Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (MD) is a Sega platform game released in 1994. Players traverse side-scrolling levels at high speeds, collecting rings and defeating enemies, as in previous Sonic games. They command Sonic and Tails as they attempt to recover the Chaos Emeralds in order to prevent the evil Doctor Robotnik from relaunching his space station, the Death Egg after it crashes-lands on a mysterious floating island. Knuckles the Echidna, the island guardian who sets traps for Sonic and Tails, makes his debut in Sonic 3.

Sonic 3 is divided into six zones, each of which has two acts. Robotnik's robots, known as "badniks," populate the levels; Sonic and Tails can defeat badniks by jumping on them or using the "spin dash" attack, which also grants the character a speed boost. Obstacles and other features in the levels include vertical loops, corkscrews, breakable walls, spikes, water in which the player can drown, and bottomless pits. At the end of the first act of each level, there is a miniboss fight with one of Robotnik's large, powerful robots and a boss fight with Robotnik at the end of the second. When you complete a level, the game saves to one of six save slots.

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Number of Players: 2

Genre: Action

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Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a Sega Technical Institute (STI) platform game released in 1992 for the Sega Genesis. It follows Sonic as he tries to prevent Doctor Robotnik from stealing the Chaos Emeralds and using them to power his space station. Players traverse side-scrolling levels at high speeds, similar to the first Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) while collecting rings, defeating enemies, and fighting bosses. Sonic 2 features faster gameplay, larger levels, a multiplayer mode, and special stages with pre-rendered 3D graphics, as well as Sonic's sidekick Miles "Tails" Prower.

Sonic 2 was widely anticipated, and Sega supported it with a $10 million marketing campaign. It was released in November 1992 to critical acclaim and received numerous year-end accolades. Sonic 2 received positive reviews from critics who praised the visuals, level design, gameplay, and music. The implementation of Tails and the multiplayer mode received criticism, while the special stages divided opinion. Sonic 2 broke video game sales records, grossing over $450 million in 1992. With six million copies sold worldwide, it is the second-best-selling Genesis game after the original Sonic the Hedgehog.

Detailed information:

Number of Players: 2

Genre: Action

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Sonic & Knuckles (MD) is a Sega platform game released in 1994. In their quest to save Angel Island, players control Sonic the Hedgehog and Knuckles the Echidna; Sonic attempts to prevent Doctor Robotnik from relaunching his orbital weapon, the Death Egg, while Knuckles scuffles with Robotnik's minion, EggRobo. Players traverse side-scrolling levels at high speeds, collecting rings and defeating enemies, as in previous Sonic games.

Sonic & Knuckles was developed concurrently with its predecessor, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994); they were planned as a single game until time constraints and cartridge costs forced the developers to split it. The Sonic & Knuckles cartridge includes an adapter that allows players to connect the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 cartridge, resulting in the Sonic 3 & Knuckles game. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992) can also be connected, giving players control of Knuckles in Sonic 2 stages. The "Blue Sphere" minigame can be accessed by connecting the original Sonic the Hedgehog or any other Genesis game released prior to this.

Detailed information:

Number of Players: Single Player

Genre: Action

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Sonic Mania is a 2017 platform game released by Sega for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. Sonic Mania, released to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, pays homage to the original Sega Genesis Sonic games with fast side-scrolling gameplay. It is spread out over 12 levels, some of which have been redesigned from previous games. The plot follows Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles as they set out to defeat their arch-enemy Doctor Eggman and his robotic henchmen, the Hard-Boiled Heavies.

Sonic Mania was released and quickly became the most popular Sonic game in fifteen years. Many critics saw it as a return to form for the Sonic series after a string of underwhelming games was released after the 1990s. It was praised for its presentation, level design, music, and fidelity to the early Sonic games, but it was chastised for its lack of originality. Several people called it one of the best Sonic games of all time, as well as one of the best games of 2017. It sold over one million copies worldwide in less than a year. In July 2018, Sonic Mania Plus, an enhanced version with additional content, was released.

Detailed information:

Number of Players: 2

Genre: Action, Platformer

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Sonic Adventure 2 is a platform game released in 2001 by Sega and developed by Sonic Team USA. It was the Dreamcast's final Sonic the Hedgehog game before Sega exited the home console market. It has two good vs. evil stories: Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles the Echidna try to save the world, while Shadow, Doctor Eggman, and Rouge the Bat try to conquer it. Sonic and Shadow's stories are divided into three gameplay styles: fast-paced platforming, multi-directional shooting, and active exploration for Knuckles and Rouge.

This improved version of the Dreamcast original may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it has enough winning elements to balance out its less-than-brilliant aspects. There's plenty to do with the multiplayer and the Chao Garden complementing the main game. It won't please everyone, but it's difficult to find a more pure expression of 'gotta go fast and to hell with the consequences than this. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle is, in many ways, peak 3D Sonic — with all that entails.

Detailed information:

Number of Players: 2

Genre: Action, Platformer

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