Sonic The Hedgehog 3 [XBLA]

Posted July 9, 2009 by Benjamin Blank in Featured, Featured Home, Game Blog, Reviews, Xbox 360.

Reviewed on the Xbox 360

Since the early days of the video game industry, it seems that Sonic has been involved in some sort of argument. Those of you who may remember dreaming of one day having full 3D graphics will no doubt remember the Sonic Vs Mario debate. Well as time came and went so did that argument but now we’re on the end of “New vs old,” or Sonic Adventure vs Sonic The Hedgehog or Sonic Unleashed vs Sonic & Knuckles.

For as much that can be said about Sonic’s transition into 3D, the fact that the original four Mega Drive games seem to find themselves being released on different platforms every year really sums it up. With that, we find ourselves once again visiting Sonic at a time when a camera angle wouldn’t frustrate the gamer into submission with Sonic The Hedgehog 3.

Originally planned as half of a full game (with that full game being Sonic 3 & Knuckles) Sonic 3 is perhaps the best the series has ever put out — indeed if only looking at 2D Sonic games. Sonic 3 tells a simple tale that pales in comparison to most games of current generations and even somewhat to games back in 1994. Sonic and Tails, shortly after the climax of Sonic 2, find themselves tracking Dr. Robotnik (aka Dr. Eggman, if you will) to the Floating Island with seven emeralds in hand, only to be stopped by a red Echidna called Knuckles who then steals the emeralds, and thus begins Sonic’s epic adventure.

Throughout the following six worlds — of jungle, ice, water, factory, ancient ruins and even a carnival stage — Sonic 3 takes gamers on what can only be described as the perfect 2D adventure. While at the time there were many RPGs that offered gamers huge worlds with interesting levels to explore, nothing ever did things like Sonic or, more to the point, Sonic 3 did.

Even to this day the sheer mixture of speed and exploration has never been replicated, if only by the follow up Sonic & Knuckles. Where Sonic is known for his speed it wasn’t really until the third incarnation that the exploration aspect was perfected, Sonic 3 offers level after level of all the speed of a Sonic game, but with a deep complex level design. I’ve watched many friends play through this game as I’ve grown up, and everyone takes different routes through the levels; the path I take through Hydrocity Zone is as marked in my memory as the tune that accompanies it.

These levels are all governed by intense speed that never becomes overwhelming, and it’s this ability to give players complete control and choice throughout the adventure that makes Sonic 3’s gameplay irresistible.

You’ll never find yourself stuck on frustrating areas or repeating dull gameplay sections Sonic 3 constantly throws new things at you with every turn, creating a game that is as amazing to watch in motion as it is to control. The levels themselves all look stunning; it’s hard to find a game of this era outside of the Sonic series that offered anything as memorable. Even now, the opening snowboarding sequence of Ice Cap Zone comes off as impressive as it did for those in 1994.

The presentation of the game itself throughout the entire experience is top notch, each level is home to its own unique appeal. The upgraded Sonic 2 engine went a long way to give the game massive, bright, colourful and interesting levels, but the sprites themselves are unbeatable. From Sonic to Tails, from Angel Island Zone to the credits, everything here comes off as unique, original and downright impressive.

Even the music is simply stunning. In fact I’ve played through this game at least 50 times, but it’s the soundtrack that keeps me coming back. Sonic’s music has always been at the forefront of the best chip-tunes around and, with Sonic 3, it’s obvious why. As each level features a distinctly different persona it’s not just the look and feel that achieve this, the music is one classic after another, even the menus pull this off. (For those of you interested it was also rumoured, to great reason, that the recently deceased Michael Jackson worked on the soundtrack.)

Sonic 3 feels like a huge adventure from start to end. The underlying story, although seemingly basic, was a big step for the franchise, and, when played with Sonic & Knuckles, becomes an epic in its own right. To this day Sonic 3 & Knuckle’s story line is remembered as the height of the series despite the focus Sonic Adventure and its sequels had on story.

Beyond the single player game, Sega pushed on its efforts to deliver a multiplayer experience that was head and shoulders above Sonic 2’s offering, to great effect. Featuring levels and music that are exclusive to the multiplayer section these come off as brilliant additions to the already stellar game. Originally, the multiplayer aspect worked as a great distraction that was fun in its own right if a little underdeveloped.

It gave gamers levels that are streamlined for speed; two players race through them at the fastest possible time using power ups to either hinder the other player or improve their own chance of victory. And, despite being simple, multiplayer isn’t void of fun and can easily still consume hours of time, especially if both players are Sonic veterans.

It’s here that the XBLA tag helps push this even further. No actual gameplay or features have been added, but online multiplayer has no slowdown in sight. Along with leaderboards Sonic 3 XBLA may have ended up as the best Sonic experience to date.

Sadly that isn’t quite the case, the opening save slot/level select system has been completely removed and replaced by a screen that lets you choose your character and nothing more. This may sound like a small point and it may be but in reality Sonic 3 is half of a complete game. While it does work on its own, the fact that the ability to connect it up with Sonic & Knuckles is missing really hinders the game when compared to its cartridge origins.

Sadly, the price is another issue; while coming in at 400 Microsoft Points is far from the most expensive XBLA game ever released, when you look at the fact that Sonic 3 is one of the titles on the, recently released, Mega Drive collection for the Xbox 360, the price doesn’t seem so sweet. In fact, unless you cannot get your hands on the Mega Drive collection, there is little to no point buying Sonic 3 on XBLA.

No extras or fan content has been built in either; no fact screens, nothing. If you’ve ever downloaded any of the other Sega Classics like Ecco The Dolphin, Streets Of Rage or earlier Sonics, etc., you’ll know what you’ll be getting in terms of content. Sadly, this just comes off as lazy and the package suffers for it.

In the end, Sonic 3 is one of the best games you can ever hope to play, but this isn’t the best version of that game, the core is here, the exciting gameplay, the amazing levels, the fantastic music and the superb presentation are all in tact, but the fact that this game has been re-released so many times, in so many better ways, ultimately hurts the game.

If you’ve ever wondered why anyone cares about Sonic, play this game; If you’ve ever enjoyed a 2D game download this game; If you’ve ever enjoyed a video game, download this game, but only if there is no way you can get your hands on any other version of Sonic 3. This is a great game, but if you can pick up Sonic 3 elsewhere, pursue that option instead.

Since Sonic & Knuckles has been released onto XBLA this review’s score has been altered to coinside with the release, however everything else remains the same as when the review was originally published.

Tagged as 3, Dr. Eggman, Dr. Robotnik, Knuckles, Sega, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic Team, sonic the hedgehog, Xbox Live Arcade