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It hangs from the ceiling before dive-bombing Sonic


— Description, Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclo-speed-ia[1]

The Batbrain[1] (バサラン[2] Basaran?) is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, bat-based Badnik created by Dr. Eggman. Batbrains hang out in dark caves, waiting for its victim to get below it and then attack from above.

Appearance[]

Batbrains, as their name implies, are robotic bats with wings stretched over their bodies, showing only the tip of their blue heads. Firm claws ensure these Badniks stay on the ceiling and they each have an engine on their backs for propulsion. Their wings, feet and engine are metallic gray in color, while their bodies are dark blue. In Sonic Lost World, Batbrains also have small mouths with tiny fangs, and have more cartoony eyes.

Game appearances[]

Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)[]

Basaran

In the 16-bit version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog, the Batbrains[3] (バサラン[2] Basaran?) are found in the cavern sections of Marble Zone.

In gameplay, Batbrains hang on the ceiling, waiting for a target. When Sonic is spotted, they drop down from their roost, unfold their wings, and flap towards him to cause damage upon touch before returning to the ceiling. They will cling onto another ceiling if they fail to do any damage however.

Batbrains do not pose a huge threat and are easily dispatched before or after their landing with a Spin Jump. Upon their destruction, they release an Animal and reward the player with 100 points. However, they can easily get in the player's way, especially in challenging platforming sections.

Sonic Lost World[]

In the Wii U version, PC version and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Lost World, the Batbrains return as enemies. During the events of the game, Dr. Eggman's Badniks, including the Batbrains, get hijacked by the Deadly Six.

In gameplay, the Batbrains appear in Windy Hill Zone 3 in the Wii U/PC version of the game, and Windy Hill Zone 2 in the Nintendo 3DS version. Unlike in previous games though, Batbrains here attack in groups. They are located in the tubular sections where they hang from a surface until they drop down to attack the playable character. They can be defeated with any kind of attack. Also, upon their defeat, they release an Animal.

Sonic Mania[]

SMBatBrain

In Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, Batbrains are enemies found in both Acts of Green Hill Zone, retaining their designs from the original Sonic the Hedgehog game. In gameplay, Batbrains hang on the ceiling of the underground areas in Green Hill Zone. When the playable character is nearby, they will drop down from their roost, unfold their wings, and flap towards the playable character in order to inflict damage before returning to the ceiling and clinging there once again. They will cling onto another ceiling if they fail to do any damage however. The player is able to destroy Batbrains by simply Spin Jumping on them. Upon their destruction, they will release an Animal and award the player with 100 points.

Sonic Superstars[]

SuperstarsBatbrainScr

A Batbrain, from Sonic Superstars.

Batbrains reappear in Sonic Superstars, where they can be found in Bridge Island Zone, Speed Jungle Zone, Pinball Carnival Zone, and Press Factory Zone, with pixelated Batbrains also being encountered in Cyber Station Zone as well. Unlike in previous titles, the Batbrains do not hang from ceilings, with them instead flying left to right in a wavy pattern, in a small preoccupied area. However, the Batbrains only fly from left to right if the player gets close to them, as otherwise they will simply just fly in one single spot. Like most Badniks, the Batbrains can be easily destroyed via any attack, with them releasing an Animal and awarding the player 100 points upon doing so.

During the game's opening animation, a Batbrain alongside a Buzz Bomber and a Crawlshell attempt to harm a Cucky, a Flicky, and a Pocky. Unfortunately for the Badniks, they are swiftly destroyed by a speeding Sonic.

Other game appearances[]

Sonic Speed Simulator[]

Sonic Jump (2012)[]

In the 2012 version of Sonic Jump, Batbrains can be found in Blue Sky Zone. In this game, they act like they did in the original Sonic the Hedgehog, hanging from platforms and clouds below until they drop down and start flying at the player when the playable character gets close to them. These Badniks can only be defeated by jumping into their underside.

Personality[]

While built to serve as work drones, Batbrains possess a degree of sentience and personality traits. These traits include showing fear and stress moments before being destroyed.[4]

Powers and abilities[]

Thanks to their wings and rocket thrusters, the Batbrains are capable of flight. The Batbrains are also relatively strong, as they are capable of carrying Caterkillers with no issue.[4]

In other media[]

Books and comics[]

Sonic the Comic[]

Bat Brain STC Profile

A late Batbrain model, from Sonic the Comic #131. Art by Richard Elson.

In the Sonic the Comic series published by Fleetway Editions, the Batbrains were a part of Dr. Robotnik's Badnik army before, during, and after his rule of Mobius. Because of the different artists, Batbrains had sometimes a slightly, but also drastically different look from their game counterparts. While he was stationed on Flickies' Island, Robotnik started to build more powerful and dread-looking Batbrains.

Archie Comics[]

Main article: Bat Brain (Archie)
Bat Brain

A Bat Brain, from Sonic the Hedgehog #0.

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Batbrains were among the first generation of Badniks produced by Dr. Ivo Robotnik. As Dr. Eggman would go on and make more advanced Batbrains, the classic ones were eventually rendered obsolete and got decommissioned.

Sonic X[]

Main article: Batbrain (Sonic X)
Bat-Brain-Sonic-X-Comic

Batbrains, from Sonic X #10.

In the Sonic X comic series published by Archie Comics, Batbrains made a small appearance. While in a simulation of the Marble Zone, Sonic came across several Batbrains, which he easily defeated.

IDW Publishing[]

IDW Batbrains

A pair of Batbrains, from Sonic the Hedgehog #58.

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, several Batbrains and Caterkillers attacked Sonic in Eggperial City. However, they were easily destroyed by Silver and Blaze when they came to help Sonic fend off the Badniks.[4]

Merchandise[]

Tomy S&K pack Splats

The toy company Tomy released a Batbrain figurine as part of a line of figurines for Sonic & Knuckles. The series had a total of twenty figurines, divided by five packs of four. The Batbrain figurine was available in the pack with Splats, Sonic, and Tails.

Trivia[]

Missing Bat Brain
  • The Batbrain was supposed to appear in Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit) but was removed from the final game. In the Sega Game Gear version, unused sprites of Batbrain are found from game's code.
  • Like the Orbinaut, the Batbrain does not appear in neither the European or North American game manuals. Its English name thus comes from comics and other merchandise. Similar to the aforementioned Badnik, it is known by its Japanese name, "Basaran", in Sonic Jam[5] and simply "Batbrain" in the British Stay Sonic guide book.[3]
  • The Batbrain's Japanese name, "Basaran," is derived from basara, meaning "acting without restraint". This is based on the fact that Batbrains will immediately drop down to fly towards the player when they approach them. Additionally, it may also be derived from basabasa, the Japanese onomatopeia for a rustling sound.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Flynn, Ian; Sega (December 8, 2021). "Sonic The Hedgehog (16-bit)". Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclo-speed-ia. Dark Horse Books. p. 12. ISBN 978-1506719276.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Mega Drive) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 39.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Wallis, James (4 January 1993). "Robotnik's Badniks". Stay Sonic. Fantail. p. 35. ISBN 978-0140903904. "Batbrain hangs around on roofs in the Marble Zone. Any movement wakes it, and it will flap down noisily to investigate. Beating one or two of them is easy for Sonic, but he's wary of larger flocks — especially if there's a Caterkiller around as well."
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Sonic the Hedgehog #58, "Urban Warfare, Part 2"
  5. One of artworks showcasing Caterkiller and Basaran from the Sonic World feature of Sonic Jam.
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