Game Secrets:Sonic 3 & Knuckles

From Sonic Retro

1 Lost Sprites
2 Hidden Area in Hidden Palace Zone
3 Eighth Special Stage
4 Ninth Special Stage

Lost Sprites

Artwork	Name	Description
	Arrow Lift	Some strange platform. It's not placed in any level, but the graphics fit perfectly in both acts of Launch Base Zone. It has no movement on its own when placed and needs specific PAR codes to be entered to do so. To enable it use the PAR code 1EFC52:1200 and it will replace the first ring monitor. From there enter FFF7E0:00FF to make it move down and FFF7E0:0000 to make it return to its original position. The object was found by shobiz, and posted about in this thread

Hidden Area in Hidden Palace Zone

It is possible to get to a hidden area in Hidden Palace Zone. It is only accessible by using Tails or debug mode. Just before entering the inside of Hidden Palace Zone fly from the two steps left until a ledge is reached. Walk left until six power-up monitors will appear. They will be mostly shield monitors (ring, bubble, fire bubble). If you run right and jump off at the ledge and keep running right you will find two ring monitors and a 1-up monitor. (In some of the Sonic & Knuckles prototypes, an "S" monitor is present instead of a speed shoes monitor.)

Eighth Special Stage

Map of the eighth special stage

An eighth Chaos Emerald is accessible via a hidden cheat code. First enter the level select code and then set the sound test selection to 07, and press + on the "Special Stage 1" selection to get the 8th special stage from Sonic 3. The Chaos Emerald in this level is yellow, whereas the 8th Chaos emerald was gray in Sonic 3.

This emerald has no special effect in-game, however, and does not appear on the end of special stage tally in any form other than a score increase.

Ninth Special Stage

Map of the ninth special stage

A ninth Super Emerald is accessible via a hidden cheat code. First enter the level select code and then set the sound test selection to 07, and press + on the "Special Stage 2" selection. A large yellow Super Emerald is located at the end of the level.

This emerald has no special effect in-game, however, and does not appear on the end of special stage tally in any form other than a score increase.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 + Sonic & Knuckles

Sonic 3 & Knuckles