Mirage Saloon Changes in Development

Changes to Mirage Saloon Zone

Moved Rock

Prototype: In the prototype, there was a rock placed shortly after the hill near the start.

Final Release: The rock was moved further along. I know riveting, but hey, it is somthing!

Moved Rings

Prototype: In the early version, there were rings placed directly above the bird totem's spring.

Final Release: For some reason, these rings were moved further to the right, presumably to keep the player moving forward.

Changed Monitors

Prototype: There was originally both a shield and ring monitor.

Final Release: The shield monitor was removed, making the level slightly more challenging.

Green Stars

Prototype: Originally there were no green stars in one of the flipper sections, making it harder to get to the top.

Final Release: They added the green stars, which boost you up.

Changes to the Flipper Section

Prototype: Originally, there were two platforms you would jump through after being launched by the flipper. There was also a stationary platform next to the right (and a platform next to that which goes up and down).

Final Release: The platform on the right was removed and replaced with green stars. This was presumably done to make the level easier. (The monitor is me using debug mode).

Missing Ground

Prototype: If you missed jumping into a gun, there was no ground to save you, and only a boulder with springs. You fall down to the bottom path if you miss it. The boulder moves left and right.

Final Game: A path is put under the spring. There is also no longer a wall blocking the path to the right. The boulder with springs is stationary. The path underneath this floor is the same as in the prototype:

Lower Path

Prototype: One difference about this bottom path below the above section, however, is that there is a spike chain there in the prototype.

Final Game: This is removed, making the section harmless.

Changes to a Gun Section.

Prototype: There is a spike block which moves left and right and a spring block which moves up and down after you are launched up by a gun.

Final Release: Both were removed in the final, I assume this was to make this section much less annoying.

Instead, two blocks are moved further up which serve the same purpose but are much more forgiving.

Team Hooligan

Prototype: There is no curtain for Team Hooligan as it may not have been made yet: I expect that many of you remember this.

Beginning of Knuckles' Level

Prototype: The beginning of Knuckles' Act 2 is different, starting at the outdoor section

Final Release: The beginning of the level is entirely indoors and you have to move slightly to the right to go outdoors:

Springs

Prototype: A spring is clearly visible.

Final Release: The spring is in the ground and activates when you step on it.

Changed Flipper

Prototype: After launching off a flipper in the prototype, you could land onto another flipper facing the opposite direction:

Final Release: This flipper is removed in the final release, I assume to make the level more straightforward:

Moved Monitor

Prototype: The monitor is right on the edge of the platform.

Final Release: Monitor has been slightly moved.

Spring into Gun

Prototype: There was a red spring which launched you into a gun.

Final Release: This was turned into a yellow spring, although the gun is still up there above it, the spring no longer launches you into it:

Ceiling after Gun

Prototype: After one of the guns, there is no ceiling, which means you could just blast through the stage after the gun launches you:

Final Game: They put this ceiling in place to stop you going too high.

More on Ceilings

Prototype: When the prototype does have ceilings, you can use the gun to shoot yourself over it because there is no invisible ceiling.

Final Release: This hilarious exploit was stopped by an extension to the ceiling in the final game, possibly made because of this very video. There is also a moving platform with springs which has been added:

Moved Barrel

Prototype: Originally there was a barrel here which would take the player to the lower route.

Final Release: This barrel is missing. The route would still function as intended if the barrel was there though.

More Changed Barrels

Prototype: There were no barrels to help you get up the platform.

Final Release: Barrels were added, making things easier!

Changed Monitor

Prototype: This monitor was originally a shield.

Final Release: This was later changed to invincibility. They also added a spring to the platform.

Another Moved Spike Chain

Prototype: There is a spike chain in this tunnel.

Final Release: The spike chain has been removed:

Moved Floor

Prototype: There is no floor here to stop you going to the lower path.

Final Release: They added this floor, presumably so the player wouldn't go backwards by accident.