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S3K adventure archiveSonic 3 & KnucklesGUIDES
Sonic 3 & Knuckles / Characters

Sonic, Tails and Knuckles

Choose a hero by movement ability and recognize the separate campaigns.

Edition covered

Original 1994 Mega Drive/Genesis lock-on game, made by connecting Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to Sonic & Knuckles. Routes and transformations refer to that cartridge combination. Sonic Origins changes and fan-made editions are outside this guide. The cover image shows original Sonic 3 component packaging.

5 characters · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.

Character directory

Original Sonic 3 character artwork.
Playable speed specialist

Sonic

Sonic uses the Insta-Shield without an elemental shield, and gains a different midair action with each shield. His campaign continues toward the Death Egg and its Emerald-dependent finale.

Original Sonic 3 Tails artwork.
Playable flyer and partner

Miles "Tails" Prower

Tails can fly or swim for a limited time. Choose him alone to control that exploration directly, or use a second controller to operate the partner in a Sonic-and-Tails file.

Original Sonic 3 Knuckles artwork.
Playable island guardian

Knuckles

Knuckles glides, clings to walls and enters routes blocked to the other heroes. His lower jump and separate encounters make his adventure worth learning on its own terms.

Original Sonic 3 artwork of Robotnik in a machine.
Sonic and Tails antagonist

Dr. Robotnik / Eggman

Robotnik needs the island's power to restore the Death Egg. His machines divide the zones into boss encounters that reward reading attacks before trying repeated hits.

EggRobo from Sonic & Knuckles
Knuckles campaign opponent

Eggrobo

This robot pursues Knuckles in the Sonic & Knuckles portion of the adventure. Its role helps distinguish the guardian's story from Sonic's pursuit of Robotnik.

Quick notes

  • Use Sonic's midair action. Without an elemental shield, a second jump press in the air briefly produces Sonic's Insta-Shield.
  • Let Tails explore high ground. Press jump again in the air to begin flying, then keep tapping to gain height until Tails tires.
  • Read Knuckles' routes separately. Knuckles begins a glide with another airborne jump press and can cling to suitable walls.
  • Watch who commands the machine. Robotnik is the central enemy in Sonic and Tails' pursuit.
FIELD NOTE

Tails can scout vertically; Knuckles can enter dedicated passages. Those are different exploration tools.

Picture details

Game artwork belongs to its respective rights holders.

References