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The Climb,[1] also known as Wall Climb[2] (カベ登り[3][4] Kabe Nobori?) or Climb Wall, is a move that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Primarily used by Knuckles the Echidna, it is a technique that allows the user to climb and scale vertical walls.

Description[]

When performing Climb, the user grabs onto a vertical surface. Once the user touches it, they will place their fists into the wall, making a stable bond with it. Knuckles in particular uses the spikes on his fists to get a firm grip on these surfaces. With a firm grip on the surface, the user can then freely move around on the vertical surface.

In gameplay, Climb allows the playable character to stick to a vertical wall and move around on it. In 2D games, the playable characters can only move up and down on vertical surfaces, but in 3D games, they can move around in any aligned direction on vertical surfaces. Typically, to perform Climb, the user must first Glide or jump towards a scalable wall. Once the user touches it, they will be able to use Climb. Typically, the technique allows the user to reach areas which are inaccessible to other playable characters.

Game appearances[]

Sonic & Knuckles[]

S&KClimb

Knuckles Wall Climbing in Mushroom Hill Zone Act 1, from Sonic & Knuckles.

The technique was first introduced in Sonic & Knuckles and the lock-on game Sonic 3 & Knuckles, where it is referred to as the Wall Climb.[5] In these games, the Wall Climb is usable to Knuckles, Super Knuckles, and Hyper Knuckles.

In gameplay, Wall Climb is one of Knuckles' most prominent skills for accessing exclusive pathways in the Zones. In multiple elevator sections however, there are series of sideways-pointing spikes, which can block Knuckles' climbing paths. To get around them, the player can hop off the wall, glide, and start climbing on the opposite wall. Knuckles can also climb on both small and large moving pillars in Hydrocity Zone, IceCap Zone and Sandopolis Zone. However, there are some walls that Knuckles is unable to use Wall Climb on for unknown reasons. Knuckles also is unable to use Wall Climb on certain gimmicks in different Zones, like moving blocks or Drums. The player also cannot use Wall Climb on the invisible walls blocking paths forward or backward, if the camera stops scrolling to the left or right. Also, while Knuckles is transformed into either Super Knuckles or Hyper Knuckles, his wall climbing speed is increased significantly.

To perform the Wall Climb in gameplay, the player has to glide into a climbable wall. Once the playable character is attached to the wall, the player can move along the wall by pressing up or down on Controlpadds. Once the player has climbed to the top, the playable character gets up and returns to their idle position. To jump off the wall with a Spin Jump, the player must press Sega Genesis A Button/Sega Genesis B Button/Sega Genesis C Button.

Knuckles in Sonic 2[]

In Knuckles in Sonic 2, the climbing maneuver appears as a technique used by Knuckles and Super Knuckles.

In gameplay, there are couple of unusual Zone terrains in the game that Knuckles is unable to climb on. Instead, Knuckles will keep gliding into the wall until the player changes his gliding direction. To perform Climb in gameplay, the player has to glide into a climbable wall. Once the playable character is attached to the wall, the player can move along the wall by pressing up or down on Controlpadds. Once the player has climbed to the top, the playable character gets up and returns to their idle position. To jump off the wall with a Spin Jump, the player must press Sega Genesis A Button/Sega Genesis B Button/Sega Genesis C Button.

Knuckles' Chaotix[]

Chaotix knuckles climb
Chaotix vector climb

In Knuckles' Chaotix, the climbing maneuver is referred to as Climb.[6] In this game, Climb is usable to Knuckles and Vector.

In gameplay, Climb works much like it did in Sonic & Knuckles. Notably, when Knuckles or Vector are using Climb, their Combi partner's action will only have an effect on the characters' climbing movement if the combi partner gets stuck on the other end of the Ring Power. Alternately, Mighty the Armadillo is able to leap on the wall while Climbing by performing the Wall Jump.

To perform Climb in gameplay as Knuckles, the player has to jump against a climbable wall and then press Sega Genesis C Button just as Knuckles makes contact with it in order for Knuckles to grab onto it. Alternatively, Knuckles can just glide into the wall. In the case of Vector on the other hand, the player must jump or Power Boost against a wall and then hold Sega Genesis C Button just as Vector makes contact with it in order for Vector to grab onto it; releasing Sega Genesis C Button will make Vector fall off the wall. Once the playable character is attached to the wall, the player can move along the wall by pressing up or down on Controlpadds. Once the player has climbed to the top, the playable character gets up and returns to their idle position. To jump off the wall with a Spin Jump, the player must press Sega Genesis C Button as Knuckles, or release Sega Genesis C Button as Vector.

Sonic Blast[]

Blue Marine Zone 3

Knuckles using the climbing maneuver, from Sonic Blast.

In Sonic Blast, the climbing maneuver is unnamed. In this game, it is used exclusively by Knuckles.

In gameplay, most third Acts of each Zone in the game feature blue switches on the walls, which only Knuckles is able to access by climbing up to them. To perform the climbing maneuver in gameplay, the player has to glide into a climbable wall. Once Knuckles is attached to the wall, the player can move along the wall by pressing up or down on Controlpadds. Once the player has climbed to the top, Knuckles gets up and returns to his idle position. To jump off the wall with a Spin Jump, the player must press Game Gear I Button/Game Gear II Button.

Sonic Adventure[]

LWKNUCKLES6

Knuckles using Climb, from Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut.

In Sonic Adventure and its enhanced port Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut, the climbing maneuver is referred to as Climb[1] (壁登り[3] Kabe Nobori?, lit. "Wall Climb"). In this game, it is used exclusively by Knuckles.

In gameplay, the Climb makes its first appearance in a free-roaming 3D environment. Due to this environment, Knuckles can climb in all eight directions while moving around on a climbable wall. In addition, if Knuckles takes damage while using Climb, he will lose his grip on the wall and fall down. To perform Climb in gameplay, the player has to perform a Gliding Jump into a climbable wall. Once Knuckles is attached to the wall, the player can move around on the wall using the movement controls. Once the player has climbed to the top, Knuckles gets up and returns to his idle position. To jump off the wall with a Spin Jump, the player must press A/A Button GameCube v2.

Sonic Shuffle[]

In Sonic Shuffle, the climbing technique is referred to as Climbing[7] (カベ登り[8] Kabe Nobori?, lit. "Wall Climb") and serves as Knuckles' Special Movement Ability. In gameplay, it allows Knuckles to scale special Knuckles Spaces.

Sonic Adventure 2[]

DRYLAGOONGC7

Rouge using Climb Wall, from Sonic Adventure 2: Battle.

In Sonic Adventure 2 and its enhanced port Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, the climbing maneuver is referred to as Climb Wall[9] (カベ登り[10] Kabe Nobori?, lit. "Wall Climb"). In these games, Climb Wall is utilized by Knuckles, Rouge, Tikal and Chaos.

In gameplay, the playable characters can climb in all eight directions while moving around on a climbable wall. In addition, the playable characters are able to Dig while using Climb Wall to find hidden items in walls. To perform Climb Wall in gameplay, the player has to Glide into a climbable wall. Once the playable character is attached to the wall, the player can move around on the wall using the movement controls. Once the player has climbed to the top, the playable character gets up and returns to their idle position. To jump off the wall, the player must press A/A Button GameCube v2.

Sonic Advance series[]

Sonic Advance[]

Wall Climb advance

Knuckles Climbing, from Sonic Advance.

In Sonic Advance, the climbing maneuver is referred to as Climbing[11] (カベ登り[12] Kabe Nobori?, lit. "Wall Climb"). In this game, it is only used by Knuckles.

To perform Climbing in gameplay, the player has to glide into a climbable wall. Once Knuckles is attached to the wall, the player can move along the wall by pressing up or down on Controlpadds. Once the player has climbed to the top, Knuckles gets up and returns to his idle position. To jump off the wall, the player must press GameboyA. If the move is used in underwater areas, Knuckles notably climbs at a slower speed than that of climbing walls while not submerged.

Sonic Advance 2[]

ClimbSAdvance2

Knuckles using Wall Climb, from Sonic Advance 2.

In Sonic Advance 2, the climbing maneuver is referred to as Wall Climb[2] (カベ登り[4] Kabe Nobori?). In this game, it is performed exclusively by Knuckles.

In gameplay, since Knuckles is unable to perform the Mid-Air Glide in the few underwater sections of Leaf Forest, the player also cannot use Wall Climb underwater. To perform Wall Climb in gameplay, the player has to Mid-Air Glide into a climbable wall. Once Knuckles is attached to the wall, the player can move along the wall by pressing up or down on Controlpadds. Once the player has climbed to the top, Knuckles gets up and returns to his idle position. To jump off the wall, the player must press GameboyA.

Sonic Advance 3[]

In Sonic Advance 3, the climbing technique is called Wall Climb.[13] Once again, this technique is used exclusively by Knuckles.

In gameplay, for Knuckles to be able to perform Wall Climb, he must be partnered up with Tails, Cream or Amy. When partnered with Sonic, Knuckles is unable to perform the Wall Climb regularly due to the Mid-Air Dash Glide technique, but it is still possible to use Wall Climb in the game's underwater sections. Also, when partnered with Tails and Cream, Knuckles is able to normally climb on walls. While this is also possible to do while partnered with Amy, Knuckles can also perform the Dash Climb while using Wall Climb to charge up the wall while entering ball form.

To perform Wall Climb in gameplay, the player has to Mid-Air Glide into a climbable wall. Once Knuckles is attached to the wall, the player can move along the wall by pressing up or down on Controlpadds. Once the player has climbed to the top, Knuckles gets up and returns to his idle position. To jump off the wall, the player must press GameboyA.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)[]

ClimbStH2006

Rouge using Climb, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).

In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), the wall-scaling maneuver is called Climb[14] (カベ登り[15][16] Kabe Nobori?, lit. "Wall Climb"). In this game, Climb is used by both Knuckles and Rouge.

In gameplay, the playable characters can climb in all eight directions while moving around on a climbable wall. In addition, Rouge is able to attach Heart Mines to walls while using Climb. To perform Climb in gameplay, the player has to Glide into a climbable wall. Once the playable character is attached to the wall, the player can move around on the wall using the movement controls. Once the player has climbed to the top, the playable character gets up and returns to their idle position. To jump off the wall, the player must press XboxA/Cross.

Only certain surfaces are able to be climbed on, though they are not marked. While this is not an issue normally, in Shadow's Very Hard Mode stages, Rouge will often be in areas where she cannot climb the walls.

Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood[]

In Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, the climbing maneuver is referred to as Climb[17] (壁のぼり[18] Kabe Nobori?, lit. "Wall Climb"). In this game, both Knuckles and Shade are able to use this move.

In gameplay, Climb is a special action Knuckles and Shade are able to use to traverse the environment in the overworld, allowing the player to reach high and otherwise inaccessible areas. Spots where the player can Climb are marked with a ladder symbol.

Sonic and the Black Knight[]

Wall Climb Sonic and the Black Knight

Sonic using Wall Climb, from Sonic and the Black Knight.

In Sonic and the Black Knight, the wall-scaling technique is called Wall Climb.[19] In this game, Wall Climb can be performed by Sonic, Lancelot, Gawain and Percival. This time around, the users use their swords to scale walls, except for Sir Percival, who instead runs up walls.

In gameplay, Wall Climb can only be performed during Missions in Adventure Mode. When performing Wall Climb in gameplay, the player must press WiiDSA while near a climbable wall to move up (for Percival, the player has to hold WiiDSA). To move to the left or right while climbing, the player must press WiiDSA while tilting the control stick to the side they want to head in. Pressing Wii-Button-Z, on the other hand, will make the playable character come to a stop. While in a neutral state when using Wall Climb, the playable character will automatically use Wall Slide.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2013)[]

In the 2013 remaster of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, Climb appears as a technique used by Knuckles.

In gameplay, Climb functions identically to how it did in Sonic 3 & Knuckles. The remastered version of the game adds several new alternate pathways, which Knuckles is able to access by using the Climb.

To perform the Climb in gameplay, the player has to glide into a climbable wall. Once Knuckles is attached to the wall, the player can move along the wall by pressing up or down with the movement controls. Once the player has climbed to the top, Knuckles gets up and returns to his idle position. To jump off the wall with a Spin Jump, the player must press the jump button.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2013)[]

In the 2013 remaster of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Climb appears as a move that can be used by Knuckles and Super Knuckles.

In gameplay, Climb's mechanics are identical to those it had in Sonic 3 & Knuckles. To perform the Climb in gameplay, the player has to glide into a climbable wall. Once Knuckles is attached to the wall, the player can move along the wall by pressing up or down with the movement controls. Once the player has climbed to the top, Knuckles gets up and returns to his idle position. To jump off the wall with a Spin Jump, the player must press the jump button.

Sonic Mania[]

LREEF1-15

Knuckles using Wall Climb, from Sonic Mania.

In Sonic Mania and its expansion, Sonic Mania Plus, the climbing technique is once again referred to as Wall Climb[20] (カベ登り[21] Kabe Nobori?). In these games, it is one of the maneuvers used by Knuckles and Super Knuckles.

In gameplay, Wall Climb functions relatively the same as in the earliest Sonic games. Much like in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Wall Climb is a mandatory move that is occasionally needed to get access to pathways exclusive to Knuckles. The player can also use Wall Climb on the moving pillars in Hydrocity Zone and Mirage Saloon Zone. To perform Wall Climb in gameplay, the player has to glide into a climbable wall. Once Knuckles is attached to the wall, the player can move along the wall by pressing up or down on Controlpadds. Once the player has climbed to the top, Knuckles gets up and returns to his idle position. To jump off the wall with a Spin Jump, the player must press the following buttons:

PlayStation 4 Switch Xbox One PC
Square/Cross/Circle Switch y/Switch a/Switch b X button/A button/B button [A]/[Q]/[S]

Sonic Frontiers[]

Sonic-Frontiers-T3-Promotional-Screenshot-IV

Sonic wall running on a Black wall on Ares Island from Sonic Frontiers.

In Sonic Frontiers, the climbing technique appears as one of the basic moves performed by Sonic exclusively in the Open Zone gameplay.[22] Sonic can grab on certain black walls, which include floating vertical panels and clean walls, both of which contain tiles with detailed, active cyan formations on them. The player can also climb on active guardians and Titans during their encounters.

When leaning against the wall, Sonic will get a grip from it and the player can then move Left-Analog-Stick to climb on upwards or sideways at a steady pace. After gaining some momentum, Sonic will eventually proceed to move faster on walls by transitioning to the Wall Run by holding R2/Xbox RT2-1 while climbing or Boosted Wall Run when executing the Boost.[23][22]

The climbing maneuver also returns as a playable move for Knuckles. Additionally, a variant of the black wall can be climbed by him only.

Sonic Superstars[]

Superstars Press Factory 02

Knuckles clinging to a wall in Press Factory, from Sonic Superstars.

In Sonic Superstars, the Climb is one of the maneuvers used by Knuckles and Super Knuckles.

Sonic Dream Team[]

In other media[]

Animation[]

Sonic X[]

Climb (Sonic X)

Knuckles Climbing, from "Cracking Knuckles".

In the Sonic X anime series and its comic series published by Archie Comics, the Climb made several appearances, though it was not given a name.

In this media, Climb is used exclusively by Knuckles the Echidna due to the signature spikes he has on his knuckles. He is quite skilled at Climbing, being able to scale walls as fast as Sonic can run up them.[24] In the comics, the X Robot is also able to use Climb due to mimicking Knuckles' spikes.

Sonic Boom[]

Main article: Climbing (Sonic Boom)

In the Sonic Boom franchise, Climbing is a move used only by Knuckles the Echidna. It only appears in Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric as one of Knuckles' moves to scale Climbable Walls.

Sonic Prime[]

Climb Sonic Prime

Knuckles the Dread climbing, from "There's No ARRGH in "Team"".

In the Sonic Prime television series, Climbing is utilized by Knuckles the Echidna and his alternate Shatterverse counterparts to dig into walls and climb them.

Books and comics[]

IDW Publishing[]

ClimbIDW

Knuckles performing the Climb, from Sonic the Hedgehog #3.

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, the Climb is a move used most commonly by Knuckles. It first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog #3 when Knuckles had to scale the walls of a fortified village.

Films[]

Paramount[]

SM2 KnucklesCliff

Knuckles climbing, from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (film).

In the Sonic the Hedgehog film series, Knuckles the Echidna is shown to be able to climb on walls. After failing to catch Sonic and Tails while falling from the cliff, Knuckles gets hold of a steep cliff edge and proceeds to slowly climb towards the top of the cliff. His climbing was intervened by Robotnik's Badniks, who provided to act as stairs for Knuckles to reach to the top faster.

Trivia[]

  • In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), the Climb move glitches on walls after Gliding toward them, making the player unable to jump off of the walls. However, if the player Spin Jumps directly toward a wall, this glitch can be avoided. If the player holds XboxA/Cross while they are climbing on a side of an enclosed area, Knuckles/Rouge will do a long-range Spin Jump backwardly toward the other side of the said area.
    • Additionally, in the same game, the sound for climbing on a wall will not play for Knuckles, but will for Rouge.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast) United States instruction booklet, pg. 23.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Sonic Advance 2 (Game Boy Advance) United States instruction booklet, pg. 12.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 25.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Sonic Advance 2 (Game Boy Advance) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 18.
  5. Sonic & Knuckles (Sega Genesis) United States instruction booklet, pg. 7.
  6. Knuckles' Chaotix (Sega 32X) United States instruction booklet, pg. 7.
  7. Sonic Shuffle (Dreamcast) United States instruction booklet, pg. 21.
  8. Sonic Shuffle (Dreamcast) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 28.
  9. Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast) United States instruction booklet, pg. 10.
  10. Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 16.
  11. Sonic Advance (Game Boy Advance) United States instruction booklet, pg. 10.
  12. Sonic Advance (Game Boy Advance) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 15.
  13. Sonic Advance 3 (Game Boy Advance) United States instruction booklet, pg. 13.
  14. Sonic the Hedgehog (PlayStation 3) United States instruction booklet, pgs. 18-19.
  15. Sonic the Hedgehog (PlayStation 3) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 23.
  16. Sonic the Hedgehog (PlayStation 3) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 25.
  17. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (Nintendo DS) United States instruction booklet, pg. 11.
  18. Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (Nintendo DS) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 15.
  19. Sonic and the Black Knight (Wii) European instruction booklet, pg. 7.
  20. Sonic Mania (PC) English digital instruction booklet, "Controls".
  21. Sonic Mania (PC) Japanese digital instruction booklet, "操作方法".
  22. 22.0 22.1 Sonic Team (November 8, 2022). Sonic Frontiers. Xbox One. Sega. Area/level: Kronos Island. "Wall Climbing: Sonic can climb up certain walls. Maneuver with Left-Analog-Stick, and he can Wall Run by holding Xbox RT2-1 while climbing."
  23. Sonic Team (November 8, 2022). Sonic Frontiers. PlayStation 5. Sega. Area/level: Loading screen. "Tip: Sonic is able to climb up black walls. He can also run up them while R2 is pressed."
  24. Yoshimura, Kiyoko (4 October 2003). "Cracking Knuckles". Sonic X. Season 1. Episode 5.
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