Scrap Brain Zone is the sixth zone in the 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog. It is a trap-filled industrial level with much dangerous machinery such as saws, flame vents, and disappearing and rotating platforms. At the end of Act 2, Dr. Robotnik appears behind a force field and pushes a button which sends Sonic into Act 3. This is a level similar to the Labyrinth Zone and has no encounter with Robotnik. Instead, it leads directly to the Final Zone. All throughout this zone, it is not possible to enter the Special Stage as the giant rings that lead to it never appears. This is because part of the VRAM area normally used by the big ring is used by the animated smoke in the BG. A big ring can be added by hand, but it will use garbled tiles whenever the smoke animates.
Originally, Scrap Brain Zone was named "Clock Work Zone", displayed as "Clock ork Zone" on the title card due to the lack of a letter W in the used font.
Instruction Manual Description
“
Slippery metal floors, razor-sharp saws and grinding wheels — now you're one step away from Dr. Robotnik's hideout!
„
Sonic Team Commentary (from Sonic Jam Strategy Guide)
“
Instead of going straight to the boss in the end, you get dropped down a level, and we wanted that feeling of fighting your way back up. It would have been nice to draw a specific background just for the final stage, but due to space and time constraints we just changed the background color and made the basement level the same as Labyrinth Zone.
