Genre: 2d platformer
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega

As one of the later Genesis titles, Sonic 3 is more elaborate than its predecessors, and features huge levels with intricately detailed visuals; parallax scrolling galore, colorful backdrops, and excellently animated baddie sprites bring the title to life. Unfortunately, because of the quality of its visuals, it suffers from a lack of filtering and 16:9 stretched mode.

The soundtrack in Sonic 3 is the best of the series, and its hopping, playful style, coupled with lots of digital-sounding effects make for appropriately Sonic-esque feelings. 44khz would really help things out, but it sounds "good enough".

The phenomenal gameplay engine is enhanced with multiple types of shields, some creative gameplay elements, and huge, complex levels that are fun to play over and over. Between the first three Sonic titles, this one features level design only trumped by the original.

Sonic 3 returns to the slower, more methodical pace of the original while blending in parts of quick play, ala Sonic 2. Featuring save game support and sprawling levels, Sonic 3 is certainly the most polished and modern of the three titles, and is certainly better than its predecessor.