Sonic Advance 3
Sonic Advance 3

Unlockable Content Checklist

Master Sonic Advance 3's unlockable content, including new characters and Super Sonic. This checklist guides you through every secret for maximum replayability.

·Multi-source verified (87/87)

Unlockable Content Checklist

Sonic Advance 3 offers a wealth of unlockable content that truly expands the replayability and enjoyment of the game. From new playable characters to the ultimate Super Sonic transformation, mastering these unlocks is key to experiencing everything the game has to offer. This detailed checklist will guide you through each step, ensuring you don't miss a single secret.

Playable Characters

Unlocking all characters is essential for experimenting with different team dynamics and finding your favorite playstyle. Each character brings unique abilities to the table, making certain levels and boss fights easier to tackle.

  • Cream the Rabbit:
    • Requirement: Complete Zone 1: Route 99.
    • Strategy: Simply finish all three Acts and defeat the boss in Route 99. Cream will automatically join your roster after the boss battle cutscene. She's an excellent choice for beginners due to her flight ability, allowing easy navigation over obstacles.
  • Knuckles the Echidna:
    • Requirement: Complete Zone 2: Sunset Hill.
    • Strategy: Progress through all Acts of Sunset Hill and defeat the zone's boss. Knuckles will be available for selection once Sunset Hill is cleared. His gliding and climbing abilities are invaluable for reaching hidden areas and collecting Rings.
  • Amy Rose:
    • Requirement: Complete Zone 3: Ocean Base.
    • Strategy: Conquer all Acts and the boss of Ocean Base. Amy will then be unlocked. Her Piko Piko Hammer offers unique attack patterns and can be surprisingly effective against certain enemies and bosses.
  • Big the Cat:
    • Requirement: Complete Zone 4: Toy Kingdom.
    • Strategy: Finish all Acts and defeat the boss of Toy Kingdom. Big will become a playable character. While slower, his powerful attacks and ability to pick up and throw objects can be strategically useful.
  • Emerl (as a playable character):
    • Requirement: Collect all 7 Chaos Emeralds and complete the game.
    • Strategy: This is the most challenging character unlock. You must find all 7 Chaos Emeralds by successfully completing the Special Stages. Once all Emeralds are collected and you've finished the main story, Emerl will be available in the character selection screen. Emerl's unique ability to copy attacks from other characters makes him incredibly versatile.

Super Sonic Transformation

The ultimate power-up, Super Sonic, is not just for show; it's crucial for achieving the true ending of the game and breezing through difficult sections.

  • Requirement: Collect all 7 Chaos Emeralds.
  • Strategy: To transform into Super Sonic, you must first gather all 7 Chaos Emeralds. These are obtained by entering and successfully completing the Special Stages. Once you have all seven, select Sonic as your main character and accumulate 50 Rings during a level. Then, press the jump button twice in mid-air (or the designated transformation button if you've remapped controls) to transform. Super Sonic is invincible, faster, and has enhanced attacks, but consumes Rings over time.

Special Stages

Accessing and completing Special Stages is paramount for collecting the Chaos Emeralds, which in turn unlocks Super Sonic and Emerl.

  • Requirement: Find a hidden Special Spring in each Zone's Act 1 or Act 2.
  • Strategy: Each of the 7 Zones (Route 99, Sunset Hill, Ocean Base, Toy Kingdom, Twinkle Snow, Cyber Track, Chaos Angel) contains a hidden Special Spring in either Act 1 or Act 2. These springs are often well-hidden, requiring careful exploration, using character abilities (like Knuckles' glide or Cream's flight), or finding secret pathways. Once you hit a Special Spring, you'll be transported to a Special Stage. In these stages, you must collect a set number of Rings while avoiding bombs within a time limit. Successfully completing a Special Stage rewards you with a Chaos Emerald. There are 7 Special Stages in total, one for each Emerald.

Sound Test

Relive your favorite tunes from the game with the Sound Test feature.

  • Requirement: Complete the game once.
  • Strategy: Simply finish the main story mode, regardless of whether you've collected all Chaos Emeralds or not. After the credits roll, the Sound Test option will become available in the main menu.

Boss Attack Mode

Test your skills against all of the game's bosses in a consecutive gauntlet.

  • Requirement: Complete the game once.
  • Strategy: Similar to the Sound Test, Boss Attack Mode unlocks after you've completed the main story. This mode can be accessed from the main menu and allows you to challenge all the game's bosses one after another, providing a true test of your combat prowess.