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{{Infobox CVG
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{{Infobox video game
 
|title = ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles''
  
|title = ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles''
 
|image = [[Image:S3KTitle.jpg|242px]]
  
|image = [[Image:S3KTitle.jpg|242px]]
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|genre = Platform
  
|genre = Platform
 
|modes = Single player, multiplayer
  
|modes = Single player, multiplayer
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|platforms = [[Sega Mega Drive]]
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|platforms = {{Scroll box|content=
  +
*[[Sega Mega Drive]]
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*[[Sega Saturn]]
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*[[PC]]
  +
*[[Nintendo GameCube]]
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*[[Xbox]]
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*[[PlayStation 2]]
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*[[PlayStation Portable]]
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*[[Wii|Virtual Console]]
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*[[Xbox 360]]
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*[[PlayStation 3]]
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*[[Nintendo DS]]
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*[[Steam]]
  +
}}
  +
|released = {{C|See "Release dates" in ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' for more information about other platforms.}}<br>
  +
'''Steam'''<br>{{Vgrelease|INT=26 January 2011<ref name="Steam">{{Cite web|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/71162/ |title= Sonic 3 & Knuckles on Steam |publisher= Valve |accessdate= 26 January 2015}}</ref>}}
  +
|media = *16-megabit cartridge
  +
*CD-ROM
  +
*Download
  +
*DVD-ROM
  +
*DVD-DL
  +
*Blu-ray Disc
 
|preceded = ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD]]'' {{C|de-facto}}<br>''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' {{C|chronologically}}
  
|preceded = ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD]]'' {{C|de-facto}}<br>''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' {{C|chronologically}}
 
|followed = ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' {{C|de-facto}}<br>''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I]]'' {{C|chronologically}}
  
|followed = ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' {{C|de-facto}}<br>''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I]]'' {{C|chronologically}}
 
}}
 
}}
  ⚫
'''''Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles''''' (or simply '''''Sonic 3 & Knuckles''''' or '''''Sonic 3 Complete Version'''''<ref>''[[Sonic Mega Collection]]'' (Plus) game description</ref>) is a platform video game which is the result of locking-on ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' with ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' using the former catridge's unique "lock-on" technology. It is essentially a large combined game of its two lock-on components and contains all [[Zone]]s from the said games and also contains special features unique to this game. This would have been the original ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' the developers intended but time constraints by [[Sega]] resulted in the game being split into two.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://xbox.gamespy.com/articles/654/654750p4.html |title= Sega's Yuji Naka Talks! |publisher= GameSpy |quote= Sonic 3 is literally half a game. Sega management back then wanted the game out at a certain time and we only had half the stages done, so we had to put the leftovers into Sonic and Knuckles. So when you bought S&K and attached it to Sonic 3, you got the whole of what Sonic 3 was planned to have been. |accessdate= 31 December 2014}}</ref>
−  
⚫
'''''Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles''''' (or simply '''''Sonic 3 & Knuckles''''' or '''''Sonic 3 Complete Version'''''<ref>''[[Sonic Mega Collection]]'' (Plus) game description</ref>) is a platformer video game which is the result of locking-on ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' with ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' using the former catridge's unique "Lock-On" technology. It is essentially a large combined game of its two lock-on components and contains all [[Zones]] from the said games and also contains special features unique to this game. This would have been the original ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' the developers intended but time constraints by [[Sega]] resulted in the game being split into two.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://xbox.gamespy.com/articles/654/654750p4.html |title= Sega's Yuji Naka Talks! |publisher= GameSpy |quote= Sonic 3 is literally half a game. Sega management back then wanted the game out at a certain time and we only had half the stages done, so we had to put the leftovers into Sonic and Knuckles. So when you bought S&K and attached it to Sonic 3, you got the whole of what Sonic 3 was planned to have been. |accessdate= 31 December 2014}}</ref>
  
   
 
==Plot==
  
==Plot==
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====Super Emeralds====
  
====Super Emeralds====
 
[[File:S3&KEmeraldChamber.png|thumb|right|250px|The Master Emerald (center-top) surrounded by the seven Super Emeralds.]]
  
[[File:S3&KEmeraldChamber.png|thumb|right|250px|The Master Emerald (center-top) surrounded by the seven Super Emeralds.]]
−
{{Main|Super Emeralds}}
 +
{{Main|Super Emerald}}
−
Super Emeralds are enhanced versions of the [[Chaos Emerald]]s. When the player enters their first Special Stage in Mushroom Hill Zone, they teleport to [[Hidden Palace Zone]] where the Emeralds are taken from them and transformed into gray (apparently depleted of power) [[Super Emeralds]], thus beginning the Super Emerald quest. If the player does not have all of the Chaos Emeralds prior to reaching Mushroom Hill Zone, the acquired Chaos Emeralds will become Super Emeralds and the player is given the opportunity to acquire the first Super Emerald. However, the player will not be allowed to return to Hidden Palace Zone via Giant Rings until they collect the remaining Chaos Emeralds. If by chance the player has not collected a single Chaos Emerald by Mushroom Hill Zone and goes to Hidden Palace Zone via the first Giant Ring, the player must exit the area by jumping on the teleporter in the bottom central part of the room.
 +
Super Emeralds are enhanced versions of the [[Chaos Emerald]]s. When the player enters their first Special Stage in Mushroom Hill Zone, they teleport to [[Hidden Palace Zone]] where the Emeralds are taken from them and transformed into gray (apparently depleted of power) Super Emeralds, thus beginning the Super Emerald quest. If the player does not have all of the Chaos Emeralds prior to reaching Mushroom Hill Zone, the acquired Chaos Emeralds will become Super Emeralds and the player is given the opportunity to acquire the first Super Emerald. However, the player will not be allowed to return to Hidden Palace Zone via Giant Rings until they collect the remaining Chaos Emeralds. If the player has not collected a single Chaos Emerald by Mushroom Hill Zone and goes to Hidden Palace Zone via the first Giant Ring, the player must exit the area by jumping on the teleporter in the bottom central part of the room.
   
 
====Super/Hyper transformations====
  
====Super/Hyper transformations====
−
By collecting all 7 Super Emeralds from the Special Stages, each of the three main playable characters ([[Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Miles "Tails" Prower]] and [[Knuckles the Echidna]]) will have access to more powerful forms. As with [[super transformation]]s, the player must have collected 50 [[Rings]] and then press the jump button during a [[Spin Jump|jump]] (as long as Sonic is not equipped with [[Aqua Shield|an]] [[Flame Shield|elemental]] [[Thunder Shield|shield]]) to initiate the transformation. While under the transformation, one Ring is consumed per second and once the player's Rings deplete to zero (or completes the Act), the user will revert back to normal.
 +
By collecting all 7 Super Emeralds from the Special Stages, each of the three main playable characters ([[Sonic the Hedgehog]], [[Miles "Tails" Prower]] and [[Knuckles the Echidna]]) will have access to more powerful forms. As with [[super transformation]]s, the player must have collected 50 [[Ring]]s and then press the jump button during a [[Spin Jump|jump]] (as long as Sonic is not equipped with [[Aqua Shield|an]] [[Flame Shield|elemental]] [[Thunder Shield|shield]]) to initiate the transformation. While under the transformation, one Ring is consumed per second and once the player's Rings deplete to zero (or completes the Act), the user will revert back to normal.
   
 
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right"
  
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right"
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|-
  
|-
 
|[[Super Tails]]
  
|[[Super Tails]]
−
|[[File:Supertails1_4.gif|80px]]
 +
|[[File:Supertails1 4.gif|80px]]
−
|Tails' super transformation. Following the regular traits of a super form, Tails' running speed, jumping height and [[Propeller Flying|flying]] speed are all increased and is also invulnerable to enemy attacks and obstacles. In addition, Tails is aided by four "Super" [[Flicky|Flickies]] who will automatically attack nearby enemies including bosses.
 +
|Tails' super transformation. Following the regular traits of a super form, Tails' running speed, jumping height and [[Propeller Flying|flying]] speed are all increased and is also invulnerable to enemy attacks and obstacles. In addition, Tails is aided by four [[Flicky's Super State|"Super" Flickies]] who will automatically attack nearby enemies including bosses.
 
|-
  
|-
 
|[[Hyper Knuckles]]
  
|[[Hyper Knuckles]]
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|Enhanced version of [[Super Knuckles]]. While retaining all of Super Knuckles' traits, including increased running speed, increased [[Glide|gliding]] speed, increased [[Climb|wall-climbing speed]] and invulnerability to enemy attacks and obstacles, Hyper Kunckles' movements have been increased further, has the ability to breathe underwater and gains a new ability (called the "Gliding Shock Wave Attack") where whenever Knuckles glides to a wall at sufficient speeds, the impact will create a sudden tremor that destroys all on-screen enemies at once.
  
|Enhanced version of [[Super Knuckles]]. While retaining all of Super Knuckles' traits, including increased running speed, increased [[Glide|gliding]] speed, increased [[Climb|wall-climbing speed]] and invulnerability to enemy attacks and obstacles, Hyper Kunckles' movements have been increased further, has the ability to breathe underwater and gains a new ability (called the "Gliding Shock Wave Attack") where whenever Knuckles glides to a wall at sufficient speeds, the impact will create a sudden tremor that destroys all on-screen enemies at once.
 
|}
  
|}
  +
{{-}}
   
 
===Changes===
  
===Changes===
−
*The player can play as [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]] in the ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' levels although Knuckles' opening cutscene from ''Sonic & Knuckles'' has been removed.
 +
*The player can play as [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]] in the ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' levels although Knuckles' opening cutscene from ''Sonic & Knuckles'' has been removed in favor for transiting from [[Launch Base Zone|Launch Base]] to [[Mushroom Hill Zone|Mushroom Hill]].
 
**As such, Knuckles' levels are different from Sonic's and Tails' in most cases, with new areas and bosses that are generally more challenging than Sonic/Tails' bosses.
 
**As such, Knuckles' levels are different from Sonic's and Tails' in most cases, with new areas and bosses that are generally more challenging than Sonic/Tails' bosses.
 
*Knuckles does not face a boss at [[Carnival Night Zone]] Act 2.
  
*Knuckles does not face a boss at [[Carnival Night Zone]] Act 2.
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*Game progress can be saved in all levels (including those from ''Sonic & Knuckles'') using the save feature from ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' (there are now 8 rather than 6 save slots). In addition, any existing save files from ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' will be copied to ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles''; ie. a game completed in ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' will act as a [[Mushroom Hill Zone]] save file (this feature is missing in some later compilations).
  
*Game progress can be saved in all levels (including those from ''Sonic & Knuckles'') using the save feature from ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' (there are now 8 rather than 6 save slots). In addition, any existing save files from ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' will be copied to ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles''; ie. a game completed in ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' will act as a [[Mushroom Hill Zone]] save file (this feature is missing in some later compilations).
 
*Save slots now display information about the number of continues, lives and the Chaos Emeralds surround the player's character as the player collects them (the Chaos Emeralds are replaced with their correspondingly colored Super Emeralds when the player collects them). Save files imported from ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' will retain the character, last zone and number of Emeralds, but will default to three [[1-Up|lives]] and zero [[continue]]s.
  
*Save slots now display information about the number of continues, lives and the Chaos Emeralds surround the player's character as the player collects them (the Chaos Emeralds are replaced with their correspondingly colored Super Emeralds when the player collects them). Save files imported from ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' will retain the character, last zone and number of Emeralds, but will default to three [[1-Up|lives]] and zero [[continue]]s.
−
*The game uses the sound bank of ''Sonic & Knuckles'' exclusively, which means that the BGM tracks that were different between ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' and ''Sonic & Knuckles'' (which include the title screen, [[1-Up]], [[Invincibility]], Act 1 boss music, Knuckles' theme and end credits theme) use only the ''Sonic & Knuckles'' version.
 +
*The game uses the sound bank of ''Sonic & Knuckles'' exclusively, which means that the BGM tracks that were different between ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' and ''Sonic & Knuckles'' (which include the title screen, [[1-Up]], [[Invincibility]], Act 1 boss, Knuckles' theme and end credits) use only the ''Sonic & Knuckles'' version.
 
*All Act title cards now display the game title of ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles''.
  
*All Act title cards now display the game title of ''Sonic 3 & Knuckles''.
 
*Passing a [[Star Post]] can now open up all 3 [[Bonus Stage (Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles)|Bonus Stages]], including the slot machine stage (20-34 rings required), the magnetic orbs stage (35–49 rings required) from ''Sonic & Knuckles'' as well as the gumball machine (50–65 rings required) from ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3''.
  
*Passing a [[Star Post]] can now open up all 3 [[Bonus Stage (Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles)|Bonus Stages]], including the slot machine stage (20-34 rings required), the magnetic orbs stage (35–49 rings required) from ''Sonic & Knuckles'' as well as the gumball machine (50–65 rings required) from ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3''.
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*The method of accessing [[Sound Test]]/[[Level Select|Act Select]] and [[Debug Mode]] is different (see [[#Cheats|Cheats]]).
  
*The method of accessing [[Sound Test]]/[[Level Select|Act Select]] and [[Debug Mode]] is different (see [[#Cheats|Cheats]]).
 
*With Debug Mode enabled, the player can access any level with any character, even those that cannot be normally accessed (such as Sonic and/or Tails accessing Knuckles' [[Sky Sanctuary Zone]], Knuckles accessing Sonic and/or Tails' Sky Sanctuary Zone or even Tails or Knuckles accessing The Doomsday Zone).
  
*With Debug Mode enabled, the player can access any level with any character, even those that cannot be normally accessed (such as Sonic and/or Tails accessing Knuckles' [[Sky Sanctuary Zone]], Knuckles accessing Sonic and/or Tails' Sky Sanctuary Zone or even Tails or Knuckles accessing The Doomsday Zone).
−
*There are a total of nine different endings — each character (Sonic and Tails together have the same as Sonic alone.) has one with 0–6 Chaos Emeralds, one with all 7 Chaos Emeralds and 0-6 Super Emeralds, and the third with all 14 Chaos and Super Emeralds.
 +
*There are a total of nine different endings; each character (Sonic and Tails together have the same as Sonic alone.) has one with 0–6 Chaos Emeralds, one with all 7 Chaos Emeralds and 0-6 Super Emeralds, and the third with all 14 Chaos and Super Emeralds.
   
 
==Cheats==
  
==Cheats==
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*''[[Sonic Mega Collection Plus]]'' (2004)
 
*''[[Sonic Mega Collection Plus]]'' (2004)
 
*''[[Sonic Mega Collection Plus & Super Monkey Ball Deluxe]]'' (2005)
  
*''[[Sonic Mega Collection Plus & Super Monkey Ball Deluxe]]'' (2005)
  +
*[[Xbox 360#Xbox Live Arcade|Xbox Live Arcade]] (2009)<ref name="note" group="note">In this platform, ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles'' is available if ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'' and ''[[Sonic & Knuckles]]'' are downloaded on the same account.</ref>
 
*''[[Sega Fun Pack: Sonic Mega Collection Plus & Shadow the Hedgehog]]'' (2009)
  
*''[[Sega Fun Pack: Sonic Mega Collection Plus & Shadow the Hedgehog]]'' (2009)
 
*''[[Sonic PC Collection]]'' (2009)
 
*''[[Sonic PC Collection]]'' (2009)
 
*''[[Sonic Classic Collection]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Sonic Classic Collection]]'' (2010)
−
*[[Virtual Console]] (2010)
+
*[[Virtual Console]] (2010)<ref name="note" group="note"/>
 
*''[[Sega Mega Drive Classic Collection Volume 3]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Sega Mega Drive Classic Collection Volume 3]]'' (2010)
 
*''[[Sega Mega Drive Classic Collection Gold Edition]]'' (2011)
  
*''[[Sega Mega Drive Classic Collection Gold Edition]]'' (2011)
 
*''Sonic 3 & Knuckles'' for [[Steam]] (2011)
  
*''Sonic 3 & Knuckles'' for [[Steam]] (2011)
   
  +
==Possible remastered version==
⚫
==Triva==
  
  +
In 18 October 2014 (the twentieh anniversary of the original release of ''Sonic & Knuckles'' and subsequently ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles''), [[Christian Whitehead]] and [[Simon Thornley]] (who developed the remastered versions of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD]]'', ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (2013)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' and ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'') released a concept video showcasing a prototype of a remastered version of ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'' as a direct remake of ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles'' for smartphone devices they have worked on for a while (see video below).
⚫
*If using Debug Mode and a certain number of [[S (monitor)|S]] Monitors are destroyed at once, (most effectively with Insta-Shield) then the controls of the character will be locked and by pressing Start the game will turn back into ''Sonic & Knuckles''. This is the only way to access Debug Mode in ''Sonic & Knuckles''.
  
  +
⚫
*Taking care to avoid as many Special Stages as possible, it is possible to finish the game with only the 7 Chaos Emeralds, retaining their Super powers until the very end of the game. In this case the game endings will resemble the good endings from ''Sonic & Knuckles''.
 
  +
As showcased in the video, the following aspects of the game were completed<ref name="20th anniversary">{{Cite web|url= http://hcstealth.tumblr.com/post/100311283757/sonic-3-knuckles-20th-anniversary |title= Sonic 3 (& Knuckles) 20th Anniversary |author= Stealth |publisher= Tumblr |date= 18 October 2014 |accessdate= 29 March 2015}}</ref>:
  +
*The title screen
  +
*Angel Island Zone with all enemies, gimmicks, bosses and intro/intermission sequences
  +
*All three Bonus Stages
  +
*Special Stages, including “[[Blue Sphere]]” functionality
  +
  +
[[File:Sonic 3 & Knuckles Proof of Concept - Celebrating its 20th Anniversary|left|350px]]
  +
{{-}}
  +
  ⚫
==Staff==
  +
{{main|Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles/Staff}}
  +
  +
==Trivia==
  ⚫
*If using Debug Mode and a certain number of [[S]] Monitors are destroyed at once (most effectively with the [[Insta-Shield]]), then the controls of the character will be locked and by pressing Start the game will turn back into ''Sonic & Knuckles''. This is the only way to access Debug Mode in ''Sonic & Knuckles''.
  ⚫
*Taking care to avoid as many Special Stages as possible, it is possible to finish the game with only the 7 Chaos Emeralds, retaining their Super powers until the very end of the game. In this case the game endings will resemble the good endings from ''Sonic & Knuckles''.
  +
  +
==Notes==
  +
<references group = "note"/>
   
 
==References==
  
==References==
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*''[[Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
  
*''[[Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
 
{{-}}
  
{{-}}
−
{{Sonic 3 & Knuckles Info}}
 +
{{Sonic 3 & Knuckles info}}
  +
{{Italic title}}
−
{{DISPLAYTITLE: ''{{PAGENAME}}''}}
  
  +
[[Category:Alternate versions and ports]]
 
[[Category:Sega Mega Drive games]]
  
[[Category:Sega Mega Drive games]]
 
[[Category:1994]]
  
[[Category:1994]]

Revision as of 10:46, 14 November 2015

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (or simply Sonic 3 & Knuckles or Sonic 3 Complete Version[2]) is a platform video game which is the result of locking-on Sonic & Knuckles with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 using the former catridge's unique "lock-on" technology. It is essentially a large combined game of its two lock-on components and contains all Zones from the said games and also contains special features unique to this game. This would have been the original Sonic the Hedgehog 3 the developers intended but time constraints by Sega resulted in the game being split into two.[3]

Plot

Main articles: Sonic the Hedgehog 3#Plot and Sonic & Knuckles#Plot

Gameplay

Main articles: Sonic the Hedgehog 3#Gameplay and Sonic & Knuckles#Gameplay

While the gameplay in Sonic 3 & Knuckles generally remains identical to its two components, there are new features exclusive in this game and there are a large number of gameplay changes present.

Zones

In Sonic 3 & Knuckles, the Zones of both Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles are placed together, featuring a total of 14 Zones.

  1. Angel Island Zone
  2. Hydrocity Zone
  3. Marble Garden Zone
  4. Carnival Night Zone
  5. IceCap Zone
  6. Launch Base Zone
  7. Mushroom Hill Zone
  8. Flying Battery Zone
  9. Sandopolis Zone
  10. Lava Reef Zone
  11. Hidden Palace Zone
  12. Sky Sanctuary Zone
  13. Death Egg Zone
  14. The Doomsday Zone

New features

Super Emeralds

S3&KEmeraldChamber

The Master Emerald (center-top) surrounded by the seven Super Emeralds.

Main article: Super Emerald

Super Emeralds are enhanced versions of the Chaos Emeralds. When the player enters their first Special Stage in Mushroom Hill Zone, they teleport to Hidden Palace Zone where the Emeralds are taken from them and transformed into gray (apparently depleted of power) Super Emeralds, thus beginning the Super Emerald quest. If the player does not have all of the Chaos Emeralds prior to reaching Mushroom Hill Zone, the acquired Chaos Emeralds will become Super Emeralds and the player is given the opportunity to acquire the first Super Emerald. However, the player will not be allowed to return to Hidden Palace Zone via Giant Rings until they collect the remaining Chaos Emeralds. If the player has not collected a single Chaos Emerald by Mushroom Hill Zone and goes to Hidden Palace Zone via the first Giant Ring, the player must exit the area by jumping on the teleporter in the bottom central part of the room.

Super/Hyper transformations

By collecting all 7 Super Emeralds from the Special Stages, each of the three main playable characters (Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower and Knuckles the Echidna) will have access to more powerful forms. As with super transformations, the player must have collected 50 Rings and then press the jump button during a jump (as long as Sonic is not equipped with an elemental shield) to initiate the transformation. While under the transformation, one Ring is consumed per second and once the player's Rings deplete to zero (or completes the Act), the user will revert back to normal.

Name Image Description
Hyper Sonic Hyper sonic Enhanced version of Super Sonic. While retaining all of Super Sonic's traits, including increased running speed, high jumping ability, the ability to smash through patterned walls (except for those that are intended only for Knuckles to break through) and invulnerability to enemy attacks and obstacles, Hyper Sonic's movements have been increased further, has the ability to breathe underwater and gains a new ability (called the "Hyper Flash") where it serves as a mid-air dash towards any direction and can also destroy all on-screen enemies at once.
Super Tails File:Supertails1 4.gif Tails' super transformation. Following the regular traits of a super form, Tails' running speed, jumping height and flying speed are all increased and is also invulnerable to enemy attacks and obstacles. In addition, Tails is aided by four "Super" Flickies who will automatically attack nearby enemies including bosses.
Hyper Knuckles Hyper Knuckles animated Enhanced version of Super Knuckles. While retaining all of Super Knuckles' traits, including increased running speed, increased gliding speed, increased wall-climbing speed and invulnerability to enemy attacks and obstacles, Hyper Kunckles' movements have been increased further, has the ability to breathe underwater and gains a new ability (called the "Gliding Shock Wave Attack") where whenever Knuckles glides to a wall at sufficient speeds, the impact will create a sudden tremor that destroys all on-screen enemies at once.


Changes

  • The player can play as Knuckles in the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 levels although Knuckles' opening cutscene from Sonic & Knuckles has been removed in favor for transiting from Launch Base to Mushroom Hill.
    • As such, Knuckles' levels are different from Sonic's and Tails' in most cases, with new areas and bosses that are generally more challenging than Sonic/Tails' bosses.
  • Knuckles does not face a boss at Carnival Night Zone Act 2.
  • The player can play as Tails in the Sonic & Knuckles levels (except for The Doomsday Zone) or have Tails follow Sonic throughout the entire game.
  • After the levels of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 are finished, the screen scrolls downward with the Death Egg falling rather than playing the normal ending animation and gameplay immediately proceeds to the levels of Sonic & Knuckles.
    • The Big Arm boss fight at Launch Base Zone Act 2 is omitted for Sonic and Tails.
    • Knuckles will still have to fight the Big Arm but to even things out, the Ball Shooter boss fight is omitted for him.
  • Game progress can be saved in all levels (including those from Sonic & Knuckles) using the save feature from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (there are now 8 rather than 6 save slots). In addition, any existing save files from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be copied to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles; ie. a game completed in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will act as a Mushroom Hill Zone save file (this feature is missing in some later compilations).
  • Save slots now display information about the number of continues, lives and the Chaos Emeralds surround the player's character as the player collects them (the Chaos Emeralds are replaced with their correspondingly colored Super Emeralds when the player collects them). Save files imported from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will retain the character, last zone and number of Emeralds, but will default to three lives and zero continues.
  • The game uses the sound bank of Sonic & Knuckles exclusively, which means that the BGM tracks that were different between Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles (which include the title screen, 1-Up, Invincibility, Act 1 boss, Knuckles' theme and end credits) use only the Sonic & Knuckles version.
  • All Act title cards now display the game title of Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
  • Passing a Star Post can now open up all 3 Bonus Stages, including the slot machine stage (20-34 rings required), the magnetic orbs stage (35–49 rings required) from Sonic & Knuckles as well as the gumball machine (50–65 rings required) from Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
  • There are slight differences in object and enemy placement in some of the Sonic 3 Zones as well (Launch Base Zone in particular).
  • The method of accessing Sound Test/Act Select and Debug Mode is different (see Cheats).
  • With Debug Mode enabled, the player can access any level with any character, even those that cannot be normally accessed (such as Sonic and/or Tails accessing Knuckles' Sky Sanctuary Zone, Knuckles accessing Sonic and/or Tails' Sky Sanctuary Zone or even Tails or Knuckles accessing The Doomsday Zone).
  • There are a total of nine different endings; each character (Sonic and Tails together have the same as Sonic alone.) has one with 0–6 Chaos Emeralds, one with all 7 Chaos Emeralds and 0-6 Super Emeralds, and the third with all 14 Chaos and Super Emeralds.

Cheats

  • Sound Test/Act Select: At Angel Island Zone, grab hold on a swinging rope and press the following in order: Left, Left, Left, Right, Right, Right, Up, Up, Up. (A Ring chime will sound if successful.) Then pause the game and press Sega Genesis A Button to return to the title screen. The Sound Test option should be available to select below "Competition".
  • Debug Mode: After accessing the Sound Test, play through either act of Mushroom Hill Zone and grab a hold on one of the manual elevators and press the following in order: Left, Left, Left, Right, Right, Right, Up, Up, Up. (A Ring chime will sound if successful.) Then pause the game and press Sega Genesis A Button to return to the title screen. Go to the Sound Test again then while highlighting any Act hold Sega Genesis A Button before selecting the Act to start the Act with Debug Mode.

Re-releases

Possible remastered version

In 18 October 2014 (the twentieh anniversary of the original release of Sonic & Knuckles and subsequently Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles), Christian Whitehead and Simon Thornley (who developed the remastered versions of Sonic the Hedgehog CD, Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2) released a concept video showcasing a prototype of a remastered version of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as a direct remake of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles for smartphone devices they have worked on for a while (see video below).

As showcased in the video, the following aspects of the game were completed[4]:

  • The title screen
  • Angel Island Zone with all enemies, gimmicks, bosses and intro/intermission sequences
  • All three Bonus Stages
  • Special Stages, including “Blue Sphere” functionality
Sonic_3_&_Knuckles_Proof_of_Concept_-_Celebrating_its_20th_Anniversary


Staff

Main article: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles/Staff

Trivia

  • If using Debug Mode and a certain number of S Monitors are destroyed at once (most effectively with the Insta-Shield), then the controls of the character will be locked and by pressing Start the game will turn back into Sonic & Knuckles. This is the only way to access Debug Mode in Sonic & Knuckles.
  • Taking care to avoid as many Special Stages as possible, it is possible to finish the game with only the 7 Chaos Emeralds, retaining their Super powers until the very end of the game. In this case the game endings will resemble the good endings from Sonic & Knuckles.

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 In this platform, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles is available if Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles are downloaded on the same account.

References

  1. ↑ Sonic 3 & Knuckles on Steam. Valve. Retrieved on 26 January 2015.
  2. ↑ Sonic Mega Collection (Plus) game description
  3. ↑ Sega's Yuji Naka Talks!. GameSpy. Retrieved on 31 December 2014. "Sonic 3 is literally half a game. Sega management back then wanted the game out at a certain time and we only had half the stages done, so we had to put the leftovers into Sonic and Knuckles. So when you bought S&K and attached it to Sonic 3, you got the whole of what Sonic 3 was planned to have been."
  4. ↑ Stealth (18 October 2014). Sonic 3 (& Knuckles) 20th Anniversary. Tumblr. Retrieved on 29 March 2015.

See also


Template:Sonic 3 & Knuckles info

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