Sonic & Knuckles
Encyclopedia
Sonic & Knuckles is a 1994 platform
video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States at Sega Technical Institute by members of Sonic Team
, and was published by Sega
worldwide on October 18, 1994
.
As well as working as a standalone game, through a system dubbed "lock-on technology," Sonic & Knuckles acts as an expansion pack
to both Sonic the Hedgehog 2
and Sonic the Hedgehog 3
, the latter with which it was developed in tandem.
Sonic & Knuckles has been released on various Sonic and Sega themed compilations
over the years, and digitally for the Wii
's Virtual Console
, and Xbox Live Arcade
, with the latter version receiving updates such as HD support, online leaderboards and network play.
's side of the story picks up immediately after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 3
. Dr. Robotnik's orbital weapon, the Death Egg, which was damaged by Sonic, crash lands back on Floating Island, landing in a volcanic crater
. Meanwhile, Sonic continues to track down Robotnik as he travels through each zone looking for the Chaos Emeralds, once again coming into conflict with Knuckles the Echidna
, who believes he is trying to steal them. However, Robotnik reveals his true intentions and steals the Master Emerald, the secret to the island's levitation powers, causing the island to fall into the ocean. Realizing he has been tricked, Knuckles assists Sonic in chasing after Robotnik as he once again launches his Death Egg into space. Robotnik uses the power of the Master Emerald to power up a giant Egg-Robo, but Sonic manages to use the power of the Chaos Emeralds to transform into Super Sonic in order to stop Robotnik, destroy the Death Egg and return the Master Emerald to its rightful place.
In Knuckles' side of the story set after that, his peaceful life is disrupted when a surviving Egg Robo attacks him, taking Robotnik's place as the main antagonist. As Knuckles chases after the Egg Robo, it is soon destroyed by Mecha Sonic,( An upgraded version of metal sonic) who uses the power of the Master Emerald to give him more power. However, Knuckles manages to destroy him and once again returns the Master Emerald to the Floating Island.
, the game allows players to play as either Sonic the Hedgehog
or Knuckles the Echidna
. However, unlike the previous game, players are unable to save their game or play as Miles "Tails" Prower
, unless they use the lock-on technology as described below.
Gameplay is slightly different between playing as the two characters. Sonic is able to run faster and jump higher than Knuckles, and can also utilise the special abilities of elemental shields. Meanwhile, Knuckles has the ability to glide through the air, climb up walls, and break through barriers that Sonic is unable to, allowing him to access new areas, though his levels have a higher level of difficulty, with more challenging layouts and advanced boss tactics.
Two new types of Bonus Stage are available, which can be accessed by hitting checkpoints with 20 or more rings and jumping through the stars. The first is akin to Sonic 2
' s Casino Night Zone, in which players can earn rings in slot machines until they land on a Goal block. The second type sees the player travelling upwards through the use of magnetic orbs and flippers, collecting rings and bonus items such as shields, whilst avoiding a slowly rising forcefield that will return them to the normal stage. Like the previous game, players can enter giant rings in order to access the Special Stage, in which players must eliminate blue spheres on a course to earn Chaos Emeralds. Collecting all the Chaos Emeralds allows the player to transform into Super Sonic or Super Knuckles after collecting 50 rings.
Sonic & Knuckles utilizes "lock-on technology" that lets the cartridge plus the Mega Drive/Genesis access data from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 so that elements of both Sonic & Knuckles and the locked-on game are combined. To play these combined games, the hatch on top of the Sonic & Knuckles cartridge can be flipped open and the second game placed inside.
This feature is also included in Sonic Jam and Sonic Mega Collection
, as well as the Xbox Live Arcade
and Virtual Console
versions of the game if Sonic & Knuckles and another one of the necessary games are purchased on the same account.
, the levels of Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles can be played continuously as one game. The lock-on technology was actually a way of making up for the fact that the developers could not meet the deadline for Sonic 3. Originally, Sonic 3 was to be released with Knuckles as a playable character, and with all the Sonic & Knuckles levels playable. Time constraints forced them to split the project in two, releasing Sonic 3 with the completed levels and continuing work on the uncompleted ones, plus adding the Super Emeralds, and the lock-on feature. Sonic 2 had once run into similar problems, resulting in the original Hidden Palace and several other levels being removed.
Players are able to play all the available levels as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles or Sonic & Tails, with the save feature restored. Exclusive to this lock-on version are the Super Emeralds, which can be earned by accessing Special Stages in the Sonic & Knuckles levels after collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds. When all Super Emeralds have been collected, Sonic, Knuckles and Tails can transform into Hyper Sonic, Hyper Knuckles and Super Tails respectively, each with unique abilities.
, allowing players to use his unique abilities to reach otherwise unaccessible areas, although his shorter jump height makes some sections more difficult. In this version, players are unable to access the options or VS. modes of the original Sonic 2.
, and can be played on Virtual Console
if both Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic 1 have been purchased. Reports state that developers were unable to allow full lock-on compatibility with the first Sonic game due to incompatible color pallettes.
co-sponsored a tournament contest where kids were allowed to play a pre-release of the game, leading to a final tournament held at Alcatraz Island
in San Francisco, California
. A special on the game showing the tournament final, "MTV's Rock the Rock Warning", was aired shortly before the game's release.
The game was well received upon release, with reviewers praising its presentation and gameplay.
. Also, the Mushroom Hill Zone is a returning stage for the handheld 3DS version of the game.
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States at Sega Technical Institute by members of Sonic Team
Sonic Team
is a Japanese computer and video game developer established in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan in 1990, originally known as Sega AM8. The Japan-based division is also known as G.E. Department Global Entertainment. The studio has collaborated with several in-house Japanese studios as well as other American-based...
, and was published by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
worldwide on October 18, 1994
1994 in video gaming
-Events:*Nintendo calls this year "1994: The Year of the Cartridge".*Nintendo Australia Pty. Ltd, the Australian subsidiary of Nintendo Co., Ltd is established and opened by Hiroshi Yamauchi and effectively ends Mattel Australia's distribution of Nintendo's products throughout Australia.*"Project...
.
As well as working as a standalone game, through a system dubbed "lock-on technology," Sonic & Knuckles acts as an expansion pack
Expansion pack
An expansion pack, expansion set, or supplement is an addition to an existing role-playing game, tabletop game or video game. These add-ons usually add new game areas, weapons, objects, and/or an extended storyline to a complete and already released game...
to both Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 16-bit 1992 platform video game that was developed by Sonic Team members working at the Sega Technical Institute, and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis console. It was released in Japan on November 21, 1992 and in North America and Europe on November 24, 1992...
and Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 1994 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States by members of Sonic Team working at Sega Technical Institute, and was published by Sega, debuting worldwide in the first half of 1994...
, the latter with which it was developed in tandem.
Sonic & Knuckles has been released on various Sonic and Sega themed compilations
Compilations in the Sonic series
This article covers the number of compilations in the Sonic series.-Dreamcast Collection:Dreamcast Collection compilation of four Dreamcast titles; Sonic Adventure, Space Channel 5: Part 2, Crazy Taxi and Sega Bass Fishing, released for Xbox 360 and the PC on February 22, 2011 in North America and...
over the years, and digitally for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
's Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
, and Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
, with the latter version receiving updates such as HD support, online leaderboards and network play.
Story
Sonic the HedgehogSonic the Hedgehog (character)
, trademarked Sonic The Hedgehog, is a video game character and the main protagonist of the Sonic video game series released by Sega, as well as in numerous spin-off comics, cartoons, and a feature film. The first game was released on June 23, 1991, to provide Sega with a mascot to rival Nintendo's...
's side of the story picks up immediately after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 1994 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States by members of Sonic Team working at Sega Technical Institute, and was published by Sega, debuting worldwide in the first half of 1994...
. Dr. Robotnik's orbital weapon, the Death Egg, which was damaged by Sonic, crash lands back on Floating Island, landing in a volcanic crater
Volcanic crater
A volcanic crater is a circular depression in the ground caused by volcanic activity. It is typically a basin, circular in form within which occurs a vent from which magma erupts as gases, lava, and ejecta. A crater can be of large dimensions, and sometimes of great depth...
. Meanwhile, Sonic continues to track down Robotnik as he travels through each zone looking for the Chaos Emeralds, once again coming into conflict with Knuckles the Echidna
Knuckles the Echidna
Knuckles the Echidna is a video game character of the Sonic the Hedgehog game series, including spin-off games and comics. His first appearance was in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, released in 1994 to introduce a new rival for Sonic. He was presented as an antagonist who was tricked by Dr. Eggman into...
, who believes he is trying to steal them. However, Robotnik reveals his true intentions and steals the Master Emerald, the secret to the island's levitation powers, causing the island to fall into the ocean. Realizing he has been tricked, Knuckles assists Sonic in chasing after Robotnik as he once again launches his Death Egg into space. Robotnik uses the power of the Master Emerald to power up a giant Egg-Robo, but Sonic manages to use the power of the Chaos Emeralds to transform into Super Sonic in order to stop Robotnik, destroy the Death Egg and return the Master Emerald to its rightful place.
In Knuckles' side of the story set after that, his peaceful life is disrupted when a surviving Egg Robo attacks him, taking Robotnik's place as the main antagonist. As Knuckles chases after the Egg Robo, it is soon destroyed by Mecha Sonic,( An upgraded version of metal sonic) who uses the power of the Master Emerald to give him more power. However, Knuckles manages to destroy him and once again returns the Master Emerald to the Floating Island.
Gameplay
Following on from the same gameplay as Sonic the Hedgehog 3Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 1994 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States by members of Sonic Team working at Sega Technical Institute, and was published by Sega, debuting worldwide in the first half of 1994...
, the game allows players to play as either Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog (character)
, trademarked Sonic The Hedgehog, is a video game character and the main protagonist of the Sonic video game series released by Sega, as well as in numerous spin-off comics, cartoons, and a feature film. The first game was released on June 23, 1991, to provide Sega with a mascot to rival Nintendo's...
or Knuckles the Echidna
Knuckles the Echidna
Knuckles the Echidna is a video game character of the Sonic the Hedgehog game series, including spin-off games and comics. His first appearance was in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, released in 1994 to introduce a new rival for Sonic. He was presented as an antagonist who was tricked by Dr. Eggman into...
. However, unlike the previous game, players are unable to save their game or play as Miles "Tails" Prower
Miles "Tails" Prower
, better known by his nickname , is a character, as well as the main deuteragonist in the Sonic the Hedgehog series of video games, comics, animated series and film released by Sega....
, unless they use the lock-on technology as described below.
Gameplay is slightly different between playing as the two characters. Sonic is able to run faster and jump higher than Knuckles, and can also utilise the special abilities of elemental shields. Meanwhile, Knuckles has the ability to glide through the air, climb up walls, and break through barriers that Sonic is unable to, allowing him to access new areas, though his levels have a higher level of difficulty, with more challenging layouts and advanced boss tactics.
Two new types of Bonus Stage are available, which can be accessed by hitting checkpoints with 20 or more rings and jumping through the stars. The first is akin to Sonic 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 16-bit 1992 platform video game that was developed by Sonic Team members working at the Sega Technical Institute, and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis console. It was released in Japan on November 21, 1992 and in North America and Europe on November 24, 1992...
Lock-on technology
This feature is also included in Sonic Jam and Sonic Mega Collection
Sonic Mega Collection
is a video game compilation for the Nintendo GameCube.The compilation contains twelve to fourteen games depending on the region, all originally released on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis console...
, as well as the Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
and Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
versions of the game if Sonic & Knuckles and another one of the necessary games are purchased on the same account.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles
By locking on the game with Sonic the Hedgehog 3Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 1994 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States by members of Sonic Team working at Sega Technical Institute, and was published by Sega, debuting worldwide in the first half of 1994...
, the levels of Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles can be played continuously as one game. The lock-on technology was actually a way of making up for the fact that the developers could not meet the deadline for Sonic 3. Originally, Sonic 3 was to be released with Knuckles as a playable character, and with all the Sonic & Knuckles levels playable. Time constraints forced them to split the project in two, releasing Sonic 3 with the completed levels and continuing work on the uncompleted ones, plus adding the Super Emeralds, and the lock-on feature. Sonic 2 had once run into similar problems, resulting in the original Hidden Palace and several other levels being removed.
Players are able to play all the available levels as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles or Sonic & Tails, with the save feature restored. Exclusive to this lock-on version are the Super Emeralds, which can be earned by accessing Special Stages in the Sonic & Knuckles levels after collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds. When all Super Emeralds have been collected, Sonic, Knuckles and Tails can transform into Hyper Sonic, Hyper Knuckles and Super Tails respectively, each with unique abilities.
Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2
This allows Knuckles to be played as a character in Sonic the Hedgehog 2Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 16-bit 1992 platform video game that was developed by Sonic Team members working at the Sega Technical Institute, and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis console. It was released in Japan on November 21, 1992 and in North America and Europe on November 24, 1992...
, allowing players to use his unique abilities to reach otherwise unaccessible areas, although his shorter jump height makes some sections more difficult. In this version, players are unable to access the options or VS. modes of the original Sonic 2.
Blue Sphere
If any Mega Drive/Genesis game besides Sonic 2 or Sonic 3 is placed into the Sonic & Knuckles lock-on cartridge, the game will display a screen with Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Robotnik stating "No Way" repeatedly. However, by pressing the A, B and C buttons together, players can access a randomly generated Blue Sphere stage, based on the Special Stages of Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles. Although only one stage can be accessed via each game, if the player uses Sonic the Hedgehog or Sonic Compilation, players can access all the available levels by inputting a twelve digit code. The full version can also be played individually in Sonic Mega CollectionSonic Mega Collection
is a video game compilation for the Nintendo GameCube.The compilation contains twelve to fourteen games depending on the region, all originally released on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis console...
, and can be played on Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
if both Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic 1 have been purchased. Reports state that developers were unable to allow full lock-on compatibility with the first Sonic game due to incompatible color pallettes.
Release and reception
Prior to the release of Sonic & Knuckles in North America, Blockbuster Video and MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
co-sponsored a tournament contest where kids were allowed to play a pre-release of the game, leading to a final tournament held at Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. Often referred to as "The Rock" or simply "Traz", the small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a Federal...
in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. A special on the game showing the tournament final, "MTV's Rock the Rock Warning", was aired shortly before the game's release.
The game was well received upon release, with reviewers praising its presentation and gameplay.
In other media
Sky Sanctuary is a returning stage for the console version of Sonic GenerationsSonic Generations
is a 2011 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, produced by Sonic Team for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo 3DS...
. Also, the Mushroom Hill Zone is a returning stage for the handheld 3DS version of the game.
External links
- & Knuckles at Giant BombGiant BombGiant Bomb is an American video game website and wiki that includes gaming news, reviews, commentary, and video, created by former GameSpot editors Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis in collaboration with Whiskey Media...