Interestingly, despite largely being acknowledged as one cohesive experience, Sonic 3 and Knuckles is actually a game of two halves. In order to meet time constraints, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was released in February 1994, with its sequel Sonic and Knuckles coming out in October of the same year. The latter game boasted lock-on technology, which let you play through all of the two games together. If connected to Sonic the Hedgehog 2, you could also play as Knuckles in that game.
It is safe to say that Sonic 3 and Knuckles is the definitive version of the game, if only due to the ease of access that comes with having two games in one package. It also adds bonus features, like the ability to power Super Sonic into Hyper Sonic by completing the Special Stages from both games.
Compared to the previous entries in the series, this game is such a visual step up. All of the sprites are more detailed, and there is a gorgeous use of colour in the environments, alongside some great effects that still hold up. When Angel Island Zone catches on fire, it changes the tone of the level completely; a lush jungle is now a perilous firestorm with spikes aplenty. Even this first level lets you know that you’re not in for an easy ride.
The level design in this game is fantastic, it’s no wonder why the games are so fun to replay. Although exploration is rewarded by letting you access Special Stages, getting through levels quickly is the primary objective. Each level has the typical slopes and loops, as well as their share of unique obstacles like spinning top platforms or ziplines. As ever, the higher routes are typically faster, though staying on them is an exhilarating challenge.
One consequence of maintaining high speeds is that you’ll find yourself stumbling into hazards, as Sonic games are never about blindly going fast, they’re more about maintaining a sense of momentum whilst being aware of your surroundings. This game takes that to the extreme, with some really sneakily placed hazards that are designed to give you a bad time, but are avoidable if you’re paying attention. I have fond memories of playing this game with my sister who's a few years older than me, and she helped me beat the last two zones of standalone Sonic 3 , making it one of the first games I managed to fully finish.
The challenge rarely feels cheap, which makes it more engaging. The only time I feel this isn’t the case is with some of the bosses, particularly those where your rings fall off the screen. These are few and far between though, so those moments of frustrating are short-lived.
You can’t mention this game without talking about its music. Sonic 3 and Knuckles has an incredible soundtrack, from the more relaxed songs like the save select screen to the tremendous themes for the likes of Ice Cap Zone, Flying Battery Zone and Lava Reef Zone. Some songs from Sonic 3 were reportedly composed by Michael Jackson, with the obvious controversies this creates leading to a smaller amount of releases for these games compared to the previous instalments in the series. Regardless of the composer, each area’s music fits perfectly, and gets you pumped up to race through the area.
Sonic 3 and Knuckles has even received a fanmade port akin to the iOS versions of the previous games in the series, which helps modernise it slightly. Sonic 3 A.I.R. is currently the definitive way of playing the game, and if you have any desire to revisit Sonic’s adventures on Angel Island, I couldn’t recommend it enough.