Sonic Colors: Ultimate has recently dropped, and despite a few unfortunate glitches on Sonic Colors: Ultimate's Switch version, It still provides a faithful re-creation of the Nintendo Wii classic. The game features blazing speed, precise platforming, and plenty of hidden collectibles.
Like most Sonic games, Sonic Colors: Ultimate lets players transform into Super Sonic, giving them invincibility and unlimited boost in exchange for rings. Like most other Sonic games, it requires that the player collect the 7 Chaos Emeralds.
But that's where the similarities end. Sonic Colors: Ultimate's Chaos Emeralds aren't directly hidden in the stages. Finding them is a bit more involved.
Sonic Colors: Ultimate's Red Star Rings
Instead of hunting for hidden emeralds, players will be hunting for red star rings. Almost every level has 5 of them, for a total of 180. The exception is the final level, which has none.
Players will most likely speed past these on their first go-around. They tend not to be on the main path, and many of Sonic Colors' hiding places require the player to have a specific wisp. The player will likely not have access to the right wisp their first time through the level, so it's best to save this for repeat playthroughs.
The player won't immediately get Super Sonic after getting 180 red star rings, however. Collecting those just unlocks the next step.
Sonic Colors: Ultimate's Game Land
Players can find Eggman's Game Land in the top right of the world map. It looks like a floating Metal Sonic head. This is where they can play Sonic Simulator, a series of retro-styled bonus levels they can tackle in single player or multiplayer.
There are 21 levels split into 7 sets of 3. Each one corresponds to one of the main game's stages, and players unlock them by collecting all the red special rings in a level. Once the player beats a level set, they get one of the Chaos Emeralds. Once they have all seven, then they can transform into Super Sonic at will.
Is Super Sonic Worth It?
Playing as Super Sonic does make the player feel powerful, but most probably won't bother unlocking him. This is basically a completionist reward, only available for players who have already know the game inside and out.
That being said, it might be useful for Sonic Colors: Ultimate speedrunners, who want to trim down individual level times. Super Sonic mode also provides an optional challenge, where players try to collect rings and stay in that mode for as long as possible.
Sonic Colors: Ultimate is available now for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
