When the Speed formation is selected, the characters stand in a straight line, one behind the other with the Speed character up front. When the attack button is held, the Power and Fly characters will approach the Speed character, who will roll into a ball. Releasing the attack button will cause the Speed character to dash forwards (the "Rocket Accel"). In cases where the Speed character is on his (or her) own before the other characters can get to him, releasing the attack button will perform an individual attack. When the jump button is held, he or she will jump, if pressed again in mid-air he or she will perform the Homing Attack. While doing so, the speed character's teammates do it as well giving them the ability to destroy an enemy in one blow when he or she is not "leveled up". Lastly, when in mid-air, pressing the attack button will allow the speed character to create a small tornado. These tornadoes can be used to swing up poles, remove shields from enemies, and flip enemies onto their backs. When at "Level One" (or after obtaining one blue power core), the team's speed character will have a stronger Homing Attack ability, although it is still not strong enough to destroy the most enemies in one hit. At "Level Two" he or she can now destroy basic enemies in one blow. At "Level Three" the character can not only destroy enemies in one blow, but the Homing Attack and Rocket Accel also take on the properties of the tornado move (swinging up poles, removing shields, and flipping enemies).

When the team is in Power formation, they will stand in a triangular fashion (i.e. the Power character at the front, with the other two characters behind and slightly to each side). Pressing the attack button in this formation will draw the other team members to the Power member. In Team Dark and Team Sonic, the Speed and Fly characters will curl into balls and be held (one in each hand) by the power character. In Team Chaotix, Espio and Charmy will curl into balls and be held in Vector's mouth. In Team Rose, Amy and Cream will sit on Big's shoulders. After doing so, pressing the attack button three times continuously will make the power character attack by either punching (performed by Knuckles), swinging his arms (performed by Omega), hitting his friends towards enemies with a fishing rod (performed by Big), or shooting his friends at enemies from his mouth (performed by Vector). The third time, the character will perform a solo attack (only if a red power core is obtained). This attack is made to destroy all the enemies in the vicinity. Every time you obtain a power core, the strength of this attack is increased. In Team Sonic and Team Dark, when in mid-air, pressing the attack button allows the character to perform "Fire Dunk". The power character launches his two friends at enemies; it is one of the best ways to clear out a large group of enemies. In Team Rose and Team Chaotix, performing this action makes the power character hammer down on enemies. Big uses his stomach to bodyslam the enemies, Vector clenches his fists together and literally hammers down on the enemy. Lastly, when in mid-air, pressing the jump button performs the Triangle Dive. This trick is used to ride off of the current coming off of giant fans. Items and Rings can be obtained by using this trick. In Teams Sonic and Dark, the characters join hands like skydivers. In Team Rose, Big uses his fishing pole/umbrella with Amy and Cream hanging on to him. In Team Chaotix, Vector blows a giant bubble out of bubblegum to float with Espio and Charmy hanging off of the chain around his neck.

When the Fly formation is selected, the team will be in a vertical line, with the Fly character at the top. Pressing the attack button in this formation will perform "Thunder Shoot". It consists of a team member being shot in the direction of the nearest enemy. At the lowest fly level, this attack merely stuns enemies and drops flying enemies to the ground, but as the fly level increases, so does the damage, until Thunder Shoot can destroy all flying enemies in one hit and stun & damage ground enemies. In cases where the Fly character is on his (or her) own pressing the attack button will perform an individual attack.