Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble

Sonic Triple Trouble is a platform game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It was developed by Aspect and published by Sega for the Sega Game Gear. Originally released in 1994, the complete title of the game is Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble. In Japan it is known as Sonic & Tails 2.

Sonic Triple Trouble was re-released in 2005 as part of the Sonic Gems Collection for the GameCube and PlayStation 2. It has also featured as a hidden game inside Sonic Adventure DX for the GameCube and PC.

Storyline
The US Instruction manual tells us that, as usual Dr. Robotnik has captured all of the Chaos Emeralds. Unfortunately for him, an accident in the testing phase of his new ultimate weapon, the Atomic Destroyer, scatters the Emeralds back across the island. While Sonic and Tails are out to retrieve them, they are cut short by Knuckles the Echidna. Robotnik has already reclaimed the yellow emerald, and he's once again duped the Guardian into believing Sonic and Tails are out to steal the stones.

Meanwhile, a sneaky treasure hunter named Nack the Weasel (Fang the Sniper in the Japanese version) is taking advantage of the commotion to collect the Emeralds himself. He does not know of the true power of the Emeralds, but he does know the large, pretty gems would fetch a high price. Now it's a mad four-sided race for the Chaos Emeralds.

Gameplay
While the first few Sonic games for the Game Gear were simply ports of the Sega Master System versions, and lacked some of the elements found in the Sega Genesis series, this exclusive Game Gear game was a lot larger in size than its predecessors. Gameplay gave an experience very much in keeping with the Sonic games of the Genesis.

This is the first Sonic game in which the player does not lose all of his rings after getting hurt. In this specific case, during any act of Zone 1, 2, or 6, or the first act of any other Zone, each hit will take away 30 rings. In the second act of Zone 3, 4, or 5, 50 rings will be lost.

The choice is given of playing as either Sonic or Tails, who has the ability to fly in this game. The enemies are Dr. Robotnik, Knuckles the Echidna, and the ambitious treasure-hunter Nack the Weasel, newly introduced in the series, who only appears in the Special Stages to keep the heroes away from the Chaos Emeralds.

Zones
There are six stages, each with three Acts. The third Act is merely a short course (with a small cache of Rings to pick up) followed by a boss, one of Robotnik's powerful robot creations. The Doctor himself doesn't show up until the final stage.

In order, the stages are: Great Turquoise Zone, Sunset Park Zone, Meta Junglira Zone, Robotnik Winter Zone, Tidal Plant Zone, and Atomic Kitten Zone.



Precisely where in Sonic's world the Zones of Sonic Triple Trouble are sited is never stated in-game - in contrast to the previous 8-bit titles, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Sonic Chaos, which were all categorically stated to take place on South Island. It may be that Sonic Triple Trouble takes place there as well; alternatively, due to the presence of Knuckles the Echidna, the game may set on the Floating Island; although it remains altogether possible that Triple Trouble is simply set in an unspecified region not previously visited by earlier Sonic games.

Additionally, and in keeping with 8-bit tradition, there are 5 individual special stages to access in the game. Sonic Triple Trouble, however, sees these stages accessed in a unique way: by collecting 50 rings and breaking open the "Chaos Emerald" item box, a portal appears which leads to the Special Stage.

The first, third and fifth stages are giant mazes with a countdown timer. The timer can be boosted with "Stopwatch" item boxes scattered throughout, but it never exceeds one and a half minutes. The second and fourth Special Stages involve flying the Tornado aeroplane to collect rings and avoid bombs. At the end of every Special Stage, Nack shows up and attacks to protect the Chaos Emerald. Clearing all 5 Special Stages unlocks the "good" ending.

Trivia

 * In August 1995, a 48-page comic titled and loosely based on Sonic Triple Trouble was released.
 * Sonic is animated in a more upright position than in Sonic Chaos.
 * The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog image of Dr. Robotnik is seen in the front box cover.
 * The theme of Sunset Park Act 3 is actually an unused track from Sonic Chaos except with a lower pitch.
 * In the "special thanks" of the credits, an "H. Kojima" is credited. It is unknown if this refers to Hideo Kojima, the famed creator of the Metal Gear series.
 * Sonic Triple Trouble along with 19 other Game Gear and Master System games were released on the Coleco Sonic. You probably didn't know this is about kittens.