Light Cycle

Oh no! The water! I'm in big trouble if I don't fetch it!

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The Light Cycle mini-game in Kingdom Hearts II.

The Light Cycle (ライトサイクル, Raito Saikuru^?) is a mini-game in Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. It is based on the Light Cycle game from the Disney films Tron and Tron: Legacy.

Story

Kingdom Hearts II

After Goofy fiddles around with the computer in the holding cell in Space Paranoids, Sora is forced to participate in the Light Cycle races. Before the race starts, a Devastator blasts a hole in the wall, and so during the race, Sora battles off his Magnum Loader opponents to reach the exit.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

The Light Cycle mini-game in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance.

After getting captured by a Recognizer and meeting Sam Flynn, Riku is forced by CLU to play a round of Light Cycle. After derezzing numerous Guards, the Commantis appears, which Riku battles. The Dream Eater flees after its defeat, while a fed-up Riku blasts a heart-shaped hole in the stadium wall and escapes, eventually reuniting with Sam.

Other appearances

Kingdom Hearts II manga

A Light Cycle makes a cameo appearance while Sora and his friends look for a required piece of data that is necessary to turn on the power and escape, with Donald playing on it.

Design

The Light Cycles in Space Paranoids are based on (and very similar to) the redesigned Light Cycles from the PC game, Tron 2.0. While the Light Cycles in the original film were shorter in length and had a canopy covering the rider, the one Sora rides is longer, with a "floating" front wheel and a design somewhat more reminiscent of real-world motorbikes. It also lacks the canopy of the original Light Cycles, leaving Sora exposed but able to attack enemies. Additionally, the ones ridden by the enemy team in the original film are blue; Tron, Flynn, and Ram ride yellow, orange, and red Light Cycles, respectively.

The Light Cycles in The Grid are nearly identical to the ones in Tron: Legacy. Like their film counterparts, these Light Cycles generate a ribbon of light that can derez opponents to the user's rear. The Black Guards' Light Cycles and ribbon are a deep orange, while Riku's are blue. Riku's Light Cycle is also equipped with two turrets that resemble Identity Disks. These turrets, when on standby, rest on the back wheels; when active, they float near the front wheels.

Kevin Flynn owns a personal Light Cycle that bears a stronger resemblance to the Light Cycles from the original Tron, complete with a canopy. It is predominantly white with black highlights.

Controls

Kingdom Hearts II

The Light Cycle mini-game operates under a rock-paper-scissors-esque attack system. Normal attacks are deflected with Guard, but can intercept Charges, which can break through Guards. If Sora drives into a wall, he will take damage.

Guard (ガード, Gādo^?): A shield surrounds the bike and protects against Heartless attacks. It protects from Attack, but is ineffective against Charge.
Charge (チャージ, Chāji^?): The bike charges up and then smashes the nearest target. It breaks through Guard, but is vulnerable to Attack.
Attack (アタック, Atakku^?): Sora attacks Heartless with the Keyblade. It can be used against Charge, but is weak against Guard.
: Move left or right.
/ : Turns the bike left. Only usable when LEFT appears on screen.
/ : Turns the bike right. Only usable when RIGHT appears on screen.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

The Light Cycle controls are much simpler here than in Kingdom Hearts II, and consist of:

Change Mode (モードチェンジ, Mōdo Chenji^?, lit. "Mode Change"): Riku switches weapons between the ribbon and turrets. Switching to the ribbon grants a brief speed boost.
Jump (ジャンプ, Janpu^?): Jumps with the Light Cycle, dodging enemy attacks.
Assault Shot (アサルトショット, Asaruto Shotto^?): Fires projectiles at enemies in front. Only usable when turrets are action.

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Strategy

Kingdom Hearts II

The ultimate goal of the Light Cycle mini-game is to destroy 30 Heartless.

Obstacles

Magnum Loader: Magnum Loaders come in four different varieties. The color scheme corresponds to the Magnum Loader's actions:
- Blue Magnum Loaders use Attack. Sora can defend their attacks with Guard.
- Yellow Magnum Loaders can use Charge. Sora can intercept their charges with Attack.
- Green Magnum Loaders can use Guard. Sora can use Charge to break their guards.
- White Magnum Loaders can use Charge, Attack, and Guard. Sora must observe their actions and counter with the appropriate command.
Devastator: Found only in the exit of the mini-game and will shoot at Sora. If Sora guards at the right moment, their projectiles will bounce off and hit themselves instead, protecting Sora while defeating them at the same time.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

See also: Commantis

The first time Riku participates in the Light Cycle, he is required to play until the Commantis appears. A variety of enemies appear to try to stop him.

Afterward, Riku can return to the Light Cycle track in order to play the mini-game version. Here, he attempts to take down as many opponents as possible to obtain points.

Obstacles

Guards ride Light Cycles and try to damage Riku with their light ribbons. They can be destroyed with Riku's ribbon or turrets.
Flying Guards fly along the track and attack Riku with bombs. They can be shot down with Riku's turrets.
Recognizers are indestructible, and shoot a single laser down the track before flying away.