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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 + Knuckles![[image loading]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GBcd5SySXCM/TwoY_mew3-I/AAAAAAAAAx0/Rs9FkID7IK8/s320/S3k_title.png)
Developer: Sonic Team
Platform: Sega Megadrive/Genesis
Release: 1994
Genres: Platform Scroller
Originally the two games Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic and Knuckles were meant to be one game. Due to the space restrictions on the Sega Megadrive/Genesis cartridge, the game was split into two. These two cartridges could be "snapped" together to be played as one complete game (which is the game I am referring to).
Basic Plot
The game was split into two campaigns; the original Sonic the Hedgehog 3 campaign, and the Sonic the Knuckles story. Both could be played as Sonic, Knuckles, Sonic and Tails, or Tails.
At the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Dr. Robotnik's Death Egg crash lands on Angel Island. Dr. Robotnik meets Knuckles on the island and tricks him into thinking Sonic and Tails are trying to steal his Master Emerald.
![[image loading]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dd8Dt6TKZ84/TwoZF9oWDuI/AAAAAAAAAx8/MAkSFGaQkUE/s1600/Sonic+3+angel+island+Super+sonic.bmp) The start of the game, before Knuckles steals the Chaos Emeralds.
Knuckles continually hinders Sonic and Tails' progress throughout the game as they try to reach Dr. Robotnik and stop him re-launching the Death Egg. Because of this. Dr Robotnik is ultimately able to re-launch the Death Egg and throws Knuckles off the edge.
Robotnik then uses the Master Emerald to power a robot, but Sonic is able to defeat the robot, retrieve the Master Emerald, and take out the Death Egg.
Knuckles' story is different for the second half of the game and involves defeating Egg Robo and Mecha Sonic.
Gameplay
As with the previous games in the series this was a 2D action side-scrolling platform game.
The gameplay experience was different depending on which character you played. Sonic was faster and could jump higher, while Knuckles could break through barriers, glide, and climb up walls. The game was shorter when played as Knuckles but the level layouts more complicated.
There are a series of special stages available throughout the game. They differ from the previous games in that you are in a pseudo 3D world, but have a 360 degree view around. The objective is to touch blue orbs (which turn into red ones) without touching any blue orb more than once (as it turns red). When you touch the required amnount you complete the stage and obtain a Chaos Emerald.
![[image loading]](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFJ0nl6duSk/TwoZR6fnNKI/AAAAAAAAAyE/C9QRbCg6OcA/s320/Sonic+and+Knuckles++Sonic+3_Apr25+20_20_11.png) Hyper Sonic.
Obtaining all the chaos emeralds allows you, as in the previous game, to turn into Super Sonic. However, because you're essentially playing the game twice and can obtain two sets of chaos emeralds (the chaos emeralds, and the super emeralds), you are able to obtain the ultimate form of Hyper Sonic during the second half of the game. Hyper Sonic is an even faster version of Super Sonic (impervious to physical damage other than being crushed or falling, obtained by jumping in the air with >= 50 rings) who glows white. You can also obtain Super Tails, Super Knuckles, and Hyper Knuckles.
The game is split into "zones" which consist of two or three levels. Each level must be completed within a time frame of 10 minutes.
There were new power-ups available during the game including (among others) a bubble shield which lets you breather under water and "bounce", and a fire shield which lets you turn into a fireball momentarily.
Positives
The level design and general feel of the gameplay is excellent. If you manage to get through the entire game there is a huge sense of accomplishment, as it is a long and epic journey.
In terms of platform games, this is perhaps my favourite of all time. It's a mix of the slick visuals, fast pace, and interesting mechanics.
Negatives
Compared to Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 the music is inferior in every way. The new composer they brought on just didn't have the same knack for creating tunes which you just want to keep listening to forever.
Memorable Moments
I was very excited when I unlocked Hyper Sonic. He was so fast, it was almost too fast. I really like when games contain little "secrets" which once you discover become a really big part of the game. Super Sonic and Hyper Sonic are how the Sonic series does this. Some other examples would be event Pokemon in the Pokemon series and fatalities in the Mortal Kombat series.
Previous Game: Age of Empires Next Game: Portal
 
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It's so true about the music not being as good but I remember playing this game as a kid and it is still just as fun today as it was back then. That being said, it makes me sad to see how bad Sonic 4 was :/ They need to keep these side scrolling platformers 2D. Look at Megaman 9 and 10, they are both still 2D but with just enhanced graphics and controls. Such a bummer to see a lot of bad sonic games after playing ones that were so amazing like this one! On a good note, Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations were both very great! :D
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On October 18 2012 09:06 lubu42 wrote:
It's so true about the music not being as good but I remember playing this game as a kid and it is still just as fun today as it was back then. That being said, it makes me sad to see how bad Sonic 4 was :/ They need to keep these side scrolling platformers 2D. Look at Megaman 9 and 10, they are both still 2D but with just enhanced graphics and controls. Such a bummer to see a lot of bad sonic games after playing ones that were so amazing like this one! On a good note, Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations were both very great! :D
Yes I thought Sonic Generations did a really good job at bringing the genre into the modern gaming era. I didn't mind the "modern sonic" levels so much, and I did like the over-world and how you could take your time and re-do levels to find all the secrets in each one. That was a killer in the original three games; how difficult it was to beat the game let alone win all the bonus stages and obtain the chaos/super emeralds.
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Props for reviewing this game. It was a huge part of my childhood, and I recently played through all the Genesis Sonic games again for fun.
Only thing I disagree with is the music. Granted, this is obviously a matter of opinion. But we're taking about stage themes like: Hydrocity, Marble Garden, Ice Cap (overrated but still), Launch Base, Flying Battery, Lava Reef, Death Egg, and others.
At any rate, in my eyes the only VG music that rivals Sonic 1-3 and S&K are Megaman/Megaman X series.
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ALLEYCAT BLUES49479 Posts
but...but..I love the music to sonic3k
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Sky Sanctuary was just a killer music, and so Death Egg is.
This game as a whole is wonderful, so many ways to play it, with Sonic, Tails, Knuckles. With the emeralds, the super ones. And Sonic Generations was a good reminder of what Sonic was on Genesis, and Dreamcast too. That was a buy I didn't regret a single second. :D
Welp, I'll probably reinstall Sonic & Knuckles, or Generations.
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I have to concede that the Sonic 3k music wasn't bad at all... it was rather that it was different to what I'd grown to expect in Sonic 1 and 2 - and obviously with a different composer it came out very different.
I think the previous generations had catchy ballads which focused on a single really clean tune which got stuck in your head... but in Sonic 3k it was more environmental / setting the mood, and wasn't necessarily as memorable. In modern games this is also the case; a lot of the time you never even notice the music, because it's blended so well with the overall experience that it just melds into it. Doesn't mean it was bad music; it was great, rather it just didn't stick in your mind as much.
I can't in my right side say it was better or worse, just different, and not to my taste (as much).
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sandopolis ghosts were the bane of my 8 year old self.
Easily one of my favorite games of all time. Was unfortunate that I was unable
to play sonic 3 until just recently in the past 1-2 years.
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10387 Posts
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i played this game sooo much when i was little. loved the series: sonic, sonic 2, sonic 3, and sonic/knuckles, and of course the combined sonic 3/knuckles. i had so much fun playing through the levels again and again, looking for secrets, trying to get all the emeralsd, etc.
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Pretty sure Michael Jackson worked on some of the Sonic 3 tracks? Regardless, Hydrocity A2, Ice Cap and Flying Battery have pretty sweet music.
I could never figure out, as a kid, that annoying bit on Carnival Night where you get stuck in a room with that thing that goes up and down. Never finished Sandopolis back then too. That lion at the end is terrible >.<
I own the Sonic Classic Arcade game for the Nintendo DS, played a good ton out of it. Not a bad buy if you own one. Has the first 4 games including Sonic 2 / 3 with Knuckles.
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ALLEYCAT BLUES49479 Posts
On October 18 2012 13:50 IntoTheEmo wrote:
Pretty sure Michael Jackson worked on some of the Sonic 3 tracks? Regardless, Hydrocity A2, Ice Cap and Flying Battery have pretty sweet music.
I could never figure out, as a kid, that annoying bit on Carnival Night where you get stuck in a room with that thing that goes up and down. Never finished Sandopolis back then too. That lion at the end is terrible >.<
I own the Sonic Classic Arcade game for the Nintendo DS, played a good ton out of it. Not a bad buy if you own one. Has the first 4 games including Sonic 2 / 3 with Knuckles.
carnival night thing is easy you have to stand on the thing and hold up then hold down until it gets enough momentum so that when the thing goes down to the save point you just jump out.
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On October 18 2012 14:00 BLinD-RawR wrote:Show nested quote +On October 18 2012 13:50 IntoTheEmo wrote:
Pretty sure Michael Jackson worked on some of the Sonic 3 tracks? Regardless, Hydrocity A2, Ice Cap and Flying Battery have pretty sweet music.
I could never figure out, as a kid, that annoying bit on Carnival Night where you get stuck in a room with that thing that goes up and down. Never finished Sandopolis back then too. That lion at the end is terrible >.<
I own the Sonic Classic Arcade game for the Nintendo DS, played a good ton out of it. Not a bad buy if you own one. Has the first 4 games including Sonic 2 / 3 with Knuckles. carnival night thing is easy you have to stand on the thing and hold up then hold down until it gets enough momentum so that when the thing goes down to the save point you just jump out.
Oh yeah, figured that out like 10 years later, but omg that hurt my brain sooo much! Not to mention that act is pretty silly on the time (you'd engage the boss at like 9 mins on the clock? crazy!)
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ALLEYCAT BLUES49479 Posts
On October 18 2012 14:18 IntoTheEmo wrote:Show nested quote +On October 18 2012 14:00 BLinD-RawR wrote:On October 18 2012 13:50 IntoTheEmo wrote:
Pretty sure Michael Jackson worked on some of the Sonic 3 tracks? Regardless, Hydrocity A2, Ice Cap and Flying Battery have pretty sweet music.
I could never figure out, as a kid, that annoying bit on Carnival Night where you get stuck in a room with that thing that goes up and down. Never finished Sandopolis back then too. That lion at the end is terrible >.<
I own the Sonic Classic Arcade game for the Nintendo DS, played a good ton out of it. Not a bad buy if you own one. Has the first 4 games including Sonic 2 / 3 with Knuckles. carnival night thing is easy you have to stand on the thing and hold up then hold down until it gets enough momentum so that when the thing goes down to the save point you just jump out. Oh yeah, figured that out like 10 years later, but omg that hurt my brain sooo much! Not to mention that act is pretty silly on the time (you'd engage the boss at like 9 mins on the clock? crazy!)
rofl yeah, but you can get to all 7 chaos emeralds( the emerald stages are not that hard...maybe except the last one)by the end of marble garden act 1, so unless you didn't that up you can make it to the end of carnival night within 6 mins tops.
Edit: cleaned up.
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I spend so many hours on Sonic 1 & 2 but I never played the 3. Thanks for this little diary 
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the times I completed Sonic 1-4 are more than any other games,love old sega games than the current stupid ps3/xbox
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EPT
