Sonic the Hedgehog 3

by Sega

Product Features

• Connects to Sonic & Knuckles

Product Details

• ASIN: B00005043P
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,946 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for Sega Genesis, no case

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best games for the Sega Genesis, October 16, 2000

By 

jasenao (Dothan, Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Video Game)

I have a lot of memories of Sonic The Hedgehog 3. I got it when it first came out, and I still play it a lot. Like the previous two Sonic The Hedgehog games for the Genesis, it's a 2D side scroller and your objective is to collect rings, get all the chaos emeralds, and defeat Dr. Robotnik. There are more fun levels in this one than there is in any of the other Sonic The Hedgehog games. There's a fire level, an ice one, a carnival level, and many more. It also has a better challenge and better graphics than Sonic The Hedgehog 1 or 2. The music and sounds are perfect for the game, and the control is also top notch. The bonus levels are different in this one, and better. In one, you have to keep going side to side in a bubble gum machine to try and get one-ups, rings, fire, etc., and in the chaos emerald bonus levels, you have to go around a planet-like place to get all the blue bubbles. There are also powerups that Sonic and Tails can use, such as fire, a bubble, and electricity.

If you like great 2D side scrolling action/adventure games, or if you like the other Sonic The Hedgehog games for the Sega Genesis, I recommend getting Sonic The Hedgehog 3. For the Genesis and for the 16-bit genre of video games, it's a classic.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of all the Sonic Games!, August 8, 2001

By 

"angrod" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Video Game)

I am a huge fan Sega Genesis, I have been since i was only kid, and the Sonic games have always been my favorite games. Sonic 3 is the best of all of them and includes new characters, attacks, items, and fetures not in the previous two games. The best feture of Sonis 3 is the ability to save games to be played later. In the game itself there are better levels, better enemies, and harder bosses. To help Sonic, there are new sheilds that can block him from certain enemies or even block him from fire and help him breath under water. In this game Dr. Robotnik has help from Knuckles, the brainwashed guardian of the Caos Emeralds. Knuckles pops up from time to time to set treps for Sonic, but in the end he really is a good guy. Tails now has the ability to fly and even swim in water, which is more than a big help alot of the time. The last thing I really like about Sonic 3 is, it can be combined with Sonic & Knuckles to make on big game and even play as Knuckles. All and all it is the best Sonic game ever and must for in Sega Genesis/Sonic fan.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, but somewhat flawed..., July 10, 2005

By 

Jenna Mclean (Kalamazoo, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Video Game)

Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles were originally going to be released as one game, but it ended up being cut into two games. Sonic 3, when compared to Sonic 1 and 2, is a MAJOR step. With more options for verses mode and saving ability, Sonic 3 introduced a lot more options for Sonic gaming fun.

The game also introduces the character Knuckles the Echidna, whom of which is the guardian of Angel Island, where Dr. Robotnik (Eggman) lands after his defeat from Sonic 2. Dr. Robotnik manages to convince Knuckles that Sonic and Tails are the ones who want to cause trouble, so Knuckles often gets in the way and makes things difficult for Sonic and Tails during the entire game. In verses mode, you can play as Knuckles as well as Sonic or Tails.

In the usual game, you can play as Sonic and Tails, Sonic alone, or Tails alone. One thing I really like about Sonic 3 as opposed to Sonic 2 is that Tails can fly, which often gives him a great advantage over playing Sonic. When you do 2 player with Sonic and Tails, Tails can often fly Sonic to high places, but it's not a long time before Tails gets tired.

Levels: The levels are big and often challenging, usually taking a long time to complete. However, one of the reasons why Sonic 3 is flawed in my opinion is that there are very few levels (6, including the final boss which is not a separate level from the last), which is a small number compared to it's predecessors (Sonic 1 had 6 levels not including the final zone, but keep in mind that the levels in Sonic 1 have 3 zones, not just two; Sonic 2 had 11 levels).
Grade: 7.5/10
Best level: Ice Cap Zone (Level 5)

Graphics: Beautiful and clear, MUCH improved over Sonic 2.
Grade: 10/10

Bonus/Emerald Rounds: The idea of a bonus round is introduced with Sonic 2. With the new bonus round (the gumball round) you have a chance to get more rings/lives/shields. It's often a quick escape from a potentially bad situation. The emerald rounds are also new; basically consisting of Sonic or Tails having to gather up blue spheres and not touch the red spheres in order to get the emeralds. I find that those emerald rounds are generally easier than the ones in Sonic 1 or 2, which I am not a big fan of at all.
Grade: 10/10

Characters: Sonic and Tails, Sonic, and Tails. Knuckles as well in the verses mode. Not too bad a line-up, I believe.
Grade: 9.5/10

Music: I don't really like the music in Sonic 3. Most of it I believe lacks the catchiness of the music from Sonic 2 or Sonic and Knuckles. I believe that Hydrocity Zone and the Ice Cap Zone themes have their charms, but nothing really stands out as being all that good. Thankfully, the music was improved a LOT in Sonic and Knuckles. However, an interesting thing that is new with Sonic 3 is that the themes for the different levels change slightly for the different zones of the level; for instance, the theme for Hydrocity Act 1 is SLIGHTLY different then the theme for Hydrocity Act 2. Often, you have to really listen to the themes to hear the differences, but they are there. This trend adheres to Sonic and Knuckles as well.
Grade: 7/10

Bosses: I find the bosses for Sonic 3 to be extremely difficult at times. They are much more difficult than the bosses in Sonic 2, which can often be beaten in a matter of seconds. The bosses in Sonic 3 take a lot of patience. Even some of the bosses in Sonic and Knuckles I find are often easier than the ones in Sonic 3. Sometimes, the bosses can be so difficult it can take a matter of rings (and even lives) to beat them. However, the final boss I find is actually a little easier than expected. Also, for the first time in Genesis gaming, you are able to have rings to defeat the final boss.
Grade: 9.5/10

Basically, for Sonic 3, the thing that was improved the most over Sonic 2 was special features (and graphics). Not only did they add a verses round, but they added more options such as time track (try to beat your best time w/ separate characters!). Also, the saving mode allows you to save where you left off from, and also saves all your lives and continues. Once you've completed the game, you can go back and play any level you wish on your saved game. You may delete any saved game that you want at any time, and you can even play no save! Tails can fly, which is an awesome feature. And, another added bonus is the addition of shields to the game. In Sonic 2, the only shield that existed was the protection shield, good for one hit so Sonic could be spared his rings (or a life). However, with Sonic 3, three new shields replace the old protection shield. The flame shield protects Sonic from any flame or fire-induced harm (even lava!), the water shield protects Sonic from drowning, and is VERY useful in Hydrocity (and other levels, since Sonic 3 has a LOT of water), and the lightning shield, which protects Sonic from a lot of electric hazards and also attracts rings by magnet. Sonic can do specialized moves with the shields, but even when lacking a shield, Sonic can do an insta-shield, which is useful when a hazard is near. Tails can also use the shields, but he cannot do specialized moves with them.

Overall, Sonic 3 is a great game, but does lack in some departments. If you want a more intense gaming experience, buy Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles together and play Sonic 3 and Knuckles. Sonic 3 and Knuckles is quite possibly the best Sonic game ever, and eliminates all the flaws of Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles.