Tails' Skypatrol
| Tails' Skypatrol | |
|---|---|
| japanese box cover | |
| Developer(s) | SIMS, JSH |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Sega Game Gear |
| Release |  April 28, 1995 |
| Genre(s) | Platform, Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Tails' Skypatrol (Japanese: Teirusu Sukaipatorou) is a video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, developed and published by Sega for Sega Game Gear. It was originally released on April 28, 1995 as an exclusive game to the Japanese market. Tails' Skypatrol is also included as an unlockable minigame in Nintendo GameCube's Sonic Adventure DX, and was re-released as one of the featured games in GameCube's Sonic Gems Collection. The game is a spin-off in the Sonic series following the adventures of Sonic's trusty sidekick Miles "Tails" Prower as he tries to save an island from Wendy Witchcart, who turns anyone opposing her into crystals with her magic.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Tails' Skypatrol is less in line with the familiar platforming style of the traditional Sonic games. There are no rings or emeralds to be collected, Dr. Robotnik is entirely absent and Tails is constantly "suspended" in flight mode and clears each stage simply by completing each course from left to right. The screen is fixed and constantly moves along with him. Should Tails fall, bump into objects or touch the ground, he loses a life.
Across each stage Tails carries a golden ring with him which he can throw as a projectile to defeat enemies or break walls. Using the Ring, he will also latch on to any number of devices the player will encounter in each stage, ranging from gymnastics bars to railcarts.
In order to stay afloat, the player must constantly watch Tails' flight meter, which slowly drops to zero. Scattered across the map are candy bars which Tails can collect to replenish his stamina.
Zones
- Practice Area
- Rail Canyon Zone
- Ruin Wood Zone
- Metal Island Zone
- Dark Castle Zone
Trivia
- Tails' Skypatrol was exclusively released in Japan for the Game Gear console, but can now be accessed from the Sonic Gems Collection.
- The game marked the first appearance of Tails as the lead in a Sonic adventure. It would later be followed by Tails Adventure.
- The concept of Tails holding on to a single golden ring is similar to the one seen in Knuckles' Chaotix, where it is used to form an elastic bond between characters.
- Tails' Skypatrol was also released as an LCD happy meal toy from McDonald's where the player must collect rings while flying through the sky. If the player misses a ring, Tails loses one of his five lives.
- Tails' Skypatrol was once featured on the Canadian game show Video & Arcade Top 10.
- This is one of the only Sonic games not developed by SEGA (not including other related titles, such as Sonic Eraser). According to the title screen, the game was originally programmed and developed by SIMS & JSH. SEGA only published this game.
- Rail Canyon, an area in this game, makes a return appearance in Sonic Heroes.
External links
- Tails' Skypatrol at Green Hill Zone - contains info, screenshots and a basic walkthrough.