Sonic Dash is a 3D endless runner. Players control Sonic as he runs, attacks enemies, dodges obstacles and collects rings.
Basic Gameplay
Each game is started with Sonic running forward. The course is broken into three tracks. Swiping the screen to the left or right will make him sidestep in either direction. As he runs, Sonic will encounter rows of enemies and obstacles. Enemies will typically stay in their path, so sidestepping out of their way will dodge them.
Swiping the screen upwards will make Sonic jump. This will leap over small obstacles and enemies and over gaps. If there is an enemy in the air, Sonic can jump and then click on the enemy to perform a homing attack which will keep him in the air longer. Swiping the screen down will make Sonic do a spin dash, which will allow him to destroy chains of enemies or go under elevated obstacles.
Rings
Rings are scattered throughout the paths. Sonic needs rings to stay alive. Running through rings will collect them. He can either keep these rings or bank them. Banked rings can be used to unlock things. If Sonic runs into and enemy or obstacle, he will lose any rings he has on him and will then continue to run. If Sonic runs into something and doesn't have any rings, he will instantly die. However, falling in a gap will kill Sonic instantly, regardless of his rings.
Collecting rings will fill a Dash Meter. Once the meter is filled, the player can tap it to activate the Boost Dash, which make Sonic much faster and invincible.There are also Red Rings scattered on some stages. Red Rings are much harder to find then normal rings. However, Red Rings are also much more valuable, and can be used to purchase new characters or do more random spins.
Springs
After the end of a certain distance, there will be a set of three springs. They will usually each have a box with a different symbol. Each symbol represents a different option which the player can choose between. When the player hits any spring aside from the Ring Box one, they can perform tricks in the air by swiping across the screen. These tricks will gain them bonus rings.
Ring
Ring boxes are the most common. They allow Sonic to bank all of the rings he's collected. These will save his rings to use for unlockables, but will empty out the rings he has on hand, making him vulnerable.
Totem Pole/Statue/Sailboat
The game takes place on a track resembling Seaside Hill and Ocean Palace from Sonic Heroes. The game starts off on Seaside Hill. Choosing the Statue box which change the environment to Ocean Palace. Choosing the Totem Pole box changes it back to Seaside Hill. Choosing the Sailboat box will change it to a beach location.
Loop-De-Loop
This will take the player to a section of land with some automated parts, such as loop-de-loops and corkscrews. These sections allow Sonic to collect large amounts of rings, and also temporarily take away control of Sonic, stopping him from running into obstacles.
Puzzle Piece
This takes the player to a section where a puzzle piece is available. Collecting all four puzzle pieces in a day will complete the daily challenge, which can eventually unlock new characters and bonuses.
Zazz
These boxes are mandatory, as all three springs will show this symbol once it is available. They will enter the player into a boss fight with Zazz from Sonic: Lost World. They must dodge the stars he throws at them from behind before attacking him by tapping on him in mid-air.
Question Mark
This will activate any random spring box, aside from the Puzzle Piece or Ring Bank boxes.
