Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles

About

"Sonic 3 & Knuckles" is a platformer game resulting from locking "Sonic & Knuckles" cartridge with "Sonic the Hedgehog 3". It features all zones and special features from both games, and was originally intended to be the complete Sonic 3. Players control Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles, facing Dr. Robotnik's nefarious plans across various levels at high speeds, collecting rings and power-ups.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles screenshot

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 21 reviews

graphics1 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Sonic 3 & Knuckles offers a fantastic mix of speed and platforming, with diverse level designs and unique abilities for each character, enhancing replayability.
The game features memorable music and graphics that push the Genesis to its limits, creating an engaging and nostalgic experience for players.
It includes various gameplay mechanics such as elemental shields, special stages, and the ability to play as multiple characters, making it accessible for both new and returning players.

Some levels, like Carnival Night and Sandopolis, can be excessively long, potentially leading to frustration for players unfamiliar with the game.
The game lacks the option to play Sonic 3 or Sonic & Knuckles individually, which may disappoint players looking for specific experiences from the original titles.
The emulation quality has been criticized, with reports of glitches and sound issues that detract from the overall experience.

music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The music in the Sonic series, particularly in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, has received mixed reviews, with some praising Masato Nakamura's compositions as superior to Michael Jackson's contributions. Tracks like Mystic Cave and Flying Battery are highlighted for their memorable melodies, while others express frustration with repetitive themes, particularly in certain levels. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point of the game, enhancing the platforming experience despite some changes in the Steam version.
- “The Steam version of Sonic 3 & Knuckles is the definitive official version of the game, and is recommended for anyone who likes platforming, good soundtracks, and the Sonic the Hedgehog series.”
- “Music is absolutely jamming too.”
- “Flying Battery, Angel Island, Lava Reef, Hydrocity, Data Select, Staff Roll, the Doomsday Zone (for that climactic tension in the music), Icecap Zone (just the theme), and Blue Spheres (by far the only consistently decent special stage even though it has an input lag issue).”
- “The clown music playing over and over again as I tried jumping on it made me feel insecure.”
- “There was a native PC port but it replaced music with MIDI files.”
- “Carnival Night Zone's song is outdone by Mystic Cave for that circus music feel with its leitmotif, so I'm convinced that Nakamura wasn't replaced for 3 or anything as his tracks stand way higher than MJ's.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The gameplay of the game effectively combines speed and platforming elements, staying true to the core mechanics of the Sonic franchise. New abilities, such as Hyper Sonic's blink/dash and Tails' flying, enhance the experience, while the game technically pushes the Genesis to its limits. However, some character enhancements, like Hyper Knuckles and Hyper Tails, are viewed as visually and mechanically superior but not canon.
- “On a technical level, the game pushes the Genesis to its absolute limit, and the gameplay is a fun mix of speed and platforming action.”
- “Core gameplay stays true to Sonic laws.”
- “Tails learned to fly as part of gameplay.”
- “Hyper Sonic has a gamer RGB aesthetic (at least following the Genesis color palette) and gives him a blink/dash ability, yet again triggered with the same face button. It's good that Mania forced transformations to the Y button to avoid interfering with every other mechanic tied to 'jump'.”
- “Core gameplay stays true to Sonic's mechanics.”
- “Tails learned to fly as part of the gameplay.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The story in the game is noted for its unique approach, telling a narrative without words and allowing players to experience different perspectives through Knuckles' separate routes. However, some reviewers point out inconsistencies in the overarching lore, particularly regarding the Master Emerald and the interactions between characters like Sonic and Knuckles. Overall, it offers a blend of classic storytelling elements and foreshadowing for future franchise developments.
- “It's one of the early games to tell a story without words, another great thing that Sonic 3 & Knuckles has going.”
- “Play as Knuckles and you play along his routes which are separate from the first two and get a different side of the story.”
- “But unlike the GTA IV DLC, you never see the parts where Sonic and Knuckles' paths collide, along with further inconsistencies in the Master Emerald's story. I guess it's foreshadowing a franchise full of inconsistencies.”
- “Once again, there is the quest to get all Chaos Emeralds.”
- “Play as Knuckles and you play along his routes, which are separate from the first two, and get a different side of the story.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics of the game are widely praised as exceptional, with many considering it a pinnacle achievement for the Sonic Team on the Mega Drive. Users highlight the game's impressive visual quality and speed, reinforcing its status as one of the best games ever made.
- “It was Sonic Team's magnum opus on the Mega Drive, with graphics being totally awesome.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that while the Bedroom hub functions well, the Simple Launcher is plagued by glitches and bugs, affecting overall stability.
- “However, the simple launcher has its fair share of glitches as well.”
- “The bedroom hub works fine, but the simple launcher is buggy.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the repetitive clown music creates a sense of insecurity, contributing to an unsettling emotional experience while navigating the game.