Sonic 3 and Knuckles FAQ/Walkthrough on Sonic 3/Sonic Mega Collection For the Playstation2/Genesis/GameCube/Xbox systems Written by peach freak or peachfreak90@hotmail.com Copyright 2005-2008 Tim Brastow. All Rights Reserved. Version 3.05 Welcome! This FAQ is a guide for Sonic 3 and Knuckles on any of the Sonic games out there (Sonic 3, Sonic Mega Collection for the Xbox, Playstation2, and Gamecube). This will cover every level in the game for both Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. If you have any questions, email me at peachfreak90@hotmail.com. If any good questions are asked, I will put up an Asked Questions section in my guide. Also, this FAQ is protected by copyright. You cannot sell this, put this on your site without my permission, or any other violation of copyright law. You can, however, save this onto your computer and print it out for LEGAL USE. Also, since this guide is way too long, use CTRL + F on a Windows computer to search for something. Enter the level/special stage/whatever you want to look for and hit enter. It should search this guide for those words and should be really fast to find something. This is useful, especially if you're on an 800 x 600 or smaller resolution. Here is another note about emailing me. If you are going to ask me a question, check the Asked Questions section to see if it has already been answered, and that may help you. If you still don't understand it, you are more than welcome to contact me. Table of Contents 1. Version History 2. Asked Questions 3. Controls 4. Main Characters 5. Changes to this Game 6. Items 7. Mini Games 8. Obstacles 9. Walkthrough (Sonic/Tails) 10. Walkthrough (Knuckles) 11. Special Stages/Walkthroughs 12. Enemies 13. Multiplayer 14. Secrets 15. Credits =================== 1. Version History =================== Version .07, January 2, 2005: Started this FAQ. Got everything outside the Walkthrough done and finished the first level for both Sonic/Tail's and Knuckles' adventures. Version .15, January 3, 2005: Finished level 2 for both Sonic/Tail's and Knuckles' adventure. Version .26, January 5, 2005: Finished Level 3 for both Sonic/Tail's and Knuckles' adventure in my Walkthrough. I also finished Level 4 for Knuckles' adventure too. Version .46, January 6, 2005: Finished Levels 4, 5 and 6 for Sonic/Tail's adventure and level 5 and 6 for Knuckles' adventure. Version .53, January 8, 2005: Finished Level 7 for Sonic/Tail's and Knuckles' adventure. Also have all of the special stages in my special stage walkthroughs done now. Version .80, January 10, 2005: Have Levels 8 and 9 for Sonic/Tail's adventure done and I finished up the rest of Knuckles' adventure! Yay! Version .88 January 11, 2005: Finished Levels 10 and 11 for Sonic/Tail's adventure. Version .92, January 13, 2005: Finished Level 12 in my Walkthrough for Sonic/Tail's adventure after I was finally able to snag some time. Version 1.00, January 14, 2005: Finished Levels 13 and 14 in my Walkthrough for Sonic/Tail's adventure. I am done with this whole guide! Yay! Version 1.15, January 22, 2005: Added an Asked Questions section and put up the first (good) question I got. Version 1.40, January 25, 2005: Added an enemies section to this FAQ. I also finally got the prizes listed for the slot machine mini game in the Mini Games section. Version 1.75, February 7, 2005: Completely re-did my Multiplayer section. It now has a short walkthrough for each of the levels and better descriptions for the modes. Also I now have a list of items for the stuff you can find in Multiplayer. If I'm missing anything tell me. Version 1.90, February 19, 2005: Added an "obstacles" section into this FAQ and fixed a few errors here and there. Version 2.00, February 20, 2005: Did an overhaul of my controls section. Since this FAQ was posted for each version of Sonic Mega Collection (Xbox, Playstation2, and GameCube), I decided to add the controls for the Xbox and Gamecube versions as well, thanks to two users who helped me. I highly thanked them and added them to my credits. Version 2.05, February 21, 2005: Added a question to my Asked Questions section. This shows how to get past the cylinders in Carnival Night and this question is asked all over the place. 2.20, February 23, 2005: Changed my Walkthrough in Lava Reef Act 1 so it covers another Special Stage ring, and I added info about controlling Tails with a second controller and what he can do in the controls section (when playing Sonic and Tails together). Version 2.50, February 25, 2005: Added a secrets section into my Walkthrough, and I also added a few more obstacles into my obstacles list. Version 2.60, February 27, 2005: Added another question to the Asked Questions list because this one is always asked too. I also added more to my Special Stages section to talk more about how to get outer Blue Spheres if some are red. Version 2.70, March 8, 2005: Completely re-did my secrets section so that now it has section dividers for codes, unlockables, glitches, etc, so now it is easier to navigate. Version 2.75, May 22, 2005: Added another good question to the Asked Questions section. Also added some more information about emailing me at the beginning of this FAQ. Version 2.80, May 26, 2005: Added section dividers around my bosses in the walkthrough so you will be able to find them easier. Version 2.85, May 28, 2005: Added another good question to my Asked Questions section. Version 2.90, October 30, 2005: I finally found out what the ring did in multiplayer thanks to Brandon Torrente, so I put that in my multiplayer sextion thanks to him. Again, thanks a lot man. Version 3.00, July 26, 2006: Added in a missing multiplayer item thanks to Jason Fisher. I also added him to the credits section. Version 3.05, April 9, 2008: Fixed a bad typo in the credits section, and tweaked a few of my enemy descriptions in my enemies section. =================== 2. Asked Questions =================== Here are questions I receive through email. I will only put the good questions here and if they are asked a lot. Question: How can I play/unlock Sonic 3 and Knuckles? Answer: You must play Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles 20 times each. You don't need to beat both games 20 times each, just playing them. Playing a game counts as seeing the Sega screen, so once you see the Sega screen, press R1 and go to exit. Once you've played both Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles 20 times each, exit the game list and go to the main menu (where you can go to manuals, options, etc). Then go back to the game list and it should say you can play Sonic 3 and Knuckles. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question: How do I get past those cylinders in Carnival Night? Answer: This is really annoying for many people new to the game, so I'll say it here for quick reference. To get past those red and white cylinders, get on top of them and use Up and Down to move it, and repeat it by going Up, Down, Up Down at a stead rate until it moves. The more you do it, it will move higher/lower in the air. Also, it will go higher or lower if you hit Up or Down harder. Once it is high enough, jump and you should jump really high into the air, and you should get on the platform above you or the opening below you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question: Can you unlock Sonic Heroes on Sonic Mega Collect Plus? Answer: No, Sonic Heroes is not an unlockable game in Sonic Mega Collection, so you would have to go out and buy it on your own. However, you do need a saved game from Sonic Heroes to unlock one of the games called "Comix Zone" on Sonic Mega Collection Plus on your memory card if you are using the Playstation 2 version. It doesn't matter where you are in the game, as long as there is a saved file on your memory card (so you could go out and rent it to get a saved game), and once you have it, go to the games list and Comix Zone will be unlocked. Or if you are using the Xbox version of Sonic Mega Collection Plus, you will need to get a saved file of Sonic Heroes onto your hard drive, so you could rent it, save it, load Sonic Mega Collection, and you'll unlock Comix Zone once you visit the game list. So no, Sonic Heroes cannot be unlocked on Sonic Mega Collection, but you will need a saved file from the game if you want to unlock a game called Comix Zone. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question: Is there a Super Tails in this game? Answer: This question has been asked many times, and yes there is a Super Tails in Sonic 3 and Knuckles. To get Super Tails, you must first get all the Chaos Emeralds in the Sonic 3 levels and then get all the Super Emeralds in the Sonic and Knuckles levels, and then you will have the ability to become Super Tails. Just grab 50 rings and double jump. Super Tails also has four little yellow flickies around him and they attack anything they see, such as an enemy or hitting a boss. So Super Tails could go to a boss and have the flickies do the work. Even though lots of people say there is no Super Tails in other Sonic games, there really is in Sonic 2 and Sonic 3. In Sonic 2, you must activate debug mode and play as Sonic and Tails together. Then do the all emeralds trick and become Super Sonic. Then enter debug mode and turn into a warping monitor and place it. Sonic and Tails will switch off their abilities, so Tails will have Super Sonic's powers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question: Are there any other games besides Sonic 3 and Knuckles you can unlock in Sonic Mega Collection? Answer: Yes, there are a lot of games you can unlock in Sonic Mega Collection/Plus. Here they are. Knuckles in Sonic 2: This is where you play the Sonic 2 levels as Knuckles when you locked Sonic 2 onto Sonic and Knuckles. To get this, play Sonic 2 and Sonic Spinball 20 times each, return to the main menu, and then return to the game list. It should be unlocked. Blue Sphere: This is the Sonic game where there were thousands and thousands of the Sonic 3 Special Stages in it, called "Blue Sphere" when you would lock any game other than Sonic 3 or Sonic 2 onto Sonic and Knuckles. To unlock this, play Sonic 1 and Sonic 3D Blast 20 times each, return to the main menu, and it should be unlocked when you return to the game list. The Ooze: I do not know what this game is. Play Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine 20 times each, return to the main menu, and then return to the game list and it should be unlocked. Flicky: Play Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine 10 more times after you unlock the Ooze and then return to the main menu. Now go back to the game list and this game should be unlocked. Ristar: Don't know this game either. Play Sonic 3 and Knuckles, Blue Sphere, Knuckles in Sonic 2, The Ooze, and Flicky all 30 times each and then return to the main menu. Now return to the game list and it should be unlocked. Comix Zone: To unlock this game, you will need a saved file of Sonic Heroes on your PS2/Gamecube Memory Card or your Xbox hard drive. Once you get a saved file on a PS2/Gamecube Memory Card from Sonic Heroes, load up Sonic Mega Collection and it should be unlocked. It doesn't matter where you are in the game, just save it and you get it. You can go out and rent it too. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question: How does the save system in this game work? I try to save and when I come back the save file clears or I am back at Zone 1. Answer: In the PS2 version of Sonic Mega Collection, you will need a Memory Card to save everything. In Sonic 3 and Sonic 3 and Knuckles, the save files will save even if you don't have a memory card, but when you reset the PS2 the save file will clear. You will also need the Memory Card for Saving Game Data so you can continue a level right where you saved it. Even if you quit the game or turn off the PS2 in the middle of a level, the save file (not the Game Data) will put you back at the beginning of the level. Once you beat all 12, 13, or 14 levels (depending on your character), you can select any level you want on that file. Another thing is that you do not need a memory card for the Xbox version of Sonic Mega Collection. The Xbox has its own hard drive so everything will be saved onto the hard drive and you can clear it at any time from the Xbox control panel. So if you played this game at a friend's house who never played this game, there will be nothing unlocked because you're playing the game on a different hard drive. There are memory cards for the Xbox that allow you to put it into a different hard drive and use all of your data. Just like the PS2, the Gamecube version of this game also requires a memory card. You will need it for the same uses as a PS2 for this game. To unlock games, save your files, and so on. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question: How do you spin dash in this game? I've tried everything I could and I'm still having a lot of trouble. Answer: Lots of people get confused with spin dashing if they are new to the Sonic games. First, you must hold Down, and then keep tapping Genesis Button A on your control (it is the A button on the Genesis version, X on the PS2 version, A on the Xbox version, and B on the Gamecube version). After you keep tapping your Genesis button A, let go of down and Sonic/Tails/Knuckles will spin dash. This is tricky at first, but you'll soon get used to it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ============ 3. Controls ============ In Sonic Mega Collection Plus, there are 3 different control settings you can choose from. Remember, the D-Pad, Start, and R1 (to get to the menu) will always be the same controls no matter what setting. Here are the 3 defaults and their controls: Also note that the controls correspond to the Genesis's controller too. I also have a list of controls for the Gamecube and Xbox versions as well. I will divide them into sections. The button for the system's controller is equivalent to the Genesis button shown below. <><><><><><><><> Playstation 2 <><><><><><><><> ----------- Default 1: ----------- X: Genesis Button B Square: Genesis Button A Circle: Genesis Button C Triangle: Genesis Button Y L2: Genesis Button X R2: Genesis Button Z ----------- Default 2: ----------- X: Genesis Button A Square: Genesis Button C Circle: Genesis Button B Triangle: Genesis Button Y L2: Genesis Button X R2: Genesis Button Z ----------- Default 3: ----------- X: Genesis Button C Square: Genesis Button X Circle: Genesis Button Z Triangle: Genesis Button Y L2: Genesis Button B L1: Genesis Button A <><><> Xbox <><><> To access the menu during the game, press the white button, and use A to choose your option. ----------- Default 1: ----------- X: Genesis Button A A: Genesis Button B B: Genesis Button C L: Genesis Button X Y: Genesis Button Y R: Genesis Button Z ----------- Default 2: ----------- A: Genesis Button A B: Genesis Button B Black: Genesis Button C X: Genesis Button X Y: Genesis Button Y R: Genesis Button Z ----------- Default 3: ----------- A: Genesis Button A B: Genesis Button B X: Genesis Button C L: Genesis Button X Y: Genesis Button Y R: Genesis Button Z <><><><><> GameCube <><><><><> Pressing Z opens up the menu for you when in a game. Also, you can only pick between two control settings. I don't have all of the controls yet for this one. ----------- Setting 1: ----------- B: Genesis Button A A: Genesis Button B X: Genesis Button C ----------- Setting 2: ----------- A: Genesis Button A B: Genesis Button B X: Genesis Button C Now, here are the gaming Controls for Sonic 3 itself: ******************************************************************************* Left: Move character left Right: Move character right Up: Look up (hold up to push the screen up) Down: Duck (hold down to push the screen down) R1/Z/White: Menu (this can be viewed if the game is paused or not) Start: Pause the game. Down + Genesis button A B or C: Spin Dash. Let go of Down to spin dash. Genesis buttons A+A, B+B, or C+C: Double jump. Tails can fly, Knuckles can glide, and Sonic will do nothing unless he has a shield on. For Tails to fly higher in the air, keep tapping the button you used to double jump. For Knuckles to stay in the air, hold Genesis button A, B, or C. Otherwise let go. You can also use Double Jump to transform into your character's Super/Hyper Form. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! If you are also playing with two controllers as Sonic and Tails together, another person can use the second controller to control Tails and help you throughout the game. Tails has unlimited lives so if he dies, he will always come back. Also, like most multiplayer games, it is not separated into two screens, so Tails will be using the same screen. So if Tails is not on the screen for a few seconds, he will fly back to the screen. The second player can also have Tails fly and pick up Sonic to fly him to places he can't normally reach. To have Tails pick up Sonic and fly him around, have Tails fly and then have him get on top of Sonic to grab him. Now, once Sonic is onto Tails, use the D- Pad on the second controller to control where Tails flies, and then use Up to fly higher. If you are Sonic, jump to jump off of him. This is useful for many of the levels. Also, no matter how many hits Tails takes, he will not die. Any rings he collects will count towards Sonic's ring total, but Tails cannot break open any item boxes for Sonic. But if the player controlling Tails is a good player, he can be a good help in many of the bosses, and you could finish them off quicker too. But Tails can be a big help in part 2 of the robot boss in the Death Egg if no one is controlling him. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! ******************************************************************************* =================== 4. Main Characters =================== Sonic = The main character of this game. My favorite too. He is a blue hedgehog and hates evil. He has no special abilities in the game but he gets neat stuff with the 3 shields, he can bounce high with the Water Shield, double jump with the Electric Shield, and do a fire dash with the Fire Shield. He can become Hyper Sonic and double jump and run faster than Super Sonic, once you get all the Super Emeralds. Note that Sonic cannot transform into Super/Hyper form when he has a shield on. Tails = Sonic's buddy since Sonic the Hedgehog 2. He is a small, young, brown fox who can fight for himself. He takes the same level route as Sonic during the game. His special ability is that he can fly (by double jumping), but he will get tired after a few seconds in the air and drop down. Once you get all the Super Emeralds he can become Super Tails. His speed increases but these 4 little chickies appear next to him too. They knock out an enemy every time they see one. These chickies will also hit bosses! Also in Sonic 3 and Knuckles, Tails can play in the Sonic and Knuckles levels. He is also a great pick for beginners. If you are playing as Sonic and Tails together, a second person can come and use the second controller to play as Tails. For more information, see my controls section. Knuckles = The red echidna who guards the floating island and the Master Emerald. He was a rival of Sonic and is tricked by Dr. Robotnik to steal the 7 Chaos Emeralds from Sonic. He has 2 special abilities: to glide (when he double jumps) and climb up walls he glides onto. Knuckles can also punch through walls Sonic and Tails cannot spin dash through. But there is a downward to all of this: Knuckles jumps lower than Sonic and Tails, making his adventure harder, also taking a different route than Sonic and Tails in the game. With all the Super Emeralds he can transform into Hyper Knuckles. He can go faster and when he glides onto a wall it causes an earthquake, killing any enemies nearby. In Sonic 3 and Knuckles, Knuckles can play in the Sonic 3 levels. Dr. Robotnik = He's the evil scientist behind all of this mess. At the end of Act 2 of every stage you will fight one of Robotnik's inventions he made. Since his Death Egg crashed on the floating island, he is after the Master Emerald. It was damaged so badly it needed repairs and the Master Emerald is the only thing that can do it. Egg Robo = He is a clone of Robotnik, so he is a robot. At the end of every Act 2, this is who Knuckles faces instead of Robotnik, probably because Robotnik is too busy dealing with Sonic and Tails. He isn't any easier or harder than Robotnik because he uses the same things for bosses, except for that sometimes Knuckles will face different bosses. ======================== 5. Changes to This Game ======================== In Sonic 3 and Knuckles there are many changes to this game from Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles. Here they are: 1. You can now use Tails in the Sonic and Knuckles levels and Knuckles in the Sonic 3 levels. 2. The game starts from the first level of Sonic 3 and ends at the last level of Sonic and Knuckles (Sky Sanctuary for Knuckles, Death Egg for Tails, and The Doomsday for Sonic). Once you beat the last level of Sonic 3, the Launch Base zone, you will then go to Mushroom Hill and continue from there. 3. Some music in Sonic 3 has been replaced with Sonic and Knuckles music. For example, when you see Knuckles as Sonic or Tails it will play the Sonic and Knuckles music instead of the music from Sonic 3 when you encounter Knuckles. Another one would be the mini-boss music, it no longer uses the mini boss music from Sonic 3 (which sounded lame and pathetic) and it uses the music from Sonic and Knuckles. Another one would be the title screen and invincibility music. They both use the music from Sonic and Knuckles instead of Sonic 3. 4. There have been some slight changes to some levels. Ex: There is a new large ring in Mushroom hill for both characters, some items have been replaced, etc. 5. Big difference. If you collect all the Chaos Emeralds from the Sonic 3 levels by the beginning of the Sonic and Knuckles levels, you get to collect Super Emeralds during the Sonic and Knuckles levels! These are just the special stages from the Sonic and Knuckles levels, so there are 7 of them. Once you collect all of them you can become Hyper Sonic, Hyper Knuckles, or Super Tails! Yeah, each character get their own special ability. They are explained in the characters section. 6. Remember how you got 6 save slots in Sonic 3? Well in Sonic 3 and Knuckles you get 8 instead of 6. Yeah, very useful. You could also make it equal by having save slots for 2 of each character (2 for Sonic/Tails, 2 for Sonic, 2 for Tails, and two for Knuckles. It's what I do, so be quiet you. <_< 7. Even though this wasn't from the Sega Genesis version, this has been added to the Sonic Mega Collection Plus for all games. In the menu (when you press R1), there will be an option called "Save Game Data". With this you can save the game right where you left off from the level, and you can load it up anytime soon. 8. In Sonic 3 you only got to play 1 mini game when you hit the goalpost, and 2 in Sonic and Knuckles. In Sonic 3 and Knuckles you can play all 3, which is quite cool and fun. ========= 6. Items ========= These are items you can break open from the little box monitors. Rings: If you break open a ring box you will get 10 rings. Fire Shield: If you break open this you will get a Fire Shield. This allows you to walk safely on any lava or fire in the game, so this is nice for a level like Lava Reef. If Sonic has this on he will be able to do a fire dash when he double jumps. This can knock out any enemy it hits. Electric Shield: My favorite shield in the game. When you wear this any rings near you will be pulled to you and you get the rings. And when spikes fall off the roof they will bounce off instead of hurting you. This also gives you protection on electric fields like in the Death Egg, and it's useful for giving you a lot of rings in the Marble Garden Zone. If Sonic has this he will be able to double jump higher in the air when he double jumps. Useful for him because he can't fly. Water Shield: Also one of my favorite shields. When you wear this you will have unlimited time in the water so you won't drown. This is useful for levels with a lot of water such as Hydrocity Zone, parts of Angel Island, parts of Ice Cap, and Launch Base Act 2 as Knuckles. If Sonic has this he will be able to bounce like a bubble, slightly higher than his jump. Invincibility Star: If you break this box open you will become invincible temporarily. Stars will appear around you and you will knock out any enemies you run into. Watch out, this doesn't protect you from everything, such as crushing ceilings, gaps, and you won't have unlimited time in the water. Useful for most times, also protects you from losing rings. 1-Up: These boxes have your character's faces on them. If you break this open your character will get a 1-Up. You can have up to 99 lives maximum. There are also other ways to get 1-ups: -Collecting 100 rings -Collecting 50,000 points -Getting a perfect in a Special Stage -Getting the 1-up spheres in bonus games Also, if you run out of lives and hit 0, you will have to start at the level you last saved at. But if you have a continue, you can use it to start at the act you left off at. To get a continue, you must collect at least 50 rings in a Special Stage (you don't have to beat it), just collect 50 rings. Also, you'll need to collect a certain amount of rings outside the slots in the slot machine mini game (the ones outside the slots), and you should here the sound of grabbing one. Power Sneakers: If you break these opens you will be wearing power sneakers. With this you will be able to run much faster than your current speed for a short amount of time. This is useful for getting past some parts and useful if you don't have much time left. Dr. Robotnik: Don't break this box open if you see it. But in Sonic 3 and Knuckles there are a fewer amount of these in the game. If you break this open you will lose your shield. If you don't have a shield you will lose all of your rings. If you have no rings or shield you will die and end up back to the start of the level/the last post you hit. ============== 7. Mini Games ============== In Sonic 3 or Knuckles if you hit a post with a certain amount of rings stars appear above the post. If you jump into it you will play one of the 3 mini games in this game. ------------------------------- Mini Game 1: The Slot Machines ------------------------------- This is from Sonic and Knuckles. There is a slot machine in the middle of the map (much like Sonic 2's slot machines from the Casino Night Zone), and if you line up 3 characters in a row, you win rings. Now, I have the prizes now and I will list them below. You can also hit the "R" block to reverse the direction the Mini Game spins in. There are blue blocks around the slots that if you hit, they turn yellow, then pink, and then they become a Goal, which takes you back to the game. You can use the bumpers to get to the slots and jump from the spinners. These are like the Special Stages from Sonic 1. Here are the list of Prizes. If you get a bar, you automatically win something: 1 Bar: 2 rings 2 Bars: 4 rings 3 Bars: 8 rings 3 Tails: 20 rings 3 Knuckles: 25 rings 3 Sonics: 30 rings 3 Jackpots: 100 rings 3: Robotniks: Lose 100 rings ----------------------------- Mini Game 2: Electric Balls ----------------------------- Ok, that didn't sound right. Anyway, this is from Sonic and Knuckles. There is an line of small energy balls that the game ends if you touch it. There are huge Electric Balls that if you use to get to a higher part of this Mini Game. To use them to get higher elevation, jump right when your character is moving up on the ball. On your way you will see small balls floating in the air. Touch them and a random items comes out, like a 1-Up or Rings. You can get a lot of rings if you get really high into the level rings will be worth more, so you can get a lot of rings and 1-4 extra lives. ----------------------------------- Mini Game 3: The "Gumball" Machine ----------------------------------- This is from Sonic 3. There are springs you use on both left and right walls. Once you hit one of these it disappears, so use them wisely. Now, the point of this game is to hit the panel on the gumball machine on the top. Every time you hit it, a random item comes out, like a shield, rings, or 1-Up, so grab it. Also bubbles may come out, and those do nothing. You may also get black bumper balls, so you can use these as springs. If you fall you will hit a set of springs at the bottom of the level, and you can bring these back by getting a "Rep" sphere from the machine. The game ends once you fall in the game. Here are all the spheres you can get from the gumball machine: Yellow Sphere: Electric Shield Blue Sphere (no, not the Special Stage one): Water Shield Red Sphere: Fire Shield Gray Sphere with ring on it: 10 rings: 1-up Sphere: Gives you a 1-up when touched. Bubble: Does nothing. Black Sphere: Bounces you near the gumball machine so you don't need to use a spring. "Rep": Makes the springs at the bottom appear again. ============= 8. Obstacles ============= These are things you should watch out for in the game, and other stuff that doesn't belong anywhere else in this FAQ. Rings: These are what Sonic needs to collect so he doesn't lose a life. Collecting 100 rings gives you a 1-up. If Sonic gets hit and he has rings, he will lose all of his rings. The rings will spread out, so try to collect as many as you can. If he gets hit and he has no rings, you lose a life. These are really easy to find, they're scattered around the levels in the air and on the ground. Also, the amount you have will show up at the top left part of the screen. Time: This also shows up on the top left part of the screen. In every level, there is a time limit to beat it. The time limit is 10 minutes for each act and level, so you may have to be quick if you get lost easily, especially in Carnival Night Act 2. So, once the time hits 10:00 (well, 9:59 to be exact), you will lost a life. But if you hit a post, you will end up at the post, and your time will be reset to 0! This can be really useful form long levels. Score: Another thing shown at the top left part of the screen. Each time you knock out an enemy, you will get 100 points, 200 for knocking out 2 in a row, 500 for three, and so on. If you knock out a boss, you will get 1000 points. Every 50,000 points you get a 1-up. Also, once you beat a boss, you will get a time bonus and a ring bonus. Each ring you have means 100 points in the end, and the lower your time is, the more points you get for a time bonus. But if you finish off with greater than 3:30, you will only get 100. Giant Rings: These are large, hidden in secret areas, giant rings. If you hop in one of these, you'll be taken to a special stage. You have to collect all of the Blue Spheres to get the emerald, and jump over many obstacles, such as red spheres. If you have all the emeralds, you will get 50 rings instead. If you have all the Chaos Emeralds and you are in the Sonic and Knuckles levels, you will be taken to a hidden palace, where you can get any emerald you want. Posts: These are on the ground throughout many levels. If you hit one of these, they will become activated. And if you lose a life, you will end up back at the post instead of starting the level again. If you have at least 20 rings, stars will appear at the top of the post when you hit this. Jump into them to be taken to the Slot Machine game. If you have at least 35 rings, the stars will take you to the Electric Balls game. If you have at least 50, you will be taken to the Gumball Machine game. Hit these if you can, especially if you're not that good of a player. Signposts: These will fall from the air if you defeat a mini boss in many of the levels. In some rare occasions, they will produce an item when they hit the ground, and it can be anything. If it's an invincibility box or a ring box, wait until the act begins, then collect them. You can also have fun with them. Keep jumping on the bottom of them to make them bounce around more. Each time you hit them gets you 100 points, so a quick way to get a higher score. Spikes: Thought it would get a mention here. Spikes come in all shapes or sizes. Large, small, and all around. But each have the same thing. If you touch this with your character, they will lose their rings/shields/life. Try to jump over these and watch out for these on surprise. They may pop out of the ground and go back in, so watch out. Also, these are on the wall, on the ceiling, and on the ground, so they may be tricky avoiding them at times. Springs: These can be on the ground and on the side of walls. They come in two colors, yellow and red. Red springs bounce higher than the yellow springs. Springs can also be on top of trees and hidden too. These are needed to get onto higher platforms you cannot reach by jumping (or you can fly onto them if you're Tails), and these can lead to secret areas too. Patterns in walls: If you were to seen a pattern in a wall (like see the inside of a room and see the wall next), this may be a hidden wall. Try to walk through it and you may end up in a secret room, and they may contain a Special Stage ring or something else. Or if you were to see a boulder in front of a wall, you could spin dash through it and it may be another secret room. Bubbles: These are mostly found underwater on the ground. You mostly see these in a small group of small bubbles. If you wait next to one, a big bubble may come out. You can jump into it to refresh your air and so you won't drown. You'll need these a lot if you don't have a Water Shield in the Hydrocity Zone. Unlike a Water Shield, you can still drown after collecting one of these, so you'll need to get these frequently if you drown a lot. ============================= 9. Walkthrough (Sonic/Tails) ============================= Before you can play Sonic 3 and Knuckles (if you are playing Sonic Mega Collection), you must play Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles 20 times each. You don't need to beat both games 20 times each, just playing them. Playing a game counts as seeing the Sega screen, so once you see the Sega screen, press R1 and go to exit. Once you've played both Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles 20 times each, exit the game list and go to the main menu (where you can go to manuals, options, etc). Then go back to the game list and it should say you can play Sonic 3 and Knuckles. And if you are playing on your Sega Genesis, you will need to lock Sonic 3 on top of Sonic and Knuckles to play. Also, to start a new game, go to the file select screen. There will be 8 save slots. To choose your character, use Up and down to scroll through them, and pick which one you want. You can either have Sonic/Tails, Sonic alone, Tails alone, or Knuckles alone. There is also a "No Save" feature for those who don't want to save their game or something else, and you can still pick which character you want. Now, if you want to save your game, you'll need a memory card (if you have a PS2 or Gamecube), otherwise it'll clear when you reset/shut off your system. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here is the main story so far: After Sonic blew up Dr. Robotnik's Death Egg from Sonic 2, the Death Egg crashed on the Floating Island. Knuckles saw the Death Egg crash and decided to head over to it. He saw Robotnik and Robotnik told him to find Sonic and take the 7 Chaos Emeralds from him. He told Knuckles Sonic was a bad guy so Knuckles ran out to get them. Sonic and Tails decided to follow the Death Egg's crash site on their plane called "The Tornado". Sonic tells Tails to go hide the plane while Sonic transforms into Super Sonic and heads to the island. Knuckles pops out and stops him. He takes the 7 Emeralds and brings them to Robotnik. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- Zone 1: Angel Island Act 1 ---------------------- After Knuckles steals your emeralds (you won't see this scene if you are playing as Tails), proceed right. Jump over the rock and the spring and you will come to a rhino and spike traps. Jump over the spike traps and jump into the gap. Down here, proceed left. You will see rocks on the wall. Spin Dash to get rid of them and you will end up in a small room with a large ring. Enter it for the special stage. ******************************************************************************* Special Stage 1 Emerald Color: Green Your first special stage might as well be a tough one. Once you start the level you will see 16 Blue Spheres in a 4 x 4 form. Collect all the Blue Spheres in a square form and they will turn into 16 rings. Grab all of them, and from where you started, head straight. You will see a small Blue Sphere maze surrounded by White Bumper Balls. Follow the Blue Spheres and collect all of them, not hitting the bumpers. At the end of the maze go straight and you will see 16 Blue Spheres. Remember to collect the outer Blue Spheres and not the inner ones. Now, get the 16 rings and head left. Collect the 4 Blue Spheres and proceed to a set of Bumper Balls. Go through the opening they make and you will see 4 Blue Spheres in front of you. Grab them. You will also see a 4 x 4 set of Blue Spheres. Grab the outer ones to make a set of 16 rings. Grab all the rings and head left. You will see another small maze of Blue Spheres surrounded by white Bumper Balls. Go through the small maze and collect all of the Blue Spheres, making sure not to hit the Bumper Balls. Now head straight to the last 4 x 4 set of Blue Spheres. Grab the outer ones to make 16 rings. One you collect all the 16 rings you should get a perfect (total of 64). Now head left and grab the 4 Blue Spheres. Now go through the opening in between the set of Bumper Balls in front of you. Over here get the last 4 Blue Spheres and you got the Green Emerald! Congratulations! You should be rewarded a continue and a 1-up. ******************************************************************************* So if you win or lose the special stage, you will be sent back to the level. Out here leave this secret room and head straight. Jump over the rocks and avoid the vines, and jump over the springs and get onto the higher platforms. On here run across the loop-de-loop and you will be sent into the water. Use the spring next to you to get out and head right. Now head right until you see a red spring, and watch out for the monkey and spike trap. Hit the red spring and hold right and you should be sent inside a tree. At the top you will be heading right. Now, a flaming machine will come down and set the island ablaze. Once he goes away head right. Hit the goalpost and play the Mini Game if you want to. Now head right and watch out for the spikes. You should see a set of 4 springs. Instead of hitting them jump in the small gap to the left and destroy the platforms. Down here you will see rocks guarding a wall. Spin Dash to get rid of them and you will be in a secret room with a spring. Hit it and don't press anything. You should leave the secret room and come back down. You will land right in another Special Stage Ring. ******************************************************************************* Special Stage 2 Emerald Color: Orange I think this special stage is easier than the first one. Once you start turn right. You will see a 3 x 4 set of Blue Spheres. Collect the outer ones and they will turn into 12 rings. Collect them all. Now head into the next area. In here there is a 3 x 5 set of Blue Spheres in the middle. Collect the outer ones and they will form 15 rings. Collect all 15 rings then head into the area to your left. Turn the 3 x 4 set of Blue Spheres into rings and get them all. Now head left and you'll see two sets of 3 x 4 Blue Spheres. Make both sets turn into rings and grab all 24 rings. Now head straight and you'll be in a new room. In here there is a 5 x 5 set of Blue Spheres except there is a Bumper Sphere in the middle. Turn the Spheres into 24 rings by collecting the outer ones. Collect all the rings then head into the area to the left. In here take another left. There are 2 sets of 3 x 4 Blue Spheres. Turn them both into rings and collect all 24 rings that appear. You should get a perfect with a total of 111 rings. Now head into the next room. There are 16 Blue Spheres. Collect them all you get the Orange Emerald! Congratulations! You should get a Continue and a 1-Up after this is done. ******************************************************************************* If you win or lose the Special Stage drop down and leave the secret room. Head right and jump over the water gap. Over here head right and get rid of the Rhino. You will see a rock sticking out. Use it to get to the moving platform above you. On here use the platform to get to the platform to the right. On here get rid of the plant that shoots mines then get on the higher platform above you. Now head right and run through the loop-de-loop. Now run and you should get to a dead end. On the wall a spring should pop out. Use it to get to the higher platform. On here, get on the higher platform to your left and get rid of the plant, then Grab the Fire Shield. Now head right and you will fight your first boss. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Mini Boss: The Flaming Machine Difficulty: 1/5 Give me a break. A caveman could beat this. If you have a Fire Shield on the difficulty is a 0/5. Now, once the machine comes down get under it and hit it 6 times. It's gone. If you can't do it, shame on you, and wait for it to come down again. You should have this done in no time. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< ---------------------- Zone 1: Angel Island Act 2 ---------------------- Once you start the level spin dash. You should break through a layer of rocks. Now keep tapping the down button and you should go right into a secret room with a special stage ring. Jump into it. ******************************************************************************* Special Stage 3 Emerald Color: Purple Pretty easy as the second special stage as long as you don't mess up. Once you start grab the 4 Blue Spheres in front of you. Now get the 2 Blue Spheres and you'll be in a new area. In here turn the 4 x 4 Blue Sphere set into 16 rings. Grab all 16 rings and get the 2 Blue Spheres here. You'll be in an empty area except for the Bumper Balls. Get the 2 Blue Spheres to the left. In here, get the 2 Blue Spheres to the right. In this area turn the 4 x 4 Blue Sphere set into 16 rings, then get all the rings. Now grab the 2 Blue Spheres in this area. In here grab the 2 Blue Spheres to the left. Now in here turn the 4 x 4 Blue Sphere set into 16 rings then get all the rings. Now get the 2 Blue Spheres, and in here get the 2 Blue Spheres across from you. In here get the 2 Blue Spheres in across from you. In this area grab the 4 Blue Spheres. Now grab the 2 Blue Spheres to the left and in here grab the 2 Blue Spheres across from you. In here grab the 2 Blue Spheres across from you. In this area turn the 4 x 4 Blue Sphere set into 16 rings, then grab all 16. Now grab the two Blue Spheres and in this area grab the two Blue Spheres to the left. In here get the first Blue Sphere across from you then JUMP OVER THE SECOND ONE. THIS IS SO YOU CAN GET A PERFECT. In here turn the 4 x 4 Blue Sphere set into 16 rings. Collect all 16 and you have a perfect with a total of 80 rings. Now get the last Blue Sphere and you got the Purple Emerald! Congratulations! You will get a 1-Up and a continue. ******************************************************************************* Once you exit the special stage leave the secret room (spin dash and break open the rocks). Fall through the platform you're on. Down here head right and jump over the gap. On this platform are two layers of rocks. Break open both of them. You will also get a Water Shield. Now fall in the gap you see. Down here is a 1-Up. Grab it. Now use the spring to get back on the higher platform. On here head all the way right until you get to a wall. Spin Dash up it. Up here spin dash up the wall in front of you. Up here spin dash and break the rock layer. You'll now be in the water. In here use the spring to get to the higher platform. Up here walk right through the wall and you will be in a room with a switch. Hit it and exit this room. Back out here all the water has been drained, leaving a new opening. Go through it. In this area get onto the higher platform and hit the post. Also watch out for that VERY ANNOYING WORM. Now head right and you'll be on a bridge. Let it flip you over into the gap below you. Down here head right and you'll see another bridge. Let it flip you into the water. Down here spin dash right and you should break through two layers of rocks, giving you a Water Shield too. You'll also hit a spring. Up here jump across the huge spike gap. Now head right on this platform until you get to a water pit. Jump in it. On here spin dash onto the right wall, holding right. You should get in a secret room with a Special Stage ring. Hit it. ******************************************************************************* Special Stage 4 Emerald Color: Dark Blue This is probably the hardest special stage for beginners. Once you start the level turn right. See that Blue Sphere across from you? Grab it. Then jump over the Bumper Sphere. Grab the next Blue Sphere, then jump across the next Bumper Sphere, and then get the Blue Sphere. Over hear grab the 4 Blue Spheres, then head left. Get the two Blue Spheres and you will see a 3 x 3 set of Blue Spheres. Turn them into rings and grab all 9. Now get the 2 Blue Spheres and head straight. Grab the 4 Blue Spheres in front of you then get the two in front of you. You'll now see a 3 x 3 Blue Sphere set. Make them turn into 9 rings and get all 9. Now get the 2 Blue Spheres and head straight. Grab the 4 Blue Spheres and head straight. You'll see two more Blue Spheres. Grab them and make the 3 x 3 Blue Sphere grid turn into 9 rings. Collect all 9 then get the two Blue Spheres. Now head straight. Once you see the 4 Blue Spheres skip them and head straight. Now get the 2 Blue Spheres in front of you and make the 3 x 3 Blue Sphere set turn into 9 rings. Grab all of them then get the 2 Blue Spheres. Then get to the middle of this whole Special Stage area. You'll notice a very large set of Blue Spheres. Collect all the outer ones and make them all turn into rings. There should be a total of 44 rings. You should have a perfect with 80 rings. Now remember those 4 Blue Spheres I told you to ignore? Go look for them and collect all 4 of them. Congratulations, you've got the Blue Emerald! You should get a Continue and a 1-Up, maybe two if you're lucky. ******************************************************************************* Now once you finish the Special Stage, head back into the water pit. Now spin dash to the left and get back on the higher platform. On here use the two platforms to get on the higher one to the right. On here head onto the wall and use the spring to get on the higher platform to the left. On here use the hidden spring to get on the higher platform to the left. On here use the vanishing platforms to cross the gap. Now head left and use the spring to get onto a higher platform. On here get on a higher platform to your left. On here spin dash on the wall to the left and you'll be in a hidden room with 2 Ring Boxes and a Water Shield. Hit all 3 boxes and leave the room. Back out here get on the higher platform to the right. Now jump across the gap. On here head right and you'll see a monkey on a tree. Get rid of the monkey. Now, spin dash to the higher platform to the right. Now get the Fire Shield on top of the tree and get back on the platform. On here hit the post and spin dash through the rock. In the final area of the level just hold right. A flying battery ship should come and try to drop bombs on you. Just hold right the whole time and they won't hit you. Now, keep running until you get to the boss. *********************************** Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Water Airship Difficulty: 1.2/5 *********************************** Your first boss shouldn't be that hard. When he appears, hit him once then get back on the platform. He will destroy the bridge. Now he will vanish behind the water and reappear. If you have a Fire Shield he won't be much of a problem. Hit him until he vanishes. Dodge his fire if you don't have a fire shield, otherwise you're protected. Hit him 7 more times (8 in total) to win. Once you're done with the level hit the animal cage. Now Knuckles will destroy the bridge you're on sending you to the next level. ------------------------- Zone 2: Hydrocity Zone Act 1 ------------------------- You start the level falling down into the water. Down here head right and you'll see a Ring Box. Break it open then jump on the higher platform above you. On here hit the switch on the floor and you'll be sucked onto a pole. Let go of it by pressing Genesis Button A, B, or C. You'll be blown to another pole. Position yourself correctly so you don't hit the spikes, then let go. You'll be in a new area but still underwater. Spin Dash into the ring box and Invincibility Box and a spring will send you forward. Now run to the other end of this area, jumping over all of the spike traps and such. Once you hit a wall there should be an enemy shooting balls at you. Ignore it for now and get to the wall. Walk through it, it is a fake wall, and get the Water Shield inside. Now you won't drown. Leave this secret room. Now get rid of that blue enemy and the floor you're on will fall. On here get rid of the blue enemy to your left and the floor you're on will fall. Down here jump over the spikes and head right. You will be blown to a pole. Release yourself from it without hitting the spikes and you'll be blown to another pole. On here release yourself without hitting the spikes. You will be shot out of the water. On here hold right and you should land on a platform. On here hit the post and head right. You will run through a loop-de-loop. After the loop-de-loop you will go up a wall and see a spring, but it is too high and you'll fall right down, so hold left until you cross the loop-de-loop again. You'll take another path and hit a spring. Now hold right until you go fast and you are unleashed in the air. While you're in the air try to land on the ground below you. No matter where you land, just get past all the obstacles and you will get to a loop-de-loop and cross a post. After the post you'll cross another loop-de-loop and run into the side of spikes. Watch out for those small fish that jump at you, they take 1 ring from you ever second and they are hard to get off. Now head right until you get to a wall with a Box of Rings next to it. Get the rings. You'll notice another blue enemy shooting out balls. Get rid of it and the floor you're on will break. Down here get rid of the blue enemy to the right and the floor you're on will break. You'll be in the water again. Get the Water Shield to the left if you don't have one, then head right and jump over the spike traps. In here hit the switch across form you. Now the water current to the left will push you up when you get into it, so use it to get to the conveyor belts. Use the two conveyor belts to get on the higher platform to the right. On here hit the spring next to you and fans will push you to a platform. Up here head left until you get to a wall. It is a fake wall, so walk through it and touch the special stage ring. ******************************************************************************* Special Stage 5 Emerald Color: Gray This is probably the easiest special stage in the game. Once you start the special stage jump over the Bumpers to the left. In this area turn the 3 x 3 set of Blue Spheres into 9 rings, and grab them all. Now from where the Bumpers are, head straight and you'll see a set of Red Spheres. Jump over them. In this area jump over the bumpers to the right. In this large area are 4 sets of 3 x 3 Blue Sphere sets. Turn all 4 into them into 9 rings each, giving you a total of 36 rings. Now, jump over the set of Bumpers here at the other side of this place (not the ones we used to get here). Back in this area jump over the single set of Red Spheres to the left. In this area turn the 3 x 3 Blue Sphere set into 9 rings. Get them all and you have a perfect with a total of 54 rings. Now jump over the set of bumpers in this area. Back in this place jump over the two sets of bumpers. In this area there is a Blue Sphere in each corner of where the Bumpers are. Get all four of them and you have the Gray Emerald! Congratulations! ******************************************************************************* Once you get out of the special stage hold left and you should hit a spring. This should send you up a slope and through a loop-de-loop, then into a pit of water. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Mini Boss: The Water Machine Difficulty: 3/5 Yeah, I am REALLY BAD at making up names for bosses, so give me a better name if you can. :p Yeah, this guy is REALLY ANNOYING. Once you appears start spin dashing towards the right wall. Once he comes swooping down at you spin dash and jump off the right wall to avoid him. Then he'll come to swoop down at you again, so spin dash on the left wall and jump off of it. Then he'll stick himself onto the pole in the middle and he'll make it rotate and you will spin around in the air. While he is on the pole keep hitting him. A good hint to remember that if you have the Water Shield and you're Sonic, keep bouncing like a bubble to hit him and you shouldn't get caught in the rotating water. Once he is done hit him before he releases himself off the pole, otherwise you'll need to dodge him again. 6 hits to get rid of him. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>><><><><><><><><> ----------------------- Zone 2: Hydrocity Zone Act 2 ----------------------- Yeah, this zone is a bit tricky and you have to follow my directions carefully if you want to finish the second level with all 7 emeralds. At the start of the level spin dash right and destroy all of the blocks. Now you should get to a post. Hit it and the wall will start coming to crush you behind you. You need to be quick. Spin dash up all the walls to your right until you get to the top. Once you get to the top spin dash through all of the bricks and you'll come to a 1-Up. Get it then drop down to the floor below you. Down here jump over the spikes and spin dash up the wall. On here spin dash through the blocks and up the wall. On here spin dash up the wall. On this platform the wall behind you will stop chasing you. Now spin dash through all of the bricks. You should come to a curved wall leading to a moving cylinder. Use the curved wall to get on the cylinder and use it to get a spring. Hit the spring and 2 sets of fans will propel you to the platform above you. On here go through the slide and run up the wall to the left. Now try to get on the slide next to you and a hand will pop out and shoot you up the slide. The slide will send you to a post, so hit it. Now jump over the spikes to the right. Now head up the stairs and get rid of those floating sharks. At the top run through the loop-de-loop and head down a slide. You'll run through another loop-de-loop and another slide and you'll be under water. Now the slide will sent you back over the water, so try to get on the platform to the right, otherwise you need to use the ones to the left to get on them. On here jump over the spring and you'll come to a curved wall leading to a cylinder. Use the wall to get on the cylinder and use it to get to a spring. Jump on the spring and then use all the sets of fans to the right and left to propel you to the top. At the top head down the slide and it will lead you to a loop-de-loop and another slide. This slide will take you underwater again and it will shoot you to a platform under water. Head right and spin dash through the bricks and you should get to a curved wall. Use it to get to the platform above you. On here you'll land on a hand. This hand will send you up a slide and through a loop-de-loop and up a wall. Once you head up the wall hold left and you should enter a fake wall. Get the Invincibility Box in here and a spring should send to flying through a loop-de-loop and through a slide. You'll then go through another loop-de-loop and a slide. This slide will shoot you over the water. When you're over the water try to land on the moving platform to the left. Now, jump on the wall to the left and hold left and you should enter a fake wall. In here is a Special Stage Ring. Jump through it. ******************************************************************************* Special Stage 6 Emerald Color: Red This special stage can be really tricky if you don't know what you're doing. Once you start this special stage collect two out of the 4 Blue Spheres in front of you. In this area turn the 4 x 4 Blue Sphere set into 16 rings, then collect all of them. From here head left from where you entered the room. Collect two out of the 4 Blue Spheres and head straight. Then collect two more Blue Spheres in front of you and you'll be in a new area. In here turn the 4 x 4 Blue Sphere set in the center of the room into 16 rings. Collect all 16 of them. From where you entered this area head left. Collect two out of the 4 Blue Spheres and head straight. Collect two out of the 4 Blue Spheres again. In this area turn the 4 x 4 Blue Sphere set into 16 rings. Collect all 16 of them. From where you entered this area go left. Collect two out of the 4 Blue Spheres and head straight. Now collect 2 out of the 4 Blue Spheres here, and then enter the new area. In here turn the 4 x 4 Blue Sphere set in the center of the room into 16 rings. Collect all 16 of them and you now have a perfect, making a total of 54 rings. Now, this is what I call the final run. Remember all those Blue Spheres you saw and didn't collect? Well go back to all the areas and collect them before you mess up. Using this walkthrough you should have 50 Blue Spheres left to collect. So go ahead and grab all the Blue Spheres left. If you find yourself stuck in 1 area (by being surrounded by Red Spheres), jump over the Red Spheres and get to a new area. Eventually you will get all the Blue Spheres and get the Red Emerald! Congratulations! ******************************************************************************* Once you exit the special stage, leave the secret room and get on that sliding platform to the right. Ride it upward and you should see a moving cylinder above. Try to jump on it. When you do, ride it up and jump on the cylinder to the left. Ride this up to the cylinder to the right and jump on it when you see it. On here, jump on the cylinder to the left, then jump on the higher platform to the left. On here head left and a hand will pop out and shoot you through the slide. You'll go through a series of stuff and through a loop-de-loop then through a slide. This slide will shoot you upward and when you are high enough you will see a platform to your right. Try to land on it. On here head right, get rid of the sharks, and when you see a post hit it. Now, head right and you will see a moving cylinder. Use this to get to the platform above you. On here use the moving cylinder to get on the platform above you. On here, get on the moving cylinder and use it to get on the platform to the left. Watch out for the sharks while you're at it. On here, head left and a hand will pop out. It will grab you and shoot you through a slide. Now you need to be really quick with this. The slide will shoot you underwater then you will get out of the water. LAND ON THE MOVING CYLINDER TO THE RIGHT WHILE YOU CAN. On here ride this cylinder to as high as it goes. Then jump and hold right. You should get in a secret room. This is the final special stage to those with 6 emeralds. ******************************************************************************* Special Stage 7 Emerald Color: Turquoise This is the final special stage, and it's fairly easy. Once you start the special stage head straight then turn left. Take a right then another left. Over here you will see a 4 x 4 set of Blue Spheres. Some are already red but collect all of the outer Blue Spheres to turn them into 16 rings. Collect all of them. Now collect 2 out of the 4 Blue Spheres near you and proceed. You will see another 4 x 4 set of Blue Spheres with some of them red. Pick up the outer Blue Spheres to turn them into 16 rings. Now collect all of them and head through the opening this Blue Sphere set was blocking. At the other end of this area is a 3 x 3 Blue Sphere set. 5 of the outer Blue Spheres are red, so collect the 3 outer Blue Spheres to turn them into 9 rings. Now, collect all 9 of them and leave the opening this set was blocking. Back out here turn right, and skip the opening to the right for now. You should see another 3 x 3 set with 5 of them Red Spheres. Jump over one of them and collect the 3 outer Blue Spheres inside. Now turn them into 9 rings and collect all of them. Remember that opening I told you to skip? Go through it. In here turn right into an opening then turn left and head straight. You should see a 3 x 3 Blue Sphere set with 5 of the outer ones red. Collect the 3 outer ones then turn them into 9 rings. Collect all 9 rings and go into the opening the Blue Spheres were blocking. You should see 6 rings behind two Red Spheres to the right. Jump over the Red Spheres and get the 6 rings. Now turn around and jump back over the Red Spheres. Now turn right. You will see another set of a 3 x 3 Blue Sphere set with 5 of the outer ones red. Jump over the Red Sphere and collect the 3 outer ones to turn them into 9 rings. Collect all of them. You got a perfect with 74 rings. Now from here turn right. See that line of Blue Spheres? Go through them. You will get 7. From here turn right. You should see another line of Blue Spheres. Go through them and get 7. 6 more to go! From here turn left until you see an opening to the left. When you see it go through it. In here go straight then turn right. You will see two Blue Spheres to the left. Grab them. From here turn left. Now go through the large opening to the right. At the end of the opening turn right and go through the opening to the right. In here follow this path to a set of 4 Blue Spheres and you're done with all 7 Chaos Emeralds! Congratulations! You will now get your 1-Up and continue. With these 7 Emeralds you can be Super Sonic or Super Knuckles. No, no Super Tails yet. Wait for another few levels. Collect 50 rings and double jump. You will now become Super Sonic/Super Knuckles. ******************************************************************************* Once you leave the Special Stage get out of the secret room and get back on the cylinder. On here get on the platform to your right. Spin dash right and break open all of the blocks. You will fall onto a bridge. Knuckles will come and destroy it, sending you down underwater. Down here head right, and you will be blown onto a pole. On here let go and you will get onto another pole. On here let go from the pole and you will be sent to a post. Hit it and head right. The water will lower and now you're at the boss. ******************************************* Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Water Tornado Machine Difficulty: 1.5/5 ******************************************* Yeah, I finally came up with a good name. :D When he comes down, hit him before he makes a water tornado. When the water tornado appears try to get away from it before you get sucked in. When it gets down to the water jump on top of it and hit Robotnik. Now he starts dropping mines from his machine. When they are about to explode jump on top of them and they will launch you in the air. Try to hit Robotnik. After a while he will sink down to the water and create another water tornado. Hit him once or twice and this will repeat. Repeat this until you hit him 8 times. When he is defeated head right and hit the animal cage. Waters will launch you up to the next level. --------------------------- Zone 3: Marble Garden Zone Act 1 --------------------------- You start the level falling onto a very steep hill leading down. Follow it to the bottom and you will land on a platform. Collect the three rings and fall down the gap to the right. You will head down another steep slope heading down left. At the bottom of it you will fall down another steep slope. Collect all the rings on it and head right. At the bottom of the slope a spring will send you up to a trio of moving platforms. Ignore them and fall to the slope below you. Collect all the rings as you head down. At the bottom you will fall down another slope leading down. Collect all the rings you can. Finally at the end you land on a plat platform. Stand on it and it will fall down. Down here spin dash right to get rid of the pole blocking your way. Now head right and jump over the spring. Up here jump past the ball 'n' chain when the timing is right (the huge spiked ball will hurt you but the chains won't), then head right. You will see a machine with two drills at the top. Instead of trying to defeat it let it drill through the ceiling. The platforms to your right will drop, allowing you to leave this place. You'll be back outside. Out here head right. Jump across the mud pit and get back on the ground. On here jump over the first spike set. If you hit it, no problem, it bounces you. Now jump over the next spike set. From here head right and you will get to a very steep hill leading up. See that blue wheel to the left? Spin Dash against it to create stairs leading up the hill. Use the stairs. At the top get on the blue spinning top. On the top hold left and you should cross a very large gap onto a higher platform (just follow the rings). Use Up and Down to kind of steer too. Once you get to the platform jump off the spinning machine. On here head left and you will get to a trio of moving platforms. Use them to get to the higher platform to the left. On here jump over the spring and head left. Jump over this spring and you will get to a trio of moving platforms. Jump on one and use it to get to the higher platform to the right. On here head right and you will come to another blue wheel stuck in the ground. Spin Dash on it to create a platform in front of you. Jump on it and get on the moving platform above you and use it to cross the spike pit. On the other side of the pit get on the moving platform next to you. On here get on the platform above you and use it until you see another moving platform to the right. Get on that platform and use it to finally get on top of the hill. Now spin dash down this small slope and break through a barrier, but watch out for the spring. Jump over it and head right. You will come to a top. Instead of riding it, jump over it and fall in the large gap below you. Down here you may fall in a mud pit. If so, jump out of it and get on the ground to your right. Now head down the slope and watch out for the spikes at the top. At the bottom go into the opening and collect the Electric Shield. Once you have the Electric Shield head right until you see a post. Hit it. Now this is a tricky part. You will see a hill next to you. You can either go up or down. I recommend going up because the bottom part is harder. To get up the hill, you can double jump with the Electric Shield until you get to the top (or get on the trio of moving platforms, try to spin dash up there, or whatever you can. Once you get to the top, head right until you see spikes sticking out. Jump over them and head right. You will come to another spike set. Jump over them and get on the higher platform above you. On here head right and then jump on the higher platform above you. Up here jump over the spikes and head right. You will come to a ball 'n' chain swinging up and down. Spin Dash through it and you will break through a pole. In here you should spin through three sets of 10 Ring Boxes then through another pole. You'll be back outside. Out here you will come to a face on the wall shooting arrows. Hit the dot on its forehead three times to get rid of it. The platform on you will fall. Down here head left and you will come to a large spike set. Use the moving platforms to get across. You'll see a trio of platforms. See that wall to the left? If you jump on it and hold left you should end up in a secret room with a Special Stage ring. If you have all the emeralds grab it for 50 rings, otherwise, enter the Special Stage if you need to. Now, leave the secret room and fall in the small gap. You will head down a steep slope. At the bottom you will fall to another steep slope. At the bottom of this slope spin dash up the one to the left. At the top of this head left and you will head down another slope. At the bottom you will hit a spring. Try to avoid it. The ground next to the spring will break, so fall through it. Down here head down the slope and jump over the spikes. Then head right and you should get to a red spring. Jump over it and head up this small set of platforms. At the top you will come to a pole and a ball 'n' chain. Spin dash through the pole and avoid the ball 'n' chain. Now you will come to another ball 'n' chain and a crushing pillar. Get past both and head right. You should get to a blue wheel in the ground. Spin Dash against it and two platforms to the left will come down, so go into the new gap. Down here head left and jump on the top. Hold left and you will break through a pole. Don't jump off. You should head down a gap, head left, then down a slope on the top. Once you get to the bottom of the slope jump off of the top. Now head down the slope right here. At the bottom hold right and you will run up a wall. At the top you should see a trio of platforms in the air. Ignore them and land on the ground below you. From here head right until you get to a mud pit. Jump over it and get on the ground. Jump over the mud pit next to you and get on the ground. On here hit the post and continue right. You should see a pole. Break through it and you will come to the mini boss. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Mini Boss: The Ceiling Driller Difficulty: 1.5/5 It's true, this machine does drill through ceilings. :D Anyway, this is the same thing you saw earlier, except you fight it for good now. Once you start the fight, hit him on the bottom once or twice before he drills through the ceiling. If you're Sonic you can double jump with an Electric Shield just before he goes in. When he's off the screen rocks and spikes come down on you. The rocks don't hurt you but the spikes do, so watch out. The spikes do bounce off your shield if you have one, so it shouldn't be a problem. Then the boss comes down again. Finish him off. If not, the process will repeat. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< --------------------------- Zone 3: Marble Garden Zone Act 2 --------------------------- Once you start the level head right. Spin dash through the pole then go up the steep slope. You should see a handle. Grab it and it will pull you up the slope. Once you get to the top jump off to the hill on the left. On here jump on the handle and use it to get to the top of the slope. Up here jump on the platform to the right. On here head right until you get to a pole. Spin dash through it. You'll be in a room. In here Robotnik will pop out of the ground and go away. Now head right and jump on the higher platform above you. On here head right until you get to a pole you can't walk through. The floor on the ground will lower, sending you down a steep slope. Get to the bottom of the slope. Down here a spring will send you up a slope. Up here just head down the very steep slope you're on. At the bottom head left and you should get to a top. Hold left on it and you will break through a floor. Down here jump off the top and head right. You should see a trio of platforms above you. Get on them and use it to get on the higher platform to the right. On here get past the ball 'n' chain and head right until you see a spring. Jump over it and spin dash on the wheel to the left, creating two platforms to the right. Use them to get to the platform above you. On here head right and jump into the gap. Down here get past the spiked pole and go through the wall. In here grab the Special Stage Ring then go back. See that spikes? Spin dash into the side of it and use the spring to get on the moving platform. On here use this platform to get on the one above you. On here head right until you get to a top. Get on it and don't press anything. You should run into an enemy on the top and fall off the top. When you do, head right and you should get to a trio of platforms. Use them to get on the higher platform to the left. On here head left head left until you get to a wheel stuck in the ground. Spin dash against it to make two platforms to the left. Use them to get on the higher platform. On here head left until you get to a handle on a slope. Use it to get to the top. Once you get to the top get on the handle to the right. Use it to get to the top. On here get on the spring to the left and it will bounce you over the slope. Now land on the ground. Back down here head right until you get to a post. Hit it and head right. Hit the spring to the left and it will send you through two doop-de-loops. At the end of both head left and get to a wall. A spring will bounce to you the higher platform, so get on it. On here get on the moving platform above you, then use it to get to the platform to the left. On here jump on the platform to the left. On here get on the ground to the left. From here head left and go inside. You will get to a gap, so fall down it. Down here watch out for the spikes and head right. You will get to a face figure on the wall shooting arrows at you. Hit the light on its forehead three times and the floor you're on will move, so fall through the gap. Down here head left. Hit the light on the face figure three times. This will get raise a platform to the two poles blocking your path on the right, so get on it and spin dash through them. You'll be back outside. Out here go all the way right until you get to a wheel. Spin dash against it to lower the two platforms next to you. Use them to get on the higher platform to the right. On here head right until you see a spring. Jump over it and get on the trio of moving platforms. On here get on the top to your right. You will be sent in the air from a spring, inside, then back outside, then up a slope. Once you get to the top of the slope jump off the top. Now head down the hill to the right. At the bottom of the hill head right until you get to a pole. Spin dash through it and you'll be back inside. In here is a face figure. Hit the light three times and it will open a new gap, then fall in it. Down here get the Fire Shield to the right and head left. Now spin dash on the wheel next to you to open an opening. In here head left and Robotnik will pop out and disappear, so head left. Get on the higher platform and spin dash through the pole. Head down the slope and break open the Ring Box, then a new slope will lower, so head down it. At the bottom of it spin dash through the pole and you'll be inside. Head all the way right until you get to a wall. The floor you're on will break, so fall through the gap. Down here head left and you'll be back outside. Head down the slope and you'll be on flat ground. The ground you're on is rising, so be quick or you'll be crushed, so hurry and get to the other side of this area VERY FAST. Once you get to a dead end wait. The ground you're on is still rising. Once it stops get on the higher platform to the right and hit the post. Now get on the platform to the left and head left. You'll be inside. In here head left and jump in the pit. In here watch out for the spiked platform and hit the spring on the left side of the gap and get on the platform. On here spin dash on the wheel to create a platform. Use it to get to the higher platform to the right. On here head right and get on the moving platform. Use it to get to the higher platform above you. On here spin dash through the pole and you'll be at the boss. ********************************** Boss: Dr. Robotik's Drill Machine Difficulty: 3/5 ********************************** This explains it all. Robotnik will come down and drill a hole to the ground. This gets rid of the ground so you can't see yourself. But you'll be fighting in the air, so if you're Sonic, Tails will come and help you. He will be holding you. Use the Control Pad to control him and Genesis buttons A, B, and C to control Sonic. The point is to jump off from Tails and hit Robotnik in the head. If you fall in the gap Tails will get you. Also if you are Tails you need to hit him on the bottom of the machine with your tails. You have unlimited flying time so don't worry. Then Robotnik will disappear into the background and come back. Hit him on the head/below again. When he disappears into the background again, he may sometimes come up from the top or bottom part of the screen instead of the left, so hitting him may be tricky. Eventually you will get that 8th hit in and win. Then at the end of the fight the Animal Box will appear. Use Tail's spinning tails to hit it. The screen will darken and now it's time for carnival fun. ---------------------------- Zone 4: Carnival Night Zone Act 1 ---------------------------- Tails flies you to the level once you start (or he flies down himself if you play as him). Anyway, keep heading right and you should run into an enemy that bounces you up on a platform. Instead, just drop back down to the ground and hit the red spring to the left. The spring will send you through a few stuff then up into an air. If you land on a spinning wheel, just jump off to the right and you should land on the ground next to a spike set. Just jump over it and continue right until you get to a spinning pillar. It spins downward, so just jump off the platform to the right. On here, head right and jump over the spring, and continue until you get to a dead end. The tunnel above you will suck you in. At the top head left and get past the trio of bumpers and barrels, then a tube will send you left up a wall, through a sent of small springs, then you will be stopped by a bumper in the air. Just jump over it and head left. Jump over the two yellow springs you'll see then continue. You should see a red spring. Instead of using it get on the floating platform to the right of it. Keep jumping on it to make it go higher, then use it to get to the platform to the right. On here get on the higher platform to the right, then get the Water Shield to the left. Now proceed right past the yellow spring and you will be sucked in by a tunnel. At the to of it run up the wall to the left to get on the higher platform. On here head left and you will see a floating platform. See that wall next to the platform? Walk through it, and you'll be in a secret room with a Special Stage ring. Grab it for a Special Stage/50 rings, then exit. Now jump on the spinning wheel to the right. When the timing is right jump off of it and get on the higher platform to the right. On here head right and jump over the spring, then hit the post. Continue right and you will get to a set of red and yellow blocks. Spin dash through them to break through them, then you will be sucked through a yellow tube. You should end up out in a tube to the right and the left. If the right, continue right past the spike set and you should get to an area with spinning wheels. Just jump down to the ground below you. Down here fall in the small pit and hit the yellow spring to the left. You should be sent up the wall onto a platform. On here head right and hit the post below you. Then use the spinners to get on the platform to the right again. On here continue right and you should get to a spinning pillar (you should end up here if you got the left path in the spinning tube, so don't worry). It is spinning upward, so let it take you to the top. Then jump to the top of the second one. Now jump off to the right and hold right against the wall. You should end up in a secret room with a Special Stage ring. In here grab the special stage ring and use it for 50 rings/special stage. Now fall through the fake wall. You should fall in a gap onto the ground. Down here spin dash up the wall to the right. At the top head right and jump over the spring. You should get to a spinning pillar. Jump on it, then jump on the 2nd one, then the third. On the fourth jump off and try to get on the platform to the right. There should be a Water Shield on it. Now walk through the fake wall and you'll get to a Special Stage ring. Get it for 50 rings/special stage. Now you will fall through a fake floor. Down here head right and you should get to a dead end, where a tunnel sucks you upward. In this room spin dash up the right wall and hold right. You should go through a fake wall. In here is an Electric Shield and two Ring Boxes. Grab all of them and leave. Back up here spin dash up the left wall and onto the platform. On here head left and a tunnel should suck you upward. Up here head right, hit the post, and you should end up in a large room with green and yellow blocks. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Mini Boss: The Spinning Disk Machine Difficulty: 1.5/5 This guy is easy if you know what you're doing. You cannot hit him when you fight. When the fight starts he will release a disk from himself spinning around the room. Now hit him to open the bottom part of the machine. Now the spinning disk must run into that part to hit it, then the machine closes up. Hit it to open it up again and repeat this until the disk hits it for a total of 4 times. Easy, huh? <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< ----------------------------- Zone 4: Carnival Night Zone Act 2 ----------------------------- Once the level starts, head right and tubes will send you onto a red and white spinner. You may be stopped by white bumpers. If so, ignore them and use the springs to the right to get into the gap below you. Down here you'll be in the water. Go through the set of springs and fall in the pit. Down here get to the lowest part of the area and go through the tube. Now, get past the barrel that should stop you. In this large area get on the spinning barrel above you. On here jump out of the water and hit the post to the right. Now jump on the spinners to the left and jump over the spring. Now jump on the spinners above you and get on the platform to the right. On here use the bumpers to get on the higher platform to the left. On here head left until you get to a set of springs. Use them to get to the left. Once you get past the springs jump over the red spring to the left and continue. You should come to a floating platform. Keep jumping on it to make it go higher. Once it's high enough, jump on the platform to the left. On here, jump into the cannon and launch yourself to the right. You should land on a platform. If not, jump back into the cannon and try again. On the platform bounce on the balloon to get to the higher platform to the right. On here jump on the platform to the right. On here jump on the platform to the right. Now jump over the spring and continue right until you get to a barrel. Getting on the higher platform is tricky for beginners. To move the barrels use up and down on the D-Pad. Once it's high enough get on the platform to the right. On here get on another barrel. Now use Up and Down until it is really high enough to get on the platform way above you. On here get on it and head right. On here jump onto the platform to the left. On here head left until you get to a tunnel. You will be sucked upward. Up here head all the way right. You will head down a set of spinners. At the end of the spinners head right and jump over the bumpers. Now get past the barrel and jump over the spikes. Now head right and hit the post. Now continue. You will see Knuckles. He will laugh at you and hit a switch. This darkens up the whole level. When he goes away head right. Before you head into the water get on the higher platform to the right. On here get the Water Shield and go back in. Now jump on the floor to the left to break it open (the yellow and red one). Down here go all the way left until you get to a yellow spring on the wall, getting past barrels, spikes, and the electric enemies. Once you get to the spring, jump on the floor to the right and it will break. Down here pop the balloons and use them for life bubbles if you don't have a water shield. Down here spin dash through the yellow and black blocks and then you'll go through a set of springs. The water is also lowering. After the first set of springs you will be sent to another one. At the end of the second one jump over the yellow spring and continue left. Now jump over the red spring and head left. You should get to a pit. Jump down it and watch out for the barrels. At the bottom of the pit head down all three sets of spinners. At the bottom jump on the barrel and use it to get on the platform to the right. On here continue right and jump over the red spring. Now jump over the large gap. On this platform jump over the large gap and jump over the spring. Now jump over this gap and head right until you get to a tube. It will send you up a wall. In this area use the spinner to the left. Now continue left until you run up a wall. On here go all the way left until you get sucked up by a tunnel, and watch out for the barrels. Up here jump on the red spring to the left. It will send you to another platform. On here spin dash through the red and black blocks, and then a tube will send you a red and white spinner and up a wall. Now try to land on the platform with 4 rings. Collect all of them and use the balloons to get on the platform to the left. On here go through the tube and it will send you up a spinning pillar. On here jump onto the second one to the left, then the third. This one spins upward, so use it to get as high as it goes. Once it get to the highest hit the switch to the left, and all of the lights will be turned on again. Yay! Now continue left. Go up the wall and you will hit a post. Then use the spinning wheel and balloons to get to the high platform on the right. On here head right and a set of springs will send you farther right. Now continue right until you stop to a barrel. Use the Up and Down on the D-pad to make it move. Once it gets as low as it gets, jump on the spinners to the left. At the bottom of them fall through the small gap. Down here head right and you should go down a red and white spinner. NOW ONCE YOU START GOING DOWN YOU WILL SEE ANOTHER SPINNER. JUMP ONTO IT AND YOU WILL BE GOING LEFT BEFORE IT'S TO LEFT. This is a huge shortcut that will save you time. At the bottom of the red and white spinner (that was facing left, this is the one you jumped on), head down the two sets of spinners. At the bottom of the second one, head all the way right and hit the post. Now spin dash through the yellow and red blocks, and you will be sent a number of tubes then down a tunnel. You will see Knuckles again. This time he will hit a switch that activates the tunnels, so Sonic will jump through two of them. Head right and fight the boss. ******************************************* Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Electric Ball Machine Difficulty: 2.5/5 ******************************************* This stage so ****ing long, you might die because of time. You'll be back at the post anyway. First, Robotnik drops a green ball. He uses electric beams around it to suck you in, so watch out. Now, when he's done, he will lower himself and pick up the ball. This is your chance to hit him. He will repeat this over and over again, so hit him with every chance you got. It takes 8 hits to get rid of him. If you die because of time, you will be sent back to the last post with your time set at 0! Once the fight is over, head right and break open the animal cage. Then head right and jump into the cannon, launching you to the Ice Cap. --------------------- Zone 5: Ice Cap Zone Act 1 --------------------- This level is fun. If you are playing as Sonic, don't press anything. You will snowboard down a slope and collect 40 rings. At the bottom you will run into a wall. Then an avalanche of snow will fall on you. To get out of it, just jump. Now spin dash right and break through the pillar. Now hit the post you see. Hit the red spring to the left and swing will send you up. Now get on the platform to the right. On here, head right and you will see a pillar. Spin dash through it to break one layer. Now jump on it and use it to get on the higher platform to the right. On here, jump right and you'll see a frozen switch. Before breaking it, head right and walk through the wall. You'll be in a secret room with a Special Stage ring. Use it for a Special Stage/50 rings. Now exit the secret room, and jump on the switch to get rid of the ice. Now hit it, and the floor next to you will break off, so jump down the gap. Down here, you will head down a slope and fall into a gap. Down here, head right and watch out for the ice shooters on the ceiling. Now fall in the gap and you will go through the endless slopes that never stops. But on your way you'll see a platform on the left wall. Jump on it and don't press anything. You will break through two sets of walls. From here head right and watch out for the pillars. You will get to a frozen red spring. Jump on it to get rid of the ice then jump on the spring. While you are in the air, get on the platform to the right. On here, head right and get rid of the penguins. You will get to a frozen red spring. Jump on it to get rid of the ice then jump on the spring. In the air get on the platform to the left. On here spin dash up the swing and it will take you higher. Use it to get on the platform to the left. On here spin dash up the swing and it will send you higher. Use it to get on the swing to the left. On here hit the spring and the swing next to you will go up, so use it to get on the high platform to the right. On here, run all the way right until you get to a wall (don't stop on the platforms you'll run through). You will be on a moving floor. When the pillars separate jump into the gap. Down here You will head down three sets of slopes, then next to a frozen box of rings. Get it if you want, then use the icicles as platforms to get through the spikes as they fall. At the end of this area you will get to a frozen red spring. Get rid of the ice and hit the spring. In the air get on the platform to the right. On here head down the two steep slopes, and you'll fall on a hill. Before going down, head left. See that block? First, hit the post, then get to the left of the block. Push it down the hill then jump on it quick. You will go through spike pits, crash through walls, then onto a spring. Use the spring to get on the platform to the right. On here, run all the way right and you will get to a wall. You will see a frozen switch to the left. Get rid of the ice and hit it, and the floor to the right will break, so jump through the new gap. On here, you will fall down a slope. Down here, run through the pillars and jump into the gap at the end. Down here, run all the way right until you get to a spring. It will send you higher, then get on the platform to the left. On here, watch out for the spring and get on the swing to the right. Hit the spring next to you and you will go up the swing. Once it goes as high as it gets, jump on the swing to the left. Hit the spring next to it and the swing will go up, so get on the platform to the right. On here, run right to a swing and it will send you up. Now, jump on the platform to the left, and DON'T HIT THE SPRING. Now jump on the platform to the right and run straight. You'll get on a swing and it will break in the air, sending you to the ground. Down here, run right to a post and you will get to a spring. Hit it and you will come up a wall. Now head right to fight the mini boss. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Mini Boss: The Ghost Machine Difficulty: 2/5 This is like the boss from Metropolis from Sonic 2. It will have 8 ice spheres around it, then swing across the screen. When the spheres are leveled with the ghost hit him at the bottom. Then he will get rid of all the spheres for a few seconds. This is your chance to hit him 3-5 times. Then he will get higher then send the spheres to attack you. Then it gets the spheres back and repeats the process. So it takes 6 hits to put him away. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< --------------------- Zone 5: Ice Cap Zone Act 2 --------------------- You'll now go through most of the stage outside. When you start the level, head down the slope. At the bottom break open the ice for an Electric Shield, then head right. Just run hold right. You should go through two loop-de-loops then stop at a pillar. Spin dash through it to break through a layer. Now get on the pillar and use it to get on the higher platform to the right. On here, head right and you will go through two loop-de-loops. Now spin dash right and you should go through a snow pack and through a loop-de-loop, then break through the ground. You'll be inside. Down here, head right. You'll see a frozen switch. Break through the ice and hit the switch. The floor next to you will break, so jump down the gap. Down here, watch out for the penguins and head right. You should head down a small slope then go through a loop-de-loop. Now head right until you get to a platform floating in the ice. This is the tricky part. Jump through all of these platforms in the ice without falling in. Also watch out for the ice shooters on the ceiling. When you get to the end jump on the higher platform above you. On here head right and hit the post. Now head right and hit the red spring to the left, then you will be sent up a wall. Now try to land on the platform to the right. On here, head right. DON'T HIT THE ROBOTNIK BOXES. Inside, see that pink spring to the right? Get on it then keep jumping and pressing Up to make you go higher. When you are high enough in the air, try to land on the spring to the left. Keep using Up to go higher, then try to land on the spring on the right. On this spring, keep using Up to go higher, then try to get on the platform to the right when you are high enough. On here get rid of the 2 penguins and jump on the pink spring. When it's high enough get on the bridge above you. On here, HOLD RIGHT and don't let go. You should be sent through 3 loop-de-loops, hit the post, then in the air. While you're in the air, use Up to make the pink spring bounce you higher. Now get on the platform to the right. On here walk through the wall through the wall to the right. It is a fake wall. Hit the Special Stage Ring for 50 rings/special stage, then exit to the right. Back out here, hit the switch, then fall through the gap below you. Down here, hit the switch, and fall through the gap below you. Head right and fight the boss. ********************************* Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Ice Machine Difficulty: 4/5 ********************************* This is probably the hardest boss in the whole game. When he starts, he will lower the disk on the bottom of his machine. Jump on it and try to hit him, but here's the thing: he will be shooting ice from the left, right, and middle, so watch out. So keep hitting him. After 6 hits, the disk will break off and he will lower, so hit him twice more to get rid of him. If the ice hits you, you will freeze and lose your rings, so get them back. After the right break the animal cage and go through the tunnel to the right. ------------------------- Zone 6: Launch Base Zone Act 1 ------------------------- You start the level popping out from the ground. From here, head right and run up the wall. From here, cross the rotating platform to get to the end of it. When you get to the end of it, keep heading right until you get to the end of the platform you're on. See that handle above you? Jump on it and use it to cross the gap. At the end of the gap, jump off the handle and continue right. You should get to a teleporter. Step in it and you will be taken to a different part of the map. Now from here, head left and you should see a basket on a pole. Jump on it and ride it up. When it gets to the top of the pole, jump off to the right and head all the way right into a structure. In here, head right and get on the moving platforms. Use them to get on the higher platform to the left. On here, head left and jump on that face mask to get rid of it. Now head back right and you'll see the bridge fell down from the wall. Cross the bridge and jump in the basket to the right. At the top of the pole, jump off to the left. Now head left and jump in the next basket you see. This will get to the top of the pole and launch you back onto the ground to the right. From here, head right and you'll be back outside. Now head right and you should come to a moving platform. Use it to cross the gap. At the other end of the gap, head right. Now run up the wall to get on the higher platform. On here, head right and you should stop at a steep slope facing down left. Head down it. At the bottom, head left and go inside the structure. In here, fall down the pit. Down here, head left up the slope and leave this structure. Back outside, head down the steep slope. You should end up on another one. Head down this slope. At the bottom of this slope, head right and a spring should launch you through a curved tunnel. Now head down the slope after the tunnel. At the bottom of it, keep running right and you should end up inside a structure. Now hit the spring and it will send you back outside. Now keep going right and you will go through a curved pipe. This pipe will send you upward, into a new area. Now hit the spring to the left, and it will send you up a wall. Now get onto the platform to the left. On here, keep going left and past the spinning platform. At the end of it, go in the structure. In here, head left and jump over the spring. Now head up the slope and hit the post at the top. Now keep heading left and leave this place. Back out here, jump to the ground below you. Down here, hit the spring and you will be sent up a slope. At the top of the slope, hold left and you will be sent up a wall, onto the ground. On here, head right and get into the hidden basket near the wall. At the top of the pole, jump inside the structure to the right. In here, head right and you will come to a red and black bridge. Hit the red face above you to get rid of it, and fall in the gap. Down here, head right and leave this structure. Back outside, head right and jump over the spring. Now keep heading right and jump on the handle above the gap. Hold Right to cross the gap. At the other end of the gap, jump off the handle to the right. Now head right and a pipe will send you up into a new area. In here, you'll notice the Death Egg in the background is gone. But for now just head right and jump into the large gap. Down here, head right and go inside. In here, head right. Now hit the yellow spring in the spike put to get on the higher platform to the right. On here, go right and you should get to a gap with a moving platform. Use the moving platform to get on the moving platform next to you. On this one, use this platform to get on the platform to the right. On here, head right and jump on the yellow spring to get on the spinning platform. Use this to leave the structure and go back outside. Out here, collect the rings and head right and you will get to a teleporter. Go in it and you will be taken to a new area. In here head left and jump over the gap. On here, use the platform to get on the higher platform to the left. On here, head left and jump in the gap you see. Down here, head left and go on the small platform, and it will fall. Down here, get to the bottom of this pit, then run down the slopes to the right. Once you get to the bottom, run right and you will be sent through three pipes. Now after you go through the third keep heading right and go in the structure. In here, use the spring to the right to get on the high platform. On here, use the moving platform to the left to get to a basket. Use it to get to another basket, then jump in that one. At the top you'll see Knuckles throw a bomb in the building so jump out and leave. Out here, wait for the building to completely fall down then head right, collect the rings, and hit the post. Now go in the structure. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Mini Boss: The Spinning Machine Difficulty: 1.5/5 This guy is easy. It has two rotating arms with spike balls on them. Hit the thing on the side. Every time you jump and hit it, it gets higher in the air and comes back down. Hit it three times to get rid of one arm, 6 to get rid of it for good. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< ------------------------- Zone 6: Launch Base Zone Act 2 ------------------------- Welcome to the last act of the Sonic 3 levels. Once you start the level, head right and go in the basket. Ride it to the bottom. Down here, jump off the basket and head right. Now, hold right the whole time and you should stop at a yellow spring. Hit it to get to the platform above you. On here, head right and hit the red spring you will see. It will send you up a wall then to another spring. Hit it and it will send you left onto a spinning platform. Get to the other end of it and hit the post. Now head left and you will see a handle in the air. Grab onto it and it will pull you upward, onto a new platform. On here, hit the spring to the left. It will send you to another spring and send you up a slope. At the top of the slope, grab the handle and hold right. Once you get to the other end, get on the moving platform. On here, get on the platform next to you. Collect the rings, then jump off this platform to the right. Down here, spin dash up the slope then through a pole. Now continue right and you will get to a gap. Fall down it. At the bottom of the gap head all the way left to the other wall, then go into the tunnel. In here, get the two Boxes of Rings then leave. Now hit the face above you, and a bridge to the right will disappear. Where the bridge was, fall in the gap. At the bottom of it, head right and a spring will send you down a slope and then up another one. But be careful. At the top of the slope jump over the spring, and continue right. Now you should get to a set of springs in the water. Hit on one of them and get on the higher platform to the right. On here, head right and spin dash through the pole you'll see. Water will come out of it, so jump in were the water is draining into. This pipe will send you to an area with an Invincibility box and ring box to the right. From here, head left and cross the spinning platform. At the end of it, continue left and hit the red spring you'll see. It will send you to a yellow spring, so hit it and get on the higher platform to the left. Up here, head left and jump in the basket. At the bottom of the pole, jump into the gap to the left. Down here, RUN ALL THE WAY RIGHT WITHOUT STOPPING INTO ANYTHING. At the end you should get to a gap. Fall into it and get on the floor below you. Down here, break through the pipe to the left and a red spring will send you all the way right to another spring, then it will send you left to a basket. Get into the basket and use it to get in the water. Down here, go all the way right until you get to a red spring. Hit it and you will be sent up a wall into a basket. Ride this basket to the top pole, and it will start spinning like crazy. Before it throws you to the left, jump off to the right. Now, head all the way right without stopping and you should get to a basket. Jump into it and use it to get to the basket to the left. Now hit the spring to the left and it will send you to a post. Hit it, and then head right to fight the first boss. ******************************************** Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Ball Launching Machine Difficulty: 2/5 ******************************************** Hehe, this is a really fun boss. He will raise a platform so you can hit him, but watch out. A ball may launch out below or above the platform, and then the platform goes back and comes back out. So hit Robotnik when the ball is out of your path two to four times. The process repeats, and it takes 8 hits to get rid of him. After the fight continue right and get in Robotnik's ship. Knuckles will try to punch you out but he falls off and the pole he is on shakes. After the long ride you will land on a platform to fight another boss. *********************************** Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Laser Machine Difficulty: 1.5/5 *********************************** Come on, a two year old could beat this. Robotnik comes up on his ship with two layers protecting him. Each layer fires one laser beam at you. It takes 4 hits to get rid of one layer, then another 4 for the next. Then, hit him once more to get rid of him. He will disappear from the screen and come back, but you should have no problems dealing with him. After the fight you'll see the Death Egg start to fall down to the island, and you are taken into the Sonic and Knuckles levels. --------------------------- Zone 7: Mushroom Hill Zone Act 1 --------------------------- Welcome to the Sonic and Knuckles levels. Once you start, head right and you'll see a cut scene of Knuckles coming out of a hidden room and locking it with a switch to the left. Hit the switch to reopen it and head left into the secret room, and get the Special Stage Ring. You will be sent into the Hidden Palace, where you will see 7 thrones and the Master Emerald up top. If you got all 7 Chaos Emeralds, they will leave you and take a spot on the throne (the emerald colors are in their same positions from Sonic 3). Now they are Super Emeralds, and these are the Sonic and Knuckles special stages. But you can pick any Special Stage to do! So, head to my special stage walkthrough to see the Walkthroughs for each Special Stage. Once you are done with the Special Stage, exit the secret room. Back out here, head right and bounce on the yellow spring you'll find. Now get on the platform to the right. On here, head all the way right through a loop-de-loop until you run into a wall. See that bar above you? Jump on it and you will be sent upward, so get on the platform to the right. On here, head all the way right through a loop-de-loop and you should get to a spring. Hop on it and it will send you to a bar, so get on the platform to the left. On here, get on that pulling machine to the left. Use Down so it can pull you up. Once you get to the platform above you, jump onto it. On here, head right until you get to a slope leading down. See that higher platform to the right? Hop on the mushrooms next to you to get on it by using Up. On here, head all the way right and you should get to a swing next to a gap. Run into it and once the timing is right, jump off and hold right to get across the gap (wait for Sonic to come back up to the right, Tails can fly across). At the end of the gap, jump through the fake wall to the right. In here, grab the Special Stage ring. Pick which emerald you want to do and leave. Once you are done with the Special Stage, head right and exit this secret room. Out here, head right and fall into the gap you see. Down here, at the way bottom, spin dash up the wall to get to the top platform. On here, head right and hit the post. Now go all the way right until you get to a pit. Fall in it. Down here, head right and get on top of the spring in the wall you see. On this spring, jump up and hold right. You should get in a secret room with a Special Stage room. Enter it, pick which emerald you want to do, then leave. After you are done with the Special Stage, leave the secret room to the right. Out here, hit the spring and use it to get on the platform above you. Up here, head right through a loop-de-loop then up a curved hill. But when you get to the top, jump in the pit to the right. Down here, head right and you should see mushrooms. Use them to get to the platform above you. Up here, go through the fake wall to the right and you will get to a Special Stage ring. Hit it, pick which emerald you want to do, the leave. Once you exit the special stage, leave the secret room to the right. Back out here, hit the spring and it will send you through a loop-de-loop, to a spring, then up to two bars, then back on the ground. Hit the post next to you, continue right through a loop-de-loop, and fight the mini boss. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Mini Boss: The Lumber Machine Difficulty: 1.5/5 This guy is pretty easy if you have the Fire Shield, but if you don't have it, he still his easy. He cuts off the trees with his axe and gets to a lower part each time. When he gets low enough, hit him on the side and don't hit the fire. It takes 6 hits to get rid of him and if he cuts down an entire tree, he will go onto another one. He shouldn't give you too much problems. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< --------------------------- Zone 7: Mushroom Hill Zone Act 2 --------------------------- Once you start the level, head right and you will find Knuckles next to a switch. He will use it to create wind below you and send you upwards. Whee, the background changed to fall like. Anyway, head all the way right and you should come to a pair of Blue Mushrooms. Jump on the one to the right and stay on it. Let the catapult launch you in the air. While in the air, try to hit the red spring to the left, if not, go back to the mushroom and try again. Once you hit the red spring, it will send you to another one then through a loop-de-loop and you will be stopped at a fake wall. Go through and hit the Special Stage ring. Enter it, pick the emerald you want to do, then leave. After you are done with the Special Stage, leave the secret room to the right. Back out here, head right and follow this curved pathway to a bar. Jump on it and use it to get to the ground below you. Down here, head all the way right until you get to a post. Hit it and walk up to the wall and a spring will launch you to the platform above you. Up here head right until you see a red spring. Hit it and hold right. It will launch you right onto two sets of mushrooms. Instead of being launched on them, jump and hold right on the wall to the right. You should walk through a fake wall with a Special Stage ring. Enter it, pick which emerald you want to do, then leave. Once you finish the Special Stage, hit left and a spring will send you up onto the ground. On here, head right and jump over the spring. Now hit the post and continue right. You will get to a pulling machine. Use down so it can pull you up. Once it gets to the top, don't get off yet. You'll see an enemy blow strong winds at you. Once the wind dies off, jump off and get rid of him so you won't be blown away. Now head right and you'll see a red spring in the air. Hit it and it will send you to another spring, and that spring will send you to a swinging machine. When the timing is right, jump off of it and try to get on the higher platform to the right, otherwise try again. On this platform, go all the way right until you get to a spring at a gap (don't run too fast or you'll fun over it). Once you get to the spring, hit it and you will be sent on a platform with another spring. Hit it and it will send you to a wall. The wall next to you is fake. So walk through it. In here is a Special Stage ring. Hit it. This is the final special stage for people with 6 Super Emeralds, so pick the last emerald not done. So if you got all 7 congratulations! You can now become Hyper Sonic/Super Tails! If not, don't worry, you have plenty of chances. Anyway, leave the secret room to the right. Now hit the red spring next to you and hold right the whole time. You should go through countless loop-de-loops, get lots of rings, and land on a platform. Now head right and run up the wall. Get rid of the enemy and walk through the wall to the right. Hit the Special Stage ring in here for 50 rings/special stage, then exit the secret room. Back out here, head left and jump onto the pulling machine. Use it until it gets as high as it gets by pressing Down on it. Once it gets as high as it goes, jump off to the right. Now head right and you will get to a pair of mushrooms. How on the right and the mine will send you upward. Now get on the platform to the right. On here, hit the post, head right, and fight the boss. ************************************* Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Running Machine Difficulty: 2/5 ************************************* Bad name, there's no way to describe this boss. :D Anyway, you will see a satellite sticking out on the ground, hit it and keep bouncing onto it and you'll find it's Robotnik. He'll run away. I got 5 hits before he ran away, so I only had to hit him 3 more times. Now hit him 8 times (or less if you hit him when he was popping out of the satellite) to get rid of him. Easy boss, but watch out for the minds in your way, jump/run over/under them and try to hit him. Once you get 8 hits in, he will crash into a tree (yeah, he's driving his machine backwards, so IQ genius he is), and head through the hole. In here, hit the animal machine. Now Sonic will jump on the Flying Battery coming along. Tails will fly with you too if he is there. ---------------------------- Zone 8: Flying Battery Zone Act 1 ---------------------------- Once you start the level, head right. A speed booster will send you up a wall, through a loop-de-loop, through a web, then you will stop at a wall. Stand on the platform you're on and it will take you downwards. Down here, jump off and head all the way left until you get to a wall. See those bars above you? Get on the farthest one on the left and it will pull you down to the ground below you. Down here, jump off and watch out for the fire rotating. Now get on the farthest bar to the right and it will pull you to the platform below you. Down here, get the Fire Shield to the left and head right. You will be outside. Watch out for the exploding mines. Now, get on one of the two moving platforms in front of you. Use it to get on the platform next to you. On here, jump on the bars above you and cross them to the last bar. Now, get on the platform below you. On here, get on one of the two moving platforms next to you. Now get on the platform next to you, and then jump on the bridge next to you. On here, hit the speed booster and it will send you up a wall back inside. In here, head left and hit the post. Now jump into the spinning web to the left. Use this to get into the spinning web next to you. Now get on the spinning web to the left and use to get on the ground next to you. On here, spin dash up the curved wall to the left and get on the platform to the right. See that the top of where the rotating fire is? Stand on it and it will send you up a wall, onto the ground, through a speed booster, up a wall, then onto bars. Get on the left one and jump onto the platform next to you. Use it to jump onto the moving platform next to you. On here, you should see 4 moving circles to the right. If not, wait for them, then jump on them. Ride them until you get to the top left platform. On here, jump on that floating platform to the right of you. Wait for the 4 moving circles to come then ride them to the bottom left platform. See that platform to the left that has the rotating fire on it? Watch out for the fire and jump onto it. Now head left, and do NOT break open the animal cage. Jump over it. Continue left and you will get to a machine with fire only coming out of the right side. Get on the top of it and it will send you in the air, and you'll be outside. Head right and you will get to a spinning pole. Get onto it and let go. You will get to another spinning pole. Now climb up this pole and don't hit the spinning fans. Now let go to the right and you will go on another pole. Climb it about halfway up (where the rings are), then let go. You should get on another pole without hitting the fans. On here, jump off the pole and get on the right to the right, and don't hit the spikes. On this pole, jump off of it and get on the one to the right. On here, jump off the pole and get on the ground, then head right. You should get to a pit. Jump in it and jump over the speed booster to the left. Now walk through the wall and you'll be back inside. In here, head left to the wall, and the spinning platform you're on will lower. Down here, jump off and head all the way right until you get to a post. Jump past all the enemies and spiked pillars. When you get to a post, hit it, and then hit the switch next to you. The bridge next to you will go away, so jump in the pit. You will go through a web then get on the ground. Down here, head all the way left and you will get to a curved wall. Spin dash up and it get on the platform above you. On here, spin dash up the way wall and get on the platform to the left. On here, spin dash up the left wall and get on the higher platform to the right. On here, you will see a two spinning platforms above you. Jump on one and ride it to the top, and don't fall off. Now, once you are high enough, jump on the higher platform to the left. On here you will see an animal cage. Jump on it and it will send you upward. Up here, head right and a speed booster will send you through a loop-de-loop, through two webs, and you will stop at a wall. The floor you're on will break, so fall in the gap. Down here, head right and watch out for the spiked balls. You will get to a post. Hit it, and then continue right. Hit the red spring to the left and it will send you up a curved wall to another spring. Hit this spring and it will send you up another curved wall, then you will stop at spikes. See those rising pillars? Get on them and use them to get on the higher platform to the right. On here, head right. See that first spike set? Hold right on it and you will push it over and fall through a hole. In this secret room, hit the Special Stage ring for 50 rings/Emerald. Now head right and leave this secret room. Back out here, jump over all of the animal cages (the last one has rings in it, and you will get to a rising pillar. Jump on it and let it send you up. Now, jump on the bars to the right and use them to get on the rising pillar next to you. To the right is a round platform with two spinning platforms. Use one of the spinning platforms to get on the platform to the right. Now on this platform, use it to get on one of the two spinning platforms next to you. On here, jump on the platform to the right, hit the post, and continue right to fight the mini boss. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Mini Boss: The Fake and Evil Animal Machine Difficulty: 2/5 Yay, there's the animal cage. Let's break it open. OH NO! TWO SPIKED ARMS! Now, the point of this fight is two have one of it's spiked arms to hit the yellow plunger on the top. To do this, stay on the plunger. Then when he is about to attack, run off of it, and he will hit the plunger. Repeat this 5 more time to win. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< ---------------------------- Zone 8: Flying Battery Zone Act 2 ---------------------------- Well, seems that there were a few REAL animals inside that cage. Once you start the level, head right and you will get to a speed booster. Hit it and it will send you up a wall, through a web, then to another spring. Hit it and you will be sent to another spring. Hit it and you will go through a loop-de-loop, up a wall, then you will stop next to 3 bars. Jump on the farthest one to the right and it will bring you down. Down here, jump into the small pit between the spikes. Down here, grab the Electric Shield and then a spring will send you right (it's hidden in the wall), through a loop-de-loop, and down a spinning web. Down here, spin up the left wall and go through the opening to the left. In here, he