I didn't personally have the chance to play this game for a long long time, but man was i missing out. Sonic 3 is essentially what works about Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 jumbled together in a near perfect package of fun and speedy gameplay that games after could only dream of capturing. Levels are more packed with paths and secrets, just ripe for replaying. the soundtrack perfectly encapsulates each respective stage. The controls are as tight as ever and gameplay feels more refined thanks to the addition of elemental shields and the instashield. It truly is a perfect end to this respective trilogy of Sonic.