- Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 achievements are exclusive to the Xbox 360 release; the PS3 version has no trophy list.
- All three campaigns — Sonic, Shadow, and Silver — must be completed, plus the Last Episode.
- S Ranks, Silver Medals, and Gold Medals form the bulk of the long-term achievement grind.
- Town missions in Soleanna contribute to completion goals and should be replayed strategically.
- Marathon Recompiled (PC) does not carry Xbox achievements; use original hardware or backward compatibility.
Achievement System Overview
Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 launched on November 14, 2006 for Xbox 360, and like most titles on that platform it shipped with a Gamerscore achievement list rather than in-game trophies. The achievements span story progression, stage performance, collectibles, and town missions across Soleanna. Earning them means effectively pursuing a 100% completion file, since the list covers the same goals tracked by the game's internal records.
The achievement categories break down into four broad groups, each demanding a different playstyle:
| Category | Focus | Difficulty | Est. Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Story Progression | Clear Sonic, Shadow, Silver episodes + Last Episode | Moderate | 15-20 hours |
| Stage Performance | S Ranks on action stages and town missions | High | 20+ hours |
| Collectibles | Silver Medals in stages, Gold Medals in towns | High | 15+ hours |
| Mission Completion | Soleanna town missions across all characters | Moderate-High | 10+ hours |
The PlayStation 3 release of Sonic '06 does not include an equivalent trophy system. If you are chasing achievements specifically, play the Xbox 360 version — either on original hardware or via Xbox backward compatibility where available. The fan-made Marathon Recompiled PC project is a separate experience and does not sync Xbox achievements.
Story Achievements: Campaign Roadmap
The story achievements unlock naturally as you complete each character's episode. The game divides its narrative into three campaigns that converge on the Solaris storyline, with the Last Episode unlocking only after all three are finished.
Complete Sonic's Episode
Clear Wave Ocean through End of the World, defeating Egg Cerberus, Egg Wyvern, and Silver along the way. Story milestones here contribute the first block of achievements.
Complete Shadow's Episode
Work through White Jungle, Kingdom Valley, Crisis City, Flame Core, and Lava Shelter. Boss encounters with Egg Genesis and Mephiles mark your progression.
Complete Silver's Episode
Use Psychokinesis through Crisis City, Dusty Desert, Tropical Jungle, and Aquatic Base. Defeat both Iblis phases to close out Silver's story.
Unlock the Last Episode
With all three campaigns finished, the Last Episode appears in the story menu. Defeat Mephiles with Shadow, Iblis with Silver, and Solaris with Super Sonic to finish the true ending.
| Episode | Key Stages | Major Bosses | Achievement Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic | Wave Ocean, Dusty Desert, Crisis City | Egg Cerberus, Egg Wyvern, Silver | Story completion unlocks |
| Shadow | White Jungle, Kingdom Valley, Lava Shelter | Egg Genesis, Mephiles | Story completion unlocks |
| Silver | Crisis City, Tropical Jungle, Aquatic Base | Iblis Phase 1 and 2 | Story completion unlocks |
| Last Episode | End of the World segments | Mephiles, Iblis, Solaris | Final story achievement |
Between stages, story objectives often direct you back to Soleanna. Missing required town events can stall episode progression. Follow the active story marker before starting optional missions.
S Rank and Performance Achievements
The performance-related achievements are where most of your playtime will go. S Ranks are the highest grade awarded on the stage results screen, calculated from clear time, ring count, damage taken, and objective efficiency.
Learn the Route First
- Replay stages after your initial clear
- Memorize ramps, springs, and shortcuts
- Identify Homing Attack chains over gaps
Protect Your Rings
- High ring retention lifts your score
- Avoid damage immediately after ring pickups
- Follow ring trails — they mark the intended path
Clean Runs Only
- Restart after major mistakes
- Deaths and heavy damage tank the rank
- Practice before attempting the graded run
Character-specific advice matters here. Sonic's stages reward momentum and route knowledge, Shadow's combat sections reward grouped Chaos attacks, and Silver's stages reward holding objects before entering fights so you always have ammunition ready.
| Campaign | S Rank Priority | Main Score Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Sonic | Speed stages | Clear time, ring trails, Light Dash lines |
| Shadow | Combat sections | Fast enemy clears, Chaos Control efficiency |
| Silver | Puzzle combat | Object management, minimal damage |
| Town Missions | All areas | Time limits, escort safety, target completion |
Do not combine a Silver Medal hunt with an S Rank attempt. Medals sit on slow side routes that ruin your time. Dedicate separate runs to collection and to graded performance.
Silver Medal and Gold Medal Achievements
Collectible achievements split into two medal types. Silver Medals hide inside action stages on elevated platforms, side routes, and behind breakable objects. Gold Medals are found in the Soleanna town areas and often require character abilities — flying with Tails, climbing with Knuckles, or moving objects with Silver's Psychokinesis.
| Medal Type | Location | Search Strategy | Tracking Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Medal | Action stages | Branch routes, upper ledges, behind obstacles | Verify at the results screen after each run |
| Gold Medal | Soleanna towns | Rooftops, side streets, hidden corners | Track separately from Silver Medals |
Practical search habits that save hours:
- Slow down before sand slides, speed sections, and forced escape sequences so side branches are not missed.
- Use the camera to look behind waterfalls, foliage, castle walls, and rooftops.
- Replay stages after unlocking movement upgrades like the Light Chip or Bounce Bracelet.
- Keep a written checklist — the game's records are easier to verify immediately after a stage ends.
- In Crisis City stages, grab medals before automatic escape sequences begin, or restart from the last checkpoint.
If you play the Xbox 360 version through the unofficial Marathon Recompiled PC project, collectibles still count toward your in-game completion records — but Xbox achievements themselves are not tracked outside the official ecosystem. You must legally supply your own original game files for the recomp project.
Town Missions and Full Completion Checklist
Town missions throughout Soleanna — Castle Town, New City, and the Forest — cover escort, rescue, delivery, combat, collection, and time-trial objectives for nearly every playable character. They contribute to completion achievements and are also the most reliable place to grind ranks and extra rewards.
Achievement Hunter Checklist:
- Complete Sonic, Shadow, and Silver episodes
- Finish the Last Episode and the true ending
- Earn S Ranks on action stages across all campaigns
- Collect all Silver Medals in action stages
- Collect all Gold Medals hidden in Soleanna
- Complete town missions for every playable character
- Review the Xbox 360 achievement list for remaining entries
Complete the three campaigns first, then the Last Episode, then split your remaining time between dedicated medal runs and S Rank replays. Missions and medals overlap with rank goals far less when handled in separate sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the PlayStation 3 version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 have trophies?
No. The PS3 release predates the mandatory trophy system and has no equivalent trophy list. Only the Xbox 360 version includes achievements, so plan your achievement run on that platform.
Q: Can I unlock Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 achievements through Marathon Recompiled on PC?
No. Marathon Recompiled is an unofficial fan recompilation of the Xbox 360 version and does not connect to Xbox Live achievement tracking. Use the original Xbox 360 release or official backward compatibility for achievements.
Q: How do I unlock the Last Episode for the final story achievements?
Complete all three campaigns — Sonic's, Shadow's, and Silver's episodes — in full. The Last Episode then appears in the story selection menu and contains the final battles against Mephiles, Iblis, and Solaris.
Q: Are Silver Medals required for achievements?
Silver Medals and Gold Medals contribute to the game's completion records and the associated achievement requirements. Plan dedicated exploration runs for them, since medal routes rarely overlap with fast S Rank lines.