Sonic’s run on the Sega Genesis continued after the success of the first three games. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was loved, but many noted its short length. The reason for this is because it’s only half a game. It was supposed to have many more levels, but they were cut due to time constraints. Instead, the rest of the levels were placed in a separate game and released months later.
image source: YouTube/RetroGame.Stream
Sonic & Knuckles is a 1994 2-D side-scrolling videogame for the Sega Genesis. It’s the fourth main game in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise and the third and final game in the “Death Egg” trilogy.
Despite being the fourth main game, it’s actually considered Sonic the Hedgehog 3.5. It uses the exact same graphics and game engine as its predecessor and is often seen as an extension of the game. It’s similar to how Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels is often seen as an extension of the original Super Mario Bros. and not a direct sequel.
The story takes place literally a second after the previous game. After Sonic defeats Dr. Robotnik, the repaired Death Egg crashes into a mountain, and Sonic lands in a mushroom forest. While Robotnik has Knuckles keep Sonic busy again, Robotnik turns his attention to the master emerald, which he intends on stealing to power the Death Egg.
image source: YouTube/MegaManNG
You’ll notice that Tails isn’t mentioned. He’s not in the game…separately anyway, but more on that later. Basically, he was opted out in favor of Knuckles. Yes, Knuckles is playable this time. More on him in a bit.
Throughout the game, Sonic must go through seven zones, and an eighth unlockable final level. He starts at Mushroom Hill Zone, which is the greenery beginner level. He then hops onboard Robotnik’s airship, Flying Battery Zone.
Sonic later falls out and ends up in the desert of Sandopolis Zone. He then heads deep underground into Lava Reef Zone.
image source: YouTube/SonicJGB
Sonic arrives at Hidden Palace Zone just as Robotnik repairs the Death Egg. After Sonic’s decisive battle with Knuckles, the two find Robotnik stealing the master emerald.
Realizing he’s been tricked, Knuckles helps Sonic by teleporting him to the ancient flying ruins of Sky Sanctuary Zone. From the ruins, Sonic leaps onto the space station and enters Death Egg Zone.
Sonic has a series of battles against Robotnik, which ultimately destroy the Death Egg. If Sonic has collected every chaos emerald, he enters Doomsday Zone to have one last showdown with Robotnik.
As mentioned before, Knuckles is playable. His story takes place after Sonic’s. A surviving Egg Robot throws a bomb at Knuckles, which angers him and causes him to chase the robot.
Knuckles has his own moves. Besides spin dashing, he can also glide through the air. By gliding, he can attach to most walls and climb them. However, Knuckles can’t jump as high as Sonic.
Knuckles also possesses super-strength. He can break certain walls that Sonic can’t and access different pathways throughout the zones.
The rest of the gameplay is identical to Sonic 3. The exact same powerups and special stages return, including the large hidden rings where chaos emeralds are. There are two new special stages for the lampposts.
When there are orange stars, Sonic and Knuckles get transported to a slot machine level that’s a cross between Casino Night Zone and the rotating special stages from the first game.
When there are red stars, Sonic and Knuckles get transported to a vertical stage that spins them on rotating spheres. Like the gumball special stage, players can obtain shields and extra lives.
Now for something different.
As mentioned before, Sonic & Knuckles is actually the rest of Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s story. Sonic 3 can lock onto S&K. This creates the ultimate experience for both games. This combined game is known as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Knuckles, and yes, that is the actual title.
image source: LaunchBox Games Database
First off, both games can be played back-to-back. From the selection screen, Sonic 3’s save feature can now be used for S&K.
Tails can now be played in S&K. Likewise Knuckles can now be played in Sonic 3. There are hidden paths in Sonic 3 that only Knuckles can go through and there are high areas in S&K that only Tails can reach.
The two extra special stages in S&K are now also featured in Sonic 3. Also, Sonic 3 uses the mini boss music from S&K.
Both games feature the chaos emeralds, which are obtained through blue sphere special stages. Here, after obtaining the emeralds from Sonic 3’s stages, things change a little.
The energy of the master emerald transforms the chaos emeralds into super emeralds. After once more playing through S&K’s special stages and obtaining the super emeralds, the characters unlock even greater potential.
Super Sonic becomes Hyper Sonic. He now glows with all the colors of the rainbow and is not only faster, but he has a natural double jump that flashes and destroys all normal enemies on screen.
Knuckles, who could also become Super Knuckles with the regular emeralds, becomes Hyper Knuckles. He occasionally glows white, moves faster, and destroys every enemy on screen when he collides with a wall while gliding.
image source: sonic.fandom.com
Tails, who originally didn’t have a super form, now becomes Super Tails. He also glows, moves faster, and has a flock of birds flying above him. These birds, known as flickies, automatically attack enemies and bosses, which makes Tails’ job much easier.
It should be noted that these new super forms are now immune to drowning. After collecting the 14 emeralds, the remaining large rings give players an extra 50 rings. Likewise, just as with the first forms, the trio lose a ring for every second transformed.
The lock on feature extends beyond Sonic 3. If locked on with Sonic 2, the game becomes Knuckles in Sonic 2. This allows Knuckles to be playable in Sonic 2.
image source: GameInformer
If physically “locked on” to the first game’s cartridge, the characters will be in the background with the message ‘no way.’ However, hitting A, B, and C opens a new game called Blue Sphere, which gives access to literally millions of stages (no lie). Using any other Sega Genesis cartridge will unlock another Blue Sphere stage.
Overall, Sonic & Knuckles is a must-own for Sonic fans. The game alone is worth owning and playing, but due to its lock on feature, it makes the previous games further replayable. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Knuckles is by far the definitive way to enjoy the game and highly recommended. If you ask Sonic fans what their favorite Sonic game is, chances are it’s likely S3&K. It fully represents the franchise at its peak and is still enjoyable today. If you haven’t already enjoyed this sacred gem of Sonic’s career, now would be a good time.