The Hunter[note 1] is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, hermit crab-based Badnik model created by Dr. Robotnik.
Appearance[]
The Hunters are based on hermit crabs, but with purple cone-shaped shells and cartoonish black eyes with yellow eyelids on top of their shells. They also have six stubby and yellow legs with gray claws on them.
Overview[]
In Sonic 3D Blast, Hunters are encountered exclusively as enemies in Green Grove Zone. In gameplay, they usually appear in recesses, but they do not move from their position. However, they will swivel around in Sonic's direction when he is nearby. Their defense comes in the form of a floating spiked ball each that orbits around them, but they cannot attack Sonic with them. These Badniks can easily be destroyed with a Spin Attack, Spin Dash or Spin Jump. Upon their destruction, they release their respective power source, a blue Flicky, which can be picked up by Sonic. However, in Green Grove Zone Act 2, they release purple Flickies instead.
A Hunter appears in the opening sequence in both versions of Sonic 3D Blast, where it is destroyed by Sonic. In the Sega Mega Drive version, it is seen during the text introduction to Green Grove Zone. In the Sega Saturn version, on the other hand, it appears during the intro seen on the title screen. Interestingly, in both cases, the Hunter is powered not by blue, but by green Flickies.
Powers and abilities[]
The Hunters' main skill lies in their spiked balls which they can hold in orbit around them to act as both weapons and a shield.
In other media[]
IDW Publishing[]
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, a single Hunter can be seen during a flashback. Additionally, the remains of a Hunter would be present alongside the remains of a Shellcracker, a Bee, and an Octopus in Gene Gadget Zone, during Tails' fight with Bearanger.[1]
Notes[]
- ↑ This Badnik was given no official name upon or after the release of Sonic 3D Blast. However, its name was revealed in the Debug Mode for the unofficial Sonic 3D Blast: Director's Cut video game developed by Jon Burton, the lead programmer of the Genesis version of Sonic 3D Blast. When asked about its validity, Burton confirmed that this Badnik's name was used in the original game.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog: Tails' 30th Anniversary Special, "Flying Off the Rails"