Sonic the Comic

Sonic the Hedgehog in Super Smash Brothers Brawl

Well boomers, it's almost time for the big release. It's been a long and agonising wait for the next release in the Smash Bros series. Super Smash Brothers Brawl!

But wait, what's this? A Sega based comic reporting on a Nintendo game? Well be confused no further, because there is a nice surprise awaiting Sega fans within (or not so much of a surprise, for those who didn't live under a rock for the past half year) as their hero Sonic the Hedgehog has been added to the roster of fighters!

Bringing his signature speed, athletics and attitude along with him, Sonic doesn't wait around to make his presence felt (bar the rather lengthy unlocking process) even if it isn't really his game. But when one thinks about it, his inclusion was rather foreshadowed with the Christmas release of “Sonic and Mario at the Olympic Games.” Just instead of running, this time the witty hog and the charmful plumber are putting on the boxing gloves. (It might be a bit fairer this time! ~ Megadroid)

So, what does he play like? Does Sonic compare to his peers from the Nintendo list of Smash Brothers veterans? What are his advantages? Well, we at STC-Online have decided to give you a run down of how Sonic plays and handles within this unique game, and hopefully offer some good tips to all you Sega fans on how to better use this fun character.

Unlocking Sonic

Well, before anyone plays with him you gotta unlock him! This can be done in one of three ways, the most common method is for those playing the lengthy single player portion of Brawl, the Subspace Emissary. By simply reaching a certain point near the end, you shall find Sonic the hedgehog unlocked. But if you are more aiming for multiplayer over single player, then you and your friends can simply brawl it out for a good 300 matches to gain the opportunity. Finally, if both those seem a bit long to you, then completing Classic Mode with ten different people will also send the blue blur your way.

How does he stand then?

Aside from the obvious answer (on his feet), Sonic represents a rather unique position within Smash Brothers by breaking a trend. Usually fast characters are exceptionally light (Fox McCloud from Star Fox) and anyone heavier suffers from less speed and slower attacks. Sonic however seems to sit outside this. As might be expected he is hands down the fastest character in the entire game for movement and platform crossing. However his actual attacks are not all that special for speed, and either have a wind up time or have a noticeable “telegraph” (Giving the opponent a clue to what is about to happen) before them.

Even stranger is his weight division, after some testing, Smash Brothers veterans discovered that Sonic is not as light as his size or speed would suggest, but is in fact more on a par with Mario's weight then Fox's. When push comes to shove, this allows Sonic to get stuck in a little more than can be expected without worrying about being sent flying too much, especially with his incredible recovery moves. (More on them later.)

Naturally, when it comes to running, Sonic has no contender, not even close. Just be careful you don't go flying off the stage...

So he hits people, how?

Sonic's attacks come primarily from aspects of his earlier incarnations. You won't find any Light Dashes or Flame Rolling here folks, indeed the only “newer” move he uses is the Homing Attack. As such expect a lot of rolling and springing all over the place.

His basic attacks concentrate primarily around simple kicks and punches delivered with moderate speed, enough to catch out the likes of slow characters like Bowser, and deal small amounts of damage. Using what is known as a “tilt” or “heavy” attack will produce a more defined move, in Sonic's case using his legs as speeding attacks that hit once or twice at greater power. These usually form the bulk of Sonic's ground attacking. Coupled with some kicking and, oddly, headbutting (Metropolis Kiss anyone? ~ Megadroid) while in the air, Sonic is quite versatile.

Moving into the classic “smash” attacks is where Sonic gets really interesting. These attacks are used in the game to knock your opponents flying and cause moderate to heavy damage, as such they perform most of the knockout blows. The downside is they have a charge time and are slower to strike with.

Sonic has three of these, upwards, sideways and downwards. Going upwards Sonic ducks, gathers his strength and flies upwards a few feet in a short hop, spinning furiously. This attack deals more damage than it does knock people away (as it often has a rather random direction to knock people in.) and is quite useful for catching opponents who are just falling towards you. His sideways attack is a rather comical wind up punch which deals good damage and knocks opponents for a loop if it hits properly. Finally, his downward attack is a rather powerful use of his spin dash, indeed a new way to use it entirely. Charging up speed, Sonic doesn't tear off into the distance, but goes flying in short circles for a second or two, knocking anyone in close proximity from their feet, and often, well into the air. This move when fully charged is absolutely devastating against multiple opponents closing in on our hedgehog.

However, although tap and smash attacks are interesting and all, the real area of character in Smash Brothers fighters is the special attacks. These have no real pattern, and consist of things a character tends to do in their own games. As such, Sonic has some nice tricks up his glove for this category.

By simply pressing B, Sonic will hop forward into his ubiquitous Homing Attack. This is a short ranged attack, but is useful to hit annoyingly dodging opponents with a nice certain hit, or for activating just after a jump to collide in mid air with an opponent who thought he could outsmart you twelve feet off the ground.

Pressing to the side and B will send Sonic into a quick spin attack forward with a short hop. The attack pattern of this technique lasts for some time and can jump a second time to catch opponents who think they can just hop over it. As such, this is a very viable move to keep opponents guessing and unsure as to where Sonic will be coming from, especially when combined with the odd Homing Attack thrown in.

STC-O Tip! - This can also be used as a more linear recovery move by some more advanced players.

Down and B should be fairly obvious to any gamer of 2D Sonic games, and it doesn't change here! The spin dash makes it's introduction to Smash Brothers in style, simply hammer down and B and Sonic will charge up his most famous method of garnering speed ready to go hurtling across the stage, back and forth to slam into enemies with surprising force. The more you press B before tearing away, the faster and stronger the attack will be. Look out though, any gamer since 1992 knows that distinctive sound of the deadly Spin Dash and will be ready to try and dodge.

STC-O Tip! - Try jumping and attacking with a flying technique just after slamming into an opponent with the Spin Dash to create a deadly combo that can rack up the damage quickly!

Finally, Sonic's “up and B” special, or his “recovery” is around. Now to put quite simply, this is one of, if not, the best in the entire game. His other attacks are all nicely balanced and can or cannot work depending on the opponent. But with this, you'de have to be on some pretty high damage rating to fly off! Sonic drops a red spring beneath him, sending him soaring into the air, higher than anyone can jump. This can give him the height to get back up onto the stage if knocked off, or to avoid attacks fairly easy. (Sonic is particularly adept at dodging final smashes with this)

The main factor also is that Sonic can use attacks after this recovery, unlike any other character. This can often give him that extra distance to get back on safely, or to take out people intercepting you while en route back to the stage. Oh and by the way, just remember the spring hangs around for a few seconds too, so watch out for people trying to follow!

Like any other character, Sonic uses throws, these consist of some rather comical ideas, from slamming an opponent to the ground and spin dashing on top of them, to throwing them up to fall onto his spines. He also has some more basic throws such as simply kicking an opponent in the face...rather hard. Sorta like what Shadow did to Silver in Sonic 2006 for the 360 really...

And finally, how can we forget the single idea that sends opponents into fits of anger, cheekily taunting an enemy while they try in vain to hit you! These consist of a cool pose, to break dancing while offering the enemy a chance to “step it up.” However they pale in comparison to the annoyingly irritating, massively aggravating and unbelievably annoying (in other words, brilliant!) call of “You're too sloooow!” while running on the spot, no doubt before blasting off away from your opponent.

STC-O Health Warning – Although your friends may not be able to catch you on screen, just remember that they are still sitting beside you, within easy reach...

Well...we say finally, however there is one more little trick Sonic possesses. As all characters do, and it's called the Final Smash. Within a game of Smash Brothers Brawl, expect items to fall randomly, however just occasionally, a flickering icon will begin flying around the stage. Go for it! This icon when broken will give you great access to Sonic's ultimate special move, the ability to transform into the legendary Super Sonic! Gaining invulnerability, flight and the speed to literally move faster than the eye can follow, you hurtle around the screen, sending your opponents spiraling into the air, and usually off the screen too. It lasts for a surprising time, so feel free to go nuts off the stage if you need to! Really...this attack would only be better if he was the evil Super Sonic...but I guess Sonic had to be beatable somehow...

Putting it all together

So how does one use all of these interesting moves? Well, to find out, STC-Online did a quick circuit of some advanced tactics files for Sonic in Brawl.

Many suggest using Sonic as a hit and run specialist, due to his speed and moderate power, you can hammer into your opponent from afar ,closing quickly, and speeding off without too much worry.

Some suggest that use of the spin attacks is a critical factor, keeping Sonic always flowing, only attacking when he is near to an opponent, an “attack of opportunity” as is put.

Finally, there is the idea of using Sonic's barrage of linked moves, a spin dash into an air attack into a homing attack and so forth. Sonic can attack from almost any place of the stage regardless of his current position, so make use of that fact and get in the opponents face!

Just be careful though, and remember that Sonic is not the fastest attacker in the game, characters like Fox or Captain Falcon can outhit him when it comes down to a melee. Furthermore, Sonic relies on close range for any non-spin dash attacks, so rush towards them, don't give a heavy enemy a chance to think and out range you with the attack.

Don't worry too much about projectiles, Sonic is too fast off the mark to stand much a chance of being hit by the really deadly ones, but be careful you don't run into another one!

Now go and beat Mario!

So there we have it folks, Sonic in Super Smash Brothers Brawl. He's unique, he's Sonic as we know him and he is not a contender to be taken lightly. Of course, that is no reason to only use Sonic, there's a ton of great characters in the game, so try them all out. Besides...you know what they say...know your enemy...

Good luck in the Brawl this Summer Boomers!

Enter the Q Zone for hints, tips, and help with your favourite Sega games.

With our resident tips guru Iain Stewart