Tidal Plant Zone

Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble

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Tidal Plant Zone

Fifth Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble
Number of Acts: 3
Level themes: industrial, underwater
Boss: Knuckles the Echidna
Maximum rings, Act 1: 134 + 210
Maximum rings, Act 2: 120 + 150
Maximum rings, Act 3: 0 + 10
Underwater areas: Yes
Non-English names: JP: タイダルプラント^[1]
← Robotnik Winter Zone \| Atomic Destroyer Zone →

Tidal Plant Zone is the fifth Zone of Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble for the Sega Game Gear. As with other Zones in this game, Tidal Plant consists of two standard Acts followed by a shorter third Act which contains the Zone's boss. This Zone comes after Robotnik Winter Zone and precedes Atomic Destroyer Zone.

Overview

Tidal Plant is Triple Trouble's underwater level. However, unlike most of its contemporaries, Labyrinth Zone, Aqua Lake Zone, Aqua Planet Zone, and so forth, the waters of Tidal Plant are not cluttered with decaying ruins. This zone appears to be exactly what it says on the tin; a tidal power plant, presumably constructed by Dr. Eggman to fuel his electronic behemoth that is the upcoming Atomic Destroyer. Winding, submarine passages bristle with traps and electric eel Badniks. Pressing the large, pink buttons along the floor releases giant bubbles which Sonic and Tails can ride inside.

The particularly fun things within this Zone, however, are the power-ups. Just as Robotnik Winter gave Sonic the opportunity to snowboard, the hedgehog can pick up the Propeller Shoes here, which actually enable infamously water-unsavory Sonic to swim, albeit briefly. Tails, meanwhile, gets to pilot the Sea Fox, his own personal submarine. This one-fox craft would go on to be a major feature in Tails Adventures, released the year after Triple Trouble.

Tails in the Sea Fox.
Sonic in a giant air bubble.
Sonic's Propeller Shoes.

Quotes

“	Spring, spin and swim through an underwater maze. Beware—if you go without air for too long, you'll see a countdown above your character's head. When the timer reaches zero, you lose a life. Jump on switches to make air bubbles pop up from the ground. Take a deep breath from smaller bubbles, and use a large bubble to hitch a ride to the surface. Press the D-Pad or to guide the bubble as you float up, and press Button or to pop free.	„
— Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble US manual^[2]

Enemies

Eeliotte — The only Badnik in this Zone. Swims back and forth in the underwater passages, surging with electricity.

Chaos Emerald Monitor locations

The following are the locations of the Chaos Emerald Monitors for access to the Special Stage in Tidal Plant Zone:

Act 1: The player should step on the first button to appear after passing the Checkpoint and ride the air bubble as far to the right as possible, leading to a room with a collapsing floor. They should then drop down and sink into the floor, leading to a hidden room with the Monitor.
Act 2: After a tall air bubble shaft leading back to the surface are two pipes to enter. The player must take the top pipe to a room with an air bubble button that leads up to the Monitor.