Subj: UPDATED AGAIN - Sonic The Hedgehog (Game Gear/Master System) FAQ
Date: Monday 2 April 2001 13:20:54
From:
To:
[email protected]
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
For the Master System/Game Gear
FAQ by
[email protected]
Copyright notice: The contents of this FAQ are the property of the author.
Copying of any part of this without including my name is basically not allowed.
Additional note: Some people seem to assume that just because I have written a
FAQ for a game on one system (even if I don't have a FAQ on it) I have that game
for another system. I do have this game on the Mega Drive (probably the only
other version), but please do not start assuming I have all sorts of other
games/versions. Other Sonic (and Sonic - related) Games I do have are: Sonic 1
(Mega Drive)*, Sonic 2 (Mega Drive), Sonic 2 (Game Gear/Master System)*, Sonic 3
(Mega Drive), Sonic & Knuckles (Mega Drive)*, Sonic 3D (Mega Drive), Sonic Blast
(Game Gear). Please do not approach me regarding any other Sonic games. I have
written FAQs for all the games that are marked with an asterisk.
Version 4: 2 - 4 - 01
Revision history:
Version 4 - Spill chequed it!
Version 3 - Added note about Scrap Brain Zone emerald
Version 2 - Not much added really, but extra bit regarding chaos emeralds.
Contents
1 The Story
2 Items
3 The sign
4 Baddies
5 Levels
6 How to beat Robotnik
7 Bonus stages
8 1 up locations
9 Chaos Emerald locations
1 The Story
I'm sure you all know it; Dr. Robotnik has taken over the planet Mobius and is
turning animals into robots. This version is similar to the mega drive version,
but not quite as good as the first few levels are very similar to eachother.
Each level has a chaos emerald hidden on. Unlike Sonic 2, you can complete the
game without them, but having them is more satisfying. I have included a
separate section for them at the end.
2 Items
Rings
Pick these up and you'll get one hit point. If you get 100, you'll get an extra
life, but the counter will go back to zero, i.e. you lose the rings. Also, being
hit causes you to lose ALL of your rings and there's nothing you can do about
it.
Chaos Emeralds
There is one on each zone; most are in act 2, but not always.
Item Boxes
These look like TV sets and can include:
Restart Points
Most acts have one of these. They have an arrow on the box. Break it open to
restart from that point.
Rings
You get ten rings
Sonic
You get an extra life
Shield
You get an extra hit point; if you get hit, you'll lose the shield, but not your
rings. Getting two shields does not get you two extra hit points. They'll count
as one.
3 The sign
At the end of each act (apart from boss levels) there is a sign. Run past it and
one of the following will appear.
Robotnik: This is the most common. You get nothing whatsoever!
Exclamation Mark
This appears if you have 50 rings or more. You get to go into the special stage
(unless you're on one of the last two levels).
Ring
This will only appear if you have a ring total divisible by 10, AND you're not
going into the special stage. You get 10 rings.
Sonic
If you lost a life during a level, and you're not eligible for the special
stage, this is likely to appear. You get an extra life.
4 Baddies
Crabmeat (Green Hill Zone, Bridge Zone, Jungle Zone)
This is fairly easy to kill, as long as you avoid the bullets he fires from his
claws.
Buzz Bomber (Green Hill Zone, Bridge Zone)
Flies overhead and tries to shoot you.
Chopper (Bridge Zone, Jungle Zone)
Jumps up from under bridges to snap at you.
Spikes (Bridge Zone)
This is dangerous; spin attack this bad guy, by running and pressing down. Don't
touch the spikes on his shell!
Chop Chop (Labyrinth Zone)
Just swims through the water. These fish are easy to kill (I think they appear
on this version).
Orbinaut (Labyrinth Zone, Sky Base Zone)
This bad guy is guarded by four spike balls. The ones in the labyrinth zone
throw theirs, leaving them vulnerable to attack. The other don't, so avoid them.
Caterkiller (Scrap Brain Zone)
Be careful only to hit this bad guy's head, and not the spikes on his back!
Ballhog (Scrap Brain Zone)
These pigs have plenty of ammunition, but are easy to kill as you approach them
from above. There are only six in the entire game!
Bomb Bot (Sky Base Zone)
Go near these and they'll explode, firing shrapnel into the air. When they begin
to do so, quickly run out of the way.
5 Levels
Important note: There are no cheats for this version, and there is no level
select; I've had people accusing me of saying there is one for this game, but
there isn't.
Level 1: Green Hill Zone
This is fairly simple, with the same music, incidentally, as the mega drive
version. Whenever you see a sign with a ! on it, it means you're coming to a pit
so watch out. There's one at the beginning of act 2, warning you of the hidden
hole (which you have to jump down anyway.) Other than that, its a fairly
straightforward level.
Level 2: Bridge Zone
Perhaps the most boring zone in the game. All you do is cross a bridge. There is
very little upward or downward scrolling. Fall off the bridge and you die and
beware as some of the bridge boards collapse under your feet. The scales - like
contraptions are used to catapult Sonic over some gaps and up cliffs; stand on
the left side and the weight will fly up into the air. When it lands, you will
go flying.
Act 2 scrolls along by itself so be careful. Don't get too near to the right of
the screen so you can see what's coming. Unlike on Asterix, the back of the
screen doesn't kill you, it merely pushes you. When you reach the scales, try
and catapult yourself up the cliff as there is a restart point there. This is
the only way it can be reached.
Level 3: Jungle Zone
This is like a mixture of the previous two zones. Watch out for the spikes
carved into the rocks. The best features here are the log rolling sections. Jump
on the log (well, you can only see the end of it...) and push left or right to
move across the water.
Act two goes vertically upwards and its advisable to try and have a shield as
you exit (there's one available). I recommend you don't activate the restart
point so if you die you can go back and get the shield again (its before the
restart point). Also, be careful of the last item box. It has a horizonal spring
behind it which could catapult you down to the floor again.
Level 4: Labyrinth Zone
While the Mega Drive version of this had me frustrated for ages, this version is
fairly simple. Most Sonic games have a main "water stage" and this is it. If you
stay under water for a certain amount of time a countdown will begin from 5 and
when it reaches zero, you drown. Grab the bubbles that are located along the
way. Be careful of the platforms that rise. Jump off them as soon as you can or
you'll be impaled on a bed of spikes! You have to fight Robotnik underwater too,
but - curiously - you cannot drown on the last act!
Level 5: Scrap Brain Zone
Wow! This is MUCH easier than the Mega Drive Version. Act 1 is the shortest act
in the game. Act 2 is more complex, with several teleports. To get past this
section, go along to the point where the path forks (just after you enter the
factory) and go down and through the door. Go down the passage, killing the
ballhogs and jump over the gap at the bottom. Jump in the teleport and then go
left. You will be in - between two gates; the one on the left is closed and the
one on the right open. Run right and step on the switch; the right door will
close, and the left one will open. Run right and down, and make your way over
the gaps with the flame throwers above and you will find yourself at the fork in
the path. Go down again and kill the ballhogs, which will have come back to
life. Get back to the doors and continue to the left and make your way to the
exit. Be warned, however, that you automatically restart at the point where you
entered the factory when you die and cannot leave. There are no rings in this
section!
Act three has no boss; simply make your way through the maze and get to the top.
The only hazards are the bottomless pits at the start (ironically, this is the
only act 3 where you get rings!)
Level 6: Sky Base Zone
Act 1 shouldn't be too much of a problem. Two things to watch out for, however,
are the electrodes, which conduct electricity through them during each lightning
flash (which takes place every few seconds). Either get out of the way or duck
to avoid the bolts that appear all over the screen. Also, be careful when using
the propellor platforms. They only move when you do, and at one point there is a
bolt that intermittently appears directly in its path. Simply jump up and down
and the platform will stop. When the bolt goes, get past quick.
Acts 2 and 3 take place on an airship and NEITHER contain rings, or shields. The
former is particularly hard as you are being shot at from all angles. It is very
hard to avoid taking a hit.
6 How To Beat Robotnik
Be warned! Robotnik turns up on act 3 of all zones, although you don't fight him
on level 5. There are no rings on these levels! If you can, come equipped with a
shield. Robotnik takes eight hits to kill each time.
After beating him, run right and break open the prison egg (except for the last
two levels, where these don't exist...)
Green Hill Zone
This is really easy. He hovers overhead and after a while, goes down to ground
level and tries to ram you. However, you can hit him while he's in the air and
can easily finish him off before he gets to this stage!
Bridge Zone
Stand in the middle and Robotnik will appear from under the bridge, on either
side. Wait a few seconds and jump as he is about to fire at you and you'll land
on his head.
Jungle Zone
This can be really annoying. Get up to the top of the level and you'll be on a
curved vine, which goes up at either side. Don't fall off or you'll die. When
Robotnik appears, try and get some hits in, then get out of the way. He'll drop
a bomb and it will begin to roll back and forth before exploding. When you can,
hit Robotnik. When it explodes, he'll drop another.
Labyrinth Zone
Robotnik appears from the hole in the middle; don't try to hit him, but avoid
the bullets he fires. He will then appear over your head. Hit him, then leap
over the gap and avoid the torpedo he shoots. He does this again, in mirror
image, before repeating the sequence.
Scrap Brain Zone
Just chase him and he'll escape on a moving platform. Jump on it when it returns
and be transported to the next zone!
Sky Base Zone
This is disappointing! Robotnik has three pads on the floor, and one will spew
flames every few seconds. It's always in the same sequence (left, right,
centre). When you can, run up and hit him behind his screen. Also avoid the
white homing missiles from the ceiling. When you've beaten him, follow him to
the teleporter and jump in after him. You'll both be warped to the Green Hill
Zone where you'll automatically finish him off!
7 Bonus Stages
There are four of these, but if done properly, you will visit each twice. You
will have two minutes the first time and one the second time. Each has a
continue box in. If you get to the sign at the end, all the rings you collected
will be multiplied by 1000 to give a points score; also for each additional
stage you go in, the figure goes up by 1000, so if you get into all the stages
and complete them, you will get your ring total multiplied by 8000 the last
time. You will screw this up however, if you fail to finish, or you miss a
stage. The only way you can get it is by entering all the bonus stages and
completing them.
Most have 1 ups too; the 4th/8th stage has FOUR, but it only lets you take one!
8 1 - up locations
Each act has a 1 - up hidden on it, but you can only get it once, unlike some
games (i.e. when you die it won't appear again).
Green Hill Zone
Act 1
After the first pit of spikes, count two trees (near to the restart point) and
jump into the second; a 1 up will fall out.
Act 2
When you fall into the cave, drop right down and go left through a false wall to
get to the TV set.
Act 3
Jump over the spikes, then fall down the next hole and there's a 1 up there.
Bridge Zone
Act 1
Use the second scales to get up to a high ledge with a 1 up on.
Act 2
This is - for once - in plain sight, floating in the water. Jump to get it and
you should bounce out onto the bridge.
Act 3
Run to your left from the start point and get it.
Jungle Zone
Act 1
This is also obvious, above the first waterfall. It shouldn't be a problem.
Act 2
About half way up, cross over a platform, avoiding the spikes and drop down to
the right to get it.
Act 3
Run right and jump into the water. You should land on the box.
Labyrinth Zone
Act 1
At the end of the level is a box with a ring on it. DON'T GET IT! Run left and
press the switch. The box will become a 1 up.
Act 2
At one point (just after you go under the first time, I think) you will fall
down a shaft and can go left or right; go left and roll along under the spikes
to get the 1 up.
Act 3
Use the spring and you will end up on a high platform. If you can avoid the
spikes there's a 1 up at the end, but you are likely to lose more lives than you
gain here if you're not careful.
Scrap Brain Zone
Act 1
Run along the first conveyor belt and catch up with the item box before it is
carried off the end.
Act 2
You can see it, but how do you get to it? After you see it, run right and go to
the bottom door (leading to the ballhogs) and drop down the shaft; you will land
in a corridor. Run left and use the teleporter. Run right and the 1 up will be
infront of you.
Act 3
Make your way to the top right hand corner of the maze and drop down the shaft
to the bottom to claim the life.
Sky Base Zone
Act 1
After the second propellor platform, go down a series of levels to the item box.
Act 2
Instead of taking the obvious route, which is difficult (especially the section
where you run along the corridor with the Bomb Bot in and the spikes chasing
you!), drop down to the left. You will land on a propellor platform. Ride it
until you see another ladder. At the top is a 1 up.
Act 3
I think this one only appears if you made it through act 2 without dying; it
will be right infront of you when you start the act - you can't miss it!
9 Chaos Emerald Locations
Note: I hate to tell you all this, but I thought I'd have to mention it anyway,
but you *CANNOT* go Supersonic from collecting all the emeralds on this version
(which only has six anyway), or Sonic 1 on the Genesis, or Sonic 2 on the Game
Gear/Master System. I'm only saying this because I get lots of e-mail asking me
this. Here they just ad to your final score (about 50, 000 pts per emerald).
Green Hill Zone (Act 2)
After you reach the restart point, run into the cave and don't spring up to the
top passage, Don't use the spring that leads up to the top, but go on and drop
down at the end to a chamber with the emerald in.
Bridge Zone (Act 1)
This is in plain sight, but hard to get; stand on the first tile of the last
bridge and it will drop down. Jump off to the ledge with the emerald on.
Jungle Zone (Act 1)
At one point you drop down using a log platform to a series of waterfalls. There
is a log on the left in the water. Jump on it and roll it left until you come to
a platform with the chaos emerald on.
Labyrinth Zone (Act 2)
This is easy! I won't even tell you where it is as you can't possibly miss it.
Scrap Brain Zone (Act 2)
After you kill the ballhogs, run right and go into the teleporter. Go down, trip
the switch as usual and go down again. When you reach the first shaft with a
flame thrower, fall down it. This leads to a teleporter (the other two are
bottomless). The teleporter takes you to the emerald.
NOTE: If you die after tripping the switch, you will restart at the fork in the
path. To get the emerald this time, do not go down, as the gates will still be
the same after you switched them, forcing you to go left. Instead, head up and
jump over the first two shafts, then down the third. After that, complete the
level as normal
Sky Base Zone (Act 2)
Get the 1 up, then continue flying on the propellor platform, jumping onto the
new ones when you see them. Avoid the missiles (its really easy) and jump on a
platform that moves up and down. At the top, jump over the giant screw (I think
it kills you if you touch it) and claim the final chaos emerald.
If you think there is anything missing here, e- mail
[email protected]. But
PLEASE only write about problems regarding the game. Also, please note that
there is NO level select cheat for this game, although other people have said
there is. I am fed up with people approaching me via e - mail to ask for an
explanation.
