Speed Break (スピードブレイク Supīdo Bureiku?) is a technique used exclusively by Sonic the Hedgehog. It has only appeared in Sonic and the Secret Rings as one of Sonic's super-powered actions in the game. It gives Sonic an extreme boost of speed that turns himself into a destructive projectile.
Speed Break is very similar to the Sonic Boost. In order to perform it, Sonic's Soul Gauge must contain enough Soul Energy to reach the burning point (color turns orange). When performing this move, Sonic shouts "Speed Break", before initiating a large burst of speed, where he accelerates to such high speeds that he breaks the sound barrier, thus creating a sonic boom, while streaks of fire are released in his slipstream. While in this state, Sonic is invulnerable and can take out all enemies and obstacles that stands in his way.
During the final battle with Alf Layla wa-Layla, it was shown that Sonic can also use Speed Break as Darkspine Sonic as well. This move served as the means for Darkspine Sonic to push back Alf Layla wa-Layla's giant sphere attack, thus leaving the demon vulnerable to attack.
To activate the move in gameplay, the player must press Up on the Wii Remote. To cancel the move while being used, the player must press Up on the Wii Remote again. Also, if Sonic runs out of Soul Energy, the move will end as well. Sonic will first learn Speed Break in Lost Prologue Paragraph 9.
- Unlike Time Break, Sonic never used Speed Break in a cinematic.
- Speed Break is the exact opposite of Time Break, as it increases Sonic's speed.
- Before the game was released, during the final boss, there was a planned combo of the Speed and Time Breaks, but it was removed from the game.