Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 was so great I couldn't wait for a third one. Though it wasn't as amazing as part 2, it was still always great to have more of a good thing, especially when it comes to Sonic. Although I wasn't entirely happy with the subtle design changes, the game added enough cool new features and content that it was a great new addition to the series.
At this point we had already seen Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic CD and Sonic Spinball as well as a few Sonic GameGear titles, so Sonic 3 really had to do something special to stand out from the crowd it created. Not to mention, it was a year away from the release of the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. So we had already seen a ton of 16-bit titles and were starting to hear about all the great new games coming out on the new consoles. Nevertheless, Sonic Team really pushed to make this a special installment in the Sonic series and although it may not be my favorite, it contains a ton of great content that stands out as some of my favorite in the series.
Sonic 3 continued the route of Sonic 2 by continuing to support the role of Tails; Sonic's in-game buddy. Giving you the option of being able to now play him through the game solo on top of the original Sonic and Sonic plus Tails options we saw in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. On top of this all, for the first time since they introduced Tails, they've now introduced another new character; Knuckles the Echidna. Knuckles, who starts out as part of your opposition, ends up being a larger part of the Sonic series as a whole from here on out. We see him in most of the Sonic games beyond this one as well as various shows and films. And, as it turns out, was supposed to be a much larger part of this game until Sega hit technical restrictions trying to fit it all on a single game cartridge. This is why we now have the special Sonic and Knuckles video game which actually connects to the Sonic 3 cart in order to create what they originally intended. Without forcing players to purchase one huge expensive cart.
In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sega Team still managed to come up with a bunch of great levels, even though you'd think they'd exhausted all possibilities through the series thus far. Though they tend to stick with the common themes of the series -a tropical first level, a marble themed level, at least one water based level and a casino/pinball themed level- they made good by adding a few new levels including the very best Ice Cap Zone. Which may very well be my favorite set of levels in the entire series. I really do enjoy snow levels in any game and this one adds the bonus of including snowboarding. Which is downright awesome. I also swear I remember there being sandboarding in the desert themed level, but I may be thinking of a different game. Possibly Sonic Adventure.
The more I think back, the more great things I remember about this game. Sonic the Hedgehog really did hold strong for a while for me and this was no exception. I also remember how much I enjoyed the Marble Garden Zone. A set of levels where you found yourself making your way upward throughout, slowly revealing a landscape of ancient ruins in the background, as seen from a distance far above. A view that pushed me to draw over and over again at the time, trying to recreate the feeling I got from it all. Sonic really just always succeeded for me with it's visual design, on top of all it's great gameplay and awesome characters. I'm always glad that I have a copy of this and other Sonic games on various platforms. And it's nice to know that between Sega and Nintendo, it will always be available in some for or another.
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 was so great I couldn't wait for a third one. Though it wasn't as amazing as part 2, it was still always great to have more of a good thing, especially when it comes to Sonic. Although I wasn't entirely happy with the subtle design changes, the game added enough cool new features and content that it was a great new addition to the series. At this point we had already seen Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic CD and Sonic Spinball as well as a few Sonic GameGear titles, so Sonic 3 really had to do something special to stand out from the crowd it created. Not to mention, it was a year away from the release of the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. So we had already seen a ton of 16-bit titles and were starting to hear about all the great new games coming out on the new consoles. Nevertheless, Sonic Team really pushed to make this a special installment in the Sonic series and although it may not be my favorite, it contains a ton of great content that stands out as some of my favorite in the series.
Sonic 3 continued the route of Sonic 2 by continuing to support the role of Tails; Sonic's in-game buddy. Giving you the option of being able to now play him through the game solo on top of the original Sonic and Sonic plus Tails options we saw in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. On top of this all, for the first time since they introduced Tails, they've now introduced another new character; Knuckles the Echidna. Knuckles, who starts out as part of your opposition, ends up being a larger part of the Sonic series as a whole from here on out. We see him in most of the Sonic games beyond this one as well as various shows and films. And, as it turns out, was supposed to be a much larger part of this game until Sega hit technical restrictions trying to fit it all on a single game cartridge. This is why we now have the special Sonic and Knuckles video game which actually connects to the Sonic 3 cart in order to create what they originally intended. Without forcing players to purchase one huge expensive cart.
In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sega Team still managed to come up with a bunch of great levels, even though you'd think they'd exhausted all possibilities through the series thus far. Though they tend to stick with the common themes of the series -a tropical first level, a marble themed level, at least one water based level and a casino/pinball themed level- they made good by adding a few new levels including the very best Ice Cap Zone. Which may very well be my favorite set of levels in the entire series. I really do enjoy snow levels in any game and this one adds the bonus of including snowboarding. Which is downright awesome. I also swear I remember there being sandboarding in the desert themed level, but I may be thinking of a different game. Possibly Sonic Adventure.The more I think back, the more great things I remember about this game. Sonic the Hedgehog really did hold strong for a while for me and this was no exception. I also remember how much I enjoyed the Marble Garden Zone. A set of levels where you found yourself making your way upward throughout, slowly revealing a landscape of ancient ruins in the background, as seen from a distance far above. A view that pushed me to draw over and over again at the time, trying to recreate the feeling I got from it all. Sonic really just always succeeded for me with it's visual design, on top of all it's great gameplay and awesome characters. I'm always glad that I have a copy of this and other Sonic games on various platforms. And it's nice to know that between Sega and Nintendo, it will always be available in some for or another.
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