- Back to: Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball (Mega Drive prototype; 1993-08)/Comparisons.
To the untrained eye, Toxic Caves is much the same as the final game, differing largely by its lack of (or different) audio cues.
There are slight differences with the music. The final game adds a bit more flair to the mix.
Rexxon has some minor palette issues.
Touching in the water triggers an instant death in this prototype (much like toxic slime or lava). In the final, Sonic enters the water, and there is a second or two before the death sequence triggers.
Hitting enough drop targets to activate the kickbacks has the game tell you you've opened the "hatchways" rather than the "safety lids".
When trapped on one of the flippers in the left or right playfield (causing the "how about a ride?" text to show), the camera doesn't pan down to show the "ride".
The sludge graphic surrounding the paddle-able barrels is different. In the final game, it is also animated.
In the final game, you can get to the "middle" emerald in a similar manner to the other two; after collecting the left and right emeralds, make your way up to the area with the minecart, except this time, Sonic will fall straight down and catch the third.
This does not happen in the prototype; Sonic will always land in a minecart and can't jump out, so he cannot reach the middle emerald. Instead, you have to access it the other way; land in one of the two barrels, paddle across, and jump into the emerald container.
Leave the bonus stage after collecting all the rings, and you'll see the starting blue palette, rather than the expected green.
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