This refers to the utilization of a cheat device, commonly known as the Game Genie, in conjunction with the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles video games, often when the “lock-on” feature is used to combine the two games into Sonic 3 & Knuckles. The Game Genie allows players to modify the game’s code, introducing effects such as invincibility, altered character abilities, or changes to level design. For example, a user might input a specific code to grant Sonic unlimited lives or to make him run at an exceptionally high speed.
The appeal of using such a device stems from the desire to enhance or alter the gaming experience. Benefits include increased accessibility for players who might find the original game too challenging, the opportunity to explore the game’s mechanics in new and unexpected ways, and the discovery of hidden or glitched content. Historically, the Game Genie provided a means to circumvent difficulty curves and experiment with the underlying programming of console games, before the widespread availability of in-game cheat codes or modding communities.
