Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)/Hidden content

Unused Artwork

Special Stage Art

Artwork	Name	Description
File:Sprite03.gif	"Zone" Icons	Found in the object list for the special stages, and its graphics found in the ROM, these unused special stage icons have no known use. They're labeled for Zones 1-6, implying that they may have warped you to another Zone from within the special stage as a sort of shortcut.
	1-up Icon	Extra life icon for the special stages. It's listed in the manual for the game, but it never actually appears in any of the special stages. It is, however, fully functional, and you can place it in any special stage, provided you know how to edit them.
	"W" Icon	Strange icon with the letter W on it. Use is unknown, and has no function when placed in-game.

Unused Monitors

Artwork	Name	Description
File:Tv eggman.gif	Robotnik monitor	Does nothing. Is likely intended to hurt the player, as it does in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)'s 2-player mode.
File:Tv goggles.gif	Goggles monitor	The goggles, they do nothing! Most likely went with the unused Goggle graphics found in the ROM.
File:Statictv.gif	Static monitor	Does nothing. Found in various areas of Scrap Brain Zone in areas where the player can not normally access (such as inside walls).
File:Tv super.gif	"S" monitor	Does nothing. This monitor also appears in a Sonic CD prototype, where it grants the player extra speed and invincibility at the same time. Perhaps that was the intended effect here as well?

Unused Sonic Sprites

Artwork	Description
File:Standair.gif	This sprite shows Sonic standing while gasping for air. This was presumably used in Labyrinth Zone.
	This animation shows Sonic holding his breath while running. It is speculated that this was used during the countdown to signify no air is left for Sonic.
	This unused sliding sprite is similar to the one used in Sonic CD's Wacky Workbench Zone.
	Though this floating sprite is used in Sonic 2, it is not used in Sonic 1. Note the lack of a stripe on his shoes.
File:Victorypose.gif	As seen in a couple of prototype screenshots in magazines, Sonic appears to be striking a victory pose after passing the sign post.
File:Spin.gif	These spindash-esque sprites were found in the final ROM, but their use is unknown. Two leading theories is that they were used for a move similar to the spindash or that they are animations for some sort of warp movement.
File:Falling.gif	This set of sprites showing Sonic falling or shrinking are not used in the game and their intended use is unknown.

Spring Yard Graphics

This unused graphic can be found in the tileset for Spring Yard Zone. It is unused in the final game, and can be found in several prototype screenshots shown in magazine previews.

Splats the Bunny

Graphics for a scrapped badnik, found in the ROM. Splats was listed in a strategy guide for the game, but was never actually featured in-game. He has no object in the ROM, and only the graphics exist.

Unused Warping Effect

Thought to be the original method of accessing the special stage, this warp effect activates when Sonic touches the area in which the object is placed. Sonic disappears as he runs into it, and a warping noise plays. Sonic then reappears a few seconds later, likely as a method of testing the object.

Goggles

The graphics were found hidden in the ROM. While the actual purpose of the goggles is unknown, it is speculated that they were meant to give Sonic the ability to breathe underwater.

Each frame of the graphic fits together with one of Sonic's poses. For example:

Unused Eggman Graphics

These graphics were found buried in the ROM. Their purpose is unknown, but it is speculated that they may be part of an "alternate ending sequence" in which Eggman explodes in the background while Sonic runs across the ending level in victory.