japanese hepburn platform video game developed published sega sega genesis released october fourth installment main sonic series direct sequel sonic follows sonic respective quests save sonic tries prevent weapon death egg sonic originally intended single game time constraints cost large memory capacity cartridge sega split game cartridge uses lock technology allows game connect sonic sonic elements locked game combined critics impressed lock technology hailed exceptional game despite similarity predecessor compilations online platforms steam plot game follows sonic respective quests save sonic story picks immediately events sonic weapon death egg damaged battle sonic crash lands landing volcanic crater sonic travels zone looking retrieve defeat comes conflict believes sonic trying steal hidden palace zone sonic fights defeats hear disturbance outside chamber find stealing master secret island powers attempts attack electrically shocked process trapped sonic underground passage realizing sonic shows portal leads death egg sonic battles robotic left damaged state sonic boards death egg uses power master fuel giant sonic uses power transform stops destroys returns master rightful place player collects ending shown lone rises wreckage leads story story begins animal friends interrupted bomb dropped prompts chase leading zones sonic went chase ends attacks accidentally destroys instead short fight uses power master achieve super form similar sonic manages defeat blows sonic flies tornado ride return master angel island collected rises upwards sky player collected master ocean gameplay sonic developed initially single title gameplay similar scrolling similar level design graphics game mechanics unlike sonic player chooses sonic title screen game differs sonic miles tails available select player control characters use multiplayer modes save feature player character moves levels divided acts act level punctuated fight robots second ends regular boss fight final boss fight game end characters traverse levels differently sonic jump slightly higher faster use shield ability returning sonic makes invincible split second letting wind run break fragile walls climb walls levels include cutscenes differ based character selected sonic rivals game game contains types bonus stages accessed passing rings type character orbit floating glowing spheres button pressed fence light approaches remove player stage touched collecting rings stage earns player continue second type involves bouncing room slot machine center intention winning extra lives power ups rings held player determines bonus stage accessed visible colour stars floating red denoting glowing spheres stage yellow denoting slot machine stage special stages entered finding giant rings hidden secret player placed environment tasked turn number blue spheres red running avoid red spheres including blue ones completing task earns player collecting seven allows player turn powerful versions characters special stages feature yellow spheres bounce player long distances lock technology features lock technology lets game access data sonic sonic elements locked game combined play combined games hatch cartridge flipped open second game placed inside sonic manner enables player play games titled game sonic features additions games available slight changes level design able play sonic levels levels tails ability save progress game levels additionally locking way collect super earned special stages levels collecting seven sonic collected sonic tails transform respectively unique abilities sonic player complete sonic abilities player original sonic sonic compilation screen stating way repeatedly displayed player access based chaos special stages pressing genesis buttons player enter digit code number combination generating different variation game named sonic mega collection game inserted way screen displayed faded colors pressing buttons player access randomly generated stage development developed members united_states sonic originally planned compose single story cartridge time constraints fact manufacturing costs cartridge memory expensive sega decision split planned game half second sonic story arc according vice president general manager idea lock technology conceived half years release releases sonic sonic early development suggest planned playable sonic lock technology feature removed prior release prior release north_america mtv sponsored tournament contest children allowed play pre release game leading final tournament held san_francisco california winning prize title world finalists additionally awarded copy sega product released year mtv broadcast finale tournament footage game titled mtv video aired shortly game release game released worldwide october alternate versions ports compilation releases released numerous compilations sega games including sonic nintendo gamecube sonic playstation xbox sonic xbox playstation nintendo addition featuring original release included new remix options modify game normal mode layout rings hazards easy mode removes certain acts entirely game version sonic retain lock feature included versions game tight development times digital releases game released wii virtual console xbox xbox live arcade releases programmed lock games downloaded account connected versions game available example downloads sonic option play corresponding game version released steam software games released originally intended player playing tails simply continuing beginning finishing sonic reception despite similarity predecessor reviewers electronic gaming monthly named game month lauded lock technology remarked despite exceptional game reviewer gamepro gave perfect score commented ability play makes essentially games single cartridge game challenging sonic ability hook cartridge sonic makes games worth playing critics praised lock technology game offered ign said great game lock feature completely revamped overall experience eurogamer preferred sonic stating fully appreciate predecessor companion piece review praised game harder difficulty comparison predecessor new expansion levels admitting expansion possible sonic single game review similarly praised lock technology new innovation unique cartridge offered adding hidden stages bosses strongly add replay value combined title reviewing virtual console release writer praised support old lock feature original release claiming game truly shine having purchased sonic activate feature thomas praised game impressive visuals pushed genesis limits value added content unlocked lock technology genesis version sold million copies united_states legacy series twentieth anniversary sega released game remade aspects past games franchise remake stage xbox playstation versions game level remade nintendo 3ds version game features track inspired downloadable content character stars racing transformed features death egg track returning game
Sonic & Knuckles