Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Introduction

Sonic's third outing on the Megadrive/Genesis. Released February 2, 1994 in the US, and May 24, 1994 in Japan. Re-released in 1997 as Sonic & Knuckles Collection for PC, and Sonic Jam for Sega Saturn, and in 2002 as part of Sonic Mega Collection and in 2004 as part of Sonic Mega Collection Plus. Many fans consider it the best Sonic game. The game was rushed and released in two cartriges so the first could be shipped earlier. Cartridges:

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 which is the first half of the game (Sonic's Arrival on the Island to the first launch and crash of the Death Egg; Angel Island Zone to Launch Base Zone)

Sonic & Knuckles which is the second half of the game (Immediately after the first crash of the Death Egg and the race to the Master Emerald to the battle on the Death Egg and in space, and the ending; Mushroom Hill Zone to The Doomsday Zone)

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles The complete version, adding 7 Super Emeralds to the Chaos Emeralds for a total of 14, allowing Super and Hyper forms, and having 14 levels and three playable characters.

The plot of the game is the most complex of the Genesis/Megadrive games Sonic was featured in. The Death Egg crashes on an ancient island kept afloat in space by the master emerald. The force lowers the island into the sea. Dr. Robotnik begins repairs, and convinces the guardian of the master emerald, Knuckles The Echidna, that he is with knuckles in protecting the island and Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles Prower will try to steal it. Halfway through the game Robotnik attempts to launch the Death Egg agian after repairing it, but Sonic crashes it agian. This marks the transition from the levels on Sonic 3 to the levels on Sonic & Knuckles when playing the full version. Robotnik rushes to the temple of the Master Emerald with Sonic in persuit, and launches the Death Egg agian with its power. Sonic inflitrates the Death Egg and manages to retrieve the Master Emerald after battling Robotnik on the Death Egg and in Space. If you did not collect seven or more emeralds you defeat robotnik on the Death Egg but he escapes into space, leaving you with no way of chasing him since you are unable to go super. This game is a classic and a model for most platformers that proceeded it.

Levels

• Angel Island Zone
• Hydrocity Zone
• Marble Garden Zone
• Carnival Night Zone
• Flying Battery Zone (Unaccessible without hacking--fully playable in Sonic & Knuckles)
• Icecap Zone
• Launch Base Zone

Oddities/oversights/strange happenings

• Lazy Tails in Marble Garden - sometimes Tails won't turn up for the Marble Garden boss
• Bonus stage glitch - get strange title cards in the bonus stage

Game Genie Codes

AWHA-CA92Don't lose rings SCGT-DJYLRings worth 2 SCGT-DNYLRings worth 3 SCGT-DTYLRings worth 4 SCGT-DYYLRings worth 5 SCGT-D2YLRings worth 6 SCGT-D6YLRings worth 7 SCGT-DAYLRings worth 8 KRGT-CAE075 Rings needed for a free guy GLGT-CAE050 Rings needed for a free guy D4GT-CAE030 Rings needed for a free guy CWGT-CAE020 Rings needed for a free guy BLGT-CAE010 Rings needed for a free guy HCGT-DJZYGet 2 free guys for 100 rings instead of 1 HCGT-DNZYGet 3 free guys for 100 rings HCGT-DTZYGet 4 free guys for 100 rings HCGT-DYZYGet 5 free guys for 100 rings HCGT-D2ZYGet 6 free guys for 100 rings HCGT-D6ZY Get 7 free guys for 100 rings HCGT-DAZYGet 8 free guys for 100 rings AC5A-CAHNSuper ring powerup worth 0 A05A-CAHNSuper ring powerup worth 5 instead of 10 B85A-CAHNSuper ring powerup worth 15 CW5A-CAHNSuper ring powerup worth 20 DG5A-CAHNSuper ring powerup worth 25 D45A-CAHNSuper ring powerup worth 30 GL5A-CAHNSuper ring powerup worth 50 NW5A-CAHNSuper ring powerup worth 100 (1-Up every time) AJZA-CA8NSuper Sonic doesn't lose rings AJ3A-CA7AInfinite lives AG4T-AAH4Start with 1 life AL4T-AAH4Start with 2 lives A04T-AAH4Start with 5 lives BL4T-AAH4Start with 10 lives DG4T-AAH4Start with 25 lives GL4T-AAH4Start with 50 lives NR4T-AAH4Start with 99 lives ACAT-CAB6Shield can be activated multiple times AJRT-CA8RInvincibility power-ups last forever 986A-CAB6Invincibility lasts almost twice as long KR6A-CAB6Invincibility lasts half as long E06A-CAB6Invincibility lasts 1/4 as long SCFT-BJT4Only need 6 chaos emeralds SCFT-BNT4Only need 4 chaos emeralds SCFT-BTT4Only need 3 chaos emeralds SCFT-B2T4Only need 2 chaos emeralds ACGA-AA8T1 Blue sphere needed for chaos emerald TAYA-CRB6Bonus jump AAYA-CWB6Super jump AAYA-C0B6Mega-jump ATST-CA38Never drown

SCGA-BL0N + A4GA-A28TBlue spheres worth 2 SCGA-BR0N + A4GA-A28TBlue spheres worth 3 SCGA-BW0N + A4GA-A28TBlue spheres worth 4 SCGA-B00N + A4GA-A28TBlue spheres worth 5 SCGA-B40N + A4GA-A28TBlue spheres worth 6 SCGA-B80N + A4GA-A28TBlue spheres worth 7 SCGA-BC0N + A4GA-A28TBlue spheres worth 8