Knuckles' Chaotix

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Knuckles' Chaotix
Platform, action
Mode(s)Single-player, cooperative

Knuckles' Chaotix

levels
while collecting rings and defeating enemies. Knuckles' Chaotix introduces a partner system whereby the player is connected to another character via a tether; the tether behaves like a rubber band and must be used to maneuver the characters.

While

Mighty the Armadillo first appeared in the arcade game SegaSonic the Hedgehog
(1993).

Knuckles' Chaotix was released in North America and Japan in April 1995, and in Europe in June 1995. It received mixed contemporary reviews and failed commercially. Reviewers found the tethering physics cumbersome, although some appreciated it as an attempt to innovate. The

difficulty level were also criticized. Journalists have described Knuckles' Chaotix as the last of the "classic" 2D Sonic games before the series moved to 3D. Some characters and concepts it introduced feature in later Sonic games and media, beginning with Sonic Heroes in 2003. Despite interest from fans, it has not been rereleased beyond a brief period through GameTap
in the mid-2000s.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot of Knuckles and Espio in Isolated Island, the first level of Knuckles' Chaotix. This particular screen shows the game's cooperative "rubber band" physics in action.
The player (left) builds tension in the tether while anchoring the partner (right) to perform a speed boost.

Knuckles' Chaotix is a

Chaos Rings to satisfy their evil deeds.[4]
: 2 

The game takes place over six

boss fight with Robotnik and one of his large robots.[2] Each act has a different time of day decor, such as morning, noon, evening, and night.[5] Like earlier Sonic games, players collect rings, jump to perform a spin attack to defeat enemies, and can perform a spin dash on the ground to gain speed.[1][3]: 10, 15  Power-ups include rings, shields, and speed shoes.[3]: 18  The partner system enables players to perform actions not seen in earlier Sonic games.[1] Players can call their partner if they are separated, which reunites them with the main character but costs 10 rings, or throw their partner to reach far platforms. If the partner is computer-controlled, the player can stop and anchor the partner to perform special moves such as "snapping" to a higher ledge or thrusting to gain speed.[3]
: 10–11 

Before entering a stage, the player begins in a

Tails are seen with the Chaotix, who have freed the island from Robotnik.[7]

Development

Although

level design, tethering, and some music resurfaced in Knuckles' Chaotix.[19]

Sega eventually moved development to the Genesis' more powerful

Sega of America CEO Tom Kalinske recalled that Knuckles' Chaotix was once intended for the Genesis' successor, the Sega Saturn, as a mainline Sonic game. According to Kalinske, development moved to the 32X when it became clear that the game would not be ready for the Saturn launch; Kalinske said it was "too big, it was taking too long, it was over budgeted, it was behind schedule".[20] Because Sega needed new 32X games, Sega decided to downsize the game and introduce it quickly on 32X.[20]

By December 1994, Sonic and Tails had been removed and the game had been reworked to star Knuckles the Echidna, who had been introduced in

manga.[27] Sonic co-creator Naoto Ohshima said he was responsible for repurposing Vector and Charmy, but otherwise had no involvement with Knuckles' Chaotix.[28]
: 302 

Espio was the only original character, designed by manga artist Takumi Miyake.

Mariko Nanba.[31]

Release

Knuckles' Chaotix was released in North America in April 1995,

Windows computers via the subscription service GameTap.[37][38][39]

The Sonic Crackers prototype ROM was

emulators.[9] A cartridge version was auctioned for $146.50 in 2001. While some fans speculated that the Sonic Crackers ROM was an April Fools' Day hoax,[19] its authenticity has been corroborated by multiple sources, including references in an internal Sega design document and text found in a later Knuckles' Chaotix prototype.[15]

Reception

Knuckles' Chaotix received mixed reviews,[2][41][45][46] and failed commercially, as did the 32X.[2]

The game's presentation divided critics.

GamesRadar wrote that Knuckles' Chaotix was the best game for the 32X and was underrated,[47][48] though it still considered the game a "wasted opportunity".[49]

The "rubber band" multiplayer system was criticized, despite being acknowledged as an effort to innovate.[2][41][49] Though IGN admired the attempt to "breathe life into a series that was running out of steam" and fix the lopsided multiplayer of Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 (1994), whereby Tails would get lost off-screen, they felt the physics were "clunky" and unorthodox.[2] EGM felt the system was original, but slowed down the gameplay,[41] as did GamesRadar.[49] Next Generation felt the bond was tiring and not truly innovative,[46] and GamePro called it Knuckles' Chaotix's biggest flaw, finding it frustrating and choppy. The reviewer also found that the bond complicated gameplay and compared it to being handcuffed.[45]

The level design and low difficulty were also criticized.

Mean Machines Sega.[2][5][45] IGN considered the boss design simplistic and the level design bland and seemingly unfinished,[2] and Mean Machines Sega thought that, without enemies, "this is just not half the game it could have been".[5] Game Players criticized the game's lack of replay value, saying the game's simplicity made secrets in levels impossible to miss.[44] However, IGN, GameFan, and EGM praised the number of playable characters,[43][41] and IGN felt the game's "marvelous" fully 3D special stages were the best of the Sonic series.[2]

IGN described Knuckles' Chaotix as "a bad game with a good foundation",

AllGame and Complex both wrote that it was among the worst games in the series.[1][52]

Legacy

Knuckles' Chaotix is considered the last of the "classic" Sonic games before the 3D game Sonic Adventure (1998) took the series in new gameplay directions.[53][2] Several of its concepts were re-used in later Sonic games. A similar partner system features in the Game Boy Advance game Sonic Advance 3 (2004),[54] and IGN noted similarities between the game's auto-running special stages and Sonic and the Secret Rings (2007).[2] Two tracks from Knuckles' Chaotix, "Tube Panic" and "Door Into Summer", appear in Sonic Generations (2011).[55] The "Hyper Ring" power-up re-appeared in Sonic Mania (2017)[56] and a recreation of Knuckles' Chaotix's final boss fight was added in a 2018 update.[57]

With the exception of Mighty,

Jim Sterling felt that all the Chaotix lacked redeeming qualities, calling Vector "Idiot the Crocodile" and Espio "Generic Brooder the Chameleon". They singled out Charmy for particular ridicule, feeling he was annoying and noting his high-pitched voice.[72] Mighty would eventually return as a playable character in Sonic Mania Plus in 2018.[73]

In 2011, Sega noted fans frequently requested Knuckles' Chaotix as a game desired to be rereleased.

1UP.com and GameSpy expressed disappointment the 2005 compilation Sonic Gems Collection did not include the game.[75][76] In 2010, Sonic Team head Iizuka expressed interest in developing a sequel.[77] Also expressing interest was Christian Whitehead, the developer of the mobile versions of Sonic CD, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2, saying in 2014 that he would be open to remaking Knuckles' Chaotix using the Retro Engine.[78]

Notes

  1. ^ The game is titled on the title screen and in Japan as Chaotix (Japanese: カオティクス, Hepburn: Kaotikusu)
  2. ^ Sonic Crackers is sometimes referred to as Sonic Stadium because of the ROM header containing the title Sonic Studium [sic].
  3. ^ Games featuring the Chaotix include Sonic Heroes (2003),[60] Shadow the Hedgehog (2005),[61] Sonic Rivals 2 (2007),[62] the Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors (2010),[63] Sonic Generations,[64] and Sonic Forces (2017);[65] Espio is a playable character in the arcade game Sonic the Fighters (1996)[66] and Vector is playable in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (2007) and its sequels.[67]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Weiss, Brett. "Knuckles' Chaotix – Overview". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Fahs, Travis (March 26, 2008). "Knuckles Chaotix Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Knuckles' Chaotix instruction manual. Sega. 1995.
  4. ^ Knuckles' Chaotix instruction manual. Japan: Sega. 1995. pp. 4–5.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Knuckles' Chaotix Review". Mean Machines Sega (32): 14–18. June 1995.
  6. ^ a b "Knuckles' Chaotix". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Vol. 69. April 1995. pp. 122–125. Archived from the original on September 12, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Towell, Justin (May 2, 2014). "22 things you didn't know about Sonic the Hedgehog". GamesRadar. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  8. ^ Parish, Jeremy (June 5, 2014). "Who Makes the Best Sonic the Hedgehog Games?". USgamer. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  9. ^
    ISBN 978-1-317-19190-2. Archived
    from the original on March 12, 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Afterthoughts: Sonic Heroes – A candid chat with Sonic Team's lord of the rings". EGM. Archived from the original on March 30, 2004. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  11. ^ "Roger Hector: Director of STI Interviews [Sept/Oct 2005]". sost.emulationzone.org. 2005. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved June 17, 2017. RH: "I didn't have anything to do with these. I recall they were done somewhere else in Sega."
  12. ^ "Yuji Naka – The Next Level Interview". The Next Level. June 15, 2004. Archived from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Naka: "Hmmm ... I don't know that much about Chaotix, really. I didn't have all that much to do with that game."
  13. ISBN 978-0-9575768-1-0
    .
  14. ^ "Unreleased Sonic the Hedgehog Games". UGO. February 22, 2010. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2017. Also known as Sonic Crackers, this simple prototype for the Genesis was an early version of what would eventually be released on Sega's 32X as Knuckles' Chaotix.
  15. ^ a b c "Whatever Happened to: Sonic Crackers". Retro Gamer. April 19, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  16. ^ Newton, James (June 23, 2011). "Feature: The Sonic Games That Never Were". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  17. ^ Fahs, Travis (May 29, 2008). "Sonic X-Treme Revisited". IGN UK. Archived from the original on February 28, 2012. Retrieved February 13, 2010. There was the experimental multiplayer Sonic Crackers, eventually to become Knuckles Chaotix.
  18. ^ Kemps, Heidi (July 15, 2020). "7 Sonic the Hedgehog prototypes you were never meant to play". Kotaku. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  19. ^ a b c d e f Horowitz, Ken (June 24, 2005). "Sonic Crackers: The Lost Sonic Game". Sega-16. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  20. ^ a b Zapart, Luke (July 2011). "Interview with Tom Kalinske". lukezapart.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  21. ^ "Missing in Action". Sega Power. November 1995. Chaotix. Originally due to be called Sonic Stadium, it eventually appeared on the 32X looking like this.
  22. ^ "Preview: Knuckles' Ringstar". Computer and Video Games (160). Future Publishing: 32. March 1995.
  23. ^ "Preview: Chaotix". Sega Magazine (15): 20–21. March 1995.
  24. ^ SegaSonic the Hedgehog flyer. Sega. 1993.
  25. ^ D'Argenio, Angelo (January 6, 2014). "25 Things You May Not Know About Sonic the Hedgehog". Arcade Sushi. Archived from the original on December 7, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  26. ^ Kemps, Heidi (September 30, 2005). "Sega's Yuji Naka Talks!". GameSpy. IGN. Archived from the original on June 19, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2004.
  27. ^ Morimoto, Sango (September 1992). "Pops Out of the Time Box Whenever There's a Crisis!". Shogaku Ninensei. Sonic the Hedgehog (manga) (in Japanese).
  28. ^
    ISBN 978-0-9929260-8-3
    .
  29. ^ Caron, Frank (February 27, 2008). "Massive Sega ROM leak reveals secrets of older games". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on December 2, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2017. Knuckles Chaotix – At one point it starred Espio the Chameleon, not Knuckles.
  30. ^ Sega (April 1, 2016). Big's Big Fishing Adventure 3. Sega. Shadow the Hedgehog: You mean that game that was supposed to star Espio? On a system that no one bought?
  31. ^ Sega (April 20, 1995). Knuckles' Chaotix. Sega. Level/area: Credits.
  32. ^ "Knuckles' Chaotix Special Preview". GameFan. 3 (3). DieHard Gamers Club: 72. March 1995.
  33. ^ Sega. "Mega Drive". Sonic Channel. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  34. ^ "Review: Chaotix". Computer and Video Games (163): 64. June 1995.
  35. ^ Hancock, David (June 3, 1995). "Sega set for Mega price cut". Daily Mirror. p. 38. Retrieved December 8, 2023. And they are also calling on Sonic the Hedgehog 's sidekick Knuckles to help by including the game Chaotix, in which he stars, in a special 32X bundle priced £149 which goes on sale on June 23.
  36. ^ Shea, Brian (February 19, 2016). "Replay – Sega 32X Spectacular Starring Knuckles' Chaotix (Tim Turi Farewell Episode)". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  37. ^ Sega. "Knuckles Chaotix". GameTap. Turner Broadcasting System. Archived from the original on March 25, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  38. ^ Rea, Jared (July 10, 2007). "Joystiq tour: GameTap Mac client". Engadget. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  39. ^ Carless, Simon (June 17, 2017). "GameTap Gets New Licensees, Officially Launches". Gamasutra. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  40. ^ "Knuckles Chaotix Review". 1UP.com. January 1, 2000. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h "Review Crew: Knuckles' Chaotix". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 70. Ziff Davis. May 1995. p. 34.
  42. ^ New Games Cross Review: カオティクス. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.332. Pg.31. April 28, 1995.
  43. ^ a b c "Knuckles' Chaotix review". GameFan. 3 (5). DieHard Gamers Club. May 1995.
  44. ^ a b c d Baggatta, Patrick (June 1995). "Knuckles' Chaotix". Game Players (72): 42–43.
  45. ^ a b c d e f g "ProReview: Knuckles Chaotix". GamePro. No. 81. IDG. June 1995. p. 62.
  46. ^
    Imagine Media
    : 104. June 1995.
  47. ^ Reparaz, Mikel (February 23, 2008). "The 10 worst consoles ever". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  48. ^ Rudden, Dave (August 14, 2014). "25 reasons we love the Sega Genesis, 25 years later". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on November 20, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  49. ^ a b c Roberts, David (August 20, 2014). "11 games that embody the spirit of the '90s". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  50. ^ Fahs, Travis (December 5, 2008). "Die, 16-bit, Die!". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 4, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  51. ^ Towell, Justin (May 2, 2011). "The Top 7... Spin-off games you've never heard of". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  52. ^ Knight, Rich (July 16, 2013). "Ranking Every "Sonic the Hedgehog" Platformer". Complex. Archived from the original on August 21, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  53. ^ a b Elston, Brett (April 9, 2008). "The rise, fall and deafening crash of Sonic the Hedgehog". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  54. ^ Provo, Frank (June 23, 2004). "Sonic Advance 3 Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  55. ^ Sega (January 11, 2012). "Sonic Generations Official Soundtrack, Vol. 2". iTunes. Apple Corp. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  56. ^ "Mania Mode". Sonic Mania Web Manual. Sega. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  57. CraveOnline
    . Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  58. ^ Shea, Brian (June 10, 2017). "More Burning Questions About The Sonic The Hedgehog Franchise Answered". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  59. ^ McFerran, Damien (September 14, 2016). "How Sega can save its mascot with Sonic Mania". Red Bull. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  60. ^ Davis, Ryan (January 6, 2004). "Sonic Heroes Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  61. ^ Helgeson, Matt (January 2006). "Shadow the Hedgehog for GameCube Review". Game Informer. Archived from the original on May 26, 2006. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
  62. ^ Anderson, Lark (January 9, 2008). "Sonic Rivals 2 Review". Archived from the original on February 9, 2009. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  63. ^ Dimps (November 11, 2010). Sonic Colors. Sega. Level/area: Planet Wisp.
  64. ^ Towell, Justin (October 5, 2011). "Sonic Generations: Hands on 3DS and PS3 preview plus exclusive gameplay videos". GamesRadar. Future Publishing. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  65. ^ Shea, Brian (March 17, 2017). "Sonic Forces: A Longer Look at Modern Sonic". Game Informer. Archived from the original on March 18, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  66. ^ Castro, Juan (August 5, 2005). "Gems Collection: The Fighters". IGN. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  67. ^ Thomas, Lucas (October 12, 2007). "Smash It Up! – Sonic Team". IGN. Archived from the original on August 31, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  68. ^ Guerrero, Tony (October 21, 2016). "Sonic Universe Comic Features the Return of the Chaotix". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  69. ^ Kitching, Nigel; Dobbyn, Nigel (June 21, 1996). "The Fundamental Four, Part 1". Sonic the Comic (80). Fleetway Publications.
  70. ^ Jones, Tim. "Sonic X". THEM Anime. Archived from the original on September 15, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  71. ^ Shea, Brian (May 16, 2015). "The 10 Worst Characters In Sonic History". Game Informer. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  72. ^ Sterling, Jim (January 19, 2011). "The 10 worst Sonic friends". GamesRadar. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  73. ^ Stenbuck, Kite (April 26, 2018). "Sonic Mania Plus Famitsu Interview With Takashi Iizuka". PlayStation LifeStyle. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  74. ^ Acevedo, Paul (December 3, 2011). "Xbox Live Developer Interview: SEGA, makers of Sonic CD". Windows Central. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  75. ^ Theobald, Phil (August 15, 2005). "Sonic Gems Collection". GameSpy. IGN. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  76. ^ Parish, Jeremy (August 16, 2005). "Sonic Gems Review for GC". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  77. ^ "Sonic Team's Takashi Iizuka wants to make NiGHTS 3, Knuckles Chaotix 2". GamesTM. Archived from the original on May 27, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  78. ^ Mawson, Chris (April 2, 2015). "Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Remastered Interview With Christian 'The Taxman' Whitehead". Power Up Gaming. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Knuckles%27_Chaotix&oldid=1211166344"