Game Basics


Sonic and Shadow moves and stage:
Sonic and Shadow's stages are all out action based. They require speed, reflexes, and mastery of certain skills.

Basic Controls:
Control stick is movement, L and R move camera, A button is jump.

Grinding:
Jump onto a rail, or anything resembling it. Moving the control stick left and right tilts the character left or right. Pushing them to far, may cause them to fall off. Holding down the B button has the character crouch, enabling them to move faster. To jump off, press A. You can jump from rail to rail also, or if they are side by side, press the A button and moving the control stick in the direction of the rail you want to go to at the same time, you can quickly move from rail to rail. Also, you can use a homing attack to grind upwards. This will be needed later on.
Homing Attack:
Press the A button to jump, and while in mid-air, press the A button again to slam into a nearby enemy. Using the control stick, you can aim at a certain enemy. Multiple Homing Attacks can be used to attack enemies in a row, which are sometimes the only means of crossing gaps.
Somersault:
Press the B button to somersault. Do not hold it down. Used to break crates, squeeze under very low gaps, and can destroy enemies.
Spin Dash:
Press and hold the B button, and release to take off in a ball of speed. You can destroy enemies this way. This attack though, is hard to control, but can get you to the goal a lot faster. To get out of a spin dash, press the A button to jump. Holding the B button longer causes a longer Spin Dash.
Light Dash:
Once you've obtained the right level-up item, you can run across paths of rings at fast speeds. Approach a row of rings, and the action window will appear, and press the B button to do. Sometimes the only way to cross gaps.
Light Attack:
Once the Ancient Light is gotten, you must hold down the button and start a Spin Dash. Continue holding until you stand back up and are glowing. Release the B button to attack multiple enemies within range.
Bounce Attack:
Sonic only
While in mid-air, press the B button. Sonic will curl up in a ball, and hit and bounce off the ground. Continual B button pushings will have him bounce higher. Can be used to destroy enemies, and are the only means of reaching high places.
Magic Hand:
Sonic only
Near an enemy, press the Y button until 'Magic Hand' appears. When it does, press the B button to captre the enemy in a ball. Pressing the B button will allow you to throw it.

Tails and Eggman:
Their stages are composed of movement of them in robots machines, using their cannons to fire missiles at enemies.
Basic Controls:
Control stick to move, L and R for camera, A button for jump, and B button for firing.
Volkan Cannon:
Press the B button to fire a shot from the cannon. Used to destroy crates and enemies.
Lock-On Laser:
Hold down the B button and use the control stick to target enemies. Once locked on, release the B button to fire at the targeted enemies. Used to destroy multiple enemies with more precision, and award bonus points.
Punch:
When very close to an enemy, the action window will appear with 'Punch'. Pressing the B button, Tails' propeller or Dr. Eggman's boxing glove will hit the enemy.
Hover:
Once item obtained, during a jump, hold down the A button to hover. Use the control stick to move foward, back, left or right. Only way to cover gaps. Letting go of the A button will drop you down. Can only hover for a short amount of time.

Knuckles and Rouge:
Stages consist of searching for 3 emeralds throughout.
Basic Controls:
Control stick to move, L and R for camera, A button for jump, and B for attack.
Punch, Kick:
The B button allows you to punch (Knuckles) or kick (Rouge). Used to break open things, or destroy enemies. Pressing them repeatedly you can put together a combo.
Climb:
Jump or glide onto a or surface. Use the Control Stick to move. Used to access lots of places.
Glide:
While in mid-air, press the A button to glide about. You cannot stay airborne infinately though. Use the control stick to move. Can be used to destroy enemies. Release the A button to stop gliding.
Swim: The only characters capable of swiming. In the water, hold down the B button to dive, release B to rise. Use the A button to rise quicker. Use the Control Stick to move. You cannot stay underwater infinately, so either reach the surface or touch an air bubble to replenish oxygen.
Spiral Uppercut/Screw Kick:
Rotate the control stick all the way around and press the B button to perform a vertical attack. Used to destroy floating objects and enemies above.
Dig:
Once item is obtained, you can dig into the ground. Lots of emeralds can only be found in the ground. You can either press the Y button until 'Dig' appears, then press B, or more easier, jump and press B to dig. To dig into a wall, grab onto the wall, then simply press B.
Sunglasses/Treasure Scope:
Once correct item is gottem, press the Y button until 'Sunglasses/Treasure Scope' appears, them press B. You'll see some invisible things with them. To turn them off, simply jump.

Common Objects:
Ancient Shrine:
Placed randomly, they are activated by the Mystic Melody. Are the only way to find the lost chao.
Dash Panel:
White track with arrows. When moved over, they give you a temporary speed boost. Used to get through loops.
Giant Weight:
Getting hit with a weight will cause you to drop your rings. Some weights will rise and fall, while others are suspended until walked under. Some switches can stop a weight from moving, and sometimes, you must jump onto a weight to reach a higher place.
Goal Ring:
In the Sonic/Shadow and Tails/Eggman stages, the goal ring is the end of the stage. You end the stage when you find a touch the goal ring.
Hourglass: Used only in 2 stages, jumping on the top causes them to flip over, opening doors. Doors close as the sand reaches the bottom.
Jump Plate: Black with blue arrows. Running over a jump plate cause you to jump. This is often the only way to cross gaps.
Missile:
To launch a missile, step on the green button behind it. Used to bread objects in your path, or release caged small animals.
Pipe:
When near one, the action button will appear with 'Whistle'. Press B, and a small animal will appear.
Point Marker:
Their the little saves. If you should die, you will appear at the last point marker you activated. To activate, just touch it. Some award prizes if you touch them withing a certain time. Not in Knuckles/Rouge stage.
Pulley:
Jump on to grab, and they will move you to an otherwise inaccessible area. To let go, jump.
Rocket:
Touch a rocket to have them bring you somewhere in a short amount of time. Letting go is automatic.
Spring:
Very common, springs are red with a purple circle and yellow star. Touching them will bounce you to a new place.
Switch:
Have multiple uses. Are white with a purple circle and yellow star. They can suspend weights, open doors, etc. To activate, simple touch.
Item Boxes: Little globes that contain some fab prizes! Can either contain a bomb which destroys all enemies in the area, extra life, invicibility, rings, speed boost, or shied. The 2 kind of shields are regular and magnetic. Allows you to get hit once withou taking damage. The magnetic kind also attract nearby rings.
Crates:
Cage: Sometimes contain small animals, and can only be destroyed with a missile or bombs thrown by Kikis. (robot monkeys)
Chao Box: There are 3 in each stage. Can be broken without any special items. First box contains a key to the Chao Garden, the second contains 4 small animals, and the third a special small animal.
Iron Container: Can be broken with the correct level item.
Metal Box: Are black, and can not be broken.
Wooden Crate: Can be broken without any items.

There are 9 types of enemies, with each series has a few variations. The series are Beetle, Hunter, Hawk, Rhino, Hornet, Artificial Chaos, Fighter, Ghosts, and Dr. Eggman's Robots. Learn the ways of destroying them all.
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