You remember the hype. 2010. SEGA finally announces the "true" sequel to Sonic & Knuckles. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated nostalgia for those of us who grew up with a Genesis controller permanently fused to our palms. But when Sonic the Hedgehog 4 actually landed, it was... divisive. People argued about the physics. They argued about the "shiny" look.
But there’s one thing that consistently catches modern players off guard: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Super Sonic.
Getting the yellow blur isn't just a matter of finishing the game. Honestly, the way Dimps (the developer) handled the Chaos Emeralds in both Episode 1 and Episode 2 is a bit of a throwback to the days when games didn't mind making you work—and occasionally making you want to throw your console out a window.
The Special Stage Grind is Real
In both episodes, Super Sonic is essentially your reward for 100% completion of the Special Stages. If you’re playing Episode 1, you have to find those giant rings at the end of a level by finishing with at least 50 rings in your pocket. Classic, right?
But the actual stages? They’re these rotating labyrinths where you're tilting the world to move Sonic. You have to grab a certain number of rings before the timer runs out, all while avoiding the "!" blocks that kick you out instantly.
What most people mess up:
You don't have to play the hardest acts to get into a Special Stage. I've seen so many people try to get into the giant ring on a late-game Mad Gear Zone act when they could just breeze through Splash Hill Act 1.
Pro tip: Use the easy acts to enter the Special Stages. The game doesn't care where you enter; it just counts how many emeralds you have. If you fail a later stage, just restart the easiest act you know. It saves hours.
Episode 2 and the Tails Problem
When Episode 2 dropped in 2012, things changed. We got the half-pipe back—the Sonic 2 style stages that look way better but feel totally different because of the "Tag" mechanic.
In Episode 2, you aren't just controlling Sonic. You’ve got Tails tethered to you. This makes Super Sonic feel a bit different. Once you unlock him (by hitting those 50 rings and pressing the transform button—Triangle on PlayStation, Y on Xbox), you’re nearly invincible. You’re faster. You jump higher.
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But there’s a catch.
If you use a Combo Move with Tails, like the Copter Combo or the Submarine Combo, you actually drop out of the Super form. It’s annoying. You’re this god-like golden hedgehog, but the moment you need Tails to fly you over a gap, you're back to being a regular blue guy. Most fans at the time hated this, and frankly, it still feels like a weird design choice today.
Is Super Sonic Actually Faster?
Technically, yes. But in Sonic 4, the physics engine is "heavy." In the original Genesis games, Super Sonic felt like he was sliding on ice made of pure speed. In Sonic 4, he feels more like a muscle car. He has incredible top speed, but getting him there takes a second.
The Damage Modifier
One thing the game doesn't explicitly tell you: Super Sonic deals double damage.
- Bosses: Usually take 8 hits.
- Super Sonic: Can often take them down in 4 or 5.
- The Exception: Most bosses have a "final phase" trigger at 1HP. You can't skip the very last hit with Super Sonic; the game forces you to see the boss's final desperate attack pattern.
The Secret "Super Sonic Jackpot"
If you’re hunting for lives—maybe you’re going for that "Untouchable" achievement where you have to beat the final boss without taking damage—you need to head to Casino Street Zone.
When you’re in the slot machine sections as Super Sonic, your luck is significantly better. It’s a literal life farm. I’ve seen players walk into that zone with 5 lives and walk out with 99. It’s the easiest way to break the game’s economy.
Why You Should Actually Bother Unlocking Him
Look, Sonic 4 gets a lot of flak. Some of it is deserved (the physics in Episode 1 are truly bizarre), but playing through the levels as Super Sonic actually fixes some of the flow issues. Because he maintains momentum better and ignores most enemy collision, the levels feel more like the high-speed romps they were supposed to be.
If you're going for the "Super Sonic Genesis" achievement, you'll need to finish every act as Super Sonic. It sounds tedious, but it's actually the most fun way to play the game. You stop worrying about the clunky jumping and start just... blasting.
How to optimize your Super Sonic run right now:
- Farm Splash Hill Act 1: Don't waste time on harder levels for emeralds.
- The Restart Trick: If you're about to hit a "!" block in a Special Stage, pause and restart before the game saves the fail. It keeps your ring count and saves your sanity.
- Watch the Combo Moves: In Episode 2, only use Tails when you absolutely have to. Stay in Super form to maintain your double-damage buff against bosses like the Egg Serpentleaf.
- Check your Ring Drain: Remember that you lose 1 ring per second. In Sonic 4, rings are actually pretty sparse in some of the later Mad Gear acts, so don't transform until you're past the platforming-heavy sections.
Once you've cleared both episodes, check out Episode Metal. It uses the Episode 2 engine but puts you in control of Metal Sonic across Episode 1's levels. It doesn't have a "Super" form in the traditional sense, but the physics are much tighter, making it the "hidden" best way to experience the Sonic 4 saga.