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Learn About the Game Sonic and Knuckles (Sega Genesis)
I still remember the first time I popped Sonic and Knuckles into my Genesis—there was an immediate thrill in spotting that chunky cartridge shape. The game picks up right where Sonic 3 left off, with Dr. Robotnik’s Death Egg careening toward Angel Island and Knuckles determined to defend his home turf. It’s wild to see the story play out from Knuckles’s point of view, especially when his rivalry with Sonic and later uneasy alliance adds a fun twist to the usual “stop Robotnik” plot.
What really stole the show was the lock-on feature. Slot Sonic 3’s cart into the top of Sonic and Knuckles, and suddenly you’ve got Sonic 3 & Knuckles—a seamless fusion that gives you full access to Knuckles’s levels and mechanics in the earlier game. It felt revolutionary at the time, letting you swap characters on the fly and hunt for hidden routes or special stages that you might’ve missed. Plus, each zone is gorgeous, with vibrant colors and memorable set-pieces like the lava-riddled Sky Sanctuary and the crystal halls of the Hidden Palace.
Playing as Knuckles changes the pace, too. Instead of zipping around with loops and springs, you’re gliding through the air, scaling walls, and digging for secrets. He’s a little slower, but the payoff for uncovering hidden power-ups or one of his trademark treasures is huge. That exploration element made me come back level after level, just to see what corners I hadn’t mapped out yet.
Even now, Sonic and Knuckles feels like a high-water mark for 16-bit platformers. The music still pumps you up, the level design keeps you guessing, and the idea of slotting cartridges together feels so enthusiastically Sega. It’s a testament to smart innovation and pure fun, and it’s no surprise collectors and speedrunners still swear by it more than two decades later.