Game Theory: Could Tails Really Fly? (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Special thanks to Google Pixel for sponsoring this episode!

We've done TONS of research on Sonic's speed over the years. From how fast he REALLY is to if he can even survive his own speed - we've covered it all! Well, that's only partially true. Until now we've only turned our Theorist eyes towards the blue hedgehog. That ends today! Enter Tails, the lovable fox sidekick. He's famous for helicoptering his way around with his, you guessed it, tails. What I wanted to know was whether or not Tails SHOULD actually be able to fly. Today Theorists, we are going to find out if this fox is flying high or about to crash and burn!

Check our sources below to learn even more about helicopter physics!

Need Royalty Free Music for your Content? Try Epidemic Sound.

More THEORIES:

Check out some more of our awesome video game content:

#Sonic #Tails #SonicTheHedgehog #Sega #SonicMovie #Sonic2019 #Physics

Credits:
Writers: Stephanie Patrick
Researcher: Louis Garza
Editors: Dan "Cybert" Seibert, Marc Schneider, and Koen Verhagen
Assistant Editor: AlyssaBeCrazy
Sound Editor: Yosi Berman

Sources:

[chopper_]

I just realized that "Miles Per Hour" sounds like Miles Prower, which is tails's real name lol

[POSSUM_chowg]

Tails now: "I have an IQ of 300 and have fixed a super computer with dishwashing detergent and a toothpick."
Tails in Sonic the hedgehog 2 (1992) : "Hmm... I'll just walk right off this platform and fall into the abyss, what could go wrong?"

[nimbuswarrior]

I actually have a pretty valid theory about how tails can fly.

Tails has been considered a Kitsune, a Japanese mythical creature that is known to be a fox with nine tails. When Kitsune's are born, they are like normal foxes, but for each one-hundred years it will grow a tail as well as high intelligence. This explains Tails's intelligence and two tails. Kitsune's also can have mystical and magical powers, like shapeshifting, possessing, ect.

When Kitsune's reach nine-hundred years of age, that's when they are the most intelligent, and will grow a ninth tail in witch they will also turn as white as snow and be able to do even more magical things.

So I think the reason Tails can talk, fly and have high intelligence, is because he's a two-hundred year old kitsune.

[emilebeepbop]

Matpat: "he's missing another set of tails"

Sonic Prime: "We gave tails a new look"
Tails: "they gave me 7 extra tails"

[Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

The thing I respect about Tails is that he always has the High Ground. Matpat, I expected, once underestimated Tail's power and is accordingly trying to discredit Tail's ability to fly. Classic hit-piece.

[MockingbirdInc]

"Say, hypothetically, you're a blue hedgehog who was born in the 90's and runs at the speed of sound, but you still wanna show the world that you're hip and cool. Well, first of all, don't make a movie about your exploits. You're just gonna get a lot of hate for that sort of thing."

What I love about Game Theory is how applicable the given advice is.

[reginaldcopperbottomproduc]

Matpat: Its like an eggbeater
Eggman: Oh no

[rizkiyoist]

Tail's tail is actually possible when the left one spins the opposite way of the right one, it won't tangle. This also means he don't need another tail blade to keep him from spinning out like a helicopter would.

[Alovon]

Nice theory.




Now do Shadow's shoes, I want me some rocket skate shoe things.

[jambr]

Sega lists canon weight.


SEGA DOES WHAT NINTENDON’T

[VTAnimation]

Kind of ironic for a character who is theoretically supposed to be a flying pinball but can balance himself *owns a machine* that is aerodynamically perfect but crashes it all the time.

[karm]

Tails might be able to actually fly if he had a different technique. Tails can run 100 miles mph without the use of his tails. If he used his tails as the top helicopter blade and moved his legs in a biking motion he would not only be able to fly, but he would be able to actually go somewhere while flying.

[eclipsefox]

"Tails has a magic tookus."
-MatPat 2019

[rubenhenriksen]

I want to mention that not all helicopters have tail rotors, there are helicopters with a NOTAR system. It means a No Tail Rotor, instead they use exhaust gasses to act as a tail rotor. They will look similar to other helicopters but with air blowing out the sides of the tail section, instead of rotor blades.

Basicall i think if he could fart constantly and control the direction of his rear to couteract the rotational force of his main rotor i think his flying plauseble, if your rules apply.

Great video hope you see this MatPat.

[MegaJman]

There ARE helicopters that get away with having only 1 rotor. Just look up “Helicopter without tail rotor”. They counteract the spinning by venting gas from the engines to make thrust. It is possible for tails to fly and control it. He just has to fart crazy hard. Personally I want to see the math on how much butt power it takes to stabilize a helicopter.

[eclipseruin]

I've always argued with myself how unfair an advantage Sonic has over Eggman especially when Tails and Robotnik have the same IQ

[Immadeus]

"Citing my sources, I am a changed man."


*H E A R T B O U N D I N T E N S I F I E S*

[brastix]

Game designers: *gives official data on characters*
MatPat: MUAHAHAHA

[littykitty]

"... Is everyone's favorite anthropomorphic fox"

Sad Melee Fox noises.

[Tam]

Mat Pat, if you really did your research, you’d know that each one of Tails’s tails spin the opposite direction of the other. Therefore, he’d still be able to fly