Sonic Advance (USA) (EnJa)

Whether you’re a first-time player or returning to this classic GBA Sonic title, these tips and strategies will help you beat Eggman and collect all seven Chaos Emeralds for the true ending. First, master character selection to match your playstyle: if you’re going for a speedrun, Sonic is your best bet, as his higher base speed and spin dash let you blaze through levels in record time. If you want to hunt for hidden items and Chaos Emeralds, pick Tails: his flight ability lets you reach any high platform without tricky jumping, making it easy to access secret areas that other characters can’t reach easily. Knuckles is ideal for exploration too, as his wall climbing and gliding let you cross large gaps and access hidden side paths, while Amy is a great pick for new players, as her hammer can instantly take out most enemies without needing to time a perfect jump on their heads. To collect all seven Chaos Emeralds, you’ll need to find a hidden giant ring in each of the game’s seven main zones. Most giant rings are located in hidden areas above the main path of the level, so keep an eye out for out-of-reach platforms and use Tails or Knuckles to reach them. Once you enter the giant ring, you’ll complete a short special stage where you collect rings while avoiding bombs — focus on staying in the center of the stage, and don’t rush to grab every ring if it puts you at risk of hitting a bomb. For boss fights against Dr. Eggman, always stay moving: most of Eggman’s attacks are predictable, but they cover large areas of the boss arena. Wait for him to expose his cockpit (his weak point) after an attack, then hit it with a jump or spin attack to deal damage. For the true final boss fight unlocked after collecting all Chaos Emeralds, remember that the arena shrinks over time, so keep moving and don’t stay in one spot for too long. To stock up on extra lives, aim to collect 100 rings per level for a free 1-up, and check hidden upper areas for hidden 1-up boxes that are easy to