10 Hidden Areas In Video Games You Weren't Supposed To Find

Since its early days, Sonic the Hedgehog has required an incredible level of speed, control, and precision to navigate through each level. For this reason, many instalments undergo a staggering amount of testing to ensure mechanics, collision detection, and character AI are up to standard. 

Sega tends to leave these test levels in the final product, where they can be accessed through unconventional means. Although these testing grounds can be found lurking in Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Heroes, and Sonic Origins, probably the most interesting one lies in Shadow the Hedgehog. Rather than having one testing level, this spin-off contains nine.

It may sound excessive, but it's understandable since Shadow the Hedgehog incorporates many crucial mechanics that had rarely been a part of the franchise before. Rather than overstuffing every mechanic in one testing area, the developers sensibly decided to spread them out. One test level focuses on basic movement, another on Shadow's firearms, another on his Chaos control, and so forth.

Despite the fact Shadow the Hedgehog wasn't well received, players should appreciate these hidden levels, since they highlight the experimentation and effort that went into the ambitious title.