LogFAQs > #914337026

#4. Sonic 3 & Knuckles
http://www.vgmuseum.com/end/genesis/b/s3nksseend3.gif

After the disappointment of Sonic 1 and 2, you can imagine that I went into S3&K with trepidation. After all, outside of this board, I had almost always seen Sonic 2 listed as the best of the trilogy, and Sonic 3 was somewhat of an afterthought. But my god was this notion proven wrong.

Let me first start by saying that Sonic 3 & Knuckles is one game. I don't know why there was ever any controversy about it with regards to games contests here, but it is very clear that Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles were designed to be a unified experience, and Sega just forced them to release it in two parts. There is nothing you can say that would ever convince me to rank these games apart.

S3&K represents a new direction for the series that was so desperately needed after the release of games like Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario World, and other contemporary 2D side-scrollers. For the first time, S3&K tried to construct a real narrative to the game that the aforementioned were able to build through the use of an overworld map and tonally consistent atmosphere. Where the levels of Sonic 1 and 2 were essentially non sequiturs, S3&K successfully transitioned stage-to-stage and built up toward a satisfying arc. I remember being taken aback when the first zone changes after being bombed by Robotnik, and for the first time in the series, you felt a sense of purpose behind the level design.

These transitional elements set the stage for why I loved the spectacle platforming of S3&K so much. There are so many moments in this game that are both fun to play and are amazing to witness--the introduction of Knuckles, the iconic snowboarding level, right up through the space battle with Hyper Sonic--which, by the way, is the greatest endgame of any game on this list.

The gameplay is also vastly improved over the other games in the series. Adding the elemental power-ups changes the dynamic of the levels in the best way possible. The bosses are amazingly huge and more dynamic than ever before. The addition of Knuckles makes exploration genuinely fun instead of a tedious search for all the rings. And I could be wrong, but game also feels faster than the previous iterations--or at least less punishing when you do try to speed through it.

If not for this game, I would consider the 2D Sonic series a bust. But S3&K redeems it in every way and, to me, represents everything that the series should be. If Sonic Mania is anything like it, then sign me up.

Not good
11. Sonic the Hedgehog

Fine
10. Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Great
9. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!
8. Super Mario Bros.
7. Donkey Kong Country

Excellent
6. Super Mario Bros. 2 (US)
5. Super Mario World

Spectacular
4. Sonic 3 & Knuckles
3.

All-timers
2.
1.
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"A more mature answer than I expected."~ Jakyl25
"Sephy's point is right."~ Inviso