Follow TV Tropes

Following

Context Main / SpringsSpringsEverywhere

Go To

1%% Image selected via crowner in the Image Suggestion thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/crowner.php/ImagePickin/ImageSuggestions80
2%% Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread.
3%%
4[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/MegaMan7 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/springmanstage.png]]]]
5
6->''"The trampolines lining this ring are perfect for super-high jumps... But you know what they say—[[MemeticMutation the higher you jump, the harder you fall!]]"''
7-->-- '''Biff''' regarding Spring Stadium, ''VideoGame/{{ARMS}}''
8
9In many platform games, there is one common object that is rather rare in RealLife (except around swimming pools): springboards.
10
11Their default and most well-known form looks like a plate with one or multiple spring attached to the bottom. In RealLife, plates on a spring are used to soften the impact of things falling objects instead of bouncing things upwards. However, springboards can take many forms, sometimes more practical but sometimes much more bizarre. For subtropes with own pages we have:
12
13* Body parts like '''[[TrampolineTummy Large bellies]]''': Or BoobBasedGag (or butt-based). This form more commonly found in non-video game media.
14* '''[[BouncyBubbles Bubbles]]''': Often these are single-use trampolines.
15* '''CobwebTrampoline''' when spider webs can be used to jump.
16* '''GelatinousTrampoline''': When the gelatin ss bouncy instead of sticky.
17* '''SpringySpores''': When mushroom caps somehow bounce the player.
18
19Other more commonly found items that act as springboards are:
20
21* Specialized jump boost related objects such as Jump Pads and Trampolines, the former being common in first-person shooters.
22* Balloons. These are usually single-use.
23* Furniture and household objects such as couches, beds (waterbeds and otherwise), awnings, cloth balconies, beach parasols and tires.
24* Flora. Most commonly Flowers and sometimes Canopies.
25* Geyser steam bursts as long as they don't [[SteamVentObstacle damage the player]].
26* Oversized Pinball Bumpers
27* SolidClouds in case they have the ability to bounce the player.
28
29Springboards appeared in video games during the early 1980s. During the early days of this trope, it was common for springboards to only activate when pressing the jump button at exact and hard to tell timing, leading to mistimed jumps in form of FakeDifficulty. Then developers could figure out that it was just better for springboards to have either consistent bounce height or just holding down the jump button would have sufficed to gain more height. Later, in some games, the bouncing potential of a springboards could be increased when landing on them with a GroundPound when available. Springboards remain a very common element in platforming games but they also appear frequently in less grounded first-person shooters.
30
31See also GoombaSpringboard, where enemies act as springs. SpringCoil is for when the springs are on a character's person.
32
33%% This list of examples has been alphabetized. Take care to put your example in its proper place in accordance with Administrivia/HowToAlphabetizeThings!
34
35----
36!!Examples of classic springboards in video games:
37
38* ''VideoGame/ThirtyXX'' features springboards on two springs in Dustria. These can be also diagonally placed.
39* ''AstraAndTheNewConstellation'' has springboards as one of the main ways to reach higher places. Slamming onto a springboard results a higher bounce.
40%%(ZCE)* ''VideoGame/ApeEscape''
41* ''Bible Adventures'' features springboards in its ''Baby Moses'' game.
42* ''VideoGame/{{Battletoads}}'' has springboards in final level during the tower climb. Their launch speed is rather low.
43* ''VideoGame/BerserkBoy'': Springboards appear frequently in early levels. Jumping on them makes the player gain significant height. Their use drops off during late game.
44* ''VideoGame/BubbleAndSqueak'': The game has springs that look like the ones from the early ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' games. They can also be picked up and carried.
45* ''Captain Dynamo'' features springs in every level, which are needed as levels are vertically oriented.
46* ''VideoGame/{{Celeste}}'' features wooden boards on a spring that launch the player. Jumping on them not only resets air dashes but also doesn't count as landing.
47* Fourth Stage of ''VideoGame/CircusCharlie'' springboards that need to be dodged while riding on a horse. Consecutive bounces give more points.
48* Springboards appear in ''VideoGame/FelixTheCat'' NES game in bonus areas.
49* Springboards appear frequently in ''The Flash'' on the Sega Master System.
50* In ''VideoGame/FreedomPlanet'' and ''VideoGame/FreedomPlanet2'', springboards are a common stage element, launching players up in the air.
51* A few standard-looking springboards appear in ''VideoGame/Gimmick1992'' in fifth and sixth level. They give Gimmick extra jump height.
52* ''VideoGame/GoblinSword'' has player-launching springboards. You encounter your first one in the second level.
53* ''VideoGame/GravityCircuit'': Springboards in this game act with a slight delay, activating about a second after a player has stepped on them.
54* ''VideoGame/AHatInTime'': Wooden springboards with metal coils make an appearance from time to time. How high they send Hat Kid varies per springboard.
55* ''VideoGame/JazzJackrabbit'' series has a lot of springboards. They've even shown in animated cutscenes. Usually the color of the springboard indicated how high they will launch the player.
56* ''Kalevania'' has pushable springboards that give the player fairly modest airlift.
57* In ''VideoGame/{{Karoshi}}'', features classic springboards that can often lead to a quick death. Due to nature of the game, that's what player needs to do.
58* Classic coiled springboards appear in ''VideoGame/KidNiki'' games.
59* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom'' has coiled springboards. They can occasionally be found scattered all over the world. They can be carried around but must be activated manually to launch things (like Link himself) high up in the air.
60* ''VideoGame/TheLostVikings'' has them in numerous places. In the first game, 2 out of 3 characters cannot jump on their own so springboards are one of the main ways for them to gain vertical height.
61* Some of the levels in the ''VideoGame/MegaManClassic'' series have a lot of springs. Examples are [[VideoGame/MegaMan6 Plant Man's stage]] and, obviously, [[VideoGame/MegaMan7 Spring Man's stage]] as well as [[VideoGame/MegaMan11 Bounce Man's stage]]. And when there aren't any, you can use Rush Coil.
62* ''VideoGame/MilonsSecretCastle'' features wooden springboards that transport Milton a several tiles up in the air.
63* Konami's ''VideoGame/NoahsArk'' has springboards that appear starting from South American levels. They are most common in Antarctican levels. They have slight delay before launching Noah high in the air.
64* ''VideoGame/NutsAndMilk'' has springboards as one of the most common stage elements. Player needs to press jump button on them at the right time so Milk's jump height is doubled on them.
65* ''VideoGame/McKids'' springboards of a shape of a brown rectangle on a black rectangle. Their launch height is about a screen tall.
66* There were bouncy platforms in the first ''VideoGame/LittleBigPlanet'' game, but they didn't always work. In the future, the games always stuck to the Bounce Pads, which were much easier to use, and not buggy.
67* ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'' introduces two different springs:
68** [[ExpospeakGag Aerial Faith Plates]] are giant springloaded panels that propel any object on them great distances. For the more intricate puzzles, you have to utilize them in series for truly spectacular jumps.
69** [[ExpospeakGag Repulsion Gel]] transforms floors and walls into jump pads wherever you spray it. In some levels, it's possible for the player to experience what it would be like to be a {{pinball projectile}}.
70* ''VideoGame/{{Purple}}'' has springboards in several places, especially boss fortresses. The {{Level Goal}}s are even big green springboards that propel the player high above the screen.
71* In ''King Of Cards'' campaign in ''Videogame/ShovelKnight'', classic springboards are featured in Pridemoor Keep levels. These behave as expected.
72* Springboards are a staple stage element in ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' games, starting from ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1''. Springs are all over the place and immediately launch the player in the direction their pad points to; red springs propel the player faster and farther than the yellow ones. They're so iconic to the franchise that Sonic's recovery move in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' is to spawn one such spring under him.
73* ''VideoGame/SparkTheElectricJester'' series includes springboards as a very common stage element.
74* ''VideoGame/SpeedyGonzales'' features springboards in various shapes and sizes throughout the game.
75* ''VideoGame/{{Spelunky}}''
76** [[SlippySlideyIceWorld Area 3]] has springs hidden inside the ground.
77** One release of a beta version accidentally included a hotkey function that created such a springboard in front of the player, presumably for playtesting. This version was pulled shortly after discovery.
78* ''Sunday Funday/Menace Beach'' has some springboards which can easily lead to quick death.
79* The ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' series has them starting from the first ''Super Mario Bros'' game. In many games, springboards can also be carried.
80** Taken to the extreme in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'', in which Mario himself is turned into a spring a couple of places.
81** There's also a level in ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiBowsersInsideStory Bowser's Inside Story]]'' where fat is used as a springboard.
82** ''VideoGame/MarioPartyStarRush'':
83*** In Parkour War, players must use a series of Mushroom Trampolines to carry three jewels to the top of a small platforming stage before anyone else does. Once the player takes a jewel to the top of the stage, they must then return to the bottom to grab another one, while still uncontrollably bouncing on the trampolines.
84*** Silver Lining has the players bounce around a small level covered with Bouncy Clouds where they must collect as many coins as they can.
85* In ''Videogame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' springs are an optional item in the 'build your own stage' mode, so it's possible to build a stage entirely out of springs.
86* ''[[VideoGame/WidgetTheWorldWatcher Super Widget]]'' has springboards that help Widget to reach higher places.
87* Springboards are common throughout ''VideoGame/TinyToonAdventuresBustersHiddenTreasure'', especially in the bonus stages, which take place in {{Wackyland}}.
88* ''VideoGame/TombRaiderII'' has these in very few levels and are needed to reach other high areas. Approaching a springboard the wrong way can get you seriously hurt or possibly wind flinging yourself to instant death.
89* ''VideoGame/ToxicCrusaders'' NES game has springboards in the final level, over bottomless pit. Player needs to press jump at the right time or the spring will not give any boost.
90* ''VideoGame/VirtualBoyWarioLand'', being a TwoAndAHalfD game, has spring-loaded jump pads that transport Wario between the front layer and back layer. There are also springs that likewise catapult watermelons into the background.
91* ''VideoGame/WonderBoy1'' and ''VideoGame/AdventureIsland'' have springboards all over the place. Bonus stages center around jumping from springboard to springboard.
92----
93
94!!Examples of other objects that function as springboards:
95
96* ''VideoGame/AlfonzosArcticAdventure'': The seal served this purpose in the game. It holds a club that will launch the PlayerCharacter upward if they step on it.
97* ''VideoGame/TheAngryVideoGameNerdAdventures'' has spring-like gelatin clouds in ''Happy Fun Candy Time'' and actual tits in ''Beat It and Eat It''. The latter follow you as you go through the stage for perpetual bounce action.
98--> '''The Nerd''': Gah! The tits! They're following me around!
99* ''VideoGame/{{Ato}}'': There are spring boards in the gain that can be jumped on to gain air.
100* ''VideoGame/AyoTheClown'': Many objects, like giant balloons and frogs, can be bounced on.
101* ''VideoGame/BeaconOfHope'' has bouncy balls. Oddly enough given that Beacon is a [[AnimateInanimateObject desk lamp]], the balls ''aren't'' textured to look like the one from ''WesternAnimation/LuxoJr''.
102* ''VideoGame/BiomechanicalToy'' has springboards in assorted areas, with a smooth mushroom-shaped platform atop each, which allows the player to reach higher levels.
103* VideoGame/BioMiracleBokutteUpa had spiral notebook binding.
104* ''{{VideoGame/Bug|1995}}'' has a different type of spring for each level (sometimes, a level may have two kinds!)
105** [[GreenHillZone Insectia]] had [[SpringySpores mushrooms]], and rather stiff-looking leaves that jutted out off walls.
106** [[ShiftingSandLand Reptilia]] had mini-geysers and bones that sprung up when jumped on.
107** [[BubblegloopSwamp Splot]] had swamp gas geysers.
108** [[UnderTheSea Quaria]] used beach balls.
109** [[SlippySlideyIceWorld The Burrubs]] had icy geysers, leaves (like Insectia), and for some reason, mushrooms.
110** [[LethalLavaLand Arachnia]] had gas vents, {{Cobweb Trampoline}}s, as well as mushrooms (don't ask)
111* ''VideoGame/{{Bzzzt}}'' has FloatingPlatforms that emit steam which launches the robot into the air like a springboard.
112* ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'' includes buxom sunflowers you can bounce on to a higher platform.
113* ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot''
114** Nearly every game include trampoline crates (in both breakable and unbreakable varieties) that will launch Crash into the air if he lands on them. They're also occasionally used as obstacles, either by placing a [[MadeOfExplodium Nitro Crate]] above them that will explode if you get bounced into it, or by having an Iron Crate bouncing on it that will squish you if you get caught under it.
115** ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot4ItsAboutTime'': Cortex has a ray gun that allows him to turn enemies into bouncy platforms. Given Cortex's poor jumping, utilizing this ability is often the only way to proceed.
116* Usually cloth balconies, but also cobwebs, some baskets, and '''cheese wheels''' in the ''VideoGame/SlyCooper'' games. And the cheese wheels are second only to actual catapults in terms of force applied.
117* In ''VideoGame/DecapAttack'', arrow blocks act as springboards. Most of them launch the player diagonally sideways while others launch the player straight upwards.
118* Tires in ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry1'', some of which can be rolled around.
119* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountryTropicalFreeze'' has various items that bounce the player around: Awnings, fruit, flowers, balloons.
120* ''VideoGame/{{Dusk}}'' features jump pads that work on both the player and enemies. How far up they launch the player varies per springboard.
121* Season 5 of ''VideoGame/FallGuysUltimateKnockout'' introduces bouncy lilypad-shaped drums that can launch players up high if they jump on top of them. These are found in many of Season 5's levels, most notably Lily Leapers, which requires players to traverse an entire gauntlet of these.
122* In ''VideoGame/FashionPoliceSquad'', the objects that bounce player in the air are indicated by slightly bluish green color. Player-launching objects include the awnings, parasols, beds and rubber boats.
123* ''Flink'' had spring-loaded lily pads.
124* ''VideoGame/TheFloorIsJelly'' had, not counting the ''[[RubberyWorld actual game world itself]]'', floating lotuses in the sunrise area that acted like these. Unlike when bouncing on the ground itself, landing on these lotuses always bounced you up to a fixed height, regardless if you're still holding the jump button.
125* ''VideoGame/HalfLife1'': Starting on the Surface Tension level, organic craters start appearing in Black Mesa. When you step on one, it emits a stream of gas that propels you upwards. They're a vital part of several jumping puzzles later on, and even necessary to defeat the FinalBoss.
126* Umbrellas in ''VideoGame/AHatInTime'' act as springboards. Wires and lines also double as springboards.
127* In ''VideoGame/HolyUmbrella'', you get to bounce off round bumpers with faces.
128* Couches in the ''VideoGame/HomeAlone2LostInNewYork'' game make the player bounce.
129** In the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis ''[[VideoGame/HomeAloneSega Home Alone]]'' game, Kevin can collect and drop tires to use as temporary springboards. As above, couches are also present.
130* ''VideoGame/IWannaBeTheGuy'' has springboards hidden in couches, many of them placed directly below spiked ceilings.
131* "Launchers" in ''VideoGame/{{Jumper}}'' series are green (or one-time use orange) coloured blocks with upward-pointing arrow on them that shoot Ogmo upwards when he walks or lands on them. ''Jumper Three'' uses actual springboards.
132* ''VideoGame/KickleCubicle'' has loads of springs, but they can't be jumped on because it isn't a PlatformGame. Instead, their job is to reflect blocks pushed towards them.
133* ''VideoGame/KidChameleon'''s rubber blocks.
134* Baba buds in ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' are plants that will shoot Link up in the air.
135* A few springboards can be found in the second installment of ''VideoGame/LocoRoco'', particularly in Chapo-Wahr area where they take in form of a elastic girder.
136* Blue flowers in ''VideoGame/LoneFungus'' launch the player diagonally up in the air.
137* ''VideoGame/NebsNDebs'': There are some sort of object, presumably some kind of an alien flora, that launches [[PlayerCharacter Debs]] upward should she jump on it.
138* ''VideoGame/LostWinds'' has plants that need to be watered. Once they have grown, you can use them to launch yourself high up in the air.
139* In ''VideoGame/{{Lunistice}}'', beach balls, balloons, ends of sliding sections and steam geysers are some of the things that give the player a vertical boost.
140* In ''VideoGame/TheMask'', jumping on couches and awnings will send the Mask up high.
141* ''VideoGame/NinjishGuyInLowResWorld'': There are boxes that serve this function in the game. They have an arrow on them, and a plunger on their top that's the part you jump on.
142* ''VideoGame/PanicPorcupine'' features many objects that launch the player on contact. The most common of them are round extending bumps but other objects like balls and bumpers can also launch the player.
143* ''VideoGame/ThePedestrian2020'' had a square with a line slightly above it. Jumping on that line shoots the PlayerCharacter upward.
144* ''VideoGame/PennysBigBreakaway'': White surfaces marked with red outlines mark the places that bounce Penny up higher. The height they can bounce the player varies. In scene 5, more realistic looking springboards appear.
145* ''VideoGame/PizzaPop'': Trampolines are used to launch the player up the screen.
146* ''VideoGame/PizzaVsSkeletons'':
147** The "bounce/crush the skulls" levels are set on a line of marshmallow-looking platforms that bounce [[PlayerCharacter the pizza]] and the skulls upward (moreso for the pizza if it [[GroundPound Ground Pounds]] them.
148** The "skiing" levels sometimes have the pizza bounce off a large orange platform.
149** The "bouncing on brains" levels have large brains for the pizza to bounce on, of course.
150* Bounce pads are all over ''VideoGame/QuakeIIIArena''.
151* Bouncy surfaces in ''Quickly, Quackley!'' are indicated with blinking cyan/pink. The bouncy surfaces resemble rounded rectangles.
152* ''VideoGame/RadRodgers'': A JustifiedTrope given [[TrappedInTVLand Rad's situation]], but there are springs upon which Rad's able to jump.
153* ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'':
154** ''Sonic'' games normally have strange spring things all around, in one case it being an enemy that hides like normal ground spikes until it picks up its head and shoots at you ''but its spikes are bouncy''. Some of the mid-series games features lever springs that don't bounce you nearly as high as red or yellow springs but are intended for short vaults.
155** Mushrooms and clouds can act as springs in ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'', and they appear frequently.
156** The oddest example of a unconventional spring was the ''whole floor'' of the ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD'' Wacky Workbench zone.
157* ''VideoGame/SunsetOverdrive'' has many things scattered about that act like springboards, like cars, tents, and upward-facing air conditioning vents.
158* In ''[[VideoGame/WidgetTheWorldWatcher Super Widget]]'', clouds and bumpers act as springs.
159* ''VideoGame/TheSmurfs1994'': Certain plants act as springs that Smurf can jump from to reach high ledges or to escape from underground passages.
160* ''VideoGame/SpeedyGonzalesLosGatosBandidos'' has mousetraps (which you'd expect to be harmful but aren't) in the GreenHillZone stage. Later stages have mushrooms and [[TrampolineTummy bear bellies]].
161* In ''Videogame/ThetaVsPi7'', you had trampolines at the end of most levels you needed to use to get the level exit. [[spoiler: King Pi also became one of these in the final fight once he turned into an ally.]]
162* ''VideoGame/TrainYourMinibot'': If you land on the tab of a soda can, it'll launch you upward. However, it only works once.
163* ''VideoGame/{{Tamarin}}'': The PlayerCharacter can unlock springboards by acquiring them from the hedgehog.
164* High-tech jump pads are present in many areas of ''VideoGame/TurboOverkill'', allowing more vertical mobility. One of the levels also features geysers that have the same function.
165* In ''[[VideoGame/Toree3D Toree 2]]'', lawn chairs can be used as springboards.
166* ''VideoGame/{{ULTRAKILL}}'' series introduces jump pads starting from layer 2. In addition to the player, jump pads also launch enemies (expect lots of screaming Husks) and even projectiles into the air.
167* Jump pads in the ''VideoGame/{{Unreal}}'' series. Became more common starting from ''[[VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004 Unreal Tournament 2003]]''.
168* ''VideoGame/{{Whizz}}'' has several kinds of things to bounce up high on, including round spring pads, trampolines and crazy castles.
169* ''Videogame/WhompEm / Sayuuki World 2'' has Magic Forest level. In that level, landing on leaves causes the player to jump up high.

Top