Sonic Wiki Zone

Know something we don't about Sonic? Don't hesitate in signing up today! It's fast, free, and easy, and you will get a wealth of new abilities, and it also hides your IP address from public view. We are in need of content, and everyone has something to contribute!

If you have an account, please log in.

READ MORE

Sonic Wiki Zone
Register
Advertisement
Sonic Wiki Zone

Sonic spins while turning, allowing him to turn tight corners at high speed.


— Instruction booklet, Sonic Generations

The Drift[1][2] (ドリフト Dorifuto?), also known as the Sonic Drift[3] (ドリフト[4] Dorifuto?, lit. "Drift"), is a move that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a technique in which the user makes sharp turns while moving at high speeds.

Description[]

When performing the Drift, the user creates friction to one of their sides while either sliding or spinning at high speed via reducing some of their traction, causing their direction to shift rapidly in a smooth curve without losing much momentum.

In gameplay, the Drift is useful for the player when they have get through tight turns at high speeds to cut through corners from certain angles/timings and to exit them effectively. In addition, it can be combined with the Boost to amplify its speed and power, but may also increase its speed too much which will limit control further.

Game appearances[]

Sonic Unleashed[]

Sonic-unleashed-20081008100822240-2596054

Sonic using the Sonic Drift, from the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed.

The move first appeared in both the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version and the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of Sonic Unleashed, where it is referred to as the Sonic Drift.[3] It is only usable by Sonic in the gameplay of the daytime Stages. When drifting in this game, Sonic leans down on one arm while pushing his feet sideways in the opposite direction.

By drifting, the player is able to recharge the Ring Energy Gauge/Boost Gauge, though the mechanics differ between game versions: On the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version, the Ring Energy Gauge is constantly charged while drifting, but only in small amounts equivalent to the amount of energy required to boost. In the Wii/PlayStation 2 version, drifting charges more of the Boost Gauge at once, but only if it is pulled off correctly for long enough, which is referred to as a "Drift Bonus."

To perform the Sonic Drift in gameplay, the player has to use the following controls:

PS2 Wii PS3 Xbox 360
Wii Remote
+ Nunchuk
Classic
Controller
GameCube
controller
Square + Left-Analog-Stick left/right Wii-Button-Z + Analog-Stick left/right Wii-classic y button + Left-Analog-Stick left/right SNNBGAMECUBEDISCO + Analog-Stick left/right L2/R2 / Circle + Left-Analog-Stick left/right Xbox-Button-LT/Xbox-Button-RT / XboxB + Left-Analog-Stick left/right

Sonic Colors[]

Wii pla act4 16

The Drift, from the Wii version Sonic Colors.

In the Wii version of Sonic Colors and its remaster, Sonic Colors: Ultimate, the move's name was changed to Drift.[1] In these games, it is performed by Sonic, the Mii (Wii version only), and the Virtual Hedgehogs. When drifting this time around, the user leans down on one arm while pushing their feet sideways in the opposite direction, much like in Sonic Unleashed, except that the user shoots rainbow-colored sparks from their feet, similar to the Boost.

In gameplay, the Drift is only useable in parts with curved points where the Drift icon is displayed on the screen. While drifting in this game, the move is more "slippery" and difficult to use than in Sonic Unleashed, but the player earns 3000 points per-second with a maximum of 100,000 points per Act. It can also be used to crash into enemies and objects. In Super Sonic's case, he cannot use Drift in the "Drift sections", but he can use the Super Sonic Boost easily and with more control.

To use the Drift in gameplay, the player has to use the following controls:

Wii Xbox One PS4 Switch PC
Wii Remote
(sideways)
Wii Remote &
Nunchuk
Classic
Controller
GameCube
controller
Button1 + Controlpadds left/right WiiB + Analog-Stick left/right Wii-classic b button + Left-Analog-Stick left/right SNNBGAMECUBEDISCO + Analog-Stick left/right

Sonic Generations[]

Sonic Generations 2014-11-6-23-17-41-587

Modern Sonic using the Drift, from the console/PC version of Sonic Generations.

In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, the move is referred as the Drift,[2] and is only usable to Modern Sonic. When drifting in this game, Sonic revs into a Spin Attack as he turns, much like when charging the Spin Dash.

ME0001473937 2

Modern Sonic drifting on his Snowboard, from the console/PC version of Sonic Generations.

In Sonic Generations, the Boost Gauge will be charged constantly in small doses while drifting, much like in Sonic Unleashed. The Drift is also easier to control than in Sonic Unleashed and can be used to attack enemies. Although, when using the Drift as Super Sonic, the aura of the move will not be changed from blue to golden. In addition, Sonic can also use Drift when riding a Snowboard or a Cart.

To use the move in gameplay, the player has to use the following controls:

Xbox 360 PS3 PC
Xbox-Button-LT/Xbox-Button-RT L2/R2 [1]/[3]

Sonic Frontiers[]

In Sonic Frontiers, the Drift returns after its absence in Sonic Forces, boasting similar appearance and mechanics from Sonic Colors.

In this game, the Drift appears as a move that can be performed by Sonic exclusively in just one Cyber Space stage, 3-5 with Drift Dash Panels. While performing the Drift, the player has to move Left-Analog-Stick on the controller. Super Sonic can also drift by boosting while holding Switch l/L1/Xbox LT3-1.

During The Final Horizon episode, the Drift can also be used by Amy Rose while during a Card Spin Boost. To perform the drift as Amy, the player must hold Switch zr/R2/Xbox RT2-1 to begin boosting, then hold Switch a/Circle/B button while moving the Left-Analog-Stick on the controller.

In other media[]

IDW Publishing[]

DriftIDW

Sonic performing the Drift, from Sonic the Hedgehog #4.

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series published by IDW Publishing, the Drift is a move used exclusively by Sonic the Hedgehog. It first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog #4, specifically during a battle Sonic had with a battalion of Badniks.

Trivia[]

  • In the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed, it is possible to cross water surfaces without using the Boost if the player simply uses the Drift and constantly alternates Sonic's direction, much like snaking in other games with a drifting mechanic.
AvatarJoker

The Avatar's Drift-like maneuver, from Sonic Forces.

  • In Sonic Forces, a Drift-like maneuver is used by the Avatar. This maneuver is an automatic move used by the Avatar in the Avatar Stages and Tag Stages when they have to get through a sharp turn. The player can control the Avatar slightly by using the Left-Analog-Stick.
  • A leaked beta of the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed that is dated to be close to the game's release showed that the decision to drift using the controller's triggers was made very late into the game's development - nearly one month before release.[5] The drift itself was still present in these builds, but could only be executed using XboxB/Circle.[6]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sonic Colours (Wii) European instruction booklet, pg. 13.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Sonic Generations (PlayStation 3) European instruction booklet, pg. 9.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Sonic Unleashed (PlayStation 3) European instruction booklet, pg. 12.
  4. Sonic World Adventure (Xbox 360) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 17.
  5. https://twitter.com/ahremic/status/1607490654451503108
  6. https://twitter.com/ahremic/status/1607567054630002689


Main article | Script | Credits | Glitches | Beta elements | Gallery

Main article · Script · Credits · Glitches · Beta elements · Gallery · Re-releases (Ultimate)

Main article · Script · Staff · Glitches · Beta elements · Gallery · Re-releases (Sonic X Shadow)

Advertisement