Sega Will Re-Release Sonic 3 & Knuckles In A New Sonic Collection

IbizaPocholo

IbizaPocholo

NeoGAFs Kent Brockman
www.nintendolife.com

Rumour: Sega Will Re-Release Sonic 3 & Knuckles In A New Sonic Collection

Leaker says "it's back"
www.nintendolife.com www.nintendolife.com

The leaker Zippo is claiming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles will be making a comeback in a new Sonic collection. This was the information shared over on their blog page:

"It's back. And I promise you that I'm not shi***** you. It was thought to be impossible, but it's coming. There will be some changes, though. More soon."
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The reference to it being "impossible", is likely tied to the legal issues surrounding the music in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - some of the tracks were apparently composed by Michael Jackson but went uncredited. In an attempt to not go off on a tangent here, it seems Sega could have finally worked out a way to revive this classic.
 
It just won't be the same without the original music. It'll be nice to have it available again at least, hopefully with a bunch of other games like the Ultimate Genesis Collection.
 
Most useless rumour/leak ever, like they haven't re-released Mega Drive II games enough, they do it every now and then while letting others rot. What's that bs about licensing preventing it, it was re-released on Saturn in Sonic Jam and it's been on Steam for a decade.
Idk if it has removed any music or not but even if that's the case they've already got the solution and already used it then...
 
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I bet they are going to use different music? That would be a reason not to bother with this. I think Mike's music tracks are the Carnival, Ice Cap and Launch Base zones. Ice Cap being the best one of the three.

There is always "Sonic 3 AIR" for PCs.
 
Alexios said:
Most useless rumour/leak ever, like they haven't re-released Mega Drive II games enough, they do it every now and then while letting others rot. What's that bs about licensing preventing it, it was re-released on Saturn in Sonic Jam and it's been on Steam for a decade.
Idk if it has removed any music or not but even if that's the case they've already got the solution and already used it then...
Click to expand...
That Steam release is ancient. After MJ's death and the Estate taking over everything, Sega has not released Sonic 3.

It was the only Sonic game missing from the PS4/XBO/Switch collection and it wasn't one of the Sega Forever mobile releases.
 
The PC digital version is a weird one. It's sold and marketed specifically as Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
Unlike previous compilations, the original Sonic 3 and S&K are not included or provided.
 
If by change means using Sonic 3 Prototype music(which I find awesome btw), then I'm all for it. Hope it ends being true, most rumors nowadays are people starving for attention.
 
Alexios said:
Most useless rumour/leak ever, like they haven't re-released Mega Drive II games enough, they do it every now and then while letting others rot. What's that bs about licensing preventing it, it was re-released on Saturn in Sonic Jam and it's been on Steam for a decade.
Idk if it has removed any music or not but even if that's the case they've already got the solution and already used it then...
Click to expand...

Consoles haven't fared so well. XBLA was the last time Sonic 3 in any capacity has been released on a console.
And original DS remains the only physical copy for portables.
 
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SALMORE said:
i hate when stuff like this happens 😞 this why Capcom won't re-release the Rival Schools games
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Whoa, what? What's the issue with Rival Schools?

Not sure about the validity of these rumors. To be honest, I don't care -- I have the Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles carts for the original Genesis. I love that lock-on mechanism. And even better, I love being able to play as Knuckles in Sonic 2.
 
Dancing GIF
 
Too late. I got tired of waiting and stole a copy from my neighbor.
 
ManaByte said:
That Steam release is ancient. After MJ's death and the Estate taking over everything, Sega has not released Sonic 3.

It was the only Sonic game missing from the PS4/XBO/Switch collection and it wasn't one of the Sega Forever mobile releases.
Click to expand...

What's fun about the Steam version is you can update it with version fixes via workshop.
 
Get the guy who done sonic 1 and 2 to do the music if he's still about. They had 2 of the best soundtracks from the 16 bit era.
 
Alexios said:
Most useless rumour/leak ever, like they haven't re-released Mega Drive II games enough, they do it every now and then while letting others rot. What's that bs about licensing preventing it, it was re-released on Saturn in Sonic Jam and it's been on Steam for a decade.
Idk if it has removed any music or not but even if that's the case they've already got the solution and already used it then...
Click to expand...
The issue specifically is why the (arguably) best game from the original trilogy never got the same treatment that 1 and 2 got, which is the nice smooth widescreen mobile port. When they mysterious stop and precious ports have had music changed, it suggests an issue regarding distribution in some form, possibly to do with changed versions and not straight releases like the currently available port.


A long video, but it goes into the timeline of it all and the base tracks for some of the Sonic 3 songs
nkarafo said:
I bet they are going to use different music? That would be a reason not to bother with this. I think Mike's music tracks are the Carnival, Ice Cap and Launch Base zones. Ice Cap being the best one of the three.

There is always "Sonic 3 AIR" for PCs.
Click to expand...
I am new to Sonic 3 A.I.R, and I recently went through the 3 stages. Aside from Carnival, which I never really liked originally so any change is fine, the tracks MJ definitely elevate the music.

For anyone looking for a definitive version of Sonic 3&K, it may not exist yet but there are two contenders. The first is Sonic 3 A.I.R, as mentioned a few times ITT. The second is an older one, Sonic 3 Complete. You can get it for emulators or from the Steam Workshop if you own Sonic 3&K there.

Sonic 3 Complete does a few things S3AIR doesn't, like adding cutscenes between certain events like after you beat Robotnik in Launch Base and the Death Egg falls. It also has the option to change the stage order into what may have originally been intended based on transitions between stages (a flying battery door being the original snowboard for Ice Cap, for example). It also has the ton of options S3AIR has for music and sprites with a few more options thrown in.
 
Sonic 3 Complete is nice but AIR has widescreen and a remastered soundtack that sounds cleaner and doesn't mute instruments to fit sfx. Its great because its the exact same music with slightly better sound quality. Though it does have the option for using the original quality, emulated music.

AIR is a PC mod that wouldn't run on a real Genesis so it doesn't have to work in those constraints, like the console's limited sound channels. Complete is a rom hack that can work on the real console.

Also, i'm pretty sure AIR also has the option to change the order of the levels like Complete.
 
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nkarafo said:
Sonic 3 Complete is nice but AIR has widescreen and a remastered soundtack that sounds cleaner and doesn't mute instruments to fit sfx. Its great because its the exact same music with slightly better sound quality. Though it does have the option for using the original quality, emulated music.

AIR is a PC mod that wouldn't run on a real Genesis so it doesn't have to work in those constraints, like the console's limited sound channels. Complete is a rom hack that can work on the real console.

Also, i'm pretty sure AIR also has the option to change the order of the levels like Complete.
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I haven't noticed a level order setting yet, but I hope I've just missed it.

I 100% agree about the music, there's not a single instance where the remaster wasn't better (I went through the whole sound test).

I still need to finish my Sonic & Tails play through, so I'll have another look for the level order setting then.
 
Recently bought the Mega Drive Collection on Switch and noticed Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles were omitted, which was a huge disappointment since they are my favorites. Sucks that I have to buy yet another collection but I really want those two games.
 
nkarafo said:
It could be a recent change, dunno. I have the last version that was released this month.
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Typical. There's no update for a year but as soon as I download it there's an update within days.

I couldn't find anything about zone order, so I looked into it. Their Discord has a maintained list of mods that specifically mentions bringing back Complete features. So things can be done, but they're not part of the base S3AIR.

gamebanana.com

Original Zone Order Mod for Sonic 3 A.I.R. | S3AIR Mods

Places FBZ inbetween CNZ and ICZ.... Download the Original Zone Order Mod for Sonic 3 A.I.R.. Customize your gameplay with this fan-made S3AIR Mod by legobouwer9 in the Other/Misc category,
gamebanana.com gamebanana.com
gamebanana.com

Sonic 3 Complete - Launch Base Zone Transition Work In Progress for Sonic 3 A.I.R. | S3AIR Works In Progress

Adds additional scene after the transition from Launch Base Zone, based on the Sonic & Knuckles title... View the Sonic 3 Complete - Launch Base Zone Transition Work In Progress for Sonic 3 A.I.R.. Extend your gaming with this fan-made S3AIR Work In Progress by Vinnygar in the Other/Misc category,
gamebanana.com gamebanana.com
gamebanana.com

FBZ Doorboarding Mod for Sonic 3 A.I.R. | S3AIR Mods

Download the FBZ Doorboarding Mod for Sonic 3 A.I.R.. Customize your gameplay with this fan-made S3AIR Mod by Ghost1696780 in the Custom Graphics category,
gamebanana.com gamebanana.com

There's some other mods that change palettes to match Sonic 3 Complete, too.

It's not quite as simple as AIR being the best depending on what you're looking for, but they're both really good.
 
Harry Tung said:
Recently bought the Mega Drive Collection on Switch and noticed Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles were omitted, which was a huge disappointment since they are my favorites. Sucks that I have to buy yet another collection but I really want those two games.
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The 360 versions of Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles are BC. They're bare bones rom dumps but they're better than nothing right now.
 
ManaByte said:
The 360 versions of Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles are BC. They're bare bones rom dumps but they're better than nothing right now.
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What's the input lag like on them, do you know? On the mega drive collection it's game breaking (to me) for the action games on Switch. Can work around it easily enough for shining force tho, for eg.
 
I stick with the original Sonic 3 and then Sonic and Knuckles. I don't do lock on mode usually as it changes the Sonic 3 boss music.
 
Roxkis_ii said:
Excuse me, Sonic 3+ Sonic and knuckles is the best music.
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I am saying I play both but individually. Besides the boss music being universal if you lock on the cartridge, the rest of the soundtrack doesn't change.

Actually you miss out on the Sonic 3 end credits song if you lock them on.
 
Soodanim said:
I couldn't find anything about zone order, so I looked into it. Their Discord has a maintained list of mods that specifically mentions bringing back Complete features. So things can be done, but they're not part of the base S3AIR.
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My bad. It was the "Level Layouts" option and i was remembering it wrong.
 
SegaShack said:
I am saying I play both but individually. Besides the boss music being universal if you lock on the cartridge, the rest of the soundtrack doesn't change.

Actually you miss out on the Sonic 3 end credits song if you lock them on.
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Sonic 3 credit music is awesome
 
Soodanim Soodanim

Damn... I played Sonic 3 Complete with the original level order option. Falling from the Flying Battery ship by breaking the door and snowboarding with it (instead of a regular, random snowboard) at the beginning of Ice Cap was another level of cool for me. Made this amazing game even better after all these years.
 
Nice. But if they are making the 17th or so Sonic Collection, I'd better have A LOT of Sonic games on it & not just the classics. I want at least 15 Sonic games on that MF.
 
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If it doesn't have the music from Sonic 3, then it's a no buy from me. Sorry, I just can't do it without Ice Cap Zone's music. It's too iconic to be left out, no matter who originally created it.
 
nkarafo said:
My bad. It was the "Level Layouts" option and i was remembering it wrong.
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I was confused by that too, an easy mistake to make!
nkarafo said:
Soodanim Soodanim

Damn... I played Sonic 3 Complete with the original level order option. Falling from the Flying Battery ship by breaking the door and snowboarding with it (instead of a regular, random snowboard) at the beginning of Ice Cap was another level of cool for me. Made this amazing game even better after all these years.
Click to expand...
I'm a big fan of the originally planned level order too, I think it has a better flow and the Flying Battery > Ice Cap transition is a perfect example. It's a shame all of the development delays caused Sega to split the game in two.

Now I'm back at my PC I've had some time to look through the mod site a bit more, and I've found this list of S3C mods. If these all work as intended, it could be the best of both.
gamebanana.com

The Complete List Of Sonic 3 Complete Feature Mods Forum Thread for Sonic 3 A.I.R. | S3AIR Forum Threads

"Add Original Zone Order please"... Read the The Complete List Of Sonic 3 Complete Feature Mods Forum Thread for Sonic 3 A.I.R.. Extend your gaming with this fan-made S3AIR Forum Thread by Ghost1728886 in the Other/Misc category,
gamebanana.com gamebanana.com
 
Soodanim said:
I was confused by that too, an easy mistake to make!

I'm a big fan of the originally planned level order too, I think it has a better flow and the Flying Battery > Ice Cap transition is a perfect example. It's a shame all of the development delays caused Sega to split the game in two.

Now I'm back at my PC I've had some time to look through the mod site a bit more, and I've found this list of S3C mods. If these all work as intended, it could be the best of both.
gamebanana.com

The Complete List Of Sonic 3 Complete Feature Mods Forum Thread for Sonic 3 A.I.R. | S3AIR Forum Threads

"Add Original Zone Order please"... Read the The Complete List Of Sonic 3 Complete Feature Mods Forum Thread for Sonic 3 A.I.R.. Extend your gaming with this fan-made S3AIR Forum Thread by Ghost1728886 in the Other/Misc category,
gamebanana.com gamebanana.com
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Thanks for the list.

I only used the level order and door snowboard replacement and they work fine.

Edit: Added the night palette for Flying Battery and the title cards. They also work.


The only thing that bothers me about Sonic 3 AIR is that it's not optimized to work at anything except 60hz screens. In my 240hz monitor i get all kinds of stutters during scrolling or loss of sync or simply frame pacing issues. I tried every Video Option and i can't get it to run smoothly 100% of the time like i can with Sonic 3 Complete. The only solution is to change my monitor from 240 to 60hz every time i want to play this game. Which is not great.
 
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www.videogameschronicle.com

It looks like Sega could be planning a new Sonic Collection | VGC

Retail listing suggests a new compilation is coming for the mascot’s 30th anniversary…
www.videogameschronicle.com www.videogameschronicle.com

That's according to a new listing spotted on French retail site Sogamely – the same company which seemingly outed an upcoming Sonic Colors remaster last month.

The listing simply names, "Sonic Collection EU version" for PlayStation 4. If accurate, the listing could corroborate claims made by a noted insider earlier this year, that Sega was planning a new collection with Retro Engine remakes of Sonic 1 & 2, and other games "that have never seen a re-release before."

Game publisher Sega previously promised to mark Sonic's 30th anniversary this year with the release of new games and some major announcements.
 
IbizaPocholo said:
The listing simply names, "Sonic Collection EU version" for PlayStation 4. If accurate, the listing could corroborate claims made by a noted insider earlier this year, that Sega was planning a new collection with Retro Engine remakes of Sonic 1 & 2, and other games "that have never seen a re-release before."
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Finally, we'll be able to play Shadow The Hedgehog and Sonic '06 on modern consoles
 
Sonic Colors Ultimate and S3K its all I always wanted.

I'll be very happy this year if all of this is true.
 
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