Replayed this masterpiece again took about four hours, felt like I never left. S3&K is such a great game, felt great to be back at what once was my #1 favorite and I can still see why, it’s such a blast and is able to create a really impressive narrative with their seemingly insurmountable limitations.

Once again went for the true hyper ending and after spending so many hours on it when I first picked it up, it was second nature getting those emeralds.

Legitimately the only complaint I have was that desert, it was a slog and completely jarring and out of place compared to the rest of the levels. I got pretty frustrated with that blasted desert but after I finally made it through I was so relieved, this is the one and only thing I don’t like in the game and its only one minor part of a much grander experience, I wish the desert was better but in the grand scheme of this game it really is only an annoyance in what otherwise is perfection.

The game makes you work your butt off to get the hyper form but man is it worth it, it feels earned. It’s absolutely amazing, hyper sonic is stunning and I wish Sega kept him for future games, maybe one day. The final boss is perfect, its so stressful yet makes you feel so badass. Again and again you try to get the Master Emerald from Eggman but the dude is commited to keeping that jewel.
His desperation is so cleary felt and his fear of you in your true hyper form makes the final boss so badass. That ending makes you feel awesome.
Sonic 3 and Knuckles is not only the definitive version of Sonic 3, but is also the definitive 2D Sonic game in my eyes. Its a gem of a game.