Sonic The Hedgehog codes

Cheat mode

At the title screen, press Up, Down, Left, Right. If you entered the code correctly, you will hear a chime. Hold B to enter the level selection and sound test screen.

Debug mode At the title screen, press Up, X, Down, X, Left, X, Right, Up, X, Down, X, Left, X, Right, X. Then, hold B and press Start. Begin a game, then press A to enter debug mode.

North American version By default, the game is set to the Japanese version. Press Up, Z, Down, Z, Left, Z, Right, Z at the Sonic The Hedgehog information screen to unlock the North American version. Press Z(9), Up, Down, Left, Right to play the alternate Japanese version.

All Chaos Emeralds Enable the Cheat mode code. Select the "Bonus level" option on the level selection screen. Obtain the Chaos Emerald, reset the game, and repeat the process until all of them are in your possession. Allow the game to continue after obtaining the last Chaos Emerald to start in the Green Hill Zone.

Bonus points Complete Green Hill Zone 1-1 or 1-2 in 29 seconds or less to receive 50,000 bonus points.

Infinite lives Collect the extra life at the very bottom of Green Hill Zone - Act 3. Accumulate 100 rings to obtain another extra life. Collect a third extra life located at the top of the loop-the-loop. Intentionally lose a life and repeat the process.

Special Zone entrance You can almost always have the Special Zone entrance open (the giant ring next to the sign at the end of level Acts 1 and 2) by not losing your rings. If you do lose your rings, when you pass a checkpoint, intentionally die, then continue through the level without losing any rings. This works about 80% of the time.