Checkpoint
From Sonic Retro
A checkpoint, first introduced as a lamppost in Sonic 1, will save the player's progress throughout a level. The player can restart from an activated checkpoint if they die. Checkpoints also serve as the entrance to a special stage in Sonic 2 and the entrance to a bonus stage in Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic Mania
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Sonic 1 and Sonic CD Lampposts
In Sonic 1, Sonic runs past a lamppost, causing the color of the bulb to change from blue to red. The bulb uses the same palette line as Sonic, and the pole uses the same palette line as rings.
The lamppost design from Sonic 1 is also used in Sonic CD, albeit with a smoother animation cycle upon interaction.
Arrow Monitors
The 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, uses arrow monitors as checkpoints[1]. Destroying the monitor create a checkpoint however, the current time is not recorded and you start with 1:30 minutes after your death. Sonic Blast uses the same system, the only difference being that the pictured arrow is red as opposed to yellow.
Arrow monitor in Sonic Blast.
Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles and Sonic Mania Star Posts
These three games' checkpoints look quite similar to Sonic 1's lampposts, except that the bulb is replaced by a star disc and the pole design is slightly different. When Sonic runs past the star post, the disc starts flashing and (if the player has enough rings) revolving stars appear which enable access to a special stage or bonus stage.
In Sonic 3 & Knuckles, three different types of bonus stages can be entered. The bonus stage offered by a given star post is indicated by the color of the stars:
- Rotating Maze: Yellow stars with red border.
- Gumball Machine: Silver stars.
- Glowing Spheres: Red stars.
In Sonic Mania, the player is teleported to a bonus stage of Blue Spheres.
The next game in the Classic series, Sonic 4 also uses this version of the checkpoint without the revolving stars.
Point markers
Sonic Adventure introduced the point marker (ポイントマーカー)[2], two double-lampposts bent at 90-degree angles, with their blue tops facing each other. Running through point markers causes these tops to spin quickly, turn yellow, and bend to a standing straight-up position. Point markers were also used in Sonic Adventure 2[3] and the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog[4].
Later games
Sonic Heroes uses check points (チェックポイント)[5].