Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 came out in 1994 on the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) and continues the story right where Sonic 2 ended. Many consider it the peak of the classic series.

Story

Doctor Robotnik crash-lands his Death Egg station on Angel Island, which floats in the clouds. To get it airborne again he needs the power of the Master Emerald. Robotnik tricks the island's guardian, the echidna Knuckles, into believing that Sonic and Tails have come to steal the emeralds. That is how a new rival appears, who later becomes one of the main heroes of the series.

What is new

• Three elemental shields: fire, water and lightning, each with its own special move.
• Tails can fly and carry Sonic, and a second player can control him.
• Save slots: for the first time in the series the game remembers your progress.
• New bonus stages where you collect blue spheres and Chaos Emeralds.
• A split-screen competition mode for two players.

Controls

The Sega gamepad layout (A, B, C and Start) is shown under the game window, and you can change it in the emulator settings. A gamepad works best, and on a phone an on-screen gamepad appears.

Tips

• The fire shield gives an air dash, the water shield a bounce and underwater breathing, the lightning shield a double jump and ring magnet.
• Giant rings in hidden spots lead to the bonus stage for a Chaos Emerald.
• If you like the game, try Sonic 3 & Knuckles, the combined version with playable Knuckles.