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There are four playable characters in Sonic Advance. Each character can perform different moves and attacks although the main d-pad control is the same. The four characters are Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy and they are all playable right from the start. Many people suggest using Sonic when first playing through the zones for the first time as he is virtually average in all sectors.

Control	Sonic	Tails	Knuckles	Amy
	Move	Move	Move	Move
	Jump	Jump	Jump	Jump
+	Spin	Glide	Glide	None
	Roll	Tail	Punch	Hammer