From StrategyWiki, the free strategy guide and walkthrough wiki

Contents 1 Green Hill Zone 1.1 Act 3 Battle 2 Marble Zone 3 Spring Yard Zone 4 Labyrinth Zone 5 Star Light Zone 6 Scrap Brain Zone 7 Final Zone

[edit] Green Hill Zone

This is the first zone of the game and the easiest of the six. This area is overflowing with trees, waterfalls, loop-de-loops and more.

[edit] Act 3 Battle

Here, you are introduced to the main villain of the Sonic series, Dr. Ivo Robotnik (often referred to as Dr. Eggman by Sonic and co.) You are given two platforms to attack Robotnik from (one on the left and one on the right.) Immediately stand on the right platform upon entering the area. When Robotnik enters from the right, begin attacking him before he pulls out his swinging weapon. When the pendulum comes towards you, jump through the small space between the ball and the main machine and head for the other platform to attack Robotnik. Eventually, the machine will be destroyed and you will be free to release the animals trapped in the nearby machine.

[edit] Marble Zone

A zone with ancient buildings made of marble and an underground castle with spiky chandeliers. There is a lot of lava that can harm Sonic in this level. Certain bricks can be destroyed for points; sometimes up to 30,000 could be obtained, if the bricks are destroyed in sequence. At the end of Act 3, Dr. Robotnik attacks with an improvement to his craft that shoots fireballs on one of the two platforms Sonic can stand on, briefly setting it on fire. This zone also has many shortcuts, and walls that you can break through for rings and shields.

[edit] Spring Yard Zone

An urban level with many springs and bumpers, resembling a pinball machine. There are many secret areas in this zone. Act 2 has two Robotnik signs (ends) and as such, can be ended through two possible routes. At the end of Act 3, Dr. Robotnik attacks with a spike-equipped craft that slowly removes the blocks Sonic stands on. Attack Robotnik while he is impaling a block, and try to get multiple hits in so you don't run out of terrain too fast!

[edit] Labyrinth Zone

Labyrinth Zone is a ruin-like maze partially submerged in water. It features many spikes and water-driven contraptions. The greatest hazard of this zone is not the enemies or the traps, but the water. Sonic, being a hedgehog, is terrible at swimming. After staying underwater for a limited amount of time (18 seconds, with warning bells after 5, 10, and 15 seconds) a countdown starts (5 breaths/about 12 seconds), at the end of which Sonic drowns. This would lead the player to a great sense of panic at the sound of the countdown music. Collecting air bubbles found in certain points resets the counter and prevents Sonic from drowning. At the end of Act 3, Sonic has to follow Dr. Robotnik through an ascending passage filling with water. Robotnik's craft can be destroyed; however, this is extremely hard without use of cheats and is not required to complete the level, nor does it offer any sort of bonus.

[edit] Star Light Zone

A zone set in a city at night, under the stars, and containing many loops. This stage contains many roller coaster-like sections in which Sonic is hurled along paths at great velocity; it is possibly the game's strongest showcase of Sonic's speed. There are few enemies here, most of which cannot be destroyed by Sonic. At the end of Act 3, Dr. Robotnik shoots spiked mines onto three seesaws. To hit Robotnik, jump on the opposite end of a spike-bearing seesaw when he passes over to launch it at him, scoring a hit!

[edit] Scrap Brain Zone

An industrial powerhouse of a level, the Scrap Brain Zone is the final (save for the one-stage "Final Zone") location for Sonic to traverse. Ruptured gas pipes send bursts of fire from the ground or ceiling and massive buzzsaws come at Sonic from all directions. This level features platforms that can vanish into thin air as well as diagonal conveyor belts that will drop Sonic off them if he does not leap off at the end so timing is essential. The second act is set indoors and contains magnetic orbs which can be used as catapults to out-of-reach places and also has teleport machines. The third act takes a bizarre twist as Sonic is dropped into what appears to be a Labyrinth Zone-style stage, which he must climb out of to face Robotnik for the final showdown.

[edit] Final Zone

In this zone there are no rings. Walk down the path to a chamber. Eggman will have 4 pillars. 2 pillars will come down at the same time. Jump on the pillar with Eggman. Then 4 lights will come down. Dodge them. After 8 hits Eggman will flee. You can hit 1 more time. This is optional. Then you have won the game. Can you do it with all chaos emeralds?