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Sonic the Hedgehog 3C (prototype 0408)/Comparisons/Hidden Palace Zone

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For a very small single-Act Zone, Hidden Palace Zone has many differences, some of which will persist through later prototypes.

NOTE: Debug mode must be enabled in order to access this Zone via the level select.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ TitleCard.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ TitleCard.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

The first obvious difference here is that the title card reads "Sky Sanctuary Zone Act 1" instead of "Hidden Palace Zone". Sky Sanctuary music also plays.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ ActStart.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ ActStart.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

All characters begin the Zone by simply standing in place. In the final, they walk in from the left.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ ScreenLock.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ NoScreenLock.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

If the player passes a certain X coordinate, the level boundaries are set in that they cannot go back the way they came. This X coordinate is 0500, the same X coordinate where parts of the foreground change colour from purple to lime green, and occurs after Sonic and Tails pass the first set of spikes.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ ExtraSpring.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ NoExtraSpring.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

Because of the aforementioned boundary lock, a spring has been added here. This was taken out later when the lock became unnecessary.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ FireShield.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ SuperRing.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

This monitor is a Fire Shield in this prototype. This would persist in the next few prototypes before being changed to a Super Ring.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ SecretStash1.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ SecretStash1.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

In the secret stash, there is an "S" monitor where there would be a Power Sneakers monitor. As debug mode places Lightning Shields instead of "S" monitors in this build, this is the only "S" monitor in the game.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ SecretStash2.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ SecretStash2.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

If the player goes right, they will find that there are three 1-Up monitors instead of a single 1-Up and two Super Rings.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ Background.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ Background.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

The giant hole in the background isn't properly lined up with the teleporter.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ KnuxPunch.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ HyperSonic.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

The Knuckles fight plays the Sonic 3 mini-boss theme instead of Knuckles' theme in this prototype. Knuckles' is also able to hurt the player when they have invincibility and even when they are Super Sonic.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ NoSuperCancel.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ SuperCancel.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

Beating Knuckles won't cancel Super forms. Additionally, the mini-boss music will keep on playing.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ RestartBug1.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ RestartBug1.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

Before fighting Knuckles, if the player is to either enter a Bonus Stage or die after passing this Star Post, things get a little strange...

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ RestartBug2.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ Background.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

This area becomes purple instead of lime green. This is due to the palette change only occurring when the player passes X coordinate 0500 and not making any checks for if the player has restarted beyond that point.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ RestartBug3.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ RestartBug2.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

There won't be any boundary locks either, allowing Sonic and Tails to backtrack to Knuckles' route in the Zone.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ EmeraldTheft1.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ EmeraldTheft1.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

Even the Master Emerald's altar will become purple.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ EmeraldTheft2.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ EmeraldTheft2.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

And speaking of the Master Emerald, the theft scene plays out differently from the final. Instead of shaking his fist and jumping up to the Master Emerald, Knuckles will just stand there and look up as Eggman takes the Master Emerald. He doesn't even attempt to hit Eggman and just grabs on to the emerald.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ EmeraldTheft3.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ EmeraldTheft3.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

The controls are locked for the player when Eggman shocks Knuckles. In the final, the player is freely able to hit Eggman (not that it matters).

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ EmeraldTheft4.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ EmeraldTheft3.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

If the player uses debug mode here, the control lock will be removed, though they cannot hit Eggman and they can stand on top of the Master Emerald.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ WallBreak.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ WallBreak.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

After regaining consciousness, Knuckles will charge through the breakable wall, rather than stopping in front of it and punching it.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ Teleporter1.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ Teleporter1.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

When the player approaches the teleporter that leads to Sky Sanctuary Zone, there is no cutscene. The controls and camera won't lock, and Knuckles won't jump on the teleporter.

Sonic3C0408 MD Comparison HPZ Teleporter2.png
Sonic 3C 0408
Sonic3&K MD Comparison HPZ Teleporter2.png
Sonic 3 & Knuckles final

The player can stand on the teleporter to activate it anyway. If they have a Lightning Shield, they can jump on top of the pedestal, which will cause the game to transition to Sky Sanctuary.

Map

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Sonic 3C 0408
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Sonic 3 & Knuckles final


References


Sonic the Hedgehog 3C (prototype 0408), prototype version of Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic3 title.png

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Part of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 development