Sonic Jump is a Spin-Off title in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, initially released for the T-Mobile Sidekick in Japan in 2005 and the rest of the world in 2007 (and got a subsequent update which was billed as a sequel), and remade for the iOS and Android mobile platforms in 2012. The story is that Dr. Eggman has kidnapped the small animals of South Island, and Sonic and co. must save them.
The gameplay is fairly unique for a Sonic game—instead of a standard high-speed side-scroller, it's a vertical scrolling platformer, highly in the vein of Doodle Jump, and you control Sonic via motion sensors. Unlike Doodle Jump, there are actual levels and bosses, not to mention power-ups such as the rings (used to buy items and unlock other characters), speed up shoes and the magnet, as well as the usual Sonic plethora of pretty art and catchy tunes. It also provides replay value with the three red rings to collect in each level.
The game had a free sequel called Sonic Jump Fever which was released in 2014 and removed in 2018.
Tropes used in this game include:
- Action Bomb: The Bomb badnik is a walking bomb that explodes if you get close.
- Art Evolution: The original Sonic Jump bases its art style off of the Sonic Advance games (right down to reusing sprites), whereas the 2012 remake uses the art style of the more recent Sonic games.
- Bee Afraid: Buzz Bomber is a badnik modeled after a bee.
- Bonus Stage Collectables: In the original Sonic Jump, completing each act in the zone with 50 rings earns you a Chaos Emerald, six in all - although the only reward you get for collecting them is unlocking the seventh zone.
- Brutal Bonus Level: In the original Sonic Jump, collecting six Chaos Emeralds unlocks Bonus Zone (where you can get the seventh Chaos Emerald and unlock the Golden Ending). It is the most difficult zone in the game, requiring precise movements and memorization of the level with a single mistake usually resulting in death.
- Death Mountain: Mountain Zone is a level that takes place on a snowy mountain.
- Double Jump: Sonic has one in this game, although the second jump has to be triggered manually by tapping the screen.
- Endless Game: Arcade Mode in the 2012 remake, which, as its name implies, is basically an endurance game with randomized levels.
- Excuse Plot: Eggman is kidnapping Sonic's animal friends again, go and save them!
- Green Hill Zone: The first stage, set in the actual Green Hill Zone.
- Heroic Mime: Averted in the original Sonic Jump, which features cutscenes and dialogue. In the 2012 remake, however, the only time the playable characters speak is when a level is completed.
- Giant Enemy Crab: Crabmeat is a badnik modeled after a crab.
- Jungle Japes: Jungle Zone is a level that takes place in, well, a jungle.
- Level in the Clouds: Blue Sky Zone is a level that takes place high in the sky with the player jumping on clouds to climb up.
- Macross Missile Massacre: In the 2012 remake, Eggman's attack in the Jungle Zone boss battle has him launching a volley of missiles that rain down on the player.
- Megaton Punch: Knuckles's double jump is a vertical punch that lets him smash through obstacles.
- Mythology Gag: The designs of the animals Eggman captures are lifted directly from the original Sonic the Hedgehog 1 game.
- Rise to the Challenge: The entire game is based on going up, and no backtracking is allowed - trying to fall down below the screen results in death.
- Ruins for Ruins' Sake: Jungle Zone features what appears to be ancient ruins. No explanation is given for what those ruins are and why they're there.
- Secret Character: Amy, Rouge, Silver, Cream, Shadow, and Vector.
- Shock and Awe: During the boss battles in the 2012 remake, Eggman's mechs are shielded by an electric barrier. In particular, this is Green Hill Zone mech's only attack.
- Updated Re-release: Sonic Jump 2 is pretty much an update for the first game with improved graphics and an extra level. The 2 was even removed from the American version.
- Video Game Remake: The 2012 remake for iOS and Android titled Sonic Jump, which was renamed to Sonic Jump Pro sometime after Sonic Jump Fever was released.
- Violation of Common Sense: The 2012 remake has several "missions" that involve either hurting yourself or getting killed by enemies or obstacles. The label for these achievements, "Misadventure", lampshades the trope.
