High-speed warp tubes[1][2] are recurring gimmicks in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. They are long factory pipes usually set around industrial-themed Zones that can take the playable characters to different sections in the levels.
Description
High-speed warp tubes are either designed as manufactured devices or natural environmental phenomena depending on the nature of the stage they appear in. As their name would imply, high-speed warp tubes forcefully take the playable characters through their tubes to new locations, most of which are otherwise unreachable.
When using a high-speed warp tube, the character will curl into a ball and roll through them at highly increased speeds. In most games, if the player enters a high-speed warp tube at a slow speed, the tube will automatically increase the playable character's speed, although in certain games, such as Sonic Adventure 2, the character will travel through the tube no matter at what speed they enter. High-speed warp tubes are usually reserved for unidirectional travel, although there have been occasions where the player can travel through them in both directions.
In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, high-speed warp tubes appear in Chemical Plant Zone, where their entry points are covered by lids which must be broken before one can enter the tubes. These transparent tubes are straight, only bending at their joints, and maintain the player's speed. Some high-speed warp tubes can also launch the player upwards when they exit them before sealing themselves up with a Spring pad, thus preventing the player from re-entering them.
In the 8-bit version of the game, Aqua Lake Zone Act 2, Gimmick Mountain Zone Act 3 and Scrambled Egg Zone feature twisting tunnels and transparent pipes similar to the high-speed warp tubes, which split in two at intersections. At these points, the player can choose which pipe to follow using . In Scrambled Egg Zone, depending on the chosen path, the player can even travel both backward and forward through the same pipe. The final boss in Crystal Egg Zone also has the player use the pipes around the arena to avoid attacks.
Sonic the Hedgehog CD
In Sonic the Hedgehog CD, Wacky Workbench features special high-speed warp tubes. The player can enter them using either the tube openings in the ground or by having crusher-like piston in the corridors inject the player into them. When exiting these tubes, the player is ejected from a hatch while dashing through mid-air at high speed. Using these transportation tubes is a good way to initiate a Time Warp Plate's effect.
In Metallic Madness Zone 2, traditional high-speed warp tubes are present. Here, they are blocked by hatches that can be opened by pressing a Switch near them. Many of these tubes have intersection points that go in the four cardinal directions. Here, the player can chose which of these directions to follow using . Also, if the player can open the hatch on the opening of a high-speed warp tube that deposited them, they can re-enter the tube though that opening and go back through it.
In Sonic Chaos, high-speed warp tubes work much like they did in the 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. In this game, they appear in Electric Egg Zone, and the third and fifth Special Stages. In the latter stages, they make up a maze of tubes which the player must navigate to find a Chaos Emerald. Like in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the high-speed warp tubes sometimes have intersection points that go in the four cardinal directions. Here, the player can choose which tube to follow using .
Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball
In Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball, high-speed warp tubes are common. Toxic Caves/Toxic Pools have metallic tubes, while Toxic Caves can have locked tubes which can be opened by hitting targets or by blowing up steel barrels inside of them. Lava Powerhouse features steam-powered tubes that can shoot the player upwards when exiting them, while The Machine has tunnel mazes made of transparent tubes.
Launch Base Zone Act 2 features water pipe-based high-speed warp tubes with breakable pipe parts that stand in the player's path. Breaking these parts make the tubes leak, allowing the playable characters to enter the tubes from there. Lava Reef Zone Act 2 also features orange high-speed warp tubes, whose entry points are usually blocked by breakable crystals. When deposited from these tubes, the player is sent out at high speed. The player can usually use the previous high-speed warp tubes in this Act to backtrack in the level.
Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble
In Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble, high-speed warp tubes work much like those in Sonic Chaos. In this game, they are featured in Tidal Plant Zone and Atomic Destroyer Zone. Much like in Sonic Chaos, the tubes sometimes have intersection points that go in the four cardinal directions. The player can chose which of these directions to follow using . Some high-speed warp tubes in Atomic Destroyer Zone also lead the playable characters through midair or rock passages while they move between tube pieces or intersection points.
Knuckles' Chaotix
The entry point for a high-speed warp tube in Amazing Arena.
In Knuckles' Chaotix, high-speed warp tubes are featured in Amazing Arena. In this game, they forcefully suck the playable characters in at their entry points. They also tend to take the player to the right sections of the stage.
In Sonic Blast, high-speed warp tubes are commonly featured in almost every Zone in the game, except for Red Volcano Zone and Silver Castle Zone. In this game, they are either curvy or straight metallic tubes which the player can travel through in both directions.
In Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, high-speed warp tubes appear exclusively for Sonic in Crazy Gadget. Like in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the player must first break a high-speed warp tube's lid in order to enter it, at which point it will suck Sonic into it. After exiting a high-speed warp tube, its exit will then be sealed.
Sonic Advance series
Sonic Advance
In Sonic Advance, high-speed warp tubes are generally featured in Secret Base Zone, Egg Rocket Zone and Cosmic Angel Zone. In this game, by simply closing in on a high-speed warp tube's entry point, the player will be sucked into it. Also, exiting a high-speed warp tube will in turn close the opening the play exited, preventing them from re-entering it.
Cosmic Angel Zone in particular introduces unique launch tubes that send curled up users flying through midair into floating corners, which will then change the users' flight path by ninety degrees. Eventually, the users will enter receiver devices that deposit them back into normal gameplay.
Sonic Advance 3
In Sonic Advance 3, high-speed warp tubes appear in Ocean Base. Their entry points are usually placed on the ceilings and walls, but will suck the playable characters in when they get close. After using a high-speed warp tube, its exit point will then close up.
Similar devices appear in Cyber Track. When entering these devices, the player can choose of one of two directions to be launched in with . Each direction leads to a different area. Much like the launchers in Cosmic Angel Zone in Sonic Advance, users of these devices will curl up as they are send flying into floating corners, which will then change the users' flight path by ninety degrees. Eventually, the users will enter receiver devices that deposit them back into normal gameplay.
Sonic Rush series
Sonic Rush
The entry point for a high-speed warp tube in Sonic Rush.
In Sonic Rush, high-speed warp tubes are found in Huge Crisis. Much like in Sonic Advance 3, the entry points for these tubes are placed on either the walls, floors or ceilings, where they will suck the playable characters in when they get close. Depending on the high-speed warp tube entered, the player is either send flying into midair or send running along the ground when deposited from them.
Sonic Rush Adventure
In Sonic Rush Adventure, high-speed warp tubes appear in Plant Kingdom and Machine Labyrinth. In this game, the high-speed warp tubes work like they did in Sonic Rush, but their design is based on the stage they appear in: while those in Plant Kingdom resemble plant terns, those in Machine Labyrinth resemble basic factory tubes.
Sonic Rivals series
Sonic Rivals
Sonic moving towards the rusty piece of pipe (on right) in Sonic Rivals.
In Sonic Rivals, Death Yard Zone features rusty pipes which the player can pass through much like high-speed warp tubes. When exiting these tubes, the playable characters automatically curl into a ball with increased momentum.
Sonic Rivals 2
In Sonic Rivals 2, high-speed warp tubes are common in every Zone in the game, except for Mystic Haunt Zone. In this game, they are rectangular, blue tubes with metal framing and a red exit lid. In terms of mechanics, they work much like in previous games.
In the Wii U version of Sonic Lost World, high-speed warp tubes are featured as the general gimmick of Frozen FactoryZone 1. In this game, they are presented as large factory pipes with moving gears and windmills that keep them afloat. The entry point for each high-speed warp type is located at the end of land routes. These entry points will suck Sonic in when he gets close to them.
Sonic Mania
A high-speed warp tube intersection in Sonic Mania.
In Sonic Mania, the high-speed warp tubes appear in Chemical Plant Zone. In this game, they look and behave exactly like they did in the same Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. In this game, the high-speed warp tubes also have intersections; when arriving at these spots, the player can choose which tube to follow.
↑Prima Development (20 June 2001). "Specific objects for Sonic and Shadow". Sonic Adventure 2: Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games. p. 13. ISBN 978-0761536147.
↑Sonic Team (May 3, 2002). Sonic Adventure 2. Nintendo GameCube. Sega. Area: Crazy Gadget. "Omochao: This is the high-speed warp tube! Break the glass, and jump in!"
. In Scrambled Egg Zone, depending on the chosen path, the player can even travel both backward and forward through the same pipe. The final boss in Crystal Egg Zone also has the player use the pipes around the arena to avoid attacks.
