_________ .__ __ .__ / _____/ ____ ____ |__| ____ _/ |_| |__ ____ \_____ \ / _ \ / \| |/ ___\ \ __\ | \_/ __ \ / ( <_> ) | \ \ \___ | | | Y \ ___/ /_______ /\____/|___| /__|\___ > |__| |___| /\___ > \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ ___ ___ .___ .__ ________ / | \ ____ __| _/ ____ ____ | |__ ____ ____ \_____ \ / ~ \_/ __ \ / __ | / ___\_/ __ \| | \ / _ \ / ___\ _(__ < \ Y /\ ___// /_/ |/ /_/ > ___/| Y ( <_> ) /_/ > / \ \___|_ / \___ >____ |\___ / \___ >___| /\____/\___ / /______ / \/ \/ \/_____/ \/ \/ /_____/ \/ Title of Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Platform: Genesis/Mega Drive Type of Guide: FAQ/Walkthrough Author: Raph136 (previously known as Tails333) Version: 4.3 Last Revision Date: 14-11-18 Table of Contents ----------------- 1. Introduction 2. Version History 3. Characters 4. Game Overview 5.01 - Game Controls 5.02 - Save Feature 5.03 - Game Screen 5.04 - Item Boxes 5.05 - Special Stage 5.06 - Transformation 5.07 - Bonus Stage 5. 1-Player Walkthrough 6.01 - Angel Island Zone 6.02 - Hydrocity Zone 6.03 - Marble Garden Zone 6.04 - Carnival Night Zone 6.05 - Icecap Zone 6.06 - Launch Base Zone 6. Giant Ring Locations 7. Badniks 8. Bugs 9. 2-Player/Competition Mode 10.01 - Main Menu 10.02 - Characters 10.03 - Zones 10.04 - Records 10. Hints and Tips 11. Frequently Asked Questions 12. Credits 13. Contact Information 14. Copyright Information TIP: If you want to find a section in the Table of Contents more quickly and easily, press Ctrl + F simultaneously to bring up the 'Find' function menu. Type or paste the name/number of the section into the menu. Click on 'Find Next' to go to the section you've typed or pasted. NOTE: This FAQ was written using the original game, but it can be used with other versions as well. Some elements of the game may differ from the original version, though. ############################################################################### 1. Introduction ############################################################################### Thank you for choosing to read my Sonic the Hedgehog 3 FAQ. I hope this guide gives you some assistance in completing this game. I've written a comprehensive Walkthrough, Hints and Tips, Giant Ring Locations, and much more. Beware of the spoilers, though. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the third game in the main Sonic series. It picks up shortly after Sonic 2's ending, in which Sonic and Tails thought that they had destroyed Dr. Robotnik's space station, the Death Egg. It turns out Robotnik managed to crashland on the Floating Island (AKA Angel Island), so Sonic and Tails must trek across the island's different zones to find Robotnik and stop him from repairing and re-launching the Death Egg while also having to contend with Knuckles, who has deen duped by Robotnik into thinking that they have come to steal the island's emeralds. The gameplay in Sonic & Knuckles is similar to Sonic 3's because they were originally supposed to be one game. However, time constraints and cartridge costs forced the developers to split the game in two, so Sonic 3 was released in North America and Europe in February 1994 and Sonic & Knuckles worldwide in October 1994. Sonic designer Yuji Naka said the combined game called Sonic 3 & Knuckles is what Sonic 3 was originally intended to be. ############################################################################### 2. Version History ############################################################################### Version 1.0, 21st August 2004: Completed Walkthrough. Version 1.1, 30th October 2004: Updated the Table of Contents. Version 1.2, 16th January 2005: Updated Copyright Information. Version 1.3, 19th February 2005: Updated FAQ, did some corrections, and updated Copyright Information. Version 1.4, 26th February 2005: Added new sections to the FAQ. Version 1.5, 25th February 2006: Added the Game Glitches section. Version 1.6, 13th April 2006: Rewrote the Walkthrough, added the Giant Ring Locations section, and updated FAQ. Version 1.7, 15th April 2006: Updated Walkthrough. Version 1.8, 22nd April 2006: Updated FAQ. Version 1.9, 27th May 2006: Rewrote Boss Strategies and updated the Giant Ring Locations section. Version 2.0, 3rd June 2006: Updated Giant Ring Locations section, rewrote the Game Overview section, and added the Lock-On Feature section. Version 2.1, 17th June 2006: Changed formatting and rewrote the Table of Contents. Completed the Giant Ring Locations section. Version 2.2, 15th July 2006: Updated Copyright Information. Version 2.3, 19th August 2006: Added a note under the Table of Contents. Added ASCII art to the top of the FAQ. Version 2.4, 26th August 2006: Updated the Game Overview section. Version 2.5, 2nd September 2006: Changed the Credits section and rewrote the Competition Mode. Version 2.6, 9th September 2006: Added info about controlling Tails. Version 2.7, 16th September 2006: Changed the Glitches section. Version 2.8, 23rd September 2006: Fixed the necessary Hits to defeat Bosses. Version 2.9, 13th January 2007: Updated Game Overview section. Version 3.0, 27th April 2007: Updated Game Overview section. Version 3.1, 5th May 2007: Added more information about the Chaos Emeralds. Version 3.2, 12th May 2007: Added more information about the Save Feature. Changed "Computer Monitors" section to "Item Boxes" section. Version 3.3, 19th May 2007: Updated the 2-Player/Competition Mode section. Version 3.4, 26th May 2007: Updated the Game Overview section. Version 3.5, 3rd June 2007: Fixed information about the Save Feature. Version 3.6, 4th August 2007: Added information about the Save Feature. Version 3.7, 16th August 2007: Fixed a mistake about the Save Feature. Version 3.8, 8th May 2008: Added more information about the Save Feature. Version 3.9, 16th September 2015: --------------------------------- *Rewrote some of "Lock-on Technology". *Changed "Glitches" to "Bugs". Version 4.0, 23rd March 2018: ----------------------------- *Rewrote some of "Introduction". *Updated my GameFAQs username. *Made a few corrections. *Tidied up some sections. **Removed "Codes and Secrets", as they're already available on many websites. Version 4.1, 30th March 2018: ----------------------------- *Removed "Lock-On Technology", as it wasn't really relevant to Sonic 3 on its own. *Tidied up "Introduction" and "Characters". Version 4.2, 7th November 2018: ------------------------------- *Updated general guide stuff such as "Contact Information". *Added 1 thanks to "Credits". Version 4.3, 14th November 2018: -------------------------------- *Edited the opening a bit. *Changed boss format a little. ############################################################################### 3. Characters ############################################################################### Sonic the Hedgehog ------------------ The blue blur needs no introduction. He's the series' main protagonist and can run very fast. Miles "Tails" Prower -------------------- Better known by his nickname Tails, Miles is a two-tailed fox. He's Sonic's sidekick and best friend. He can twirl his trademark tails to fly or swim for a short time. He's also a mechanical genius and skilled pilot. Knuckles the Echidna -------------------- Knuckles has lived most of his life on Angel Island and is the guardian of the island's emeralds. He is the only living descendent of an ancient civilization. The echidna has been duped by Robotnik into thinking that Sonic and Tails are trying to steal the emeralds. He's quite a trickster, using his knowledge of Angel Island to disrupt your progress. Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik ------------------------- Also known by the more common nickname of Eggman, Robotnik is the series' main antagonist. He's a mad scientist with an IQ of 300. His personal means of transportation is the Eggmobile which doubles as an attack vehicle that can be fitted with a wide variety of machines. He has tricked Knuckles into thinking that Sonic and Tails are trying to steal Angel Island's emeralds. He plans to steal the emeralds himself so he can repair his Death Egg ship. ############################################################################### 4. Game Overview ############################################################################### This section overviews everything you should know prior to starting this game. =============================================================================== 4.01 - Game Controls =============================================================================== +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Common Controls | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Move left/right: Press Left/Right to move. Hold down Left/Right to speed up. Look down/Crouch: Press Down while standing still. Look up: Press Up while standing still. Rolling Spin Attack: Press Down while moving. Jump/Spin Attack: Press A, B or C. Spin Dash: While crouching, press A, B or C to rev up. Let go of Down to take off like a rocket. Pause/Resume a paused game: Press Start. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Sonic's Controls | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Insta-Shield: Press A, B or C quickly, once to jump and again to generate enough energy to protect Sonic with a shield for a split second. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Tails' Controls | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Fly/Swim: Press A, B or C quickly, once to jump and again to start flying/ swimming for a short time. =============================================================================== 4.02 - Save Feature =============================================================================== Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has a save feature that allows you to record data in the 1-Player and 2-Player/Competition modes. The latter's save process follows a simple format. The game saves your Best Times in each zone. When you access the 1-Player Data Select screen, there are six save slots for recording game data. The word "NEW" is initially marked on them. To start a game, select a slot and press Up/Down to choose one of the following characters: Sonic & Tails, Sonic Alone, and Tails Alone. Once you have chosen a character, an image of the character will be displayed on your save file and you can only use that character to progress through the zones. After you start a game or clear a zone, an image of the zone you're currently progressing through will be shown on your save file. In addition to saving your zone progress, this game also saves your emeralds but not your lives or continues (Files display the number of Chaos Emeralds that you've collected). If you want to delete a file, select Robotnik (far right slot) and move the cursor to the file that you want to delete. If you want to play without recording game data, select the "NO SAVE" slot. All saving is accomplished through an auto-save. Auto-saves are performed when you clear a Zone or end a Special Stage. When the data is being saved, a message will not be displayed to notify that such action is taking place (I believe the game finishes saving in 15-20 seconds). If you turn the power off while the game is saving, you may lose all your saved data. Therefore, I recommend waiting a minute before resetting or powering off just to be safe. If you select a completed save file, the word "CLEAR" will be marked on it. If you press Up/Down, you can cycle through images of the zones and choose which level to start from. If you don't select a level, you'll see a picture of a character on the screen, depending on whether you collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds. If you select the picture, you can see the credits without having to complete the game again. Pictures of Regular Sonic and Super Sonic will be shown, when you have 0-6 Chaos Emeralds and 7 Chaos Emeralds, respectively, regardless of which character you're playing as. Pictures of Regular Tails and Super Tails were not programmed into this game, but they can be viewed in S3&K if you have 0-7 Chaos Emeralds and 7 Super Emeralds, respectively, in that game. =============================================================================== 4.03 - Game Screen =============================================================================== When you control your character, it is important to know the basics when you are on the Game Screen. Rings ----- Rings give protection to your character. As long as you have at least 1 Ring, you'll be safe from enemy hits or obstacles. You lose all your Rings, when your character hits an obstacle or gets attacked by a Badnik/Mini-Boss/Boss. If you have no Rings, you'll lose a life if an enemy hits you. When you collect 50 Rings in Special and Bonus Stages, you'll earn a Continue as your reward. If you grab 100 or 200 Rings, you'll get an extra life for doing so. Time ---- When your character starts each Act of every Zone, there will be a time limit of 10 minutes. If you spend more than 10 minutes in an Act, you'll get a Time Over and you'll have to repeat the Act. If you go past Starposts during the Act, you'll only need to repeat from the last Starpost you passed. Score ----- When you complete each Act of every Zone, your Score is totalled. The Score is made up of points gained by destroying Badniks (100) and defeating Bosses (1000). It also consists of a Time Bonus (how much time you spent in one Act) and a Ring Bonus (how many Rings you had upon completing an Act). Lives ----- When you start the game, you'll begin with 3 lives. If Sonic/Tails loses a life, you'll have to repeat the Act from the last Starpost you passed. If you have no Rings, you'll lose a life if an enemy hits you. If you crush yourself, drown, fall into bottomless pits, or get a Time Over, you'll also lose a life. If you lose all your lives, the game ends, unless you have earned Continues. Continues --------- When you collect 50 Rings in Special and Bonus Stages, you'll earn a Continue as your reward. Continues are worth 3 lives each, so it's worth it to earn them. When you lose all your lives, but have earned Continues, you'll have 10 seconds to press the Start Button on the Continue screen to have another chance at completing the game. Sign Posts ---------- When you destroy a Mini-Boss at the end of Act 1 of every Two-Act Zone, a Sign Post will descend from above. If you hit the Sign Post multiple times before it lands, you may uncover random Item Boxes. Prison Eggs ----------- When you defeat Robotnik at the end of every Two-Act Zone (with the exception of Launch Base Zone), you'll come across a Prison Egg shortly afterwards. Once you touch its plunger, you'll free the animals trapped inside. =============================================================================== 4.04 - Item Boxes =============================================================================== As you go through the zones, you'll come across various Item Boxes. If your character jumps on top of Item Boxes or Spin Dashes into them, you can grab prizes. The pictures of Item Boxes indicate the prizes contained within them. Super Ring ---------- Shows 1 Ring. Gives you 10 Rings. 1-Up ---- Shows your character's face. Gives you an extra life. Invincibility ------------- Shows 3 stars. Makes your character invincible for a short time. If you crush yourself, drown, or fall into bottomless pits, you'll still lose a life. Water Shield ------------ Shows 1 drop of water. Encloses your character in a bubble and allows you to use the bubble to do a bounce jump. This ability can make you jump higher than normal. The shield also prevents you from drowning and deflects projectiles. If you get hit, you'll lose this shield. Lightning Shield ---------------- Shows 1 lightning bolt. Absorbs all energy-based attacks and makes your character draw rings towards him. When you're playing as Sonic, you can press the A, B or C Button twice to double jump. The shield also deflects projectiles. If you touch water or get hit, you'll lose this shield. Flame Shield ------------ Shows flames. Absorbs all fire-based attacks and makes your character immune to fire-related obstacles. Examples include flamethrowers, thrusters, lava, etc. If you're playing as Sonic, you can press the A, B or C Button twice to perform the Fireball Spin Dash. This ability allows you to blast across the screen as a fireball. The shield also deflects projectiles. If you touch water or get hit, you'll lose this shield. Super Shoes ----------- Shows 1 red shoe. Makes your character run twice as fast for a short time. Watch out for Badniks and obstacles in case you bump into them. Robotnik -------- Shows Robotnik's face. Makes your character lose all your Rings or lose a life! Avoid opening these Item Boxes at all costs. =============================================================================== 4.05 - Special Stage =============================================================================== The Special Stages are where you can collect Chaos Emeralds. Since there are seven Chaos Emeralds in this game, you must play and complete 7 Special Stages. There are at least 2 Giant Rings located in each Act of every Zone. If you jump through a Giant Ring, you'll be transported to a Special Stage. Note that you can only use Giant Rings once, as they disappear once you enter Special Stages, unless you re-play the zones via a completed save file's zone select. When you enter a Special Stage, your objective is to grab all the blue spheres to win a Chaos Emerald. If you collect 50 Rings, you'll earn a Continue. If you collect all the Rings, you'll earn a Perfect (an extra life). It is not necessary to earn Perfects in the Special Stages, as they are not required to win Chaos Emeralds. Getting Perfects can be a new challenge for players that have already beaten the game with all 7 Chaos Emeralds, so I advice beginners to concentrate on collecting the Emeralds first, as it is hard to get a Perfect on your first try, since it is an advantage to know the layout of the Special Stages. After spending a few minutes in Special Stages, the music will speed up and you'll start moving much faster, making your character more difficult to control over time, so be careful. Star spheres sent you back in the opposite direction. It's best to dodge them, as they can cause you to bump into a red sphere. Red spheres exit you out of the Special Stage, so you avoid them at all costs. Blue spheres turn into red spheres when you pass through them, so don't go back in the opposite direction. You can jump over rows of red spheres, but it can be hard to pull off, so try only jumping over 1 row of red spheres in case you don't time your jumps correctly. To make Rings appear, look for square formations of blue spheres, then grab the spheres along the outer edge of the square. All of the blue spheres that make up the square will turn into Rings. If you fail to complete a Special Stage, the next time you start one, you'll cycle through them in a sequence. For example, if you failed to complete Special Stage 1, you'll play Special Stage 2 the next time you enter a Special Stage. After Special Stage 7, the sequence will be repeated, so you'll have another chance to beat uncompleted Special Stages. When you have collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds, you'll no longer be able to access the Special Stage. Your reward is the Super Form of Sonic. There is no Super Form of Tails in this game. However, I advice still searching for the Giant Rings, as they will now give you 50 Rings when you jump through them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Special Stages Chart ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chronology | Taken From | Emerald ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Stage 1 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Green Special Stage 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Yellow Special Stage 3 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Purple Special Stage 4 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Blue Special Stage 5 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | White Special Stage 6 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Red Special Stage 7 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Cyan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =============================================================================== 4.06 - Transformation =============================================================================== Transformation allows you to play as a powered up version of Sonic. There is one transformation (Super Sonic) in this game. It is required that all 7 Chaos Emeralds are obtained first to transform into the Super Form. When you collect 50 Rings, you can double jump to enable the transformation. Each transformation can destroy Badniks by touching them. If you're Sonic Alone or Sonic & Tails, you can become Super Sonic. He runs much faster than regular Sonic and breaks through barriers that would require Spin Dashing. Note that you lose Rings for every second that your character is in his Super Form, so you must collect them to increase your Rings gauge. Otherwise, you'll turn back into your regular character. The character's transformation makes Mini-Bosses/Bosses much easier, so it's worth it to collect all 7 Chaos Emeralds. However, if you crush yourself, drown or fall into bottomless pits, you'll still lose a life. In addition, Super Sonic is vulnerable to Robotnik's Spiked Grabber Machine in Launch Base Zone. If you're Super Sonic and Robotnik grabs you, you'll lose all your Rings and turn back into regular Sonic. =============================================================================== 4.07 - Bonus Stage =============================================================================== When you pass a Starpost and have at least 50 Rings, a Star Circle will appear. Jump through the circle to enter a Bonus Stage. There is only one Bonus Stage in this game, namely Gumball Machine. When you appear in a shaft, use the yellow bumpers to move your character upwards. Once you bounce off the bumpers, they will disappear. The set of springs at the bottom of the shaft will also disappear when you bounce off them. If you turn the crank of the gumball machine, balls will be released and you can grab these balls to receive prizes. The colours of balls indicate the prizes contained within them. When you fall out of the shaft, the Bonus Stage ends. Grey ---- Shows 1 Ring. Gives you 10 Rings. Pink ---- Shows the word "1-UP". Gives you an extra life. Blue ---- Shows the letter "B". Gives you a Water Shield. Brown ----- Shows the letter "B". Gives you a Lightning Shield. Orange ------ Shows the letter "B". Gives you a Flame Shield. Green ----- Shows the letters "REP". If the set of springs at the bottom of the shaft have disappeared, a new set will replace them. Black ----- Propels you up or down. Clear ----- Gives you nothing. ############################################################################### 5. 1-Player Walkthrough ############################################################################### This section contains the Walkthrough. I've written directions on finding the Giant Rings in the Walkthrough, but I haven't listed all of them. I've listed them in the Giant Ring Locations section. You can take a different route through the levels if you want to, as they are linear. If you're Sonic & Tails, Tails will follow you throughout the game, with the exception of the final two Boss Battles in Launch Base Zone. If another player controls Tails, you can team up with him/her to defeat Mini-Bosses/Bosses. Tails can collect Rings that are added to your total, but he can't open Item Boxes. If Tails loses a life or you run ahead of him, he'll fly back to the screen. Unlike Sonic, Tails is invincible. This makes the game much easier to beat. =============================================================================== 5.01 - Angel Island Zone =============================================================================== Angel Island Zone is the first level of Sonic The Hedgehog 3. It's a good training level to master Sonic's/Tails' controls. In the opening scene, Sonic and Tails are approaching the Floating Island in the Tornado. Sonic jumps off the biplane and transforms into Super Sonic. Super Sonic surfs across the sea and runs onto Floating Island. As Super Sonic goes past a tunnel, Knuckles digs out of it, and the pair collide with such force that Sonic drops his Chaos Emeralds. Knuckles steals the emeralds and runs off. If you're playing as Tails, you'll skip this scene and begin the game immediately. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Act 1 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Run right and go past the Monkeydude. After the RhinoBot and the two spikes, drop down and Spin Dash through the boulders to the left. Go into the Giant Ring to enter the Special Stage. When you reappear in the level, run through the loop de loop. In the water, jump on the spring to be catapulted over to the right. Push the small boulder to the left, and break through the passageway. Grab the Invincibility and use the hidden spring to return to the surface. Run through the loop de loop, and go up the tunnel. When you hear the Mini-Boss theme music, an armada of Bomber Ships will set fire to Angel Island. If you can hit the main Bomber Ship eight times, nothing will happen. In order to do this, you must be playing as Sonic & Tails. If a second player controls Tails, you can team up with him/her to destroy the Bomber Ship. Go past the Starpost and run down the hill. Jump across the ledges and grab onto the gravelling hook. Run through the loop de loop, and use the spring to jump up. As you climb up the ledges, watch out for the Bloominator. Go right to meet the Mini-Boss. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Mini-Boss: Bomber Ship - 6 Hits | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Notes and Strategy ------------------ Your first Mini-Boss Battle is easy. When the Bomber Ship descends, jump onto it and keep bouncing off it to score hits. If the Bomber Ship flies up, jump off it and wait for it to descend again. The boosters underneath it can hurt you if you touch them, so be careful. When the Bomber Ship fires a flamethrower, watch out. If you've grabbed a Flame Shield, it won't hurt you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Act 2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Spin Dash through the tunnel and hold Right to break through the boulders. Go into the Giant Ring to enter the Special Stage. When you re-appear in the level, drop down and head right. Go across the bridge, and Spin Dash through the boulders. Collect the Water Shield and run down the hill. Go up the hills, and Spin Dash through the tunnel. Jump up to the switch via the spring. Press the switch to drain the water. Drop down and head right. Go past the Starpost and head across the wooden bridge. Climb up the ledges and head right. Take out the Bloominator, and run through the loop de loop. You'll roll over a slope and two springs will catapult you onward. When you go left, wait for the platforms to appear before attempting to cross the waterfall. Spin Dash through the boulders, and collect the Water Shield. Head right and go across the bridge. Run past the Starpost, and Spin Dash through the tunnel. When you emerge from the tunnel, run right. The Flying Battery Blimp will drop bombs onto the ground. If you keep running, you should dodge all of them. As you go through a series of trees, you'll see Robotnik in the background. When you reach a waterfall, he'll appear on the left side of the screen. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Fireball Shooter Machine - 8 Hits | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Notes and Strategy ------------------ When Robotnik appears, hit him once before running over to the right. Robotnik will drop a fireball onto the bridge, causing it to collapse. Robotnik will now disappear behind the waterfall and materialise on the right-hand side of the screen. Once Robotnik shoots his fireballs at you, jump to dodge them. After Robotnik shoots fireballs vertically and horizonally, attack him. If Robotnik appears by the eastern waterfall, be careful when hitting him, as Robotnik might disappear behind the waterfall and you'll fall into the water, causing you to lose a life in the process. If you have a Flame Shield, this Boss Battle will much easier, since the fireballs won't hurt you. After 8 hits, Robotnik will fall into the water. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When a Prison Egg starts to descend from above, wait for it to reach your jumping distance first. Once the Prison Egg is at a reasonable height, jump up to hit its plunger. When you go across a bridge, Knuckles will appear. He presses a switch, which causes the bridge to collapse. If you jump to the left at the right time, you can avoid falling into the water. However, you can't confront Knuckles, since he's too high up. In addition, Tails can't fly up there. Drop down into the water to enter Hydro City Zone. =============================================================================== 5.02 - Hydrocity Zone =============================================================================== After Angel Island, Hydro City ups the difficulty level of the game. The Zone is a remake of Sonic 1's Labyrinth Zone. Obstacles include conveyor belts, air fans, speed hand catapults, and spinning pillars. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Act 1 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= When you land, go right and activate the switch. Go through the passageway (press A, B or C Button to let go of the bars) and drop down. Head right and inhale the bubbles to avoid drowning underwater. Whenever you see some bubbles, inhale them to avoid losing a life. Grab the Water Shield in the passageway at the end. Take out the Badniks and drop down. If you have the Water Shield, you won't be affected by their weapons and you won't drown underwater. Go through the passageway and let go of the poles. Hold Right to arrive at a Starpost. Run through the loop de loop and go left the second time you pass through it. Run across the water, and hold Right to appear by a Turbo Spiker. Run through the loop de loop and go right. Drop down and head right. Press the switch to activate the air fans. Climb up the conveyor belts and jump up via the spring. Go left and head into the Giant Ring. When you return, go up the slope and go past the Starpost. Spin Dash through the tunnel to meet the Mini-Boss. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Mini-Boss: Whirlpool Machine - 6 Hits | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Notes and Strategy ------------------ When the machine charges towards you, Spin Dash in the opposite direction to evade its attack. After a while, the machine will connect itself to the pillar directly above you and start creating a whirlpool. Attack the machine now to destroy it. If the machine takes off again, wait until it reconnects itself to the pillar before finishing it off. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Act 2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Spin Dash through the walls and go past the Starpost. When a wall starts moving towards you, Spin Dash through more walls and drop down. As you do so, watch out for a spring at the end. If you touch it, you'll be catapulted back towards the approaching wall, so be careful. Spin Dash through the last series of walls, and the wall will stop moving. Spin Dash onto the spinning pillar above and use the air fans to go up. Run down the slope and go left. As you go up the next slope, go past the Starpost, and run through the loop de loop. Go down the slopes, and Spin Dash onto the pillar. Go up via the fans, and run down the slope. Spin Dash through the walls, and run up the slope. Grab the Invinibility in the passageway to the left. Go down the slopes. Climb up the moving platforms and go up the pillars. Use the fans as platforms, and run through the loop de loop. Go down the slope and run across the bridge. Go past the Starpost and use the pillars as platforms. Run down the slopes, and hold Right to come across a few walls. Spin Dash through them and drop down. Knuckles will press a switch, causing the bridge you're standing on to collapse. Drop down and go through the passageway. Let go of the bars and head past the Starpost. Go right to meet the Boss. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Water Suction Machine - 8 Hits | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Notes and Strategy ------------------ When Robotnik appears, he'll position his machine over the water and create a water suction around it. You'll be pulled towards the water, so run in the opposite direction to avoid getting hurt. When Robotnik releases the water, you can jump on it and hit him. I advice waiting for him to drop a few bombs on the floor. If you jump on top of them as they explode, the impact will catapult you upwards. If you time it correctly, you can hit Robotnik and bounce off him. Your best bet is to position Sonic/Tails underneath Robotnik, so you'll be catapulted upwards and you'll hit him at the same time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Once you've opened the Prison Egg, a burst of water will catapult you into Marble Garden Zone. =============================================================================== 5.03 - Marble Garden Zone =============================================================================== After being underwater in Hydro City, Marble Garden returns the player to the surface of the Floating Island. In this Zone, you'll be Spin Dashing a lot to uncover platforms and passageways. Earthquakes will be caused by the TunnelBot and Robotnik in Acts 1 and 2, respectively. Obstacles include platform-rising wheels, flying spinners, rotating platforms, pulley lifts, overhead spikes, arrow-shooting machines, chained spiked balls, and mud pits. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Act 1 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= When you land, run down the slopes and drop down. Spin Dash through the wall and jump over the chained spiked ball. Ignore the Tunnelbot, and wait for it to drill up. Go right and Spin Dash to uncover a series of platforms. Hop across them, and use the blue flying spinner to go up and then left. Follow the directions on the signs, and Spin Dash again. Climb up the platforms and run down the hill. Spin Dash through the wall and use the flying spinner to break through the next one. Go past the Starpost and run up the hill. Head right and wait for the maize to go up before Spin Dashing through the wall. Hit the arrow-shooting machine three times to drop down. Run down the hills and Spin Dash to uncover two platforms. Use the flying spinner to break through the walls. Go right and Spin Dash through the wall to meet the Mini-Boss. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Mini-Boss: TunnelBot - 6 Hits | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Notes and Strategy ------------------ When the TunnelBot appears, it'll drill up to cause an earthquake. It's difficult to avoid the stalatites, so watch out. The other types of debris won't hurt you. When the TunnelBot returns, wait for its drills to point upwards before attacking it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Act 2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Spin Dash through the wall and climb up the hills via the pulley lifts. Go right and Spin Dash through the wall. After seeing Robotnik (you can hit him if you want to, but it won't make a difference in the Boss Battle), head right and go down the hills. Go right and Spin Dash to uncover two platforms. Drop down and enter the passageway to find a Giant Ring. Go up and head right. Use the spinning top to continue onward. Spin Dash to uncover two platforms. Go left and climb up the hills via the pulley lifts. Go past the Starpost and follow the directions on the signs. Hit the arrow machine three times to uncover two platforms. Head right and Spin Dash to uncover two platforms. Go right and run down the hill. Use the flying spinner to break through the walls. Go right and Spin Dash through the wall. Hit the arrow machine three times to drop down. Head left and go past the Starpost. Spin Dash to reveal a passageway. After meeting Robotnik again, Spin Dash through the walls and run down the hills. As the scenery sinks, keep running to avoid getting crushed and losing a life. When you arrive at a Starpost, go left and Spin Dash to uncover two platforms. Head right to meet the Boss. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Jet Drill Machine - 8 Hits | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Notes and Strategy ------------------ Go over to the left, and you'll see Robotnik descending from above. If you can score a few hits, you'll have an easier time winning this Boss Battle. Robotnik will flee to the skies. If you're playing as Sonic & Tails or Sonic Alone, Tails will grab Sonic and the two heroes will chase after Robotnik. If you're playing as Tails, he'll follow Robotnik on his own. If you're playing as Sonic, attack Robotnik's head to score a hit against him while avoiding the drill and thrusters. If you fall, Tails will grab Sonic, so don't worry. If Sonic gets hit, you'll probably lose all your Rings, so be careful. If you're playing as Tails, you'll have to use his twirling tails to hit Robotnik. Wait for Robotnik to go across the screen before launching an attack. This is the best time to strike. It is difficult to hit Robotnik at any other time, since he goes in different directions. If Tails gets hit, you'll probably lose all your Rings, so make sure to time each attack perfectly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Like Angel Island Zone, a Prison Egg descends from above. It can be somewhat tricky to open, as you must use Tails' twirling tails to hit the Prison Egg's plunger. Once you've done this, Tails will fly Sonic to Carnival Night Zone. =============================================================================== 5.04 - Carnival Night Zone =============================================================================== After the boring background of Marble Garden, the player enters Carnival Night, a colourful Zone. This Zone is a remake of Sonic 2's Casino Night Zone. Obstacles include balloons, dropping platforms, rotating drums, spinning wheels, and bumpers. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Act 1 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= If you're playing as Sonic, Tails will fly him down. If you're playing as Tails, he'll fly down on his own. Go right and jump across the balloons. Go up the slope and float across the anti-gravity platforms. After the two moving spikes, go down the slope and up the rotating white cylinder. Go right and float across the anti-gravity platforms. Hover upwards and go head left. Make your way past the bumpers and rotating drums. The drums can crush you if you run too fast or too slowly, so be careful. Go left and head past the bumpers. Jump on the dropping platform to make it rise, so you can jump over to the right. Collect the Water Shield and go right. Hover upwards. Use the dropping platform to jump onto the spinning wheel. When you run around the wheel and reach the top, jump over to the right. Go past the Starpost and head down the slope. Spin Dash through the wall and go down the yellow tunnel. If you emerged from the tunnel on the right side, go right and use the spinning wheels to continue onward. Collect the Invincibility and float across the anti-gravity platforms. Go down the yellow tunnel and head right. Float across the anti-gravity platforms and go past the rotating white cylinders. At the top, collect the Water Shield and enter the hidden passageway to find a Giant Ring. Drop down and go right. Hover upwards and go left. Hover upwards again and go past the Starpost. Head right and drop down to meet the Mini-Boss. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Mini-Boss: Drill Blade Machine - 4 Hits | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Notes and Strategy ------------------ To beat this Mini-Boss, you must trick it into destroying itself. When the drill detaches itself from the blade, it'll move around the screen and start destroying the floor you are standing on. If you fall off the floor, you'll lose a life, so it's important to end this Mini-Boss Battle as quickly as you can. To destroy the Mini-Boss, you must hit the blade to open and extend it. When the drill attempts to re-attach itself to the blade, you'll score a hit. Watch out for the energy that appears around it at different times. If you touch it, you'll get hurt, so be careful. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Act 2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Go right and head down the slope. Make your way past the bumpers and enter the water. After the two rotating drums, go right and jump onto the drum. From there, go past the Starpost and float across the anti-gravity platforms. Go left and use the dropping platform. Go left again and jump on the balloons to hover upwards. Spin Dash up to the slope, and jump to land on the platform above. Jump across the balloons and go right. Drop down and break through the floor. Float across the anti-gravity platforms and use the bumpers to go right. Go past the rotating drums and the anti-gravity platforms. Hover upwards and go right. After more drums and platforms, go past the spikes and the Starpost to meet Knuckles. He presses a switch to turn off the lights. After Knuckles leaves, go right and collect the Water Shield. Enter the water and go left. Break through the floor and Spin Dash through the wall. If you're running out of air, you can pop the balloons to inhale bubbles to stop Sonic/Tails from drowning. As you drop down, you'll notice that the water is being drained. Go left and drop down. Float across the anti-gravity platforms and enter the water. Head right and make your way past the bumpers. Hover upwards and go left. After the rotating drums, hover upwards and use the spring to run to the top. Spin Dash through the wall and go down the slope. Go left and head past the rotating white cylinders. Press the switch to turn the lights back on. Spin Dash down the slope and go past the Starpost. After a while, you'll come across the most difficult obstacle to get past in the entire game. You've probably gone past these rotating drums earlier, but now you have to get underneath this rotating drum to continue through the level. When I first saw the drum years ago, I didn't know what to do. I read Egmont Fleetway's Sonic The Comic and it said to push Up and Down rapidly when you are standing on the drum. Well, that solution wasn't working for me, so I jumped up and down, and somehow Sonic/Tails was able to get underneath the drum, after months of trying. There is, of course, a better way. Simply press Up and Down when the drum goes up and down, respectively. When the gap is big enough for Sonic/Tails to jump down, do so immediately. Drop down and collect the Invinibility. Float across the anti-gravity platforms and go down the slope. Make your way past the rotating drums and hover upwards. Go left and hover upwards again. Go down the slope and float across more platforms. Go past the Starpost and Spin Dash through the wall. Run through the speed boosts to see Knuckles once again. He presses a switch, causing you to hover upwards. Head right to meet the Boss. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Energy Suction Machine - 8 Hits | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Notes and Strategy ------------------ When Robotnik appears from the right side of the screen, he'll drop a ball on the floor. As it bounces towards you, jump to dodge it. When Robotnik positions his machine over the ball, he'll create an energy suction around it. You'll be pulled towards the energy, so run in the opposite direction to avoid getting hurt. When Robotnik is in the air, your jumps will be too low to hit him. As Robotnik proceeds to pick up the ball, you'll have a chance to attack. Hit him once and wait for him to repeat his attack pattern. Alternatively, you can use Sonic's Insta-Shield to hit Robotnik repeatedly without getting hurt, when he isn't creating an energy suction. If you're Tails, you can fly up to hit Robotnik, but the ball and energy suction will hurt you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When you've opened the Prison Egg, go right and jump into the cannon nearby. Once the cannon catapults you into the sky, you'll be sent to Ice Cap Zone. =============================================================================== 5.05 - Icecap Zone =============================================================================== After the annoying Act 2 of Carnival Night, Ice Cap compensates with a short scene at the start and great music throughout the level. Obstacles include ice blasters, ice blocks, ice pillars, spring boards, stalactites, and swing lifts. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Act 1 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= If you're playing as Sonic & Tails or Sonic Alone, Sonic will land on a skateboard and ride it through the level for a while. Eventually, you'll crash into a wall and fall into a hole. When the alavalance occurs, jump up to emerge from the snow. If you're playing as Tails, you'll start the level at this point. At the start, when you go down the slopes, Tails can lose all his lives, causing a Game Over to appear on the screen. This glitch can prevent you from completing the game as Tails, but if you can fly past the slopes, you can avoid triggering the glitch. Spin Dash through the wall and continue onward. Go past the Starpost and jump on the spring. Head right and break the ice surrounding the switch. Press the switch to cause the ledge to collapse. Drop down and run past the ice blasters. If you get hit, you'll be frozen in ice. When the ice breaks, you'll lose all your Rings or lose a life. If a second player is controlling Tails, he/she can break the ice to free Sonic. Slide down the slopes, and jump onto the platform to the left. Use the platform to break through the walls. Smash the ice surrounding the springs and jump up them. Spin Dash to move the swing lifts. At the top, go down the slope. Hop across the stalactites one by one to avoid being hit by them and knocked into the frozen spikes. Go past the Starpost and push the platform to the right. Use the ice block to break through the walls. Run right and press the switch. Drop down and Spin Dash to move the swings. Go past the Starpost and head right. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Mini-Boss: Snowball Machine - 6 Hits | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Notes and Strategy ------------------ When the machine encircles itself with snowballs, make sure Sonic/Tails is on the right side of the screen. After a while, the ice balls will fly into the air and drop down shortly afterwards. Attack the machine, and you might be able to destroy it. If not, wait for it to repeat its moves. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Act 2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Run down the slope and grab the Insta-Shield. Run through the loop de loops and head across the bridge. Go through the next series of loop de loops, and Spin Dash through the tunnel. Hop across the ice blocks while avoiding the ice blasters. Go past the Starpost and head right. Jump over the Robotnik items. If you break them open, you'll lose all your Rings or lose a life, so be careful. Use the purple spring boards to go to the surface. Run through the loop de loops and go past the Starpost. Go through the passageway. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ | Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Ice Blaster Machine - 8 Hits | +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ Notes and Strategy ------------------ As Robotnik flies towards you, he'll fire his ice blaster. Jump onto the platform and hit Robotnik quickly before jumping off it. Now wait for Robotnik to fire the ice blaster underneath his machine to attack him again. If you get
hit, you'll be frozen in ice and you'll lose all your Rings.  If a second player
is controlling Tails, he/she can break the ice to free Sonic.  If not, try to
grab the Rings before attempting to hit Robotnik again.  After hitting Robotnik
six times, the platform will fall apart, but the Boss Battle isn't over yet.
Robotnik continues to fly towards you.  Hit him two more times to win.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once you have opened the Prison Egg, head right and Spin Dash through a tunnel
to enter Launch Base Zone.

===============================================================================
			5.06 - Launch Base Zone
===============================================================================

Launch Base Zone is the final level of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.  Although there
are many dangerous obstacles, such as flamethrower machines and lasers, this
zone isn't too difficult to complete in comparison to Sonic 1's Scrap Brain
Zone and Sonic 2's Metropolis Zone.  This is probably due to the fact that
Sonic & Knuckles was originally supposed to be part of Sonic 3, so Launch Base
isn't too tough, as Sonic Team had planned to release the "Sonic 3 Complete
version" (AKA Sonic 3 & Knuckles), but they decided to release Sonic the
Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles separately instead.

Obstacles in the Launch Base include laser walls, overhead lasers, rotating
gold cups, red sirens, rotating magnetic drums, and flame blasters.  Watch out
for the Orbinauts that are above or underneath the magnetic cylinders.  When
laser walls block your progress, wait for a moment to see an opening.  If you
run through it quickly, you'll pass through the opening and avoid the lasers.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

After emerging from the ground, head right and go past the alarms.  You'll set
them off, causing a group of Flybot767s to fly towards you.  If you destroy
them one after another and keep setting off the alarms, the score counter will
increase, so it's a good way to improve your score.

The Death Egg can be seen in the background.  It seems Robotnik is repairing
the space station in this level and is preparing to launch it soon, so it's up
to you to stop him.  Anyway, go right and use the gravelling hook to come
across an elevator.  Take the elevator and jump into the rotating gold cup.
After riding it, destroy the switch and jump into another cup.  At the top, go
right and down the slope.

Go left and head past the Starpost.  Ride the cup and go right.  Destroy the
switch and drop down.  When you reach an elevator, take it and the next one.
Go left and drop down.  Destroy the switch and drop down.

Go past the Starpost and Spin Dash through the pipes.  When you enter a
building, you'll see Robotnik fly off.  Ride the two cups to confront Knuckles.
He throws a bomb into the building and runs off.  Drop down to the right, and
you'll see the building start to collapse.  After it collapses, go right and
head past the Starpost.

When you enter another building, Robotnik will set a Mini-Boss on you and fly
off.  You can hit him if you want to.  It doesn't matter if you don't.  The
Mini-Boss will reveal itself to you, so it's time to fight.

+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
| Mini-Boss: Spiked Rotating Machine - 6 Hits |
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+

Notes and Strategy
------------------
The machine will anticipate your movements, so your best bet is to take out the
spikes individually.  Each spike takes 3 hits to destroy.  If you are patient
and hit them one at a time, 1 of the 2 spikes will be destroyed soon enough.
This makes the Mini-Boss Battle much easier.  If you can hit the machine 3 more
times, you'll win.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ride the cup and go right.  Jump up the spring and go left.  Go past the
Starpost and use the gravelling hooks.  Hop across the platforms and go past
another Starpost.

Avoid the flame blasters as you drop down.  Go left and enter the small
passageway.  Destroy the switch and drop down.  Enter the water and Spin Dash
through the wall.  Go right and head through the pipe.

Go down the slopes and ride the cup.  If you go right instead, you'll trigger a
glitch that stops Sonic/Tails from moving.  If you want to continue the game,
you'll have to wait for a Time Over.  To avoid this glitch, ride the cup and
enter the water.  Go right and ride the cups.  On the last one, you'll be sent
flying to the right, so jump off it to avoid this.  Head past the Starpost and
go right to fight the 1st of 3 Boss Battles.

+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
| Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Ball Launcher Machine - 8 Hits |
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+

Notes and Strategy
------------------
When Robotnik appears, he'll jump into his machine and reveal a ledge below.
As he launches a ball at you, try to dodge it.  It'll be launched on the floor
or fired into the air, so watch out.  Robotnik's attack pattern is usually
north first and then south, but he may change it.  There are three different
methods to hit Robotnik.  You can climb onto the ledge and jump right to hit
him.  You can use Sonic's Insta-Shield to attack without having to use the
ledge as a platform.  If you're Tails, you can fly past Robotnik and hit him
from the far right.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the machine explodes, Robotnik falls into the water.  Go right and drop into
the Eggmobile nearby.  When you ride it, you'll fly to the east.  If Tails is
following you, he'll eventually fall into the water and won't come back, so
you're on your own from this point. Knuckles will be waiting for you on a
platform, but as he tries to stop you, he falls into the water as the Death Egg
is launched! After a while, you'll land on a platform where Robotnik appears on 
the right side of the screen.

+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
| Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Laser Shooter Machine - 9 Hits |
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+

Notes and Strategy
------------------
As Robotnik flies up, he'll shoot lasers at you.  Jump up to dodge his attacks.
Hit him 4 times to destroy two of the four lasers.  When Robotnik appears
again, hit him another 4 times to destroy the two remaining lasers.  If you
touch the spike that is circling around Robotnik, you'll get hurt, so be
careful.  Once all 4 lasers are destroyed, hit Robotnik one more time to cause
the mad doctor to retreat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Robotnik flies up in his Eggmobile as the Death Egg rises from underneath the
clouds.  Darkness falls all around Sonic/Tails, and Robotnik returns in his
most dangerous machine yet!

+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+
| Final Boss: Dr. Robotnik's Spiked Grabber Machine - 8 Hits |
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+

Notes and Strategy
------------------
When Robotnik approaches you, try to hit his face without touching the spikes
by mistake.  It may take a while to hit the right part of the machine, so keep
practicing to get the hang of it.  Watch out for the hands which can grab
Sonic/Tails and take your Rings.  If you're Super Sonic and Robotnik grabs you,
you'll lose all your Rings and turn back into regular Sonic.  When Robotnik
goes back and forth on top of the screen, he'll swoop down.  As Robotnik goes
left and right underneath you, jump back and forth to avoid the spikes.  He'll
repeat his attack pattern after a while.  After 8 hits, Robotnik's machine will
explode and Robotnik will retreat... for good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Due to Sonic/Tails' interference, the Death Egg is severely damaged and falls 
out of the sky. It then subsequently explodes to pieces, causing the space 
station's destruction. (This event is later retconned in Sonic & Knuckles, as 
the Death Egg crash lands on top of Lava Reef Zone's volcano instead.) 

If you collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds, Sonic jumps off the platform and becomes 
Super Sonic.  If you obtained 0-6 Chaos Emeralds, Sonic jumps off the platform 
and faces the screen.  Tails jumps off the platform and faces the screen, 
regardless of whether you collected the Chaos Emeralds.  Congratulations! You 
have completed Sonic the Hedgehog 3!

When you complete the game, watch the credits roll and you'll eventually see
a short scene at the end, depending on whether you collected all 7 Chaos
Emeralds.  If you did, you'll see Sonic and Tails standing in front of the
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 logo.  If you didn't, you'll see Robotnik and Knuckles,
who is juggling the Chaos Emeralds that you haven't collected yet.


###############################################################################
6. Giant Ring Locations
###############################################################################

This section lists the locations of the Giant Rings in this game.  I've listed
at least 2 Giant Rings for each Act in every Zone.  If you use 2 Giant Rings
in each Act, you'll have 24 chances to collect all 7 Chaos Emeralds.  Since you
can save your progress in Sonic The Hedgehog 3, it doesn't matter if you
haven't collected the Chaos Emeralds when you complete the Launch Base Zone, as
you can re-enter the levels once you complete the game.

===============================================================================
			ANGEL ISLAND ZONE
===============================================================================

Angel Island Zone is an excellent level for finding Giant Rings.  If you're
having trouble locating them in later levels, I suggest re-starting this Zone
once you complete the game, as it's the easiest place to find Giant Rings.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Giant Ring #1
-------------
Run right and go past the Monkeydude.  After the RhinoBot and the two spikes,
drop down and Spin Dash through the boulders to the left.  Go into the Giant
Ring to enter the Special Stage.

Giant Ring #2
-------------
Run through the loop de loop.  In the water, jump on the spring to be
catapulted over to the right.  Run through the loop de loop, and go up the
tunnel.  When you hear the Mini-Boss theme music, an armada of Bomber Ships
will set fire to Angel Island.  Go past the Starpost and go down the slope.
When you see the four springs, break through the tunnel to below you.  Spin
Dash through the boulders and use the spring to enter the Giant Ring.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Giant Ring #1
-------------
Spin Dash through the tunnel and hold Right to break through the boulders.  Go
into the Giant Ring to enter the Special Stage.

Giant Ring #2
-------------
Drop down and head right.  Go across the bridge, and Spin Dash through the
boulders.  Collect the Water Shield and run down the hill.  Go up the hills,
and Spin Dash through the tunnel.  Jump up to the switch via the spring.  Press
the switch to drain the water.  Drop down and head right.

Go past the Starpost and head across the wooden bridge.  Climb up the ledges
and head right.  Take out the Bloominator, and run through the loop de loop.
You'll roll over a slope and two springs will catapult you onward.  Go left
and drop down into the water.  To the right, enter the hidden passageway to
find the Giant Ring.

===============================================================================
			HYDRO CITY ZONE
===============================================================================

Finding the Giant Rings in Hydro City Zone can be much harder than in Angel
Island Zone.  You can easily miss them if you run fast through the level.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Giant Ring #1
-------------
When you land, go right and activate the switch.  Go through the passageway
(press A, B or C Button to let go of the bars) and drop down.  Head right and
inhale the bubbles to avoid drowning underwater.  Whenever you see some
bubbles, inhale them to avoid losing a life.  Grab the Water Shield in the
passageway at the end.

Take out the Badniks and drop down.  If you have the Water Shield, you won't
be affected by their weapons and you won't drown underwater.  Go through the
passageway and let go of the bars.  Hold Right to arrive at a Starpost.  Drop
down to the left and go down the slope to come across another Starpost.  To
the left of the Starpost, you can find the Giant Ring in the hidden passageway.

Giant Ring #2
-------------
Run through the loop de loop and go left the second time you pass through it.
Run across the water, and hold Right to appear by a Turbo Spiker.  Run through
the loop de loop and go right.  Drop down and head right.  Press the switch to
activate the fans.  Climb up the treadmills and jump up via the spring.  Go
left and head into the hidden passageway to find the Giant Ring.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Giant Ring #1
-------------
Spin Dash through the walls and go past the Starpost.  When a wall starts
moving towards you, Spin Dash through more walls and proceed to drop down.  If
you've played Sonic The Hedgehog 3 on its own, you'll notice that the spring
has been replaced with a 1-Up! Grab it and drop down.  Spin Dash through the
last series of walls, and the wall will stop moving.

Spin Dash onto the spinning pillar above and use the air fans to go up.  Run
down the slope and go left.  As you go up the next slope, go past the Starpost,
and run through the loop de loop.  Go down the slopes, and Spin Dash onto the
pillar.  Go up via the fans, and run down the slope.

Spin Dash through the walls, and run up the slope.  Grab the Invinibility in
the passageway to the left.  Go down the slopes and climb up the moving
platforms.  As Sonic, use them to go left and jump through a fake wall to
discover a passageway containing the Giant Ring.  As Tails, you can fly there.

Giant Ring #2
-------------
Before you Spin Dash through the walls to meet Knuckles, go left and head
across the bridge.  When you see two moving pillars, jump on the eastern one
and use it to go up.  Jump through the fake wall to discover a hidden
passageway containing the Giant Ring.

===============================================================================
			MARBLE GARDEN ZONE
===============================================================================

The Giant Rings of Marble Garden Zone are hidden in passageways throughout the
level.  In Act 1, you'll have to use the flying blue spinner to break through
them.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Giant Ring #1
-------------
When you land, run down the slopes and drop down.  Spin Dash through the wall
and jump over the maize.  Ignore the Tunnelbot, and wait for it to drill up.
Go right and Spin Dash to uncover a series of platforms.  Hop across them, and
use the blue spinning top to go up and then left.

Follow the directions on the signs, and Spin Dash again to uncover platforms.
Climb up the platforms and run down the hill.  Spin Dash through the wall and
use the spinning top to break through the next one.  Go back to where the
spinning top is/was and drop down to the right.  Go left to find a hidden
passageway containing the Giant Ring.

Giant Ring #2
-------------
Go right and head across the oil.  Run down the hill and go past the Starpost.
Head down the loop de loop and go left.  If you're playing as Sonic, you'll
need to be very fast to run onto the moving platforms above.  If you're playing
as Tails, fly up to them.  Jump across to the right to find a hidden passageway
containing the Giant Ring.

Giant Ring #3
-------------
Spin Dash to reveal a passageway.  Grab the Invincibility and go right.  Hit
the two arrow machines three times each to drop down.  Go left through the
moving spikes and grab the Invincibility.  Jump across to the left to find a
hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.

===============================================================================
			CARNIVAL NIGHT ZONE
===============================================================================

The Giant Rings are much easier to find in Carnival Night Zone.  They're always
hidden in secret passageways throughout the level.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Giant Ring #1
-------------
If you're playing as Sonic, Tails will fly him down.  If you're playing as
Tails, he'll fly down on his own.  Go right and jump across the balloons.  Go
up the slope and float across the anti-gravity platforms.  After the two moving
spikes, go down the slope and up the rotating white cylinder.

Go right and float across the anti-gravity platforms.  Hover upwards and go
head left.  Make your way past the bumpers and rotating drums.  The drums can
crush you if you run too fast or too slowly, so be careful.

Go left and head past the bumpers.  Jump on the dropping platform to make it
rise, so you can jump over to the right.  Collect the Water Shield and go
right.  Hover upwards.  Use the dropping platform to jump onto the spinning
wheel.  When you run around the wheel and reach the top, jump over to the left
to find a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.

Giant Ring #2
-------------
Jump over to the right and go past the Starpost.  Spin Dash through the wall
and go down the yellow tunnel.  If you emerged from the tunnel on the right
side, go right and use the spinning wheels to continue onward.  Collect the
Invincibility and float across the anti-gravity platforms.

Go down the yellow tunnel and head right.  Float across the anti-gravity
platforms and go past the rotating white cylinders.  At the top, collect the
Water Shield and enter the hidden passageway to find a Giant Ring.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Giant Ring #1
-------------
Go right and head down the slope.  Make your way past the bumpers and enter the
water.  After the two rotating drums, go right and jump onto the drum.  From
there, go past the Starpost and float across the anti-gravity platforms.  Go
left and use the dropping platform.  When you see a cannon and a few balloons,
go through the wall to enter a hidden passageway.  After opening the 3 Computer
Monitors in the room, drop down to find the Giant Ring underneath it.

Giant Ring #2
-------------
When you've got underneath the rotating drum, drop down and collect the
Invinibility.  Float across the anti-gravity platforms and go down the slope.
Make your way past the rotating drums and hover upwards.  Go left and hover
upwards again.  When you are in the air, use the balloons to go up and jump
through the eastern fake wall to discover a hidden passageway containing the
Giant Ring.

===============================================================================
			ICE CAP ZONE
===============================================================================

The difficulty level of getting the Giant Rings is increasing, but you may have
collected all 7 Chaos Emeralds by now.  In Act 2, follow the bottom path to
find the Giant Rings.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Giant Ring #1
-------------
Spin Dash through the wall and continue onward.  Go past the Starpost and jump
on the spring.  Head right and ignore the switch.  Go through the wall to
discover a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.

Giant Ring #2
-------------
When you are going down the neverending slope, there is a fake wall to your
right.  Ignore the platform to your left and keep holding Right and jumping
east to go through the fake wall.  You'll discover a hidden passageway
containing the Giant Ring.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Giant Ring #1
-------------
When you pass a Starpost and come across the Robotnik Boxes, go back to the
Starpost and let the dropping platform nearby take you down.  You'll see a
hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.

Giant Ring #2
-------------
Use the purple spring boards to go to the surface.  Run through the loop de
loops.  As Sonic or Knuckles, you must be fast enough to jump onto the spring
boards at the end.  As Tails, you can fly there.  64 Rings will be floating
above you.  Go right to discover a hidden passageway containing the Giant Ring.

===============================================================================
			LAUNCH BASE ZONE
===============================================================================

Surprisingly, the Giant Rings in Launch Base Zone aren't too difficult to find.
It's possible to collect 4 Chaos Emeralds in this Zone.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 1
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Giant Ring #1
-------------
After emerging from the ground, head right and go past the alarms.  You'll set
them off, causing a group of Flybot767s to fly towards you.  When you pass an
Orbinaut, jump off the magnetic cylinder to drop down.  Go left and enter the
tunnel to find the Giant Ring.

Giant Ring #2
-------------
When you come to the first Starpost, go left and jump off the magnetic cylinder
to drop down.  Head left and enter the tunnel to find the Giant Ring.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Act 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Giant Ring #1
-------------
Ride the cup and go right.  When you enter the water, go left and head into the
tunnel behind the spring to find the Giant Ring.

Giant Ring #2
-------------
When you go to enter the water, don't ride the cup.  Instead, go right and head
up the slope.  If you go through the tunnel at the end, you'll find the Giant
Ring.

###############################################################################
7. Badniks
###############################################################################

Dr. Robotnik has captured the animals of Angel Island and turned them into
enemy robots.  These robots are classified as "Badniks" in this game.  This
section lists every Badnik.

===============================================================================
			ANGEL ISLAND ZONE
===============================================================================

RhinoBot
--------
This is a rhino-like badnik that charges towards you when you come across it.
Jump over it to dodge its attacks.

Monkey Dude
-----------
This is an upgraded version of Coconuts from Sonic 2's Emerald Hill Zone.
Avoid the coconuts it drops on top of you.

Bloominator
-----------
This is a flower-like badnik that shoots fireballs at you when it gets a
chance.  Wait for it to launch a fireball before you destroy it.

Catakiller, Jr
--------------
This is an upgraded version of the original Catakiller from Sonic 1.  It simply
hovers and can easily be destroyed by Sonic/Tails.

===============================================================================
			   HYDRO CITY ZONE
===============================================================================

Turbo Spiker
------------
This badnik always appears when you least expect it when you are running very
fast.  It has a rocket connected to itself, so wait for it to shoot the rocket
upwards before attacking it.

Bugernaut
---------
These are usually found in groups of twos or threes.  They are easy to dispose
of when you are on the surface, but if you are underwater, they can bite you
and prevent you from jumping, thus stopping from Sonic/Tails from grabbing air
bubbles to avoid drowning.  Avoid these badniks at all costs.

Jawz
----
This is a shark-like badnik that moves nearly as fast as Sonic.  Jump to avoid
it when it charges towards you.

Mega Chopper
------------
This is a fish-like badnik that appears to bite you.  Be on the lookout for
them as you go across bridges and passageways.

===============================================================================
			MARBLE GARDEN ZONE
===============================================================================

Pointdexter
-----------
These are found in groups of twos or threes.  When spikes are covering them,
don't attack until the spikes disappear.

Mantis
------
These are usually found in groups of threes.  They come out of hiding to annoy
you.  Jump across them to avoid their attacks.

TunnelBot
---------
This badnik appears twice in the Marble Garden Zone.  Simply avoid its attacks
and ram it to destroy it.

Spiker
------
This badnik is usually found near spiked traps.  You can't destroy it, but you
can use it as a platform for continuing through the Marble Garden Zone.  Watch
out for the fireballs that it shoots at you.

===============================================================================
			CARNIVAL NIGHT ZONE
===============================================================================

Batbot
------
This bat-like badnik flies around the Carnival Night Zone to annoy you.  Jump
over it to avoid its attacks.

Blaster
-------
These are found in groups of threes or fours.  They shoot projectiles at you.

Clamer
------
This oyster-like badnik fires its cannon at you.  Jump over it and attack from
behind to destroy it.

===============================================================================
			ICE CAP ZONE
===============================================================================

Penguinator
-----------
This penguin-like badnik slides towards you when you come across it.  Jump over
it to avoid its attacks.

Star Pointer
------------
This badnik launches ice blocks against you.  Dodge them all and it will be
defenceless.

===============================================================================
			LAUNCH BASE ZONE
===============================================================================

Flybot767
---------
These appear in groups of threes or fours.  When you set off the alarms in the
Launch Base Zone, they will fly towards you.

Orbinaut
--------
This spiked badnik is similar to Star Pointer, except you can't trick it into
launching its spikes.

Corkey
------
These are found in groups of twos or threes.  They shoot projectiles at you.
They are similiar to Blasters.

Snale Blaster
-------------
This is a snail-like badnik that shoots projectiles at you.

Ribot
-----
This frog-like badnik extends its body to hurt you.

###############################################################################
8.  Bugs
###############################################################################

Although Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a great game, there are some glitches that are
interesting to look for.  You can use the Debug Mode to find these glitches, or
cause them to happen.  For example, you need to use Debug Mode to take
Sonic/Tails to Knuckles' part of the Launch Base Zone.  I have listed the
glitches in the order that I discovered them.  If you're playing Sonic 3 &
Knuckles, check my Sonic & Knuckles FAQ/Walkthrough for information on its
glitches.  The glitches below can only be done in Sonic 3 alone.

Double Trouble
--------------
This glitch requires that you use the Debug Mode.  When you are in the Debug
Mode, play as Sonic/Tails in Angel Island Zone.  Take Knuckles' route through
Act 2.  When you reach the end of the level, you'll hear the boss music.  Use
Debug Mode to go down, and you'll face two Robotniks in their Fireball Shooter
Machines.

Frozen in Time
--------------
As Sonic/Tails, if you don't enter the water in Act 2 of Launch Base Zone, the
game will freeze if you run to the right.  In order to continue the game,
you'll have to wait for a Time Over.

Game Over
---------
As Tails, go to Ice Cap Zone.  At the start, when you go down the slopes, Tails
can lose all his lives, causing a Game Over to appear on the screen.  This
glitch can prevent you from completing the game as Tails, but if you can fly
past the slopes, you can avoid triggering the glitch.

Special Stage
-------------
When you're in a Special Stage, passing through long rows of blue spheres can
cause the game to freeze for a few seconds.  This can increase the risk of
accidentally passing through the wrong rows of spheres, as you start moving
much slower and your character becomes more difficult to control.


###############################################################################
9.  2-Player/Competition Mode
###############################################################################

If you want to begin the 2-Player Mode, select Competition and you'll be sent
to the Main Menu.  With the exception of Time Attack, one or two players can
play the 3 modes.  Exit takes you back to the Title Screen.

===============================================================================
			9.01 - Main Menu
===============================================================================

When you press the Start Button at the Title Screen, select Competition.
You'll be sent to the Main Menu.  There are 3 modes (Grand Prix, Match Race,
and Time Attack) to choose from.  You can press Left and Right to switch the
usage of Item Boxes on/off in the two-player zones.

Grand Prix
----------
If you want to race in all five of the two-player zones consectively, select
Grand Prix.  When one player wins 3 out of 5 races, the game ends.

Match Race
----------
If you want to race in one of the two-player zones, select Match Race.  When
one player wins 1 race, the game ends.

Time Attack
-----------
If you want to practice your skills for the two-player zones, select Time
Attack.  Unlike Grand Prix and Match Race, only 1 player can play this mode.
You can choose any of the zones.  The game saves your Best Times in each zone.
The character that you choose to achieve a Best Time is also recorded.  When
you have 3 Best Times and achieve a better one, your lowest time will be erased
to save your higher one.

===============================================================================
			9.02 - Characters
===============================================================================

When you play the 3 modes, there are three characters (Sonic, Tails, and
Knuckles) to choose from.  You can press Left and Right to switch between the
characters.

Sonic
-----
Sonic is the fastest character and his speed is excellent for clearing most
zones quicker, most notably Desert Palace and Chrome Gadget.  In Azure Lake and
Balloon Park, Sonic's speed can be a disadvantage, as he can miss shortcuts, so
be careful.

Tails
-----
Tails is a great character for beginners.  His average speed is beneficial for
shortcuts.  Although Tails can fly, his ability is only useful in Balloon Park
and isn't helpful for finding shortcuts.

Knuckles
--------
Knuckles is best used by experts, but he is good for clearing three zones
(Azure Lake, Balloon Park, and Endless Mine).  Although Knuckles is the slowest
of the three characters and doesn't have his abilities (gliding and climbing),
his slower speed helps to use shortcuts.

===============================================================================
			9.03 - Zones
===============================================================================

When you start a zone, you must wait for the timer to count down to zero.  Once
the timer becomes 0, the word "Go!" appears.  You can then begin a race on your
own or with a friend.  If you proceed right before "Go!" appears, your action
is labelled as a "Fault" and you have to repeat the countdown.

===============================================================================
			10.04 - Records
===============================================================================

   Zone			Character		Place		   Best Time
   ----			---------		-----		   ---------
Azure Lake     		Sonic			1st		   0'30"56
Azure Lake     		Sonic			2nd		   0'31"48
Azure Lake    		Sonic			3rd		   0'31"52

Balloon Park		Tails			1st		   0'37"31
Balloon Park		Knuckles		2nd		   0'46"72
Balloon Park		Tails			3rd		   0'47"57

Chrome Gadget		Sonic			1st		   0'38"14
Chrome Gadget		Sonic			2nd		   0'39"27
Chrome Gadget   	Sonic			3rd		   0'40"12

Desert Palace		Sonic			1st		   0'36"15
Desert Palace		Sonic			2nd		   0'36"16
Desert Palace		Sonic			3rd		   0'36"62

Endless Mine		Tails			1st		   0'52"68
Endless Mine		Knuckles		2nd		   0'54"51
Endless Mine		Sonic			3rd		   0'54"59


###############################################################################
10. Hints and Tips
###############################################################################

*Always be on the lookout for hidden rooms and passageways.  Look for different
 patterns in the walls.  Your character can smash open some barriers by Spin
 Dashing.

*Beware of Badniks that shoot projectiles.  Even if you keep your distance from
 the Badnik, their weapon can reach you and cause you to lose a life.  If you
 must get past a series of Badniks, spend a few moments watching them and learn
 how they move.  Be sure to time your attack perfectly.

*Prepare yourself to travel underwater in the various Zones.  Remember,
 your character can't last too long under water without breathing, so jump into
 the giant air bubbles that rise from the ground.  If you wait too long, you'll
 drown.

*When you lose all your Rings, you'll start flashing and become temporarily
 invincible.  If you re-collect your scattered Rings, you can safely attack
 enemies while you're invincible.  As long as you have at least 1 Ring, you
 won't lose a life when the invincible effect wears off.

*When you are in a Special Stage, the music will eventually speed up and you'll
 start moving much faster, making your character more difficult to control over
 time. If you're having trouble, pausing the game and taking a break may be a
 good idea. That way, you can plan routes to journey through a Special Stage.

###############################################################################
11. Frequently Asked Questions
###############################################################################

Q: How do I get past the round, red drum in the Carnival Night Zone?
A: Simply press Up and Down when the drum goes up and down, respectively.  When
   the gap is big enough for Sonic/Tails to jump down, do so immediately.  If
   you unlock Debug Mode and select your Save File, you can use the former to
   go past the drum.  When you select your Save File, hold the A Button to
   begin the Carnival Night Zone in Debug Mode.

Q: How do I unlock Super Tails?
A: You must Lock-On Sonic & Knuckles with Sonic The Hedgehog 3 to create Sonic
   The Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles.  Obtain all 7 Chaos Emeralds and all 7 Super
   Emeralds first.  After doing this, collect 50 Rings and jump twice to
   transform into Super Tails.

Q: After completing the game, can I re-enter the levels to obtain the Chaos
   Emeralds?
A: Yes.  If you want to obtain them quickly, select Angel Island Zone as your
   starting level and go to the first Giant Ring there.  Keep using the same
   Giant Ring until you obtain all 7 Chaos Emeralds.

Q: Do I have to complete Launch Base Zone again to see the credits again?
A: No.  When you are on the Data Select Screen, select your Game File.  When
   the picture of Sonic/Super Sonic appears, press the A Button to see the
   credits.

###############################################################################
12. Credits
###############################################################################

- Thanks to me for writing this FAQ/Walkthrough.

- Thanks to you for reading this FAQ/Walkthrough.

- Thanks to Sonic Team for developing this game.

- Thanks to Sega Technical Institute for collabarating with Sonic Team.

- Thanks to GameFAQs for hosting this FAQ/Walkthrough.

- Thanks to Egmont Fleetway's Sonic The Comic.  I used their Sonic The Hedgehog
  3 guide as a reference for the names and battle strategies for the bosses,
  and for the official names of obstacles.

- Thanks to Instruction Manual for information regarding Hints and Tips, Game
  Overview, etc.

- Thanks to WWalker.  I used his Sonic & Knuckles FAQ as a reference for
  information regarding the Special and Bonus Stages.

- Thanks to Janus Operative.  I used his Sonic 3 Giant Rings FAQ as a reference
  for the Giant Ring Locations sections.  His FAQ seems to have disappeared
  from GameFAQs, but while it was still posted there, I used it as a reference.

- Thanks to www.network-science.de/ascii for the ASCII art at the top of this
  FAQ/Walkthrough.

- Thanks to PJRandallChevik for information regarding this game's save feature.
  He said that you should wait a few minutes after every level starts to avoid
  corrupting your Save Files when you turn off your Genesis/Mega Drive.

- Thanks to sonic.wika.com for information about this game.  This walkthrough 
  uses info from the following articles:
  
  http://sonic.wikia.com/wiki/Sonic_the_hedgehog_3
  http://sonic.wikia.com/wiki/Super_transformation

- Thanks to Yuji Naka, Naoto Ohshima and Hirokazu Yasuhara for creating Sonic
  the Hedgehog.  He's one of fav characters. 

###############################################################################
13. Contact Information
###############################################################################

If you have any questions, comments or corrections regarding my walkthrough, I 
can be contacted by sending me a Private Message or posting a topic on the 
GameFAQs message board of this game (I prefer not using an e-mail address).  
Contributions to this guide are appreciated.

###############################################################################
14. Copyright Information
###############################################################################

This may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal,
private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed
publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web
site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation
of copyright.

All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.

Thanks GameFAQs for the above disclaimer.

Only GameFAQs has permission to host this document, though GameFAQs' 
affiliates are allowed to link directly to the document.

Copyright 2004-2018 David Lucey