One of the best sonic games to date
Sonic and I have always had a weird relationship. I would go to being in love with the series, like when I played "Sonic adventure 2" and this game, to being all meh, when I played "Sonic R" and "Sonic 3D blast". Though, every time sonic fails me, I can always turn to this game. I will be honest guys, I have played this game much more than I could possibly be proud of. Sonic 3 was released in 1994, it and "Sonic and Knuckles" were supposed to be one game but they were split during development. It is a direct sequel to "sonic the hedgehog 2" and it introduces a character I have changed my thoughts about more times than I can count, Knuckles the echidna. Knuckles the echidna is a red echidna with gloves that have spikes at the knuckles, giving him his nickname.

Our good old friend knuckles makes his first appearance in this game. He lives on angel island and guards the master emerald. 

Gameplay: Did you play the first two? You've got your answer. The first two games had controls that could end up a bit awkward. This game simply sports a more polished version of these controls. The controls are very smooth and I enjoy them. Sonic can go forward, backward, and he can jump, now don't get too overwhelmed yet, because the spin dash returns from sonic 2. You have the option to play as sonic, tails, or both. I will break it down for you. I explained sonic just now, so I will do the other two.

Miles "Tails" Prower: Our adorable little friend is back to help sonic. Tails' ability to fly gives you access to some puzzles that sonic himself would not be able to access, though this is short-lived, as Tails can only fly for a short amount of time before coming down. Other than that, he controls similarly to sonic.

Both of those crazy kids: You can have a second player connect to tails and play cooperatively. This player using tails will have the ability to pick up sonic.

Graphics: The game did a bit worse than I expected. I figured it would look quite a bit better. It appeared three years after sonic 1, and it simply sports a more polished environment. I by no means think it looks bad. The environments were beautiful, something that I had never actually seen achieved in a game this old. Even its direct sequel doesn't look as good. There are tons of colors that merge together to make a great zone, and it works out for each. Sonic however, does not look as good as I thought he would. He somehow got shorter than he was in the first games.

Sound: I'm a pretty big fan of this department.. The sound is a bit of a rehash from the first two, but again it is more polished and sounds a bit better. It takes on a sort of catchy tune that you really cant describe until you play it. Though, Sonic also has to make a sound when he jumps, and that sounds like it wouldn't bother you, but it gets really annoying by the second zone. Though, the game could have done some more. Take the angel island zone act 1 for instance. This level has blissful music, and then as it starts to get burned to the ground, you would expect some darker toned music. Nope, this level retains the same music, and while this is not a huge deal, I see it as a flaw.

Addictiveness: Didn't you read what I said in the beginning? I have beat this game so many different times. It holds me like a spell, and I just cant shake it. The classic gameplay and wonderful environments are way ahead of 1994. I have logged tons of hours into this game, and I think you will too.

Story: Starting directly after Sonic 2, Sonic uses the chaos emeralds he has to transform into his super-form. He then flies to angel island where he is ambushed and assaulted by our friend knuckles, who then steals the emeralds, bringing Sonic out of his super-form. Sonic gives chase to knuckles. Knuckles is tricked by Dr. Robotnik into thinking that sonic is going to steal the master emerald, the thing knuckles protects. Robotnik realizes he can use the master emerald to power his ship, the death egg, which was destroyed in sonic 2. Sonic encounters knuckles in almost every level, which will hinder Sonic's progress. At the end of the game, as Sonic fights Robotnik and defeats him. He leaves the ship as it is falling, and he and knuckles become a team, leading into the events of "Sonic and Knuckles". There is also another ending to this game, this ending being accessed by Sonic getting all of the chaos emeralds and transforming into  Super Sonic.

Depth: There are six zones in this game, with the addition of seven special stages where you can access the chaos emeralds. There are also. There are also six save files you can use. There are three character choices, each can be used to find special places. There is also multiplayer mode, you can use a computer to play tails, or have a second player play as tails.

Difficulty: This game should not give you too much trouble. There are some cleverly placed enemies and spikes, but its not like you will be given too many game overs. This game is pretty easy, the only times you might get frustrated are when you are trying to get 50 rings to access the special stages. I beat the game in about a week, and I doubt it should take you much more than that.

That's all for now you guys. I will be reviewing the sequel to this sometime this month, as I am deeming this month "Sonic month". This game is one of the best of its times, and I hope you have tons of fun with it.

See ya
  Graphics 9   Addictive 8   Depth 6   Story 6   Difficulty 5

Swing from vines, launch new attacks, survive deadly traps and summon Tails to airlift Sonic out of danger. Discover hidden rooms and passageways in the mega-sized Zones. Transform into Super Sonic and experience the ultimate in speed and ultra-sonic power. Save your progress using the new Game Save Feature.

Overall 9.2    Graphics 8.8    Sound 8.7    Addictive 8.7    Story 7.9    Depth 7.8    Difficulty 6.3

One of the best sonic games to date   ender44
Sonic and I have always had a weird relationship. I would go to being in love with the series, like ...
  Graphics 9   Addictive 8   Story 6   Depth 6   Difficulty 5
      Review Rating: 4.7/5     Submitted: 05-04-13     Review Replies: 1

“Sonic 3 presents an old enemy and a new rival!”   sonicthehedgeho..
With the evil doctor’s mechanical fortress ruined, Sonic and Tails decide to look for new adve...
  Graphics 10   Sound 9   Addictive 10   Story 10   Depth 8   Difficulty 6
      Review Rating: 4.7/5     Submitted: 07-15-13     Review Replies: 13

Michael Jackson? In my Sonic? ...AWESOME!   Itachi9695
In case you hadn't figured it out yet, I'm doing Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles separately, I migh...
  Graphics 10   Sound 10   Addictive 9   Story 9   Depth 9   Difficulty 7
      Review Rating: 4.4/5     Submitted: 11-17-12     Review Replies: 0

Sonic and tails stop dr robotnik for the third time!   RedHotToddy
Now to be honest with you guys, when a movie or video game franchise finally reaches it's third inst...
  Graphics 9   Sound 8   Addictive 8   Story 7   Depth 8   Difficulty 7
      Review Rating: 4.4/5     Submitted: 09-14-13     Review Replies: 1

Sonic The Hedgehog 3   classgame
It's the bestest game around, it's the bestest game around, it's the bestest game around...
  Graphics 10   Sound 10   Addictive 9   Story 10   Depth 9   Difficulty 6
      Review Rating: 4.3/5     Submitted: 01-08-21     Review Replies: 3

Sonic the hedgehog 3 review   SacredShadow
Hey guys, its Razor-987 with another review here! Today I will be reviewing sonic the hedgehog 3 whi...
  Graphics 9   Sound 9   Addictive 8   Story 6   Depth 6   Difficulty 5
      Review Rating: 4.3/5     Submitted: 02-06-14     Updated: 02-06-14     Review Replies: 2

Sonic 3 review. Sega Genesis/mega drive   SuperCrash64
Alright Continuing from Sonic 2  and 1 which were great classics at the time. Sonic Team Really...
  Graphics 10   Sound 10   Addictive 8   Story 6   Depth 10   Difficulty 7
      Review Rating: 4/5     Submitted: 03-22-13     Updated: 03-22-13     Review Replies: 8

Greatest of all time? Or another "eh"?   KurisuKaname
Alright so it's time for me to hopefully not review anything negatively! Can I hold out? My reviews ...
  Graphics 7   Sound 8   Addictive 7   Story 5   Depth 5   Difficulty 5
      Review Rating: 4/5     Submitted: 03-06-15     Review Replies: 4

Sonic 3 review   IgorBird122
The last game in the classic Sonic Trilogy, Sonic 3. We see our Hedgehog hero Sonic returns with his...
  Graphics 8   Sound 10   Addictive 9   Story 9   Depth 9   Difficulty 8
      Review Rating: 3.5/5     Submitted: 07-03-13     Review Replies: 5

Sonic The Hedgehog 3   gamefreak0814
Overall - 10 This game was one of my favorites when I was a kid and it still is. Though if you've p...
  Graphics 10   Sound 9   Addictive 10   Story 7   Depth 7   Difficulty 7
      Review Rating: 3.4/5     Submitted: 02-03-12     Review Replies: 2

sonic the hedgehog 3 review   sonic23
whats up guys I'm back with another review of sonic the hedgehog 3 for the Sega genesis. This game i...
  Graphics 9   Sound 8   Addictive 9   Story 9   Depth 9   Difficulty 5
      Review Rating: 3.3/5     Submitted: 11-01-13     Review Replies: 4

Hard times, Happiest days of my life   becerra95
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for Sega Genesis review...
  Graphics 9   Sound 9   Addictive 8   Story 9   Depth 7   Difficulty 7
      Review Rating: 3/5     Submitted: 07-06-23     Review Replies: 2

sonic the hedgehog 3   joshtpw
I am back with another review sonic the hedgehog 3.        &...
  Graphics 10   Sound 10   Addictive 8   Story 10   Depth 8   Difficulty 8
      Review Rating: 2.8/5     Submitted: 11-02-12     Updated: 11-09-12     Review Replies: 8

Sonic The Hedgehog 3,Good or bad?   Shard_Flame132
This game is pretty good. Its got a new special stage,A new character,And it has more depth. Knuck...
  Graphics 8   Sound 10   Addictive 10   Depth 10   Difficulty 6
      Review Rating: 2.6/5     Submitted: 05-19-12     Review Replies: 9

Sonic 3-4th best from sega   dumlink23
Graphics-10  i gave it a ten because i looked at it as if i was looking at the game from the y...
  Graphics 10   Sound 8   Addictive 10   Story 7   Depth 7   Difficulty 8
      Review Rating: 2.6/5     Submitted: 05-24-12     Review Replies: 1

I love this game   frizzed
So I guess I'm remaking this review because my grammar was horrific in 2014. (not that I'm skilled i...
  Graphics 6   Sound 5   Addictive 8   Story 7   Depth 6   Difficulty 4
      Review Rating: 2/5     Submitted: 12-13-14     Updated: 10-15-18     Review Replies: 7

There are no submitted threads for this Game

janus 07-09-16 - 02:34 PM
 I loved that game so much. It really pushed the graphical and musical capacities of the Genesis to its limits. And you coulod play 2 players in cooperation!
gohanssj120 01-28-15 - 07:30 PM
 to me I think the first sonic the hedgehog is easiest for me to get emralds and thairs only 6?
PsychoSloth 12-02-14 - 06:29 PM
 the freaking barrel is keeping me from beating the game I've never beat it before
MeatAndPotatoes 11-22-14 - 08:17 PM
 Up and around, I cleared the small, open stage.
sonnicfan 11-09-14 - 10:10 AM
 anyone else hate trying to get debug mode on this with out lockon I know I do
asdren 03-17-14 - 12:52 PM
 Wow this is beatiful game
Mohammedroxx3 02-03-14 - 09:27 PM
 I remember staying up until midnight playing this sonic game. XD
109kev 07-11-13 - 01:29 PM
 The level select code is up up down down up up up up up up up. but you have to be super quick when the sega screen turns black.
theironhide 04-15-13 - 09:19 AM
 is this week sonic week or something? since last week was mario week, if it is: i guess i'll enjoy this week more
sonic323 03-18-13 - 02:41 PM
 SONIC AND DARKSONIC
garb420 02-23-13 - 07:36 PM
 dude what happened to all of my videos showing sonic getting emeralds 2 through 7 with perfects!?!? for some reason I don't see them on this page but I can still access them through my gamer profile.
nyannyannyannya.. 12-31-12 - 07:14 AM
 I found a glitch where when you are going to marble garden zone with sonic and tails tails will walk while going up
garb420 12-06-12 - 12:15 PM
 I have to agree with bombchu, this is by far the easiest game to get all the emeralds in. Although you could make an argument for the original Sonic the Hedgehog based on the fact that you only have to get six emeralds for that game. But Sonic 3 is still e
kanta 11-20-12 - 11:58 AM
 No it is not
bombchu link 10-16-12 - 11:55 AM
 This is the easiest game to get all the chaos emeralds in.
METALIAJ 07-01-12 - 08:09 AM
 me too
Dr_Perez 06-21-12 - 07:04 PM
 keep missing the emeralds
slavery 06-19-12 - 06:33 PM
 close it an load again u flids
ALpacino FTW 06-18-12 - 07:14 PM
 thats the problem
ALpacino FTW 06-18-12 - 07:14 PM
 my screen's black
daneeeecheek 06-18-12 - 07:13 PM
 gunna see if any mortal kombats work
daneeeecheek 06-18-12 - 07:12 PM
 nooo it doesnt work
gameover13 06-11-12 - 09:02 PM
 best sonic game
pacboy66 06-09-12 - 11:20 AM
 its not loading! i wanna play it!
Joey Fairley 06-08-12 - 11:50 AM
 TuT I WON!