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The Uni Uni (ウニウニ[4][5],Uniuni?), also known as Orbinaut,[1][2] is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced Badnik model and an Orbinaut variant created by Dr. Eggman. Besides a different coloration from the Unidasu, they are programmed with alternate attack patterns.
Uni Unis belong to the Sea Urchin-like Orbinaut series. As such, they look similar to their other variations. They have a green spherical body with wide eyes and four yellow spiked balls orbiting their body like a planet. They usually have black eyes, but had cyan eyes in Sonic Colors and Sonic Lost World.
In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, the Uni Unis' design is more detailed. They have two lines encircling it vertically and one horizontally. They also have two small black bases on both sides of their body.
Game appearances[]
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)[]
In the 16-bit version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, the Uni Unis (ウニウニ[4],Uniuni?) are found in Star Light Zone. In gameplay, they are a bit more cool-headed than the Unidasus, namely by keeping their spiked orbs orbiting their bodies. While this means that the player does not have a tricky attack to avoid, they are virtually impossible to hit. However, the player can slip under them with a Spin Attack. They are best defeated while the player is invincible, although the player can also destroy them with a well-aimed hit or with a direct attack immediately after gaining invulnerability from taking damage. Also, due to their constantly orbiting spiked balls, they are hard to avoid at high speed. In case they are defeated though, they release an Animal.
In the 8-bit version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, the Uni Unis appear as enemies, but only in Sky Base Zone Act 1. Their appearance is also different, having an orange body surrounded by small yellow spiked balls. Otherwise, they behave identically to their 16-bit counterparts. Like all the other Badniks, they lack Animals as power sources.
Sonic Rivals[]
In Sonic Rivals, the Uni Uni made an appearance as one of the game's collectible cards. Here, it is referred to as "Orbinaut".
In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, Uni Unis appear in Lost Labyrinth Zone with a slightly upgraded design. Despite that, they have the same attack patterns as in the previous games. However, they will expand their spiked balls' area once they detect Sonic. They would also appear in Act 4 of Episode Metal as well.
In the Wii U version, PCversion and Nintendo 3DSversion of Sonic Lost World, the Uni Unis return as enemies. During the games' events, the Deadly Six hijacked all of Dr. Eggman's Uni Unis. Uni Unis are found in Windy Hill Zones 1 and 2, Frozen Factory Zones 1 and 4, Silent Forest Zone 4, and Sky Road Zones 4 and ? in the Wii U/PC version of the game. In the game's Speed Race mode, Uni Unis are also encountered in Frozen Factory Zone 1. In the Nintendo 3DS version on the other hand, they are found in Tropical Coast Zones 2 and 3, Frozen Factory Zones 1 and 3, and Sky Road Zone 1.
In the 2.5D side scrolling sections in the Wii U/PC version, Uni Unis usually hover back and forth in one place while their spiked balls orbit them laterally. These Badniks usually come together in stacks to create tall enemy walls. Exclusively in the Wii U/PC version, they drop their spiked balls in a rain when the player approaches them. However, this leaves them defenseless against attacks.
During the main 3D sections in the Wii U/PC version and throughout the Nintendo 3DS version, Uni Unis' spiked balls orbit them horizontally, but they do not drop them under any circumstances. They will also move towards Sonic when he gets close to them. In the Nintendo 3DS version, Uni Unis usually appear individually or in groups with different Badniks, but they do not drop their spiked balls like in the Wii U/PC version, unless the player uses the Somersault to make them drop them. The player is best advised to attack the Uni Unis from above without touching their spiked balls, or use the Somersault to make them easier to defeat.
When a Uni Uni is destroyed in any of the versions of Sonic Lost World, it will release an Animal.
Uni Unis reappear in Sonic Superstars, where they can be found in Sand Sanctuary Zone, Golden Capital Zone Act 2, and Frozen Base Zone Act 1 and Act Tails. The Uni Uni's attack pattern has been changed to be much more similar to Unidasu, where they hover in a singular area before throwing their spiked balls at the player. Once they run out of spiked balls, the Uni Unis will then look down and fly away. The best way to defeat a Uni Uni is by waiting for them to throw most or all of their spiked balls and then attacking them (as they are completely defenseless without their spiked balls). Upon destruction, a Uni Uni will release an Animal and award the player with 100 points.
Personality[]
While built to serve as work drones, the Uni Unis possess a degree of sentience and personality traits. These traits include fawning over Dr. Eggman and celebrating his birthday on their own volition.[6]
Powers and abilities[]
As an Orbinaut, Uni Unis are capable of levitation. However, their main skill lies in their spiked balls which they can hold in orbit around them to act as both weapons and a shield. In Sonic Superstars, they can throw their spiked balls similar to the Unidasus.
A single Orbinaut appears briefly in Sonic the Hedgehog Story ComicVolume 2's story Clash!! South Island. In Star Land Zone, it quickly appears in front of Sonic, who used the seesaw to get Egg Capsule. As the Orbinaut tries to stop him, Sonic uses Spin Attack which knocks Orbinaut from his way.
In the Sonic the Comic series published by Fleetway Editions, the Uni Unis' name is never mentioned. Instead, they are referred to as Orbinauts. In this media, they are a part of Dr. Robotnik's Badnik army and are among the first generation of Badniks the doctor produced. Depending on the artist, the Orbinauts' design or coloration would be slightly different between each issue.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Uni Unis' name is never mentioned. Instead, they are referred to as Orbinauts. They were among the first generation of badniks produced by Dr. Robotnik. Over time though, the Orbinauts were rendered obsolete by more advanced robots and got decommissioned.
Following the events of Worlds Collide, the Orbinauts' history became nearly identical to that of their game counterparts'.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, a Uni Uni would help the other Badniks throw a birthday party for Dr. Eggman, which he did not enjoy.[6] Uni Unis were among the Badniks that Dr. Eggman used to attack an unsuspecting city.[7]
Trivia[]
Uni Uni is the most appeared variation of Orbinaut throughout the Sonic the Hedgehog series, making most of its appearances in games and comics.
↑ 1.01.1Pattenden, Mike (4 January 1993). "Robotnik's Badniks". Stay Sonic. Fantail. p. 36. ISBN 978-0140903904. "Orbinauts are extraordinary creatures. Part animal, part machine, all nasty, they can be found underwater in the Labyrinth Zone, on dry land in the Star Light Zone and in the Hilltop Zone in Sonic II. They come in all colours, some of them throw four spiky missiles, some have missiles but don't throw them, and some don't even have missiles (Sonic's careful of those ones because they can't be killed) but they all have a middle bit with big eyes, and they are all slow-moving. If Sonic sees an Orbinaut, back away from it. Jump over the missiles, then attack. If they don't throw their missiles, Sonic jumps over them."
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