Sonic 3 Debug Mode and Level Select Codes (Sega Genesis) - Retrogaming Easter Eggs
1,337In Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for Sega Genesis, there's a code you can input just before the title screen to access the Level Select screen. And in the Sonic 3 level select, you can also unlock debug mode! The code itself isn't entirely complicated, but because the input window is so short, AND there are multiple, multiple instances of lag frames during that window, the cheat code can be surprisingly hard to execute.
Here's how to get the Sonic 3 Level Select: Right after starting up the game, wait for the SEGA screen to go black. Just after the background changes from white to black, tap UP, UP, DOWN, DOWN, UP, UP, UP, UP. If you did it right, you will hear a ring sound effect. Now simply scroll down on the title screen until you see the Sound Test option, which is actually the level select AND sound test.
Again, you need to wait for the screen to get darker after the SEGA logo, and I recommend hitting the directional inputs moderately fast and in a uniform rhythm. The game is VERY picky about how and when you enter this code, but don't get discouraged! You'll get it eventually.
But the startup animation has a TON of lag frames, and during those frames, your inputs will be ignored. Here is some more information on the timing and lag frames for the Sonic 3 startup - https://info.sonicretro.org/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_3/Hidden_content#SEGA_screen_technical_details
Here's how to get debug mode in Sonic 3: Once you've accessed the Level Select cheat, go to the Sound Test and play sounds 01, 03, 05, and 07. If you did it correctly, you will hear another ring sound effect.
Now simply hold the A button and press start on whatever level you choose, and you will have access to debug mode features! It takes a little while to get used to how it works, but once you get the hang of it, it's a ton of fun. You can place level assets wherever you want, you can go Super Sonic at will, and you can even advance one frame at a time if you want to go slow in a Sonic game for some reason!
Here's how to access the Debug Mode and Level Select in Sonic 3 & Knuckles - https://youtube.com/shorts/FLjTbi5YVM4
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