Part 6

Navigate the White World hub in Sonic Generations. Learn about its areas, Stage Gates, Challenge Gates, and how to unlock artwork and music.

When you first start a new game in Sonic Generations, you'll automatically begin with Classic Sonic in Green Hill Act 1. After the initial cutscene (a non-interactive cinematic the game plays automatically) (a non-interactive cinematic sequence), Modern Sonic appears in the White World. This 2D hub area is initially devoid of color. To restore color to the White World, you must clear Stage Acts and Challenges.

The White World is divided into 5 distinct areas:

• Extras Area: Contains the Information Pod, Skill Shop, and Collection Room.
• Genesis Era Area (Years 1991-1997): Features Stage Gates and Challenge Gates for Green Hill, Chemical Plant, and Sky Sanctuary, plus Metal Sonic, the Death Egg Robot Boss Gate, and Casino Night (DLC (downloadable content — extra missions or items released after launch) - Downloadable Content). The first 2 areas are available after clearing Green Hill Act 2.
• Dreamcast Era Area (Years 1998-2004): Includes Stage Gates and Challenge Gates for Speed Highway, City Escape, and Seaside Hill, plus Shadow and the Perfect Chaos Boss Gate.
• Modern Era Area (Years 2005-2010): Contains Stage Gates and Challenge Gates for Crisis City, Rooftop Run, and Planet Wisp, plus Silver and the Egg Dragoon Boss Gate.
• Final Area: Features the Time Eater Boss Gate.

Stage Gates are portals within the White World that lead to the game's main levels. Initially, a Stage Gate will appear as ??? with a fuzzy image. Act 1 levels are 2D stages for Classic Sonic, while Act 2 levels are 3D/2D split stages for Modern Sonic. Clearing Act 1 or Act 2 of a stage will restore some color to its Stage Gate. Clearing both Acts fully restores the Stage Gate's color and saves one of Sonic's friends.

The Information Pod is a device that answers questions and tracks your game progress.

Challenge Gates appear above Stage Gates once all 3 Stage Gates in an area are restored. They also unlock Boss Keys. Challenge Levels are similar to Stage Acts but have specific requirements and 5 different types of Challenges for each Stage Act, totaling 90 Challenges across the game. Challenge types include Speed, Technique, Doppelganger (racing a ghost version of yourself), Friends (getting help from or competing against friends), Enemy (clearing a level filled with one enemy type), Item (using a specific item repeatedly), Ring (clearing a level with a certain number of Rings), Juggle (juggling the Goal Post), and Rescue (freeing animals from capsules). Ranks in Challenges are based on clear speed. Clearing certain Challenges unlocks 7 Skills for the Skill Shop. Completing at least one Challenge is mandatory to obtain Boss Keys, meaning you must complete 9 Challenges from different Stages to finish the story. Clearing all 10 Challenges for a Stage restores color and objects to the platforms above its Stage Gate.

After clearing a Challenge, a Bonus Bell appears above the gate. Ringing a Bonus Bell releases a Blue (Artwork) or Gold (Music) Note that flies around the White World for 20 seconds. Touching these notes before they disappear unlocks content in the Collection Room. If you miss a note, ringing the bell again restarts the chase. Gold Bonus Bells contain Notes, while grey ones are empty. Bonus Bells unlock content in a set order:

• 1 Note: Artwork 41
• 2 Notes: Music: Splash Hill Zone
• 3 Notes: Artwork 42
• 4 Notes: Music: Toxic Caves
• 5 Notes: Artwork 43
• 6 Notes: Music: Palmtree Panic
• 7 Notes: Artwork 44
• 8 Notes: Music: Sonic Boom
• 9 Notes: Artwork 45
• 10 Notes: Music: Sweet Mountain
• 11 Notes: Artwork 86
• 12 Notes: Music: Savannah Citadel-Day
• 13 Notes: Artwork 87
• 14 Notes: Music: Kingdom Valley
• 15 Notes: Artwork 88
• 16 Notes: Music: Stardust Speedway Zone
• 17 Notes: Artwork 89
• 18 Notes: Music: Endless Possibility
• 19 Notes: Artwork 90
• 20 Notes: Music: Super Sonic Racing