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{{Breadcrumb
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|Sonic the Hedgehog 3|:Category:Sonic the Hedgehog 3 levels|l2=Levels|{{PAGENAME}}}}
 
{{LevelBob
 
{{LevelBob
 
| levelscreen=Launchbase.png
 
| levelscreen=Launchbase.png
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| levelscreen2=LaunchBaseAct2.png
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| levelscreentitle=Act 1
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| levelscreen2title=Act 2
 
| levelno=Sixth
 
| levelno=Sixth
 
| game=Sonic the Hedgehog 3
 
| game=Sonic the Hedgehog 3
 
| acts=2
 
| acts=2
| theme1=factory
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| location=[[Angel Island]]
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| theme1=industrial
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| theme2=underwater
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| theme2location=Act 2
 
| boss=Launch Base Zone bosses
 
| boss=Launch Base Zone bosses
 
| subboss=Twin Hammer
 
| subboss=Twin Hammer
| osv=[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3 OSV]]
 
| music1= <flashmp3>Sonic the Hedgehog 3 OSV/32 - Launch Base Zone - Act 1.mp3</flashmp3>
 
| music2= <flashmp3>Sonic the Hedgehog 3 OSV/33 - Launch Base Zone - Act 2.mp3</flashmp3>
 
| map=Sonic 3 & Knuckles Level Maps
 
| underwater=Act 2
 
 
| rings1=294 + 130
 
| rings1=294 + 130
 
| rings2=409 + 160
 
| rings2=409 + 160
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| underwater=Act 2
 
| icon=LBZicon.png
 
| icon=LBZicon.png
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| name_jp=ランチベース{{fileref|Sonic3 MD JP SonicJam manual.pdf|page=23}}
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| name_de=Abschussbasis{{fileref|Sonic3 MD EU manual.pdf|page=52}}
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| name_fr=Base de Lancement{{fileref|Sonic3 MD EU manual.pdf|page=52}}
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| name_es=Base de Lanzamiento{{fileref|Sonic3 MD EU manual.pdf|page=52}}
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| name_it=Base di Lancio{{fileref|Sonic3 MD EU manual.pdf|page=53}}
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| name_se=Startrampen{{fileref|Sonic3 MD EU manual.pdf|page=53}}
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| name_nl=Afvuurbasis{{fileref|Sonic3 MD EU manual.pdf|page=53}}
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| name_fi=Laukaisutukikohta{{fileref|Sonic3 MD EU manual.pdf|page=53}}
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| name_zh=
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| name_kr=발사 기지{{fileref|Sonic3 MD KR manual.pdf|page=16}}
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| prev=IceCap Zone
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| next=Mushroom Hill Zone
 
}}
 
}}
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'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is the sixth [[Zone]] of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''. All characters would enter from [[IceCap Zone]] by popping out of a patch of snow at the beginning.
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==Overview==
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Unlike most of [[Dr. Eggman]]'s bases, this one isn't a completely robotic fortress of machines; instead, it is basically a very large construction site where he is repairing the [[Death Egg]]. During [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] and [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]]' adventure, the Death Egg itself can be seen half-submerged in the giant lake in the background for Act 1, surrounded by large cranes; in [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]]' adventure, the Death Egg is no longer there.
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 +
Throughout Act 1, the kind of gimmicks the player will come across include huge cylinders that the player will revolve around and a variety of elevators, such as spinning yellow cups that travel up or down thin metal corkscrews (though some will spin out of control and fling the player into walls), and rapidly-spinning elevators inside glass tubes that will transport the player to other parts of the Act. Security alarms are placed around the Act, and will summon [[Flybot767]] [[Badnik]]s to attack the player if they pass through one. Outdoor sections are very fast-paced, as they are filled with long slopes to roll down, as well as [[Speed Booster]]s and tube-loops that will instantly propel the player into high speeds. Hooks attached to rails will carry the player at high speeds, and some walls require the player to [[Spin Jump]] into switch boxes to toggle them.
  
'''Launch Base Zone''' is the sixth zone in ''[[Sonic 3]]''. All characters would enter by popping out of a patch of snow at the beginning. Unlike most of Robotnik's bases, this one isn't a completely robotic fortress of machines; instead, it is basically a very large construction site where he is repairing the Death Egg. In S3K, the part of the level where Knuckles had faced his bosses would blow up and send him falling to [[Mushroom Hill Zone]]. With Sonic, Tails would fly him into the next zone after the bosses.
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The Zone uses a technique for showing/hiding [[tiles]] indoors and outdoors when the player enters the large towers in Act 1. This effect was originally used in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Wing Fortress Zone]] as a one-off, but like many of ''Sonic 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s one-off features, it appears several times in ''Sonic 3'' and ''Sonic & Knuckles'', being used in [[Angel Island Zone]] (Act 1), this Zone and [[Flying Battery Zone]]. At the end of Act 1 for Sonic and Tails, Knuckles would drop a bomb in one of these towers, causing it to crumble to pieces as the heroes escape and deal with the [[Twin Hammer]] placed by Eggman. In Knuckles' story, the echidna would climb up the destroyed remains of the tower and fight his mini-bosses in a different area.
  
The zone uses a technique for showing/hiding [[tiles]] indoors and outdoors. This effect was new for ''Sonic'', and it was only used in this zone and [[Flying Battery Zone]].
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Act 2 takes the player into the giant lake seen in Act 1's background, and is composed of a complex network of water pipes that the player will run along at high speeds throughout the Act. Some of the water pipes can also be entered into by [[Spin Dash]]ing into the barricades that connect the pipes together, then entering the flushing water. Following lower routes will take the player into the lake water, which generally has no means of replenishing air but are otherwise not very long. While Sonic and Tails run around the surface and sky, Knuckles would instead explore the sewers beneath the lake, which will eventually flood after destroying one of the pipe barricades. At the end of Act 2, Sonic and Tails will make it to the Death Egg and fight a series of [[Launch Base Zone bosses|boss machines]].
  
The Zone is rendered slightly less dangerous when played as part of ''[[Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]'' as opposed to just ''Sonic 3'', with several enemies and several sets of spikes above doorways removed from Act 1, and Robotnik monitors and some of the boss fights dropped from Act 2.
+
This Zone is rendered slightly less dangerous when played as part of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles]]'' as opposed to just ''Sonic 3'', with several enemies and several sets of spikes above doorways removed from Act 1, and [[Eggman Mark|Robotnik]] [[Monitor]]s and some of the boss fights dropped from Act 2. Additionally, once the Zone is cleared, the game will continue on into [[Mushroom Hill Zone]], with Tails flying Sonic into the next Zone after taking down the Death Egg, and the pipe where Knuckles would face his bosses being blown up, sending the echidna falling to the next Zone.
  
==Sonic Team Commentary (from ''[[Sonic Jam]]'' Strategy Guide)==
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==Quotes==
{{quote|1=This is the place where you can see the construction site where Eggman is rebuilding the Death Egg, hidden among the various ruins on the island. You never really see the Death Egg in Sonic 2, but here you can see it quite clearly. This is the climax at the midpoint of the story.|2=[[Takashi Iizuka]]}}
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{{quote|1=You're getting close to where Dr. Robotnik is repairing his Death Egg ship. This is your last chance to stop the Doc's evil scheme.|2=''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' US manual|ref={{fileref|Sonic3 MD US manual.pdf|page=19}}}}
  
== Glitches ==
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{{quote|This is the place where you can see the construction site where Eggman is rebuilding the Death Egg, hidden among the various ruins on the island. You never really see the Death Egg in Sonic 2, but here you can see it quite clearly. This is the climax at the midpoint of the story.|[[Takashi Iizuka]]|''[[Sonic Jam Official Guide]]''|ref={{fileref|SonicJamOfficialGuide Book JP.pdf|page=73}}}}
*When using [[debug mode]] to go above the Act 2 boss arena, [[Death Egg]] art is present. This art isn't actually used anywhere in normal play, and its presence shows that the art was completed by this time in development.
 
*When playing as Super Sonic in Act 1, if the player holds left whilst Super Sonic is inside a "spinning elevator," he will glitch outside the elevator in the "push" pose before the doors of the elevator open.
 
*There is a point where Robotnik appears early and attempts to take a block. He will flee when Sonic reaches a certain height on the screen. However, if Sonic never reaches that height, Tails can still attack Robotnik. After 256 hits, Robotnik "pops" like any other enemy and a flicky escapes. See [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo8G_-ti170 this video].
 
*Occasionally, the first Launch Base Act 2 boss never appears. You have to hit his "stand" to defeat him. See [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huP2eMa71Fw this video] (at 4:44)
 
  
 
==Enemies==
 
==Enemies==
* [[Flybot767]] — Silver bird.
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{| style="width:auto;"
* [[Orbinaut]] — A silver orb surrounded by four spiked orbs.
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|style="text-align:center;"|{{spriteImage|Corkey-spr.png}}
* [[Corkey]] — A gray energy cannon.
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|'''[[Corkey]]''' — A gray energy cannon, found attached to rails or ceilings.
* [[Snail Blaster]] — A snail with protective sheath that covers blaster cannons.
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|-
* [[Ribot]] —  Robotic frog.
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|style="text-align:center;"|{{spriteImage|Flybot767-spr.png}}
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|'''[[Flybot767]]''' — Silver bird Badnik that flies into the player.
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|-
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|style="text-align:center;"|{{spriteImage|Orbinauts3-spr.png}}
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|'''[[Orbinaut]]''' — A silver orb surrounded by four spiked orbs. Moves only when the player moves.
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|-
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|style="text-align:center;"|{{spriteImage|Ribot-spr.png}}
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|'''[[Ribot]]''' Robotic frog that swings or flings metallic orbs.
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|-
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|style="text-align:center;"|{{spriteImage|Snailblaster-spr.png}}
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|'''[[Snail Blaster]]''' — A snail with a protective shell that covers blaster cannons.
 +
|}
  
== Bosses ==
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==In other media==
:''Main Article: [[Launch Base Zone bosses]]''
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===''Sonic the Comic''===
==== Robotnik's Black Ball Machine (Sonic & Tails only) ====
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In the ''[[Sonic the Comic]]'' series, Launch Base Zone was built to facilitate the repair of Dr. Robotnik's improved Death Egg just like in the video games, with [[Trooper]]s patrolling the area and [[Grimer Wormtongue|Grimer]] residing within the Death Egg itself. Knuckles, in a bid to rid his island of all of Robotnik's influence, infiltrates the Zone and takes Grimer hostage, forcing him to tell Robotnik that the echidna is dead. When the Death Egg launches, the ship's main thrusters blow the scaffolding apart, bringing the Zone to ruin.
You must avoid Robotnik's black balls, shot out from under or over a disappearing ledge on the right-hand side of the screen, while jumping on the ledge to hit him.
 
  
==== Robotnik's Laser Column ====
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===Archie comics===
This boss is comprised of three sections in addition to the [[Eggpod]]: two lasers and a rocket. After four hits one laser breaks off, after another four hits the other breaks off and after the last hit, the rocket breaks off. It's not that easy, though: circling the column is a small orb that when hit will hurt you, so be careful.
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In [[Archie Comics]]' ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie comics)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' comic series, Launch Base Zone was used as a landing site for the [[Tornado]] by Sonic and Tails in their search for Knuckles for the upcoming fight against [[Enerjak]].
  
==== Robotnik's Giant Claw, aka "Squeeze Tag" (Knuckles / Sonic 3 only) ====
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When the universe was rebooted by the [[Super Genesis Wave]], Launch Base's origins became identical to the video game counterpart, and [[Relic the Pika]] would later use the base to conduct research with little success in contacting the planet's surface. Later, [[Team Dark]] would land a shuttle in the base in their mission to secure the [[Master Emerald]] before [[Eclipse the Darkling]] could, though Eclipse would attempt to hijack the shuttle after taking the Master Emerald. Knuckles and [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]] successfully intercepted, but with the echidna being forced to shatter the Master Emerald, forcing Eclipse to escape the Zone empty-handed.
Robotnik will swoop across the screen and you must jump between the spiky top and the claw to hit him. After two swoops with Sonic or Tails, or four swoops with Knuckles, he will start floating across the top of the screen, drop down, and move across the platform a few times, his spikes protruding from the platform, before starting the cycle anew. Robotnik can't be hit during the phase where he is floating across the top and bottom of the screen.
 
  
If playing ''Sonic 3'', when you are fighting this boss as Super Sonic, this boss has the ability to squeeze Sonic and drop his rings, losing his Super ability in the process. This issue is solved once the game is locked-on with ''Sonic & Knuckles''.
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==References==
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<references/>
  
{{Sonic3&KOmni}}
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{{S3Omni}}
[[Category:Sonic 3 & Knuckles Levels]]
 
[[Category:Sonic 3 and Knuckles Levels]]
 

Revision as of 08:42, 12 August 2020

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Sonic the Hedgehog 3
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Launch Base Zone
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  • Act 1
  • Act 2
Launchbase.png
LaunchBaseAct2.png
Launch Base Zone
Sixth Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Number of Acts: 2
Location: Angel Island
Level themes: industrial, underwater
Sub-boss: Twin Hammer
Boss: Launch Base Zone bosses
Maximum rings, Act 1: 294 + 130
Maximum rings, Act 2: 409 + 160
Underwater areas: Act 2
Non-English names:
IceCap Zone | Mushroom Hill Zone

Launch Base Zone is the sixth Zone of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. All characters would enter from IceCap Zone by popping out of a patch of snow at the beginning.

Overview

Unlike most of Dr. Eggman's bases, this one isn't a completely robotic fortress of machines; instead, it is basically a very large construction site where he is repairing the Death Egg. During Sonic and Tails' adventure, the Death Egg itself can be seen half-submerged in the giant lake in the background for Act 1, surrounded by large cranes; in Knuckles' adventure, the Death Egg is no longer there.

Throughout Act 1, the kind of gimmicks the player will come across include huge cylinders that the player will revolve around and a variety of elevators, such as spinning yellow cups that travel up or down thin metal corkscrews (though some will spin out of control and fling the player into walls), and rapidly-spinning elevators inside glass tubes that will transport the player to other parts of the Act. Security alarms are placed around the Act, and will summon Flybot767 Badniks to attack the player if they pass through one. Outdoor sections are very fast-paced, as they are filled with long slopes to roll down, as well as Speed Boosters and tube-loops that will instantly propel the player into high speeds. Hooks attached to rails will carry the player at high speeds, and some walls require the player to Spin Jump into switch boxes to toggle them.

The Zone uses a technique for showing/hiding tiles indoors and outdoors when the player enters the large towers in Act 1. This effect was originally used in Sonic the Hedgehog 2's Wing Fortress Zone as a one-off, but like many of Sonic 2's one-off features, it appears several times in Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles, being used in Angel Island Zone (Act 1), this Zone and Flying Battery Zone. At the end of Act 1 for Sonic and Tails, Knuckles would drop a bomb in one of these towers, causing it to crumble to pieces as the heroes escape and deal with the Twin Hammer placed by Eggman. In Knuckles' story, the echidna would climb up the destroyed remains of the tower and fight his mini-bosses in a different area.

Act 2 takes the player into the giant lake seen in Act 1's background, and is composed of a complex network of water pipes that the player will run along at high speeds throughout the Act. Some of the water pipes can also be entered into by Spin Dashing into the barricades that connect the pipes together, then entering the flushing water. Following lower routes will take the player into the lake water, which generally has no means of replenishing air but are otherwise not very long. While Sonic and Tails run around the surface and sky, Knuckles would instead explore the sewers beneath the lake, which will eventually flood after destroying one of the pipe barricades. At the end of Act 2, Sonic and Tails will make it to the Death Egg and fight a series of boss machines.

This Zone is rendered slightly less dangerous when played as part of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles as opposed to just Sonic 3, with several enemies and several sets of spikes above doorways removed from Act 1, and Robotnik Monitors and some of the boss fights dropped from Act 2. Additionally, once the Zone is cleared, the game will continue on into Mushroom Hill Zone, with Tails flying Sonic into the next Zone after taking down the Death Egg, and the pipe where Knuckles would face his bosses being blown up, sending the echidna falling to the next Zone.

Quotes

You're getting close to where Dr. Robotnik is repairing his Death Egg ship. This is your last chance to stop the Doc's evil scheme.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 US manualMedia:Sonic3 MD US manual.pdf[5]

This is the place where you can see the construction site where Eggman is rebuilding the Death Egg, hidden among the various ruins on the island. You never really see the Death Egg in Sonic 2, but here you can see it quite clearly. This is the climax at the midpoint of the story.

Takashi IizukaSonic Jam Official Guide[6]

Enemies

Corkey-spr.png
Corkey — A gray energy cannon, found attached to rails or ceilings.
Flybot767-spr.png
Flybot767 — Silver bird Badnik that flies into the player.
Orbinauts3-spr.png
Orbinaut — A silver orb surrounded by four spiked orbs. Moves only when the player moves.
Ribot-spr.png
Ribot — Robotic frog that swings or flings metallic orbs.
Snailblaster-spr.png
Snail Blaster — A snail with a protective shell that covers blaster cannons.

In other media

Sonic the Comic

In the Sonic the Comic series, Launch Base Zone was built to facilitate the repair of Dr. Robotnik's improved Death Egg just like in the video games, with Troopers patrolling the area and Grimer residing within the Death Egg itself. Knuckles, in a bid to rid his island of all of Robotnik's influence, infiltrates the Zone and takes Grimer hostage, forcing him to tell Robotnik that the echidna is dead. When the Death Egg launches, the ship's main thrusters blow the scaffolding apart, bringing the Zone to ruin.

Archie comics

In Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog comic series, Launch Base Zone was used as a landing site for the Tornado by Sonic and Tails in their search for Knuckles for the upcoming fight against Enerjak.

When the universe was rebooted by the Super Genesis Wave, Launch Base's origins became identical to the video game counterpart, and Relic the Pika would later use the base to conduct research with little success in contacting the planet's surface. Later, Team Dark would land a shuttle in the base in their mission to secure the Master Emerald before Eclipse the Darkling could, though Eclipse would attempt to hijack the shuttle after taking the Master Emerald. Knuckles and Shadow successfully intercepted, but with the echidna being forced to shatter the Master Emerald, forcing Eclipse to escape the Zone empty-handed.

References


Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic3 title.png

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