Collectibles Checklist
Welcome to the ultimate guide for tracking down every elusive collectible in Sonic Superstars! Achieving 100% completion requires dedication, keen observation, and sometimes, a little bit of speedrunning finesse. This section will break down the various types of collectibles, their typical locations, and strategies to ensure you don't miss a single one.
Chaos Emeralds
The seven mystical Chaos Emeralds are crucial for unlocking Super Sonic and achieving the true ending. Each Emerald is obtained by successfully completing a special stage. Special Stages are accessed through giant rings hidden throughout various Acts.
- Location Strategy: Giant rings are often found off the beaten path, requiring you to explore alternative routes, use character-specific abilities, or break through hidden walls. Keep an eye out for suspicious platforms, elevated areas, or sections that seem to lead nowhere – these are often clues to a hidden ring.
- Special Stage Tips: These stages typically involve a chase sequence where you must collect a certain number of rings before time runs out or you fall off the course. Master your character's movement and use the environment to your advantage. Don't be afraid to restart if you miss too many rings early on.
- Act 01-1: The first Chaos Emerald can be found in Act 01-1. Look for a giant ring hidden above a series of springs after the first loop-de-loop.
- Act 02-1: In Act 02-1, a giant ring is tucked away in an upper path shortly after the first major enemy encounter. You'll need to use a bounce pad to reach it.
Medals
Medals are awarded for various achievements within each Act, including completing the stage, collecting a certain number of rings, defeating a specific number of enemies, or finding hidden areas. There are typically three Medals per Act.
- Completion Medal: Awarded for simply finishing the Act.
- Ring Master Medal: Requires collecting a high percentage of rings in the Act. This often means exploring every possible path and using your character's abilities to reach isolated ring clusters.
- Secret Finder Medal: This Medal is awarded for discovering a hidden area or performing a specific, often obscure, action. These are the trickiest to find.
- General Strategy: For all Medals, consider replaying Acts with different characters. Tails' flight can reach high areas, Knuckles' glide and climb can access walls, and Amy's hammer can break certain obstacles.
- Act 01-1:
- Completion: Finish the stage.
- Ring Master: Aim for 200+ rings. Explore the upper routes.
- Secret Finder: After the first set of moving platforms, drop down to a lower path instead of continuing right. There's a hidden spring leading to a small alcove.
- Act 01-2:
- Completion: Finish the stage.
- Ring Master: Target 250+ rings. Utilize the ziplines and bounce pads to reach elevated ring formations.
- Secret Finder: Near the end of the Act, before the final boss arena, look for a breakable wall on the upper-left side of the screen.
Battle Mode Shop Parts
These parts are used to customize your Battle Mode robot. They are purchased from the Battle Mode Shop using rings collected during gameplay. While not "found" in levels, collecting enough rings is essential to acquire them all.
- Acquisition: Rings are the currency for the Battle Mode Shop. The more rings you collect in story mode, the more parts you can purchase.
- Shop Inventory: The shop's inventory expands as you progress through the game. New parts become available after clearing certain Zones or defeating specific bosses.
- Purchase Limit: You can purchase up to 10 of each part. While you can only save 5 custom robots at a time, having a larger inventory allows for more diverse customization options.
- Strategy: Focus on collecting as many rings as possible during your playthroughs. Replay earlier, easier Acts to farm rings if you're short on funds for a specific part.
Character-Specific Collectibles (Fruit, Sonic Maps, etc.)
Some Acts feature unique collectibles tied to specific characters or themes. These are often indicated by special map types, such as "Act 01-Fruit Map" or "Act 02-Sonic Map."
- Act 01-Fruit Map: This map type indicates the presence of special fruit collectibles. These are often hidden in plain sight but require precise platforming or character abilities to reach. Collecting all fruit in a given Act might unlock bonus content or a special Medal.
- Act 02-Sonic Map: These maps suggest collectibles that are specifically tied to Sonic's abilities, or perhaps hidden in areas only accessible by his speed or homing attack. Pay close attention to environmental cues that might hint at Sonic-exclusive pathways.
- General Tip: When you see a map with a specific item or character name, consider replaying that Act with the indicated character to maximize your chances of finding all related collectibles.
Remember, thorough exploration is key! Don't rush through levels. Take your time, experiment with different character abilities, and revisit Acts if you suspect you've missed something. Good luck, Superstars!