Sonic the Hedgehog 3

 Xbox 360
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Jun 10, 2009
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 94 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 94
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 94
  3. Negative: 5 out of 94

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  1. JON_RYO
    Oct 18, 2011
    10
    Cheap, Retro goodness and while I don't feel the game is quite as good a game as sonic 2 was, it is still a 16 bit classic sonic game, for the price you seriously can't go wrong (pick up sonic and knuckles with it (also very cheap) and you can play through the two games as they were meant to be one whole gamebut sega released them seperately as 2 diff games).
  2. KasaiWolf
    Jun 26, 2014
    10
    Simply the most perfect Sonic game on the 16 bit era. Sonic 2 took Sonic the Hedgehog and made it better but this took both of them and made them the very best they can be. More features, a great 2 player, the ability to play as Sonic and Tails (and using Tails to fly is a bonus), better power ups, great story and level transition make this easily one of the best (dare I say the best)Simply the most perfect Sonic game on the 16 bit era. Sonic 2 took Sonic the Hedgehog and made it better but this took both of them and made them the very best they can be. More features, a great 2 player, the ability to play as Sonic and Tails (and using Tails to fly is a bonus), better power ups, great story and level transition make this easily one of the best (dare I say the best) Sonic games to date. If you haven't played them you have clearly been living under a rock for the last 2 decades. Pick it up for cheap and your in for a treat.

    PS. I feel it deserves the top spot of being better than Sonic 2.    … Expand
  3. robbob160
    Jul 10, 2016
    10
    People who think that this game is better than Sonic 2 then something is honestly wrong with you. Sonic 3 gets everything better than what sonic 2 got wrong in every way and is probably the best sonic game out there
  4. MetalReviewer
    Mar 7, 2022
    6
    Sonic 3 has the recipes to truly improve where Sonic 2 faltered, but stumbles due to it's speed-dependent level design and lack of any real challenge. Unless you want a constantly fast Sonic game with a really good story to back it up, I'd suggest steering clear of this one.
  5. Elmer9999
    Feb 21, 2016
    10
    SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS UUUUGB YG G YGG GU TVYFVG Y U GUTU UT T BU EXS SWZRCUNIO P,OM HS R DYFU U Y UIONU HITU R RT. UY T RU T RZWZDT GU. HOPIK
    OJIH YFREXZEREXTCBIY AWWWESSS gunk jinvgu
  6. 22gamer
    Jul 16, 2016
    10
    DIS GAME IS DA BEST SONIC game ever made !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have the MEGA DRIVE VERSION BTW
  7. schrojan
    Dec 4, 2013
    3
    I played this game and it was far inferior to many other sonic games, so if you have to play sonic choose Sonic 2 or something other than this. Hope I helped
  8. SANICHEDGE
    Jul 29, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game was awesome. Locking it on to S&K makes it BETTER! S3 truly the best Mega Drive Sonic game.
    S3&K is the sequel. (Maybe?) I recommend this to any one who has the Mega Drive / Genesis, X360 or anything compatible with S3 and S&K.
    (Spoilers!: There is a glitch where if you beat a level in 9:59, you 100,000 bonus points! Patched in S3&K and S&K)    … Expand
  9. Mirannejad76
    Sep 4, 2018
    6
    sonic is famous character in game world . i like sonic series but i don't love it .
  10. Geo3891
    Nov 30, 2022
    10
    Sonic 3 es un juego de 10, la historia a pesar de no tener ningún dialogo se cuenta muy bien con las escenas, el soundtrack es una maravilla de otro mundo, los gráficos para hoy en dia siguen siendo muy vistosos y mas con sus escenarios tan iconicos como Ice Cap o Carnival Knight, el diseño de niveles esta muy bien construido, también destacar el debut de Knuckles the Echidna, es el mejorSonic 3 es un juego de 10, la historia a pesar de no tener ningún dialogo se cuenta muy bien con las escenas, el soundtrack es una maravilla de otro mundo, los gráficos para hoy en dia siguen siendo muy vistosos y mas con sus escenarios tan iconicos como Ice Cap o Carnival Knight, el diseño de niveles esta muy bien construido, también destacar el debut de Knuckles the Echidna, es el mejor juego de toda la franquicia de Sonic y el que ha dejado la vara muy alta y hasta el día de hoy nada supera a este clásico, en general de los mejores juego de la historia, esto tiene que estar en el salón de la fama.… Expand
  11. JPK
    Aug 19, 2018
    10
    3 Brilliant Games In A Row!
    Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Is Another Platformer That Guarantees A Fun Time.
  12. lidwang
    Jan 8, 2022
    10
    This and Sonic and Knuckles make for the best sonic game ever made. It's just a well made, faste paced platafomer with a difficul curve that is just right. There are no lowpoint in terms of zones even though some aren't as good looking as others. Would recommend to anyone.
  13. JasonBlue
    Feb 26, 2021
    10
    Best Classic Sonic in the Franchise, a big update than the second game, you really must play this, a big sequel and the last of the Genesis era.
  14. TheKnucklehead
    Sep 18, 2020
    9
    Brilliant game, decent port. For 2009, the emulation isn't half bad and still holds up impressively well, even by today's standards. So major props to that. I like the extra options, like being able to stretch the aspect ratio to whatever you want and togglable pixel smoothing, but they're nothing groundbreaking. The GUI is nice. Again, nothing special, but it doesn't need to be. Less isBrilliant game, decent port. For 2009, the emulation isn't half bad and still holds up impressively well, even by today's standards. So major props to that. I like the extra options, like being able to stretch the aspect ratio to whatever you want and togglable pixel smoothing, but they're nothing groundbreaking. The GUI is nice. Again, nothing special, but it doesn't need to be. Less is sometimes more. One thing I'm not too happy about is having to buy Sonic & Knuckles separately and as a different game. I mean, both games are pretty cheap, but for convenience's sake, I would have preferred having the full experience in one. A slightly higher price point I wouldn't mind.
    As for the game itself, it might just be the pinnacle of 2D platforming. Excellent design, head-boppin' music, brilliant art... the game is near flawless.
    All in all, pretty good port. If you just want a way to play the classic game on your Xbox 360, this is the way to go. But, for the definitive experience, not so much.    … Expand
  15. Nekellor_Met
    Jul 8, 2020
    8
    По мне так, лучшая часть трилогии. Очень красивая- куча пиксельный деталей. Игра наконец-то под конец наконец)) не скатывается в внезапные шипы на скорости. Мини игра нормально проходиться. На метакритикие объединенной игры нет, так что 'этот отзыв именно о sonic the hadgehog 3 and nukcles.По мне так, лучшая часть трилогии. Очень красивая- куча пиксельный деталей. Игра наконец-то под конец наконец)) не скатывается в внезапные шипы на скорости. Мини игра нормально проходиться. На метакритикие объединенной игры нет, так что 'этот отзыв именно о sonic the hadgehog 3 and nukcles.
  16. RodrigoBR32
    Nov 2, 2020
    10
    This game is wonderful! This is by far my favorite game in the entire 2D series of Sonic games!
  17. GameDudeGuy
    Feb 4, 2021
    9
    Amazing Sonic game with michael jackson music it just doesnt get any better than this and also you move fast super-duper fast
  18. LinuxMint
    Feb 26, 2021
    10
    Amazing game, you must play this, long level and fun desing, really outstading music, really loong game for a 16bit platformer, try one time at least.
  19. MetalSoArtFenix
    Sep 29, 2021
    10
    10/10 Одна Из Лучших Игр Во Вселенной Всем Советую 10/10...................
  20. ElRagnarLocro
    Mar 30, 2022
    8
    Muy buena culminación de la trilogía de Sonic para el Genesis, mejora mucho en diseño.
    Nota Final: 8.2
  21. FireBroFilms
    Aug 15, 2022
    9
    ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  22. SonicFan20
    Sep 15, 2022
    7
    Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Is One Half Of A Truly Perfect Adventure. Story Starts After Sonic 2. Super Sonic Fly's In Too Angel Island Zone And Gets Punched By Newcomer Knuckles The Echidna, Knuckles Steals The Chaos Emeralds And The Game Begins. You Can Play As Sonic & Tails. Tails Can Fly, Sonic Has New Ability Called the Insta Shield. It Can Destroy Badnicks In A Second. And Make Bosses SuperSonic The Hedgehog 3 Is One Half Of A Truly Perfect Adventure. Story Starts After Sonic 2. Super Sonic Fly's In Too Angel Island Zone And Gets Punched By Newcomer Knuckles The Echidna, Knuckles Steals The Chaos Emeralds And The Game Begins. You Can Play As Sonic & Tails. Tails Can Fly, Sonic Has New Ability Called the Insta Shield. It Can Destroy Badnicks In A Second. And Make Bosses Super Short. There Is A Brand New Way To Get Chaos Emeralds In A New Special Stage Called Blue Spheres. You Have To Collect All The Blue Spheres And Not Touch The Red Ones. The New Zones Are So Fun And Creative! One Moment You Are In A Carnival And The Next You Are In A Ice World. But The Game Ends Way Too Soon Since it Had To Be Split In Two Halfs Sonic The Hedgehog 3 And Sonic & Knuckles. Sonic 3 Gets a 7/10. I Will Finish This When I Get To S3&K But Now Im Heading Sonic & Knuckles… Expand
  23. Kdog152
    Dec 12, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The third mainline instalment in the series and it's the best. in fact, it's a masterpiece. All 6 zones are great accept Carnival night zone, that zone is mediocre and has bad music. Why? because the level design ain't great. Apart from that though, this game really fun. You can play as Sonic and Tails or either character separately, your choice, and both feel fun to play as. And Tails can fly, that's, all I need to say.… Expand
  24. Meowsey
    Jan 31, 2023
    10
    this game is perfection. the amazing story is told through multiple cutscenes without any of the characters speaking a single word and the replay value is through the roof. the story has redemption betrayal and more. this is the best video game of all time. it introduces a new form for the characters which is the first and last time it appears in the entire sonic the hedgehog series. andthis game is perfection. the amazing story is told through multiple cutscenes without any of the characters speaking a single word and the replay value is through the roof. the story has redemption betrayal and more. this is the best video game of all time. it introduces a new form for the characters which is the first and last time it appears in the entire sonic the hedgehog series. and the game is just stuffed to the brim with charm. and the music slaps so hard that it turns into a tattoo. you will never find another game like this. if you for some reason have never played this game then you are missing out on the best video game of all time. 10/10 would 100% recommend… Expand
  25. zlt
    Jul 18, 2023
    10
    Awesome Game!. Good Graphics, Good Story, And Good Level Design And Bosses!.
    Easily The Best Sonic Game If Not The Best Game On The Genesis!.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. IGN
    80
    Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a fantastic game, but you can find it elsewhere for cheaper. This package adds a few things you can't find in most other Sonic re-releases, such as online play and leaderboards, but those really don't add much.
    Read full review
  2. Eurogamer
    80
    Not quite a stone-cold classic, but close enough to make the low asking price a no-brainer.
    Read full review
  3. Gamestyle
    80
    For 400 Microsoft points, Sonic 3 is not just a pleasant trip down memory lane, but a welcome return to a series that has gone awry.
    Read full review
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