Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 2D speed-based platformer for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Released in 1994, the game follows Sonic and Tails as they try to stop Dr. Robotnik from harnassing the power of the master emerald to resurrect the Death Egg, with their new rival Knuckles the Echidna hot on their tail.
Developed by Sega Technical Institute, the game was the largest Sonic game to date with a whopping 14 levels with combined with its second half, Sonic & Knuckles. That game was released later in 1994 and was comprised of the second chunk of Sonic 3, which had been jettisoned from the game earlier that year in order to make sure that the game came out in tandem with a Sonic-themed McDonalds promotion that had been planned.
Upon it’s release, Sonic 3 (& Knuckles) received rave reviews from critics with it’s lower scores reviews from the era still remaining relatively complimentary of the game, albeit while expressing some growing burnout from Sonic’s 2D formula.
Since then, it’s…