Knuckles' Chaotix
Knuckles' Chaotix is the 1995 platform game developed by Sega for a 32X. A spin-off from the Sonic the Hedgehog series, it features Knuckles the Echidna as well as four other characters required as the Chaotix, who must prevent Doctor Robotnik in addition to Metal Sonic from obtaining six magic rings and conquering a mysterious island. Gameplay is similar to preceding Sonic games: players fix levels while collecting rings and defeating enemies. Knuckles' Chaotix introduces a partner system whereby the player is connected to another mention via a tether; the tether behaves like a rubber band and must be used to maneuver the characters.
While Sonic Team is sometimes credited with making Knuckles' Chaotix, it was developed by another Sega team. Production began with Sonic Crackers, a 1994 prototype for the Sega Genesis which experimented with the tethering system and portrayed Sonic and Tails. Knuckles' Chaotix was sent as a Sonic game for the Sega Saturn, but transitioned to the 32X when it could non be completed in time. Sonic and Tails were replaced by Knuckles and a office of mostly pre-existing characters; Mighty the Armadillo first appeared in the arcade game SegaSonic the Hedgehog 1993.
Knuckles' Chaotix was released in North America and Japan in April 1995, and in Europe in June 1995. It received mixed modern reviews and failed commercially. Reviewers found the tethering physics cumbersome, although some appreciated it as an try to innovate. The level design and low difficulty level were also criticized. Journalists form described Knuckles' Chaotix as the last of the "classic" 2D Sonic games previously the series moved to 3D. Some characters and belief it proposed feature in later Sonic games and media. Despite interest from fans, it has non been rereleased beyond a brief period through GameTap in the mid-2000s.