Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (Mega Drive) FAQ/Walkthrough Version 1.0 21-08-04 Written by Tails333 E-mail: Dave333@eircom.net Table of Contents ----------------------- 1. Introduction 2. Version History 3. Story 4. Characters 5. Walkthrough A. Level 1: Angel Island Zone B. Level 2: Hydrocity Zone C. Level 3: Marble Garden Zone D. Level 4: Carnival Night Zone E. Level 5: Icecap Zone F. Level 6: Launch Base Zone 6. FAQ 7. Credits 8. Contact Information 9. Copyright Information ############################################################################### 1) Introduction ############################################################################### Sonic 3 introduced the world to Knuckles, the guardian of the Floating Island and its Chaos Emeralds. It was the first Sonic game to explain what happened after the events of Sonic 2. Many people disliked this game, as it seemed to be too short. Little did they know that the second half of Sonic 3 would be released in the form of Sonic & Knuckles eight months later… ############################################################################### 2) Version History ############################################################################### Version 1.0, 21st August 2004: Completed Walkthrough. Version 1.1, 30th October 2004: Updated the Table of Contents. ############################################################################### 3) Story ############################################################################### Sonic The Hedgehog 3 takes place on the mysterious Floating Island which holds many special powers. The source of these powers are Chaos Emeralds. In Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Sonic and Tails thought that they had destroyed the Death Egg, which was Dr. Robotnik’s heavily armoured ship. Instead, Dr. Robotnik managed to crash land on the Floating Island. After learning that the island is able to float in the sky by harnessing the power of the emeralds, the Doc decides to steal the emeralds so he can repair his Death Egg ship. To obtain the emeralds, Dr. Robotnik tricks Knuckles, the guardian of the Floating Island’s Chaos Emeralds. He also tells Knuckles that Sonic and Tails are the ones trying to steal the emeralds. Between battling the new types of Badniks and trying to outsmart Knuckles, Sonic and Tails have their work cut out for them once they arrive on the Floating Island and search for Dr. Robotnik. Long ago, an ancient civilization lived on the Floating Island. Before this civilization mysteriously disappeared, it left behind many secrets and mystical powers. Being the only living descendent of this lost civilization, Knuckles has become the guardian of the Chaos Emeralds, which are the source of the island’s special floating power. Dr. Robotnik’s Death Egg has lost its ability to fly after crash landing on the island. Having learnt that the Chaos Emeralds can make his ship fly again, the Doc decides to steal the emeralds. But first, he must make Knuckles believe that Sonic and Tails are his enemies, and that they’re the ones trying to steal the emeralds. Once Knuckles believes Robotnik’s lies, he’ll do whatever it takes to stop Sonic and Tails. ############################################################################### 4) Characters ############################################################################### Sonic The Hedgehog: The world’s fastest supersonic hedgehog unrivalled in speed returns once more to relive his adventures on the Sega Mega Drive system. He’s basically easygoing, but when he gets fired up over an injustice, his anger explodes with surprising consequences. Always at the receiving end of this aggression is arch-enemy Dr. Robotnik, whose fiendish plans to conquer the world are constantly being foiled by Sonic. Miles “Tails” Prower: Don’t let his docile appearance deceive you. This cute twin-tailed fox is an absolute mecha-maniac with skills rivalling those of Dr. Robotnik. He first debuted in Sonic The Hedgehog 2. Knuckles The Echidna: Knuckles is the guardian of the Floating Island and all its Emeralds. Knuckles was born and raised on the Floating Island, and he knows all its secrets. He’s strong, athletic and clever. Because Knuckles knows every hidden passageway on the island, it’s easy for him to block Sonic’s path, create extra obstacles, set traps and steal Sonic’s Gold Rings. Knuckles will make quite a few appearances in Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles. Dr. Ivo Robotnik: Dr. Robotnik is an evil scientist with an IQ of 300. A renowned authority on robotics, Robotnik is also a romanticist, a feminist, and a self-professed gentleman. Sadly, his charms are often difficult to spot through the abominable laughter that accompanies his maniacal declarations of world domination. Sonic is always finding ways to stop his diabolical plans, but as with all great arch-enemies Robotnik now sees Sonic as more of a rival than a threat. ############################################################################### 5) Walkthrough ############################################################################### For these levels, I will only be giving hints and tips on how to complete them. I won’t be giving a full walkthrough on getting through them since you won’t enjoy this game as much if you know where the next obstacle is. For the boss battles, I will list how many hits it takes to defeat, where it is located and one or two strategies on how to defeat it. ******************************************************************************* A. Level 1: Angel Island Zone ******************************************************************************* Act 1: Since Knuckles grabbed the Chaos Emeralds you collected in Sonic 2, you now must retrieve them and stop the mad scientist Dr. Robotnik from repairing his Death Egg ship. Move through the level avoiding the badniks and the many traps Robotnik has installed on the island. After a while, Robotnik will set fire to this area of the island. Continue through the level and you will meet up with your first boss. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Bomber Ship ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Angel Island Zone Hits to Destroy: Eight This boss is responsible for setting fire to the island. Avoid the flamethrower and jump onto the ship. Keep hitting it and the ship will explode. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Act 2: Continue through the level and use the switches to change the water levels. Avoid Robotnik’s traps and stop at the top of the waterfall. Wait for the platforms to appear and then use them to get to the other side. After a while, Robotnik’s Flying Battery blimp will appear and it will drop bombs onto the ground. Keep running forward and you will avoid all of the bombs. Robotnik will appear in the background and Sonic & Tails will stop running at a bridge. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Dr. Robotnik’s Fireball Shooter Machine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Angel Island Zone Hits to Destroy: Eight Hit Robotnik 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. Now keep attacking Robotnik until he disappears again. He’ll reappear again and shoot more fireballs at you. After that, keep attacking Robotnik to finish him off. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After destroying the Prison Egg, guide Sonic/Tails over to the bridge nearby. Knuckles appears on a ledge and activates a switch causing the bridge to collapse. ******************************************************************************* B. Level 2: Hydrocity Zone ******************************************************************************* Act 1: Sonic & Tails land in the Hydrocity Zone and now they must travel through the underwater regions of the island. Use the bubbles to prevent Sonic & Tails from drowning. Be on the lookout for badniks and use the switches to activate the fans. Eventually, you will find yourself trapped in a room with a machine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Whirlpool Machine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Hydrocity Zone Hits to Destroy: Eight 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: Sonic & Tails are sent down to another part of the level. Spin dash the walls to destroy them and continue until you make it to the first lamp-post of the second act. A wall will move towards you. Stay clam and keep moving forward. Spin dash the walls and don’t go too fast. Watch out for Robotnik’s traps and eventually the wall will stop moving towards you. Use your Spin dash attack to land on top of the pillar and continue through the level. Avoid Robotnik’s badniks and watch out for his traps. Eventually, you will meet up with Knuckles again. Knuckles will activate a switch which causes the bridge to collapse. Sonic & Tails will fall and land near Robotnik’s lair. Touch the lamp-post and Robotnik will appear in his ship. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Dr. Robotnik’s Waterspout Machine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Hydrocity Zone Hits to Destroy: Eight Robotnik activates his machine which can draw you directly into the waterspout. Run in the opposite direction to avoid being sucked in. After a while, Robotnik will change his tactics and drop some bombs on top of you. When the bombs explode, jump onto the vertical water jets that they release to get a chance to hit Robotnik. You’ll ascend over the screen and ram Robotnik’s head if you’re lucky. If this strategy is too risky for you, wait for Robotnik to turn off his waterspout. Next, jump onto the water jet that the waterspout created and ram his ship. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ******************************************************************************* C. Level 3: Marble Garden Zone ******************************************************************************* Act 1: Sonic & Tails land in the Marble Garden Zone and now they must explore an ancient city. At the start of the level, a Tunnelbot badnik will appear and cause an earthquake. You will have the chance to deal with this badnik later so continue through the level. Use the blue cones to fly to different parts of the level. Watch out for Robotnik’s traps and his badniks. Avoid the spiked maize by waiting for it to go upwards and then run past it. Keep jumping to avoid sinking in the quicksand and use your Spin Dash attack to break through the walls. Eventually you will fight a boss. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Tunnelbot ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Marble Garden Zone Hits to Destroy: Eight The Tunnelbot will cause an earthquake. Try to avoid the rocks if you can. When the robot returns, ram it as it descends from above. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Act 2: Use the gravelling hooks to move through the level. After a while, Robotnik will appear at the right-hand side of the screen and he will cause an earthquake to happen. Robotnik will then leave the scene, so continue through the level. Use the blue cones to break through the walls and watch out for more of Robotnik’s traps. Hit the arrow machines three times to defeat them and continue through the level. Eventually, Robotnik will appear again at the left-hand side of the screen and he will cause another earthquake to happen. Run as fast as you can to avoid being crushed by the ancient ruins. You’ll know when you’re safe when you reach a lamp-post. Continue through the level and Robotnik will appear for the final time in this zone. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Dr. Robotnik’s Jet Drill Machine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Marble Garden Zone Hits to Destroy: Eight Go over to the left, and you’ll see Robotnik descending from above. He’ll flee to the skies, but Tails grabs Sonic and the two heroes chase after Robotnik. If you’re playing as Sonic, attack Robotnik’s head to score a hit against him while avoiding the drill. If you’re playing as Tails, you’ll have hit Robotnik from below. Wait for Robotnik to go across the screen before launching an attack. This is the best time to strike. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ******************************************************************************* D. Level 4: Carnival Night Zone ******************************************************************************* Act 1: Sonic & Tails arrive at the Carnival Night Zone and now they must bounce and flip their way through this colourful zone which is filled with anti-gravity platforms. Watch out for Robotnik’s traps and his badniks. Keep jumping on the red platform to make it to the other side. Use the balloons and cannons to move across the level. Eventually you will encounter a boss. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Self Destruct Machine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Carnival Night Zone Hits to Destroy: Four To beat this boss, you must trick it into destroying itself. When the main body of the machine is open and extended, ram it once. As the blade attempts to reconnect itself to the machine, you’ll score a hit. Repeat this strategy until the machine explodes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Act 2: Continue through the level and watch out for Robotnik’s traps and his badniks. After the second lamp-post, Knuckles will appear and activate a switch which disables the zone’s power source. Knuckles will leave the scene and you will be able to move onward. Before the third lamp-post, use the switch to turn the power back on and continue through the level. After a while, you will be locked inside a room with a round, red drum. You must move this drum up in order to access the next part of the level. Jump onto the drum and press the D-Button down when it’s going down and press the D-Button up when it’s going up. Eventually, the drum will go down far enough for you to jump off it and enter the next part of the level. Watch out for the drums going up and down, and soon you will come across the fourth lamp-post. Run through the rest of the level and Knuckles will appear again. Knuckles will activate a switch which will send you hovering into Robotnik’s lair. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Dr. Robotnik’s Energy Ship ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Carnival Night Zone Hits to Destroy: Eight Avoid the ball that Robotnik drops onto the floor. Robotnik creates an energy charge by positioning his ship over the ball. Run in the opposite direction to avoid being pulled in. If you have transformed into Super Sonic, let Robotnik suck you in - he’ll be attacked directly by Super Sonic. If you haven’t collected all the Chaos Emeralds yet, you won’t be able to do this, so how do you defeat Robotnik? After Robotnik stops creating the energy charge, he’ll proceed to pick up the ball. Now attack Robotnik’s ship once before waiting for him to drop the ball once again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once you defeat Robotnik, head over to the Prison Egg to the right and destroy it. Jump into the cannon nearby, and you’ll be fired directly into the Icecap Zone. ******************************************************************************* E. Level 5: Icecap Zone ******************************************************************************* Act 1: Sonic lands on a snowboard and slides down the mountain. After a while, Sonic crashes into a wall and falls into the Icecap Zone. An avalanche will occur and Sonic will be buried in the snow. Jump to be able to continue through the level. If you are playing as Tails, you begin the level inside the Icecap Zone. Spin dash your way through the walls and watch out for Robotnik’s traps and his badniks. Keep running to get past the obstacles in the level. Use your Spin Dash attack to move the ledges. Eventually you will make it to surface and you will fight the boss. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Iceball Machine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Icecap Zone Hits to Destroy: Five When the machine encircles itself with ice balls, make sure Sonic/Tails is on the right-hand 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. Now finish it off. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Act 2: Continue through the level and try to stay on the surface of the level. Avoid Robotnik’s ice traps and his badniks. Keep jumping on the springs to get up to the next part of the level. Watch out for the walls that can crush you and avoid running too fast. Eventually, Robotnik will appear in his ship. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Dr. Robotnik’s Freeze-O-Matic ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Icecap Zone Hits to Destroy: Eight As Robotnik heads towards you, an icy spray will be fired from his machine. Jump onto the platform and hit Robotnik quickly before jumping off it. Now wait for Robotnik to fire the spray underneath his machine to attack him again. If you get hit by the spray, you’ll be frozen into an ice block and you’ll lose all your rings. If a second player is controlling Tails, use Tails to break the ice block. If not, try to grab the rings before attempting to hit Robotnik again. After hitting Robotnik seven times, the platform will apart and Robotnik will fly towards you. Hit him one more time to cause the Freeze-O-Matic to explode. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Once you destroy the Prison Egg, use the Spin Dash to create a tunnel leading to the Launch Base Zone. ******************************************************************************* F. Level 6: Launch Base Zone ******************************************************************************* Act 1: Sonic & Tails emerge in the Launch Base Zone where Dr. Robotnik is repairing his Death Egg ship. The Death Egg can be seen in the background but it won’t affect your progress throughout the level. Watch out for Robotnik’s traps and his badniks. Use the elevators to move across to different parts of the level. Be on the lookout for flamethrower machines and run slowly through this level. Eventually you will enter a tower and Robotnik will fly up in his Egg Pod with a yellow block. Get to the top of the tower and Knuckles will appear. Knuckles will throw a bomb into the tower and then he will leave. Jump out of the tower and it will collapse. Enter the next room and Robotnik will fly off in his Egg Pod while you have to fight the boss. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Swinging Spike Machine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Launch Base Zone Hits to Destroy: Six This boss is easy to beat when you know how. When the machine stops swinging, hit the left or right side of it to attack it. Continue hitting it, and one of the maces will be destroyed. Now keep attacking it until it explodes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Act 2: Continue through the level and approach each part of the level with caution. Watch out for Robotnik’s traps and his badniks. Use the gravelling hooks to move through the level. Be on the lookout for lasers and use air bubbles to avoid drowning. Time your moves carefully and you will make it to the end of this long and dangerous level. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Dr. Robotnik’s Metal Ball Machine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Launch Base Zone Hits to Destroy: Eight Robotnik jumps into his machine and reveals a ledge below. He’ll fire a huge metal ball at you. Once it’s gone, jump onto the ledge and attack Robotnik. The best technique is to use Sonic’s Shield attack to hit Robotnik because the Shield attack can hit Robotnik even if the ledge is gone. If you are playing as Tails, you can fly to avoid the metal ball and then jump onto the ledge and hit Robotnik. After eight hits, the machine will explode and Robotnik will fall into the ocean. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go over to the right, and you’ll find one of Robotnik’s old Egg Pods. Jump into it, and you’ll fly to the east. Knuckles will be waiting for you on a platform, but as he tries to stop you, he falls into the ocean as the Death Egg is launched! After a while, you’ll land on a platform underneath the Death Egg where Dr. Robotnik attacks you with his newest machine. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Dr. Robotnik’s Laser Shooter Machine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Launch Base Zone Hits to Destroy: Nine Robotnik will rise up from the right in his ship, firing lasers at Sonic. Ram his ship four times to destroy two of his lasers before he drops down again. Ram him another four times to destroy all four of his lasers before he appears again. After one more hit, Robotnik’s machine will explode and Robotnik will retreat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robotnik flies up in his Egg Pod as the Death Egg rises from underneath the clouds. Darkness falls all around Sonic/Tails, and Robotnik returns in his most dangerous machine yet! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS FIGHT: Dr. Robotnik’s Spiked Grabber Machine ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Location: Launch Base Zone Hits to Destroy: Twelve Robotnik appears from the upper right in his machine. Stay in the centre of the screen and leap to the right and hit his ship. Robotnik will then appear from the upper left so hit him again and he will change his tactics. Robotnik will now go left and right above Sonic before swooping down into the centre of the screen. Jump left and right to avoid the deadly spikes. Robotnik will now repeat his above moves so repeat this strategy. Watch out for the hands which can grab Sonic and take his rings. Eventually Robotnik’s machine will explode and Robotnik will retreat… for good. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The top of the platform is engulfed in flames and it detaches itself from the Death Egg. The Death Egg’s main thrusters are destroyed and Sonic looks on as the Death Egg falls from its orbit. The Death Egg is set on fire and it explodes. If you collected all seven Chaos Emeralds, Sonic jumps off the platform and becomes Super Sonic. If you didn’t collect all seven Chaos Emeralds, Sonic jumps off the platform and faces the screen. Congratulations! You have completed Sonic 3! ############################################################################### 6) FAQ ############################################################################### No questions asked at the time of writing. ############################################################################### 7) Credits ############################################################################### Me: For writing this FAQ/Walkthrough You: For reading this FAQ/Walkthrough Sonic Team: For developing an awesome Sonic game Sonic The Comic UK: For the names and battle strategies for the bosses ############################################################################### 8) Contact Information ############################################################################### If you have any questions about my FAQ/Walkthrough, you can e-mail me at Dave333@eircom.net. Write the subject as Sonic The Hedgehog 3 FAQ/Walkthrough. Do not send any attachments. Viruses are a common threat to computers these days. Do not send hate mail either, as I will delete it. If you want to contribute to my FAQ/Walkthrough, e-mail me. ############################################################################### 9) Copyright Information ############################################################################### This may be 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. Copyright 2004 David Lucey