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Sonic Adventure DX

Nearly four years ago, Sonic Adventure was a launch title for Sega's Dreamcast. At the time, most people were so thrilled to see a real 3D Sonic game (Sonic R was just a racing title, afterall) that they overlooked its problems and the fact that the graphics really weren't as good as they should have been. After Sega scored big sales of Sonic Adventure 2: Battle for the GameCube, they decided to give the public more of what they want and thus Sonic Adventure: DX, a somewhat enhanced version of the original, has arrived on Nintendo's system.
 

Compared to the Dreamcast original, the textures are noticeably cleaner, the character models are more detailed and the framerate has been boosted. More often than not, the game runs at 60 fps now (the DC version only ran at 30), but it does dip well below that at times. Some of the old levels look much better thanks to these improvements. Sadly, the terrible camera and death-causing glitches of the original, like falling through solid floors, have not been fixed. It's hard to believe that Sonic Team left the collision and camera bugs in this game as they definitely detract from the experience.
 

The sound, music and voices remain unchanged. The music has taken a lot of flack, but I think most of it is pretty good and stylistically gels with onscreen action and the previous Sonic games in general. The effects are true to the series and sound very similar to the original Genesis titles, a few them are even a little cleaner in DX than they were in the DC version. Where the sound takes a hit is in the awful voice acting. Much of it is truly cringe-worthy.
 

The core gameplay is identical to the DC original. Initially, you can only play as Sonic. As he meets the other characters in the adventure field, their own stories are unlocked and they become playable characters. The adventure field is a quasi-rpg affair that has your character of choice walking around and talking to people in order to figure out what to do next. The adventure field is cumbersome and boring, unfortunately. Numerous cut scenes and short FMV sequences advance the story at key points in the game. Thankfully, Sonic Team was kind enough to let us skip them with a few presses of the start button. Kudos to them for not forcing us to sit through the terrible voice acting and boring "story."
 

The action stages are what this game is all about. Sonic's levels are by far the most interesting and unlike last year's Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, he has twice as many levels as any other character. The supporting cast of Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Big and E-102 have between three and five levels each. Many gamers were upset than in SA2 Battle you were forced to play as other characters in an unalterable sequence, meaning you might have to sit through two Tails levels and a Knuckles level before you could play as Sonic again. In SA DX this restriction doesn't exist and as long as you've unlocked a character you can play as them at any time, with the only hitch being you can't see the true end of the game until you beat each character's own game. The other characters have unique mission objectives and no two characters' games are alike.
 

One of the new additions, the Mission mode, is pretty pointless. You can’t enter it with a character until you’ve beaten their game and some of the tasks are beyond mundane. The missions are often simple fetch quests that take place in both the adventure field and action stages. The first mission, for instance, has Sonic grabbing a mannequin and bringing it to a certain spot in the adventure field. A more complicated mission for the blue blur has him popping eight balloons while running down the side of a building.
 

As you complete level objectives with any character, you earn emblems. You can also find emblems scattered about the adventure field or win them by doing well in sub games like snow boarding or the whack-a-mole variant Amy plays. Collecting all the emblems is a monumental task that will suck up loads of your free time, anywhere from 20-40 hours depending on your skill. This time around, Sega added a little extra incentive. As you collect emblems, you can unlock 12 Game Gear Sonic titles. You can also unlock Game Gear games by completing tasks in the Mission mode. The Game Gear was essentially a portable Sega Master System with a larger color palette and lower resolution so don't expect these games to wow you with impressive graphics or high quality music. But, if you're into the classics (and not-so-classics) most of them are enjoyable. The emulator is NOT perfect however, and some of the games suffer from slowdown that wasn't present in the originals.
 

To get the little guys strong enough to win races, you'll need to pump up their stats by giving them food and animals or by raising them on a Game Boy Advance. You can transfer your Chao to and from Sonic Advance, Sonic Advance 2 (once you unlock the Tiny Chao Garden) and Sonic Pinball Party. If you don’t have those games you can transfer a copy of your Chao to a GBA with no cartridge in it, but you can’t save its progress, you’ll have to upload the copy back to the GameCube in order to reap the benefits. It's worth noting that the Chao raising has been vastly improved over the original DC Sonic Adventure with elements borrowed from Sonic Adventure 2's Chao system. You see a Chao's stats when you pick it up or feed it, can inspire them to be heroic or dark and more.
 

Sonic Adventure DX is certainly a flawed game. Some characters (like Big) just aren't much fun to play as. The adventure elements are inane. The framerate is inconsistent at times. The camera system is truly one of the worst ever conceived for a 3D game. The collision detection between the characters and the backgrounds is often faulty. Big the Cat's game suffers most from the latter two failings, but they show up in the other characters' games as well. I know that sounds like a complete recipe for disaster. Yet, the gameplay is strong enough that it overcomes many of these problems. Even with every glaring mistake slapping you in the face, Sonic Adventure DX is honestly a much better game than Sonic Adventure 2 Battle. And despite reports to the contrary, this game looks considerably better than its Dreamcast counterpart.

Is Sonic Adventure DX a game that everyone can appreciate? No, it's not. But it's still light years better than similar fare like Crash Banidcoot: The Wrath of Cortex and Spyro: Year of the Dragon. It's disappointing that Sonic Team didn't do more to address the four-year old flaws of the original but this game is undeniably fun to play and offers hours of replay value for those who want to collect all the emblems, raise and race chao or unlock all the Game Gear titles. If Sonic Team had ironed out the camera, collision and framerate problems, recommending this one would have been a no-brainer. As it is, however, I suggest giving it a rental first to see if you stomach its inadequacies.
 

 

Sonic Adventure DX Cheats

 
  • Level select in Sonic Chaos

    When "Press Start" appears at the Sonic Chaos title screen, press Up(4), Right, Left, Right, Left, Start.

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  • Level select in Sonic Labyrinth

    When "Press Start Button" appears at the Sonic Labyrinth title screen, press Up(2), Right(3), Down(6), Left(9).

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  • Level select in Sonic Spinball

    Enter the "Sound Test" option for Sonic Spinball. Then, play the following songs in order: 0, 2, 1, 5, 6, 6.

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  • Faster background music in Sonic Spinball

    Enter the "Sound Test" option for Sonic Spinball. Then, play the following songs in order: 0, 4, 2, 5, 5, 7.

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  • Disable gravity in Sonic Spinball

    Enter the "Sound Test" option for Sonic Spinball. Then, play the following songs in order: 0, 9, 0, 1, 6, 8.

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  • Zoomed in view in Sonic Spinball

    Enter the "Sound Test" option for Sonic Spinball. Then, play the following songs in order: 0, 2, 1, 1, 6, 6.

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  • Level select in Sonic The Hedgehog 2

    At the Sonic The Hedgehog 2 title screen, Tails will blink his eyes (first once, then two times quickly). While holding Down/Left + A + B, tap Start just when his eye shuts on the second blink of the double-blink.

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  • Game Gear games

    Each time you complete ten missions or collect Sonic Emblems, you will unlock a new Sonic mini-game. After unlocking the first mini-game, Sonic The Hedgehog, the "Mini Game Collection" option will appear as a play mode at the main menu.

    There are a total twelve Game Gear games. They are unlocked as follows:

      0 to 100 Emblems: One Game Gear game for every 20 Emblems.
      100 to 130 Emblems: One Game Gear game for every 10 Emblems.
      0 to 60 missions: One Game Gear game for every 20 missions.
      Tails Adventure is unlocked for getting the other 11 missions.

    The games are unlocked in the following order:

      Sonic 1
      Sonic Drift 1
      Sonic Chaos
      Sonic Spinball

    The order then varies from here onward for: Sonic Labyrinth, Sonic 2, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, Sonic Triple Trouble, Sonic Drift 2, Tails Skypatrol, Sonic Blast, and Tails Adventure.

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  • Two player Game Gear mode

    Press Start on controller two to display a second Game Gear screen for that player. If the original Game Gear game supported the multi-player link, the current game will switch to multi-player mode. If the game did not support the multi-player link, game play on each screen will be unrelated.

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  • Toggle Game Gear game screen

    To view the Game Gear games in a smaller, not pixelated view, press L + R. Pressing L + R again will return the view back to normal.

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  • In-game reset

    While playing the game, hold Start + A + B + X for a few seconds.

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  • Play as Super Sonic

    Complete the game using all six starting characters to unlock Super Sonic. Sonic will transform into Super Sonic after some time into the next game.

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  • Play as Metal Sonic

    Collect all 130 Emblems to unlock Metal Sonic in trail mode.

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  • Play as Tails

    Controller two may be used for Tails after he is obtained during the game in story mode. Note: Shields, invincibility and extra life boxes have no effect on Tails if collected. Also, if Tails goes too far away from Sonic, he will appear next to Sonic.

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  • Mission mode

    Successfully complete the game in adventure mode with all characters to unlock the "Mission Mode" option at the main menu.

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  • Easy rings with Sonic

    When you are at Casinopolis, go to the slot machines and press Jump twice. This will make rings appear from the slot machines.

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  • Easy coins with E-102 in Adventure Field

    Go to Station Square and in the hotel, go up the stairs to the second floor. Stand at the very top step. Shoot your laser at the second button on the floor. Keep shooting to get coins.

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  • Easy coins with Tails

    Find a patch of dark green grass. Move over and stand on it, then twirl your tail around. A group of coins will appear out of nowhere.

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  • Easy rings for Tails

    As Tails, fly up and ring the bell which appears around the halfway point of Speed Highway. About 40 rings will pour out of the bell.

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  • Easy rings for Knuckles

    Go into to the entrance for Red Mountain, but do not go in all the way inside. Dig at the entrance and many rings will almost always appear.

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  • Extra lives for Knuckles

    With Knuckles in Station Square, dig repeatedly on any patch of grass (the best being the triangle in front of the hotel) until you find an electric shield. With the shield, go upstairs in the hotel and stand on the button that creates rings for Sonic to get his power-up. The rings will continue to replenish after being drawn into the electric shield. The rings will keep appearing until you have 999. Note: Getting the shield may take some time.

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  • Get Crystal Ring

    As Sonic, after you have the Light Speed Shoes, stand in front of the door on the left side where the Crystal Ring is located. Charge up your Light Speed Dash and it should hit the button on the other side of the door. Then, go in and get the Crystal Ring.

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  • Train Station Sonic Emblem

    There is a Sonic Emblem in the Station Square Train Station that you can get with Tails. But there is also a way to get it with other characters (except perhaps Big). As you walk in, the Sonic Emblem is right above you. Walk to the train but do not go in. Instead, head right or left. There should be a small ledge, or railing there. Use the ledge to walk to a loft type object. That is where the emblem is located. Also, play as Knuckles and go to the other side of Station Square. Go to the hamburger place where the women wanted to make out with the man. There are four trees on each side. Go the right and dig in the middle of the tree to find an Emblem.

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  • Silver Chao egg

    Go to the Mystic Ruins. Go to the water fall located in the middle of the Adventure Field. Push the stone that is jutting out of the wall to the right of the water fall. A silver egg will fall from behind the waterfall and float to shore. When it hatches, a silver Chao will be born.

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  • Golden Chao egg

    Go to the Station Square area. Then, go to the area when you fought Chaos for the first time. Look to the side of the City Hall entrance to find egg shaped rock. Take the rock to the building to the left from City Hall. Walk to the window to see a golden Chao egg. However, if you try to take it the front door will lock. Replace the egg with the rock and the door will unlock, allowing you to leave with the egg. When the egg hatches you will have a golden Chao.

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  • Black and blue Chao egg

    Go to the Egg Carrier. Then, go the jail area where Amy was kept. In the cell next to where she was held is a black and blue egg. Step on the switch to open the door. Take the egg to the garden. When it hatches, it will be a dark grey and dark blue Chao.

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  • Reuse animals

    Get in a Chao Garden with some animals. Find a Chao that is not moving or eating something. Get very close to it and release the animal. The Chao will take its power. After that, the animal will just stand there. You can reuse that animal again.

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  • Sonic Stage 1 shortcut

    On Sonic's first stage, when you are propelled upward by a booster at the base of the level's highest ramp towards the end of the level, spin dash up to gain extra air. You should see a later part of the level. While falling, go towards there. If done correctly, you should make it, cutting ten seconds off your time.

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  • Change shape in Egg Carrier

    Go to the Egg Carrier crash site. Go to the cockpit where you will find the switch. Press it and go outside. The shape will look different. If you want to get to the inside from the front of the ship, use the monorail or complete the Sky Deck stage. You only need to destroy the capsule. If you want to change the ship's shape again, do it in the exactly same way that you did it in adventure mode. The ship should be its normal shape again.

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  • Take a shower in Casinopolis

    Go to the Casinopolis zone as Sonic and enter the shower area. Get into one of the stalls and push against the wall to give Sonic a shower.

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  • Ring room in Casinopolis

    Approach the little computer in front of the blue pinball machine in the Casino Metropolis. Press the "Talk" button in front of the computer. It will say "get 100 coins or less" and you will get a surprise.

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  • Cream appearance in Casinopolis

    After completing Casinopolis as Sonic or Tails for the first time and after Robotnik a.k.a. Eggman flies away, you will see Cream the Rabbit from Sonic Advance 2 fly around the Train Station. Exit the Train Station using the front door. Look up and you should see Cream flying. Fly up to her with Tails for a better view.

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  • More rings in Emerald Coast

    On Emerald Coast (level 1) go back when you are at the beginning, and then go to the right. You should find three capsules. Hit all of them and you will get 30 rings. When you are at the green hill around the middle of the level, do not go up it. Instead, go around to find three capsules. Break them all to get 1, 5, 10, 20, or 40 rings.

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  • Sonic Super jump in Emerald Coast

    As Sonic, go to the Emerald Coast level. Go to where you find the second extra life capsule. Do a light speed dash into the slope from behind. Sonic will jump very high and then fall to the ground.

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  • Knuckles' Maximum Fighting Gloves in Mystic Ruins

    When you are in the area where Big's home and the Lost Ruins are located, use Knuckles to fly to the very back end of that location. You will see a small cliff. When you get off the mine cart, it will be directly ahead in the distance. Once on the cliff, you will see a glowing light. With the Gloves, you can do an attack much like Sonic's "Ancient Light", only with Knuckles.

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  • Extra life in Mystical Ruins

    Tail's workshop is located all the way at the top of the mountains in the Mystical Ruins. Go to the very top and look around to find an extra life. Use the spin attack to zoom over and collect it.

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  • Opening doors in Station Square

    After you see the ID card for the big shed that you go to Speed Highway 6, go all the way back to where Knuckles has his first stage (Speed Highway 1). Go left to find an egg-shaped rock Use that rock in the store in Station Square with the Gold Chao Egg in the window. Take the gold one off the platform and put the rock on that same platform and the doors will unlock and open.

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  • Defeating the whale

    When on the whale stage(s), run over a speed ramp as soon as it appears. Then, do not press anything on the controller; the CPU will do the rest.

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  • Defeating Chaos 0

    Get The Ancient Light. Do the Light Speed Attack on Chaos 0 and he will be defeated with one hit.

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  • Defeating Chaos 6

    Wait until Eggman drops his freeze bombs. Then, use the homing signal to turn his bombs into eggs and throw them into Chaos' mouth. He should freeze. When he does, attack him. Repeat this as many times as needed.

    When playing as Knuckles, get the Fighting Gloves then go to the trial (if you have already completed the game). If you have not completed the game, you can find the Fighting Gloves behind Big's house -- climb the wall, then go right until you find a ledge. When you fight Chaos 6, freeze him, power up, then get close to him and release the button. Repeat this two times.

    As Sonic, use the Light Speed attack on him. His health gauge will go down until only half is remaining. Do the attack a second time to kill him. As Knuckles, use the Maximum Heat attack on him.

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  • Defeating Perfect Chaos

    When starting, get as many rings as possible. Then, go over one of the speed tracks to gain speed. Once you are glowing blue, speed straight for Perfect Chaos and you should hit him. Repeat this as many times as possible.

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  • Hurt Perfect Chaos at less than maximum speed

    You can hurt Perfect Chaos without going top speed, although you have to be fast. Go onto the road and speed up. Stop moving during that until you are not in a Blue Shock ball, then quickly move into Chaos. If done correctly, you will hurt him without going at maximum speed.

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  • Perfect Chaos face smash

    As Super Sonic, go to the fight with Perfect Chaos. Instead of hitting Chaos head on, go to either side of him. Try going into Chaos through his arm. If done correctly, Super Sonic will fly up and smash Chaos on his chin. Note: This does not do any more damage than the usual attacks.

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  • Emblem locations

    Egg Carrier

      1. In the pool room on one of the ledges.

      2. Go in the rockets on the big circular platform. They will launch you into little boxes that will break. In one of them is an Emblem. You must be Sonic to do this. Note: You many need to transform the ship.

      3. Go into Robotnik's office and press the switch that opens up his bed. Note: You may need to transform the ship.

      4. On top of the big satellite dish. You must be Tails. Note: You may need to transform the ship.

    Mystic Ruins

      1. On a ledge across the way from Miles' workshop.

      2. In mid-air between the Emerald Shrine and the cliff. You have to be Knuckles to get it.

      3. In the tree by the mentally impaired cat's house.

      4. In the jungle -- you will find it by accident.

    Station Square

      1. Above the train station entrance.

      2. Very high in the air right above the spot where the Ice Cap key fell.

      3. In the burger restaurant.

      4. By the Town Hall, you have to be Tails. Whip your tails around the grassy area to uncover it in the same way you get the secret rings.

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  • Power-up locations

    Sonic

      Light Speed Shoes: Sewer in Station Square.
      Crystal Ring: Elevator on second floor of hotel.
      Ancient Light: On rock near bridge to Angel Island.

    Tails

      Rhythm Badge: Follow Tikal to past (it is on a pyramid).
      Jet Anklet:In the sewer behind Twinkle Park.

    Knuckles

      Fighting Glove: In the cave near Angel Island.
      Shovel Claw: On a cliff behind Big The Cat's house. Go to the Mystic Ruins and go to the ledge where you entered the level. Turn to your right. The Shovel Claw can be found right above Big The Cat's house. They allow Knucles to do an attack similar to Sonic's Homing attack.

    Amy

      Warrior Feather: Defeat Hedgehog Hammer for the first time.
      Long Hammer: Defeat First Place score again.

    Big The Cat

      Life Belt: In the lake in the cave leading to Angel Island.
      Power Rod: In Forest under Big's bed.
      Lure 1: In Sewer Behind Twinkle Park.
      Lure 2: In a cave in the Forest.
      Lure 3: In the Icecap level.
      Lure 4: In a prison cell on the Egg Carrier.

    E-102 Gamma

      Jet Booster: In the Ammunition Room of the Egg Carrier.
      Gun Upgrade: In the room opposite the Ammunition Room.

     

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  • Number of missions for each character

    There are a total of 60 missions in the game, as follows:

      Sonic: 25
      Tails: 8
      Knuckles: 9
      Amy: 5
      E-102 Gamma: 5
      Big The Cat: 8

     

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  • Getting every Emblem

     

      Sonic: 30 emblems to collect in Sonic's Action Stages.
      Tails: 15 emblems to collect in Tail's Action Stages.
      Knuckles: 15 emblems to collect in Knuckles Action Stages.
      Amy: 9 emblems to collect in Amy's Action Stages.
      Big the Cat: 12 emblems to collect in Big's Action Stages.
      E-102 Gamma: 15 emblems to collect in E-102's Action Stages.
      Adventure Field: 12 emblems to find in Adventure Field.
      Mini Games: 10 emblems to collect in Mini Games.
      Chao Races: 5 emblems to collect in Chao Races.
      Complete the game with all six characters to get 6 emblems.

    This brings the total number of emblems that are collectible in the game to 130, including the final one awarded for collecting all of the others.

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  • Chao moods

     

      Heart: Happy
      Swirl: Angry
      Question Mark: Confused
      Exclamation Mark: Surprised
      XX over eyes: Angry
      -- over eyes: Happy
      Half Closed eyes: Tired
      Waving Arms: Wants Attention
      Flailing Arms: Angry

     

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  • Mission Card locations

     

    Mission Character Location
    1 Sonic Station Square (front of train station)
    2 Sonic Mystic Ruins (top of train depot steps)
    3 Sonic Station Square (hotel pool area)
    4 Tails Mystic Ruins (near train)
    5 Knuckles Station Square (near Casinopolis entrance)
    6 Amy Mystic Ruins (near train station)
    7 E-102 Mystic Ruins (near mine cart to the temple area)
    8 Big Station Square (near Twinkle Park elevator and train station)
    9 Sonic Station Square (behind Twinkle Park elevator)
    10 Tails Station Square (hotel lobby)
    11 Sonic Mystic Ruins (near waterfall by train station)
    12 Knuckles Mystic Ruins (in Egg Hornet arena)
    13 Sonic Station Square (Casinopolis entrance area)
    14 Big Station Square (near Twinkle Park elevator and train station)
    15 Sonic Mystic Ruins (near the train station fence)
    16 Tails Mystic Ruins (near cave entrance to Chao garden)
    17 Sonic Station Square (in shop near cul-de-sac)
    18 Amy Station Square (train station)
    19 Amy Station Square (train station)
    20 Sonic Mystic Ruins (in pool of water near Icecap entrance)
    21 E-102 Mystic Ruins (near entrance to Final Egg)
    22 Big Station Square (hotel lobby)
    23 Sonic Station Square (near Twinkle Park entrance)
    24 Tails Station Square (near Casinopolis entrance and Ice Key)
    25 Knuckles Station Square (in cul-de-sac, near Town Hall entrance)
    26 Knuckles Station Square (in cul-de-sac, near Town Hall entrance)
    27 Sonic Station Square (in diner near cul-de-sac)
    28 Sonic Station Square (above hotel doorway)
    29 Big Station Square (cul-de-sac)
    30 Sonic Mystic Ruins (near forest temple)
    31 Tails Station Square (on top of train station clock)
    32 Knuckles Mystic Ruins (near the bridge to Angel Island, by Icecap by the entrance to Icecap/Red Mountain)
    33 Sonic Egg Carrier (pool area)
    34 Sonic Egg Carrier (upper deck)
    35 Big Mystic Ruins (near where Knuckles dug for monkey switch
    36 Sonic Egg Carrier (near entrance to Chao Garden/Hot Shelter/Prison)
    37 Tails Mystic Ruins (near mine car to temple)
    38 Tails Mystic Ruins
    39 E-102 Station Square (secret hotel lobby room above registration desk)
    40 Sonic Mystic Ruins (Tail's workshop)
    41 Sonic Mystic Ruins (forest temple)
    42 E-102 Egg Carrier (prison cell)
    43 Amy Egg Carrier (prison cell)
    44 Big Egg Carrier (to the right of the pool area entrance)
    45 Sonic Mystic Ruins (near Sand Hill entrance)
    46 Sonic Mystic Ruins (where Big finds lure power-up)
    47 Tails Mystic Ruins (near Tails's House [on roof])
    48 Knuckles Station Square (atop lamp post in cul-de-sac)
    49 Sonic Station Square (sewer under cul-de-sac)
    50 Amy Mystic Ruins (near Final Egg entrance)
    51 E-102 Mystic Ruins (atop forest temple)
    52 Big Mystic Ruins (in Big's hut)
    53 Sonic Mystic Ruins (near Icecap/Red Mountain entrance where Sonic gets Light-Speed Shoes)
    54 Knuckles Mystic Ruins (near forest temple, where Knuckles gets his fighting gloves; go to tip-top of temple and fly towards it
    55 Sonic Station Square (up Twinkle Park elevator and to the left)
    56 Knuckles Mystic Ruins (near train station, behind a tree near fallen rock)
    57 Sonic Mystic Ruins (near entrance to Icecap/Red Mountain, behind a rock on Angel Island)
    58 Sonic Mystic Ruins (at the bottom of the forest temple area ladder)
    59 Knuckles Egg Carrier (pool area)
    60 Big Mystic Ruin (on the train tracks near the station)