SOPHIA (vehicle)

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SOPHIA (also referred to as S.O.P.H.I.A. [only for Blaster Master 2], Sophia or Sofia) stands for "Subatomic Omni-directional Probative Hyper-responsive Indomitable Abdicator". It is the vehicle used by Jason in the Blaster Master series. There are so far 4 editions to Sophia. This article specifically provides information on SOPHIA's more common model, SOPHIA 4th (2000). It has several key components, and is capable of many things. To sum, it resembles much of the style of modern day tanks, and it can fire (or shoot) blasts of energy. These blasts are used to destroy enemies, and in some cases, "blow-up" walls or obstacles ahead.

Contents 1 Models 1.1 SOPHIA 3rd (Nora MA-01) 1.2 SOPHIA 3rd (Nora MA-02) 1.3 SOPHIA 4th (2000) 1.4 SOPHIA J-7 2 Story/History 3 Components 3.1 Cannon 3.2 Side-Cannons 3.3 Weapons Arm 3.4 All Terrain Sensors 3.5 Canopy 3.6 Airfoil 3.7 Exhaust Ports 3.8 Upper and Lower Fuselages 3.9 Hover Dive 4 Gallery 5 Appearances 6 Trivia 7 External links

[edit] Models

SOPHIA has several designs used throughout the Blaster Master series. They all have similar components and weapon abilities, but the only thing that is changed throughout the games is the appearance of SOPHIA.

[edit] SOPHIA 3rd (Nora MA-01)

Image:Sophia nora ma-01.gif as seen in Blaster Master for Nintendo's Entertainment System.

[edit] SOPHIA 3rd (Nora MA-02)

Image:Sophia nora ma-02.gif as seen in Blaster Master: Enemy Below for Nintendo's Game Boy Color.

[edit] SOPHIA 4th (2000)

as seen in Blaster Master 2 for the Sega Genesis.

[edit] SOPHIA J-7

Image:Sophia j-7.gif as seen in Blaster Master: Blasting Again for the Sony PlayStation.

[edit] Story/History

(from Blaster Master, first game in the series) - Jason had a pet frog named Fred. One day, Fred decided he had enough of being locked up in a fish bowl and made a dash for the door. As fate would have it, Jason was there when all this happened and he gave chase. Once outside, Jason was totally amazed to find Fred running towards a huge radioactive chest. As soon as Fred touched it, he grew to an enormous size, and the radioactive chest fell into the earth along with him. When Fred landed, he found himself alone next to a huge armoured vehicle. This vehicle resembled much of a tank. This was not just any vehicle, but one designed for the ultimate challenge against the radioactive mutants living under the Earth's crust. These mutants, created from escaped radioactive waste, are controlled by the Plutonium Boss. It is up to Jason and his armoured vehicle SOPHIA to stop them.

[edit] Components

[edit] Cannon

The cannon or "hyper crusher boarer" is the main weapon of attack on SOPHIA used for destroying enemies. It can rotate and aim in different directions. As it fires, it shoots average speed blasts. The blasts differ on the level on your cannon. Throughout the Blaster Master games (not all) you will come across upgrades, or power-ups. These act like add-ons to SOPHIA and increase either your speed or power of your cannon. You may also come across items that will not only increase the overall power of your cannon, but also provide ammo for SOPHIA's set of dual cannons. These cannons are commonly known as the "side-cannons".

[edit] Side-Cannons

Unlike the cannon, these do not fire the same blasts and more or less have "special properties". The side-cannons are able to fire three types of rockets, and two types of bombs. The first and most commonly used rocket is the "Homing Rocket". This rocket will "heat-seek" a nearby enemy (one that is visible on the screen) and inflict damage. The amount of damage is much greater than those of the cannon, but the supply of ammo for the Homing Rocket is much less. The second type of rocket is the "Multi-Warhead" and is one of the more easily obtainable rockets in the game. It dispatches 3 rockets that follow a 45 degree angle on the right and left sides while maintaining a third straight rocket down the middle. The result isn't quite as devastating as the Homing Rocket, but it is effective against multiple foes. The third and last rocket is the "Thunderbreak". This is the most powerful rocket for SOPHIA thus far. It gives out a surge of lightning and is powerful on nearby foes (preferable ones that lie directly ahead). It is difficult to obtain ammunition for this rocket, but once found, use wisely.

[edit] Weapons Arm

The Weapons Arm is used to hold the cannon in place, and it rotates on an axis that is fully functional and reversible.

[edit] All Terrain Sensors

SOPHIA's All Terrain Sensors are key to its design because they detect the width and depth of the ground at which it is upon. Without these sensors, SOPHIA would not be able to properly detect impact.

[edit] Canopy

The Canopy is where Jason is seated when operating SOPHIA, and unlike most tank canopies, you don't enter from the top. With SOPHIA, a ladder drops down from underneath the canopy and Jason climbs in. The canopy can only hold one body.

[edit] Airfoil

This component is important, for it dramatically decreases the impact when SOPHIA is in the air coming down. But more importantly, this handy little device allows SOPHIA to jump or "leap" from ledges or edges throughout the game. This feature doesn't have to be unlocked, and can be used at any time in the game. All Blaster Master versions support this feature.

[edit] Exhaust Ports

Just like the exhaust pipe you can find on modern day cars, SOPHIA's exhaust ports are identical. The only difference is that SOPHIA doesn't run off gas, and has unlimited power to run. SOPHIA runs off a plutonium based energy, and the only thing the exhaust ports leak out is steam. The steam is used to lube the plutonium converters.

[edit] Upper and Lower Fuselages

These are what hold SOPHIA together. The Upper Fuselage is mainly for style and holds the upper faceplate together. It also helps with the Airfoil. The Lower Fuselage is used to hold the Side-Cannons in place, and shield both of SOPHIA's internal engines.

[edit] Hover Dive

The Hover Dive is only seen on SOPHIA J-7 in Blaster Master: Blasting Again on the Sony PlayStation. These are plates that go on the outerside of SOPHIA's wheels. These keep impact from harming SOPHIA when against walls, and rocks.

[edit] Gallery

[edit] Appearances

• Blaster Master
• Blaster Master: Enemy Below
• Blaster Master 2
• Blaster Master: Blasting Again

[edit] Trivia

• SOPHIA does not make an appearance in Blaster Master Boy for Nintendo's Game Boy. The game only includes Jason.

[edit] External links

• Blaster Master Underground - a complete record of all games in the series, including external media and background development history on each game
• Blaster Master: The Legacy - explains the storyline of the Blaster Master series, with several canon and non-canon additions
• Radon-Arts - the owner of the small animated SOPHIA images