Kao

The Kao,^[1]also known as the giant wheel,^[2][3] is an obstacle that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a gigantic stone wheel that rolls around, either chasing after the playable character or obstructing their path.

Description[]

The Kao are incredibly large stone wheels. They have spikes protruding from their sides and vicious red faces painted on their surface that show curved eyes and sharp teeth.

In gameplay, they roll around their level, their purpose being to roll over the playable characters and flatten them. When making contact with a Kao, instead of being crushed by it, the playable character will take damage. In addition, due to their huge weight and size, the Kao can break anything smaller in their path.

Game appearances[]

Sonic Heroes[]

The Kao made their first appearance in Sonic Heroes. In this game, they appear in Team Sonic and Team Dark's version of Ocean Palace. In gameplay, Kao can roll fast enough to keep up with the playable characters. In addition, they appear to be semi-controlled: when they collide with a character, they stop and retreat a bit, and when following a playable character, they adjust their speed according to the playable characters' rather than moving at constant speed. Touching a Kao in gameplay will result in the playable characters taking damage.

In Ocean Palace, the Kao appear after the playable characters are send flying towards the last stretch of the stage. When they are first encountered, a single wheel will come rolling up from behind the playable characters and chase after them. Halfway through this Kao escape section, another wheel will join the first one. Later, a third wheel will join the chase. Ultimately, the player will have three Kao chasing after them until they reach the end of this section. There, the player will hit a Jump Panel that will send the playable characters flying across the sea and towards the Goal Ring while the Kao fall into the sea.

Sonic Generations[]

In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, the Kao appear in Seaside Hill Act 1 and 2, with each Act having a different version of the Kao. The Kao in Act 2 are identical to the Kao that appeared in Sonic Heroes, except that these ones have refreshed textures. The Kao in Act 1 on the other hand look similar to those in Act 2, except they have smaller spikes on their sides.

In Seaside Hill Act 1, a Kao will come rolling towards Classic Sonic when the player nears the end of the Act. From there, the Kao will pursue Classic Sonic until he reaches the end of the Act. Much like in Sonic Heroes, the Kao here adjust their speed in accordance to how fast Classic Sonic is going. If Classic Sonic touches the Kao, he will take damage. In addition, the Kao will roll over Classic Sonic if it can. After a while however, a new Kao will come rolling in from behind to pick up the chase after Classic Sonic; in essence, this means the player cannot avoid the Kao's pursuit. Additionally, the Kao can move through shuttle loops. Eventually though, the Kao will fall into the sea, just as the player gets near the Goal Plate. In Seaside Hill Act 2 on the other hand, several Kao appear all at once. However, they will not chase Modern Sonic. Instead, they roll across road that the player needs to follow, creating obstructions that the player must avoid. Touching them will cause Modern Sonic to take damage. Towards the end of the Act in particular is a tunnel inside a temple with a series of Kao that roll back and forth across road.

Sonic (Prime) Dash(+)[]

In Sonic Dash, Sonic Dash+ and Sonic Prime Dash, the Kao makes a cameo in the Temple Zone builder. A Ricky can be seen standing on top of it, running and causing it to spin around occasionally.

Team Sonic Racing[]

In Team Sonic Racing, Kao appear again along a single road segment on the Ocean View race track. Like in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, the Kao can be found rolling across the road. If a playable character makes contact with them, they will literally be flattened, causing them to take damage and spin out temporarily.

Other game appearances[]

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed[]

In Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, the Kao are featured along a single road segment of the Ocean View race track. Like in Seaside Hill Act 2 in Sonic Generations, the Kao can be found rolling across the road, causing damage to any racer who makes contact with them and making them spin out temporarily.

References[]

↑ In-game file located in s02obj.one: "S02_OBJ_KAO1" ↑ Kaizen Media Group (6 January 2004). "Team Sonic - Ocean Palace". Sonic Heroes: Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games. p. 40. ISBN 978-0761544494. "Outrun the giant wheels by running with Sonic." ↑ Kaizen Media Group (6 January 2004). "Team Dark - Ocean Palace". Sonic Heroes: Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games. p. 73. ISBN 978-0761544494. "Outrun the giant wheels by running with Shadow."