Level select
From Sonic Retro
File:Sonic 2 beta level select.png
Sonic 2 Beta's level select screen.
Level select, also known as "Zone Select" for Sonic games since the levels aren't called levels, but zones, is a menu from which you are able to access any level in the game, as well as:
- Special stages
- Bonus stage (in Sonic 3 & Knuckles only)
- 2-player levels (in Sonic 3 only)
- Sound test
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3
- Sonic & Knuckles
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)
- Sonic Chaos
- Sonic Triple Trouble
- Knuckles' Chaotix (accessible through modifying colour bars in the 'colour test' screen)
- Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure
This option allows you to search through (usually) a menu with a listing of different levels in a game then lets you choose whichever level you wish to play. Another very useful feature for debugging/development.
In Sonic 2, Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles, entering a level from the level select screen will enable the reset/slow-motion/frame advance cheat. This will not, however, enable object placement or (in Sonic & Knuckles' case) gravity reversal, which require debug mode to be activated.