Introduction
Last last time: Let's Play Sonic the Hedgehog!Last time: Let's Play Sonic the Hedgehog 2: Long Version!
And now...
It is early 1993, and Sonic Team is hard at work developing the sequel to Sonic 2. The plans call for a game that will be all Sonic 2 was meant to be and more besides. However, after their experience with Sonic 2, a bold decision is taken. The next game will be split into two parts with a revolutionary new piece of technology. The first part will be released first (obviously), and then the second part will be released in a 'Lock-On' cartridge. The first part's cartridge will plug into the top of the second one, and thus shall the final game come to fruition.
With this decision made, production speeds ahead at Mach 2. The decision is taken to set the game in a new environment high above Mobius, the Floating Island. The Floating Island is made the true home of the Chaos Emeralds, and on the Floating Island lives Knuckles, its guardian. Away from the story, practically every gameplay element imaginable is revised and expanded. The music is longer, better and more complex. The zones are massively enlarged and given embarrassingly numerous alternate paths. A feature is put in to allow games to be saved. The pieces are in place for a truly transcendent game.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was released in February 1994. Sonic and Knuckles followed in November. Together, the two parts have sold over 4 million copies. It is one of the greatest games ever created, and the zenith of the series, both on the Mega Genesis Drive and in general. It's all downhill from here, because here and now...
This is Sonic 3 & Knuckles!
Notes for new viewers: I am a proud Boomer. Therefore, I use Segasonic/Fleetway continuity references and terms wherever appropriate and in a lot of places where they aren't. This means that, among other things, the world on which these games take place is called Mobius, the island in the sky is the Floating Island, the fat baddie's name is Dr Robotnik and the best strip was easily Decap Attack*.
*(That's enough obscure references that nobody will get - Megadroid)
Also. You may have noticed that this thread is titled and was referred to at the end of the Sonic 2 LP as "Let's All Play". Firstly, and obviously, once I get done playing through this game by myself, I'll be asking for volunteers to play through the game again with me, as Tails to my Sonic (this is feasible because of the save feature). Secondly, the two-player versus mode from Sonic 2 has been fiddled with and renamed competition mode. Five short racetracks have been created and it's possible to race a second player head-to-head or for a single player to set fast laps in a time attack mode. Details of what I want to do with this are elsewhere for ease of reference.
That's enough gassing. Let's get on with it!
Videos
PLAYTHROUGH 1: TAILS ALONE
| Angel Island Zone | Dailymotion |
| Hydrocity Zone | Dailymotion |
| Marble Garden Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Marble Garden Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Carnival Night Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Carnival Night Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Ice Cap Zone | Dailymotion |
| Launch Base Zone | Dailymotion |
| Mushroom Hill Zone | Dailymotion |
| Flying Battery Zone | Dailymotion |
| Sandopolis Zone | Dailymotion |
| Lava Reef Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Lava Reef Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Hidden Palace Zone/Sky Sanctuary Zone | |
| Death Egg Zone Act 1 | |
| Death Egg Zone Act 2 |
PLAYTHROUGH 2: KNUCKLES
| Angel Island Zone | Dailymotion |
| Hydrocity Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Hydrocity Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Marble Garden Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Marble Garden Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Carnival Night Zone | Dailymotion |
| Ice Cap Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Ice Cap Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Launch Base Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Launch Base Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Mushroom Hill Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Mushroom Hill Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Flying Battery Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Flying Battery Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Sandopolis Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Sandopolis Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Lava Reef Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Lava Reef Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Sky Sanctuary Zone | Dailymotion |
PLAYTHROUGH 3: SONIC AND TAILS
| Angel Island Zone | Dailymotion |
| Hydrocity Zone | Dailymotion |
| Marble Garden Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Marble Garden Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Carnival Night Zone | Dailymotion |
| Carnival Night Zone Replay | Dailymotion |
| Ice Cap Zone/Launch Base Zone | Dailymotion |
| Mushroom Hill Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Mushroom Hill Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Flying Battery Zone | Dailymotion |
| Sandopolis Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Sandopolis Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Sandopolis Zone Act 2, Part 2 | Dailymotion |
| Lava Reef Zone Act 1 | Dailymotion |
| Lava Reef Zone Act 2 | Dailymotion |
| Hidden Palace Zone/Sky Sanctuary Zone | Dailymotion |
| Death Egg Zone (not played) |
SPECIAL FEATURES
| Odds and Sods: a general compilation of minor shit that can't be easily demonstrated in the normal course of the thread. | Dailymotion |
| Me vs Lasher in competition mode. No prizes for correctly predicting who wins. | Dailymotion |
| I do not like Sonic CD very much at all, but I'll do anything for a woman with a nice voice. |