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-- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 --
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Formats: Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Tiger Hand-held
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Sonic Team, Sega Technical Institute
Rating: GA
Debut: February 2, 1994 (US)
Cast: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Dr. Ivo Robotnik/Dr. Eggman
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After getting knocked out of the sky along with his entire Death Egg ship, Dr. Robotnik
crash-lands on a mysterious Floating Island. He quickly meets Knuckles the Echidna, last of a
lost civilization and guardian of the island. The Eggman dupes Knuckles into thinking that Sonic
and Tails are the bad guys, and learns that a giant Master Emerald keeps the island afloat. If
he could get this Master Emerald, he would have Death Egg fuel forever! And while Knuckles is
doing the rounds with Sonic and Tails, the Doc should have plenty of time to repair his Death
Egg, as well as search for this Master Emerald...
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-- International Info --
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Area
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Title
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Debut
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USA
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Sonic the Hedgehog 3
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February 2, 1994
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Europe
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Sonic 3
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February, 1994
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Japan
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Sonic the Hedgehog 3
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May 27, 1994
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The hedgehog's grand third return is arguably his best ever (considering you include Sonic &
Knuckles). Although there are only six Zones with two Acts each, they are huuuge. Possibly
the largest and most complex 2D platformer levels ever designed.
New features include the ability to use Tails' flying and swimming moves, as well as some
teamwork with Sonic & Tails together. Sonic's given the Insta-Shield, a quick-slash move done
during a Sonic Spin that expands the radius of the attack for a split second. The Spin Dash is
back, but no Peel-Out... Sonic 3 is also the first of the series to include a save option...six
alone, but "Locking-On" Sonic & Knuckles adds three more for a total of nine save slots.
Star Circles above Star Posts are now just for Bonus Stages. The giant Rings from Sonic 1 and
Sonic CD return to take you to the Special Stages, where you vie for your chance at a Chaos
Emerald. Giant Rings are hidden around the Acts, but there are enough of them so that it won't
make a difference if you miss a few.
Another Sonic first is the addition of sub-bosses at the end of each Act. Usually, Robotnik just
sends some of his larger Badnik cronies to these positions...the Eggman can only be fought at the
end of a Zone, as usual. The music is also superb, with each Act now sporting a slight variation
on the general the Zone track.
Angel Island Zone: Lush greenery creates a thick rainforest blanket over this tropical
island. That is, until Robotnik's Flying Battery blimp sets the whole thing on fire in a
merciless napalm assault.
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Hydrocity Zone: Water roars, trickles, and flows through this ancient underground arena.
Long, weaving slides pour into vast pools, and compressed jets shoot high into the air.
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Marble Garden Zone: Devices from a lost civilization push, pull, and spin to perform
their various functions. The crumbling ruins still stand, overgrown with thick vegetation. Mud
pools and spike traps season this dangerously steep mountain range.
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Carnival Night Zone: Flashing lights and moving platforms color this fantastic and
massive carnivalscape. Bright, multi-colored balloons contrast the dark mountain range in the
distance. Knuckles shuts the power off in Act 2, leaving Sonic and Tails in the dark.
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IceCap Zone: The eerie beauty of IceCap's jagged cliffs and snow-capped peaks hides the
dangerous nature of the Zone. Freezing water flows through icy caverns beneath the arctic
wasteland.
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Launch Base Zone: Unbalanced construction towers rise high in this massive, makeshift
launch platform for Robotnik's Death Egg. Traps litter the semi-underwater region, and Badniks
heavily guard the area to make sure the repair goes unhendered.
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Special Stage: Checkered mini-planets blanketed with Red, Blue, Yellow, and Bumper
Spheres create high-speed puzzles, with Chaos Emeralds as the reward.
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No image available.
Azure Lake Zone: Tall grass covers the area surrounding a mountain lake in this waterfront
region.
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No image available.
Balloon Park Zone: Neon animals and bright balloons accent this colorful, circus-themed
park.
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No image available.
Chrome Gadget Zone: The moonlight shines eerily over this massive oil-storage sector. Dim
lights gleam faintly off the metallic floor.
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No image available.
Desert Palace Zone: Crumbling towers and columns from an ancient desert palace stand tall
in this small oasis.
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No image available.
Endless Mine Zone: Gold rocks illuminate a dark mine shaft. Water trickles from cracks
in the stone walls, as flickering lanterns light the way.
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Level-Select: When the Sega logo comes up, just after the "Sega" theme is chanted and the
screen begins to turn black, quickly press: Up, Up, Down, Down, Up, Up, Up, Up to the beat of the
drums. You should hear a Ring chime if you did it correctly. A new Sound Test option should
appear at the title screen. (Press up with the "1 Player" option highlighted or down with the
"Competition" option highlighted to access the new "Sound Test" option.)
Construction Mode: Input the level-select code. Hold down A when selecting your Zone.
Controls are as follows:
A = Changes highlighted item.
B = Toggles between items and Sonic.
C = Places highlighted item.
Pause and press A to reset. Pause and hold B for slow-motion. Pause and
hold C for single-pixel movement.
Auto Super Sonic: Input the level-select code. At the new Sound Test, play the following
tracks: 1, 3, 4, 2, 4, 5, 6. You should hear a Ring chime. Select your Zone. Grab atleast 50
Rings, jump into the air, and press A, B, or C.
Secret Special Stage: Input the level-select code. At the new Sound Test, play the
following tracks: 1, 3, 5, 7. You should hear a Ring chime. Highlight Special Stage 2 and hold
A while pressing Start.
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Screenshots thanks to Chan Soen Mun David and Jonathan "WB" Gray.
Genesis and PC versions shown. Box covers from Sega Online and
Sega Entertainment Universe. Information compiled and
arranged by Jared "Green Gibbon!" Matte.
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