Over the 3 years that I played Sonic games,i found this to be the BEST title ever to be made!!! I mean seriously, Sega did an awesome job when they created this game from the gameplay to the zones, the little cut-scenes between areas and even the FRICKIN MUSIC!!! This game has some of the best music including Ice Cap, Mushroom Hill, Carnival Night and Sky Sanctuary. people say that the game is short without the Sonic and Knuckles expansion but really if you already know that Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles were supposed to be one game and there are already ports of that game locked into one as Sonic 3 and Knuckles, then why are you complaining, just go and buy the game when it is already locked-on like Sonic Mega Collection, Sonic Classic Collection, Sonic Ultimate Genesis Collection, Xbox Live Arcade and even the Wii Shop Channel lets you play Sonic 3 and Knuckles via Lock-on Technology!!!
The gameplay mechanics are awesome as well and so is the platforming which is great as it offers some unique gameplay in the series. Also, I LOOOOVE the special stages in this game, I prefer them to Sonic 2's special stages which were annoying because of GODDAMN TAILS KEPT HITTING THE F**KING BOMBS but anyways, i HUGELY recommend this game to those who haven't played it