Learn how to access and master all Bonus Stages in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, including Slot Machine, Glowing Spheres, and Gumball Machine stages. Get tips and strategies.
The number of Bonus Stages in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 varies depending on the game version. In both Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic 3 & Knuckles, you can enter a Bonus Stage by passing a Starpost with at least 20 Rings and jumping through the appearing Star Circle. Collecting 50 Rings in any Bonus Stage earns you a Continue.
In Sonic & Knuckles, the type of Bonus Stage entered is determined by the colors of the Star Circle. The available stages are the Slot Machine Stage and the Glowing Spheres Stage.
In Sonic 3 & Knuckles, the Bonus Stage entered is determined by the number of Rings you have when passing a Starpost:
- Slot Machine Stage: 20-34 Rings
- Glowing Spheres Stage: 35-49 Rings
- Gumball Machine Stage: 50-65 Rings
Slot Machine Stage
This stage features a slot machine similar to Sonic 2's Casino Night Zone, with a playing field resembling Sonic 1's Special Stages. Touching the GOAL bars will exit the stage. 'R' Bars rotate the field in the opposite direction. Be cautious, as hitting the Blue Bars 3 times will turn them into GOALs.
You can jump into the slot machine to win or lose Rings based on the tumbler combinations:
| Combo | Prize |
| 1 Bar | Win 2 Rings |
| 2 Bars | Win 4 Rings |
| 3 Bars | Win 8 Rings |
| 3 Tails | Win 20 Rings |
| 3 Knuckles | Win 25 Rings |
| 3 Sonics | Win 30 Rings |
| 3 Jackpots | Win 100 Rings |
| 3 Robotniks | Lose 100 Rings |
Glowing Spheres Stage
In this stage, you start on a magnetic sphere and must jump to higher spheres, activating flippers to reach the top. A rising force field will exit you from the stage if you fall behind. You can collect prizes from various balls:
| Gumball | Prize |
| 'B' | Win Shield |
| Super Ring | Win 10 Rings |
| 1-Up | Win 1 life |
| Clear | Win nothing |
Gumball Machine Stage
Appearing in a shaft, use the yellow bumpers to move upwards; they disappear after being bounced off. Similarly, the springs at the bottom of the shaft disappear after use. Turning the gumball machine crank releases balls with prizes indicated by their colors. The Bonus Stage ends when you fall out of the shaft.
100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content