Cheat Codes
These are cheat codes which can be accessed by inputting button sequences or by various other methods.
Cheat Codes, Sonic & Knuckles Alone
- Zone Select: While in Mushroom Hill Zone, jump on to one of the hanging platforms, then press . You will hear a chime. Press , then to return to the title screen. Select a character and press +. Keep in mind that Sonic 3 levels are not available and that your character isn't able to go to levels it doesn't normally go to in the run of the game (with the exception of Knuckles being able to go into Death Egg Zone via acts 1 or 2; his normal game ends with Sky Sanctuary Zone).
- Debug mode: Contrary to popular belief, there IS a debug mode available for this game. However, you need the Sonic 3 cartridge or ROM to do this. Simply start up Sonic 3 & Knuckles, unlock the level select and debug mode codes for that game and then highlight any level in the Sound Test, hold , press , and release when Sonic appears. Turn into a monitor, and paste a lot of monitors until you see things start to disappear. Then revert back to Sonic, and Spin Dash into the monitors. The game will crash, and be buggy, if you're lucky. Press , and then press if necessary. If you are lucky, the game will redirect to the Sonic & Knuckles title screen. Choose any character, hold then press . You will be in the level select screen. Highlight any level, hold , then press . Note that if you choose any level before Mushroom Hill Zone, you will go into Mushroom Hill Zone instead.
Cheat Codes, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Locked-on
- Zone Select: While in Angel Island Zone, jump on to one of the hanging platforms, then press . You will hear a chime. Press , then to return to the title screen. A new option, "Sound Test", will appear below "Competition". Select that option to go to the Level Select screen.
- Debug mode: Enter the Level Select screen, then enter Mushroom Hill Zone. Grab onto a hanging platform and press . You will hear a chime. Press + to return to the title screen. Enter the Level Select, then select a level and press + to start the level with Debug Mode.
Cheat Codes, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Locked-on
- Zone Select: At the title screen, press . You will hear a chime. Press + to get the level select screen.
- Debug mode: Enter the Level Select screen, then play the following sounds in Sound Test: 1, 9, 9, 4, 1, 0, 1, 8. You will hear a chime. Select a level and press + to start the level with Debug Mode.
In-level Functions, all versions
Debug
- Press to reverse gravity when in normal mode.
- Press + to cycle through all mapping frames of the character when in normal mode.
- Press to toggle normal and debug mode.
- Press to advance forward through the debug object list.
- Press + to advance backwards through the debug object list.
- Press to place the selected object at the current coordinates.
- Current coordinates are designated by the top line of hex digits in the HUD.
- Viewport coordinates are designated by the bottom line of hex digits in the HUD.
Slow-motion/Restart
- During pause press to fade to black and restart from the SEGA screen.
- During pause press and hold to enable slow-motion (this proceeds at half-speed for as long as the button is held down).
- During pause press to advance one frame.
Game Enhancer Codes
These are cheat codes that can only be used with game enhancer devices. Support for these codes is available in most emulators.
Game Genie
Official Codes, Sonic & Knuckles Alone
Code |
Description |
Works in S&K |
Works in S3K
|
General codes
|
AFKT-AAG0
|
Start with 1 life.
|
Yes
|
No
|
AKKT-AAG0
|
Start with 2 lives.
|
Yes
|
No
|
AVKT-AAG0
|
Start with 4 lives.
|
Yes
|
No
|
AZKT-AAG0
|
Start with 5 lives.
|
Yes
|
No
|
A7KT-AAG0
|
Start with 7 lives.
|
Yes
|
No
|
BFKT-AAG0
|
Start with 9 lives.
|
Yes
|
No
|
DFKT-AAG0
|
Start with 25 lives.
|
Yes
|
No
|
GKKT-AAG0
|
Start with 50 lives.
|
Yes
|
No
|
NPKT-AAG0
|
Start with 99 lives.
|
Yes
|
No
|
K2WA-CA4J
|
Infinite lives.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Official Codes, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Locked-on
Code |
Description |
Works in S&K |
Works in S3K
|
General codes
|
AWXT-CA4C
|
Don't lose rings when hit.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
HXRT-AA6A
|
Infinite time.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
96BA-CAG6 + 98MA-CAF0
|
Keep elemental shields when hit.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AKVT-AA76 + AMNA-EA24
|
Keep rings between levels.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
RHJA-E60L
|
Bonus round always activated after every checkpoint.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
RGSA-A6YY
|
Only 1 blue sphere needed to get a chaos emerald.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
ALNA-AACR
|
Rings worth 2 in special stage.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
ARNA-AACR
|
Rings worth 3 in special stage.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AWNA-AACR
|
Rings worth 4 in special stage.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
A0NA-AACR
|
Rings worth 5 in special stage.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
BLNA-AACR
|
Rings worth 10 in special stage.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
NTPT-CA50
|
Rings aren't used up as Super (or Hyper) Sonic/Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
ACCT-CA2R
|
Can't drown.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Sonic-specific codes
|
RENT-C6YA
|
Can always double jump (can't use water shield or become Super Sonic).
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
RENT-C6V6
|
Can always use Fireball Spin Dash (can't double jump, bounce, or become Super Sonic).
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AANA-CNA0
|
Jumps as high as Knuckles (slightly lower than usual).
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
4ANA-CRA0
|
High jump.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
2ANA-CWA0
|
Super jump.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AANA-C4A0
|
Mega jump.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AANA-DYA0
|
Orbital jump.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
A2NT-CAG6
|
Only 6 chaos emeralds needed to become Super Sonic.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AYNT-CAG6
|
Only 5 chaos emeralds needed to become Super Sonic.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
ATNT-CAG6
|
Only 4 chaos emeralds needed to become Super Sonic.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
ANNT-CAG6
|
Only 3 chaos emeralds needed to become Super Sonic.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AJNT-CAG6
|
Only 2 chaos emeralds needed to become Super Sonic.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AENT-CAG6
|
Only 1 chaos emerald needed to become Super Sonic.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AANT-CAG6
|
Become Super Sonic without any chaos emeralds.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
NTNT-CAHL
|
100 rings needed to become Super Sonic instead of 50.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
FANT-CAHL
|
40 rings needed to become Super Sonic.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
DENT-CAHL
|
25 rings needed to become Super Sonic.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
BJNT-CAHL
|
10 rings needed to become Super Sonic.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AENT-CAHL
|
1 ring needed to become Super Sonic.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AANT-CAGY + AAPA-CAB8
|
Become Hyper Sonic without any emeralds.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Knuckles-specific codes
|
TB5T-CNCR
|
Jumps as high as Sonic (slightly higher than usual).
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
PV5T-CRCR
|
High jump.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AB5T-CWCR
|
Super jump.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AB5T-C2CR
|
Mega jump.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AB5T-DTCR
|
Orbital jump.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
A36A-CACW
|
Only 6 chaos emeralds needed to become Super Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AZ6A-CACW
|
Only 5 chaos emeralds needed to become Super Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AV6A-CACW
|
Only 4 chaos emeralds needed to become Super Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AP6A-CACW
|
Only 3 chaos emeralds needed to become Super Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AK6A-CACW
|
Only 2 chaos emeralds needed to become Super Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AF6A-CACW
|
Only 1 chaos emerald needed to become Super Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AB6A-CACW
|
Become Super Knuckles without any chaos emeralds.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
NV6A-CADA
|
100 rings needed to become Super Knuckles instead of 50.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
FB6A-CADA
|
40 rings needed to become Super Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
DF6A-CADA
|
25 rings needed to become Super Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
BK6A-CADA
|
10 rings needed to become Super Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AF6A-CADA
|
1 ring needed to become Super Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AB6A-CACL + AB6A-CAHR
|
Become Hyper Knuckles without any emeralds.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Unofficial Codes
Code |
Description |
Works in S&K |
Works in S3K
|
General codes
|
RFLA-A6W4
|
Enable Level Select (+ at Title Screen).
|
Yes
|
No
|
RFTT-A6XW
|
Enable Debug Mode (+ at Title Screen).
|
Yes
|
No
|
AVFA-AR74
|
Can Access 'Sound Test' Menu From Title Screen.
|
No
|
Yes
|
RFTT-A6XW
|
Enable debugger (+ when starting a game).
|
No
|
Yes
|
BCTT-LA3Y + BA8T-NA24
|
Knuckles can fight Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
ABZT-AA5Y + PKZT-B950
|
Tails follows Knuckles.
|
No
|
Yes
|
REBA-C6V6
|
Invincible against dynamic objects (bullets, enemies, for example), except Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
RZBA-E6YA
|
Invincible against static objects (spikes, for example).
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
ABTA-NA7Y
|
Invincible against Knuckles.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
PJAA-CA8C
|
Touch an enemy, and you will destroy it (except Knuckles).
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
ABTT-NA3G
|
Touch Knuckles, and you will damage him.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AAPT-CAB8
|
Don't use up rings to maintain the transformation of any Super/Hyper character.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
CLRA-BA0Y
|
Get One Emerald To Get Them All.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
9WSA-BCET
|
Only One Blue Sphere Needed To Win Emerald.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
CXLA-EA7Y
|
Bonus stage is always slot machine.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
RHLA-E6ZY + BMLA-EA78
|
Bonus stage is always magnetic orbs.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
RHLA-E6ZY + RHLA-E6Z8
|
Bonus stage is always gumball machine.
|
No
|
Yes
|
REPA-C6YR + REPA-C6YT + REPA-C6YW + REPA-C6YY + RFJT-C61Y + RFJT-C610 + RFJT-C612 + RFJT-C614 + RF6T-C6V0 + RF6T-C6V2 + RF6T-C6V4 + RF6T-C6V6 + RHPA-C6V0 + RHPA-C6V2 + RHPA-C6V4 + RHPA-C6V6 + RHPT-C6VE + RHPT-C6VG + RHPT-C6VJ + RHPT-C6VL + RFPT-T6YC
|
Disable Super Transformation Music
|
Unknown
|
Yes
|
Sonic-specific codes
|
JAGA-CA98
|
Speed shoes don't run out with time.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AANT-CAHL
|
Become Super/Hyper Sonic with 0 rings.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AANT-CAG6
|
Become Super Sonic without collecting Emeralds first.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AANT-CAGY + AAPA-CAB8
|
Become Hyper Sonic without collecting Emeralds first.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Tails-specific codes
|
JA6T-CA5E
|
Speed shoes don't run out with time.
|
No
|
Yes
|
ABJT-CACJ
|
Become Super Tails with 0 rings.
|
No
|
Yes
|
ABJT-CACA
|
Become Super Tails without collecting emeralds first.
|
No
|
Yes
|
Knuckles-specific codes
|
HKXA-CA7T
|
Speed shoes don't run out with time.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AB6A-CADA
|
Become Super/Hyper Knuckles with 0 rings.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AB6A-CACW
|
Become Super Knuckles without collecting Emeralds first.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AB6A-CACL + AB6A-CAHR
|
Become Hyper Knuckles without collecting Emeralds first.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AB6A-DAJC
|
Knuckles can float, push any jump button.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AP2A-DAR2
|
Knuckles Spin dash goes nowhere.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
APYA-DAGC
|
Knuckles has a shorter glide.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
AP2A-DAEE
|
Knuckles flies upwards.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Pro Action Replay
Unofficial Codes
Code |
Description |
Works in Gens
|
009760:6048
|
Red Spheres have no effect in special stages
|
Yes
|
0097AE:6672 + 0097C8:4E75
|
Collision disabled for bumpers
|
Yes
|
FFFE12:0063
|
Always have 99 lives
|
No
|
FFFE21:0063
|
Always have 99 rings
|
No
|
FFFE25:0000
|
Infinite time
|
No
|
FFB038:00xx
|
Have character ID of (00=Sonic, 01=Tails, 02=Knuckles) (controls things like wall-breaking and character-specific boss fights).
|
No
|
FFFF0B:00xx
|
Character modifier (00=Sonic, 03=Knuckles, 04=Blue Knuckles).
|
No
|
FFFFE0:0101
|
Level select and slow motion enabled.
|
Yes
|
FFFFDA:0001
|
Debug mode enabled
|
No
|
FFE439:0001
|
Only one blue sphere required to get the emerald (turn off as soon as special stage HUD appears or else special stage results screen won't register emerald)
|
No
|
FFFFB0:0007
|
Have 7 Chaos Emeralds.
|
No
|
FFFFB0:0707
|
Have 7 Chaos and Super Emeralds.
|
Yes
|
FFFE10:XXYY
|
Stage/Act Modifier.
ID |
Name |
Works in S&K |
Works in S3K
|
00 |
Angel Island
|
No
|
Yes
|
01 |
Hydrocity
|
No
|
Yes
|
02 |
Marble Garden
|
No
|
Yes
|
03 |
Canival Night
|
No
|
Yes
|
04 |
Flying Battery
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
05 |
Icecap
|
No
|
Yes
|
06 |
Launch Base
|
No
|
Yes
|
07 |
Mushroom Hill
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
08 |
Sandopolis
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
09 |
Lava Reef
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
0A |
Sky Sanctuary (Act 1 = Sonic / Act 2 = Knuckles)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
0B |
Death Egg
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
0C |
Doomsday
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
13 |
Gumball Machine - Sonic 3 Bonus Stage
|
No
|
Yes
|
14 |
Glowing Spheres - S&K Bonus Stage
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
15 |
Slot Machine - S&K Bonus Stage
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
16 |
Lava Reef Act 2 boss (Act 1) / Hidden Palace (Act 2)
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
17 |
Act 1 = 2nd Death Egg Act 2 Boss / Act 2 = Master Emerald Shrine
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Garbled in 1P, normal in 2P
|
0E |
Azure Lake
|
No
|
Yes
|
0F |
Balloon Park
|
No
|
Yes
|
10 |
Desert Palace
|
No
|
Yes
|
11 |
Chrome Gadget
|
No
|
Yes
|
12 |
Endless Mine
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Yes
|
Resources
- GameFAQs - Regular cheat codes.
- The GSHI - Official Game Enhancer codes separated from User made codes.
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