V. Maximum Overdrive Attack

Metal Sonic using the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, from Sonic Channel.
Appearances
First appearance	Sonic the Hedgehog CD
Game appearances	Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble Knuckles' Chaotix Sonic the Hedgehog CD (Windows 95 version) Sonic the Hedgehog CD (2011 remaster) Sonic Generations (console/PC version) Sonic Generations (Nintendo 3DS version) Sonic Mania Sonic Forces Sonic Mania Plus Sega Heroes Sonic X Shadow Generations
Statistics and overview
User(s)	Metal Sonic Infinite
Utilization	Offense Speed enhancement
Description	A powerful attack and speed boost that can penetrate any substance.

The V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, also known simply as Overdrive (オーバードライブ, Ōbādoraibu^?), is a move that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. When using this technique, the user speeds up considerably for a short time while surrounding themselves in an energy field that can penetrate anything.

Description

The V. Maximum Overdrive Attack is a technique usually reserved for robots. When performing this move, the user overloads their circuitry, causing blue sparks to emit from their body. The user then forms an energy field around their body that can penetrate any substance while they shoot themselves forward at four times their original acceleration. In gameplay, anyone caught in the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack will (usually) take damage.

The drawback of the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack is that it cannot be sustained for long since its unfavorable performance cost strains the user's circuitry and could potentially destroy the user. Even if the user survives executing it for longer than short bursts, they will be left worn down for a few moments.

Game appearances

Sonic the Hedgehog CD

Metal Sonic using the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, from Sonic the Hedgehog CD

In Sonic the Hedgehog CD, the Windows 95 version, and the 2011 remaster, the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack appears during Metal Sonic's race in Stardust Speedway. In this portrayal, when Metal Sonic is using the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, he surrounds himself in a smooth, golden shield and flies above the ground with his arms outstretched, pursuing Sonic directly.

In gameplay, whenever Metal Sonic begins to fall behind the real Sonic, Metal Sonic will initiate the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack in order to catch up to Sonic and attack him, if possible. In addition, if Metal Sonic is near Dr. Robotnik's deadly laser, he will automatically use the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack.

Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble

Metal Sonic using the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, from Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble

In Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble, the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack is used by Metal Sonic during his boss fight in Atomic Destroyer Zone. The move's appearance in this game is identical to that in Sonic the Hedgehog CD.

During the boss fight, Metal Sonic will use this attack in succession to strike Sonic quickly from both left and right.

Knuckles' Chaotix

Metal Sonic using the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, from Knuckles' Chaotix.

In Knuckles' Chaotix, the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, while not named, is seen briefly. If the player starts the stage by doing nothing than standing on the one place for about one minute, Metal Sonic appears from the left side of the screen and flies above the playable character and their Combi partner. He then loads either the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack or Plasma Pulse Attack, and strikes the playable character. This causes the player to temporarily lose the Combi Partner.

Sonic Generations

In the console/PC version and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack appears during Classic Metal Sonic and Classic Sonic's Rival battle.

Classic Metal Sonic using the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, from the console/PC version of Sonic Generations

In the console/PC version of the game, the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack has a much larger energy field in the shape of a sphere, which is colored orange, and lets out electrical sparks when used. The energy field's size, however, will decrease the longer the move is used. In addition, Classic Metal Sonic now spins when performing the move, in a similar fashion of the Emerald Dive, except with one hand reached out in front. Also, after Classic Sonic has landed the penultimate hit on Classic Metal Sonic during the battle, Classic Metal Sonic will use the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack on Classic Sonic from behind as his last resort. Classic Sonic then has to outrun Classic Metal Sonic until the robot can no longer maintain the attack. During the battle, Classic Metal Sonic appears to be rather careless using the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, as he constantly moves up and down, instead of pursuing Sonic directly.

In the Nintendo 3DS version of the game, the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack appears and acts more similar to its original incarnation, being a simple boost that Classic Metal Sonic only uses when Sonic is in the lead.

Sonic Mania

Classic Metal Sonic using the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, from Sonic Mania.

In Sonic Mania and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, Metal Sonic will use the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack during his boss fight. The appearance of the move in this game is similar to how it appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog CD, but with a extra fiery cone in front of the move's energy field.

In gameplay, Metal Sonic will use the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack to hit the player from behind or the front during the running sections of the boss battle. On the 1.03 of Sonic Mania and the versions prior to it, he will also use the attack during the final phase of the boss battle.

Sonic Forces

In Sonic Forces, the Metal Sonic Phantom Copy and Infinite both use this attack during their respective boss fights. In this game, both of them will use the attack to hit the player when the they are facing each other during the second phase of their respective battles.

In other media

Books and comics

Archie Comics

Main articles: V. Maximum Overdrive Attack (Archie) and V. Maximum Overdrive Attack (Pre-Super Genesis Wave)

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack is a technique utilized by Metal Sonic v3.8 and upward, and is described as Metal Sonic's "Offensive Matrix".

After the Super Genesis Wave re-wrote history, the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack remained as one of Metal Sonic's techniques.

IDW Publishing

Metal Sonic performing the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, from Sonic the Hedgehog #51.

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack is a technique utilized by Metal Sonic. He once used this technique to destroy an aircraft stolen by Tails from Eggperial City.

Trivia

• The V. Maximum Overdrive is likely a reference to the 1985 anime Blue Comet SPT Layzner, whose protagonist possessed a nearly identical attack named V-MAX.
• In Knuckles' Chaotix, Metal Sonic will not always load and then strike the player with the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack. In certain Stages and Acts, Metal Sonic will arrive normally, but will fire a bright laser blast from the compression chamber on his stomach at the playable character, making him fly away. This attack has the same effect as the V. Maximum Overdrive Attack, and is known as the Plasma Pulse Attack.

References

Navigation templates to V. Maximum Overdrive Attack

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Sonic the Hedgehog CD

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Main article · Staff · Manuals · Glitches · Beta elements · Gallery · Re-releases (Windows 95, 2011)

*Appears in re-releases of the game only
V·T·E · Category

Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble

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Main article · Beta elements · Manuals · Gallery

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Knuckles' Chaotix

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Main article · Staff · Glitches · Beta elements · Gallery · Pre-releases (1207 Beta)

V·T·E · Category

Sonic Generations (console/PC)

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

*Appears only in the original version · ^Appears only in Sonic X Shadow Generations
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{{Shadow Generations info}}

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{{Generations (3DS) info}}

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Sonic Generations (Nintendo 3DS)

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Main article · Script · Staff · Beta elements · Gallery

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{{Generations info}}

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Sonic Mania

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Main article · Staff · Glitches · Manuals · Beta elements · Gallery · Re-releases (Plus)

*Appears in Mania Mode only · ^Appears in Sonic Mania Plus and/or Encore Mode only
V·T·E · Category

Sonic Forces

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Main article · Script · Episode Shadow · Staff · Glitches · Manuals · Beta elements · Gallery

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{{Speed Battle info}}

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