City Escape

San Francisco? - Sonic This level features a nice introductory mix of gameplay. There are several areas where you grind on a handrail, and somersaults, crate breaking, and the homing dash are all introduced. The level also features 3 fun high-speed races down slanted streets with multicolored buildings on each side, possibly inspired by Sonic Team's working on this game in San Francisco. This isn't the only stage with San Francisco references, as several stages feature Golden Gate lookalike bridges. Level Story I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog! Some military troops suddenly showed up saying they were looking for me. Looks like they might be taking me for a ride somewhere! Hey! What's this? Handcuffs? Wait a minute! What are you talking about? I'm not a deserter from any military facility! I thought it may be some kind of joke, but this isn't funny! I gotta get out of here! Big During the truck chase scene, Big appears on the right (camera's right) side of the street. Upgrade - Magic Hands "Magic Hands," accessible from the action menu, puts 1 onscreen enemy in a bubble in Sonic's hands. He can then throw the bubble at other enemies. This is 1 of 2 upgrades that is available to Sonic but not Shadow. Requires the Bounce Attack and Flame Ring. Right before the area with the homing dash on enemies over a series of moving pillars, there is an area of the ground with 4 steel crates in it. Bounce on it to go into a secret room. Chao After running the loop-de-loop and down the side of a building, look for a Mystic Altar nearby. Use the Mystic Melody and hop onto the spring button that appears. You'll jump from pulley to pulley on your way up. When bouncing off the G.U.N. Beetles, make sure you hold down jump to get enough boost to grab the last pulley. Use the homing spin if necessary. Then, it's a spring, pulley, and spin jump off a pole mount to the chao. Details Rings - 463 Animals - Racoon (Blue), Sheep (Blue), Skunk (Blue), Rabbit (Green) Rare Animal - Unicorn (Gold) NOTE: In all stages, you can find a rare animal hidden somewhere. You can also get one from the 3rd chao container you open. The hidden unicorn's location in City Escape is unknown, but you can still get one from the chao containers.

F-6t Big Foot

The Big Gun - Sonic Hit the cockpit. You can either wait for it to land and hit it when it starts walking after it finishes firing its round of missiles, or you can try to use the wooden boxes to get some height so that you can hit the cockpit while its flying around. Boss Story I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog! What a persistent bunch of hard heads! Just who are they really after anyway? Not only are they chasing me day and night, but now they brought in this huge robot to capture me. I guess they are really determined to get me this time! But do they really believe this is going to work? I'll show them some mad skills...just give me 3 minutes to bring it on!

Wild Canyon

Desert Winds - Knuckles This level has 2 main areas - a large square field with lots of climbing involved, and an upper areea that you get to by riding a wind current. The upper area consists of a circular field around the wind currewnt and 2 side paths with various structures on them. Level Story I'm Knuckles the Echidna. But you can call me Knuckles. Once again, the Master Emerald was stolen from Angel Island. The thief turns out to be this know-it-all bat girl of all things. When that bat girl was within my reach, who do you think shows up? Yep, that's right, Eggman! He came just in time to spoil my plan and even tried to take the Master Emerald! I managed to break the Master Emerald into pieces before Eggman managed to escape. Now I have to find the pieces. That bat girl is after the pieces as well. I have to collect them all and put the Emerald back together quickly! Big If you ride the wind current, Big is on one side of the cliff next to a windmill. Upgrade - Mystic Melody Allows Knuckles to use the ancient stone pedestals to find hidden areas and, in the stage select, lost Chao. There's a dig-through wall above the large statue on one side of the upper area of the level. Chao Climb to the highest tier without using the Wind Altar, now search the corners for a set of Metal Boxes. Break 'em (you'll need the upgrade for that) and dig through the wall tile's center (Shovel Claw needed here). Activate the Mystic Altar on the other side and pass through the doorway. Do the same for the Altar here as well, you'll open a warp that'll take you to the lost chao. Details Rings - 173 Animals - Peacock (Purple), Sheep (Blue), Condor (Purple), Cheetah (Green) Rare Animal - Dragon (Gold) Go into the dig-through wall where you get the Mystic Melody. You'll find it in one of the upper corners of the room.

Eggman

Save Amy - Tails Keep firing until Eggman's health has run out. It's not too difficult to avoid being hit by Eggman and there are plenty of rings to replenish your health gauge if you need to do so. Boss Story My name is Miles Prower, but everyone calls me Tails. I was watching TV and just happened to catch the news. I was shocked to see Sonic on TV. Sonic was arrested for something really terrible, which isn't like Sonic. I couldn't believe it was true, so I hopped in my new Tornado and headed straight for Prison Island. And guess who I ran into? Eggman! He's up to his evil ways again...chasing Amy! That can't be good! OK, time to break out the new Tornado and save Amy! Tornado Transformation!

Prison Lane

Unlock By Defeating Enemies? - Tails This is Tails' intro stage and is designed on the premise of doors that open once you have defeated certain enemies. You generally walk through tunnels and shoot at whatrever you can. It's also possible to get on top of most of the tunnels with the Jet Booster, available in a later level. Level Story My name is Miles Prower, but everyone calls me Tails. I was able to save Amy from Eggman, but she told me that Eggman is up to his evil ways again, planning something really big this time! I need to keep an eye on Eggman but first I have to save my bud, Sonic! What's that? You wanna come too? Well, if you really wanna it's OK with me. Just don't get in my way! Big Unknown Upgrade - Laser Blaster Upgrades Tails' homing shots to make a large explosion, so you can hit a group of enemies by just targeting 1. Requires the Bazooka upgrade. When you reach the goal, don't enter it, but explore the room it's in instead. Chao After the first cargo elevator ride followed closely by a hallway, you'll end up in an open-space area. Adjust the camera a bit and you'll see the Altar far to the left. Take the small elevator near you and long jump to the platform with the Altar. Activate and take the resulting spring button to the platforms above (use Booster). Take out the G.U.N. Beetles to open the doors. Details Rings - 134 Animals - Otter (Yelow), Gorilla (Red), Tiger (Red), Sheep (Blue) Rare Animal - Unicorn (Gold) It's in a cage along a path of platforms in a large open area. Rotate the camera wjhen you see the cage and you should see a rocket pointed at it on top of the tunnel you came from. Fire at the robot guarding the rocket. Backtrack and land on the rising platform in front of the cage, and jump towards the camera, hovering with the Jet Booster. You have to time it just right. You should land next to the rocket.

Metal Harbor

Aircraft Carriers - Sonic A fairly easy level built of metal paths over water. Level Story I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog! What in the world is Amy doing here? Nevermind that...I need to focus on finding that black hedgehog who looks like my shadow! He's somewhere on this island, I know it! I'm wasting my time here! I'll trick the military guards and bust outta this joint! Does this mean that I'm a deserter now? Big Unknown Upgrade - Light Shoes This upgrade is the Light Dash, which launches Sonic at paths of rings. This version is a lot quicker than the SA version, as Sonic just has to press X or B next to a ring and he'll do it automatically. Required for the level. Very easy to find, it's right around where Omochao talks about it. Chao On the first G.U.N. aircraft carrier you land on, you'll find the Mystic Altar high up inside an alcove, above the other alcoves. Use the Bounce attack (push B/Y while in the air, you'll need the Bounce Bracelet upgrade first) to reach the alcove. Activate the altar and back out of the alcove to find new platforms have appeared. Head to the right and use the Bounce to reach the next platform. From here it'll take some long jumping to reach the lost chao way out on the metal island. Details Rings - 154 Animals - Penguin (Yellow), Seal (Yellow), Racoon (Blue), Peacock (Purple) Rare Animal - Phoenix (Gold) There are actually 4. 3 are in helmets on the aircraft carrier. 1 is at the top of the rocket catwalk, and you have to be REALLY fast to get it.

Shadow

Payback Time - Sonic Three hits and this is over. The most difficult part is making sure you don't fall into the water while trying to attack Shadow. Boss Story I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog! Busting out of jail was no problem! And I've found Shadow, too! He won't escape me this time!

Green Forest

High-Speed Jungle - Sonic This level is built almost entirely for speed, with tons of loops, dash platforms, and swinging vines. Level Story I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog! I almost had Shadow but I ran out of time. Better get going and fast! I have to get off this island and quick! Where is Amy and Tails! Big Unknown Upgrade - Ancient Light As in SA1, ths move lets you charge up a spindash and fly at enemies. In the underbrush indoor area, after using some dash platforms to go up a curved wall and ceiling, walk to the edge of the floor you're standing on and a floating enemy should appear. Do a homing dash on it, then on the 10-ring montor next to it, then forward tro hit a 1-UP monitor. The upgrade in on a platform with the 1-UP monitor. Chao After landing on the large square-like platform near the mid-section of the stage (the same area you'll find this stage's upgrade), continue forward past the small floating platforms. After the three springs bounce you around, stop and head for left-hand area of the land-mass you're on. You should be able to just see the Altar. Activate it and use the Bounce to navigate up the new platforms (careful, Sonic can't grab the edges like normal platforms!). From there you'll need to long jump and use the Homing Attack to bounce off the G.U.N. Beetles to the chao. Details Rings - ??? Animals - Racoon (Blue), Rabbit (Green), Cheetah (Green), Parrot (Purple) Rare Animal - Swamp Monster (Gray) It's on an island with wooden crates on it, behind the crates.

Pumpkin Hill

Sky Rail At Night - Knuckles This stage is an alternate version of the Sky Rail stage, this one featuring glowing pumpkin mountains and tons of similarly-themed decorations. Level Story I'm Knuckles the Echidna. Just call me Knuckles. Following a faint signal I was getting from the Master Emerald, I found myself in this rural canyon! Sure feels creepy but I'm not afraid of ghosts! I have to find the pieces of the Master Emerald now! Big On the mountain with the train turntable, in one of the tunnels. Look between the posts blocking the tunnels. Upgrade - Shovel Claw Opens Knuckles' dig move, which can be performed on walls, with the drill dive, or with the action menu. Easily found at the start of the level. May be required to finish the level. Chao Take the left path that lies directly ahead and use the rocket to go to Church Mountain. Then use rocket near the graveyard to get to Pumpkin Mountain. The Mystic Altar will be on the 2nd tier, right below your landing poing. Use the Mystic Melody and follow the path of floating platforms that will appear. You'll reach an isolated island with the lost chao at the far end. Details Rings - ??? Animals - Boar (Green), Skeleton (Gray), Cheetah (Green), Bat (Gray) - NOTE: This is the only stage where the Skeleton is a normal animal. Rare Animal - Swamp Monster (Gray) Location unknown, but you can get it by getting 3 Chao crates.

Mission Street

GUN Goes On The Attack - Tails You have to wonder how GUN gets clearance to do this, but in this stage they practically blow up the infrastructure of the city in their efforts to catch Tails. You'll face fighter jets and breakaway sections of streets in this level, as well as a much more formidable group of enemies than in Prison Island. Level Story My name is Miles Prower, but everyone calls me Tails. Eggman just announced his evil plans to take over the world! He just blew up half the moon with this powerful weapon and now he's threatening to take over the planet! I'll make sure that won't happen! Eggman's tapping into the energy of the Chaos Emeralds to power that weapon. It's up to me now! I'll find Eggman and the Chaos Emeralds! First, I have to find a safe place to hide! Big Big is fishing from the girders of the "Golden" bridge that Tails crosses in this level. He's about halfway through and in a pit. If you find a pit long the bridge that you have to hover over, that's probably the one. He's very hard to spot unless you fall in, but you can see his head if you backtrack Tails to the edge of the pit after you cross it. Upgrade - Booster Tails can hover and glide with the A button. Required to finish the level. Where Omochao asks if you found the Booster, turn around and blast the barricade gate on the opposite side of the street from wwhere Omochao is. Chao Continue along the stage until you get to a platform with a small cage and golden animal inside. Adjust the camera to the left and you'll see an out-of-sight barrel platform down below. Jump down from where the guard rail is positioned and use Boosters to slow your fall. You'll spot the Altar and a platform to land on. Activate and jump into a warp that opens up. You'll have to do some barrel-hopping here, and watch out for the G.U.N. robot that will fire lasers at you. The chao is just beyond on the highest barrel. Details Rings - 99 Animals - Boar (Green), Gorilla (Red), Rabbit (Green), Sheep (Blue) Rare Animal - Phoenix (Gold) Requires the Bazooka. It's in a cage, and the rocket is behind a wall of steel containers blocking entry into a room.

Aquatic Mine

Treasure Hunt - Knuckles This level looks a lot more complex to explore than it is. There's a huge room with a floating structure in the middle of a lake, and an upper room that you can get to when the structure is floating at the top of ythe stage. In the huge room, there are 2 switches marked 1 and 2 and in the upper room, there's a switch marked 3. These control the water level. Unless you're trying to get into the upper room, you'll usually want to keep it at level 3. There are also a tunnel connecting the 2 and 3 floors of the lake, a side area accessible from a "caution" sign leading to a ghost room, and a submerged tunnel accessible from another "caution" sign. Level Story I'm Knuckles the Echidna. Just call me Knuckles. Following the signal from the Master Emerald, I found myself deep inside this canyon. This place looks like a deserted mine of some kind. Most of it's underwater now! It's gonna to be tough finding the pieces of the Master Emerald here. No time to complain about it! I have to find the pieces of the Master Emerald quickly! Big When the water level is at settings 1 or 2, he appears in a structure in the main lake with a caution sign at the top. Upgrade - Air Necklace Knuckles can breathe underwater. If you want the full challenge of the game, I'd suggest not picking this up until you've already finished, as it will make a certain level in the space colony MUCH easier. Enter the structure Big normally hides in but set the water level to 3. From there it's an underwater race through tunnels. You'll have to swim very fast. This is the only upgrade that is available to Knuckles but not Rouge. Chao Head to the middle column and climb up to the room on top. You'll find an Altar here. Activate it. DON'T change the water level. Now head past the opening door and fall into the pit of water. Dive down. You'll end up in a submerged room. Look for a vertical row of rings and follow it up. You'll float into a narrow hallway. Get to the end and take the available pulley up (don't forget the 1-up!). You'll find the chao here. Details Rings - ??? Animals - Penguin (Yellow), Condor (Purple), Seal (Yellow), Sheep (Blue) Rare Animal - Dragon (Gold) It's in the room where you get the Air Necklace.

Route 101

Kart Racing! - Tails Tails' Tornado transforms for car mode and he races down the highway to catch the president's limo. You get a boost move for every 20 rings you collect and increase the timer by collecting checkpoints. Level Story My name is Miles Prower, but everyone calls me Tails. I tracked the signal from the Chaos Emeralds and located Eggman. What's Eggman doing in outer space? No worries...I've gotta find the exact location of Eggman and quick! No worries, Amy! Remember I'm a "Whiz" when it comes to mechanical things! I'll find the President!

Hidden Base

Eggman's Sand Castle - Tails A large portion of the enemies in this stage are actually badniks from SA1, including Coco and Spiky Spinner, rather than GUN robots. Eggman's distinctive mug is all over the place, even on some (impressively ugly) statues! Walls with Eggman's face or a picture of an "Egg Sphinx" can be broken with the Volkan Cannon. Level Story My name is Miles Prower, but everyone calls me Tails. We rode in the President's limo and guess what? We found where Eggman is hiding! Eggman and his buddies are in the space colony, ARK. Next step is to find Eggman's secret pyramid base, somewhere in the desert! Got it! I'll go first and find the entrance. Big Unknown Upgrade - Mystic Melody Allows Tails to use the ancient stone pedestals to find hidden areas and, in the stage select, lost Chao. Surprisingly easy to spot. Requires the Bazooka. Replay the level with the Bazooka and around the midpoint is a very low area that leads to a wall with steel crates in it. It's in the room behind the steel crates. Note that it's possible to go past this low area by taking a high route shortcut, so if you see a huge stone floor below, that's probably it. Chao Continue along until you reach an Altar and door (not inside the room that contains the Mystic Melody upgrade). Open the door and jump down, use Boost to navigate (might want to take out the G.U.N. bots first), and go past the doorway. Jump to the pulley and it'll take you back up, the chao is on the highest platform. Details Rings - 128 Animals - Penguin (Yellow), Otter (Yellow), Tiger (Red), Skunk (Blue) Rare Animal - Swamp Monster (Gray) In the maze of doors and blocks, there is a door blocking a path to the right. Blast through and look around for it.

Pyramid Cave

Like The Sands In An Hourglass, So Are The Stages Of Our Hedgehogs *Gets Thwapped* - Sonic This incredibly cool stage has a great variety in its gameplay. Most noteworthy are the hourglasses that open doors temporarily. This level is stocked entirely with badniks instead of GUN robots, and there is quite a bit more grinding here than in previous stages. Pyramid Cave features hoops in many areas, and you get bonus points for jumping or dashing through the hoops at high speed. Level Story I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog! We managed to sneak into the pyramid and find Eggman's secret base! There's got to be a way to get to outer space from here. We don't have much time, let's go! Big Unknown Upgrade - Bounce Bracelet Sonic can dash down with X or B in midair. Doing this twice in a row will bounce Sonic higher than his normal jump range. This is 1 of 2 upgrades that is available to Sonic but not Shadow. Required for the level and right in your path. Chao Believe or not, the first Mystic Altar you'll find ISN'T the one that leads to the chao (psst, the one next to the Star Post). Skip it and continue past several timed doors, afterwards you'll have to get past the loops. Continue along until you get past the next timed door puzzle, you'll find another Altar here. Hop on the new spring and follow the path. You'll have to get past a difficult timed door puzzle to get to the chao. Details Rings - 365 Animals - Sheep (Blue), Bat (Gray), Peacock (Purple), Condor (Purple) Rare Animal - Skeleton (Gray) Requires Flame Ring. Right around where you get the Bounce Bracelet, in a cage. Bounce on the wood crate and spin the steel crate to get it out.

Death Chamber

Find The Keys! - Knuckles This stage is quite different from most of Knuckles' game. He searches for keys rather than emeralds, and the stage is built of a triangle of tunnels rather than a free-form field. Knuckles will often have to dig through walls to get to the other side. Level Story I'm Knuckles the Echidna. Just call me Knuckles. We were able to locate Eggman's secret base, deep inside the pyramid. Now we need to find the key to open the door, to get to the other side. What? Why do I have to find that key? That's not my job, but I will do it. I have to because it's for the Master Emerald! I'll show you the skills that make me the ultimate treasure hunter! Big He's in the giant machine in the giant circular room. Upgrade - Hammer Gloves Red sparks will swirl around Knuckles' punches, and he can break steel crates. Required for the level. In the corridor in front of Knuckles at the start of the stage, break a wall and show the upgrade behind it. Chao Head for the center room that connects to all three Chambers (on other words, head straight ahead from your starting position). On the lower level you'll find a Mystic Altar and a trapdoor. Open the door and jump inside. You'll be underwater in a large circular room. Look for the hourglass switch that will open the next door set in the wall. Once you hit it, get through the door before your time runs out, or the door will close. Continue through the next two rooms, and once past the next doorway allow yourself to float upwards through an opening overhead. You'll leave the water and be in a large room. See that hourglass switch in the alcove? Hit it, then work your way to the wall just above that. A door will have opened. Hurry through to reach the chao. Details Rings - 257 Animals - Rabbit (Green), Gorilla (Red), Tiger (Red), Skunk (Blue) Rare Animal - Skeleton (Gray) Unknown, but you can get it with 3 Chao containers.

King Boom Boo

I Ain't Afraid Of No Ghosts - Knuckles You can't touch it while it's dark. Get to the hourglass and knock it over. That'll bring in the sunlight. King Boom Boo will become a shadow--quickly dig into the shadow (though he'll be trying to avoid you, it shouldn't be too hard to catch him). Then once he pops out of the ground/wall, hit him. Just realize that the sunlight doesn't last very long. Level Story I'm Knuckles the Echidna. Just call me Knuckles. That was a piece of cake! I found the key and now it's time to explore Eggman's secret base. What was that? I've got a bad feeling about this! It's creepy in here. Could there be spirits that guard the tombs? I don't think I can deal with this...but then how am I going to find the pieces of the Emerald? Darn, I have no choice!

Egg Golem

Sandopolis Act 2 Boss Upgrade - Sonic Avoid the Golem's hand slams and sweeps. Get behind it and use the platforms in its back to get up to the head--the weakspot that you need to hit. Don't panic if you fall into the quicksand. Just keep jumping toward a pulley to bring you back up. Level Story I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog! Thanks to Knuckles, we were able to unlock the door to Eggman's secret base. Out of nowhere Eggman appeared and a huge statue came alive! That evil egghead! How did he know we were coming? Do you really think that piece of rock can stop us?

Eternal Engine

Don't Hit The Explosives! - Tails This stage is filled with explosives that you don't want to hit, so be careful with Tails' aiming laser. Dynamite packs are all over the level, and hitting them will break pieces of the station's hull or cause platforms to frall. There are also missiles all over the place that will maske a huge explosion if hit, so you should try to stay out of their range. This stage also intros the most powerful in-level enemy in the game, a very familiar-looking robot with a gel body that absorbs attacks. You can only hit it when it attacks you. Level Story My name is Miles Prower, but everyone calls me Tails. We managed to hot wire the space shuttle from Eggman's secret base and finally arrived at the space colony, ARK. It was my idea to destroy that weapon using the fake Emerald I made! I wonder if Sonic understands the plan? It's up to me to find the power supply and fast! Big In the room where Omochao comments that there's a lot of dynamite around (also the last room of the level with windows), walk along the left side of the room and Big will wave from outside a window. You get a pretty good look at him here. Upgrade - Bazooka Tails can break steel crates with this Volkan Cannon upgrade. Required to finish the level. It's behind a locked door that you open with a switch around the middle of the level. Chao After unlocking the first locked door you come to, in the next area take a look on the left and you'll spot the Altar. Use the Mystic Melody and climb up the new platforms to an out-of-reach elevator. Continue along past the door. Once inside ignore firing on the first Chaos Symbiote, the dynamite pack under it will go off and open ALL the airlocks in the room. The next area requires you to make a large jump over a wall of lasers to reach the next door. Wait for the floating platform to go to the extreme left or right (where it'll be at its highest altitude) and jump. Use Boosters immediately to avoid crashing into the barrier. You'll find the lost chao past the door. Details Rings - ??? Animals - Racoon (Blue), Boar (Green), Parrot (Purple), Condor (Purple) Rare Animal - Dragon (Gold) Hidden location unknown, but you can get it by collecting 3 Chao crates.

Meteor Herd

Cosmic Shower Below ARK - Knuckles This level is quite huge vertically and you'll want to use rockets as much as possible when going up. When there isn't a rocket around, have Knuckles glide to the highest accessible area and keep repeating this until you find either a rocket or an emerald. Platforms are scattered all over, so this stage will involve quite a lot of gliding. Meteors crash into the level constantly, so be sure to avoid them. Level Story I'm Knuckles the Echidna. Just call me Knuckles. The pieces of the Master Emerald I collected are now floating in space. We should have secured them better in the shuttle cargo bay! It's not an easy job protecting the Master Emearld, you know? I have to find them before we lose them again. Big Unknown Upgrade - Sunglasses The sunglasses, available from the action menu, make invisiblre items appear. Mainly used in hard mode. There are big doors with flashing red dashes on them on the giant structiure in the center of the stage. 1 has a floating platform with an asteroid on it nearby. Punch the asteroid straight into it. Use a running punch to make it go farther. If you mess this up, run off and come back, and the asteroid will reset. Flip the switch behind the door to open the floor of the girder tower. Go in there to get the sunglasses. Chao Work your way to the uppermost section of the stage, using the rockets strewn about. Climb as high as you can, and glide to each platform until you find the Mystic Altar. Use the Melody and jump inside the warp. You'll end up inside a large container with another Altar. Repeat the last step again and you'll find yourself in another container alongside the lost chao. Details Rings - ??? Animals - Seal (Yellow), Penguin (Yellow), Rabbit (Green), Sheep (Blue) Rare Animal - Phoenix (Gold) Use the rocket in the structure in the middle of the stage and land on a platform conected to a bridge. Follow the bridge and a Phoenix is flying in circles under a platform overhead. To get it, climb onto the containers and glide into it.

Rouge

Fight For The M.E. - Knuckles Watch out for Rouge's Black Wave attack. The ground can open up at times which'll send both of you up into the air to continue the battle on the higher beams. Level Story I'm Knuckles the Echidna. Just call me Knuckles. After finding half of the pieces of the Master Emerald, I ran into that bat girl, again! I bet she has the other half of the pieces. No time for small talk! I won't give her the chance! I've got to get those pieces back!

Crazy Gadget

Old School Eggman Stage! - Sonic The 2 most noticable features of this stage, other than its size and difficulty, are switches that set the gravity in any of 4 directions and warp tubes strewn all over the place. Be careful when gravity is switched, as control can be somewhat confusing. There are some issues to note about this stage. 1, the grabity really screws up your control and the direction for "forward" isn't always consistent with the camera. 2, you'll do a bounce at the spot where you have to light dash after hitting 4 enemies unless you're at just the right spot next to the rings. 3, there is a glitch where you have to grind out of the shiny gravity room that will cause the game to think Sonic fell even though he actually landed on the rail. It's rather odd, as you hear the falling sound effect while Sonic is grinding. Level Story I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog! Our plan was perfect, until Eggman snatched Amy! Eggman said he'll trade us Amy for the Emerald...I have to think about that one! There's no time for jokes! Eggman's ready to fire that weapon again! Tails, Amy, hold on I'm coming! Big Unknown Upgrade - Flame Ring Sonic can use it to do a fire somersault that will break steel crates. Required for the level and fairly easy to find. Chao The lost chao is hiding in the Anti-Gravity area in the final section of the stage. Continue along normally (provided you know how to reach the end) until you land upside down on a red platform with 2 switches, one directly in front behind some boxes (takes you to the end of the stage), and one to the left in the open. Take the left switch. You'll land on a purple platform. Continue along the platform, and you'll find the Mystic Altar. A trail of rings appears when you activate it. Hold forward on the Control Stick when using Light Speed Dash to make it to the next platform that holds the chao.

Eggman

Avenging a Friend - Tails There aren't any rings around to replenish your health and Eggman will also use his attacks from 2P-mode to attack you. Get behind Eggman to attack as much as possible. Level Story My name is Miles Prower, but everyone calls me Tails. Sonic was captured and put in that capsule. Eggman shot the capsule into space and exploded it! No, it can't be true! Sonic can't be dead! Eggman! I won't let you get away with this! I promised Sonic I wouldn't give up and I won't. I'll make you pay for this!

Final Rush

Grind Madness - Sonic This level is just flat-out insane. Possibly the most impressive single level in any game ever, it features Sonic grinding on a maze of bars with the space colony's hundreds of towers above and the planet below. Level Story I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog! I took a chance using Chaos Control, and managed to escape from Eggman's trap! There's not much time left before the weapon fires again! I'll take my chances and throw this Emerald into the cannon before it fires! Big Unknown Upgrade - Mystic Melody Allows Sonic to use the ancient stone pedestals to find hidden areas and, in the stage select, lost Chao. Near the end of the level, Sonic grinds past 2 platforms, 1 of them with a rocket on it. Jump on that platform and use the rocket. Chao This stage is the hardest to describe directions for, so I'll split the areas up into sections of ascending/descending areas (you'll notice, in this stage, that you're either going downward on grinding rails, or upwards by jumping platform to platform and grinding vertical rails. Now, the entire stage is like this: Descending - Ascending - Straight Forward - Fork (room with three openings) - Ascending - Descending - Fast Ascension (the long vertical rail you have to hold B/Y for) - Descending (this is where you'll find the Mystic Altar, take the purple rail) and so on till the end. Once you activate the Altar at the end of the rail (hit the Star Post at the end of the platform, just in case), hidden platforms to the right will lead you to an barely out-of-reach grinding rail. You'll have to jump several times to get enough speed to make it to the top. Another Altar awaits you, once activated Light Speed Dash over to another platform. This is the most difficult area, jumping from verical rail to vertical rail. Avoid the using them unless necessary, and use the flat platforms and rail. With practice, you'll reach the other side...and the chao.

Shadow

Stopping The Cannon - Sonic Stay on the platforms, which can sometimes start falling down, and take notice of the arrows since sometimes you'll have to turn around to continue. Shadow will be able to attack you with his Chaos Spear attack and can use Chaos Control to save himself if he falls off--a luxury that you don't have, or just to get ahead of you. Level Story I'm Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog! Timing couldn't be worse! Just when I thought I had everything under control, Shadow showed up. I have to end this battle against that black hedgehog, now! Show me what you got, Shadow! True power...yeah right!