Sonic & Knuckles

About This Game

Gameplay

See also: Gameplay of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Since Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 were initially developed as one game, their gameplay is similar: both are 2Dside-scrollingplatformers with similar level design, graphics, and game mechanics. However, in Sonic & Knuckles, unlike in Sonic 3, the player chooses either Sonic or Knuckles at the title screen,Miles "Tails" Prower "Tails (character)") is not available to select, and the player cannot control two characters together. There is also no multiplayer mode or save feature. The player character moves through six levels "Level (video gaming)"), each divided into two acts. The first act of each level ends with a miniboss fight with one of Dr. Robotnik's robots, while the second ends with a regular boss fight with Robotnik (or EggRobo in Knuckles's campaign). Sonic and Knuckles traverse levels differently; Sonic can jump higher and has access to unique shield abilities, whereas Knuckles can glide and climb most walls. The levels also include cutscenes that differ based on the character selected, as Sonic and Knuckles are opponents for most of the game.

History

See also: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 §Development Sonic & Knuckles was developed in California by the Japanese members of Sega Technical Institute (STI).Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles were originally planned as a single game; according to designer Takashi Iizuka "Takashi Iizuka (game designer)"), the team "really wanted to hit a home run", with larger stages that took longer to develop. As ROM cartridges were too small to contain the game and Sega wanted it released in time for a promotional deal with McDonald's in the US,Sonic 3 was split in two, with Sonic & Knuckles as the second part. As Mushroom Hill became the first stage of Sonic & Knuckles, the developers lowered its difficulty. Despite the split, the developers wanted the games to feel like a single experience.