can change Grind Rail paths.

Description[]

Appearance-wise, the track switch appears as an upright flat disc that is primarily colored either blue or pink with black details and four highlighted pink arcs.

Overview[]

In Sonic Heroes, track switches are encountered in Rail Canyon and Bullet Station where they have the ability to change some paths of nearby Grind Rails that are highlighted in blue or pink, redirecting the overall Grind Rail path section which is often required to proceed through said sections of these stages. Such switches and the Grind Rail path in question are also accompanied with a similarly colored sign with a white arrow to indicate the Grind Rail's current path. To use a track switch, the player has to simply touch the switch with any playable character as the leader. Upon doing so, the switch, and its associated Grind Rail path and sign, will change colors from blue to pink and vice-versa (while the white arrow changes as well), while the switch spins around for a short period. The Grind Rail's path is then changed as well. While a track switch is spinning, it cannot be used until it stops spinning.

In the aforementioned stages, track switches are typically found on the ground or on Grind Rail paths. Multiple track switches grouped together will usually affect the same Grind Rail path, allowing the player to pass through any of them to change that particular Grind Rail path. In some scenarios, track switches can also be found inside closed cases which open if the player defeats the surrounding Badniks or triggers a nearby regular switch.

References[]