For other uses, see Batbot (disambiguation).

The Batbot^[2] (バットボット^[3], Battobotto^?), known as the Halogen (ハロゲン^[4][5], Harogen^?) in Japan, is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, bat-based Badnik model created by Dr. Eggman that follows its targets with its lightbulb.

Appearance

Batbots are generally based on bats. They have black mechanical wings with neon-light blue and yellow edges, and their heads consist of ears and a pair of eyeballs. They also have a red rim around their "neck" and an active lightbulb on their underside.

After their debut, the Batbots have received small design changes in each subsequent appearance. In Sonic Blast, they had yellow eyes with black sclera and white complexion, and in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, their design is more detailed and their wings strongly resemble magnet tiles.

Game appearances

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles

In their first appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and the lock-on game Sonic 3 & Knuckles, this Badnik is referred to as the Batbot^[2] (バットボット^[3], Battobotto^?). In these games, the Batbots are encountered in Carnival Night Zone.

In gameplay, Batbots normally hang motionless in mid-air either by themselves or in groups. When the player gets close however, the Batbots will activate and start following the playable characters everywhere in circular patterns. They will return to their original position if the player moves far enough away however. The player can use the Spin Jump to defeat them easily.

Sonic Blast

In Sonic Blast, the Batbot is referred to as the Halogen (ハロゲン^[4], Harogen^?) in Japanese material. In this game, they appear only in Yellow Desert Zone.

This time, the Batbots are much smaller, but their attack pattern remains much like in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Like before, they can easily be defeated with the Spin Jump.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I

In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, Batbots are featured in Casino Street Zone, where they hang in mid-air until the player gets close to them. While they are much slower than in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, they will follow the player in a straight line instead of in circular patterns. Regardless, the player can defeat them before they start pursuing Sonic with the Homing Attack.

Sonic Colors

In the Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors, Batbots are featured in Starlight Carnival. In this game, they have the same circular chase pattern as in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 when they start following the player. The player can easily defeat them with the Homing Attack.

Other game appearances

Sonic Jump series

In Sonic Jump (2012) and Sonic Jump Fever, Batbots appear as enemies in Mechanical Zone. Rather than attacking the playable character head on, the Batbots fly around back and forth. Regardless, they are still easily defeated with the Spin Jump.

Powers and abilities

A Batbot waits in one position in mid-air. When it spots the target, it flies around it in circles, although its attack pattern varies as it can also fly in straight lines or just fly back and forth.

In other media

Books and comics

Sonic Adventures

In the Sonic Adventures comic series published by Sirène, Robotnik sent numerous Badniks (including Batbots) on a huge chase after Sonic and Tails when they escaped from his spaceship.

Archie Comics

Main article: Batbot (Archie)

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Batbots are models from the Badnik Horde. They were first seen guarding the mining facility in Crystal Cave.

IDW Publishing

In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, when Dr. Starline took over the Eggman Empire, he sent out an override code that brought Badniks all over the world under his control, including the Batbots. The Batbots would then make their way towards Eggperial City upon Starline's command, eventually arriving in said city.^[6]

Trivia

• The previously-scrapped Batbot that later appeared in the 2013 remaster of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 seems to have been the basis for this Badnik.

Gallery

Artwork

Gallery
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Sonic Blast

Sprites

Gallery
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Sonic Blast Sonic Colors (Nintendo DS) Sonic Tweet Sonic Jump Fever/Sonic Jump (2012)

Models

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I

Screenshots

Gallery
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Sonic Blast Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I Sonic Jump Fever Sonic Jump Fever Sonic Jump Fever

References