Atomic Destroyer Zone


 * See also: Sonic Triple Trouble



Atomic Destroyer Zone is the sixth and final level of Sonic Triple Trouble for the Sega Game Gear. As with other stages in this game, Atomic Destroyer consists of two standard platforming Acts followed by a third Act which contains the Zone's boss (or, in this case, multiple bosses). The level comes after Tidal Plant Zone.



Atomic Destroyer is the Doctor's final base in Triple Trouble's; and as we have come to expect from the fat man, it's a technological nightmare of tinted chrome, killer lasers, and mad science. Maze-like networks of vacuum tubes whisk you around the level, frequently depositing Sonic right on top of the activation button for badnik generators. And not just any badniks; it's the annoying, tubular bird-bots that plague Sonic throughout his 8-bit adventures, all the way since Sky High Zone.

The Atomic Destroyer Zone itself functions as some sort of immense superweapon, according to the Triple Trouble US manual. We never find out precisely who's atoms it's supposed to destroy - but perhaps this is for the best, as Sonic and Tails race towards Act 3...

Boss


Although their race / battle in Stardust Speedway Zone during Sonic CD is much more well known, the Sonic and Metal Sonic clashed once again inside the Doctor's titanic superweapon. After a brief race on rocket-shoes (or just flying, if you're playing as Tails), Metal attacks, flying back and forth across the screen and periodicly swooping along the floor with his electric shield. Simply dodge the robot while he's charged up, and land hits when the shield depletes.

With Metal Sonic knocked out of the fight, Nack the Weasel briefly shows his face. Presumably in Atomic Destroyer to steal the final Emerald (the one in Eggman's posession), Nack turns and flees on catching sight of Robotnik's armoured pogo-mech; leaving you to face the Doctor's one-on-one. This machine dosn't put up much of a fight, and explodes after a mere 10 hits.



But the fat man's not nearly done yet. Eggman proceeds to bring out a significantly more dangerous contraption, that spews jets of flame all over the place. Even after you disable this incinerating weapon, Robotnik launches a series of electric and energy-ball attacks, while the broken, sparking conduits of his flame-gun make attacking hazardous. This section requires 17 hits for victory.

And then there's more. The final part of the boss sees Eggman's pod shift up and down between the two ends of a electricity chamber. Energy bolts fire from cannons above you, and the entire room is periodicly shot through with lightning. The only way for Sonic or Tails to dodge is to hop inside whichever chute Eggman isn't occupying at the time.



Ending
Finally, after four bosses in a row, Eggman is out of defences. The obese scientist flees to a floating platform, but drops the final, yellow Emerald during his hasty retreat. Sonic proceeds onwards to find an imprisoned Knuckles, captured by Eggman after the echidna's defeat at Tidal Plant Zone. After destroying the energy cage, the Guardian concedes a thankful handshake, before the two of you flee the base.