- This article is about Sonic's special attack. For the Canadian smasher, see Spin-Dash.
Spin Dash (sometimes spelled Spindash) is Sonic the Hedgehog's Side Special Move in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. A chargeable move similar to Rollout. It also makes Sonic do a short hop when it initiates. Unlike Spin Charge, this move can give horizontal recovery. Both attacks move approximately the same speed once on the ground, and both can be changed direction once initiated. Spin Dash is slightly stronger then Yoshi's Egg Roll, as Yoshi's Egg Roll breaks upon impact with projectiles that cause flinching, or well timed attacks. Spin Dash simply stops in function, and cancels out any damage. If the Spin Dash collides with the Egg Roll, both attacks are negated.
This move is a more defensive move in Sonic's arsenal. It can be shield-canceled before it hit full-charge, and if the dash is jump canceled immediately upon release, Sonic will perform a fast, long-reaching short hop referred to as a "spinshot," out of which he can perform any move except his second jump. This Spin Dash also has invincibility frames at the very beginning. If spin dash is performed at a slope, the hop will instantly transition into the regular ground dash move, with the exception of the dash having a far higher priority capable of clanking with highly disjointed attacks.
Origin
The Spin Dash itself originates from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, but the player had to rapidly tap the button to charge the spin, which Spin Charge is based on this version of the spin dash. The Spindash in Brawl is drived from Sonic CD where the player has only has to hold down on the control pad and a jump button for Sonic to automatically build up speed for the Spin Dash, instead of rapidly tapping the button. Also in Sonic CD, Sonic doesn't automatically hop when he dashes off nor can he change his direction at will. Currently, this Spin Dash has been used in most of Sonic's 3-D games.