Sonic & Knuckles Genesis box art

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Platformer

Sonic & Knuckles

Certified classic

SystemSega Genesis / Mega Drive
Released1994
GenrePlatformer
DeveloperSEGA
PublisherSEGA
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesSonic
ESRBE
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 27

Released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1994, Sonic & Knuckles is a platformer developed by SEGA.

It landed about 5 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1994 include Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Mortal Kombat II and FIFA International Soccer. Among the 160 Genesis platformers in our database, it ranks #4 by legacy score.

It is part of the Sonic series; on the Genesis you can also try Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The series also appears on other systems with Sonic Advance (GBA) and Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System). SEGA also made Tetris, Golden Axe and Streets of Rage for the Genesis.

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to run, jump and explore
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you want to experience one of the Genesis's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Sonic & Knuckles is like

Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.

Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.

Sonic & Knuckles gameplay screenshot on Genesis
In-game screenshot (Genesis)

Sonic & Knuckles walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Sonic & Knuckles.

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Playing Genesis games today

Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.

Sonic & Knuckles FAQ

When did Sonic & Knuckles come out on the Genesis?

Sonic & Knuckles was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1994.

Who made Sonic & Knuckles?

It was developed by SEGA.

Is Sonic & Knuckles multiplayer?

No. Sonic & Knuckles is a single-player game.

How long does Sonic & Knuckles take to play?

As a platformer, Sonic & Knuckles typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Sonic & Knuckles on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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