Sonic Superstarsretains a lot of traditional Sonic gameplay elements but also introduces new mechanics that allow players to navigate the world and deal with enemies and obstacles in new ways. One prominent example of this is the set of Seven “Emerald Powers.”
InSonic Superstars, each Chaos Emerald immediately unlocks a new power when collected in addition to the familiar super transformation ability unlocked once all seven are gathered. These seven “Emerald Powers” allow players to deal with enemies and traverse levels in new ways as they are unlocked, making it possible to uncover new secrets and take new paths through the game.
This guide specifically notes the first locations where an Emerald can be obtained. Emeralds are obtained in a fixed order regardless of the order the special stages are completed, so players could very well receive, for example, Avatar from Speed Jungle Act 1 if they didn’t complete Bridge Island Act 1’s special stage.
Similarly, returning to an earlier special stage after completing special stages further into the game will also reward the next uncollected Emerald in the list.
Avatar (Blue)
The Avatar power is the first Emerald Power players will be able to acquire. It causes countless clones of the active character to sprint across the screen, damaging enemies and destructible objects in their path as they do so. This can be useful when there are lots of enemies on screen.
Players can acquire this Emerald Powerin Bridge Island Act 1, by taking the lowest available path through the level until the player character spins through a narrow tunnel and is launched up onto a crumbling stone platform. Head right from here across a bridge to find the Special Stage Ring floating in the air.
Bullet (Red)
The Bullet Power is the second Emerald Power, allowing players to perform an air dash that can be aimed in any direction and chained into itself to traverse greater distances. This is fantastic for reaching platforms that are out of reach, especially when using characters that cannot fly (i.e. anyone except Tails.)
Players can acquire Bullet during Speed Jungle Act 1, by using the vines to launch up onto the vine platform above the starting area and riding it all the way. After that, players should take the vine rail loop to get to a narrow tunnel the character can spin through, and then take the bottom tunnel when they reach the pair of tunnels past that one.
After exiting the tunnel and grinding along another vine rail players will find three tunnels and must take the middle one. This will deposit them on another vine rail that will drop them near a frog, with the Special Stage ring a short way ahead.
Vision (Purple)
Vision is unlocked third and allows players to see invisible items and objects, which often includes platforms that will let players access new areas.
Players can get Vision during Sky Temple Act 1, by taking the lowest available path through the level until they reach an updraft that blows the character upwards. Once the character latches onto a pole, players should move to the right to find a platform with the Special Stage ring on it. Let go of the pole while holding right to land on the platform and access the ring.
Water (Cyan)
Water is unlocked fourth and allows the character to transform into water, allowing them to move freely through water in all directions and even swim up waterfalls to access new areas. Additionally, it is impossible to drown while the power is active, making it ideal for exploring underwater sections.
This power can be acquired during Pinball Carnival Act 1, by dropping down past the paddles in the first pinball section (past the tunnel a short way from the start) and then continuing straight ahead. After using a bouncer to reach a moving platform and running down the ramp to a checkpoint, players should use the paddles and bouncers in the next pinball section to get up to the top and then run down the ramp to the left. Pop into the tube here and head right after exiting it to reach another pinball section.
Ignore the paddles and drop down, then pass through a door and ride the spinner at the bottom of this room to head down. Move to the right a bit and then jump into the spinner above, using it to launch over the spikes in the area above it and to the right. Head through another tube to pop out right next to the Special Stage ring.
Ivy (Green)
Ivy is unlocked fifth, allowing players to grow a vine and ride it upward. This allows players to reliably travel upward without the need for flight or spamming Bullet, and the vine can be steered to the left and right for greater control over the destination.
Ivy can be unlocked during Lagoon City Act 1, by heading down the first water slide and then using the water jets to ride a moving platform. After passing a Seal enemy and riding another water slide players can bounce over some more water jets to reach a checkpoint.
Using the water gun just past the checkpoint will launch the character up to a water slide that leads to an area with two water jets and a spring leading up to some more water guns, which can be used to get up to the next section. From here, players should use the balance platforms to jump up and across to a waterfall, then use the water gun to get across the gap and to a slope. Run down the slope and use the next water gun to launch over two cloud enemies and reach another checkpoint.
Past the checkpoint, drop-down next to the water jet, and head left. Drop straight down past the cloud enemy and keep moving to the left. Drop next to the balance platform and hug the right wall by holding right to enter a secret path that contains the Special Stage ring.
Slow (Yellow)
Slow is the sixth power players can unlock, and allows players to slow down time. This makes it easier to deal with moving obstacles,especially the fast-moving ones that can be encountered in stages like Cyber Station.It can also be handy when there’s a lot going on on-screen, such as during some boss fights.
Slow can be unlocked during Sand Sanctuary Act 1, by heading straight to the right, up a sand fall, and straight to the right again to find the first checkpoint. From here head past the sawblades, up a sand fall and to the right, and then up another sand fall and head left. Keep heading left and then up a pair of sand falls, then head right and use the bars above the snake to move upwards. Past there is another bar and some moving platforms, but players can use a nearby sand fall to get back up if they fall here. Just past the platform above the sand fall is a scorpion enemy. Just past it, players should use the Bullet Power to go up and around the loop without entering it and reach the Special Stage ring on the other side of it.
Extra (White)
Extra is the seventh power players can unlock,granting a new special attack unique to the current character when used.Sonic gets a homing attack, Tails can swipe his tails to throw out small tornados, Knuckles can punch, and Amy can throw her hammer.
Extra can be unlocked in Press Factory Act 1. Players should begin by heading right and taking the lower path (Knuckles can be briefly spotted along this path if he is not an active character) to reach the first checkpoint. From here, players should head straight down the ramp on the right to grab a shield before jumping up to continue. Past the spikes with the pair of floating enemies, players should head up the ramp and keep heading right until they reach another pair of floating enemies. From here players can use the moving platform to head upward and then use the tremors from the Press in the background to bounce up one more floor.
Hop through the narrow gap to the right and follow the path past some bats to reach some floating platforms. Use these to head upward and right, using the screws with moving spikes to platform further upward. After getting caught by the trap and boosted upward a bit, break free and keep moving to the right. Use the box that gets launched by the tremors and the various platforms above it to head up and to the right some more and find a checkpoint.
Past the checkpoint keep heading to the right along the lower path, hopping to avoid getting launched by the tremors, then use the spring to get launched into a wall and drop down onto a platform lower down. Head to the left and drop down past the balloon, then use the Ivy power to move upwards and to the left to find the platform where the Special Stage ring is.
Super (All)
After collecting all the Chaos Emeralds, players are able to access their character’s Super Form using the powers menu when they have at least 50 rings. While in Super Form the character is invulnerable to most forms of damage except for instant death from bottomless pits and/or crushing. The character’s movement speed is also greatly increased, making them much more mobile but also harder to control.
Spoilers Regarding the fifth playable character below this point.
Trip the Sungazer’s Super Form behaves very differently to the other characters' Super Forms, having her transform into a golden dragon and gain full flight. She can also breathe fire by holding the jump button while airborne. Free Flight can be used to effortlessly navigate some levels and skip large sections of platforming, but can also result in flying into death pits and kill planes accidentally if used recklessly.
Trip’s Super Form also allows her to easily hit certain bosses whose weak points are usually out of reach for most of the fight, such as the boss of Pinball Carnival.
Sonic Superstarsis available for PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
