_________ .__ .___
/ _____/ ____ ____ |__| ____ _____ ____ __| _/
\_____ \ / _ \ / \| |/ ___\ \__ \ / \ / __ |
/ ( <_> ) | \ \ \___ / __ \| | \/ /_/ |
/_______ /\____/|___| /__|\___ > (____ /___| /\____ |
\/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/
____ __. __ .__
| |/ _| ____ __ __ ____ | | _| | ____ ______
| < / \| | \_/ ___\| |/ / | _/ __ \ / ___/
| | \| | \ | /\ \___| <| |_\ ___/ \___ \
|____|__ \___| /____/ \___ >__|_ \____/\___ >____ >
\/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/
Title of Game: Sonic & Knuckles
Name of System: Genesis/Mega Drive
Type of Guide: FAQ/Walkthrough
Number of Version: Version 5.0
Last Revision Date: 23-03-18
Name of Writer: Raph136 (previously known as Tails333)
Table of Contents
-----------------
1. Introduction
2. Version History
3. Characters
4. Lock-on Technology
5. Game Overview
5.01 - Game Controls
5.02 - Save Feature
5.03 - Game Screen
5.04 - Item Boxes
5.05 - Special Stage
5.06 - Transformations
5.07 - Bonus Stages
5.08 - Hints and Tips
6. S&K Walkthrough (Sonic)
6.01 - Mushroom Hill Zone
6.02 - Flying Battery Zone
6.03 - Sandopolis Zone
6.04 - Lava Reef Zone
6.05 - Hidden Palace Zone
6.06 - Sky Sanctuary Zone
6.07 - Death Egg Zone
6.08 - The Doomsday Zone
7. S&K Walkthrough (Knuckles)
7.01 - Mushroom Hill Zone
7.02 - Flying Battery Zone
7.03 - Sandopolis Zone
7.04 - Lava Reef Zone
7.05 - Hidden Palace Zone
7.06 - Sky Sanctuary Zone
8. S3&K Walkthrough (Sonic/Tails)
8.01 - Angel Island Zone
8.02 - Hydrocity Zone
8.03 - Marble Garden Zone
8.04 - Carnival Night Zone
8.05 - Icecap Zone
8.06 - Launch Base Zone
8.07 - Aftermath
9. S3&K Walkthrough (Knuckles)
9.01 - Angel Island Zone
9.02 - Hydrocity Zone
9.03 - Marble Garden Zone
9.04 - Carnival Night Zone
9.05 - Icecap Zone
9.06 - Launch Base Zone
9.07 - Aftermath
10. Giant Ring Locations (Sonic/Tails)
11. Giant Ring Locations (Knuckles)
12. Badniks
13. S3&K Bugs
14. S3&K 2-Player/Competition Mode
15. Frequently Asked Questions
16. Credits
17. Contact Infomation
18. Copyright Information
TIP: If you want to find a section in the Table of Contents more quickly and
easily, press Ctrl + F simultaneously to bring up the 'Find' function menu.
Type or paste the name/number of the section into the menu. Click on 'Find
Next' to go to the section you've typed or pasted.
NOTE1: This FAQ was written using the original game, but it can be used with
other versions as well. Some elements of the game may differ from the original
version, though.
NOTE2: Since the gameplay in Sonic & Knuckles is similar to Sonic 3's, some
stuff is copied and pasted from my Sonic 3 guide.
###############################################################################
1. Introduction
###############################################################################
Thank you for choosing to read my Sonic & Knuckles FAQ. I've written
comprehensive Walkthroughs, Hints and Tips, Giant Ring Locations, and much
more. Beware of the spoilers, though.
Sonic & Knuckles is the fourth game in the main Sonic series and the story
picks up straight after Sonic 3's ending with Dr. Robotnik's space station, the
Death Egg, falling back down to the Floating Island (AKA Angel Island) due to
Sonic's interference. This game marks the first time that Knuckles is a
playable character with his own storyline.
In Sonic's story, Robotnik decides to make a second attempt at re-launching the
Death Egg, this time by using the Master Emerald to fuel its engines. Sonic
can't let Robotnik get his hands on the Master Emerald, so he explores new zones
as he continues his mission to stop Robotnik and destroy the Death Egg for good
while once again contending with Knuckles, who still believes that Sonic is
trying to steal Angel Island's emeralds. In Knuckles' story, Knuckles finds
himself in conflict with a new adversary, EggRobo, who is causing trouble on
Angel Island. Knuckles goes through most of the same zones as Sonic as he does
his part to keep the island safe.
Sonic & Knuckles was a revolutionary kind of game and considered ahead of its
time when it was released in 1994, as it utilized "lock-on technology" that
allowed the cartridge to access data from most other Genesis/Mega Drive games,
making certain new games playable. S&K is a decent game on its own, but it
really shines with the lock-on feature.
The gameplay in Sonic & Knuckles is similar to Sonic 3's because they were
originally supposed to be one game. However, time constraints and cartridge
costs forced the developers to split the game in two, so Sonic 3 was released
in North America and Europe in February 1994 and Sonic & Knuckles worldwide in
October 1994. Sonic designer Yuji Naka said the combined game called Sonic 3 &
Knuckles is what Sonic 3 was originally intended to be.
###############################################################################
2. Version History
###############################################################################
Version 1.0, 4th September 2004:
Completed Walkthrough.
Version 1.1, 30th October 2004:
Updated Table of Contents.
Version 1.2, 15th January 2005:
Added Credits Section and updated Copyright Information.
Version 1.3, 19th Februry 2005:
Updated Copyright Information.
Version 1.4, 25th February 2006:
Updated FAQ.
Version 1.5, 15th April 2006:
Updated FAQ.
Version 1.6, 22nd April 2006:
Updated FAQ/Walkthrough.
Version 1.7, 6th May 2006:
Updated Glitches section.
Version 1.8, 27th May 2006:
Began rewriting the Walkthroughs.
Version 1.9, 3rd June 2006:
Updated Giant Ring Locations section, rewrote the Game Overview section,
finished rewriting the Walkthroughs, and added the Lock-On Feature section.
Version 2.0, 17th June 2006:
Changed formatting and rewrote the Table of Contents. Updated Giant Ring
Locations section.
Version 2.1, 24th June 2006:
Updated Giant Ring Locations section. Updated Knuckles' S&K Walkthrough.
Version 2.2, 1st July 2006:
Updated Knuckles' S&K Walkthrough.
Version 2.3, 15th July 2006:
Updated Glitches section and added information regarding the Death Egg to Lava
Reef Zone.
Version 2.4, 19th August 2006:
Added a note under the Table of Contents.
Version 2.5, 26th August 2006:
Updated the Game Overview section.
Version 2.6, 2nd September 2006:
Changed the Credits section and updated S&K Walkthroughs.
Version 2.7, 9th September 2006:
Added info about controlling Tails.
Version 2.8, 16th September 2006:
Updated Glitches section.
Version 2.9, 23rd September 2006:
Fixed the necessary Hits to defeat Bosses.
Version 3.0, 30th September 2006:
Removed the Introduction sections from the S&K and S3&K Walkthroughs.
Version 3.1, 21st October 2006:
Updated Glitches section and FAQ.
Version 3.2, 13th January 2007:
Updated Knuckles' S&K Walkthrough.
Version 3.3, 28th April 2007:
Added more information about the infinite loop of slides in Sandopolis Zone.
Updated the Game Overview section.
Version 3.4, 5th May 2007:
Added more information about the Chaos/Super Emeralds.
Version 3.5, 12th May 2007:
Added more information about the Save Feature. Changed "Computer Monitors"
section to "Item Boxes" section.
Version 3.6, 19th May 2007:
Updated the 2-Player/Competition Mode section.
Version 3.7, 26th May 2007:
Merged the Game Overview sections.
Version 3.8, 3rd June 2007:
Updated the Game Overview section.
Version 3.9, 4th August 2007:
Added more information about the Save Feature.
Version 4.0, 8th March 2008:
Added the locations of two Giant Rings in Act 2 of Sandopolis Zone for Sonic
(thanks to Blitz256).
Version 4.1, 16th August 2008:
Fixed a mistake about the Save Feature.
Version 4.2, 8th May 2008:
Added more information about the Save Feature.
Version 4.3, 16th September 2015:
---------------------------------
*Updated "Frequently Asked Questions".
*Rewrote some of "Lock-on Technology".
*Removed "Differences" section.
*Changed "Glitches" to "Bugs".
Version 4.4, 20th September 2015:
---------------------------------
*Added a bit more info to "Lock-on Technology".
*Removed "Codes and Secrets", as they're already available on many websites.
Version 4.5, 6th October 2015:
------------------------------
*Reorganized the Table of Contents.
*Rewrote "Introduction".
*Added a bit more info to "Lock-on Technology".
Version 4.6, 11th October 2015:
-------------------------------
*Rewrote "Characters" and "Game Controls".
*Updated "Frequently Asked Questions".
Version 4.7, 27th November 2015:
--------------------------------
*Added a bit more info to "Aftermath" in the walkthroughs.
Version 4.8, 5th September 2016:
--------------------------------
*Changed "Hydro City" to "Hydrocity".
*I found out that S3&K actually finishes saving in 15-20 seconds, so I updated
the "Save Feature" section.
Version 4.9, 9th September 2016:
--------------------------------
*Changed "Ice Cap" to "Icecap".
Version 5.0, 23rd March 2018:
-----------------------------
*Updated my GameFAQs username.
*Made a few corrections.
*Added debug co-ordinates to "Giant Ring Locations (Sonic/Tails) up to Carnival
Night Zone.
###############################################################################
3. Characters
###############################################################################
Sonic the Hedgehog
------------------
The blue blur needs no introduction. He's the series' main protagonist and can
run very fast. In this game, Sonic explores new zones as he continues his
mission to stop Robotnik and destroy the Death Egg for good while once again
contending with Knuckles.
Miles "Tails" Prower
--------------------
Better known by his nickname Tails, Miles is a two-tailed fox. He's Sonic's
sidekick and best friend, though he isn't a playable character in this game. He
can twirl his trademark tails to fly or swim for a short time. He's also a
mechanical genius and skilled pilot.
Knuckles the Echidna
--------------------
Knuckles has lived most of his life on Angel Island and is the guardian of the
island's emeralds. He is the only living descendent of an ancient civilization.
The echidna has been duped by Robotnik into thinking that Sonic is trying to
steal the emeralds. He's quite a trickster, using his knowledge of Angel Island
to disrupt your progress.
Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik
-------------------------
Also known by the more common nickname of Eggman, Robotnik is the series' main
antagonist. He's a mad scientist with an IQ of 300. His personal means of
transportation is the Eggmobile which doubles as an attack vehicle that can be
fitted with a wide variety of machines. He has tricked Knuckles into thinking
that Sonic is tring to steal Angel Island's emeralds. In this game, he decides
to make a second attempt at re-launching his Death Egg, this time by using the
Master Emerald to fuel its engines.
###############################################################################
4. Lock-on Technology
###############################################################################
Sonic & Knuckles utilizes "lock-on technology" that allows the cartridge to
access data from most other Genesis/Mega Drive games, making the following
games playable: Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Knuckles in Sonic 2, and Blue Sphere. To
play these combined games, you must flip open the flap of S&K and place the
second game inside.
Note that cartridges should only be inserted or removed when the power is off.
Also, keep your second game's edge connector and S&K cartridge slot clean. If
you turn the power on when they are dirty or contaminated, this may cause the
loss of saved data or other game malfunctions such as freezes and resets.
The combination of games needed to play the above games are as follows:
Sonic & Knuckles + Sonic 3 = Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Sonic & Knuckles + Sonic 2 = Knuckles in Sonic 2
Sonic & Knuckles + Sonic 1/Sonic Compilation or most other Genesis/Mega Drive
games = Blue Sphere (the title is taken from Sonic Mega Collection)
The most notable points about each game are as follows:
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
------------------
1. You can play the following levels: Angel Island Zone, Hydrocity Zone,
Marble Garden Zone, Carnival Night Zone, Icecap Zone, Launch Base Zone,
Mushroom Hill Zone, Flying Battery Zone, Sandopolis Zone, Lava Reef Zone,
Hidden Palace Zone, Sky Sanctuary Zone, Death Egg Zone, and The Doomsday
Zone.
2. You can play as Sonic & Tails, Sonic Alone, Tails Alone, and Knuckles Alone.
3. You fight 2 Bosses in Launch Base Zone. Sonic and Tails skip Spiked Grabber,
while Knuckles skips Ball Launcher.
4. In addition to saving your progress, the game saves your lives, continues and
emeralds (Slots display this information).
5. There is a Super Form of Tails and a Hyper Form of Sonic/Knuckles.
6. There are 8 save slots.
7. You can play as Knuckles and Tails in the Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles
levels, respectively.
8. Item Box and Badnik placements have been somewhat changed. For example,
there are no Robotnik Boxes and fewer Orbinauts in Launch Base Zone.
9. It's possible to see the bad, normal and best endings, depending on if you
collect all 7 Chaos/Super Emeralds or not.
10. There are 3 Bonus Stages.
11. The Sonic 3 Special Stages are much easier to complete, as the long rows of
blue spheres will turn into Rings when you pass through them. This fixes
the lag that was in Sonic 3.
12. Mushroom Hill Zone Act 1 has been expanded a bit with a new opening area
containing a Giant Ring. This Giant Ring is always shiny, regardless of
whether you've collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds in Special Stages.
13. In the Sonic 3 levels, the theme music of Knuckles and Mini-Bosses
correspond with their Sonic & Knuckles counterparts.
14. The music of Mushroom Hill Zone has been changed slightly with a few more
beats.
15. Mostly due to his low jump, Knuckles explores more challenging, new areas.
He also faces tougher or different bosses.
16. When you finish Launch Base Zone, your Score is totalled and a cutscene
plays to provide an adequate transition from Launch Base to Mushroom Hill.
Knuckles in Sonic 2
-------------------
1. This game is nearly identical to Sonic 2 but with Knuckles playable instead
of Sonic or Tails.
2. The title screen features Knuckles and the only option is "Press Start"
(Options and the 2-Player mode have been removed).
3. You can explore once inaccessible areas.
4. Some areas are easier because of Knuckles' climbing and gliding abilities
(Wing Fortress Zone, for example).
5. A few bosses are harder because of Knuckles' low jump (the Aquatic Ruin Zone
Boss and the Final Boss of Death Egg Zone, for example).
6. You retain your Rings after a Special Stage.
7. Special Stages have reduced Ring quotas for Knuckles.
8. Metropolis Zone Act 3 is harder because Knuckles is slower and can't jump as
high as Sonic or Tails.
9. If you lose a life, you retain the Rings that you had at the last Starpost
you passed.
10. You can become Super Knuckles.
Blue Sphere
-----------
1. The title screen shows Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Robotnik underneath
scrolling text that repeats "No Way? No Way!" supposedly meaning that the
game is unplayable.
2. If you press the A, B and C buttons together, a minigame based on the
Special Stages from S3 and S&K will be unlocked.
3. There are millions of unique levels in this game.
4. You can only play through all the levels and receive passwords to record
your progress if you lock-on S1 or SC. The other Genesis/Mega Drive games
will just play one specific level each.
5. Playing these levels via a game with an in-built battery save will erase
saved data.
6. Games made after S&K was released will not work.
###############################################################################
5. Game Overview
###############################################################################
This section overviews everything you should know prior to starting Sonic &
Knuckles and Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
===============================================================================
5.01 - Game Controls
===============================================================================
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
| Common Controls |
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
Move left/right: Press Left/Right to move. Hold down Left/Right to speed up.
Look down/Crouch: Press Down while standing still.
Look up: Press Up while standing still.
Rolling Spin Attack: Press Down while moving.
Jump/Spin Attack: Press A, B or C.
Spin Dash: While crouching, press A, B or C to rev up. Let go of Down to take
off like a rocket.
Pause/Resume a paused game: Press Start.
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
| Sonic's Controls |
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
Insta-Shield: Press A, B or C quickly, once to jump and again to generate
enough energy to protect Sonic with a shield for a split second.
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
| Tails' Controls |
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
Fly/Swim: Press A, B or C quickly, once to jump and again to start flying/
swimming for a short time.
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
| Knuckles' Controls |
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
Glide: Press A, B or C quickly, once to jump and again to start gliding. Use
the +Control Pad for direction.
Wall Climb: Press A, B or C quickly at a wall, once to jump and again to grab
onto it. Press Up/Down to climb or A, B or C to jump off.
###############################################################################
5.02 - Save Feature
###############################################################################
Sonic 3 & Knuckles has a save feature that allows you to record data in the
1-Player and 2-Player/Competition modes. The latter's save process follows a
simple format. The game saves your Best Times in each zone. Regardless of S3
or S3&K being played, Best Times are updated simultaneously to both games, as
S3 and S3&K 2-Player saved data is kept together.
When you access the 1-Player Data Select screen, there are eight save slots for
recording game data. The word "NEW" is initially marked on them. To start a
game, select a slot and press Up/Down to choose one of the following
characters: Sonic & Tails, Sonic Alone, Tails Alone, and Knuckles Alone. Once
you have chosen a character, an image of the character will be displayed on
your save file and you can only use that character to progress through the
zones.
After you start a game or clear a zone, an image of the zone you're currently
progressing through will be shown on your save file. In addition to saving
your zone progress, this game also saves your lives, continues and emeralds
(Files display this information). The Chaos Emeralds initially surround your
character, but they will be replaced with Super Emeralds when you acquire them.
If you want to delete a file, select Robotnik (far right slot) and move the
cursor to the file that you want to delete. If you want to play without
recording game data, select the "NO SAVE" slot.
If you access the Sonic 3 & Knuckles Data Select screen and already have Sonic
3 save files, these will be copied to the corresponding blank slots (S3&K's two
new slots are to the right of S3's). You can pick up from where you left off
in S3. For example, if you cleared Launch Base Zone, you can begin S3&K in
Mushroom Hill Zone with any emeralds collected.
All saving is accomplished through an auto-save. Auto-saves are performed when
you clear a Zone, end a Special Stage or are in the Emerald Chamber. When the
data is being saved, a message will not be displayed to notify that such action
is taking place (I believe the game finishes saving in 10-15 seconds). If you
turn the power off while the game is saving, you may lose all your saved data
(with the exception of S3 save files, as they are kept separate from S3&K).
Therefore, I recommend waiting about 20 seconds before resetting or powering
off just to be safe.
If you select a completed save file, the word "CLEAR" will be marked on it. If
you press Up/Down, you can cycle through images of the zones and choose which
level to start from. If you don't select a level, you'll see a picture of a
character on the screen, depending on which character you're playing as. If
you're Sonic Alone or Sonic & Tails, pictures of Regular Sonic, Super Sonic and
Hyper Sonic will be shown, when you have 0-6 Chaos Emeralds, 7 Chaos Emeralds
and 7 Super Emeralds, respectively. If you're Knuckles, pictures of Regular
Knuckles, Super Knuckles and Hyper Knuckles will be displayed, when the above
actions are done. If you're Tails, pictures of Regular Tails and Super Tails
can be viewed, when you have 0-7 Chaos Emeralds and 7 Super Emeralds,
respectively. If you collect all 7 Chaos/Super Emeralds and complete the game
once again, a picture of Sonic, Tails and Knuckles will be shown.
###############################################################################
5.03 - Game Screen
###############################################################################
When you control your character, it is important to know the basics when you
are on the Game Screen.
Rings
-----
Rings give protection to your character. As long as you have at least 1 Ring,
you'll be safe from enemy hits or obstacles. You lose all your Rings, when
your character hits an obstacle or gets attacked by a Badnik/Mini-Boss/Boss.
If you have no Rings, you'll lose a life if an enemy hits you. When you collect
50 Rings in Special and Bonus Stages, you'll earn a Continue as your reward.
If you grab 100 or 200 Rings, you'll get an extra life for doing so.
Time
----
When your character starts each Act of every Zone, there will be a time limit of
10 minutes. If you spend more than 10 minutes in an Act, you'll get a Time Over
and you'll have to repeat the Act. If you go past Starposts during the Act,
you'll only need to repeat from the last Starpost you passed.
Score
-----
When you complete each Act of every Zone, your Score is totalled. The score is
made up of points gained by destroying Badniks (100) and defeating Bosses
(1000). It also consists of a Time Bonus (how much time you spent in one Act)
and a Ring Bonus (how many Rings you had upon completing an Act).
Lives
-----
When you start the game, you'll begin with 3 lives. If your character loses a
life, you'll have to repeat the Act from the last Starpost you passed. If you
have no Rings, you'll lose a life if an enemy hits you. If you crush yourself,
drown, fall into bottomless pits, or get a Time Over, you'll also lose a life.
If you lose all your lives, the game ends, unless you have earned Continues.
Continues
---------
When you collect 50 Rings in Special and Bonus Stages, you'll earn a Continue
as your reward. Continues are worth 3 lives each, so it's worth it to earn
them. When you lose all your lives, but have earned Continues, you'll have 10
seconds to press the Start Button on the Continue screen to have another chance
at completing the game.
Sign Posts
----------
When you destroy a Mini-Boss at the end of Act 1 of every Two-Act Zone, a Sign
Post will descend from above. If you hit the Sign Post multiple times before
it lands, you may uncover random Item Boxes.
Prison Eggs
-----------
When you defeat Robotnik/EggRobo at the end of every Two-Act Zone (with the
exception of Death Egg Zone), you'll come across a Prison Egg shortly
afterwards. Once you touch its plunger, you'll free the animals trapped
inside.
###############################################################################
5.04 - Item Boxes
###############################################################################
As you go through the zones, you'll come across various Item Boxes. If your
character jumps on top of Item Boxes or Spin Dashes into them, you can grab
prizes. The pictures of Item Boxes indicate the prizes contained within them.
Super Ring
----------
Shows 1 Ring. Gives you 10 Rings.
1-Up
----
Shows your character's face. Gives you an extra life.
Invincibility
-------------
Shows 3 stars. Makes your character invincible for a short time. If you crush
yourself, drown, or fall into bottomless pits, you'll still lose a life.
Water Shield
------------
Shows 1 drop of water. Encloses your character in a bubble and allows you to
use the bubble to do a bounce jump. This ability can make you jump higher than
normal. The shield also prevents you from drowning and deflects projectiles.
If you get hit, you'll lose this shield.
Lightning Shield
----------------
Shows 1 lightning bolt. Absorbs all energy-based attacks and makes your
character draw rings towards him. When you're playing as Sonic, you can press
the A, B or C Button twice to double jump. The shield also deflects
projectiles. If you touch water or get hit, you'll lose this shield.
Flame Shield
------------
Shows flames. Absorbs all fire-based attacks and makes your character immune
to fire-related obstacles. Examples include flamethrowers, thrusters, lava,
etc. If you're playing as Sonic, you can press the A, B or C Button twice to
perform the Fireball Spin Dash. This ability allows you to blast across the
screen as a fireball. The shield also deflects projectiles. If you touch
water or get hit, you'll lose this shield.
Super Shoes
-----------
Shows 1 red shoe. Makes your character run twice as fast for a short time.
Watch out for Badniks and obstacles in case you bump into them.
Robotnik
--------
Shows Robotnik's face. Makes your character lose all your Rings or lose a
life! Avoid opening these Item Boxes at all costs.
###############################################################################
5.05 - Special Stage
###############################################################################
Depending on whether Sonic & Knuckles or Sonic 3 & Knuckles is being played,
the gameplay in Special Stages will differ.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Sonic & Knuckles
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Special Stages are where you can collect Chaos Emeralds. Since there are
seven Chaos Emeralds in this game, you must play and complete 7 Special Stages.
There are at least 2 Giant Rings located in each Act of every Two-Act Zone, but
Death Egg Zone is the exception. If you jump through a Giant Ring, you'll be
transported to a Special Stage. Note that you can only use Giant Rings once,
as they disappear once you enter Special Stages.
When you enter a Special Stage, your objective is to grab all the blue spheres
to win a Chaos Emerald. If you collect 50 Rings, you'll earn a Continue. If
you collect all the Rings, you'll earn a Perfect (an extra life). It is not
necessary to earn Perfects in the Special Stages, as they are not required to
win Chaos Emeralds. Getting Perfects can be a new challenge for players that
have already beaten the game with all 7 Chaos Emeralds, so I advice beginners
to concentrate on collecting the Emeralds first, as it is hard to get a Perfect
on your first try, since it is an advantage to know the layout of the Special
Stages. After spending a few minutes in Special Stages, the music will speed
up and you'll start moving much faster, making your character more difficult to
control over time, so be careful.
Grabbing a yellow sphere catapults you 5 spheres ahead. Star spheres sent you
back in the opposite direction. It's best to dodge them, as they can cause you
to bump into a red sphere. Red spheres exit you out of the Special Stage, so
you avoid them at all costs. Blue spheres turn into red spheres when you pass
through them, so don't go back in the opposite direction. You can jump over
rows of red spheres, but it can be hard to pull off, so try only jumping over 1
row of red spheres in case you don't time your jumps correctly. To make Rings
appear, look for square formations of blue spheres, then grab the spheres along
the outer edge of the square. All of the blue spheres that make up the square
will turn into Rings.
If you fail to complete a Special Stage, the next time you start one, you'll
cycle through them in a sequence. For example, if you failed to complete
Special Stage 1, you'll play Special Stage 2 the next time you enter a Special
Stage. After Special Stage 7, the sequence will be repeated, so you'll have
another chance to beat uncompleted Special Stages. When you have collected
all 7 Chaos Emeralds, you'll no longer be able to access the Special Stage.
Your reward is the Super Forms of Sonic and Knuckles. However, I advice still
searching for the Giant Rings, as they will now give you 50 Rings when you
jump through them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Special Stages Chart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chronology | Taken From | Emerald
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Stage 1 | Sonic & Knuckles | Green
Special Stage 2 | Sonic & Knuckles | Orange
Special Stage 3 | Sonic & Knuckles | Purple
Special Stage 4 | Sonic & Knuckles | Blue
Special Stage 5 | Sonic & Knuckles | White
Special Stage 6 | Sonic & Knuckles | Red
Special Stage 7 | Sonic & Knuckles | Cyan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Special Stages are where you collect Chaos/Super Emeralds. Since there are
14 Emeralds in this game, you must play and complete 14 Special Stages. Chaos
and Super Emeralds are collected in the Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles Special
Stages, respectively. There are at least 2 Giant Rings located in each Act of
every Two-Act Zone, but Death Egg Zone is an exception. If you jump through a
Giant Ring, you'll be transported to a Special Stage. Note that you can only
use Giant Rings once, as they disappear once you enter Special Stages, unless
you re-play the zones via a completed save file's zone select.
When you enter a Special Stage, your objective is to grab all the blue spheres
to win a Chaos/Super Emerald. If you collect 50 Rings, you'll earn a Continue.
If you collect all the Rings, you'll earn a Perfect (an extra life). It is not
necessary to earn Perfects in the Special Stages, as they are not required to
win Chaos/Super Emeralds. Getting Perfects can be a new challenge for players
that have already beaten the game with all 7 Chaos/Super Emeralds, so I advice
beginners to concentrate on collecting the Emeralds first, as it is hard to get
a Perfect on your first try, since it is an advantage to know the layout of the
Special Stages. After spending a few minutes in Special Stages, the music will
speed up and you'll start moving much faster, making your character more
difficult to control over time, so be careful.
Grabbing a yellow sphere catapults you 5 spheres ahead. Star spheres sent you
back in the opposite direction. It's best to dodge them, as they can cause you
to bump into a red sphere. Red spheres exit you out of the Special Stage, so
you avoid them at all costs. Blue spheres turn into red spheres when you pass
through them, so don't go back in the opposite direction. You can jump over
rows of red spheres, but it can be hard to pull off, so try only jumping over 1
row of red spheres in case you don't time your jumps correctly. To make Rings
appear, look for square formations of blue spheres, then grab the spheres along
the outer edge of the square. All of the blue spheres that make up the square
will turn into Rings.
If you fail to complete a Special Stage, the next time you start one, you'll
cycle through them in a sequence. For example, if you failed to complete
Special Stage 1, you'll play Special Stage 2 the next time you enter a Special
Stage. After Special Stage 7, the sequence will be repeated, so you'll have
another chance to beat uncompleted Special Stages. When you have collected
all 7 Chaos Emeralds, your reward is the Super Forms of Sonic and Knuckles.
If you collect all 7 Chaos Emeralds in the Sonic 3 Special Stages prior to
Mushroom Hill Zone, you can jump through the zone's first Giant Ring to access
the Emerald Chamber of Hidden Palace Zone. Once you arrive there, the Chaos
Emeralds will be taken from you and transformed into grey Super Emeralds. This
causes the other Giant Rings in the Sonic & Knuckles levels to become shiny,
allowing you to jump through these Giant Rings to access the Emerald Chamber.
If you step on the grey Super Emeralds, you can play new Special Stages (taken
from Sonic & Knuckles) to acquire all 7 Super Emeralds.
If you haven't collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds prior to Mushroom Hill Zone but
have obtained some Chaos Emeralds, you can jump through the first Giant Ring in
the zone to access the Emerald Chamber, as that Giant Ring is always shiny,
regardless of whether you collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds in Special Stages.
When your Chaos Emeralds are transformed into grey Super Emeralds, you'll have
an opportunity to acquire one Super Emerald. However, you won't be able to
access the Emerald Chamber again until you complete the game, as the non-shiny
Giant Rings can only be used to play the Sonic 3 Special Stages. When you have
completed the game, you can use your Save File's Level Select to re-play
Mushroom Hill Zone and jump through the zone's first Giant Ring to teleport to
the Emerald Chamber. If you want to acquire all 7 Super Emeralds, you must
collect the remaining Chaos Emeralds and transform them into grey Super Emeralds
via accessing the Emerald Chamber.
When you complete the Sonic & Knuckles Special Stages, the grey Super Emeralds
will be transformed into coloured Emeralds. The Super Emeralds are laid out
from the far left to the far right in this order: Red, Blue, Orange, Green,
Purple, White, and finally, Cyan. Once you have collected all 7 Super Emeralds,
the Master Emerald will cast a light over the Super Emeralds and it will become
shiny. Your reward is the second transformations of Sonic and Knuckles as well
as the only transformation of Tails. You can't access the Special Stage from
this point. However, I advice still searching for the Giant Rings, as they
will now give you 50 Rings when you jump through them.
The respective colours of Chaos Emeralds in the Sonic 3 Special Stages
correspond with their Super Emerald counterparts in the Sonic & Knuckles
Special Stages. For example, if a blue Chaos Emerald is transformed into a
grey Super Emerald, that Emerald will be transformed into a blue Super Emerald.
The yellow Chaos Emerald is the exception. When it transforms into a coloured
Super Emerald, it becomes orange. Check the chart below for more information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Special Stages Chart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chronology | Taken From | Emerald
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Stage 1 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Green
Special Stage 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Yellow
Special Stage 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Purple
Special Stage 4 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Blue
Special Stage 5 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | White
Special Stage 6 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Red
Special Stage 7 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Cyan
Special Stage 8 | Sonic & Knuckles | Green
Special Stage 9 | Sonic & Knuckles | Orange
Special Stage 10 | Sonic & Knuckles | Purple
Special Stage 11 | Sonic & Knuckles | Blue
Special Stage 12 | Sonic & Knuckles | White
Special Stage 13 | Sonic & Knuckles | Red
Special Stage 14 | Sonic & Knuckles | Cyan
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
###############################################################################
5.06 - Transformations
###############################################################################
Depending on whether Sonic & Knuckles or Sonic 3 & Knuckles is being played,
the number of transformations will differ.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Sonic & Knuckles
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Transformations allow you to play as powered up versions of characters. There
are two transformations (Super Sonic and Super Knuckles) in this game. It is
required that all 7 Chaos Emeralds are obtained first to transform into the
Super Forms. When you collect 50 Rings, you can double jump to enable the
transformations. Note that you lose Rings for every second that your character
is in his Super Form, so you must collect them to increase your Rings gauge.
Otherwise, you'll turn back into your regular character. If you crush
yourself, drown or fall into bottomless pits, you'll still lose a life, so be
careful.
Each transformation can destroy Badniks by touching them. If you're Sonic, you
can become Super Sonic. He runs much faster than regular Sonic and breaks
through barriers that would require Spin Dashing. If you're Knuckles, you can
become Super Knuckles. He runs and climbs much faster than regular Knuckles.
The characters' transformations make Mini-Bosses/Bosses much easier, so it's
worth it to collect all 7 Chaos Emeralds. Collecting the Chaos Emeralds
unlocks better endings for both characters. As an added bonus, you can access
The Doomsday Zone to fully complete the game as Sonic.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Transformations allow you to play as powered up versions of characters. There
are five transformations (Super Sonic, Super Knuckles, Hyper Sonic, Hyper
Knuckles, and Super Tails) in this game. It is required that all 7 Chaos and
Super Emeralds are obtained first to transform into the Super and Hyper Forms,
respectively, but Tails' transformation is the exception. He needs 7 Super
Emeralds to transform into Super Tails. When you collect 50 Rings, you can
double jump to enable the transformations. Note that you lose Rings for every
second that your character is in his Super/Hyper Form, so you must collect
them to increase your Rings gauge. Otherwise, you'll turn back into your
regular character. If you crush yourself, drown or fall into bottomless pits,
you'll still lose a life, so be careful.
Each transformation can destroy Badniks by touching them. If you're Sonic
Alone or Sonic & Tails, you can become Super Sonic and Hyper Sonic. The
former runs much faster than regular Sonic and breaks through barriers that
would require Spin Dashing. In addition, the latter can also breathe
underwater and double jump to unleash a lightning attack, destroying all
Badniks on the screen in the process. If you're Knuckles, you can become
Super Knuckles and Hyper Knuckles. The former runs and climbs much faster
than regular Knuckles. Additionally, the latter can also breathe underwater
and glide into a wall to destroy all Badniks on the screen (similar to Hyper
Sonic's lightning attack). Super Tails can fly up faster and remain in the
air longer. The 4 Flicky birds surrounding him can automatically attack all
enemies on the screen, including Mini-Bosses and Bosses.
The characters' transformations make Mini-Bosses/Bosses much easier, so it's
worth it to collect all 7 Chaos/Super Emeralds. Collecting the Chaos/Super
Emeralds unlocks better endings for characters. As an added bonus, you can
access The Doomsday Zone to fully complete the game as Sonic Alone or Sonic &
Tails.
When you collect all 7 Chaos Emeralds, you can transform into Super
Sonic/Knuckles. However, once you go to the Emerald Chamber of Hidden Palace
Zone and transform the Chaos Emeralds into grey Super Emeralds, you'll no
longer be able to transform into the characters' Super Forms.
###############################################################################
5.07 - Bonus Stages
###############################################################################
Depending on whether Sonic & Knuckles or Sonic 3 & Knuckles is being played,
the number of Bonus Stages will differ.
===============================================================================
Sonic & Knuckles
===============================================================================
When you pass a Starpost and have at least 20 Rings, a Star Circle will appear.
Jump through the circle to enter a Bonus Stage. The stage that you'll enter is
determined by the colours of the Star Circle. If you collect 50 Rings in
either Bonus Stage, you'll earn a Continue.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Slot Machine Stage
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
In this stage, you'll start circling around a slot machine. The slot machine
is similiar to the ones from Sonic 2's Casino Night Zone, and the playing field
resembles Sonic 1's Special Stages. Like Sonic 1, you'll exit the Bonus Stage
if you touch the GOAL bars. "R" Bars rotate the field in the opposite
direction. If you hit the Blue Bars 3 times, they'll change into GOALs, so
watch out. You can jump into the slot machine to win or lose Rings, depending
on the combinations made when the tumblers roll. The combinations you can get
are listed below.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+ Slot Machine Combination Chart +
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Combo | Prize |
---------------------------------+
| 1 Bar | Win 2 Rings |
| 2 Bars | Win 4 Rings |
| 3 Bars | Win 8 Rings |
| 3 Tails | Win 20 Rings |
| 3 Knuckles | Win 25 Rings |
| 3 Sonics | Win 30 Rings |
| 3 Jackpots | Win 100 Rings |
| 3 Robotniks | Lose 100 Rings |
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Glowing Spheres Stage
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
In this stage, you'll start on a magnetic sphere. You must jump to higher
spheres and activate the flippers to reach the top. If you do this, you'll
complete the Bonus Stage. The force field that is rising from below will exit
you out of the stage, so try to stay ahead of it. On your way up, you'll come
across various balls containing prizes. The prizes you can get are listed
below.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+ Slot Machine Combination Chart +
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Gumball | Prize |
---------------------------------+
| "B" | Win Shield |
| Super Ring | Win 10 Rings |
| 1-Up | Win 1 life |
| Clear | Win nothing |
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
===============================================================================
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
===============================================================================
When you pass a Starpost and have at least 20 Rings, a Star Circle will appear.
Jump through the circle to enter a Bonus Stage. The stage you enter is
determined by the number of Rings you have. There are 3 Bonus Stages in
this game, namely Slot Machine (20-34 Rings required), Glowing Spheres (35-49
Rings required) and Gumball Machine (50-65 Rings required). If you collect 50
Rings in Bonus Stages, you'll earn a Continue.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Gumball Machine Stage
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When you appear in a shaft, use the yellow bumpers to move your character
upwards. Once you bounce off the bumpers, they will disappear. The set of
springs at the bottom of the shaft will also disappear when you bounce off
them. If you turn the crank of the gumball machine, balls will be released and
you can grab these balls to receive prizes. The colours of balls indicate the
prizes contained within them. When you fall out of the shaft, the Bonus Stage
ends.
Grey
----
Shows 1 Ring. Gives you 10 Rings.
Pink
----
Shows the word "1-UP". Gives you an extra life.
Blue
----
Shows the letter "B". Gives you a Water Shield.
Brown
-----
Shows the letter "B". Gives you a Lightning Shield.
Orange
------
Shows the letter "B". Gives you a Flame Shield.
Green
-----
Shows the letters "REP". If the set of springs at the bottom of the shaft have
disappeared, a new set will replace them.
Black
-----
Propels you up or down.
Clear
-----
Gives you nothing.
===============================================================================
5.08 - Hints and Tips
===============================================================================
*Always be on the lookout for hidden rooms and passageways. Look for different
patterns in the walls. Your character can smash open some barriers by Spin
Dashing.
*Beware of Badniks that shoot projectiles. Even if you keep your distance from
the Badnik, their weapon can reach you and cause you to lose a life. If you
must get past a series of Badniks, spend a few moments watching them and learn
how they move. Be sure to time your attack perfectly.
*Prepare yourself to travel underwater in the various Zones. Remember,
your character can't last too long under water without breathing, so jump into
the giant air bubbles that rise from the ground. If you wait too long, you'll
drown.
*When you lose all your Rings, you'll start flashing and become temporarily
invincible. If you re-collect your scattered Rings, you can safely attack
enemies while you're invincible. As long as you have at least 1 Ring, you
won't lose a life when the invincible effect wears off.
*When you are in a Special Stage, the music will eventually speed up and you'll
start moving much faster, making your character more difficult to control over
time. If you're having trouble, pausing the game and taking a break may be a
good idea. That way, you can plan routes to journey through a Special Stage.
###############################################################################
6. S&K Walkthrough (Sonic)
###############################################################################
When the Title Screen appears, you'll see the Death Egg plummeting back down to
the Floating Island. As the space station lands on top of Lava Reef Zone's
volcano, Sonic and Knuckles will appear on a cliff. You can use Up or Down to
decide which character you want to play as. If you're playing as Sonic, read
this Walkthrough.
Note: Since this section is primarily a walkthrough, I won't be giving much
detail on the locations of the Giant Rings, as they're covered elsewhere in
this guide.
===============================================================================
6.01 - Mushroom Hill Zone
===============================================================================
Mushroom Hill Zone is a good training level for practicing and mastering
Sonic's moves. Be on the lookout for badniks such as Cluckoid and Dragonfly.
The Cluckoid can blow you back in the opposite direction, while the Dragonfly
usually appears when you least expect it. If you get caught in vines, Spin
Dash to get free.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Head right and go past the Butterdroids. Run through the loop de loop and roll
down the hill. Collect the Super Shoes for a speed boost. Ignore the pulley
lift nearby and proceed right. Climb up the poles and run through the loop de
loop. Use the pulley lift above you to go up. Press Up and Down to make the
pulley lift go up and down, respectively.
Use the two mushrooms to raise Sonic higher, so you can access the spring above
you. Bounce on it and speed through the loop de loop. Use this swing lift to
send Sonic over to the right. Head across the vine-shaped bridge and drop the
pole at the bottom right. You'll land next to a secret passageway containing
a Giant Ring.
Exit the passageway by going right, and use the swing lift to hoist Sonic up to
a vine-shaped bridge. Drop down and go past the Starpost. Run down the hill
and drop down again to find a pulley lift. To the right of it is a hidden
passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Exit the passageway and use the pulley lift. Run through two loop de loops.
When you nearly reach a mushroom at the top, stop running left and drop down to
the right. Continue onward to find a passageway containing a Giant Ring. When
you exit the passageway, watch out for the Dragonfly on patrol. Run down the
loop de loop and climb up the poles to find a Starpost. Go past it and head
right to meet the Mini-Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Woodcutter Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
The machine will throw logs at you in a vertical direction. If you have the
Fire Shield, hit it from below to destroy. Alternatively, wait for it to come
down before jumping on top of it to attack it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and run down the hill to meet Knuckles. He pulls a lever, sending you
hovering upwards. When you land, you'll notice that the seasons have changed
and that it's Autumn/Fall now. Collect the Invincibility and go right. Use
the mushroom seesaws and run through the loop de loops. Drop through the gap
nearby and use the pole to hoist Sonic upwards. Use the spring to go up the
loop de loop and find a passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Drop down and use the pulley lift nearby. Go right and use the mushrooms to
send Sonic up to a Super Ring and an Invincibility. Use the spring to go over
to the right. Go up the loop de loop and use another spring. When you land
near a spring and a mushroom, drop down to the left and head right to find a
hidden passageway containing a Giant Ring. Now exit the passageway and use the
seesaw to land on a spring above.
Head across the vine-shaped bridge and go past the Starpost. Use the pulley
lift and bounce on the red spring to catapult Sonic over to the swing lift. If
you can use the springs to bounce Sonic over to the right, you'll land near a
loop de loop. When you come across a Cluckoid, go past it to find a hidden
passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Run through the loop de loops and use the pulley lift to go upwards. Before
you do so, go past the Cluckoid and enter the hidden passageway to find a Giant
Ring. When you make it to the surface, go right and use the mushroom seesaws.
Go past the Starpost to see a satellite dish emitting signals.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Speed Booster Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
Jump on the satellite dish to destroy it, revealing Robotnik's machine in the
process. If you can hit him a few times, the Boss Battle will be easier to
win. When Robotnik flies off to the right, chase after him and follow him
through an obstacle course. When you are running through the obstacle course,
jump to avoid the spikes. If you keep running, you'll catch up with Robotnik.
When he switches off the boosters, you can hit him. If you have a Flame
Shield, the boosters won't hurt you, so you can attack Robotnik repeatedly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robotnik's machine starts to explode, but Robotnik still isn't worried.
However, his machine soon crashes into a tree and it falls apart. When you've
opened the Prison Egg, Sonic will look up and you'll see the Flying Battery
Blimp fly past. Robotnik flies up in his Eggmobile and enters the battleship.
Sonic immediately jumps up and grabs onto it.
===============================================================================
6.02 - Flying Battery Zone
===============================================================================
Flying Battery Zone is a remade version of Sonic 2's Wing Fortress Zone. It's
quite the change from the nature of Mushroom Hill Zone. Obstacles include
flame blasters, Prison Eggs, mines, and crushing platforms. In Act 1, you'll
be underneath the battleship for a while, so be ready. I think Act 2 is
easier. If you follow this Walkthrough, you should be prepared for the many
obstacles in this level.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and head through the purple cylinder. Go down the platform and head
left. Go past the flame blasters and head right. Outside the Flying Battery,
hop across the platforms and use the levers. Jump onto the ledge and go up to
re-enter the Blimp.
Go past the Starpost and make your way through the purple cylinders. Spin Dash
up the slope and position Sonic on the flame blaster. After being catapulted
upwards, go right and use the moving platforms to go over to the flame blaster.
If you open the Prison Egg, Badniks will emerge from it, so watch out.
Use the flame blaster to go upwards. Go past the mines and use the poles.
Drop down and go left. Jump over the speed boost and go past more mines. Go
down the platform and head right. Wait for the platforms to rise to avoid
getting crushed.
Go past the Starpost and press the switch. Drop down and go left. Spin Dash
up the slopes and jump on the Prison Egg. Run through the purple cylinders and
drop down. Go right and head past the Starpost. Go up the slopes and use the
moving platforms.
Jump on the Prison Egg and use the spring. Go right and wait for the missiles
to uncover an opening for you to drop through. When you drop down, run
through the purple cylinder and head past the Starpost.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Fake Prison Egg Machine - 6 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When you come across the machine, it will be disguised as a Prison Egg. Jump
on the plunger to reveal two spiked arms. To destroy this Mini-Boss, you make
it attack itself. Position Sonic on the plunger and wait for one of the
spiked arms to proceed to hit you. When it does so, run off the plunger. The
machine will be hit instead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and head up the purple cylinder. Jump on the springs and go past the
mines. Drop down and head through the purple cylinder. Press the switch and
go down. Head right and press another switch. Go down the whole way and head
left.
Go past the Starpost and press the switch. Go up and use the spider to go
across the purple cylinder. Run past the mines and press the switch. Drop
down and go through the purple cylinder. Go past the Starpost and press the
switch.
Go right and jump on the flame blaster to undo the cork screw. Drop down and
go past the Starpost. Press the switch and Spin Dash to avoid getting crushed.
Press two more switches and drop down. Go right and use the platforms.
Go past the mines and use the spider. Go down and press the switch. Go past
the Starpost and head left. Go up and head through the purple cylinder. Use
the moving platforms to get to the top and meet another Mini-Boss. Yes, there
are two Mini-Bosses in the Flying Battery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Laser Machine - 0 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
Robotnik unleashes a laser machine on you. It is similar to Sonic 2's Wing
Fortress Zone Boss. This time, however, you can't destroy it. You must make
it destroy itself. Each time it fires a laser, it will damage itself and cause
the room to cave in. If you have a Lightning/Water Shield, you can hit the
machine, but it won't have any effect. Eventually, the machine will explode
and Robotnik will run off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Follow the path, and a platform will start ascending. Keep running until you
arrive at the final spikes. The platform will take you up and it'll eventually
stop rising. When it does so, Robotnik will swoop down and appear in the
centre of the screen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Spiked Swinging Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When Robotnik appears, he'll swing up and down. When he's doing this, you can
attack him. After swinging for a moment, Robotnik will move his machine
towards you. If you position Sonic underneath it, Robotnik will fire a
flamethrower at you. When Robotnik approaches you, jump over to the opposite
side of the screen. When Robotnik starts swinging again, you can hit him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the Prison Egg is opened, you'll automatically run right and go through a
hallway. Sonic jumps off the battleship and lands in Sandopolis Zone.
===============================================================================
6.03 - Sandopolis Zone
===============================================================================
In my opinion, Sandopolis Zone is the hardest level in the game. Obstacles
include quicksand, slides, locked passageways, and ghosts. I find that Act 1
isn't too hard, but Act 2 is difficult. In Act 2, you have to push blocks to
unlock passageways, but you have a time limit for you to do this. In addition,
once you release the ghosts, you'll need to press the levers to lighten the
place up. If it becomes very dark, the ghosts can hurt you, so watch out. As
long as you press the levers and continue onward, you shouldn't have to worry.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When you land in the sand, jump up. Go right and push the yellow block. Ride
it and go down the slides. Run down the slope and grab the pulley lift. Go
right and run through the loop de loop. Push the yellow block and ride it.
Use the swings and go left.
Collect the Invincibility and go up. Go past the Starpost and head down the
slides. When you land in the quicksand, jump over to the right. Push the
yellow block and ride it. Spin Dash up the slope, and use the platforms to go
up the slide. Run through the loop de loop and use the pulley lift.
Push the yellow block and ride it. Go right and then up. Use the swing and go
past the Starpost. Use the pulley lift and push the yellow block. Ride it.
When you drop down, go right and head down the slopes. Use the swings and go
left. Run through the loop de loop and go up.
Go right and use the pulley lift. Go past the Starpost and head right. You'll
see a pyramid rise from underneath the sand. When the entrance opens, the
fight with the Pyramid Guardian begins.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Pyramid Guardian - 0 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When the Pyramid Guardian approaches you, you can hit him, but it'll have no
effect. To defeat this Mini-Boss, you must trick it into entering the
quicksand nearby. You can jump into the quicksand and wait for the Guardian
to head towards you. If you keep jumping in the quicksand, the Guardian will
jump into it, destroying the Mini-Boss in the process. Alternatively, you can
go to the right side of the screen and hit the Guardian constantly.
Eventually, the impact of your attacks will send it into the quicksand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and pull the levers to turn on the lanturns. Head right and push the
black block to the right. Go through the opening and go up. Go left and
collect the Invincibility. Push the black block to the left and leave. Run
through the loop de loop, and you'll release the ghosts from the Prison Egg.
Push the black block to the left and go through the opening. Press the lever
and go down the slides. When you see a swing above a particular slide, jump
onto it and go past the Starpost. (If you don't jump onto the correct slide,
you'll go down an infinite loop of slides instead. To continue through the
level, wait for Sonic to land near the correct slide again and try to jump
onto it this time.) Push the black block to the left and go up. Push the
yellow block and ride it.
When you get through the opening, jump on the swing and use the pulley lift.
Push the black block to the right and go up the opening. Go right and run
through the loop-de-loops. Go past the Starpost and push the black block to
the right. Jump on the swing and press the lever.
Go through the opening and break the container. When the sand rises, go left
and then up. Jump on the swing and push the black block to the left. Go right
and head through the opening. Break the container and press the lever. Go
right and then left. Push the black block to the right to reveal an opening.
Go through the opening and push the black boulder to the right. Go right and
jump on the swing. Press the lever and push the black block. Jump down the
opening and go right. Jump on the swing and use the pulley lift. Go right and
press the lever.
Run through the loop de loop and go left. Use the pulley lift and head right.
Go past the Starpost and head down the slide. Run through the loop de loop and
use the spring to land on the slide. Go down the slide and run through another
loop de loop. Go right and use the lever.
Use the moving platforms and go right. Push the black block to the right, and
press the lever. Use the swing and break the container. Go through the
opening and press the lever. Go past the Starpost and push the black block to
the right. Jump down and go right to meet the Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Egyptian-Themed Robot - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When the Egyptian-Themed Robot moves towards you, Robotnik will charge up his
laser cannon and fire a small laser at you. If you stay away from the robot,
you should be able to dodge it. Robotnik will use his 2 hands to crush you,
but you can use them to climb up the robot and hit the laser cannon. The
armour of the robot will fall apart, revealing Robotnik in the process. Hit
him a few times and jump off the robot, as the armour will cover it up again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once you have opened the Prison Egg, you'll automatically head right and Sonic
will fall into the depths of Lava Reef Zone.
===============================================================================
6.04 - Lava Reef Zone
===============================================================================
Lava Reef Zone is easier to complete than the Sandopolis Zone, but it can still
be hard. Obstacles include lava, moving platforms, flamethrowers, spiked
balls, and spiked platforms. A Flame Shield is very useful to have in this
level, so try to hang onto it as long as you can.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When you land, drop down the two ledges and Spin Dash through the boulders.
Press the switch and go through the opening. Hop across the rocks. If you
fall into the pool of lava, you'll get hurt. Go right and climb up the steps.
Avoid the flamethrowers as you do so.
Collect the Invincibility and go right. Run down the slope and go across the
pool of lava. Press the switch and go through the opening. Spin Dash through
the boulders and run through the brown cylinder. Run left and go past the pool
of lava. The Death Egg can be seen in the background. It seems Robotnik is
repairing the space station in this level (a la Launch Base Zone).
When you reach the waterfall of lava, wait for an opening to appear before
crossing it. Use the spring and jump over to the Starpost. Collect the Flame
Shield and go left. Destroy the switch and go through an opening. Jump on the
black platform and position Sonic to the left. Spin Dash to lower the
platform.
Go right and press the switch. Go through the opening and make your way down
the steps. Head across the waterfall of lava and press the switch. Go through
the opening and head right. You can attack the drilling machine if you want
to, but it'll fall into the pool of lava, destroying it.
When you land, hop across the rocks and press the switch. Climb up the steps
and Spin Dash up. Spin Dash through the boulders and use the moving spiked
platform. Go left and use another platform. Climb up the steps and press the
switch. Go through the opening and use the platform.
When the moving platform rises, jump down and head right. Spin Dash through
the boulders and go past the Starpost. Run down the slope and collect the
Flame Shield. When the ledge collapses, go down the steps and head right. Go
across the bridge and run down the black tunnel.
Go left and destroy the switch. Run through the opening and head down the
slope. Watch out for the spiked ball as you drop down the gap. Go right and
climb up the steps. Head across the waterfalls of lava. Press the switch and
go through the opening. When the lava rises, wait for it to sink before
crossing the platforms.
Go past the Starpost and Spin Dash through the boulders. Use the moving
platforms and press the switch. Go through the opening and climb up the steps.
Press the switch and run through another opening. Spin Dash through the
boulders and go down the slope. Press the switch and go through the last
opening. Head past the Starpost.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Hand Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
Although the Mini-Boss is the Hand Machine, there are also two wheels for you
to contend with. They will fire small projectiles at you, so run back and
forth to dodge them. Each wheel takes 4 hits to destroy. If you concentrate
on destroying one wheel, you can deal with the other one during the next attack
sequence. You don't need to take the wheels out, but their attacks can be a
nuisance, so I advice doing so. When the wheels leave the screen, the
Mini-Boss will make an appearance. The hand will copy your movements in an
attempt to pound the ground and crush you. If you keep running back and forth,
you should be able to dodge it. When it pounds the ground, hit it once.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When the pool of lava freezes over, go right and head across it. Press the
switch and go through the opening. Head across the blue cylinder while
avoiding the row of spikes. Dodge the Robotnik Boxes and use the moving
platforms to go to the top. Head right and run down the slope. Drop down and
go left.
Drop down the ledge and go down the steps. Spin Dash through the walls and use
the spring. Jump onto the moving platform and go left to find a hidden
passageway containing a Giant Ring. Drop down and go left. Head past the
moving spikes and run down the slope.
Go right and jump over the flamethrowers. Press the switch and enter the
opening. Use the spiked platforms and go right. Head past the Starpost and
use the spring. Jump across the platforms while dodging the spikes. Go left
and press the switch. Enter the opening and head past the flamethrowers.
Use the spiked platforms and go right. Press the switch and enter the opening.
Use the blue cylinders as pulley lifts. Go left and use the spring. Collect
the Flame Shield in the hidden passageway and jump across the two platforms.
Enter another hidden passageway to find a Giant Ring. Leave the passageway and
go right.
Go past the moving platforms and Spin Dash through the walls. Go down the
black tunnel and Spin Dash over the flamethrower. Head past the spikes and
drop down the collapsing ledges. Go left and press the switch. Run down the
slope and head past the Starpost. Press the switch and enter the opening.
Hop across the ledges and go up the platforms. Head past the flamethrowers and
use the spring. When you land on a platform, go right and climb up the steps.
As you do so, you'll see the Death Egg in the background once again. It seems
the repairs are complete, and Robotnik plans to use the Master Emerald as a
power source to launch the space station. When you reach the end of the steps,
you'll meet Knuckles. He pushes a boulder down the steps, causing you to fall
into the abyss below.
When you land, you'll see the Death Egg in plain view. After Robotnik
demonstrates its blasts and heats up the lava, he'll appear in the background.
Robotnik fires eight missiles at you. Hop across the platforms to dodge them.
When the screen continuously scrolls to the right, jump across the collapsing
ledges one by one. This is a difficult area to get through, as you can lose a
life, by moving too slowly or falling off the platforms/ledges.
When you reach the Starpost, go past it and hop across the platforms. When the
screen stops scrolling to the right, go back the first platform to find a Flame
Shield nearby. Collect the Flame Shield. It'll make the Boss Battle coming up
much easier. Position Sonic on a platform and wait for it to descend. When
you reach the waterfall of lava at the bottom, Robotnik will emerge from the
lava on the right side of the screen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Mine Launcher Machine - 14 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When Robotnik appears, he'll tilt the lava in his direction. If you've
collected the Flame Shield, you can go left and hop across the platforms to
avoid sliding into Robotnik. When Robotnik launches 3 mines, jump on the
platforms to dodge them. If you get hit, you'll lose the Flame Shield, making
this Boss Battle harder to win. The 3 mines will hit Robotnik one after
another. When Robotnik sinks into the lava, he'll emerge in the opposite
direction and repeat his attack pattern.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When a Prison Egg starts to descend from above, be aware of the lava that is
still around you. If you fall into it by mistake, you'll lose your Rings or
lose a life, so wait for the Prison Egg to reach your jumping distance first.
Once it's at a reasonable height, jump up to hit its plunger. After the lava
freezes over once again, you can safely go across it and enter Hidden Palace
Zone.
===============================================================================
6.05 - Hidden Palace Zone
===============================================================================
"Some mysteries are solved! Robotnik makes his big play, and Knuckles finds out
who the REAL bad guy is!"
The above statement is the Instruction Manual's description of this Zone, and
that's generally what happens in the Hidden Palace. It is the shortest Zone in
the game, due to the fact that its purpose is to show Robotnik's true colours
to Knuckles. On a side note, when you go to the Level Select menu, you don't
actually see the Zone's name on the screen. It's referred to as Act 4 of the
Lava Reef Zone instead.
Anyway, back to the Walkthrough. Go right and head up the steps. If you're
playing as Tails, you can fly up to find every type of Item Box at the top left
and right. Use the teleporter and go past the Starpost. Head right to meet
Knuckles. The echidna finally challenges you to a battle. The ancient stone
tablet displayed above shows a picture of Sonic unleashing incredible Emerald
forces in a showdown with Robotnik. This event takes place in The Doomsday
Zone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Knuckles the Echidna - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
In comparison to your recent Boss Battles, Knuckles is easy to defeat. If you
Spin Dash towards him, he'll block it, so don't bother. If Knuckles Spin
Dashes, jump over him. Don't Spin Dash to counter Knuckles' Spin Dash, since
you'll still get hurt. When he glides, hit him from behind. If you Spin Dash
towards Knuckles the moment he lands, you can hit him, but it's tricky to do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After the battle, a series of explosions occur. When Knuckles runs off to
investigate, chase after the echidna and you'll see Robotnik stealing the
Master Emerald from the Emerald Chamber. (If you're playing Sonic 3 & Knuckles,
you may notice grey/coloured Super Emeralds here, depending on whether you have
collected the Chaos/Super Emeralds in Special Stages.) Knuckles realises that
Robotnik is the true villain, but it's too late - the mad doctor has stolen the
Master Emerald!
As Robotnik flies off, you automatically head right. Knuckles attempts to stop
Robotnik, but he electrocutes the echidna and makes his escape. Robotnik can
take infinite hits, so don't bother attacking him. When the floor around you
collapses, you'll land in another area. Knuckles awakens and breaks down a
wall. He runs left and shows you a teleporter. Sonic jumps onto it and is
transported to Sky Sanctuary Zone.
===============================================================================
6.06 - Sky Sanctuary Zone
===============================================================================
Like Hidden Palace, Sky Sanctuary is no ordinary Zone. There is only one Act
in this Zone, and it is divided into three Boss Battles. They're a blast from
the past for players of Sonic 1 and Sonic 2.
When you arrive, you'll see the Death Egg rise from underneath the clouds.
It is powered by the Master Emerald and piloted by Robotnik. He dispatches an
armada of EggRobos to patrol the Sky Sanctuary Zone, so be ready for them.
Knuckles presses a switch to create a bridge for you to cross.
Jump on the vines and go right. Run down the slope and head up the green
tower. Jump across the black pillars and go left. After the fountain, go past
the EggRobo and hop across the black pillars. Jump over the clouds. You'll
fight Mecha Sonic of Sonic CD. It seems Robotnik dispatched him to stop you
from reaching the Death Egg. The robot will battle you on three separate
occasions throughout this level. The first two Bosses are carbon copies of
Sonic 1's Green Hill Zone Boss and Sonic 2's Metropolis Zone Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Mecha Sonic's Chained Ball Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When Mecha Sonic appears on the right side of the screen, jump on one of the
two platforms and hit him twice. As Mecha Sonic reveals his chained ball, stay
underneath the western platform to avoid getting hurt. When he swings the ball
to the left, jump on the platform and hit him. You should bounce off him and
land on the platform without getting hurt. Repeat this strategy to win.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Use the teleporter and go right. Head past the Starpost and grab the vines.
Hop across the black pillars and use the vines. Collect the Flame Shield and
go right. Jump across the clouds and go past the spiked swing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Mecha Sonic's Sphere Cloning Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When Mecha Sonic appears in the centre of the screen, use Sonic's Insta-Shield
to hit him. Although eight spheres are protecting Mecha Sonic, you'll still
get score hits against him and you won't get hurt. If you're Tails, you can
fly up and hit him. As long as Mecha Sonic remains in the air, you won't get
hurt if you attack him. This is due to a glitch, which wasn't in the original
Metropolis Zone Boss. When you hit Mecha Sonic, he'll release one of the eight
spheres and stay in the air. If you destroy the spheres, Mecha Sonic will
descend, so I advice ignoring them and concentrating on hitting him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Use the teleporter and go left. Head past the Starpost and use the spiked
swing. Go up and jump across the clouds. Go right and head past the spiked
swings. Use the teleporter and apprach the tower. When you see the birds,
wait for a moment and take out the EggRobo that appears. Go up the bridges and
head past the Starpost. Use the teleporter to transport Sonic to an arena
where you have a showdown with Mecha Sonic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Mecha Sonic - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
Mecha Sonic's attack pattern is similar to that of Silver Sonic from Sonic 2's
Death Egg Zone. Fortunately, this battle is much easier, since you have Rings
and Mecha Sonic's pattern isn't difficult to predict. He will spin around the
screen and he will do two attacks. If he charges towards you, jump to dodge
the attack. If he spins towards you, learn his pattern, so you can avoid the
attack. You can only hit him when he isn't spinning. Once you get the hang of
countering Mecha Sonic's attacks, this battle should be over soon enough.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Mecha Sonic short-circuits, the arena falls apart and Sonic jumps onto a
tower. He runs up the collapsing spiral pathway and jumps onto the rising
Death Egg.
===============================================================================
6.07 - Death Egg Zone
===============================================================================
Death Egg Zone is the final level of Sonic & Knuckles if you haven't collected
all 7 Chaos Emeralds. Obstacles include electric bridges, electric walls,
collapsing platforms, conveyor belts, sound wave machines, anti-gravity
passageways, and reversed gravity. While this Zone isn't easy, it isn't too
hard either, in comparison to Sonic 1's Scrap Brain Zone and Sonic 2's
Metropolis Zone. If you follow my Walkthrough, you should be able to complete
this level without too much problems.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Take out the Spikebonker and go across the electric bridge. Use the collapsing
platforms and head right. When the electric wall is active, use the speed
boost and grab the pulley lift. Go left and collect the Water Shield. Use the
moving platform and head through the anti-gravity passageway.
Use the moving platform and go right. Head up the steps and go across the
conveyor belt. When you arrive at the Starpost, jump up the electric bridges
and climb up the steps. Grab the pulley lift and head right. Use the sound
wave machine and go down the steps. Run through the anti-gravity passageway.
Go down the conveyor belt and head across the electric bridge. Go left and
cross another conveyor belt. Watch out for the rockets that are launched at
you, when you ride the next one. When you reach the Starpost, jump over to the
right immediately to avoid falling into the gap and losing a life. Climb up
the steps and go through the anti-gravity passageway. Press all six switches
on the moving platform and go through another passageway.
Use the speed boost and go left. Use the sound wave machines and climb up the
steps. Go past the Starpost and head right to meet the Mini-Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Eye Machine - 16 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
In my opinion, this is the hardest Mini-Boss in the game. When the eight balls
circle around the machine on the floor, you can hit the eye. Unfortunately,
each time you do so, one of the balls will explode, scattering tiny spikes
everywhere. It can be difficult to avoid them. If you lose your Rings, try to
get them back quickly, so you can hit the eye constantly. When the balls
extend themselves, wait for them to circle around the machine again, so you can
hit the eye.
When all the balls are destroyed and you've hit the eye 8 times, there will be
an explosion and the eye itself will attack. It looks like this Mini-Boss
Battle is far from over. There are now 2 spiked platforms circling around the
eye. You must jump on these platforms to hit the eye. Unfortunately, the eye
fires a laser underneath it at different times. You need to wait for the laser
to disappear before attacking the eye. If the eye fires the laser and hovers
towards you, the rotating spiked platforms can hurt you. If you go to the
opposite side of the screen, you can duck to try to avoid the spikes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
After the armour of the Death Egg is destroyed, you'll be sent hovering
upwards. You'll notice that the background has changed. It seems the space
station has been orbiting around Sonic's home planet Mobius for some time now.
Anyway, go right and head across the electric bridge. Go through the
anti-gravity passageway. From this point, there will be reversed gravity at
different times throughout the level.
Head across the electric bridge and go through the anti-gravity passageway.
When you have to choose which direction to go in next, take the eastern route,
as it's the easiest path to get through. Climb up the steps and go right.
Head across the conveyor belt and climb more steps. Go left and use the
elevator.
Go right and head across the electric bridge. Hop across the moving platforms
and go down the conveyor belt. Head past the Starpost and go down another
conveyor belt. This one is much harder to get through, as it is on the
ceiling. Try to dodge the rockets by jumping constantly. Go left and use the
springs. Go right and use the elevator. When you reach the dropping
platforms, stand on the last one to the left and wait for the last one to the
right to rise. When it does so, hop onto it and jump over to the right. Watch
out for the electric ceiling as you go past the Starpost.
Head across the conveyor belt and use the elevator. Go left and use the sound
wave machine. Go right and use another machine. Go through the anti-gravity
passageway and use the machine. Climb up the steps and take the elevator.
Board the next one and go down the steps. Ride the conveyor belt and go past
the Starpost. Take the elevator to face another Mini-Boss. Like the Flying
Battery Zone, there are two Mini-Bosses in this level.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Shielded Sphere Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When you appear on the right side of the screen, you'll see Robotnik behind a
wall, controlling his machine. You can't destroy this Mini-Boss by yourself.
You must use the 4 elevators to change the gravity and cause the spiked robots
to hit the machine. If you are on the ceiling, you can Spin Dash to change the
position of the spiked robots, so the spikes can hit the machine. This can be
tricky to do, though. When a spiked robot damages the machine, tiny spikes
will be sent around the screen. If you enter the elevators, you can avoid
getting hurt by them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the machine explodes, the wall behind Robotnik crumbles and Sonic chases
after him. Like the finale of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, you'll now have to fight 3
Bosses one after another. If you lose a life from this point, you'll start the
Boss Battles without any Rings, so try to make your first play through count.
When Robotnik locks himself inside a giant robot, the floor to the left will
start to collapse, so run right to avoid falling off the screen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Giant Robot, Part 1 - 18 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When the floor starts shaking, you'll see Robotnik's Giant Robot appear on the
left side of the screen. He uses the robot's six fingers to pound the floor.
You must hit the fingers 18 times, as each finger takes 3 hits to destroy. You
can Spin Dash between the two sets of fingers to take them out more quickly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When all the fingers are destroyed, Robotnik's Giant Robot will sink beneath
the floor. As the floor starts to collapse again, you'll see the Giant Robot
surface on the left side of the screen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Giant Robot, Part 2 - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When the Giant Robot appears, the floor will start collapsing continuously from
this point. As Robotnik fires a flamethrower at you, jump to dodge it. Hit
the robot to reveal its power source - the Master Emerald! When Robotnik begins
charging up the laser cannon, hit the Emerald once and wait for the cannon to
charge up. When it does, jump up IMMEDIATELY to dodge the huge laser. If
you're playing as Sonic & Tails, Tails will copy your moves, so you can
probably hit the Master Emerald more than once during each attack sequence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Of course, Robotnik isn't going to go down that easily. As the exploding Giant
Robot leaves the screen, he grabs the Master Emerald and tries to escape.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Emerald Grabber Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
As Robotnik flies off, the floor will start collapsing continuously again. You
must run right and chase after Robotnik. Hold Right to keep running fast. If
you're move too slowly, you'll fall off the screen. You'll probably only be
able to hit Robotnik once each time you get near him, so be patient. If you're
playing as Sonic & Tails, you may be able to hit Robotnik more than once.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Robotnik flies off, he'll drop the Master Emerald and make his escape. The
Death Egg explodes, causing the space station's destruction. Sonic will enter
The Doomsday Zone, assuming you have collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds. If you
haven't, the game will end at this point. If you're playing as Tails, you'll
have completed the game. Congratulations!
===============================================================================
6.08 - The Doomsday Zone
===============================================================================
When the Death Egg exploded, Robotnik stole the Master Emerald while Sonic was
distracted. You can only access this zone if you have collected all seven
Chaos Emeralds. As Super Sonic, you must fly through the asteroid field to
retrieve the Master Emerald from Robotnik. Note that you lose Rings for every
second that your character is in his Super Form, so you must collect Rings to
increase your Rings gauge. Otherwise, you'll turn back into your regular
character. Consequently, you'll lose a life and have to repeat the level.
(If you're playing Sonic 3 & Knuckles, you can access this zone, even if you
have transformed the Chaos Emeralds into grey Super Emeralds. As long as 7
Emeralds are displayed on your Save File, you can play this zone. Once you've
collected all 7 Super Emeralds, you can still access this zone. The only
difference is that you'll be Hyper Sonic instead of Super Sonic. You'll also
see an extra scene before the credits as a sign of completing the objective of
restoring all of Knuckles' Emeralds back to the Floating Island.)
Upon transforming into Super Sonic in outer space, make your way through the
level while avoiding the asteroids and missiles. I haven't written a
walkthrough for this level, as it is difficult to write one, since it would be
hard to understand, in my opinion. Instead, I've written some general hints
and tips.
Try to fly up and down to collect the Rings that you see as you progress
through the level. If you remember the layout of this level, it's possible to
collect a lot of Rings. I've often managed to get 100 Rings here. If you
follow the paths of rows of Rings, you'll be able to dodge most of the
asteroids and missiles. Both asteroids and missiles can slow down your
movement, but this only lasts for a few seconds, as you can break through the
latter and destroy the former. Eventually, you'll leave the asteroid field and
catch up with Robotnik's spaceship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Spaceship - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
If you've got nearly 100 Rings, you'll have plenty of time to win this Boss
Battle. If you've got around 70 Rings, it's best to win as soon as possible.
Robotnik fires tiny projectiles and launches three missiles at you. You must
trick the missiles into hitting the upper right grey part of the spaceship.
Lead the missiles into the grey part, damaging the spaceship in the process.
The projectiles and missiles can stop you for a moment, but the latter will be
destroyed if they hit you. Use the A, B or C Buttons to speed up, so you can
lead the missiles towards the spaceship quicker.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the spaceship explodes and falls down to Mobius, Robotnik will appear in a
giant robot (not again?) and try to escape with the Master Emerald. You must
enter another asteroid field to stop the mad doctor once and for all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Final Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Giant Robot - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
This Boss will look familiar to Sonic 2 players because it is the same design
as the Final Boss from Sonic 2's Death Egg Zone. This time, however, Robotnik
will only shoot missiles and spikes at you, and he will be constantly trying to
run away from you. If you fly at your normal speed, you won't get to Robotnik
in time to defeat him, so press the A, B or C Buttons repeatedly to catch up
with him. Since you can collect Rings, this final fight is actually easier
than the previous battle. Simply charge into Robotnik to hit him. If he
launches missiles or spikes at you, ignore them. Since you're Super Sonic,
they can't hurt you. They may pull you back a little, but if you concentrate
on attacking Robotnik, this battle should be over soon enough.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the Giant Robot explodes and falls apart, Super Sonic will grab the Master
Emerald. Congratulations! You have completed Sonic & Knuckles! Now enjoy the
ending.
If you collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds, Super Sonic will bring the Master
Emerald down with him from outer space. When Super Sonic enters Mobius'
atmosphere, Tails appears in the Tornado and grabs the Master Emerald. You
turn back into regular Sonic and land on the biplane. Sonic and Tails return
to the Floating Island and leave the Master Emerald in Angel Island Zone. As
Floating Island rises into the sky, Sonic and Tails leave in their plane.
If you obtained 0-6 Chaos Emeralds, Sonic will fall from outer space, but the
Master Emerald will remain there. When Sonic enters Mobius' atmosphere, Tails
appears in the Tornado. You'll land on the biplane and return to the Floating
Island. The island remains in the sea as Sonic and Tails leave in their plane.
When you complete the game, watch the credits roll and you'll eventually see
a short scene at the end, depending on whether you collected all 7 Chaos
Emeralds. If you did, you'll see the wreckage of the Death Egg and one of
Robotnik's EggRobo Badniks emerging from it. This is the same EggRobo that
drops a bomb in Knuckles' intro scene and pilots the vehicles in his adventure.
If you didn't, you'll see Robotnik with the Master Emerald.
###############################################################################
7. S&K Walkthrough (Knuckles)
###############################################################################
When the Title Screen appears, you'll see the Death Egg plummeting back down to
the Floating Island. As the space station lands on top of Lava Reef Zone's
volcano, Sonic and Knuckles will appear on a cliff. You can use Up or Down to
decide which character you want to play as. If you're playing as Knuckles,
read this Walkthrough.
Note: Since this section is primarily a walkthrough, I won't be giving much
detail on the locations of the Giant Rings, as they're covered elsewhere in
this guide.
===============================================================================
7.01 - Mushroom Hill Zone
===============================================================================
Knuckles' adventure begins with a bang, when an EggRobo (this is the same
EggRobo that emerges from the wreckage of the Death Egg at the conclusion of
Sonic's adventure) drops a bomb where Knuckles is resting with his animal
friends. As Knuckles notices the bomb, it explodes, causing the echidna to
be knocked unconscious and his friends to run away. After regaining his
senses, a furious Knuckles sees EggRobo hovering down from above and chases
after the Badnik (if you're playing S3&K, you'll skip this scene and begin this
zone immediately).
Mushroom Hill Zone is a good training level for practicing and mastering
Knuckles' moves. Be on the lookout for badniks such as Cluckoid and Dragonfly.
The Cluckoid can blow you back in the opposite direction, while the Dragonfly
usually appears when you least expect it. If you get caught in vines, Spin
Dash to get free.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Head right and go past the Butterdroids. Run through the loop de loop and roll
down the hill. Collect the Super Shoes for a speed boost. Ignore the pulley
lift nearby and proceed right. Climb up the poles and run through the loop de
loop. Use the pulley lift above you to go up. Press Up and Down to make the
pulley lift go up and down, respectively.
Use the two mushrooms to raise Knuckles higher, so you can access the spring
above you. Bounce on it and speed through the loop de loop. Use this swing
lift to send Knuckles over to the right. Head across the vine-shaped bridge
and drop the pole at the bottom right. You'll land next to a secret passageway
containing a Giant Ring.
Exit the passageway by going right, and use the swing lift to hoist Knuckles up
to a vine-shaped bridge. Drop down and go past the Starpost. Run down the
hill and drop down again to find a pulley lift. To the right of it is a hidden
passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Exit the passageway and use the pulley lift. Run through two loop de loops.
When you nearly reach a mushroom at the top, stop running left and drop down to
the right. Continue onward to find a passageway containing a Giant Ring. When
you exit the passageway, watch out for the Dragonfly on patrol. Run down the
loop de loop and climb up the poles to find a Starpost. Go past it and head
right to meet the Mini-Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Woodcutter Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
The machine will throw logs at you in a vertical direction. If you have the
Fire Shield, hit it from below to destroy it. Alternatively, wait for it to
come down before jumping on top of it to attack it. Watch out for the logs it
throws at you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and head down the hill. This is where Knuckles pulled a lever in
Sonic's adventure, but now you can break through the wall and continue onward.
When you see a Dragonfly, climb up the cliff beneath it. Take out the
Dragonfly and grab an Invincibility. Drop down and run through the passageway
to end up in an Autumn/Fall version of this level.
Glide back and forth to safely descend to the bottom. Break through the walls
and bounce on the hidden spring. Glide across the spikes and grab onto the
blue mushroom lift. Controlling a mushroom lift is similar to gliding. Press
Left/Right to move it.
Earlier on in the Act, when you see a pulley lift and a Madmole, drop down.
Run through the loop de loop and bounce on the hidden spring. Grab onto the
blue mushroom lift. Press Left/Right to move it. Use the pulley left and go
past the Starpost. Bounce on another spring and use the spring nearby to send
Knuckles over to the right. You'll land near a hidden passageway containing
a Giant Ring.
Use the mushroom seesaws and run through the loop de loops. Drop through the
gap nearby and use the pole to hoist Knuckles upwards. Use the spring to go up
the loop de loop and find a passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Go back up and use the pulley lift nearby. Go right and use the mushrooms to
send Knuckles up to a Super Ring and an Invincibility. Use the spring to go
over to the right. Go up the loop de loop and use another spring. When you
land near a spring and a mushroom, drop down to the left and head right to find
a hidden passageway containing a Giant Ring. Now exit the passageway and use
the seesaw to land on a spring above.
Head across the vine-shaped bridge and go past the Starpost. Use the pulley
lift and bounce on the red spring to catapult Knuckles over to the swing lift.
If you can use the springs to bounce Knuckles over to the right, you'll land
near a loop de loop. When you come across a Cluckoid, go past it to find a
hidden passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Run through the loop de loops and use the pulley lift to go upwards. Before
you do so, go past the Cluckoid and enter the hidden passageway to find a Giant
Ring. When you make it to the surface, go right and use the mushroom seesaws.
Go past the Starpost to see a satellite dish emitting signals.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: EggRobo's Speed Booster Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
Jump on the satellite dish to destroy it, revealing EggRobo's machine in the
process. If you can hit him a few times, the Boss Battle will be easier to
win. When EggRobo flies off to the right, chase after him and follow him
through an obstacle course. When you are running through the obstacle course,
jump to avoid the spikes. If you keep running, you'll catch up with EggRobo.
When he switches off the boosters, you can hit him. If you have a Flame
Shield, the boosters won't hurt you, so you can attack EggRobo constantly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EggRobo's machine starts to explode, but EggRobo still isn't worried. However,
its machine soon crashes into a tree and it falls apart. When you've opened
the Prison Egg, Knuckles will look up and you'll see the Flying Battery Blimp
fly past. EggRobo flies up in his Eggmobile and enters the battleship.
Knuckles
immediately jumps up and grabs onto it.
===============================================================================
7.02 - Flying Battery Zone
===============================================================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and head through the purple cylinder. Go down the platform and head
left. Go past the flame blasters and head right. Outside the Flying Battery,
hop across the platforms and use the levers. Jump onto the ledge and go up to
re-enter the Blimp.
Go past the Starpost and make your way through the purple cylinders. Spin Dash
up the slope and position Sonic on the flame blaster. After being catapulted
upwards, go right and use the moving platforms to go over to the flame blaster.
If you open the Prison Egg, Badniks will emerge from it, so watch out.
Use the flame blaster to go upwards. Go past the mines and use the poles.
Drop down and go left. Jump over the speed boost and go past more mines. Go
down the platform and head right. Wait for the platforms to rise to avoid
getting crushed.
Go past the Starpost and press the switch. Drop down and go left. Spin Dash
up the slopes and jump on the Prison Egg. Run through the purple cylinders and
drop down. Go right and head past the Starpost. Go up the slopes and use the
moving platforms.
Jump on the Prison Egg and use the spring. Go right and wait for the missiles
to uncover an opening for you to drop through. When you drop down, run
through the purple cylinder and head past the Starpost.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Fake Prison Egg Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When you come across the machine, it will be disguised as a Prison Egg. Jump
on the plunger to reveal two spiked arms. To destroy this Mini-Boss, you make
it attack itself. Position Knuckles on the plunger and wait for one of the
spiked arms to proceed to hit you. When it does so, run off the plunger. The
machine will be hit instead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and head up the purple cylinder. Jump on the springs and go past the
mines. Drop down and head through the purple cylinder. Press the switch and
go down. Head right and press another switch. Go down the whole way and head
left.
Go past the Starpost and press the switch. Go up and use the spider to go
across the purple cylinder. Run past the mines and press the switch. Drop
down and go through the purple cylinder. Go past the Starpost and press the
switch.
Go right and jump on the flame blaster to undo the cork screw. Drop down and
go past the Starpost. Press the switch and Spin Dash to avoid getting crushed.
Press two more switches and drop down. Go right and use the platforms.
Go past the mines and use the spider. Go down and press the switch. Go past
the Starpost and head left. Go up and head through the purple cylinder. Use
the moving platforms to get to the top and meet another Mini-Boss. Yes, there
are two Mini-Bosses in the Flying Battery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Laser Machine - 0 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
EggRobo unleashes a laser machine on you. It is similar to Sonic 2's Wing
Fortress Zone Boss. This time, however, you can't destroy it. You must make
it destroy itself. Each time it fires a laser, it will damage itself and cause
the room to cave in. If you have a Lightning/Water Shield, you can hit the
machine, but it won't have any effect. Eventually, the machine will explode
and EggRobo will run off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Follow the path, and a platform will start ascending. Keep running until you
arrive at the final spikes. The platform will take you up and it'll eventually
stop rising. When it does so, EggRobo will swoop down and appear in the
centre of the screen. (Robotnik's sprite is shown, but it's really EggRobo that
you're fighting. Apparently, Sonic Team decided not to replace Robotnik's
sprite with that of EggRobo, as it may have been difficult to programme
EggRobo's sprite, since this Boss has a different sprite than all the others.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: EggRobo's Spiked Swinging Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When EggRobo appears, he'll swing up and down. When he's doing this, you can
attack him. After swinging for a moment, EggRobo will move his machine
towards you. If you position Knuckles underneath it, EggRobo will fire a
flamethrower at you. When EggRobo approaches you, jump over to the opposite
side of the screen. When EggRobo starts swinging again, you can hit him. As
Knuckles, this Boss Battle will be harder, as EggRobo fires flamethrowers
continuously, so watch out. If you hit the left or right side of EggRobo,
you'll have a better chance of avoiding getting hurt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the Prison Egg is opened, you'll automatically run right and go through a
hallway. Knuckles jumps off the battleship and lands in Sandopolis Zone.
===============================================================================
7.03 - Sandopolis Zone
===============================================================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When you land in the sand, jump up. Go right and push the yellow block. Ride
it and go down the slides. Run down the slope and grab the pulley lift. Go
right and run through the loop de loop. Push the yellow block and ride it.
Use the swings and go left.
Collect the Invincibility and go up. Go past the Starpost and head down the
slides. When you land in the quicksand, jump over to the right. Push the
yellow block and ride it. Spin Dash up the slope, and use the platforms to go
up the slide. Run through the loop de loop and use the pulley lift.
Push the yellow block and ride it. Go right and then up. Use the swing and go
past the Starpost. Use the pulley lift and push the yellow block. Ride it.
When you drop down, go right and head down the slopes. Use the swings and go
left. Run through the loop de loop and go up.
Go right and use the pulley lift. Go past the Starpost and head right. You'll
see a pyramid rise from underneath the sand. When the entrance opens, the
fight with the Pyramid Guardian begins.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Pyramid Guardian - 0 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When the Pyramid Guardian approaches you, you can hit him, but it'll have no
effect. To defeat this Mini-Boss, you must trick it into entering the
quicksand nearby. You can jump into the quicksand and wait for the Guardian
to head towards you. If you keep jumping in the quicksand, the Guardian will
jump into it, destroying the Mini-Boss in the process. Alternatively, you can
go to the right side of the screen and hit the Guardian constantly.
Eventually, the impact of your attacks will send it into the quicksand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When you appear in the pyramid, you'll notice that it's dark and that the
ghosts have been released. Quickly, pull the lever to activate the lanterns.
Go right and pull the levers to turn on the lanturns. Head right and push the
black block to the right. Go through the opening and go up. Go left and
collect the Invincibility. Push the black block to the left and leave. Run
through the loop de loop, and you'll land on the opened Prison Egg.
Push the black block to the left and go through the opening. Press the lever
and go down the slides. When you see a swing above a particular slide, jump
onto it and go past the Starpost. (If you don't jump onto the correct slide,
you'll go down an infinite loop of slides instead. To continue through the
level, wait for Knuckles to land near the correct slide again and try to jump
onto it this time.) Push the black block to the left and go up. Push the
yellow block and ride it.
When you get through the opening, jump on the swing and use the pulley lift.
Push the black block to the right and go up the opening. Go right and run
through the loop-de-loops. Go past the Starpost and push the black block to
the right. Jump on the swing and press the lever.
Go through the opening and break the container. When the sand rises, go left
and then up. Jump on the swing and push the black block to the left. Go right
and head through the opening. Break the container and press the lever. Go
right and then left. Push the black block to the right to reveal an opening.
Go through the opening and push the black boulder to the right. Go right and
jump on the swing. Press the lever and push the black block. Jump down the
opening and go right. Jump on the swing and use the pulley lift. Go right and
press the lever.
Run through the loop de loop and go left. Use the pulley lift and head right.
Go past the Starpost and head down the slide. Run through the loop de loop and
use the spring to land on the slide. Go down the slide and run through another
loop de loop. Go right and use the lever.
When you see two moving platforms, drop down and break through the eastern
wall (you can't take Sonic's route due to Knuckles' low jump). After a while,
you'll arrive in a room where the exit is locked. If you push the black block,
it will go back to its original position too quickly for you to progress.
Fortunately, there is a container nearby. Smash it to fill the room with sand.
Push the yellow block over to the black block. When the wall rises to its
zenith, head for the exit.
Press the lever and go right. Push the black block to the right and position
Knuckles on it. Quickly glide over to the western wall and then glide right.
Break through the eastern walls and go past the exit. When you reach a
Starpost, push the black block and drop down to battle the Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: EggRobo's Egyptian-Themed Robot - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When the Egyptian-Themed Robot moves towards you, EggRobo will charge up his
laser cannon and fire a small laser at you. If you stay away from the robot,
you should be able to dodge it. EggRobo will use his 2 hands to crush you,
but you can use them to climb up the robot and hit the laser cannon. The
armour of the robot will fall apart, revealing EggRobo in the process. Hit
him a few times and jump off the robot, as the armour will cover it up again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once you have opened the Prison Egg, you'll automatically head right and
Knuckles will enter Lava Reef Zone.
===============================================================================
7.04 - Lava Reef Zone
===============================================================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When you arrive, go right and head past the stalitites. The moving spiked
platform can be difficult to cross, but if you Spin Dash after it rises, you
should be able to pass it. While avoiding the spiked balls, climb down the
steps. When you come across the waterfall of lava and a drilling machine, stay
on the left side of the screen.
When the ground in the centre of the screen collapses, you're supposed to drop
down and follow the southern path. Instead, you can take the northern path to
end up on Sonic's route through this Act. If you go left for a while and then
head right, you'll see that the drilling machine is gone. You can jump over to
the right and climb up the steps (avoid the flamethrowers as you do so). Press
the switch to reveal a hidden exit to the right.
Go right and press the switch. Go through the opening and make your way down
the steps. Head across the waterfall of lava and press the switch. Go through
the opening and head right. You can attack the drilling machine if you want
to, but it'll fall into the pool of lava, destroying it. The Death Egg can't
be seen in the background. It seems Robotnik repaired the space station and
launched it, but Sonic finally destroyed it.
When you land, hop across the rocks and press the switch. Climb up the steps
and Spin Dash up. Spin Dash through the boulders and use the moving spiked
platform. Go left and use another platform. Climb up the steps and press the
switch. Go through the opening and use the platform.
When the moving platform rises, jump down and head right. Spin Dash through
the boulders and go past the Starpost. Run down the slope and collect the
Flame Shield. When the ledge collapses, go down the steps and head right. Go
across the bridge and run down the black tunnel.
Go left and destroy the switch. Run through the opening and head down the
slope. Watch out for the spiked ball as you drop down the gap. Go right and
climb up the steps. Head across the waterfalls of lava. Press the switch and
go through the opening. When the lava rises, wait for it to sink before
crossing the platforms.
Go past the Starpost and Spin Dash through the boulders. Use the moving
platforms and press the switch. Go through the opening and climb up the steps.
Press the switch and run through another opening. Spin Dash through the
boulders and go down the slope. Press the switch and go through the last
opening. Head past the Starpost.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Hand Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
Although the Mini-Boss is the Hand Machine, there are also two wheels for you
to contend with. They will fire small projectiles at you, so run back and
forth to dodge them. Each wheel takes 4 hits to destroy. If you concentrate
on destroying one wheel, you can deal with the other one during the next attack
sequence. You don't need to take the wheels out, but their attacks can be a
nuisance, so I advice doing so. When the wheels leave the screen, the
Mini-Boss will make an appearance. The hand will copy your movements in an
attempt to pound the ground and crush you. If you keep running back and forth,
you should be able to dodge it. When it pounds the ground, hit it once.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When the pool of lava freezes over, go right and head across it. Press the
switch and go through the opening. Head across the blue cylinder while
avoiding the row of spikes. Dodge the Robotnik Boxes and head right to
break open a few boulders (you can't take Sonic's route due to Knuckles' low
jump). Go through the orange pipe and jump over the hidden spring.
Break through the boulders and grab a Flame Shield on the platform nearby. You
can bounce on the bottom right spring to have an easier time getting to it.
Drop down the collapsing ledges and head past the exploding rocks. When the
eastern platform moves left, jump right to continue onward.
Head across the blue cylinder while avoiding the row of spikes, but beware of
the overhead spikes. Bounce on the hidden spring to catapult Knuckles up to a
Starpost. Activate it and drop down. Press the switch and go through the
opening. Take out the 2 Toxiomisters and use the spiked platforms to descend.
Watch out for the flamethrower.
Break through the boulders and go through the pipe. Climb carefully up the
walls to avoid getting hit by the flamethrowers. When you reach a platform,
press the switch nearby to reveal an opening. Grab the Flame Shield and
activate the Starpost. Go past the Toxiomisters and spiked balls. Press the
switch and head through the opening.
Break through the boulders and go through the pipe. Head past the
flamethrowers and spiked balls. When you reach some steps, climb up them and
break through more boulders. Jump up the moving platforms and go right. Glide
over the long row of spikes. Press the switch and go through the opening.
Break through the boulders and glide over to the right. Head past the
flamethrowers and break through more boulders. The Death Egg can't be seen in
the background. Apparently, the space station crashlanded on top of the
ceiling above you, but Sonic finally destroyed it. This is where Knuckles
pushed a boulder down the steps in Sonic's adventure. As Knuckles, you only
have to continue going right to finish the level.
===============================================================================
7.05 - Hidden Palace Zone
===============================================================================
Hidden Palace Zone is a shadow of its former self in Knuckles' adventure.
Climb down the steps and use the teleporter to transport Knuckles to the Sky
Sanctuary Zone. Sonic Team probably programmed the Zone this way, since you
would battle another Knuckles if you were able to take Sonic's route.
Unfortunately, this means you can't see the Chaos Emeralds in the Emerald
Chamber as Knuckles, but you will see the Master Emerald in Sky Sanctuary Zone.
===============================================================================
7.06 - Sky Sanctuary Zone
===============================================================================
When you arrive at Sky Sanctuary Zone, you'll automatically collect 3 Rings and
see EggRobo fly towards you. It's impossible to avoid getting captured, so let
him grab you and take you over to Mecha Sonic. As Mecha Sonic spins towards
you, Knuckles breaks free of EggRobo's grasp, causing the Badnik's destruction
instead. Although one enemy has been destroyed, another has taken its place,
so you must defeat Mecha Sonic to restore peace to the Floating Island again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Mecha Sonic, Part 1 - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
Mecha Sonic will spin around the screen and he will do two attacks. If he
charges towards you, jump to dodge the attack. If he spins towards you, learn
his pattern, so you can avoid the attack. You can only hit him when he isn't
spinning. Once you get the hang of countering Mecha Sonic's attacks, this
battle should be over soon enough.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Of course, Mecha Sonic isn't going to go down that easily. The robot comes
back to life and rushes towards the Master Emerald. Knuckles follows him and
witnesses Mecha Sonic using the power of the Master Emerald to transform into
Super Mecha Sonic.
The Floating Island can be seen in the background. It seems EggRobo stole the
Master Emerald and brought it here. This explains why Floating Island is
descending, since the Master Emerald is the source of its floating power.
Apparently, Sonic thought that he had defeated Mecha Sonic, but the robot
teamed up with EggRobo, who tricked Knuckles into following him to Sky
Sanctuary Zone. It's up to Knuckles to stop Mecha Sonic once and for all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Final Boss: Mecha Sonic, Part 2 - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
Super Mecha Sonic will fly across the screen and he will do three different
attacks. If you stay underneath Mecha Sonic, he'll spin down towards you.
When you stay near the Master Emerald, he'll charge towards you or fire three
energy balls at you. If he charges, jump left to dodge the attack. If he
fires energy balls, jump to dodge them. While he's in his Super Form, Mecha
Sonic is invincible.
When Super Mecha Sonic fires three energy balls, he'll turn back into regular
Mecha Sonic. This is your chance to attack. However, once he jumps onto the
Master Emerald and becomes his Super Form, he'll be invincible again. It's
possible to score 4 hits against Mecha Sonic before he lands on the Master
Emerald. While he's recharging or spinning, you can't hit him. After six
hits, Super Mecha Sonic will not return to the Master Emerald for recharging.
Instead, he will float across the screen while shooting rings in eight
directions. You can then only hit him when he turns back into regular Mecha
Sonic for a few seconds. Hit him twice to win the final fight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Mecha Sonic explodes, Sky Sanctuary Zone is destroyed. Congratulations! You
have completed Sonic & Knuckles! Now enjoy the ending. As long as you don't
get a Time Over, you'll be able to return to the Floating Island, regardless of
how far it descended.
If you collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds, Knuckles will appear on Sonic's biplane,
holding the Master Emerald. Sonic and Knuckles return to the Floating Island.
As the island rises higher into the sky, Sonic leaves in his plane. If you
obtained 0-6 Chaos Emeralds, an exhausted Knuckles will appear on Sonic's
biplane, but he won't have the Master Emerald. Sonic and Knuckles return to
the Floating Island. The island descends into the sea as Sonic leaves in his
plane.
When you complete the game, watch the credits roll and you'll eventually see
a short scene at the end, depending on whether you collected all 7 Chaos
Emeralds. If you did, you'll see a view of outer space where Knuckles faces
the screen in front of the Sonic & Knuckles logo. If you didn't, you'll see a
short-circuiting Mecha Sonic with the Master Emerald. He somehow repaired
himself, despite exploding to pieces. The robot comes back to life and jumps
onto the Master Emerald, but nothing happens.
###############################################################################
8. S3&K Walkthrough (Sonic/Tails)
###############################################################################
After choosing 1-Player on the Title Screen, select a Save File and choose
which character(s) you want to control. You can choose the following
character(s): Sonic & Tails, Sonic Alone, Tails Alone, and Knuckles Alone. You
can select the No Save File if you don't want to save your progress. This
walkthrough is written for Sonic and Tails.
Note1: If you're Sonic & Tails, Tails will follow you throughout the game,
including the Sonic & Knuckles levels (with the exception of The Doomsday
Zone). If another player controls Tails, you can team up with him/her to
defeat Mini-Bosses/Bosses. Tails can collect Rings that are added to your
total, but he can't open Item Boxes. If Tails loses a life or you run ahead of
him, he'll fly back to the screen. Unlike Sonic, Tails is invincible. This
makes the game much easier to beat.
Note2: Since this section is primarily a walkthrough, I won't be giving much
detail on the locations of the Giant Rings, as they're covered elsewhere in
this guide.
===============================================================================
8.01 - Angel Island Zone
===============================================================================
Angel Island Zone is the first level of Sonic The Hedgehog 3. It's a good
training level to master Sonic's/Tails' controls. In the opening scene, Sonic
and Tails are approaching the Floating Island in their airplane. Sonic jumps
off the plane and transforms into Super Sonic. Super Sonic surfs across the
water and runs onto the Floating Island. As Super Sonic goes past a tunnel,
Knuckles digs out of it, and the pair collide with such force that Sonic drops
his Chaos Emeralds. Knuckles steals the emeralds and runs off. If you're
playing as Tails, you'll skip this scene and begin the game immediately.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Run right and go past the Monkeydude. After the RhinoBot and the two spikes,
drop down and Spin Dash through the boulders to the left. Go into the Giant
Ring to enter the Special Stage. When you reappear in the level, run through
the loop de loop. In the water, jump on the spring to be catapulted over to
the right.
Push the small boulder to the left, and break through the passageway. Grab the
Invincibility and use the hidden spring to return to the surface. Run through
the loop de loop, and go up the tunnel. When you hear the Mini-Boss theme
music, an armada of Bomber Ships will set fire to Angel Island. If you can hit
the main Bomber Ship eight times, nothing will happen. In order to do this,
you must be playing as Sonic & Tails. If a second player controls Tails, you
can team up with him/her to destroy the Bomber Ship.
Go past the Starpost and run down the hill. Jump across the ledges and grab
onto the gravelling hook. Run through the loop de loop, and use the spring to
jump up. As you climb up the ledges, watch out for the Bloominator. Go right
to meet the Mini-Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Bomber Ship - 6 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
Your first Mini-Boss Battle is easy. When the Bomber Ship descends, jump onto
it and keep bouncing off it to score hits. If the Bomber Ship flies up, jump
off it and wait for it to descend again. The boosters underneath it can hurt
you if you touch them, so be careful. When the Bomber Ship fires a
flamethrower, watch out. If you've grabbed a Flame Shield, it won't hurt you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Spin Dash through the tunnel and hold Right to break through the boulders. Go
into the Giant Ring to enter the Special Stage. When you re-appear in the
level, drop down and head right. Go across the bridge, and Spin Dash through
the boulders. Collect the Water Shield and run down the hill.
Go up the hills, and Spin Dash through the tunnel. Jump up to the switch via
the spring. Press the switch to drain the water. Drop down and head right.
Go past the Starpost and head across the wooden bridge. Climb up the ledges
and head right. Take out the Bloominator, and run through the loop de loop.
You'll roll over a slope and two springs will catapult you onward.
When you go left, wait for the platforms to appear before attempting to cross
the waterfall. Spin Dash through the boulders, and collect the Water Shield.
Head right and go across the bridge. Run past the Starpost, and Spin Dash
through the tunnel. When you emerge from the tunnel, run right. The Flying
Battery Blimp will drop bombs onto the ground. If you keep running, you should
dodge all of them. As you go through a series of trees, you'll see Robotnik
in the background. When you reach a waterfall, he'll appear on the left side
of the screen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Fireball Shooter Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When Robotnik appears, hit him once before running over to the right. Robotnik
will drop a fireball onto the bridge, causing it to collapse. Robotnik will
now disappear behind the waterfall and materialise on the right-hand side of
the screen. Once Robotnik shoots his fireballs at you, jump to dodge them.
After Robotnik shoots fireballs vertically and horizonally, attack him. If
Robotnik appears by the eastern waterfall, be careful when hitting him, as
Robotnik might disappear behind the waterfall and you'll fall into the water,
causing you to lose a life in the process. If you have a Flame Shield, this
Boss Battle will much easier, since the fireballs won't hurt you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When a Prison Egg starts to descend from above, wait for it to reach your
jumping distance first. Once the Prison Egg is at a reasonable height, jump up
to hit its plunger. When you go across a bridge, Knuckles will appear. He
presses a switch, which causes the bridge to collapse. If you jump to the left
at the right time, you can avoid falling into the water. However, you can't
confront Knuckles, since he's too high up. In addition, Tails can't fly up
there. Drop down into the water to enter Hydrocity Zone.
===============================================================================
8.02 - Hydrocity Zone
===============================================================================
After Angel Island, Hydrocity ups the difficulty level of the game. The Zone
is a remake of Sonic 1's Labyrinth Zone. Obstacles include conveyor belts, air
fans, speed hand catapults, and spinning pillars.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When you land, go right and activate the switch. Go through the passageway
(press A, B or C Button to let go of the bars) and drop down. Head right and
inhale the bubbles to avoid drowning underwater. Whenever you see some
bubbles, inhale them to avoid losing a life. Grab the Water Shield in the
passageway at the end.
Take out the Badniks and drop down. If you have the Water Shield, you won't
be affected by their weapons and you won't drown underwater. Go through the
passageway and let go of the poles. Hold Right to arrive at a Starpost. Run
through the loop de loop and go left the second time you pass through it.
Run across the water, and hold Right to appear by a Turbo Spiker. Run through
the loop de loop and go right. Drop down and head right. Press the switch to
activate the air fans. Climb up the conveyor belts and jump up via the spring.
Go left and head into the Giant Ring. When you return, go up the slope and go
past the Starpost. Spin Dash through the tunnel to meet the Mini-Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Whirlpool Machine - 6 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When the machine charges towards you, Spin Dash in the opposite direction to
evade its attack. After a while, the machine will connect itself to the pillar
directly above you and start creating a whirlpool. Attack the machine now to
destroy it. If the machine takes off again, wait until it reconnects itself to
the pillar before finishing it off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Spin Dash through the walls and go past the Starpost. When a wall starts
moving towards you, Spin Dash through more walls and proceed to drop down. If
you've played Sonic The Hedgehog 3 on its own, you'll notice that the spring
has been replaced with a 1-Up! Grab it and drop down. Spin Dash through the
last series of walls, and the wall will stop moving.
Spin Dash onto the spinning pillar above and use the air fans to go up. Run
down the slope and go left. As you go up the next slope, go past the Starpost,
and run through the loop de loop. Go down the slopes, and Spin Dash onto the
pillar. Go up via the fans, and run down the slope.
Spin Dash through the walls, and run up the slope. Grab the Invinibility in
the passageway to the left. Go down the slopes. Climb up the moving platforms
and go up the pillars. Use the fans as platforms, and run through the loop de
loop. Go down the slope and run across the bridge.
Go past the Starpost and use the pillars as platforms. Run down the slopes,
and hold Right to come across a few walls. Spin Dash through them and drop
down. Knuckles will press a switch, causing the bridge you're standing on to
collapse. Drop down and go through the passageway. Let go of the bars and
head past the Starpost. Robotnik will appear in the centre of the screen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Water Suction Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When Robotnik appears, he'll position his machine over the water and create a
water suction around it. You'll be pulled towards the water, so run in the
opposite direction to avoid getting hurt. When Robotnik releases the water,
you can jump on it and hit him. I advice waiting for him to drop a few bombs
on the floor. If you jump on top of them as they explode, the impact will
catapult you upwards. If you time it correctly, you can hit Robotnik and
bounce off him. Your best bet is to position Sonic/Tails underneath Robotnik,
so you'll be catapulted upwards and you'll hit him at the same time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once you've opened the Prison Egg, a burst of water will catapult you into
Marble Garden Zone.
===============================================================================
8.03 - Marble Garden Zone
===============================================================================
After being underwater in Hydrocity, Marble Garden returns the player to the
surface of the Floating Island. In this Zone, you'll be Spin Dashing a lot to
uncover platforms and passageways. Earthquakes will be caused by the TunnelBot
and Robotnik in Acts 1 and 2, respectively. Obstacles include platform-rising
wheels, flying spinners, rotating platforms, pulley lifts, overhead spikes,
arrow-shooting machines, chained spiked balls, and mud pits.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When you land, run down the slopes and drop down. Spin Dash through the wall
and jump over the chained spiked ball. Ignore the Tunnelbot, and wait for it
to drill up. Go right and Spin Dash to uncover a series of platforms. Hop
across them, and use the blue flying spinner to go up and then left.
Follow the directions on the signs, and Spin Dash again. Climb up the
platforms and run down the hill. Spin Dash through the wall and use the
flying spinner to break through the next one. Go past the Starpost and run up
the hill. Head right and wait for the maize to go up before Spin Dashing
through the wall.
Hit the arrow-shooting machine three times to drop down. Run down the hills
and Spin Dash to uncover two platforms. Use the flying spinner to break
through the walls. Go right and Spin Dash through the wall to meet the
Mini-Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: TunnelBot - 6 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
-------------------
When the TunnelBot appears, it'll drill up to cause an earthquake. It's
difficult to avoid the stalatites, so watch out. The other types of debris
won't hurt you. When the TunnelBot returns, wait for its drills to point
upwards before attacking it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Spin Dash through the wall and climb up the hills via the pulley lifts. Go
right and Spin Dash through the wall. After seeing Robotnik (you can hit him
if you want to, but it won't make a difference in the Boss Battle), head right
and go down the hills. Go right and Spin Dash to uncover two platforms. Drop
down and enter the passageway to find a Giant Ring.
Go up and head right. Use the spinning top to continue onward. Spin Dash to
uncover two platforms. Go left and climb up the hills via the pulley lifts.
Go past the Starpost and follow the directions on the signs. Hit the
arrow machine three times to uncover two platforms.
Head right and Spin Dash to uncover two platforms. Go right and run down the
hill. Use the flying spinner to break through the walls. Go right and Spin
Dash through the wall. Hit the arrow machine three times to drop down.
Head left and go past the Starpost. Spin Dash to reveal a passageway. After
meeting Robotnik again, Spin Dash through the walls and run down the hills. As
the scenery sinks, keep running to avoid getting crushed and losing a life.
When you arrive at a Starpost, go left and Spin Dash to uncover two platforms.
Head right to meet the Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Jet Drill Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
Go over to the left, and you'll see Robotnik descending from above. If you can
score a few hits, you'll have an easier time winning this Boss Battle.
Robotnik will flee to the skies. If you're playing as Sonic & Tails or Sonic
Alone, Tails will grab Sonic and the two heroes will chase after Robotnik. If
you're playing as Tails, he'll follow Robotnik on his own. If you're playing
as Sonic, attack Robotnik's head to score a hit against him while avoiding the
drill and thrusters. If you fall, Tails will grab Sonic, so don't worry. If
Sonic gets hit, you'll probably lose all your Rings, so be careful.
If you're playing as Tails, you'll have to use his twirling tails to hit
Robotnik. Wait for Robotnik to go across the screen before launching an
attack. This is the best time to strike. It is difficult to hit Robotnik at
any other time, since he goes in different directions, so wait for him to
repeat his attack pattern. If Tails gets hit, you'll probably lose all your
Rings, so make sure to time each attack perfectly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Like Angel Island Zone, a Prison Egg descends from above. It can be somewhat
tricky to open, as you must use Tails' twirling tails to hit the Prison Egg's
plunger. Once you've done this, Tails will fly Sonic to Carnival Night Zone.
===============================================================================
8.04 - Carnival Night Zone
===============================================================================
After the boring background of Marble Garden, the player enters Carnival Night,
a colourful Zone. This Zone is a remake of Sonic 2's Casino Night Zone.
Obstacles include balloons, dropping platforms, rotating drums, spinning
wheels, and bumpers.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
If you're playing as Sonic, Tails will fly him down. If you're playing as
Tails, he'll fly down on his own. Go right and jump across the balloons. Go
up the slope and float across the anti-gravity platforms. After the two moving
spikes, go down the slope and up the rotating white cylinder.
Go right and float across the anti-gravity platforms. Hover upwards and go
head left. Make your way past the bumpers and rotating drums. The drums can
crush you if you run too fast or too slowly, so be careful.
Go left and head past the bumpers. Jump on the dropping platform to make it
rise, so you can jump over to the right. Collect the Water Shield and go
right. Hover upwards. Use the dropping platform to jump onto the spinning
wheel. When you run around the wheel and reach the top, jump over to the
right.
Go past the Starpost and head down the slope. Spin Dash through the wall and
go down the yellow tunnel. If you emerged from the tunnel on the right side,
go right and use the spinning wheels to continue onward. Collect the
Invincibility and float across the anti-gravity platforms.
Go down the yellow tunnel and head right. Float across the anti-gravity
platforms and go past the rotating white cylinders. At the top, collect the
Water Shield and enter the hidden passageway to find a Giant Ring. Drop down
and go right. Hover upwards and go left. Hover upwards again and go past the
Starpost. Head right and drop down to meet the Mini-Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Drill Blade Machine - 4 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
-------------------
To beat this Mini-Boss, you must trick it into destroying itself. When the
drill detaches itself from the blade, it'll move around the screen and start
destroying the floor you are standing on. If you fall off the floor, you'll
lose a life, so it's important to end this Mini-Boss Battle as quickly as you
can. To destroy the Mini-Boss, you must hit the blade to open and extend it.
When the drill attempts to re-attach itself to the blade, you'll score a hit.
Watch out for the energy that appears around it at different times. If you
touch it, you'll get hurt, so be careful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and head down the slope. Make your way past the bumpers and enter the
water. After the two rotating drums, go right and jump onto the drum. From
there, go past the Starpost and float across the anti-gravity platforms. Go
left and use the dropping platform. Go left again and jump up to hover
upwards.
Spin Dash up to the slope, and jump to land on the platform above. Jump across
the balloons and go right. Drop down and break through the floor. Float
across the anti-gravity platforms and use the bumpers to go right.
Go past the rotating drums and the anti-gravity platforms. Hover upwards and
go right. After more drums and platforms, go past the spikes and the Starpost
to meet Knuckles. He presses a switch to turn off the lights.
After Knuckles leaves, go right and collect the Water Shield. Enter the water
and go left. Break through the floor and Spin Dash through the wall. If
you're running out of air, you can pop the balloons to inhale bubbles to stop
Sonic/Tails from drowning. As you drop down, you'll notice that the water is
being drained.
Go left and drop down. Float across the anti-gravity platforms and enter the
water. Head right and make your way past the bumpers. Hover upwards and go
left. After the rotating drums, hover upwards and use the spring to run to the
top. Spin Dash through the wall and go down the slope. Go left and head past
the rotating white cylinders. Press the switch to turn the lights back on.
Spin Dash down the slope and go past the Starpost.
After a while, you'll come across the most difficult obstacle to get past in
the entire game. You've probably gone past these rotating drums earlier, but
now you have to get underneath this rotating drum to continue through the
level. When I first saw the drum years ago, I didn't know what to do. I read
Egmont Fleetway's Sonic The Comic and it said to push Up and Down rapidly when
you are standing on the drum. Well, that solution wasn't working for me, so I
jumped up and down, and somehow Sonic/Tails was able to get underneath the
drum, after months of trying. There is, of course, a better way. Simply press
Up and Down when the drum goes up and down, respectively. When the gap is big
enough for Sonic/Tails to jump down, do so immediately.
Drop down and collect the Invinibility. Float across the anti-gravity
platforms and go down the slope. Make your way past the rotating drums and
hover upwards. Go left and hover upwards again. Go down the slope and float
across more platforms. Go past the Starpost and Spin Dash through the wall.
Run through the speed boosts to see Knuckles once again. He presses a switch,
causing you to hover upwards. Head right to meet the Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Energy Suction Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When Robotnik appears from the right side of the screen, he'll drop a ball on
the floor. As it bounces towards you, jump to dodge it. When Robotnik
positions his machine over the ball, he'll create an energy suction around it.
You'll be pulled towards the energy, so run in the opposite direction to avoid
getting hurt. When Robotnik is in the air, your jumps will be too low to hit
him. As Robotnik proceeds to pick up the ball, you'll have a chance to attack.
Hit him once and wait for him to repeat his attack pattern. Alternatively, you
can use Sonic's Insta-Shield to hit Robotnik repeatedly without getting hurt,
when he isn't creating an energy suction. If you're Tails, you can fly up to
hit Robotnik, but the ball and energy suction will hurt you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When you've opened the Prison Egg, go right and jump into the cannon nearby.
Once the cannon catapults you into the sky, you'll be sent to Icecap Zone.
===============================================================================
8.05 - Icecap Zone
===============================================================================
After the annoying Act 2 of Carnival Night, Icecap compensates with a short
scene at the start and great music throughout the level. Obstacles include ice
blasters, ice blocks, ice pillars, spring boards, stalactites, and swing lifts.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
If you're playing as Sonic & Tails or Sonic Alone, Sonic will land on a
skateboard and ride it through the level for a while. Eventually, you'll crash
into a wall and fall into a hole. When the alavalance occurs, jump up to
emerge from the snow. If you're playing as Tails, you'll start the level at
this point.
At the start, when you go down the slopes, Tails can lose all his lives,
causing a Game Over to appear on the screen. This glitch can prevent you from
completing the game as Tails, but if you can fly past the slopes, you can avoid
triggering the glitch.
Spin Dash through the wall and continue onward. Go past the Starpost and jump
on the spring. Head right and break the ice surrounding the switch. Press the
switch to cause the ledge to collapse. Drop down and run past the ice
blasters. If you get hit, you'll be frozen in ice. When the ice breaks,
you'll lose all your Rings or lose a life. If a second player is controlling
Tails, he/she can break the ice to free Sonic.
Slide down the slopes, and jump onto the platform to the left. Use the
platform to break through the walls. Smash the ice surrounding the springs
and jump up them. Spin Dash to move the swing lifts. At the top, go down
the slope. Hop across the stalactites one by one to avoid being hit by them
and knocked into the frozen spikes.
Go past the Starpost and push the platform to the right. Use the ice block to
break through the walls. Run right and press the switch. Drop down and Spin
Dash to move the swings. Go past the Starpost and head right.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Snowball Machine - 6 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
-------------------
When the machine encircles itself with snowballs, make sure Sonic/Tails is on
the right side of the screen. After a while, the ice balls will fly into the
air and drop down shortly afterwards. Attack the machine, and you might be
able to destroy it. If not, wait for it to repeat its moves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Run down the slope and grab the Insta-Shield. Run through the loop de loops
and head across the bridge. Go through the next series of loop de loops, and
Spin Dash through the tunnel. Hop across the ice blocks while avoiding the ice
blasters.
Go past the Starpost and head right. Jump over the Robotnik items. If you
break them open, you'll lose all your Rings or lose a life, so be careful. Use
the purple spring boards to go to the surface. Run through the loop de loops
and go past the Starpost. Go through the passageway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Ice Blaster Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
As Robotnik flies towards you, he'll fire his ice blaster. Jump onto the
platform and hit Robotnik quickly before jumping off it. Now wait for Robotnik
to fire the ice blaster underneath his machine to attack him again. If you get
hit, you'll be frozen in ice and you'll lose all your Rings. If a second player
is controlling Tails, he/she can break the ice to free Sonic. If not, try to
grab the Rings before attempting to hit Robotnik again. After hitting Robotnik
six times, the platform will fall apart, but the Boss Battle isn't over yet.
Robotnik continues to fly towards you. Hit him two more times to win.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once you have opened the Prison Egg, head right and Spin Dash through a tunnel
to enter Launch Base Zone.
===============================================================================
8.06 - Launch Base Zone
===============================================================================
Launch Base Zone is the final level of Sonic The Hedgehog 3. Although there
are many dangerous obstacles, such as flamethrower machines and lasers, this
Zone isn't too difficult to complete in comparison to Sonic 1's Scrap Brain
Zone and Sonic 2's Metropolis Zone. This is probably due to the fact that
Sonic & Knuckles was originally supposed to be part of Sonic 3, so Launch Base
isn't too tough, as Sonic Team had planned to release the "Sonic 3 Complete
version" (AKA Sonic 3 & Knuckles), but they decided to release Sonic the
Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles separately instead.
Obstacles in the Launch Base include laser walls, overhead lasers, rotating
gold cups, red sirens, rotating magnetic drums, and flame blasters. Watch out
for the Orbinauts that are above or underneath the magnetic drums. When laser
walls block your progress, wait for a moment to see an opening. If you run
through it quickly, you'll pass through the opening and avoid the lasers.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
After emerging from the ground, head right and go past the alarms. You'll set
them off, causing a group of Flybot767s to fly towards you. If you destroy
them one after another and keep setting off the alarms, the score counter will
increase, so it's a good way to improve your score.
The Death Egg can be seen in the background. It seems Robotnik is repairing
the space station in this level and is preparing to launch it soon, so it's up
to you to stop him. Anyway, go right and use the gravelling hook to come
across an elevator. Take the elevator and jump into the rotating gold cup.
After riding it, destroy the switch and jump into another cup. At the top, go
right and down the slope.
Go left and head past the Starpost. Ride the cup and go right. Destroy the
switch and drop down. When you reach an elevator, take it and the next one.
Go left and drop down. Destroy the switch and drop down.
Go past the Starpost and Spin Dash through the pipes. When you enter a
building, you'll see Robotnik fly off. Ride the two cups to confront Knuckles.
He throws a bomb into the building and runs off. Drop down to the right, and
you'll see the building start to collapse. After it collapses, go right and
head past the Starpost.
When you enter another building, Robotnik will set a Mini-Boss on you and fly
off. You can hit him if you want to. It doesn't matter if you don't. The
Mini-Boss will reveal itself to you, so it's time to fight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Spiked Rotating Machine - 6 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
-------------------
The machine will copy your movements, so your best bet is to take out the
spikes individually. Each spike takes 3 hits to destroy. If you are patient
and hit them one at a time, 1 of the 2 spikes will be destroyed soon enough.
This makes the Mini-Boss Battle much easier. If you can hit the machine 3 more
times, you'll win.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ride the cup and go right. Jump up the spring and go left. Go past the
Starpost and use the gravelling hooks. Hop across the platforms and go past
another Starpost.
Avoid the flame blasters as you drop down. Go left and enter the small
passageway. Destroy the switch and drop down. Enter the water and Spin Dash
through the wall. Go right and head through the pipe.
Go down the slopes and ride the cup. If you go right instead, you'll trigger a
glitch that stops Sonic/Tails from moving. If you want to continue the game,
you'll have to wait for a Time Over. To avoid this glitch, ride the cup and
enter the water. Go right and ride the cups. On the last one, you'll be sent
flying to the right, so jump off it to avoid this. Head past the Starpost and
go right to fight the 1st of 2 Boss Battles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Ball Launcher Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When Robotnik appears, he'll jump into his machine and reveal a ledge below.
As he launches a ball at you, try to dodge it. It'll be launched on the floor
or fired into the air, so watch out. Robotnik's attack pattern is usually
north first and then south, but he may change it. There are three different
methods to hit Robotnik. You can climb onto the ledge and jump right to hit
him. You can use Sonic's Insta-Shield to attack without having to use the
ledge as a platform. If you're Tails, you can fly past Robotnik and hit him
from the far right.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the machine explodes, Robotnik falls into the water. Go right and drop into
the Eggmobile nearby. When you ride it, you'll fly to the east. Knuckles will
be waiting for you on a platform, but as he tries to stop you, he falls into
the water as the Death Egg is launched! After a while, you'll land on a
platform underneath the space station where Robotnik appears on the right side
of the screen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: Dr. Robotnik's Laser Shooter Machine - 9 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
As Robotnik flies up, he'll shoot lasers at you. Jump up to dodge his attacks.
Hit him 4 times to destroy two of the four lasers. When Robotnik appears
again, hit him another 4 times to destroy the two remaining lasers. If you
touch the spike that is circling around Robotnik, you'll get hurt, so be
careful. Once all 4 lasers are destroyed, hit Robotnik one more time to cause
the mad doctor to retreat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Due to Sonic/Tails' interference, the Death Egg is damaged and falls back down
to Angel Island. Congratulations! You have completed the first half of Sonic 3
& Knuckles!
===============================================================================
8.07 - Aftermath
===============================================================================
Tails airlifts Sonic to Mushroom Hill Zone. If you're playing as Tails, he'll
fly there on his own. Act 1 has been extended slightly with a new opening
area. Go right a bit to see a short cutscene of Knuckles locking away
something in a hidden passageway. After he leaves, enter the passageway and
jump into the Giant Ring inside. You'll be transported to the Emerald Chamber
of Hidden Palace Zone. Check the Special Stage section for more information.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Sonic & Knuckles Continuation
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Upon returning to Mushroom Hill Zone, exit the passageway and go right for a
while to end up in the area that you start from in Sonic & Knuckles alone.
There is no difference between the levels in S3&K and S&K from this point, so
read the S&K Walkthrough for help on progressing through the second half of
S3&K. Any other differences will be mentioned in that walkthrough.
Since you can play as Sonic & Tails and Tails Alone, there are many routes you
can take through the levels that were not possible in Sonic & Knuckles alone.
For example, Tails can fly or airlift Sonic to once unreachable areas. The
final Zone is The Doomsday for Sonic or Sonic & Tails and Death Egg for Tails.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Endings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
If you collected all 7 Chaos/Super Emeralds as Sonic, Super/Hyper Sonic will
bring the Master Emerald down with him from outer space. When Super/Hyper
Sonic enters Mobius' atmosphere, Tails appears in the Tornado and grabs the
Master Emerald. You turn back into regular Sonic and land on the biplane.
Sonic and Tails return to the Floating Island and leave the Master Emerald in
Angel Island Zone. As the island rises into the sky, Sonic and Tails leave in
their plane. If you acquired all 7 Super Emeralds, Knuckles will see Sonic and
Tails leave.
If you obtained 0-6 Chaos Emeralds as Sonic Alone or Sonic & Tails, Sonic will
fall from outer space, but the Master Emerald will remain there. When Sonic
enters Mobius' atmosphere, Tails appears in the Tornado. You'll land on the
biplane and return to the Floating Island. The island remains in the sea as
Sonic and Tails leave in their plane.
If you collected all 7 Chaos/Super Emeralds as Tails, Regular/Super Tails will
bring the Master Emerald down with him from outer space. When Regular/Super
Tails enters Mobius' atmosphere, Sonic appears in the Tornado and grabs the
Master Emerald. If you're Super Tails, you turn back into Regular Tails and
land on the biplane (Regular Tails simply lands on the Tornado). Sonic and
Tails return to the Floating Island and leave the Master Emerald in Angel
Island Zone. As the island rises into the sky, Sonic and Tails leave in their
plane. If you acquired all 7 Super Emeralds, Knuckles will see Sonic and Tails
leave.
When you complete the game, watch the credits roll and you'll eventually see
a short scene at the end, depending on whether you collected all 7 Chaos/Super
Emeralds. If you got 7 Chaos Emeralds, you'll see the wreckage of the Death
Egg and an EggRobo emerging from it (this is the same EggRobo that Knuckles
fights instead of Robotnik). If you acquired all 7 Super Emeralds, you'll see
Sonic, Tails and Knuckles standing in front of the Sonic 3 & Knuckles logo. If
you obtained 0-6 Chaos Emeralds, you'll see Robotnik with the Master Emerald.
###############################################################################
9. S3&K Walkthrough (Knuckles)
###############################################################################
After choosing 1-Player on the Title Screen, select a Save File and choose
which character(s) you want to control. You can choose the following
character(s): Sonic & Tails, Sonic Alone, Tails Alone, and Knuckles Alone. You
can select the No Save File if you don't want to save your progress. This
walkthrough is written for Knuckles.
Note: Since this section is primarily a walkthrough, I won't be giving much
detail on the locations of the Giant Rings, as they're covered elsewhere in
this guide.
===============================================================================
9.01 - Angel Island Zone
===============================================================================
Angel Island Zone is the first level of Sonic The Hedgehog 3. It's a good
training level to master Knuckles' controls. In the opening scene, Sonic and
Tails are approaching the Floating Island in their airplane. Sonic jumps off
the plane and transforms into Super Sonic. Super Sonic surfs across the water
and runs onto the Floating Island. As Super Sonic goes past a tunnel, Knuckles
digs out of it, and the pair collide with such force that Sonic drops his Chaos
Emeralds. Knuckles steals the emeralds and runs off. If you're playing as
Knuckles, you'll skip this scene and begin the game immediately.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Run right and go past the Monkeydude. After the RhinoBot and the two spikes,
drop down and Spin Dash through the boulders to the left. Go into the Giant
Ring to enter the Special Stage. When you reappear in the level, run through
the loop de loop. In the water, jump on the spring to be catapulted over to
the right.
Push the small boulder to the left, and break through the passageway. Grab the
Invincibility and use the hidden spring to return to the surface. Run through
the loop de loop, and go up the tunnel. When you hear the Mini-Boss theme
music, an armada of Bomber Ships will set fire to Angel Island. If you can hit
the main Bomber Ship eight times, nothing will happen. In order to do this,
you must be playing as Sonic & Tails. If a second player controls Tails, you
can team up with him/her to destroy the Bomber Ship.
Go past the Starpost and run down the hill. Jump across the ledges and grab
onto the gravelling hook. Run through the loop de loop, and use the spring to
jump up. You can't climb up the ledges due to Knuckles' low jump, so drop down
and break through the boulders to the right to meet your first Mini-Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Bomber Ship - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
This Mini-Boss Battle is much harder for Knuckles than for Sonic/Tails. When
the Bomber Ship descends, it'll fire three missiles at you. If you dodge the
first missile and then walk in the opposite direction, you should be able to
avoid the remaining ones. This can be tricky to do, so keep practicing to get
the hang of it. It's best to hit the Mini-Boss once during each attack
sequence to have a better chance of avoiding the flamethrower that it fires at
you. Unlike Sonic/Tails, you can't get a Flame Shield before this Mini-Boss
Battle, so be careful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and break through the tunnel. Walk down the slope and drop down.
You'll land on a moving platform. Grab the Flame Shield nearby and then head
right. Watch out for the spikes as you do so. Use the moving platform and go
past a Caterkiller Jr. After the RhinoBot, hop across the platforms, but
beware of the spring at the end. You'll be sent back towards the spikes if you
run into it, so be careful.
When you come across 2 moving platforms, take out the Bloominator nearby and
grab the Lightning Shield (if you've lost the Flame Shield). Go past the
Starpost and run through the loop de loops. Climb up the tall wall and deal
with the Bloominators. Fortunately, the Shields will repel its weapons, so
you'll have an easy job destroying them.
Break through a boulder and roll down the tunnel. When you emerge from it,
ignore the springs and use the moving platform to continue onward. Head across
the bridge and break through the boulders to find a Starpost. Go past the
Starpost and head right. After the RhinoBot, break through more boulders to
meet the Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: EggRobo's Fireball Shooter Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When EggRobo appears, hit him once before running over to the right. EggRobo
will drop a fireball onto the bridge, causing it to collapse. EggRobo will
now disappear behind the waterfall and materialise on the right-hand side of
the screen. Once EggRobo shoots his fireballs at you, jump to dodge them.
This Boss Battle is harder for Knuckles, since he shoots twice as many
fireballs at you, so you'll need to jump a lot to avoid them.
After EggRobo shoots fireballs vertically and horizonally, attack him. If
EggRobo appears by the eastern waterfall, be careful when hitting him, as
EggRobo might disappear behind the waterfall and you'll fall into the water,
causing you to lose a life in the process. If you have a Flame Shield, this
Boss Battle will be much easier, since the fireballs won't hurt you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When a Prison Egg starts to descend from above, wait for it to reach your
jumping distance first. Once the Prison Egg is at a reasonable height, jump up
to hit its plunger. When you automatically head right, Knuckles will approach
a bridge and jump off it to enter Hydrocity Zone.
===============================================================================
9.02 - Hydrocity Zone
===============================================================================
After Angel Island, Hydrocity ups the difficulty level of the game. The Zone
is a remake of Sonic 1's Labyrinth Zone. Obstacles include conveyor belts, air
fans, speed hand catapults, and spinning pillars.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When you land, go right and activate the switch. Go through the passageway
(press A, B or C Button to let go of the bars) and drop down. Head right and
inhale the bubbles to avoid drowning underwater. Whenever you see some
bubbles, inhale them to avoid losing a life. Grab the Water Shield in the
passageway at the end.
Take out the Badniks and drop down. If you have the Water Shield, you won't
be affected by their weapons and you won't drown underwater. Go through the
passageway and let go of the poles. Hold Right to arrive at a Starpost. Run
through the loop de loop and go left the second time you pass through it.
Run across the water, and hold Right to appear by a Turbo Spiker. Run through
the loop de loop and go right. Drop down and head right. Press the switch to
activate the air fans. Climb up the conveyor belts and jump up via the spring.
Go left and head into the Giant Ring. When you return, go up the slope and go
past the Starpost. Spin Dash through the tunnel to meet the Mini-Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Whirlpool Machine - 6 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When the machine charges towards you, Spin Dash in the opposite direction to
evade its attack. After a while, the machine will connect itself to the pillar
directly above you and start creating a whirlpool. Attack the machine now to
destroy it. If the machine takes off again, wait until it reconnects itself to
the pillar before finishing it off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Spin Dash through the walls and go past the Starpost. When a wall starts
moving towards you, Spin Dash through more walls and proceed to drop down. If
you've played Sonic The Hedgehog 3 on its own, you'll notice that the spring
has been replaced with a 1-Up! Grab it and drop down. Spin Dash through the
last series of walls, and the wall will stop moving.
Spin Dash onto the spinning pillar above and use the air fans to go up. Run
down the slope and go left. As you go up the next slope, go past the Starpost,
and run through the loop de loop. Go down the slopes, and Spin Dash onto the
pillar. Go up via the fans, and run down the slope.
Spin Dash through the walls, and run up the slope. Grab the Invinibility in
the passageway to the left. Go down the slopes. Climb up the moving platforms
and go up the pillars. Use the fans as platforms, and run through the loop de
loop. Go down the slope and run across the bridge.
Go past the Starpost and use the pillars as platforms. Run down the slopes,
and hold Right to come across a few walls. Spin Dash through them and drop
down. This is where Knuckles pressed a switch to cause the bridge that you're
standing on to collapse in Sonic The Hedgehog 3, but now you can break through
the wall to enter a new path.
Head past a Turbo Spiker and use the moving pillars to climb up. At the top,
glide across the spikes and use the speed hand catapult. You'll come across a
LONG row of spikes. The row is too long to glide across from the floor, so you
must climb up the western wall and glide to the right from there. You should
make it to the eastern wall in no time. When you drop down, watch out for the
moving pillars and the spikes. Go past the Starpost and break through the
walls. EggRobo will appear in the centre of the screen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: EggRobo's Water Suction Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When EggRobo appears, he'll position his machine over the water and create a
water suction around it. You'll be pulled towards the water, so run in the
opposite direction to avoid getting hurt. When EggRobo releases the water, you
can jump on it, but it is tricky to do, due to Knuckles' low jump. I advice
waiting for him to drop a few bombs on the floor. If you jump on top of them
as they explode, the impact will catapult you upwards. If you time it
correctly, you can hit EggRobo and bounce off him. Your best bet is to
position Knuckles underneath EggRobo, so you'll be catapulted upwards and
you'll hit him at the same time. This Boss is harder for Knuckles than
Sonic/Tails, but if you're patient, you'll finish him off eventually.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once you've opened the Prison Egg, a burst of water will catapult you into
Marble Garden Zone.
===============================================================================
9.03 - Marble Garden Zone
===============================================================================
After being underwater in Hydrocity, Marble Garden returns the player to the
surface of the Floating Island. In this Zone, you'll be Spin Dashing a lot to
uncover platforms and passageways. Earthquakes will be caused by the TunnelBot
and EggRobo in Acts 1 and 2, respectively. Obstacles include platform-rising
wheels, flying spinners, rotating platforms, pulley lifts, overhead spikes,
arrow-shooting machines, chained spiked balls, and mud pits.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When you land, run down the slopes and drop down. Spin Dash through the wall
and jump over the chained spiked ball. Ignore the Tunnelbot, and wait for it
to drill up. Go right and Spin Dash to uncover a series of platforms. Hop
across them. When Knuckles' low jump stops you, glide over to the left and
climb up the wall.
Follow the directions on the signs, and Spin Dash again. Climb up the
platforms and run down the hill (climb up the wall nearby when you have
trouble jumping onto the last platform). Spin Dash through the wall and use
the flying spinner to break through the next one.
Go past the Starpost and run up the hill. Head right and wait for the maize to
go up before Spin Dashing through the wall. Hit the arrow-shooting machine 3
times to drop down. Run down the hills and Spin Dash to uncover two platforms.
Use the flying spinner to break through the walls. Go past the Starpost and
Spin Dash through the wall to meet the Mini-Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: TunnelBot - 6 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When the TunnelBot appears, it'll drill up to cause an earthquake. It's
difficult to avoid the stalatites, so watch out. The other types of debris
won't hurt you. When the TunnelBot returns, wait for its drills to point
upwards before attacking it. Due to Knuckles' low jump, you must use the
moving spiked platform to hit the Mini-Boss. This can be hard to do, but if
you keep practicing, you'll get the hang of it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Spin Dash through the wall and climb up the hills via the pulley lifts. Go
right and Spin Dash through the wall. After seeing EggRobo (you can hit him
if you want to, but it won't make a difference in the Boss Battle), head right
and go down the hills. Go right and Spin Dash to uncover two platforms. Drop
down and enter the passageway to find a Giant Ring.
Go up and head right. Use the spinning top to continue onward. Spin Dash to
uncover two platforms. Go left and climb up the hills via the pulley lifts.
Go past the Starpost and follow the directions on the signs. Hit the arrow
machine three times to uncover two platforms.
Head right and Spin Dash to uncover two platforms. Go right and run down the
hill. Use the flying spinner to break through the walls. Go right and Spin
Dash through the wall. Since Knuckles can't jump as high as Sonic/Tails, you
can't hit the arrow-shooting machine. Go left and stop at the bottom of the
hill (there are two signs nearby). Use the signs to guide you as you climb up
the walls.
After the spiked ball, go past the Starpost and break through the wall. After
meeting EggRobo again, Spin Dash to reveal two platforms. Hit the
arrow-shooting machine 3 times and then climb up the wall. After a Pointdexter
and 2 Mantis, break through the walls and run down the slopes. As the scenery
sinks, keep running to avoid getting crushed and losing a life. Spin Dash to
uncover exits. When you come across an arrow-shooting machine, quickly hit it
3 times to reveal an exit. Use the pulley lift and go past the Starpost to
face a Boss that is entirely different to the one that Sonic/Tails encounters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: EggRobo's Drill Chain Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
In my opinion, this can be a tricky Boss Battle to win, since EggRobo will
drill two spiked chains in random directions. After he does so, he moves his
machine through the first spiked chain and then through the other one. This is
your chance to hit him, so be ready. Avoiding the spiked chains is hard, as
EggRobo can launch them from anywhere on the screen. When he drills them, the
debris that falls won't hurt you, but the spikes can, so watch out. Your best
bet is to position Knuckles in the centre of the screen, as EggRobo rarely
drills there. When you are hitting him, make sure you don't touch the
thrusters by mistake, unless you have a Flame Shield.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When you've opened the Prison Egg, you automatically go right, entering
Carnival Night Zone in the process.
===============================================================================
9.04 - Carnival Night Zone
===============================================================================
After the boring background of Marble Garden, the player enters Carnival Night,
a colourful Zone. This Zone is a remake of Sonic 2's Casino Night Zone.
Obstacles include balloons, dropping platforms, rotating drums, spinning
wheels, and bumpers.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and hover upwards. Break through the walls and run down the slopes.
Float across the anti-gravity platforms and go past the white cylinder. This
part can be tricky. You must use the two cannons to catapult Knuckles upwards,
since the cylinder will sent you down, if you grab onto it. When you manage to
use the cannons to go up and then right, make your way through the 4 white
cylinders and break through the floor.
Go past the Starpost and break through the wall. After the spinning wheel,
drop down and head right. Jump over the spring and land on the moving drum
nearby. It can be difficult to jump onto, since there are spikes underneath it
and it moves very fast, so be careful. Float across the anti-gravity platforms
and glide over the row of spikes. Go slowly past the moving drums to avoid
getting crushed by them. Head down the dropping platform and jump onto the
moving drum nearby. Go past the Starpost and head right to find a secret
passageway containing a Giant Ring. Now use the dropping platform and go right
to meet the Mini-Boss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Drill Blade Machine - 4 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
To beat this Mini-Boss, you must trick it into destroying itself. When the
drill detaches itself from the blade, it'll move around the screen and start
destroying the floor you are standing on. If you fall off the floor, you'll
lose a life, so it's important to end this Mini-Boss Battle as quickly as you
can. To destroy the Mini-Boss, you must hit the blade to open and extend it.
When the drill attempts to re-attach itself to the blade, you'll score a hit.
Watch out for the energy that appears around it at different times. If you
touch it, you'll get hurt, so be careful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and head down the slope. Make your way past the bumpers and enter the
water. After the two rotating drums, go right and climb up the eastern wall.
At the top, break through the walls and run through the speed boosts. Spin
Dash up the slope and glide carefully across the bumpers. Jump onto the moving
drum and climb up the wall. Grab the Lightning Shield on the platform nearby
and head right.
Make your way past the bumpers and glide to grab onto the edge of a platform.
You can use the moving drums instead, but it's harder. Use the cannon to
catapult Knuckles over to the right, but watch out for the spikes on the edge
of the wall. Make your past the bumpers and head past the Starpost.
After the anti-gravity platform, go up the slope and head through the hidden
passageway. Run through the speed boosts and open the three Boxes at the
end. Drop down the invisible hole and run through more speed boosts.
Eventually, you'll hover upwards and see a Prison Egg nearby. Open it to
finish the level.
Yes, there was no drum to get underneath or a Boss to fight as Knuckles.
Perhaps Sonic Team realised how much trouble a lot of players had getting past
the rotating drum and decided to programme a different version of the level for
Knuckles? (It is, however, possible for Knuckles to enter Sonic's/Tails'
version of Carnival Night Zone. Check the Glitches section for more
information.) Anyway, go right and use the teleporter to transport Knuckles to
Icecap Zone.
===============================================================================
9.05 - Icecap Zone
===============================================================================
After the annoying Act 2 of Carnival Night, Icecap compensates with a short
scene at the start and great music throughout the level. Obstacles include ice
blasters, ice blocks, ice pillars, spring boards, stalactites, and swing lifts.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When you arrive, go right and drop down. This is where Sonic ends his
snowboard ride and where Tails starts the level. Spin Dash through the wall
and continue onward. Go past the Starpost and jump on the spring. Head right
and break the ice surrounding the switch. Press the switch to cause the ledge
to collapse. Drop down and run past the ice blasters. If you get hit, you'll
be frozen in ice.
Slide down the slopes, and jump onto the platform to the left. Use the
platform to break through the walls. As Knuckles, you can break through them
if you're having trouble jumping onto the platform, due to his low jump.
Smash the ice surrounding the springs and jump up them. When you come across a
few Penguinators and a Star Pointer, break through the wall to the right, as
Sonic's/Tails' route is blocked off.
This part of the level is tough to get through. You must glide back and forth
to reach the bottom. Since there are frozen spikes everywhere, it can be
difficult to avoid them, but there is a Lightning Shield nearby. If you can
grab it and drop down, you'll probably lose your Shield, but you won't have
lost any Rings. When you land, break through the walls and slide down the
slope. Hop across the stalactites one by one to avoid being hit by them
and knocked into the frozen spikes.
Smash the frozen spring and slide down the slope. Break through the walls and
climb up. Run past the moving platforms quickly to avoid getting crushed.
Smash the frozen switch and press it. Drop down and slide down the slope.
Run past the moving platforms and the ice blasters. Ignore the swing lifts and
use Knuckles' climbing skills to go up the walls. When you come across an ice
blaster, go past it and head across the bridge. Smash the frozen switch and
press it. Drop down and go past the Starpost.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Snowball Machine - 6 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When the machine encircles itself with snowballs, make sure Knuckles is on
the right side of the screen. After a while, the snowballs will fly into the
air and drop down shortly afterwards. When you attack the machine, you'll
probably only be able to hit it 2 times during each attack sequence, due to
Knuckles' low jump, so be patient.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Go right and smash the frozen spring. Jump on it, but watch out for the Star
Pointer patroling the area. When you go past the small stalatites, they'll
fall on top of you, so be ready. Run through the loop de loop and go down the
frozen passageway. Use the swing lift and head right. Go through the loop de
loop and break the tunnel underneath it. Beware of the Star Pointer nearby.
When you drop down, let the moving platform take you to a spring underwater.
Jump on it and go left to find a hidden passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Use the spring to return to the surface. Go past the Penguinators and glide
across. After the ice blasters, use the swing lift and the purple spring
boards to reach another ice blaster. Head across the bridge and Spin Dash
through the loop de loops to avoid being crushed by a moving platform.
You should come across a frozen switch. Smash it open and press it. Drop
down. Go past the Penguinators and run through the loop de loop. Head across
the bridge and avoid the Star Pointers. Hop across the dropping platforms.
Watch out for the ice blasters as you do so. After the two Penguinators, let
this dropping platform send you down to a spring. Find the Giant Ring in the
hidden passageway to the right, and use the spring to catapult Knuckles
upwards.
Go past the Starpost and jump over the Robotnik Boxes. If you break them
open, you'll lose all your Rings or lose a life, so be careful. Use the purple
spring boards to go to the surface. Run through the loop de loops and go past
the Starpost. Watch out for the moving platforms and a Star Pointer as you go
through the passageway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: EggRobo's Ice Blaster Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
As EggRobo flies towards you, he'll fire his ice blaster. Jump onto the
platform and hit EggRobo quickly before jumping off it. Now wait for EggRobo
to fire the ice blaster underneath his machine to attack him again. If you get
hit, you'll be frozen in ice and you'll lose all your Rings. EggRobo will rise
and lower the platform, so wait for him to lower it first. After hitting
EggRobo six times, the platform will fall apart, but the Boss Battle isn't over
yet. EggRobo continues to fly towards you. Hit him two more times to win.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once you have opened the Prison Egg, head right and Spin Dash through a tunnel
to enter Launch Base Zone.
===============================================================================
9.06 - Launch Base Zone
===============================================================================
Launch Base Zone is the final level of Sonic The Hedgehog 3. Although there
are many dangerous obstacles, such as flamethrower machines and lasers, this
Zone isn't too difficult to complete in comparision to Sonic 1's Scrap Brain
Zone and Sonic 2's Metropolis Zone. This is probably due to the fact that
Sonic & Knuckles was originally supposed to be part of Sonic 3, so Launch Base
isn't too tough, as Sonic Team had planned to release the "Sonic 3 Complete
version" (AKA Sonic 3 & Knuckles), but they decided to release Sonic the
Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles separately instead.
Obstacles in the Launch Base include laser walls, overhead lasers, rotating
gold cups, red sirens, rotating magnetic drums, and flame blasters. Watch out
for the Orbinauts that are above or underneath the magnetic drums. When laser
walls block your progress, wait for a moment to see an opening. If you run
through it quickly, you'll pass through the opening and avoid the lasers.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
After emerging from the ground, head right and go past the alarms. You'll set
them off, causing a group of Flybot767s to fly towards you. If you destroy
them one after another and keep setting off the alarms, the score counter will
increase, so it's a good way to improve your score.
The Death Egg can't be seen in the background. It seems Robotnik was repairing
the space station in this level and was preparing to launch it, but Sonic/Tails
blasted it to smithereens. Anyway, go right and use the gravelling hook to
come across an elevator. Take the elevator and jump into the rotating gold
cup. After riding it, destroy the switch and jump into another cup. At the
top, go right and down the slope.
Go left and head past the Starpost. Ride the cup and go right. Destroy the
switch and drop down. When you reach an elevator, take it and the next one.
Go left and drop down. Destroy the switch and drop down.
Go past the Starpost and Spin Dash through the pipes. When you come across a
tall wall, climb up it. As you enter a passageway, you'll drop down. Ignore
the switch nearby and go left. When you have passed the Starpost, head back
to the switch and destroy it. Drop down to fight the Mini-Bosses. Yes,
unlike Sonic/Tails, you have to battle two of them at once!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mini-Boss Battle: Spiked Rotating Machines - 12 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
While this Mini-Boss Battle may seem intimidating, having two Mini-Bosses to
deal with, it's not too difficult if you stay calm. The machines will copy
your movements, so your best bet is to take them out individually. Each spike
takes 3 hits to destroy. If you are patient and hit them one at a time, two of
the 4 spikes will be destroyed soon enough. This makes the Mini-Boss Battle
much easier. If you can hit the machines 6 more times, you'll win.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
When the platform you're standing on explodes and you land on the floor, go
right and use the hidden spring. Run through the speed boosts and head up the
pipes. Glide across the gap and go past a Ribot and an Orbinaut. When you
notice a waterfall, use the gravelling hook and hop across the platform. Run
down the pipes and Spin Dash the yellow pipe.
Enter the water to be sent through the pipe. There's a Starpost to your left,
so pass it and then head right. When you do so, watch out for 2 Ribots and an
Orbinaut. After the waterfall, use the gravelling hook and jump over to the
right. Avoid the flame blaster and climb up the wall. Destroy the switch and
ride the cup down.
Once the flame blaster fires a flame, leave the cup and grab the Water Shield.
A large part of Act 2 is underwater, so try to hang onto that Water Shield as
long as you can. Use the speed boosts to go up the pipes and Spin Dash through
a yellow pipe. This fills the area full of water. When you go left, watch out
for a Ribot. Fortunately, the Water Shield will repel any projectiles that are
fired at you.
When you come across an Orbinaut, it can be difficult to get past, since it can
move faster than Knuckles underwater. If you go left and Spin Dash to the
right, you can continue onward. When you use the speed boost, a wall will
block your progress. Fortunately, the switch that unlocks it is nearby. If
you destroy it, you can go up and then right. Ride the cup and jump off it
afterwards.
When you notice another cup, you won't be able to ride it, due to Knuckles' low
jump, so break through the wall nearby. Spin Dash through the pipes and enter a
yellow pipe to emerge beside a Starpost. Activate it and go right. After the
speed boost, go past a Ribot and head right to battle not one but two Bosses!
On the plus side, you won't have to fight the first Boss that Sonic/Tails
encounters, but you'll have to battle the tricky Final Boss of Sonic 3 instead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: EggRobo's Laser Shooter Machine - 9 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
As EggRobo flies up, he'll shoot lasers at you. Jump up to dodge his attacks.
Hit him 4 times to destroy two of the four lasers. When EggRobo appears
again, hit him another 4 times to destroy the two remaining lasers. If you
touch the spike that is circling around EggRobo, you'll get hurt, so be
careful. Once all 4 lasers are destroyed, hit EggRobo one more time to cause
the Badnik to retreat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EggRobo flies up in his Eggmobile and returns in his most dangerous machine yet!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boss Battle: EggRobo's Spiked Grabber Machine - 8 Hits
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Notes and Strategy
------------------
When EggRobo approaches you, try to hit his face without touching the spikes
by mistake. It may take a while to hit the right part of the machine, so keep
practicing to get the hang of it. As Knuckles, you can glide into EggRobo's
face to have a better chance of hitting him. Watch out for the hands which can
grab Knuckles and take your Rings. When EggRobo goes back and forth on top of
the screen, he'll swoop down. As EggRobo goes left and right underneath you,
jump back and forth to avoid the spikes. He'll repeat his attack pattern after
a while. After 8 hits, EggRobo's machine will explode and the Badnik will
retreat... for good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Like Angel Island Zone, a Prison Egg descends from above. Use the same method
to open it. EggRobo returns in his Eggmobile and drops a bomb where Knuckles is
standing. As the Badnik flies off, the bomb explodes, causing the area to be
engulfed in flames. Knuckles tries to get away, but he trips and falls into
the zone below. Congratulations! You have completed the first half of Sonic 3
& Knuckles!
===============================================================================
9.07 - Aftermath
===============================================================================
You land in Mushroom Hill Zone. Act 1 has been extended slightly with a new
opening area. Go right a bit and break through the walls to find a passageway
containing a Giant Ring. Jump into it to be transported to the Emerald Chamber
of Hidden Palace Zone. Check the SpecialStage section for more information.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Sonic & Knuckles Continuation
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Upon returning to Mushroom Hill Zone, exit the passageway and go right for a
while to end up in the area that you start from in Sonic & Knuckles alone.
There is no difference between the levels in S3&K and S&K from this point, so
read the S&K Walkthrough for help on progressing through the second half of
S3&K. Any other differences will be mentioned in that walkthrough.The final
Zone is Sky Sanctuary for Knuckles.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Endings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
If you collected all 7 Chaos/Super Emeralds, Regular/Super Knuckles will appear
on Sonic's biplane, holding the Master Emerald. Sonic and Knuckles return to
the Floating Island. As the island rises higher into the sky, Sonic leaves in
his plane. If you obtained 0-6 Chaos Emeralds, an exhausted Knuckles will
appear on Sonic's biplane, but he won't have the Master Emerald. Sonic and
Knuckles return to the Floating Island. The island descends into the sea as
Sonic leaves in his plane.
When you complete the game, watch the credits roll and you'll eventually see
a short scene at the end, depending on whether you collected all 7 Chaos/Super
Emeralds. If you got all 7 Chaos/Super Emeralds, you'll see a view of outer
space where Knuckles faces the screen in front of the Sonic & Knuckles logo.
If you acquired all 7 Super Emeralds, you'll also see Sonic, Tails and Knuckles
standing in front of the Sonic 3 & Knuckles logo. If you obtained 0-6 Chaos
Emeralds, you'll see a short-circuiting Mecha Sonic with the Master Emerald.
He somehow repaired himself, despite exploding to pieces. The robot comes back
to life and jumps onto the Master Emerald, but nothing happens.
###############################################################################
10. Giant Ring Locations (Sonic/Tails)
###############################################################################
This section lists the locations of the Giant Rings.
===============================================================================
ANGEL ISLAND ZONE
===============================================================================
Angel Island Zone is an excellent level for finding Giant Rings. If you're
having trouble locating them in later levels, I suggest re-starting this Zone
once you complete the game, as it's the easiest place to find Giant Rings.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 1BCA04C2
Access Difficulty: Easy
Run right and go past the Monkeydude. After the RhinoBot and the two spikes,
drop down and Spin Dash through the boulders to the left. Go into the Giant
Ring to enter the Special Stage.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 024003D1
Access Difficulty: Easy
Run through the loop de loop. In the water, jump on the spring to be
catapulted over to the right. Run through the loop de loop, and go up the
tunnel. When you hear the Mini-Boss theme music, an armada of Bomber Ships
will set fire to Angel Island. Go past the Starpost and go down the slope.
When you see the four springs, break through the tunnel to below you. Spin
Dash through the boulders and use the spring to enter the Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 19B90452
Access Difficulty: Easy
Spin Dash through the tunnel and hold Right to break through the boulders. Go
into the Giant Ring to enter the Special Stage.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 36BA0502
Access Difficulty: Easy
Drop down and head right. Go across the bridge, and Spin Dash through the
boulders. Collect the Water Shield and run down the hill. Go up the hills,
and Spin Dash through the tunnel. Jump up to the switch via the spring. Press
the switch to drain the water. Drop down and head right.
Go past the Starpost and head across the wooden bridge. Climb up the ledges
and head right. Take out the Bloominator, and run through the loop de loop.
You'll roll over a slope and two springs will catapult you onward. Go left
and drop down into the water. To the right, enter the hidden passageway to
find the Giant Ring.
===============================================================================
Hydrocity ZONE
===============================================================================
Finding the Giant Rings in Hydrocity Zone can be much harder than in Angel
Island Zone. You can easily miss them if you run fast through the level.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 314104BB
Access Difficulty: Normal
When you land, go right and activate the switch. Go through the passageway
(press A, B or C Button to let go of the bars) and drop down. Head right and
inhale the bubbles to avoid drowning underwater. Whenever you see some
bubbles, inhale them to avoid losing a life. Grab the Water Shield in the
passageway at the end.
Take out the Badniks and drop down. If you have the Water Shield, you won't
be affected by their weapons and you won't drown underwater. Go through the
passageway and let go of the bars. Hold Right to arrive at a Starpost. Drop
down to the left and go down the slope to come across another Starpost. To
the left of the Starpost, you can find the Giant Ring in the hidden passageway.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 1442205C3
Access Difficulty: Easy
Run through the loop de loop and go left the second time you pass through it.
Run across the water, and hold Right to appear by a Turbo Spiker. Run through
the loop de loop and go right. Drop down and head right. Press the switch to
activate the fans. Climb up the treadmills and jump up via the spring. Go
left and head into the hidden passageway to find the Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 26C20644
Access Difficulty: Easy
Spin Dash through the walls and go past the Starpost. When a wall starts
moving towards you, Spin Dash through more walls and proceed to drop down. If
you've played Sonic The Hedgehog 3 on its own, you'll notice that the spring
has been replaced with a 1-Up! Grab it and drop down. Spin Dash through the
last series of walls, and the wall will stop moving.
Spin Dash onto the spinning pillar above and use the air fans to go up. Run
down the slope and go left. As you go up the next slope, go past the Starpost,
and run through the loop de loop. Go down the slopes, and Spin Dash onto the
pillar. Go up via the fans, and run down the slope.
Spin Dash through the walls, and run up the slope. Grab the Invinibility in
the passageway to the left. Go down the slopes and climb up the moving
platforms. As Sonic, use them to go left and jump through a fake wall to
discover a passageway containing the Giant Ring. As Tails, you can fly there.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 37C204C6
Access Difficulty: Easy
Before you Spin Dash through the walls to meet Knuckles, go left and head
across the bridge. When you see two moving pillars, jump on the eastern one
and use it to go up. Jump through the fake wall to discover a hidden
passageway containing the Giant Ring.
===============================================================================
MARBLE GARDEN ZONE
===============================================================================
The Giant Rings of Marble Garden Zone are hidden in passageways throughout the
level. In Act 1, you'll have to use the flying blue spinner to break through
them.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 06C0093F
Access Difficulty: Hard
When you land, run down the slopes and drop down. Spin Dash through the wall
and jump over the maize. Ignore the Tunnelbot, and wait for it to drill up.
Go right and Spin Dash to uncover a series of platforms. Hop across them, and
use the blue spinning top to go up and then left.
Follow the directions on the signs, and Spin Dash again to uncover platforms.
Climb up the platforms and run down the hill. Spin Dash through the wall and
use the spinning top to break through the next one. Go back to where the
spinning top is/was and drop down to the right. Go left to find a hidden
passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 0D4207C0
Access Difficulty: Hard
Go right and head across the oil. Run down the hill and go past the Starpost.
Head down the loop de loop and go left. If you're playing as Sonic, you'll
need to be very fast to run onto the moving platforms above. If you're playing
as Tails, fly up to them. Jump across to the right to find a hidden passageway
containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 0EC00CBF
Access Difficulty: Hard
Spin Dash to reveal a passageway. Grab the Invincibility and go right. Hit
the two arrow machines three times each to drop down. Go left through the
moving spikes and grab the Invincibility. Jump across to the left to find a
hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
===============================================================================
CARNIVAL NIGHT ZONE
===============================================================================
The Giant Rings are much easier to find in Carnival Night Zone. They're always
hidden in secret passageways throughout the level.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 0DC1084A
Access Difficulty: Easy
If you're playing as Sonic, Tails will fly him down. If you're playing as
Tails, he'll fly down on his own. Go right and jump across the balloons. Go
up the slope and float across the anti-gravity platforms. After the two moving
spikes, go down the slope and up the rotating white cylinder.
Go right and float across the anti-gravity platforms. Hover upwards and go
head left. Make your way past the bumpers and rotating drums. The drums can
crush you if you run too fast or too slowly, so be careful.
Go left and head past the bumpers. Jump on the dropping platform to make it
rise, so you can jump over to the right. Collect the Water Shield and go
right. Hover upwards. Use the dropping platform to jump onto the spinning
wheel. When you run around the wheel and reach the top, jump over to the left
to find a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 2DC1064D
Access Difficulty: Easy
Jump over to the right and go past the Starpost. Spin Dash through the wall
and go down the yellow tunnel. If you emerged from the tunnel on the right
side, go right and use the spinning wheels to continue onward. Collect the
Invincibility and float across the anti-gravity platforms.
Go down the yellow tunnel and head right. Float across the anti-gravity
platforms and go past the rotating white cylinders. At the top, collect the
Water Shield and enter the hidden passageway to find a Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 0F410852
Access Difficulty: Easy
Go right and head down the slope. Make your way past the bumpers and enter the
water. After the two rotating drums, go right and jump onto the drum. From
there, go past the Starpost and float across the anti-gravity platforms. Go
left and use the dropping platform. When you see a cannon and a few balloons,
go through the wall to enter a hidden passageway. After opening the 3 Computer
Boxes in the room, drop down to find the Giant Ring underneath it.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 30C20201
Access Difficulty: Normal
When you've got underneath the rotating drum, drop down and collect the
Invinibility. Float across the anti-gravity platforms and go down the slope.
Make your way past the rotating drums and hover upwards. Go left and hover
upwards again. When you are in the air, use the balloons to go up and jump
through the eastern fake wall to discover a hidden passageway containing the
Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 45C109CC
===============================================================================
ICE CAP ZONE
===============================================================================
The difficulty level of getting the Giant Rings is increasing, but you may have
collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds by now. In Act 2, follow the bottom path to
find the Giant Rings.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Spin Dash through the wall and continue onward. Go past the Starpost and jump
on the spring. Head right and ignore the switch. Go through the wall to
discover a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
When you are going down the neverending slope, there is a fake wall to your
right. Ignore the platform to your left and keep holding Right and jumping
east to go through the fake wall. You'll discover a hidden passageway
containing the Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
When you pass a Starpost and come across the Robotnik Boxes, go back to the
Starpost and let the dropping platform nearby take you down. You'll see a
hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Use the purple spring boards to go to the surface. Run through the loop de
loops. As Sonic or Knuckles, you must be fast enough to jump onto the spring
boards at the end. As Tails, you can fly there. 64 Rings will be floating
above you. Go right to discover a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
===============================================================================
LAUNCH BASE ZONE
===============================================================================
Surprisingly, the Giant Rings in Launch Base Zone aren't too difficult to find.
It's possible to collect 4 Chaos Emeralds in this Zone.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
After emerging from the ground, head right and go past the alarms. You'll set
them off, causing a group of Flybot767s to fly towards you. When you pass an
Orbinaut, jump off the magnetic cylinder to drop down. Go left and enter the
tunnel to find the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
When you come to the first Starpost, go left and jump off the magnetic cylinder
to drop down. Head left and enter the tunnel to find the Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Ride the cup and go right. When you enter the water, go left and head into the
tunnel behind the spring to find the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
When you go to enter the water, don't ride the cup. Instead, go right and head
up the slope. If you go through the tunnel at the end, you'll find the Giant
Ring.
===============================================================================
MUSHROOM HILL ZONE
===============================================================================
Mushroom Hill Zone has the largest number of Giant Rings in this game. If you
can find them all, you may be able to collect all 7 Chaos Emeralds in this
Zone, assuming that you can complete the Special Stages.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1 (S3&K only)
-------------
After seeing a short scene of Knuckles locking away a Giant Ring in a hidden
passageway, you can enter the passageway and walk into the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 2240043F
Access Difficulty: Hard
Head right and go past the Butterdroids. Run through the loop de loop and roll
down the hill. Collect the Super Shoes for a speed boost. Ignore the pulley
lift nearby and proceed right. Climb up the poles and run through the loop de
loop. Use the pulley lift above you to go up. Press Up and Down to make the
pulley lift go up and down, respectively.
Use the two mushrooms to raise Sonic higher, so you can access the spring above
you. Bounce on it and speed through the loop de loop. Use this swing lift to
send Sonic over to the right. Head across the vine-shaped bridge and drop the
pole at the bottom right. You'll land next to a secret passageway containing
a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 2D3F06C1
Access Difficulty: Easy
Exit the passageway by going right, and use the swing lift to hoist Sonic up to
a vine-shaped bridge. Drop down and go past the Starpost. Run down the hill
and drop down again to find a pulley lift. To the right of it is a hidden
passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #4
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 38C20742
Access Difficulty: Easy
Exit the passageway and use the pulley lift. Run through two loop de loops.
When you nearly reach a mushroom at the top, stop running left and drop down to
the right. Continue onward to find a passageway containing a Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 104203C0
Access Difficulty: Hard
Go right and run down the hill to meet Knuckles. He pulls a lever, sending you
hovering upwards. When you land, you'll notice that the seasons have changed
and that it's Autumn/Fall now. Collect the Invincibility and go right. Use
the mushroom seesaws and run through the loop de loops. Drop through the gap
nearby and use the pole to hoist Sonic upwards. Use the spring to go up the
loop de loop and find a passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 1CC00640
Access Difficulty: Hard
Drop down and use the pulley lift nearby. Go right and use the mushrooms to
send Sonic up to a Super Ring and an Invincibility. Use the spring to go over
to the right. Go up the loop de loop and use another spring. When you land
near a spring and a mushroom, drop down to the left and head right to find a
hidden passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 294002C1
Access Difficulty: Hard
Now exit the passageway and use the seesaw to land on a spring above. Head
across the vine-shaped bridge and go past the Starpost. Use the pulley lift
and bounce on the red spring to catapult Sonic over to the swing lift. If you
can use the springs to bounce Sonic over to the right, you'll land near a loop
de loop. When you come across a Cluckoid, go past it to find a hidden
passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #4
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 39C00642
Access Difficulty: Easy
Run through the loop de loops and use the pulley lift to go upwards. Before
you do so, go past the Cluckoid and enter the hidden passageway to find a Giant
Ring.
===============================================================================
FLYING BATTERY ZONE
===============================================================================
In this Zone, it can be very easy to miss the Giant Rings. Go slowly through
the level. There are fewer Giant Rings in this Zone than in Mushroom Hill
Zone, but you can find 4 Giant Rings here.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 1D4305C1
Access Difficulty: Easy
Go right and head through the purple cylinder. Go down the platform and head
left. Go past the flame blasters and head right. Outside the Flying Battery,
hop across the platforms and use the levers. Jump onto the ledge and go up to
re-enter the Blimp.
Go past the Starpost and make your way through the purple cylinders. Spin Dash
up the slope and position Sonic on the flame blaster. After being catapulted
upwards, go right and use the moving platforms to go over to the flame blaster.
If you open the Prison Egg, Badniks will emerge from it, so watch out.
Use the flame blaster to go upwards. Go past the mines and use the poles.
Drop down and go left. Jump over the speed boost and go past more mines. Go
down the platform and head right. Wait for the platforms to rise to avoid
getting crushed.
Go past the Starpost and press the switch. Drop down and go left. Spin Dash
up the slopes and jump on the Prison Egg. When you run through the purple
cylinders, you'll stop on top of a ledge that collapses instantly. Before it
collapses, proceed left and use the flipping platforms above you to go up.
Head past the flame blaster and move the spikes nearby to uncover a hidden
hole. Drop down to find a secret passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 24C007C0
Access Difficulty: Easy
When you are running down a purple cylinder before the last Starpost, jump down
and go left. Proceed past the Prison Eggs and Spin Dash left to enter a
tunnel. There is a Giant Ring at the end of it.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 18410740
Access Difficulty: Hard
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 25BF0740
Access Difficulty: Easy
When you go up the last purple cylinder before the Mini-Boss Battle, hold Left
to send your character over to a hidden passageway containing a Giant Ring.
As Sonic, you can use the Lightning Shield to jump higher. As Tails, you can
fly there.
===============================================================================
SANDOPOLIS ZONE
===============================================================================
Sandopolis Zone's Giant Rings can be very hard to find, especially in Act 2.
There are some Giant Rings that only Knuckles can access, due to his climbing
ability. If you follow my guide, it will be much easier to find the Giant
Rings in Act 1, but it seems impossible for Sonic to locate them in Act 2.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 2541012E
Access Difficulty: Easy
When you land in the sand, jump up. Go right and push the yellow block. Ride
it and go down the slides. Run down the slope and grab the pulley lift. Go
right and run through the loop de loop. Push the yellow block and ride it.
Use the swings and go left.
Collect the Invincibility and go up. When you go past a Starpost, head left
for a while. When you see the spikes at the bottom of the waterfall of sand,
jump over the swing and proceed past the quicksand. You'll eventually find a
hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 28BF050
Access Difficulty: Easy
Go past the Starpost and head down the slides. When you land in the quicksand,
jump over to the right. Push the yellow block and ride it. Jump onto the
swing and use it to go up. Climb up the small waterfall of sand to find a
hidden passagway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 3E220401
Access Difficulty: Easy
Spin Dash up the slope, and use the platforms to go up the slide. Run through
the loop de loop and use the pulley lift. Push the yellow block and ride it.
Go right and then up. Use the swing and go past the Starpost. When you go
down the slide and push the yellow block across, sink down the quicksand and go
left. After a Skorp, head past the quicksand to find a hidden passageway
containing the Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The following parts are written by Blitz256.
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 154005B4
Access Difficulty: Hard
At the start of the Act, head right until you pass the quicksand and open the
door by pushing the switch. Make sure you push it all the way. Now head right
until you are bounced into a small waterfall of sand. Take it to the top and
instead of taking the usual right, go left (if you pushed the switch all the
way and weren't too slow, the door should still be open). Head left and you
should find an electrical shield underneath a small sand waterfall. Take this
and make sure you keep it as you'll need it. If the door has shut by now use
the nearby switch to open it. Now, head right as usual and release the ghosts.
Push the switch to pass through the room and reach the sand slides. Take the
slide and when you drop to another, use your electric shield effect to make
your way up this slide instead of down. You'll reach the top where another
slide heads left. Take this down and you'll reach a secluded room with the
Giant Ring.
Note: When using the electric shield effect to climb the slide, it will prove
to be much more effective if you wait until your falling back down to use the
double jump effect. You will head right a lot easier. However, the electric
shield is the hardest way to do it. If you're lucky enough to have gained your
Super form by now (and are going for your Hyper Sonic form or just want an
extra 50 rings), your enhanced jumping ability that you have while transformed
will be more than enough to make it up the slide. Also the fire shield works
even better if you managed to keep one from the previous act.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 50420340
Access Difficulty: Hard
Head left down the holes and you'll end up back on the slides. Just keep sliding
until you see the swinging platform, then you should jump to the other slide
(don't worry if you miss it, it'll appear again). Slide down the slide you just
switched to and you should hit a checkpoint. Continue right and push the switch
all the way. Hurry left and bounce up to the kart and push it onto the tracks.
Ride to the door and get through before it closes (if you still have the
electric shield, you can shortcut this by just using your shield effect to
climb the wall next to the bouncer after pushing the switch). Use the swinging
platform to get to the bungee cord to get to the platform below. Push the
switch all the way, then head right, than up the swinging platforms, then left
and up through the door before it closes.
Now continue right to the loop which will send you into a bouncer which sends
you into another loop which will throw you up the ceiling and to a checkpoint.
Head right over the gap and push the switch all the way. Then duck under the
spikes and ride the swinging platform up so you can get to the ledge before the
door closes. Now you'll need to bust open the sand stream on the roof to fill
the room with sand so you can continue. Let the sand take you up, then run
left, then take the sand up until it stops. Jump onto the swinging pillar so
you can reach the switch to open the door. Head right and break open the next
sand stream. Let the sand lift you up to the ledge, then head right, then ride
the sand past the pillar to get to the ledge on the right. Push the switch to
open the ceiling and get up there. Duck your way under the spikes and through
this narrow passageway before the sand crushes you. Push the switch to the
right to open the doors.
If you have enough time before the sand reaches you, feel free to grab the
extra life behind the left door. Either way, head through the right door. The
sand will still be rising so ride it to the top until it stops. Use the
swinging platform to head right and push the switch to open up the floor so
you can drop down. Duck under the pillar and go right to reach the swinging
platform. Use it to grab the bungee cord to take you to an opening in the wall
below. Jump over the spikes to get behind a sand waterfall. There's a spring
hidden from view at the foot of the wall that will bounce you to the top of the
wall. Keep going right over the spikes to go through a loop and be sent
hurtling into quicksand. Make your way over the quicksand and pillars to the
left to reach a bungee cord.
After riding your way through 20 rings, you'll reach a ledge to the right with
a breakable rock on it. Head right over the pillar to reach yet another
checkpoint. Ride the slide to a loop that sends you flying to another, much
longer, slide. Reach the bottom and you'll enter another loop that sends you up
the wall to a ledge. Use the pillars to the right to reach the above platform
with the bouncer on it (don't worry if you fall, just break the rock and use
the spring to be sent back up). Use the bouncer to be sent flying along the path
to a switch. Don't push the switch yet. Jump to the swinging platform and ride
it to the ceiling to find a blocked sand stream. Break it open and jump back
down to the floor. Now push the switch all the way to the right. Now quickly
run to the right, over the sand and over the ledge. Jump down the steps and go
under the pillar. Stop before you drop down. On the right of the room is a
closing door. Duck into it before it closes and you'll reach a room with the
Giant Ring. After using it use the switch to exit the room and drop down to the
final checkpoint before the boss battle of the act.
[End of input by Blitz256]
===============================================================================
LAVA REEF ZONE
===============================================================================
After the difficulty of finding the Giant Rings in Sandopolis Zone, this Zone
is a nice level to journey through. There are 4 Giant Rings in the level, and
they aren't as hard to reach as the ones in Sandopolis Zone. Unfortunately,
Giant Rings won't appear in later levels, so this is your last chance to find
them and collect the Chaos Emeralds.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 114206BD
Access Difficulty: Easy
When you land, drop down the two ledges and Spin Dash through the boulders.
Press the switch and go through the opening. Hop across the rocks. If you
fall into the pool of lava, you'll get hurt. Go right and climb up the steps.
Avoid the flamethrowers as you do so.
Collect the Invincibility and go right. Run down the slope and go across the
pool of lava. Press the switch and go through the opening. Spin Dash through
the boulders and run through the brown cylinder. Run left and go past the pool
of lava.
When you reach the waterfall of lava, wait for an opening to appear before
crossing it. Use the spring and jump over to the Starpost. Collect the Flame
Shield and go left. Destroy the switch and go through an opening. Jump on the
black platform and position Sonic to the left. Spin Dash to lower the
platform.
Go right and press the switch. Go through the opening and make your way down
the steps. Head across the waterfall of lava and press the switch. Go through
the opening and head right. You can attack the drilling machine if you want
to, but it'll fall into the pool of lava, destroying it.
When you land, hop across the rocks and press the switch. Climb up the steps
and Spin Dash up. Spin Dash through the boulders and use the moving spiked
platform. As the platform reaches its zenith, jump right to enter a fake wall.
You'll discover a hidden room containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 1A41023D
Access Difficulty: Easy
Go left and use another platform. Climb up the steps and press the switch. Go
through the opening and use the platform. When the moving platform rises, jump
down and head right. Spin Dash through the boulders and stop at the Starpost.
As Tails or Sonic & Tails, you can use Tails' flying ability to fly up and find
the Giant Ring. It's impossible for Sonic to get to this Giant Ring alone.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 16C105C2
Access Difficulty: Easy
Run down the slope and collect the Flame Shield. When the ledge collapses, go
down the steps and head right. Go across the bridge and run down the black
tunnel. Go left and destroy the switch. Run through the opening and head down
the slope. Watch out for the spiked ball as you drop down the gap. Now jump
up and head left. Beware of the flamethrowers as you do so. Bounce on the
spring to break through the ground. Climb up the steps and Spin Dash to move
the machine. When you reach the top, go left to enter a fake wall. You'll
discover a hidden room containing the Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 15C106C2
Access Difficulty: Easy
When the pool of lava freezes over, go right and head across it. Press the
switch and go through the opening. Head across the blue cylinder while
avoiding the row of spikes. Dodge the Robotnik Boxes and use the moving
platforms to go to the top. Head right and run down the slope. Drop down and
go left.
Drop down the ledge and go down the steps. Spin Dash through the walls and use
the spring. Jump onto the moving platform and go left to find a hidden
passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 1BC00841
Access Difficulty: Easy
Drop down and go left. Head past the moving spikes and run down the slope. Go
right and jump over the flamethrowers. Press the switch and enter the opening.
Use the spiked platforms and go right. Head past the Starpost and use the
spring. Jump across the platforms while dodging the spikes. Go left and press
the switch. Enter the opening and head past the flamethrowers.
Use the spiked platforms and go right. Press the switch and enter the opening.
Use the blue cylinders as pulley lifts. Go left and use the spring. Collect
the Flame Shield in the hidden passageway and jump across the two platforms.
Enter another hidden passageway to find a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 26410642
Access Difficulty: Easy
###############################################################################
5. Giant Ring Locations (Knuckles)
###############################################################################
This section lists the locations of the Giant Rings.
===============================================================================
ANGEL ISLAND ZONE
===============================================================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Run right and go past the Monkeydude. After the RhinoBot and the two spikes,
drop down and Spin Dash through the boulders to the left. Go into the Giant
Ring to enter the Special Stage.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Run through the loop de loop. In the water, jump on the spring to be
catapulted over to the right. Run through the loop de loop, and go up the
tunnel. When you hear the Mini-Boss theme music, an armada of Bomber Ships
will set fire to Angel Island. Go past the Starpost and go down the slope.
When you see the four springs, break through the tunnel to below you. Spin
Dash through the boulders and use the spring to enter the Giant Ring.
===============================================================================
Hydrocity ZONE
===============================================================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
When you land, go right and activate the switch. Go through the passageway
(press A, B or C Button to let go of the bars) and drop down. Head right and
inhale the bubbles to avoid drowning underwater. Whenever you see some
bubbles, inhale them to avoid losing a life. Grab the Water Shield in the
passageway at the end.
Take out the Badniks and drop down. If you have the Water Shield, you won't
be affected by their weapons and you won't drown underwater. Go through the
passageway and let go of the bars. Hold Right to arrive at a Starpost. Drop
down to the left and go down the slope to come across another Starpost. To
the left of the Starpost, you can find the Giant Ring in the hidden passageway.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Run through the loop de loop and go left the second time you pass through it.
Run across the water, and hold Right to appear by a Turbo Spiker. Run through
the loop de loop and go right. Drop down and head right. Press the switch to
activate the fans. Climb up the treadmills and jump up via the spring. Go
left and head into the hidden passageway to find the Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Spin Dash through the walls and go past the Starpost. When a wall starts
moving towards you, Spin Dash through more walls and proceed to drop down. If
you've played Sonic The Hedgehog 3 on its own, you'll notice that the spring
has been replaced with a 1-Up! Grab it and drop down. Spin Dash through the
last series of walls, and the wall will stop moving.
Spin Dash onto the spinning pillar above and use the air fans to go up. Run
down the slope and go left. As you go up the next slope, go past the Starpost,
and run through the loop de loop. Go down the slopes, and Spin Dash onto the
pillar. Go up via the fans, and run down the slope.
Spin Dash through the walls, and run up the slope. Grab the Invinibility in
the passageway to the left. Go down the slopes and climb up the moving
platforms. As Knuckles, you can climb up the walls.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Before you drop down and break down the wall leading to the room full of
spikes, go left and head across the bridge. When you see two moving pillars,
jump on the eastern one and use it to go up. Jump through the fake wall to
discover a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
===============================================================================
MARBLE GARDEN ZONE
===============================================================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
When you land, run down the slopes and drop down. Spin Dash through the wall
and jump over the maize. Ignore the Tunnelbot, and wait for it to drill up.
Go right and Spin Dash to uncover a series of platforms. Hop across them, and
use the blue spinning top to go up and then left.
Follow the directions on the signs, and Spin Dash again to uncover platforms.
Climb up the platforms and run down the hill. Spin Dash through the wall and
use the spinning top to break through the next one. Go back to where the
spinning top is/was and drop down to the right. Go left to find a hidden
passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Go right and head across the oil. Run down the hill and go past the Starpost.
Head down the loop de loop and go left. If you're playing as Sonic, you'll
need to be very fast to run onto the moving platforms above. If you're playing
as Tails, fly up to them. If you're playing as Knuckles, you can climb up.
Jump across to the right to find a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Spin Dash to reveal a passageway. Grab the Invincibility and go right. Hit
the two arrow machines three times each to drop down. Go left through the
moving spikes and grab the Invincibility. Jump across to the left to find a
hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
===============================================================================
CARNIVAL NIGHT ZONE
===============================================================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Go right and hover upwards. Break through the walls and run down the slopes.
Float across the anti-gravity platforms and go past the white cylinder. This
part can be tricky. You must use the two cannons to catapult Knuckles upwards,
since the cylinder will sent you down, if you grab onto it. When you manage to
use the cannons to go up and then right, make your way through the 4 white
cylinders and break through the floor.
Go past the Starpost and break through the wall. After the spinning wheel,
drop down and head right. Jump over the spring and land on the moving drum
nearby. It can be difficult to jump onto, since there are spikes underneath it
and it moves very fast, so be careful. Float across the anti-gravity platforms
and glide over the row of spikes. Go slowly past the moving drums to avoid
getting crushed by them. Head down the dropping platform and jump onto the
moving drum nearby. Go past the Starpost and head right to find a secret
passageway containing a Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Go right and head down the slope. Make your way past the bumpers and enter the
water. After the two rotating drums, go right and climb up the eastern wall.
At the top, break through the walls and run through the speed boosts. Spin
Dash up the slope and glide carefully across the bumpers. Jump onto the moving
drum and climb up the wall. Grab the Lightning Shield on the platform nearby
and head right.
Make your way past the bumpers and glide to grab onto the edge of a platform.
You can use the moving drums instead, but it's harder. Use the cannon to
catapult Knuckles over to the right, but watch out for the spikes on the edge
of the wall. Make your past the bumpers and head past the Starpost.
After the anti-gravity platform, go up the slope and head through the hidden
passageway. When you are running through the first series of speed boosts, hold
Left to stop Knuckles from entering the next area. If you stop running, you'll
see a high slope. Glide repeatedly to make your way up it. Run through the
speed boosts here. When you drop down, you'll descend into a room containing
the Giant Ring. Hold Left to make sure you jump through it.
===============================================================================
ICE CAP ZONE
===============================================================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Spin Dash through the wall and continue onward. Go past the Starpost and jump
on the spring. Head right and ignore the switch. Go through the wall to
discover a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
When you are going down the neverending slope, there is a fake wall to your
right. Ignore the platform to your left and keep holding Right and jumping
east to go through the fake wall. You'll discover a hidden passageway
containing the Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Go right and smash the frozen spring. Jump on it, but watch out for the Star
Pointer patroling the area. When you go past the small stalatites, they'll
fall on top of you, so be ready. Run through the loop de loop and go down the
frozen passageway. Use the swing lift and head right. Go through the loop de
loop and break the tunnel underneath it. Beware of the Star Pointer nearby.
When you drop down, let the moving platform take you to a spring underwater.
Jump on it and go left to find a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
When you pass a Starpost and come across the Robotnik Boxes, go back to the
Starpost and let the dropping platform nearby take you down. You'll see a
hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Use the purple spring boards to go to the surface. Run through the loop de
loops. As Sonic or Knuckles, you must be fast enough to jump onto the spring
boards at the end. As Tails, you can fly there. 64 Rings will be floating
above you. Go right to discover a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
===============================================================================
LAUNCH BASE ZONE
===============================================================================
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
After emerging from the ground, head right and go past the alarms. You'll set
them off, causing a group of Flybot767s to fly towards you. When you pass an
Orbinaut, jump off the magnetic cylinder to drop down. Go left and enter the
tunnel to find the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
When you come to the first Starpost, go left and jump off the magnetic cylinder
to drop down. Head left and enter the tunnel to find the Giant Ring.
===============================================================================
MUSHROOM HILL ZONE
===============================================================================
Mushroom Hill Zone has the largest number of Giant Rings in this game. If you
can find them all, you may be able to collect all 7 Chaos Emeralds in this
Zone, assuming that you can complete the Special Stages.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1 (S3&K only)
-------------
When you land in the Mushroom Hill Zone, you'll see a Giant Ring in a hidden
passageway. You can enter the passageway and walk into the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 2240043F
Access Difficulty: Hard
Head right and go past the Butterdroids. Run through the loop de loop and roll
down the hill. Collect the Super Shoes for a speed boost. Ignore the pulley
lift nearby and proceed right. Climb up the poles and run through the loop de
loop. Use the pulley lift above you to go up. Press Up and Down to make the
pulley lift go up and down, respectively.
Use the two mushrooms to raise Sonic higher, so you can access the spring above
you. Bounce on it and speed through the loop de loop. Use this swing lift to
send Sonic over to the right. Head across the vine-shaped bridge and drop the
pole at the bottom right. You'll land next to a secret passageway containing
a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 2D3F06C1
Access Difficulty: Easy
Exit the passageway by going right, and use the swing lift to hoist Sonic up to
a vine-shaped bridge. Drop down and go past the Starpost. Run down the hill
and drop down again to find a pulley lift. To the right of it is a hidden
passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #4
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 38C20742
Access Difficulty: Easy
Exit the passageway and use the pulley lift. Run through two loop de loops.
When you nearly reach a mushroom at the top, stop running left and drop down to
the right. Continue onward to find a passageway containing a Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 1CC00640
Access Difficulty: Hard
Drop down and use the pulley lift nearby. Go right and use the mushrooms to
send Sonic up to a Super Ring and an Invincibility. Use the spring to go over
to the right. Go up the loop de loop and use another spring. When you land
near a spring and a mushroom, drop down to the left and head right to find a
hidden passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 294002C1
Access Difficulty: Hard
Now exit the passageway and use the seesaw to land on a spring above. Head
across the vine-shaped bridge and go past the Starpost. Use the pulley lift
and bounce on the red spring to catapult Sonic over to the swing lift. If you
can use the springs to bounce Sonic over to the right, you'll land near a loop
de loop. When you come across a Cluckoid, go past it to find a hidden
passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 23C10841
Access Difficulty: Easy
When you reach a handle by a Dragonfly, drop down to the right and break
through the walls instead of following Sonic's route. Drop down the bars.
When you land on the ground, jump on the spring here and head left to
discover a hidden passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #4
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 39C00642
Access Difficulty: Easy
Run through the loop de loops and use the pulley lift to go upwards. Before
you do so, go past the Cluckoid and enter the hidden passageway to find a Giant
Ring.
===============================================================================
FLYING BATTERY ZONE
===============================================================================
In this Zone, it can be very easy to miss the Giant Rings. Go slowly through
the level. There are fewer Giant Rings in this Zone than in Mushroom Hill
Zone, but you can find 4 Giant Rings here.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 1D4305C1
Access Difficulty: Easy
Go right and head through the purple cylinder. Go down the platform and head
left. Go past the flame blasters and head right. Outside the Flying Battery,
hop across the platforms and use the levers. Jump onto the ledge and go up to
re-enter the Blimp.
Go past the Starpost and make your way through the purple cylinders. Spin Dash
up the slope and position Sonic on the flame blaster. After being catapulted
upwards, go right and use the moving platforms to go over to the flame blaster.
If you open the Prison Egg, Badniks will emerge from it, so watch out.
Use the flame blaster to go upwards. Go past the mines and use the poles.
Drop down and go left. Jump over the speed boost and go past more mines. Go
down the platform and head right. Wait for the platforms to rise to avoid
getting crushed.
Go past the Starpost and press the switch. Drop down and go left. Spin Dash
up the slopes and jump on the Prison Egg. When you run through the purple
cylinders, you'll stop on top of a ledge that collapses instantly. Before it
collapses, proceed left and use the flipping platforms above you to go up.
Head past the flame blaster and move the spikes nearby to uncover a hidden
hole. Drop down to find a secret passageway containing a Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 24C007C0
Access Difficulty: Easy
When you are running down a purple cylinder before the last Starpost, jump down
and go left. Proceed past the Prison Eggs and Spin Dash left to enter a
tunnel. There is a Giant Ring at the end of it.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 18410740
Access Difficulty: Hard
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 25BF0740
Access Difficulty: Easy
When you go up the last purple cylinder before the Mini-Boss Battle, hold Left
to send your character over to a hidden passageway containing a Giant Ring.
As Knuckles, you can climb up to there.
===============================================================================
SANDOPOLIS ZONE
===============================================================================
Sandopolis Zone's Giant Rings can be very hard to find, especially in Act 2.
There are some Giant Rings that only Knuckles can access, due to his climbing
ability. If you follow my guide, it will be much easier to find the Giant
Rings in Act 1, but it seems impossible for Sonic to locate them in Act 2.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
When you land in the sand, jump up. Go right and push the yellow block. Ride
it and go down the slides. Run down the slope and grab the pulley lift. Go
right and run through the loop de loop. Push the yellow block and ride it.
Use the swings and go left.
Collect the Invincibility and go up. When you go past a Starpost, head left
for a while. When you see the spikes at the bottom of the waterfall of sand,
jump over the swing and proceed past the quicksand. You'll eventually find a
hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Go past the Starpost and head down the slides. When you land in the quicksand,
jump over to the right. Push the yellow block and ride it. Jump onto the
swing and use it to go up. Climb up the small waterfall of sand to find a
hidden passagway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #3
-------------
Spin Dash up the slope, and use the platforms to go up the slide. Run through
the loop de loop and use the pulley lift. Push the yellow block and ride it.
Go right and then up. Use the swing and go past the Starpost. When you go
down the slide and push the yellow block across, sink down the quicksand and go
left. After a Skorp, head past the quicksand to find a hidden passageway
containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #4
-------------
When you pass the last Starpost, climb up the walls above it. After climbing
up the western wall first, glide over to the eastern one and climb that wall.
When you reach the end, climb back down a bit, so you'll have enough space for
Knuckles to glide over to the left to find the Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Access Difficulty: Easy
At the start of the Act, press the lever nearby to turn the lights on, so you
don't have to worry about the ghosts for a while (Knuckles' adventure takes
place after Sonic's, so the ghosts have already been released). Now go back to
the start and climb up the western wall. There are two spiked platforms in
your way. When they move right, you must climb very fast to continue going up.
Otherwise, you'll fall down.
After getting above the two spiked platforms, head right and press the lever.
You now have to climb up the walls here. When you see some walls, break
through them (watch out for the spiked platforms above you as you do so). Go
left and bounce on the spring. Glide over to the right and break through the
walls to find a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 154005B4
Access Difficulty: Normal
Push the black block and climb up the walls to find a Starpost. Go past it and
press the lever. Slide down the first sandslide until you reach an
intersection. Jump over to another sandslide and glide repeatedly to go up
this sandslide and head down another one. You'll find a hidden passageway
containing the Giant Ring.
===============================================================================
LAVA REEF ZONE
===============================================================================
After the difficulty of finding the Giant Rings in Sandopolis Zone, this Zone
is a nice level to journey through. There are 4 Giant Rings in the level, and
they aren't as hard to reach as the ones in Sandopolis Zone. Unfortunately,
Giant Rings won't appear in later levels, so this is your last chance to find
them and collect the Chaos Emeralds.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 114206BD
Access Difficulty: Easy
When you arrive, go right and head past the stalitites. The moving spiked
platform can be difficult to cross, but if you Spin Dash after it rises, you
should be able to pass it. While avoiding the spiked balls, climb down the
steps. When you come across the waterfall of lava and a drilling machine, stay
on the left side of the screen.
When the ground in the centre of the screen collapses, you're supposed to drop
down and follow the southern path. Instead, you can take the northern path to
end up on Sonic's route through this Act. If you go left for a while and then
head right, you'll see that the drilling machine is gone. You can jump over to
the right and climb up the steps (avoid the flamethrowers as you do so). Press
the switch to reveal a hidden exit to the right.
Go right and press the switch. Go through the opening and make your way down
the steps. Head across the waterfall of lava and press the switch. Go through
the opening and head right. You can attack the drilling machine if you want
to, but it'll fall into the pool of lava, destroying it.
When you land, hop across the rocks and press the switch. Climb up the steps
and Spin Dash up. Spin Dash through the boulders and use the moving spiked
platform. As the platform reaches its zenith, jump right to enter a fake wall.
You'll discover a hidden room containing the Giant Ring.
Giant Ring #2
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 16C105C2
Access Difficulty: Easy
Run down the slope and collect the Flame Shield. When the ledge collapses, go
down the steps and head right. Go across the bridge and run down the black
tunnel. Go left and destroy the switch. Run through the opening and head down
the slope. Watch out for the spiked ball as you drop down the gap. Now jump
up and head left. Beware of the flamethrowers as you do so. Bounce on the
spring to break through the ground. Climb up the steps and Spin Dash to move
the machine. When you reach the top, go left to enter a fake wall. You'll
discover a hidden room containing the Giant Ring.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Giant Ring #1
-------------
Debug Coordinates: 14410B41
Access Difficulty: Easy
When the pool of lava freezes over, go right and head across it. Press the
switch and go through the opening. Head across the blue cylinder while
avoiding the row of spikes. Dodge the Robotnik Boxes and head right to
break open a few boulders (you can't take Sonic's route due to Knuckles' low
jump). Go through the orange pipe and jump over the hidden spring.
Break through the boulders and grab a Flame Shield on the platform nearby. You
can bounce on the bottom right spring to have an easier time getting to it.
Drop down the collapsing ledges and head past the exploding rocks. When the
eastern platform moves left, jump right to continue onward.
Head across the blue cylinder while avoiding the row of spikes, but beware of
the overhead spikes. Bounce on the hidden spring to catapult Knuckles up to a
Starpost. Activate it and drop down. Press the switch and go through the
opening. Take out the 2 Toxiomisters and use the spiked platforms to descend.
Watch out for the flamethrower. Run left to enter a fake wall. You'll
discover a hidden room containing the Giant Ring.
###############################################################################
12. Badniks
###############################################################################
Dr. Robotnik has captured the animals of Angel Island and turned them into
enemy robots. These robots are classified as "Badniks" in this game. This
section lists every Badnik.
===============================================================================
ANGEL ISLAND ZONE
===============================================================================
RhinoBot
--------
This is a rhino-like badnik that charges towards you when you come across it.
Jump over it to dodge its attacks.
Monkey Dude
-----------
This is an upgraded version of Coconuts from Sonic 2's Emerald Hill Zone.
Avoid the coconuts it drops on top of you.
Bloominator
-----------
This is a flower-like badnik that shoots fireballs at you when it gets a
chance. Wait for it to launch a fireball before you destroy it.
Catakiller, Jr
--------------
This is an upgraded version of the original Catakiller from Sonic 1. It simply
hovers and can easily be destroyed by Sonic/Tails.
===============================================================================
Hydrocity ZONE
===============================================================================
Turbo Spiker
------------
This badnik always appears when you least expect it when you are running very
fast. It has a rocket connected to itself, so wait for it to shoot the rocket
upwards before attacking it.
Bugernaut
---------
These are usually found in groups of twos or threes. They are easy to dispose
of when you are on the surface, but if you are underwater, they can bite you
and prevent you from jumping, thus stopping from Sonic/Tails from grabbing air
bubbles to avoid drowning. Avoid these badniks at all costs.
Jawz
----
This is a shark-like badnik that moves nearly as fast as Sonic. Jump to avoid
it when it charges towards you.
Mega Chopper
------------
This is a fish-like badnik that appears to bite you. Be on the lookout for
them as you go across bridges and passageways.
===============================================================================
MARBLE GARDEN ZONE
===============================================================================
Pointdexter
-----------
These are found in groups of twos or threes. When spikes are covering them,
don't attack until the spikes disappear.
Mantis
------
These are usually found in groups of threes. They come out of hiding to annoy
you. Jump across them to avoid their attacks.
TunnelBot
---------
This badnik appears twice in the Marble Garden Zone. Simply avoid its attacks
and ram it to destroy it.
Spiker
------
This badnik is usually found near spiked traps. You can't destroy it, but you
can use it as a platform for continuing through the Marble Garden Zone. Watch
out for the fireballs that it shoots at you.
===============================================================================
CARNIVAL NIGHT ZONE
===============================================================================
Batbot
------
This bat-like badnik flies around the Carnival Night Zone to annoy you. Jump
over it to avoid its attacks.
Blaster
-------
These are found in groups of threes or fours. They shoot projectiles at you.
Clamer
------
This oyster-like badnik fires its cannon at you. Jump over it and attack from
behind to destroy it.
===============================================================================
ICE CAP ZONE
===============================================================================
Penguinator
-----------
This penguin-like badnik slides towards you when you come across it. Jump over
it to avoid its attacks.
Star Pointer
------------
This badnik launches ice blocks against you. Dodge them all and it will be
defenceless.
===============================================================================
LAUNCH BASE ZONE
===============================================================================
Blastoid
--------
This badnik shoots a cannon at you.
TechnoSqueak
------------
This is a mouse-like badnik.
Flybot767
---------
These appear in groups of threes or fours. When you set off the alarms in the
Launch Base Zone, they will fly towards you.
Orbinaut
--------
This spiked badnik is similar to Star Pointer, except you can't trick it into
launching its spikes.
Corkey
------
These are found in groups of twos or threes. They shoot projectiles at you.
They are similiar to Blasters.
Snale Blaster
-------------
This is a snail-like badnik that shoots projectiles at you.
Ribot
-----
This frog-like badnik extends its body to hurt you.
===============================================================================
MUSHROOM HILL ZONE
===============================================================================
Butterdroid
-----------
This butterfly-like Badnik flies back and forth. They come in groups of twos
or threes. They usually show up at loop de loops, so be on the lookout for
them.
Mushmeanie
----------
This mushroom-like Badnik pops out of the ground if you approach it. It uses a
mushroom as cover to surprise you.
Dragonfly
---------
This fly-like Badnik flies up and down. It usually patrols areas where you are
running fast and don't know what's around the corner. Avoid the spikes on its
body and hit its head to destroy it.
Cluckoid
--------
This cluckerel-like Badnik can blow you in the opposite direction. When the
wind stops blowing, you can approach it and destroy it.
Madmole
-------
This mole-like Badnik shoots fireballs at you and hides in a hole afterwards.
If you can dodge the fireballs, you can approach it and destroy it.
===============================================================================
FLYING BATTERY ZONE
===============================================================================
Blaster
-------
This Badnik uses its cannon to fire small projectiles at you. They come in
groups of twos or threes.
Technosqueek
------------
This mouse-like Badnik moves on the floor or ceiling. They come in groups of
twos or threes. In my opinion, they're the easiest Badniks to destroy.
===============================================================================
SANDOPOLIS ZONE
===============================================================================
Skorp
-----
This scorpion-like Badnik swings its spiked chain at you. In my opinion, it's
the hardest Badnik to destroy in the game. When it swings the spiked chain,
you must stay away from it to avoid getting hurt. You must time your attack
perfectly to destroy it.
Sandworm
--------
This Badnik is similiar to Sonic 1's Catakiller, except it resides in the
quicksands. They can emerge from quicksands at anytime, so watch out.
===============================================================================
LAVA REEF ZONE
===============================================================================
Toxomister
----------
According to the Instruction Manual, this Badnik poisons the air. The cloud
around it can cause you to lose Rings one by one if you touch it. Fortunately,
if you can destroy the Badnik, the cloud will disappear.
Fireworm
--------
This Badnik flies back and forth. They usually appear on steps or at
waterfalls of lava.
===============================================================================
SKY SCANCTUARY ZONE
===============================================================================
EggRobo
-------
This Badnik shoots lasers at you. They'll fire the lasers quickly, so jump to
dodge them. If you're playing as Knuckles, you'll fight an EggRobo instead of
Robotnik in nearly each Boss Battle.
===============================================================================
DEATH EGG ZONE
===============================================================================
Spikebonker
-----------
This Badnik swings a spike at you, but the spike returns to it immediately. If
you wait for the Badnik to swing the spike, you can destroy it.
Chainspike
----------
This Badnik zooms towards you and attempts to unleash its spikes on you. There
are only a few of these, so it's best to run past them.
###############################################################################
13. S3&K Bugs
###############################################################################
Although Sonic 3 & Knuckles is a great game, there are some bugs that are
interesting to look for. You can use the Debug Mode to find these bugs, or
cause them to happen. For example, you need to use Debug Mode to take
Sonic/Tails to Knuckles' part of the Launch Base Zone. I have listed the
bugs in the order that I discovered them.
Boss Battle Music
-----------------
When you are playing as Knuckles in the Launch Base Zone, you can't access
Sonic/Tails' first boss normally, but you can hear the boss battle start. As
you run over the point where Sonic/Tails fights Robotnik, press down on the
+Control Pad and the boss music will start. You can hardly see Knuckles now
since the game thinks you're fighting Robotnik.
Double Trouble
--------------
This glitch requires that you use the Debug Mode. When you are in the Debug
Mode, play as Knuckles or Sonic/Tails in Act 2 of Angel Island Zone. If
you're Knuckles, take Sonic/Tails' route. If you're Sonic/Tails, take
Knuckles' route. When you reach the end of the level as Knuckles, you'll hear
the boss music. Use the Debug Mode to go down, and you'll face Robotnik.
However, two EggRobos will then appear in their Fireball Shooter Machines. As
Knuckles, you have to defeat two of them at once. Once you defeat one, the
level will end. As Sonic/Tails, you battle two Robotniks in their machines.
Rolling Boulder
---------------
In Act 2 of the Lava Reef Zone, use Debug Mode as Sonic/Tails to make it to the
end of the level without alerting Knuckles to your presence. If you go down
the stairs, you'll hear Knuckles' theme start. Use Debug Mode to go over the
boulder, and you'll hear the boulder rolling down the level forever.
Frozen in Time
--------------
As Sonic/Tails, if you don't enter the water in Act 2 of Launch Base Zone, the
game will freeze if you run to the right. In order to continue the game,
you'll have to wait for a Time Over.
Access Knuckles' Launch Base Boss
---------------------------------
As Sonic/Tails, you can use Debug Mode to go to Knuckles' battle with EggRobo
in Launch Base Zone. When you arrive there, the boss battle music will begin
for a moment and then start again. When Robotnik appears, you'll fight his
Laser Shooter Machine. After defeating him, you'll see the Death Egg plummet
back to Angel Island and your character will be at the top of the screen.
Access Sonic's/Tails' Launch Base Boss
--------------------------------------
As Knuckles, you can use the Debug Mode to go to Sonic's/Tails' battle with
Robotnik in Launch Base Zone. When you arrive there, you'll fight Robotnik's
Ball Launcher Machine. After defeating him, you can go over to an Eggmobile and
it'll fly you over to the east. Interestingly, Knuckles will be looking in
the opposite direction when he's riding the Eggmobile. After getting knocked
back a bit by an invisible Knuckles, the invisible Death Egg will be launched!
After landing on a platform, you'll fight EggRobo in his Laser Shooter Machine
and Spiked Grabber Machine. Once you've defeated him 2 times, EggRobo will
drop a bomb, and the screen will shift over to the right. Afterwards, you'll
enter Mushroom Hill Zone.
Access Sonic's/Tails' Marble Garden Boss
----------------------------------------
As Knuckles, you can use the Debug Mode to go to Sonic's/Tails' battle with
Robotnik in Marble Garden Zone. Go past the final arrow-shooting machine and
go through Sonic's/Tails' part of the level. When you confront EggRobo,
he'll flee to the skies. Tails grabs Knuckles and the two heroes chase after
EggRobo. After defeating him, Knuckles will go to his version of Carnival
Night Zone as normal.
Access Knuckles' Marble Garden Boss
-----------------------------------
As Sonic/Tails, you can use the Debug Mode to go to Sonic's/Tails' battle with
Robotnik in Marble Garden Zone. When you arrive at the final arrow-shooting
machine, go left and take Knuckles' route. At the end, you'll fight Knuckles'
boss, except your battling Robotnik instead of EggRobo.
Access Sonic's/Tails' Carnival Night Boss
-----------------------------------------
As Knuckles, you can use the Debug Mode to go to Sonic's/Tails' battle with
Robotnik in Carnival Night Zone. Before you arrive at the end of the level,
go up and head right to confront EggRobo in his Energy Suction Machine. After
defeating him, you can use the cannon to go to the Icecap Zone, but you will
go to Knuckles' version of the Zone. It is possible to battle this Boss
without using the Debug Mode if you go slowly through the speed boosts at the
end.
Access Sonic's/Tails' Death Egg Zone
------------------------------------
As Knuckles, you can simply use the Level Select to go to Sonic's/Tails' Death
Egg Zone. However, it's impossible to defeat the Mini-Boss, since Knuckles
can't jump high enough. You can, however, select Act 2 on the Level Select to
continue. After defeating Robotnik's Giant Robot, you'll see EggRobo fly off
with the Master Emerald. After defeating him, he'll drop the Emerald and
you'll be sent back to the Title Screen.
Access Sonic's/Tails' Lava Reef Boss
------------------------------------
As Knuckles, you can simply use the Level Select to go to Sonic's/Tails' battle
with Robotnik in Lava Reef Zone. After defeating Robotnik, Knuckles will go to
his version of Hidden Palace Zone as normal.
Access Knuckles' Sky Sanctuary Boss
-----------------------------------
As Sonic/Tails, you can simply use the Level Select to go to Knuckles' battle
with Mecha Sonic in Sky Sanctuary Zone. Interestingly, Robotnik will appear in
his Emerald Grabber Machine and he'll take you over to Mecha Sonic. After
Mecha Sonic destroys Robotnik by mistake, you can fight him and complete the
game.
Access Sonic/Tails' Sky Sanctuary Boss
--------------------------------------
As Knuckles, you can simply use the Level Select to go to Sonic's/Tails'
battles with Mecha Sonic in Sky Sanctuary Zone. Interestingly, when you arrive
in the Zone, there will be two Knuckles. After defeating Mecha Sonic three
times, Knuckles will go up the spiral pathway and jump onto the Death Egg.
You'll enter Death Egg Zone afterwards.
Team Tails
----------
As Sonic & Tails, go to the battle with Robotnik in the Sandopolis Zone. Use
Debug Mode to paste the Monitor Template. Open it to transform into Hyper
Sonic. Use Debug Mode to go behind Robotnik and try attacking him. While
Tails is hitting Robotnik at the front and Sonic is hitting him at the back,
the two characters' sprites will merge together, creating another Tails instead
of Sonic. This "Tails" is really Sonic. You'll notice that Hyper Sonic isn't
invincible anymore. After defeating Robotnik, you'll enter the Lava Reef Zone
as normal.
Stop Robotnik in Hidden Palace
------------------------------
As Sonic/Tails, you can use the Debug Mode to stop Robotnik from stealing the
Master Emerald in the Hidden Palace Zone. After defeating Knuckles, go right
to see the scene. Use Debug Mode to go right, and you'll see Robotnik
without the Master Emerald. He electrocutes an invisible Knuckles, but he
doesn't leave. If you hit Robotnik exactly 100 times, his Emerald Grabber
Machine will explode.
Falling Mecha Sonic
-------------------
As Knuckles, go to the Sky Sanctuary Zone and defeat Mecha Sonic the first
time. When Mecha Sonic comes back to life, transform into Hyper Knuckles via
a Monitor Template. When Mecha Sonic uses the Master Emerald to charge up,
he'll fall off the screen. After 10-20 times of doing this, he'll transform
into Super Mecha Sonic and you can battle him as normal.
Access Knuckles' Launch Base Mini-Boss
--------------------------------------
As Sonic/Tails, you can use the Debug Mode to go to Knuckles' battle with the
Mini-Boss in the Launch Base Zone. When you see the Starpost above the
Mini-Boss, switch from Debug Mode to Normal Mode. Activate the Starpost and
lose a life on purpose. (You can't go right and then down to access the
Mini-Boss area if you don't do this). After losing a life, you'll be back at
the Starpost. You should now be able to go right and then down to access the
Mini-Boss area. When the Mini-Boss Battle begins, you'll see that you're
fighting two of them instead of just one. If you destroy one, the Act will
end, but the other one will still be there. You'll start Act 2 afterwards in
Knuckles' version of the Launch Base Zone.
Rising Death Egg
----------------
As Sonic/Tails, you can use the Debug Mode to see the Death Egg rise up in the
Sky Sanctuary Zone. If you choose a Monitor Template and go up to the first
battle with Mecha Sonic, you'll notice that he's not there. If you go down,
you'll see the Death Egg rising up. After a while, Knuckles presses a switch
to create the bridge. If you lose a life while choosing the Monitor Template,
Sonic's/Tails' sprite will be changed into a Monitor! You still have
Sonic's/Tails' abilities, but now they look like Boxes, even if you switch
from Debug Mode to Normal Mode.
Invincible Ghosts
-----------------
As any character, you can use the Debug Mode to see invincible ghosts at the
end of Act 2 of Sandopolis Zone. When it is dark and the ghosts can attack
you, use Debug Mode to go past the arena where you fight Robotnik/EggRobo.
You'll notice that it's still dark and his Egyptian-Themed Robot isn't covering
his Eggmobile. If you can defeat him, the level will end, but the ghosts will
still be floating around. Since there are no lanturns nearby, they are now
invincible. When your points are totaled, you won't see the numbers, as the
ghosts seem to be blocking them. You'll then go to the Lava Reef Zone as
normal.
Invisible Characters
--------------------
As any character, you can use the Debug Mode to become invisible during the
Mini-Boss Battle in the Lava Reef Zone. When you start the level, use Debug
Mode to quickly go to the Mini-Boss. It seems your character is invisible, but
he is actually behind the waterfall of lava. If you can defeat the Mini-Boss,
you can go right and start Act 2. As you do so, you'll see your character
become visible again.
Copies of Zones
---------------
If you use the Debug Mode to go right in a Zone, you can go under the
Mini-Boss/Boss and enter a copy of the Zone. You can't collect anything here,
but the obstacles won't hurt you. You can go left to end up back in the
original Zone if you want to battle the Mini-Boss/Boss.
Triggering Music
----------------
When you are starting Act 2 of a Zone or have just beaten the Boss, you can use
the Monitor Template to trigger the previous music. For example, if you have
just started Act 2 of Death Egg Zone, you can transform into Hyper
Sonic/Knuckles or Super Tails to trigger Act 1's music for a moment. If you do
this glitch on Sky Sanctuary Zone as Sonic/Tails, you can listen to the Boss
Battle music as your character runs up the circular platform and jumps onto the
Death Egg.
Emerald Chamber
---------------
As Sonic/Tails, if you have collected the Chaos Emeralds, but haven't collected
the Super Emeralds yet, you can use Debug Mode to trigger this glitch. If you
go to the Hidden Palace Zone and head past the battle with Knuckles, you can
jump on the grey Chaos Emeralds to enter the Special Stages of Sonic & Knuckles
and Sonic The Hedgehog 3. Interestingly, when you complete or fail a Special
Stage, you'll be taken to the location of the first Giant Ring in Act 2 of
Angel Island Zone. You'll suddenly be taken to the Sonic 3 Special Stage.
When you are sent back to the level, you can continue through it as normal, but
you won't have to fight the Mini-Boss, since you've bypassed it. You can
explore some of Act 1 if you go left, though.
Moving Death Egg
----------------
As Sonic/Tails, use Debug Mode to make it to the end of the level without
alerting Knuckles to your presence. The image of the Death Egg will copy your
movements.
Frozen in Carnival Night
------------------------
As Knuckles, go to the end of Act 2 and destroy the Prison Egg. As your points
are being totalled, use Debug Mode to go up to where Sonic/Tails fights
Robotnik. If you can defeat EggRobo's Energy Suction Machine, Knuckles will
become frozen.
Access Sonic's The Doomsday Zone
--------------------------------
As Tails/Knuckles, you can simply use the Level Select to go to The Doomsday
Zone. Their sprites will look weird, but you can play the level. If you've
collected all the Chaos/Super Emeralds via the Level Select, you'll see a weird
ending once you beat the Final Boss. As Knuckles, you'll take the Master
Emerald down and land on Sonic's airplane. The airplane is coloured black and
white. When you see the extra scene, Sonic and Knuckles will leave the Floating
Island in the airplane, while another Knuckles sees them leave. The Master
Emerald is on the Floating Island and the airplane.
Clones of Mecha Sonic
---------------------
As Sonic/Tails, activate Debug Mode and go to the final battle with Mecha Sonic
in Sky Sanctuary Zone. After Mecha Sonic destroys the teleporter, use Debug
Mode to paste a teleporter onto the screen. Since the game is programmed to
trigger the appearance of Mecha Sonic when a teleporter is destroyed, another
Mecha Sonic will appear and destroy it. If you keep pasting teleporters,
you'll end up fighting 2 clones of Mecha Sonic as well as the original Mecha
Sonic. If you can defeat one of them, the level will end as normal, but as you
run up the spiral pathway, you'll see that the Death Egg appears to be
short-circuiting and its armour seems to still be damaged, since it crash
landed on top of Lava Reef Zone's volcano.
Change Flying Battery's Background
----------------------------------
As any character, activate Debug Mode and use it to go right very fast through
Act 1 of Flying Battery Zone underneath the battleship. When you reach the
end, you'll notice that the background has changed and you can now see the
exterior of the battleship.
See Chaos/Super Emeralds
------------------------
As Sonic/Tails, activate Debug Mode and go to Knuckles in Hidden Palace Zone.
If you paste a teleporter, you can fight Knuckles and go right to see the
Chaos/Super Emeralds at the same time. This glitch is useful for looking at
the Emeralds, without having to trigger the scene with Robotnik stealing the
Master Emerald. If you can trick Knuckles into gliding right, you can fight
him in the Emerald Chamber.
Access Sonic & Knuckles
-----------------------
As any character, activate Debug Mode and defeat Robotnik/EggRobo in Flying
Battery Zone. After your score is totalled, paste loads of Monitor Templates
on the floor. If you Spin Dash through all of them, you'll enter Sandopolis
Zone, but the level is unplayable. If you press B to exit, you'll be sent to
the Title Screen of Sonic & Knuckles alone. Oddly enough, Debug Mode and Level
Select are still active, so you can now use the former to go through the Sonic
& Knuckles levels as Sonic or Knuckles. The Sonic & Knuckles levels are now
playable again, but you can't access the Sonic 3 levels, since the game thinks
you are playing Sonic & Knuckles alone. You can hear music from Sonic 3 in the
Sound Test, though.
Fight Robotnik in Mushroom Hill
-------------------------------
As Knuckles, go to the battle with EggRobo in Mushroom Hill Zone. If you lose
a life and fight the Boss again, Robotnik will be piloting the Speed Booster
Machine instead of EggRobo.
Access Black Screen
-------------------
As Sonic/Tails, activate Debug Mode and finish The Doomsday/Death Egg Zone. If
you've collected all 7 Super Emeralds, an extra scene will be shown. If you
use Debug Mode, Sonic and Tails will go left and end up where Angel Island's
Mini-Boss set fire to the level. Consequently, the screen goes black.
Easy Final Boss
---------------
As Sonic, activate Debug Mode and proceed through The Doomsday Zone. When
you've destroyed Robotnik's spaceship, he'll appear in a giant robot. If you
use Debug Mode, you'll appear in front of the robot and score a hit every time
you do this. Oddly enough, the eighth hit won't cause the Giant Robot to
explode and fall apart. You must charge into it to finish Robotnik off.
Follow Robotnik/Knuckles
------------------------
As Sonic/Tails, activate Debug Mode and go through any zone where
Robotnik/Knuckles runs off. Angel Island Zone, Carnival Night Zone, and Flying
Battery Zone are examples. In Angel Island, when Knuckles steals Sonic's Chaos
Emeralds, you can follow him. In Flying Battery, when Robotnik runs off as his
console explodes, you can do the same action.
Change Carnival Night Boss' Colour
----------------------------------
As Sonic/Tails, activate Debug Mode and go to Carnival Night Zone. When
Knuckles prepares to press a switch to send you hovering up to Robotnik, use
Debug Mode to go up immediately. When Knuckles' theme music ends, the Boss
Battle music will start for a moment, but then the Carnival Night music will
begin instead of it. Oddly enough, in the transition between music, Robotnik's
Energy Suction Machine has changed colour. It is now blue instead of green.
Change Carnival Night's Background
----------------------------------
As Sonic/Tails, activate Debug Mode and go to Carnival Night Zone. When
Knuckles turns the lights off, use Debug Mode to go right. When you reach the
end of the level, you'll notice that the background is now full of water. If
you confront Knuckles at the end, he'll be coloured blue instead of red.
Keep Sonic's Snowboard
----------------------
As Sonic, activate Debug Mode and go to Icecap Zone. When you land on the
snowboard, use Debug Mode to go right. When you go past where the avalanche
usually happens, it won't occur, since you're in Debug Mode. If you proceed
through the level, you can turn off Debug Mode to see Sonic on the snowboard.
Bypass Angel Island Mini-Boss
-----------------------------
As Sonic/Tails, activate Debug Mode and go to Angel Island Zone. When you are
proceeding through the level, use Debug Mode to go down and then right. If you
do this correctly, you'll bypass the Mini-Boss and enter Act 2. Interestingly,
the game thinks you're still in Act 1, so when you defeat Robotnik, the score
is totalled for Act 1 and the title card for Act 2 is shown. Since you've
completed Act 2, you'll be sent to Hydrocity Zone instead.
###############################################################################
14. S3&K 2-Player/Competition Mode
###############################################################################
If you want to begin the 2-Player Mode, select Competition and you'll be sent
to the Main Menu. With the exception of Time Attack, one or two players can
play the 3 modes. Exit takes you back to the Title Screen.
Main Menu:
When you press the Start Button at the Title Screen, select Competition.
You'll be sent to the Main Menu. There are 3 modes (Grand Prix, Match Race,
and Time Attack) to choose from. You can press Left and Right to switch the
usage of Item Boxes on/off in the two-player zones.
Grand Prix
----------
If you want to race in all five of the two-player zones consectively, select
Grand Prix. When one player wins 3 out of 5 races, the game ends.
Match Race
----------
If you want to race in one of the two-player zones, select Match Race. When
one player wins 1 race, the game ends.
Time Attack
-----------
If you want to practice your skills for the two-player zones, select Time
Attack. Unlike Grand Prix and Match Race, only 1 player can play this mode.
You can choose any of the zones. The game saves your Best Times in each zone.
The character that you choose to achieve a Best Time is also recorded. When
you have 3 Best Times and achieve a better one, your lowest time will be erased
to save your higher one.
Characters:
When you play the 3 modes, there are three characters (Sonic, Tails, and
Knuckles) to choose from. You can press Left and Right to switch between the
characters.
Sonic
-----
Sonic is the fastest character and his speed is excellent for clearing most
zones quicker, most notably Desert Palace and Chrome Gadget. In Azure Lake and
Balloon Park, Sonic's speed can be a disadvantage, as he can miss shortcuts, so
be careful.
Tails
-----
Tails is a great character for beginners. His average speed is beneficial for
shortcuts. Although Tails can fly, his ability is only useful in Balloon Park
and isn't helpful for finding shortcuts.
Knuckles
--------
Knuckles is best used by experts, but he is good for clearing three zones
(Azure Lake, Balloon Park, and Endless Mine). Although Knuckles is the slowest
of the three characters and doesn't have his abilities (gliding and climbing),
his slower speed helps to use shortcuts.
Zones:
When you start a zone, you must wait for the timer to count down to zero. Once
the timer becomes 0, the word "Go!" appears. You can then begin a race on your
own or with a friend. If you proceed right before "Go!" appears, your action
is labelled as a "Fault" and you have to repeat the countdown.
Records:
Zone Character Place Best Time
---- --------- ----- ---------
Azure Lake Sonic 1st 0'30"56
Azure Lake Sonic 2nd 0'31"48
Azure Lake Sonic 3rd 0'31"52
Balloon Park Tails 1st 0'37"31
Balloon Park Knuckles 2nd 0'46"72
Balloon Park Tails 3rd 0'47"57
Chrome Gadget Sonic 1st 0'38"14
Chrome Gadget Sonic 2nd 0'39"27
Chrome Gadget Sonic 3rd 0'40"12
Desert Palace Sonic 1st 0'36"15
Desert Palace Sonic 2nd 0'36"16
Desert Palace Sonic 3rd 0'36"62
Endless Mine Tails 1st 0'52"68
Endless Mine Knuckles 2nd 0'54"51
Endless Mine Sonic 3rd 0'54"59
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15. Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: How do I get past the round, red drum in the Carnival Night Zone?
A: Simply press Up and Down when the drum goes up and down, respectively. When
the gap is big enough for Sonic/Tails to jump down, do so immediately. If
you unlock Debug Mode and select your Save File, you can use the former to
go past the drum. When you select your Save File, hold the A Button to
begin the Carnival Night Zone in Debug Mode.
Q: After completing the game, can I re-enter the levels to obtain the
Chaos/Super Emeralds?
A: Yes. If you want to obtain the Chaos Emeralds quickly, select Angel Island
Zone as your starting level and go to the zone's first Giant Ring. Use that
Giant Ring repeatedly until you collect all 7 Chaos Emeralds. If you want
to acquire all 7 Super Emeralds, you can select Mushroom Hill Zone and use
the above method repeatedly until you succeed in doing this.
Q: I completed the game, but I didn't collect all 7 Chaos/Super Emeralds. Can
I go to my Save File and re-enter the levels that I have cleared to obtain
them?
A: Yes. If you were playing as Knuckles, you've have completed all his levels,
so you can re-enter them to find the Giant Rings and collect all 7
Chaos/Super Emeralds. If you were playing as Sonic/Tails, you've have
completed all the levels up to Death Egg Zone, so you can do the same
actions to collect all 7 Chaos/Super Emeralds. Once you've collected all
7 Chaos/Super Emeralds, you can complete Death Egg Zone to access The
Doomsday Zone if you were playing as Sonic.
Q: What are the Super Emeralds?
A: When you collect all the Chaos Emeralds in the Sonic 3 Special Stages and
access the Emerald Chamber of Hidden Palace Zone, your Chaos Emeralds are
taken from you and transformed into grey Super Emeralds. Once you complete
the Sonic & Knuckles Special Stages, the grey Super Emeralds will be
transformed into coloured Emeralds. When you have collected all 7 Super
Emeralds, the Master Emerald will cast a light over the Super Emeralds
and it will become shiny.
The Super Emeralds were programmed into Sonic 3 & Knuckles, since Sonic 3
and Sonic & Knuckles have their own set of Chaos Emeralds, although they
were originally supposed to be one game. Having two sets of Chaos Emeralds
in Sonic 3 & Knuckles would have been impossible, so the second set were
called Super Emeralds.
In my opinion, one set of Emeralds were originally supposed to be in the
complete version of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (AKA Sonic 3 & Knuckles), but time
constraints and cartridge costs forced the developers to split the game into
Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles, programming two sets of Emeralds instead.
Hyper Sonic/Knuckles and Super Tails were probably intended to be the
characters' respective Super Forms when the player collected all 7 Chaos
Emeralds, but the developers split Sonic and Knuckles' Forms into the
Super/Hyper Forms and decided not to implement Tails' Super Form in Sonic 3
alone in order to finish programming the Sonic 3 levels and include Super
Sonic in that game. This explains why the Super Emeralds and Hyper
Sonic/Knuckles have not appeared in future games, since the developers were
not forced to split them into two halves.
Q: When does Knuckles' adventure take place?
A: Knuckles' adventure takes place shortly after the conclusion of Sonic's
adventure. This is evidenced by the following points:
*The backgrounds of Angel Island Zone and Sky Sanctuary Zone show Angel
Island floating in the sky.
*The image of the Death Egg has been removed from Launch Base Zone, Lava Reef
Zone and Hidden Palace Zone.
*Sonic's adventure ends with a short scene showing the wreckage of the Death
Egg and one of Robotnik's EggRobo Badniks emerging from it. This is the
same EggRobo that drops a bomb in Knuckles' intro scene and pilots the
vehicles in his adventure.
*EggRobo takes Robotnik's place as the Boss of each level prior to Hidden
Palace Zone. In addition, Mecha Sonic is the Final Boss, not Robotnik.
*The ghosts have already been released in Sandopolis Zone.
*The water in Angel Island Zone, Carnival Night Zone and Launch Base Zone
has been drained due to the fact that Angel Island is now floating in the
sky.
Q: If Knuckles' adventure takes place shortly after Sonic's, why does Robotnik
appear instead of EggRobo as the Boss of Flying Battery Zone?
A: Robotnik's sprite is shown, but it's really EggRobo that you're fighting.
Apparently, Sonic Team decided not to replace Robotnik's sprite with that of
EggRobo, as it may have been difficult to programme EggRobo's sprite, since
the Flying Battery Zone Boss has a different sprite than all the others.
Q: How do I get past the infinite loop of slides in Sandopolis Zone?
A: When you see a swing above a particular slide, jump onto it and go past the
Starpost. If you don't jump onto the correct slide, you'll go down an
infinite loop of slides instead. To continue through the level, wait for
your character to land near the correct slide again and try to jump onto it
this time. Like the infamous rotating drums in Carnival Night Zone, it took
me years to find out this method. Prior to that, I jumped onto random slides
until I eventually picked the correct one. This would cause me to get a Time
Over depending on how much time I spent jumping onto random slides.
Q: When I play as Knuckles, why are the letters "KTE" displayed alongside my
Life counter instead of Knuckles' name?
A: This is due to the limited text capabilities of the Genesis/Mega Drive.
Since Knuckles' name was too long to be used, his initials were programmed
into the game instead.
Q: What are the most notable points about S&K when playing it by itself?
A: *You can only play the following levels: Mushroom Hill, Flying Battery,
Sandopolis, Lava Reef, Hidden Palace, Sky Sanctuary, Death Egg and The
Doomsday.
*There is no save feature.
*You can't play as Tails.
*It's not possible to see the best ending, since you can't collect the
Super Emeralds.
*There are 2 Bonus Stages.
*There is no 2-Player/Competition Mode.
*In Knuckles' story, a cutscene plays at the start to give him some
backstory.
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16. Credits
###############################################################################
- Thanks to me for writing this FAQ/Walkthrough.
- Thanks to you for reading this FAQ/Walkthrough.
- Thanks to Sonic Team for developing this game.
- Thanks to Sega Technical Institute for collabarating with Sonic Team.
- Thanks to GameFAQs for hosting this FAQ/Walkthrough.
- Thanks to Egmont Fleetway's Sonic The Comic. I used their Sonic The Hedgehog
3 guide as a reference for the names and battle strategies for the bosses,
and for the official names of obstacles.
- Thanks to Instruction Manual for information regarding Hints and Tips, Game
Overview, etc.
- Thanks to WWalker. I used his Sonic & Knuckles FAQ as a reference for
information regarding the Special and Bonus Stages. I also discovered the
existence of the glitch in Mecha Sonic's Sphere Cloning Machine from looking
at WWalker's FAQ.
- Thanks to Janus Operative. I used his Sonic 3 Giant Rings FAQ as a reference
for the Giant Ring Locations. His FAQ seems to have disappeared from
GameFAQs, but while it was still posted there, I used it as a reference.
- Thanks to TurboKiller and Warrior of Zarona. I used their sections of the
Sonic & Knuckles Quest for Emeralds Guide as a reference for the Giant Ring
Locations.
- Thanks to www.network-science.de/ascii for the ASCII art at the top of this
FAQ/Walkthrough.
- Thanks to PJRandallChevik for information regarding this game's save feature.
He said that you should wait a few minutes after every level starts to avoid
corrupting your Save Files when you turn off your Genesis/Mega Drive.
- Thanks to sonic.wika.com for information about this game. This walkthrough
uses info from the following articles:
http://sonic.wikia.com/wiki/Sonic_%26_Knuckles
http://sonic.wikia.com/wiki/Super_transformation
- Thanks to Strawhat. He suggested that I remove the Introduction sections in
the separate games. I took his advice. Strawhat also suggested that I
remove the Story and Character sections, merge the Game Overview sections,
and make the same walkthrough for the three characters, but I've decided to
only merge the Game Overview sections.
- Thanks to Blitz256. He stated that one Giant Ring in Act 2 of Mushroom Hill
Zone doesn't exist. He also gave directions for two Giant Rings in Act 2 of
Sandopolis Zone for Sonic.
- Thanks to mbollige. He said saved data you had in Sonic 3 is retained if you
boot up "Sonic 3 & Knuckles" so you DO NOT have to go through the Sonic 3
stages again in Sonic 3 & Knuckles if you already beat Sonic 3 alone.
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17. Contact Information
###############################################################################
If you have any questions, comments or corrections regarding my walkthrough, I
can be contacted by posting a topic on the GameFAQs message board of this game
(I prefer not using an e-mail address). Contributions to this guide are
appreciated.
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18. Copyright Information
###############################################################################
This may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal,
private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed
publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web
site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a
violation of copyright.
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders. GameFAQs and its affiliates are
the ONLY websites that have permission to host this document.
Copyright 2004-2018 David Lucey
