Sonic 3 - Angel Island Revisited (or Sonic 3 A.I.R.) is a project by @Eukaryot to bring the original SEGA Mega-Drive/Genesis classic into the modern age for Windows PCs by natively incorporating 16:9 widescreen, new mechanics, smooth rotation, bug fixes, pixel filters, a time attack mode and more.

The project has been in development since early 2018 and uses its own custom engine written in Visual Studio to "translate" the original games source code on-the-fly which enables it to be completely faithful to the original game in regards to details like physics, whilst adding a slew of new features that would have been impossible on original hardware.

• 100% accurate Sonic 3 & Knuckles physics
• Sonic, Tails, Knuckles fully playable, including Sonic & Tails co-op
• Widescreen display
• Additional effects like 360° rotation
• Optional high quality pixel filter xBRZ
• Controller support
• Experimental Time Attack mode
• Many fixes and small gameplay tweaks
• Added movement options like Tails Assist and Flight Cancel

Release trailer​

The full release now includes all zones through Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994) and Sonic & Knuckles (1994) including all special and bonus stages.

You must already own a copy of Sonic 3 & Knuckles on Steam to play.

Sonic 3 & Knuckles on Steam
Project homepage

 

[fmhugo]

downloading...
Best sonic game ever

 

[jamespoo]

now this is really cool

 

[raxadian]

downloading...
Best sonic game ever

My favourite is still Sonic 2 but that's because is Tails debut game and I like him.

Sonic 2 was also the killer app for the Sega Genesis and the most sold Sega Genesis game ever. And is the best sold Sonic game ever too.

Edit: Sonic 1 only shows with more sales because it has at least three different versions for the Sega Genesis, two of them in compilations with other games.

 

[GerbilSoft]

Can someone provide a valid SHA-256 hash to compare my legally obtained copy of the ROM?

fba0677fde9f76df93f3e98d6310d8af68b9847bde16e253d73cd4dd8134ed23 Sonic and Knuckles & Sonic 3 (W) [!].gen

 

[Wanderer0891]

I think I'll play this version next time I want to go through S3&K again.

 

[Rabbid4240]

Or if you really want you, you could, well, you know. That.

...t-the... P-word..?

 

[the_randomizer]

...t-the... P-word..?

Either you buy the game or you don't, don't let me stop you.

 

[Rabbid4240]

Either you buy the game or you don't, don't let me stop you.

Fuck it. I'll buy it.

 

[the_randomizer]

Fuck it. I'll buy it.

Don't let me be the reason to, it's your money.

 

[Rabbid4240]

Don't let me be the reason to, it's your money.

Nah idc. It's worth the money.

 

[Prior22]

Someone please explain to me why Sega wont release an all in one HD Genesis Sonic compilation. Sega milks the Sonic franchise for all its worth, and yet wont capitalize on easy Sonic nostalgia.

I don't think Nintendo has ever upconverted SNES content to HD either. Seems like there's tons of games from that era which would get people interested in an HD upgrade.

 

[Xzi]

Sweet, already bought S3&K in a package during a Steam sale. Will have to give this a go.

 

[Undwiz]

Cool Beans

 

[Sheimi]

Completed Tails full playthrough. I have missed one Super Emerald. I really love this project.

 

[Lumstar]

Someone please explain to me why Sega wont release an all in one HD Genesis Sonic compilation. Sega milks the Sonic franchise for all its worth, and yet wont capitalize on easy Sonic nostalgia.

I don't think Nintendo has ever upconverted SNES content to HD either. Seems like there's tons of games from that era which would get people interested in an HD upgrade.

Sonic 3 has been effectively barred from consoles for a decade now. The Xbox Live Arcade version in 2009 was the last newly-approved console release.
I'm not counting portables, the PC, or backwards compatibility. (they're different from a legal standpoint)

3DS can play the DS collection. But since the Wii Shop Channel shut down, it's no longer available on Wii U.

 

[granville]

That version uses a weirdly recompiled version of the game's code that is pretty different from the original ROM. There's probably no chance of it working.

And for some reason I assumed the Steam version (having no knowledge of that release) was based on the S3&K Collection. Looks like it's more like sort of rom-emulator package instead. My bad.

 

[Deleted User]

Would someone explain how i play this on my switch? Thanks

 

[Lumstar]

And for some reason I assumed the Steam version (having no knowledge of that release) was based on the S3&K Collection. Looks like it's more like sort of rom-emulator package instead. My bad.

Isn't the S3&K Collection entirely an x86 port, and has nothing to do with the Megadrive/Genesis?

 

[Stwert]

I'm so torn about this. On one hand getting the game running in widescreen is awesome. Not to mention the vastly improved framerate of the special stages.

But on the other hand, my previously ideal version of Sonic 3 & Knuckles in terms of content and gameplay is the Sonic 3 Complete hack for Genesis. It has a lot of features which aren't included in this port...

I'm with you, I'd go for the Complete hack, especially because I can play that on my Mega Drive. I much prefer playing on the original hardware.

This does look good though.

 

[granville]

Isn't the S3&K Collection entirely an x86 port, and has nothing to do with the Megadrive/Genesis?

Yes. Graphics and gameplay wise it's a pretty accurate port. The music is pretty shitty though (different music tracks for some Sonic 3 levels such as Carnival Night, Ice Cap and Launch Base and all songs use bad MIDI instruments). I still own a copy of it, it ran well for me on an original Pentium 1 66mhz.

I mistakenly assumed the Steam version of Sonic3&K was based on that old port, i'm not familiar with the Steam version and didn't realize it was some sort of emulation package.

I'm with you, I'd go for the Complete hack, especially because I can play that on my Mega Drive. I much prefer playing on the original hardware.

This does look good though.

Yeah, it's really difficult to choose. Given the fact that AIR actually uses a copy of the original Genesis rom to make its tweaks, Sonic 3 Complete most likely could have been used as the basis for this instead. And I REALLY wish it had been.

I'm personally not a purist about playing on the original console. But I do LOVE the little tweaks made to S3Complete. The order of the zones, tweaked level transitions and many other things that just made it a joy.

At the same time, AIR has widescreen and implements SOME quality of life changes. I love the better framerate in the special stages. I even like little details like the smoother ring spinning animation.