Released in 1995

Available in

Genre: Platforming

Also known as: Chaotix

This game is a spin-off of the Sonic series and features Knuckles, a character who debuted in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. It plays very differently from any Sonic game as you get to control two characters, who are connected via "ring power", which works like a rubber band. This allows you to slingshot both characters across the screen at high speed, and one character is also capable of grabbing another and throwing him to a platform above - and by using the ring power, the thrower can also be brought up to the platform.

This different gameplay style is the most controversial thing about the game. Some fans like it, but most hate it and I have to say I don't care for it. I would have preferred this game to play like the Genesis Sonic games, as I don't like how I have to try and control two characters and having them jumping around together looks awkward. Many of the levels feel similar to each other, as they frequently have long straights followed by a curve to send you up a level. This is a shame, as I do think that the 2D graphics are beautiful, featuring new sprites for Knuckles and Robotnik, plus the enemies are mostly all new and the backgrounds are very colorful. But Sonic fans would be better off sticking with the Genesis games.

Carnival Island is about to open, but Dr. Robotnik has gone there to steal the power emerald -which supplies the entire island with electricity. Some of Knuckles' friends head there to stop him, but are captured. When the game starts you'll only be controlling Knuckles, but you'll soon have your first encounter with Robotnik and Metal Sonic. You won't have to do anything as they will flee the scene, whilst Knuckles will save Espio. You'll then have the option of playing through a tutorial, otherwise you can start the game.

There are five main characters to choose from: Knuckles, Espio, Mighty, Vector and Charmy. You will get to select your first character, but the second is selected at random via a claw game. There are also two extra characters: Heavy and Bomb, who are robots. All characters have different abilities, such as Knuckles having his gliding and climbing abilities from Sonic & Knuckles, whilst Heavy is slow but can destroy enemies just by walking through them.

Each level -known as "attractions" -has several acts, set at different times of the day. Levels are light on enemies, but all of them require co-operating with your partner character to progress. For example, one of the opening levels requires you to get one character to wait on a pad, and the other must run towards another pad. When the second pad is hit, a door will open. The ring power moves are used by pressing or holding the B button. The last act has you fight against Robotnik in a boss battle.

Holding the B button when the characters are not close to each other will make the second character "hold!", and they will wait in place. You can then move your first character and get them to start running. Releasing B will stop the hold, and both characters will be sent running in a direction at great speed. If the characters are close to each other, holding B will have one character grab the other. You can then throw them where you want by holding a direction and letting go of B. The C button is used for jumps, pressing it twice will usually activate a character's special ability.

Finally the A button is used to bring your partner character back to you -useful if you get them stuck somewhere you don't want. But this comes at a price, as it costs ten rings every time you use it.

The special stages in the game require you to collect blue spheres in 3D tunnel, which you can walk on the walls of. Be careful as you can easily fall out of it, and there are hazards such as bumpers and spikes. The special stage has a time limit -keep collecting rings to add more seconds. If you don't collect enough blue spheres you will have to restart the section, and each special stage has two sections. If you do manage to collect enough blue spheres, you will collect a "chaos ring", which is this game's equivalent of the chaos emeralds seen in the Genesis Sonic games. The bonus stage has you falling constantly, and you've got to try and hit blocks for bonus items. Hit an exit block to leave, or you will also leave if you run out of time -keep collecting rings for more time.

Level select and debug mode
Go into the options menu and then select color test. Set the first row in the MARS column to 06, 0B, 011. Then on the second row set the numbers to 04, 00, 04. Press start to exit and then when the title screen appears, a stage select option will be present. Not only can you select a stage, you can also choose which characters you want. This cheat also activates the game's debug mode. Pausing the game will display debug coordinates, whilst holding a direction on the d-pad will move your characters to any point you want on a level.

This code also lets you play as "**********", who's known as "Wechnia" in the Sonic community. In the stage select's player option, there is a player called "**********". Selecting this character and starting the game reveals him to have Knuckles' sprite, but Mighty's colors and moves. This character is very buggy and can easily crash the game from doing just about anything -even starting a level with him can be enough to make it freeze up.

Add Amy to the sound test screen
Go into the options menu and then select color test. Set the first row in the MARS column to 06, 0B, 011. Then on the third row to set the numbers to 00, 08, 17. Press start to exit, then go back into the options menu and into the sound test. Amy Rose, who originally appeared in Sonic CD, will have taken the place of where the volume bars usually are.

There are currently twelve prototypes available for this game, read about them here.

-This game was originally in development for the SEGA Saturn, but was then switched to the 32X.

-The team who developed this game consisted of staff who had previously worked on Sonic the Hedgehog CD, which had been released for the SEGA CD in 1993. Both games share some enemies (most notably, Metal Sonic) and have the same jump sound effects.

-Sonic Crackers is a prototype for the Genesis which seems to be a test, or proof of concept, for Knuckles' Chaotix. The prototype features Sonic and Tails as the only playable characters, and also has the same ring power mechanic Knuckles' Chaotix uses. This prototype is available at most ROM sites if you ever want to try it out.

-The Japanese title of this game is simply Chaotix. However the title screens for the American and European versions also just have Chaotix on them, only the boxes, cartridges and manuals state Knuckles' Chaotix.

-Mighty the Armadillo originally appeared in SEGASonic the Hedgehog, an arcade game released in 1993. His appearance is Knuckles' Chaotix would mark his last playable appearance in a long time, until 2018's Sonic Mania Plus.

-Espio was playable in 1996's Sonic the Fighters, whilst he, Vector and Charmy were all playable in 2004's Sonic Heroes.