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Special Stages in the 712 prototype are much like the final game, but with more hazards. Sonic's tendency to come to a complete stop also makes them more difficult to deal with than the final game.
General comparisons
The first special stage appears as part of the game's rolling demo, however rather than being computer controlled, it is fully playable.
The most noticeable difference is that in this prototype, a UFO is not registered as destroyed until it has finished exploding. This means there is a brief period after the final UFO is downed where Sonic continues to run around the stage.
When all UFOs are destroyed, the Time Stone doesn't wait until the camera finishes turning around Sonic and drops as the camera starts turning. It also doesn't make a sound.
Special Stage 1
Sonic usually starts the special stage from the top right-hand corner, meaning in the first stage, he has to negotiate some grass. There is no introductory animation, he just starts running.
Special Stage 2
Like the v0.51 prototype, oil litters most of the special stages, but it has no affect on Sonic at all. Due to the way the special stages work in Sonic CD (i.e. to have any chance of winning, you will spend most of your time jumping and therefore not be on the ground), you're unlikely to collide with them in the earlier rounds.
Special Stage 3
Special Stage 4
Special Stage 5
Special stages in Sonic CD lack any sort of support for diagonal walls. The 712 prototype's solution to this problem is to go overboard with bumpers - the final game draws less attention to the problem by giving stages more land.
Special Stage 6
Special Stage 7
References
