Sonic & Knuckles Collection

n/a

Sonic & Knuckles Collection
System(s): Windows PC
Publisher: Sega
Developer: H.I.C., USP, Sega PC
Distributor: Wizard Soft (KR) WWorldwise Enterprise (TW) WMedia Master International (TW)
Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code Rating JP 1997-02-14 ¥7,800 (8,190) HCJ-0108 JP (Ultra 2000) 2000 ¥? MKW-051 JP (Yuu Yuu) 200x ¥? ? US 1997-03-14 $29.99 85037 US (Expert Software) 1999 $? T-6820-01 US (Jack in the Box) 200x $? 85037 EU 1997-03-20 €? MK-85037 DE 1997-03-20 DM 90.00 MK-85037 UK (Xplosiv) 2002 £? XP-1891 3016963 FR 1997-03-20 249F MK-85037 KR 199x ₩? ? TW 199x NT$? ?

Sonic & Knuckles Collection is a compilation for Microsoft Windows-based PCs, released in 1997. Games included are the Sega Mega Drive titles Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, and Blue Sphere (listed as "Special Stage Mode").

It should be noted that normally, the program lacks a speed-limiting feature in windowed mode, so it runs far too fast on modern PCs. However, it is possible to specify a framerate to run at, which is explained further here. The timings used by full screen mode are always based on the monitor's refresh rate, so the game can always be played correctly on a modern system as long as the player's refresh rate is set to 60Hz.

Differences from console version

Most of the original music is faithfully converted to MIDI format, with the user able to choose between General MIDI and FM MIDI formats. Some of Sonic 3's music tracks, such as those of Carnival Night Zone, IceCap Zone, Launch Base Zone, Knuckles' theme, the Competition menu, and the credits music, were replaced with completely different tracks originally from a Sonic 3 prototype. One possible explanation for this is that the tracks featured sampled sound effects not supported by the MIDI standard, and some sound cards during this time were not capable of playing these alongside the standard MIDI instruments. Another potential explanation is that the original tracks may have been composed by Michael Jackson, and were replaced due to legal reasons that arose since their original release. IceCap Zone's soundtrack may have been replaced due to having its origins in Hard Times, an unreleased 1982 track by The Jetzons, an American new wave band whose keyboardist, Brad Buxer, later worked on the Sonic 3 soundtrack. Aside from this musical difference, the game plays virtually identically to its original incarnations.

Other differences include the fact that the Sonic 3 & Knuckles Level Select Cheat works on Sonic 3 alone, in Angel Island Zone. This code (usually input at Mushroom Hill Zone in Sonic & Knuckles) does not enable debug mode as in the original, though it does still allow characters to play stages they couldn't access otherwise from the level select. Examples include Tails in Doomsday Zone and Knuckles in Sky Sanctuary 1. When the level select code is performed in Sonic 3, and the first Special Stage option is selected (which unlike in the original accesses the Blue Sphere mini-game), this enables the player to use Knuckles in the Sonic 3 levels, though they are incomplete and thus cannot always be beaten.

Sonic the Hedgehog The Screen Saver

In North America and Europe, Sonic the Hedgehog The Screen Saver was included in the compilation. This disc allowed users to customize Windows with Sonic themes, wallpapers, icons, and play music from Sonic 1, 2, 3, S&K and the Japanese version of Sonic CD. In Japan, Sonic the Hedgehog The Screen Saver was sold separately.

Hidden content

Main article: Sonic & Knuckles Collection/Hidden content

Also released on

• Sonic Action Pack for the PC (2000)
• Sonic Action 4 Pack for the PC (2001)
• Sega PC Mega Pack for the PC (2003)

Production credits

Main article: Sonic & Knuckles Collection/Production credits

Manuals

This instruction manual requires additional or replacement scans.

• 

  PC, JP (Ultra 2000)

• 

  PC, EU

• 

  PC, EU (Sonic the Hedgehog The Screen Saver)

• 

  PC, US (digital manual from US version disc)

Magazine articles

Main article: Sonic & Knuckles Collection/Magazine articles

Artwork

• 

Gallery

• 
• 

Physical scans

Reception »

PC, JP
Cover
Disc

PC, JP (Ultra 2000)
Cover
Disc File:Skpc JP ultra2000 manual.pdf Manual

PC, JP (Yuu Yuu)
Cover

PC, US
Cover
Disc File:SKC PC US Manual.pdf Manual

PC, US (Jack in the Box)
Cover
Disc

PC, US (Expert Software])
Jewel Case

PC, US (Expert Software; alt)
Jewel Case

PC, US (Expert Software; alt 2)
Cover
Disc File:SKC US Expert Manual.pdf Manual Jewel Case

PC, EU
Cover
Disc File:SKC PC EU manual.pdf Manual Jewel Case File:SonicScreenSaver PC EU manual.pdf Screen Saver manual

PC, BR
Disc File:SKC PC BR manual.pdf Manual Jewel Case File:SonicScreenSaver PC EU manual.pdf Screen Saver manual

PC, UK (Xplosiv)
Cover

PC, UK (Xplosiv; alt)
Cover
Disc

PC, KR
Cover
Disc Inlay

PC, TW
Cover

Technical information

Main article: Sonic & Knuckles Collection/Technical information

Downloads

Download Sonic & Knuckles Collection Demo File: Sonic&KnucklesCollection Demo.7z‎ (4.97 MB) (info)

External links

• Sega of America webpage: PC
• Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): PC

References

Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems

Retail

1996  Sonic the Hedgehog CD | Sonic the Hedgehog The Screen Saver | Sonic's Schoolhouse     1997  Sonic & Knuckles Collection | Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island     1998  Sonic R     2003  Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut     2004  Sonic Heroes     2006  Sonic Mega Collection Plus | Sonic Riders     2010  Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing     2011  Sonic Generations     2013  Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed     2022  Sonic Speed Simulator      Demos  Sonic Heroes Trial Version  Unreleased  SonicPC