- Back to: Sonic the Hedgehog 3C (prototype 0517).
General comparisons
Much like the preceding 0408 prototype, the Sonic 3 branding is used all over the prototype.
The save system functions just like in Sonic 3, in that there are only six save slots instead of eight (for reference, the final Sonic 3 actually has 14 save images; 6 for S3 only, 8 for Sonic 3 & Knuckles), and lives and continues are not recorded. It is also possible to select Knuckles when starting a new game.
A saved game can be played past Launch Base Zone, but if the player exits the game after that the save file will be marked as "CLEAR", and only Zones 1 through 6 can be selected.
Pressing 
while the game is paused returns the player to the level select screen instead of the Sega screen.
None of the Japanese localisation changes have been fully implemented yet. The trademark symbols have not been removed from logos, and Tails' life icon is always "Tails". "Miles" will finish Acts though.
Gameplay comparisons
If the game is beaten with the seven Chaos Emeralds, instead of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 logo appearing at the end of the staff credits, the "TRY AGAIN" screen with Dr. Eggman and Knuckles will still appear, but Knuckles will juggle no Chaos Emeralds.
When debug mode is active, the debug counters are always shown, unlike in Sonic 3C 0408 and Sonic 3 & Knuckles when they are only shown when in object placement mode. The timer displays the number of on-screen sprites, and the rings counter will display the ID number of the character's animation frame.
Monitor behavior is now like in Sonic & Knuckles where monitors can be destroyed from any side, even from underneath.
Super/Hyper forms
In this prototype, the Super forms achieved with the Chaos Emeralds seem to act like incomplete versions of Hyper forms.
For Super Sonic, he gets Hyper Sonic's rainbow palette and the dash attack, but doesn't get the star effect or the flash and sparks when the dash attack is performed. He doesn't get the ability to breathe underwater, either.
Interestingly, Tails is able to achieve a Super form with only the Chaos Emeralds, but he doesn't get his Super Flickies or the trailing sparks. However, using an "S" monitor will give Super Tails the Flickies (perhaps there was a Super and Hyper version of Tails planned at one point).
For Super Knuckles, he gets the ability to set off earthquakes by latching onto walls at high speed, but the trailing sparks aren't replaced with afterimages. He cannot breathe underwater, either.
Hyper Sonic's stars around his body are completely different than in the final, and he has no afterimages.
The "S" monitor makes the characters take their Hyper form as in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, rather than Super as in Sonic 3 final.
Unlike in final versions, if the "S" monitor is used with Knuckles, Hyper Knuckles WILL cause an earthquake when gliding for a distance into a wall.
Graphics comparisons
All the explosions are black when debug mode is enabled.
Audio comparisons
Like in the 0408 prototype, all of the music tracks are from Sonic 3.
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| Sonic 3C 0517
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| Sonic 3 & Knuckles final
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The final credits medley is longer, different, and uses a few additional segments from Sonic 3's Zones. It also plays a more developed version of the victory music usually played after beating Big Arm before going to the credits in Sonic 3. It is located at $26 in the sound test, replacing the Sonic 3 credits theme.
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| Sonic 3—Sonic 3C 0408
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| Sonic 3C 0517
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| Sonic 3 & Knuckles final
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The Continue music is about 7% slower than it is in Sonic 3 and Sonic 3C 0408. In Sonic & Knuckles and Sonic 3 & Knuckles, it is about 11.2% slower than in Sonic 3.
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| Sonic 3C 0517
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| Sonic 3 & Knuckles final
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The Data Select music bug from Sonic 3 alone is still present in this build.
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| Sonic 3C 0517
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| Sonic 3 & Knuckles final
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The echo track of Flying Battery Zone's Act 1 music still goes off sync after two loops, and slowly gain drag behind the lead melody.
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| Sonic 3C 0517
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| Sonic 3 & Knuckles final
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In the sound test anything from D9 through FE has no sound. The final sound, FF, is the "Sega" sound.
Level comparisons
References
while the game is paused returns the player to the level select screen instead of the Sega screen.
