• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 08:26
CEST 14:26
KST 21:26
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
BGE Stara Zagora 2025: Info & Preview27Code S RO12 Preview: GuMiho, Bunny, SHIN, ByuN3The Memories We Share - Facing the Final(?) GSL47Code S RO12 Preview: Cure, Zoun, Solar, Creator4[ASL19] Finals Preview: Daunting Task30
Community News
Weekly Cups (June 2-8): herO doubles down1[BSL20] ProLeague: Bracket Stage & Dates9GSL Ro4 and Finals moved to Sunday June 15th13Weekly Cups (May 27-June 1): ByuN goes back-to-back0EWC 2025 Regional Qualifier Results26
StarCraft 2
General
The SCII GOAT: A statistical Evaluation StarCraft 1 & 2 Added to Xbox Game Pass Jim claims he and Firefly were involved in match-fixing CN community: Firefly accused of suspicious activities How does the number of casters affect your enjoyment of esports?
Tourneys
Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) Bellum Gens Elite: Stara Zagora 2025 $3,500 WardiTV European League 2025 Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament SOOPer7s Showmatches 2025
Strategy
[G] Darkgrid Layout Simple Questions Simple Answers [G] PvT Cheese: 13 Gate Proxy Robo
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 477 Slow and Steady Mutation # 476 Charnel House Mutation # 475 Hard Target Mutation # 474 Futile Resistance
Brood War
General
BW General Discussion FlaSh Witnesses SCV Pull Off the Impossible vs Shu StarCraft & BroodWar Campaign Speedrun Quest BGH auto balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Will foreigners ever be able to challenge Koreans?
Tourneys
[ASL19] Grand Finals NA Team League 6/8/2025 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL20] ProLeague Bracket Stage - Day 2
Strategy
I am doing this better than progamers do. [G] How to get started on ladder as a new Z player
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread What do you want from future RTS games? Armies of Exigo - YesYes? Nintendo Switch Thread Path of Exile
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
LiquidLegends to reintegrate into TL.net
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Vape Nation Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
Maru Fan Club Serral Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Korean Music Discussion [Manga] One Piece
Sports
2024 - 2025 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
A Better Routine For Progame…
TrAiDoS
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Heero Yuy & the Tax…
KrillinFromwales
I was completely wrong ab…
jameswatts
Need Your Help/Advice
Glider
Trip to the Zoo
micronesia
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 32002 users

Sonic 3 + Knuckles (A Diary of Video Games)

Blogs > DRTnOOber
Post a Reply
DRTnOOber
Profile Blog Joined February 2012
New Zealand476 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-10-23 01:41:24
October 17 2012 23:22 GMT
#1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 + Knuckles

[image loading]

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]
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]
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

****
But I'm off creep... and so I slow down, what are hellions doing here? I don't belong here...
lubu42
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
United States314 Posts
October 18 2012 00:06 GMT
#2
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
SlayerS_BoxeR <3
DRTnOOber
Profile Blog Joined February 2012
New Zealand476 Posts
October 18 2012 00:15 GMT
#3
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.
But I'm off creep... and so I slow down, what are hellions doing here? I don't belong here...
Kitetsu
Profile Joined October 2010
73 Posts
October 18 2012 02:09 GMT
#4
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.
If you're lonely, you can talk to me.
BLinD-RawR
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
ALLEYCAT BLUES50107 Posts
October 18 2012 02:30 GMT
#5
but...but..I love the music to sonic3k
Brood War EICWoo Jung Ho, never forget.| Twitter: @BLinDRawR
TL+ Member
Lysteria
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
France2279 Posts
October 18 2012 02:37 GMT
#6
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.
DRTnOOber
Profile Blog Joined February 2012
New Zealand476 Posts
October 18 2012 02:41 GMT
#7
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).
But I'm off creep... and so I slow down, what are hellions doing here? I don't belong here...
KingDime
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Canada750 Posts
October 18 2012 03:20 GMT
#8
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.
Doom Guy
ArvickHero
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
10387 Posts
October 18 2012 03:28 GMT
#9
Loved this game <3
Writerptrk
ieatkids5
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
United States4628 Posts
October 18 2012 03:59 GMT
#10
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.
IntoTheEmo
Profile Joined February 2009
Singapore1169 Posts
October 18 2012 04:50 GMT
#11
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.
MMOs kill APM. However Proleague plus BW Proscene music increase APM -> 100. 이제동 Fighting! Highest ranked Jaedong owner in FPL10 = clearly #1 Jaedong fan~! <- Keeping my sig from 2010
BLinD-RawR
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
ALLEYCAT BLUES50107 Posts
October 18 2012 05:00 GMT
#12
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.
Brood War EICWoo Jung Ho, never forget.| Twitter: @BLinDRawR
TL+ Member
IntoTheEmo
Profile Joined February 2009
Singapore1169 Posts
October 18 2012 05:18 GMT
#13
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!)
MMOs kill APM. However Proleague plus BW Proscene music increase APM -> 100. 이제동 Fighting! Highest ranked Jaedong owner in FPL10 = clearly #1 Jaedong fan~! <- Keeping my sig from 2010
BLinD-RawR
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
ALLEYCAT BLUES50107 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-10-18 05:51:34
October 18 2012 05:41 GMT
#14
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.
Brood War EICWoo Jung Ho, never forget.| Twitter: @BLinDRawR
TL+ Member
Glioburd
Profile Joined April 2008
France1911 Posts
October 18 2012 07:15 GMT
#15
I spend so many hours on Sonic 1 & 2 but I never played the 3. Thanks for this little diary
"You should hate loosing, but you should never fear defeat." NaDa.
justiceknight
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
Singapore5741 Posts
October 18 2012 07:26 GMT
#16
the times I completed Sonic 1-4 are more than any other games,love old sega games than the current stupid ps3/xbox
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
WardiTV Invitational
11:00
WardiTV June Groups A & 1/2C
Percival vs SolarLIVE!
Gerald vs Percival
Gerald vs Solar
Harstem vs Solar
Harstem vs Percival
Krystianer vs MaxPax
YoungYakov vs Spirit
Krystianer vs YoungYakov
WardiTV810
IndyStarCraft 152
Rex139
LiquipediaDiscussion
Replay Cast
10:00
StarCraft Evolution League #13
CranKy Ducklings92
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Lowko317
Harstem 175
IndyStarCraft 152
Rex 139
ProTech78
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 27635
Sea 6463
Jaedong 2717
Bisu 2562
Pusan 445
BeSt 386
Larva 382
actioN 358
Mini 317
Stork 314
[ Show more ]
Light 235
EffOrt 161
Hyun 107
Dewaltoss 98
Snow 93
ZerO 83
Mong 78
ToSsGirL 63
GoRush 52
ggaemo 48
Mind 47
Icarus 28
sSak 24
Aegong 23
Movie 23
Sacsri 22
Backho 21
Sharp 19
sas.Sziky 10
Dota 2
XcaliburYe725
Counter-Strike
x6flipin697
allub271
byalli211
edward47
Other Games
singsing2060
B2W.Neo1096
crisheroes377
DeMusliM330
Mew2King249
Pyrionflax185
XaKoH 170
ArmadaUGS137
QueenE28
ZerO(Twitch)13
Organizations
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 12
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 49
• intothetv
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• Rasowy 10
• Airneanach6
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Nemesis4885
• Jankos974
Other Games
• WagamamaTV191
Upcoming Events
PiGosaur Monday
11h 35m
GSL Code S
21h 5m
Rogue vs GuMiho
Maru vs Solar
Online Event
1d 11h
Replay Cast
1d 13h
GSL Code S
1d 21h
herO vs Zoun
Classic vs Bunny
The PondCast
1d 21h
Replay Cast
2 days
WardiTV Invitational
2 days
OSC
3 days
Korean StarCraft League
3 days
[ Show More ]
CranKy Ducklings
3 days
WardiTV Invitational
3 days
Cheesadelphia
4 days
CSO Cup
4 days
GSL Code S
4 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Wardi Open
5 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
RSL Revival
6 days
Cure vs Percival
ByuN vs Spirit
Liquipedia Results

Completed

CSL Season 17: Qualifier 2
BGE Stara Zagora 2025
Heroes 10 EU

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
BSL Season 20
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
NPSL S3
Rose Open S1
CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
2025 GSL S2
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters
CCT Season 2 Global Finals
IEM Melbourne 2025
YaLLa Compass Qatar 2025
PGL Bucharest 2025
BLAST Open Spring 2025

Upcoming

Copa Latinoamericana 4
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
K-Championship
SEL Season 2 Championship
Esports World Cup 2025
HSC XXVII
Championship of Russia 2025
Murky Cup #2
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.