Shield (Sonic the Hedgehog)

The Shield is a defensive power-up from the  series that frequently appears as an item in Dream Events in the Mario & Sonic series. When used, a protective green or blue bubble is formed around the player, which shields them indefinitely from a single incoming item or attack before disappearing.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
In the Nintendo DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, the Shield appears as an item in Dream Race, in which it also stops the user being affected by the wind, and Dream Long Jump, where the user is only protected for a limited time.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
Shields return as an item in both versions of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, where they are referred to as Barriers. In the Wii version, Barriers appear as an item in all of the game's Dream Events except for Dream Ski Jumping (Team), Dream Figure Skating, Dream Ice Hockey, Dream Curling and Dream Snowball Fight. In the Nintendo DS version, Barriers appear as an item in Ski Cross Racing, Rocket Ski Jumping, Ski Shooting and Extreme Snowboarding with their usual function. In Supersonic Downhill, Barriers are instead collected throughout the course and take effect immediately upon contact to protect the player from Brick Blocks.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
In the Wii version of version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Shield appears as one of the items that can be obtained in Dream Fencing.

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
In the Wii U version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Shields appear in Duel Beach Volleyball. In the Nintendo 3DS version, Shields appear in Football Plus with the name Goal Blocked by Shield!, where a shield blocks the goal for a period of time after the item meter has been fully charged.