Better than the first one AND the second one with all its more improvements!
Story: 9/10
- The storyline is good. The game is a sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog 2 of course, and follows on directly from the end of the game, in which Sonic defeated his enemy, Dr. Robotnik; crash-landing on a floating island, Sonic encounters a new character: Knuckles the Echidna, and must once more retrieve the Chaos Emeralds while also working to stop Dr. Robotnik from re-launching his ship, the Death Egg.
Gameplay: 10/10
- The gameplay is at its peak! I think Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has the best gameplay in the series! In single player mode, the player can choose to play solo, as either Sonic or Tails, or as a team, controlling Sonic, with the AI controlling Tails, which is the default configuration. Another player may take control of Tails at any time by using a controller plugged into port 2. The object of the game is to progress through the levels. The gameplay builds on the formula laid down in the second game. Sonic and Tails are now equipped with special moves that are activated by pressing the jump button a second time while in mid air. Tails will fly if he's out of water, or swim if he's in water, both for a limited amount of time. In a team game, a second player can use Tails to "airlift" Sonic for a short amount of time. Both characters can gain 1 of 3 elemental shields (fire, lightning, and water) which protects against damage from that element, with sonic gaining an additional attack from each one. If Sonic has no shield equipped, he can generate an Insta-Shield, giving him a split second burst of protection from projectiles and increasing Sonic's attack radius.
Graphics: 10/10
- The graphics have improved yet again from their predecessor! Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has the best graphics in the series!
Sound: 9/10
- The sound effects of the game are really nice! It is the best in the series also! The music is also great but, it is not as good as Sonic the Hedgehog 2. So, do not get me wrong! I still think Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has the music in the series!
Overall, I give this game a 9 1/2 out of 10. Yeah, I think this game is better than the first Sonic the Hedgehog game and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. This game is indeed hard though compared to the last 2 games! I sometimes get lost on some stages because the stages' lengths have expanded from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, nevertheless this game is the best of all 3.