Special Stage (Sonic Heroes)

The Special Stages in Sonic Heroes are much in the style of design based on Sonic The Hedgehog 2.

Sonic Heroes
The Special Stages are similar in design much like in Sonic 2. The only difference is that these stages are circular in desgn and appearence instead of half-pipe cylinder style. The way to entering them require players to find the Special Key and hold onto them until the level was completed. Special care must be taken in that if the player is hit, the key is lost.

If the key is collected on odd-numbered stages (Seaside Hill (1), Grand Metropolis (3), ect.), the Bonus Challenges will begin and upon completion will award the player Extra Lives/1-Ups. The player simply collects Power Spheres and reach the goal within the time limit.

If collected on odd-number stages (Ocean Palace(2), Power Plant(4), ect), then the Emerald Challenge will begin. The player had to chase the Chaos Emerald in ordered to obtain it. The Sonic Boost can be used in both challenges.

These Special Stages are notorious for being quite glitchy and control issues. It should be noted that Sonic Heroes is the first 3D Sonic to have Special Stages. (As Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 did have Special Stages.)

Sonic Generations (3DS)
The Special Stages based on Sonic Heroes make a return in Sonic Generations (3DS). The goal is very much the same and boosting also returns. The difference is these have much better control compared to the originals.