Following the major success of Sonic 2, Sega released the third in the blue-blur's franchise - Sonic the Hedgehog 3. By 1994, the Genesis was becoming embattled by the Super Nintendo, and made several attempts to mainteam strength in the market by releasing such bombs as the Sega 32X and the Sega CD. Both add-ons failed miserably, and the Genesis would carry on, much better off from a gaming standpoint, on its own. So, with Sonic 3, Sega tried its hand again at making another successful flagship game, and they absolutely succeeded. Competition in '94 was tough with games like Super Metroid and Donkey Kong Country being released for the SNES.

     Sonic 3 is better and more expansive in many ways over its predecessors. The gameplay is just as fast as the previous entries in the series, and certainly blows Sonic 1 out of the water in terms of pure speed. It also featured some of the most stunning 16-bit graphics on the Genesis, with grandly detailed backgrounds and foregrounds, popping and dazzling everywhere along the way - a pure treat for the eye. Sonic himself is armed with a few new tricks up his sleeve as well. I always felt he was a fairly vulnerable protagonist because he didn't have much in method of attacks. Well, here, the Spin Dash returns from Sonic 2, but also, Sonic has what I believe is called the "insta-shield." When you jump with Sonic and tap the A button again, a little force field erupts around the circumference of Sonic that can defend you against enemies as well as defeat them. It's incredibly handy, and makes the hedgehog all the more dynamic.

     In addition to this "insta-sheild" are powerups as well, which was a first for the franchise. Yes, Sonic still has the chance for invincibility and whatnot, but now, he can also power up with a fire sheild, an electric shield, or a water bubble. All are helpful in their own ways, and are such a natural fit in the game - I wonder why they didn't exist from the start of the franchise? Anyway, the shields are great and are very helpful along the way. The fire shield can allow Sonic to become a fireball, the electric shield shoots out sparks as well as magnetically attracting rings, and the water bubble can have you bouncing upside down, and also make you invincible in water levels, so that you don't have to search for air bubbles! THANK YOU SEGA! Seriously, one thing I've always hated in Sonic games is the fact that you can't breathe underwater! I've always hated Sonic water levels because of that! Mario can breathe underwater, so can Mega Man, so why cant Sonic? I must digress. Though, if you lose your water bubble, then the hassle of breathing underwater returns, so, good luck.

     The level design in Sonic 3 is once again impressive. They really are a marvel to behold, and that goes for all these early Sonic games. More so than ever, they are so vast and complex, I can't make head or tails on how to begin even mapping such intricate stages, but, they are great, and again, the graphics are amazing - best yet in the series.

     Some other worthy features are a Save Option, which is another big plus. And also, you can have an option from the start to play as Sonic, Tails, or as Sonic & Tails together. I'm so glad they gave you the choice this time, as Tails is just incredibly annoying, so I pick Sonic solo every time, the game is much better off that way. I've heard Tails can save you when in trouble by switching off to the second controller, but I can't comment further about that since I haven't tried it - I try to avoid Tails at all costs. Also, this game also marked the debut of Knuckles the Echidna, but he was Sonic's rival here.

     The gameplay in Sonic 3 is again top-notch. But as the series has grown to even greater heights in many other aspects, there were a few drawbacks here. The levels are quite long for the most part and rather challenging, but that is a good thing, as you are getting a good amount of game here. But there are a few too many cheapshot hazards in your way, things that will suddenly pop up and disrupt the flow of action, causing you to either lose your rings or die. It's a little disconcerting, as this was not as evident in Sonic 1 or 2. It wasn't as prevelant in Sonic 3 as it was in Sonic & Knuckles, released also in 1994. In Sonic & Knuckles, there are tons of nuiscance hazards, but that is also still a very good game.

     A quick word about the music - it's awesome. The soundtrack, like all Genesis Sonic games, is incredibly memorable.

     In the end, Sonic 3 completes a great trilogy of Sonic games that stand as the best in the franchise - by far. After Sonic & Knuckles, the original charm of the Genesis games was lost in the newer games, especially when the series made its leap to 3D. Sonic 3 is a terrific game with all the fixins - great gameplay, music, graphics, tight action, and replayability. Is it better than Sonic 2? Well, that is a matter of opinion, as it is better in some ways, but I think for me, Sonic 2 edges it out by just a smidge. I highly recommend Sonic 3 - it is an exemplary example of Sonic gaming.

-Kurt L.

_______________________________________________________