Labyrinth Zone


 * You may be looking for the game, Sonic Labyrinth.

Labyrinth Zone is a ruin-like maze partially submerged in water, the decaying remnants of an ancient civilization. The area is located within the caves of South Island's prominent mountain range (see image). It features many spikes and water-driven contraptions, although, despite the Doctor's efforts, Sonic's greatest hazard in this zone is not the enemies or the traps, but the water! Sonic is terrible at swimming - and he can only hold his breath for so long. After staying underwater for a limited amount of time (18 seconds on the Mega Drive version, with warning bells after 5, 10, and 15 seconds) a countdown starts (5 breaths/about 12 seconds), at the end of which Sonic drowns. Collecting air bubbles found in certain points resets the counter and prevents Sonic from drowning. This element found its way into many more early Sonic games; much to the terror of a great number of fans.

Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)
Although only the fourth of seven stages (between Spring Yard Zone and Star Light Zone), Labyrinth is widely regarded as the hardest level in Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit). Act 3 is particularly notorious for an underwater maze section in which the scenery repeats itself continuously until a hidden switch is found.

Boss
The Labyrinth Zone boss is unusual, in that Sonic does not need to defeat Doctor Eggman in order to win. Instead, he follows Eggman up through an ascending passage, avoiding deadly obstacles and staying ahead of the rising water level.

Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit)


Labyrinth Zone also appears in the Game Gear / Master System vesrion of Sonic 1, as the fourth stage. As with all other stages in this game, Labyrinth Zone consists of two standard Acts followed by a shorter, third Act which contains the Zone's boss (and not a ring in sight).

The 8-bit Labyrinth Zone is significantly less arduous than its 16-bit counterpart; the Acts are both smaller, and less hopelessly maze-like. Acquiring the Chaos Emerald can pose difficulties, though; it sits at the bottom of a spike pit close to the end of Act 2, requiring Sonic to pick up an Invincibility TV in order to collect the gem safely.

For the boss, Eggman has repaired and re-armed his combat submersible since Sonic last fought it in Bridge Zone. Now it sports rather inaccurate homing torpedoes on top of the energy balls from last time.

Sonic Drift
] The Labyrinth Zone appears alongside other Sonic 1 Zones as a racetrack in the game Sonic Drift.

Sonic the Comic
In Sonic the Comic, the Labyrinth Zone appears as a network of tunnels dug by badniks (lead by Arachbot) underneath half of planet Mobius. It later appeared in its more familiar appearance from the games, as a sunken city.

Trivia

 * Labyrinth was originally intended to be the 2nd stage, but it was pushed back in the level order because the designers felt it would be too hard for so early in the game.