Sonic & Knuckles

Sonic & Knuckles is a 1994 video game, published and developed by Sega, released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive. The game marked Knuckles' debut as a playable character. Originally, Sonic & Knuckles was ment to form one game with Sonic the Hedgehog 3, but due to time and budget constraints, Sega split the titles apart and instead equipped Sonic & Knuckles with a special "lock-on" technology that allows its cartridge to be combined with the cartridge of Sonic 3 to merge into the intended game, with that of Sonic 2 to make Knuckles playable in the game, and with that of the original Sonic the Hedgehog to create Blue Sphere, a bundle containing thousands of Special Stages from Sonic 3.

The game was highly acclaimed by critics. Sonic & Knuckles was rereleased for PC in 1997 (Bundled with Sonic 3, the lock-on version and Blue Sphere as the Sonic & Knuckles Collection), for the Wii in 2007 (Through the Virtual Console) and for Xbox 360 in 2009 (Through the Xbox Live Arcade). The combined game, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, is now available on Steam and is compatible with the Mega Drive & Genesis Classics launcher. It has also been included in several Sonic compilations for additional platforms, like the Sega Saturn, GameCube, Xbox, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo DS.

Sonic's Story
After his last defeat, Dr. Eggman makes a last effort to steal the Master Emerald in order to limitlessly fuel the Death Egg. Now, Sonic the Hedgehog must retrieve the Emerald to save Angel Island.

Knuckles' Story
Sometime after Sonic's story, an EggRobo attempts to kill Knuckles the Echidna with a well placed bomb. Knuckles gets angry and a chase begins. After getting to Hidden Palace Zone, Knuckles goes to Sky Sanctuary Zone only for the EggRobo to catch him. Mecha Sonic then shows up and tries to kill Knuckles, only for the latter to glide away, causing Mecha Sonic to destroy EggRobo. The two then battle with Knuckles then winning only for Mecha Sonic to enter his super state using the Master Emerald he had stolen. Knuckles then wins a though battle only for the platform to collapse. Sonic the Hedgehog then shows up in the Tornado and saves Knuckles. Knuckles the places the Master Emerald back at Angel Island restoring it’s flying state.

Zones

 * 1) Mushroom Hill Zone
 * 2) Flying Battery Zone
 * 3) Sandopolis Zone
 * 4) Lava Reef Zone
 * 5) Hidden Palace Zone
 * 6) Sky Sanctuary Zone
 * 7) Death Egg Zone

Lock-On Technology
Sonic & Knuckles is the other half of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, combining the two makes the complete game Sonic 3 & Knuckles. It is also possible to connect Sonic & Knuckles to Sonic the Hedgehog 2, allowing you to play through Sonic 2 with Knuckles. Connecting Sonic & Knuckles to any other Mega Drive allows you to access Blue Sphere. It's the same as the special stages and allows you to choose Blue Sphere stages on the main menu.

Cheats
Debug Mode: With Sonic 2

Go to the options menu and play the following songs from the sound test 1,9,9,4,1,0,1,8. Choose any level, then hold A and press Start to activate Debug mode.