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The best 2D Sonic game since S3&K

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 14 / 14
Date: June 28, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is by far the best Sonic GBA outing ever. Whereas SA1 felt too linear and cautious with the stage design, and SA2 concentrated almost entirely on an uneven mix of speed and exploration, SA3 feels a lot more like the old-school Sonic games on the Sega Genesis.

Clearly responding to negative feedback to the previous SA games, Sega have taken the insane 'superspeed', tricks and character animations from SA2 and the intricate level design from Sonic & Knuckles. The game is much longer than SA1 and 2, featuring 7 zones and 3 acts to each zone, as well as 'hub' levels, where you can select to play the acts in any order you wish (and also play/unlock minigames). Glitches like grinding in SA2 have been fixed, and special stages are much easier to reach.

A new element introduced is the 'partnership' system, where you play with a partner, either a friend or AI, enabling you to perform new 'combos': for example, with a Sonic/Cream combo Sonic can breathe underwater and use Cream's homing attack, while with a Knuckles/Amy combo Knuckles attacks with Amy's hammer. 20 combinations are available, each with their own advantages, although it is possible to complete the game by just leaving your partner behind (albeit harder).

The acts themselves feel much like the Genesis Sonics (taking out the massive ebdless pits from SA2), and feature many classic Sonic signatures, like popping bubbles for air, slippery waterways and bouncy flagpoles (and cheap deaths:P). Badnik design has improved, with some enemies who 'do the unexpected', like a piggybank that drains you of your rings. Thankfully, Sega have abandoned the 'running' boss battles of SA2 and returned to the 'static' bosses, each of whom need some getting used to. An improved version of the Phi robot from Sonic Battle also features, and as you fight him throughout the game he gains more attacks and becomes harder to beat. The game is far from easy, and the final acts (and the final boss) are really quite difficult, hard to get past without losing a life or two.

Sound is excellent, featuring the usual cheery tones of the Sonic games with a few twists (ie Sunset hill, with the remix of the original 'Green Hill' theme from Sonic 1). A new addition is the voice acting from Sonic battle, so deaths are no longer signalled by the "bong!" but with a "whoa!". Which is sometimes annoying, especially on the harder stages, but Eggman/Robotnik's "You're going to pay for this!" makes up for this.

Overall Summary:
Graphics 5/5: colourful stages, great character animations
Sound 4/5: cheerful music, voice acting can get on nerves
Gameplay 5/5: most of the level and boss designs are perfectly executed and timed
Lastability 4/5: many charcters and combos to try, gotta find all the Chao!
Overall 5/5: a return to roots for Sonic Team, with all the problems that plagued SA2 smoothed out. Welcome back Sonic!

13 years in and he's still a blast to play...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 10
Date: June 01, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I think I speak for everyone is saying that Sonic is just plain better in 2-D. The speed and control was just meant for this medium. Since I'm awaiting for hopefully another sequel to the Sonic Adventure series, the GBA offers Sonic Advance 3. And a bit early too....I was excepting it out not until June 16th.

Anyway, I'm currently on Zone 3 of the game (I don't wanna ruin any of the names of the Zones of those who haven't played it yet) and the gameplay is beautiful. The nicely rendered backgrounds, the new duo mode allows you to mix-match different characters, and now you can play any Act you want to first. All these features should have a good replay value.

Strap on your running shoes and pick up another solid Sonic adventure!

Sonic has returned in an even cooler adventure

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: May 04, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Sonic Advance 3 is incredibly amazing! The characters have voices now and the music quality is really good. But what really blows me away is how many diffrent combinations of moves there are. Depending on who you are and who you team up with, will affect what you can do. For example, If you team up with Sonic, he gives you greater speed, Amy will give you a hammer, Knuckles will make your attacks more powerful and so on. Sonic Advance 3 is by far the hardest Sonic Advance game for the GBA,espically the last stage Chaos Angel. But this doesn't stop the game from being fun at all. Sonic Advance 3 is a must have for your Game Boy Advance.

I have actually played the game.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: March 30, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I will not reveal how I got ahold of the game. So I will not reply to anything of that matter.
The game is reminisent of Knuckles Chaotix for the 32X. While it holds simularities, it is indeed different. HOlding the R button will cause your main Character to Grab hold of the secondary character, and charge some energy. Upon releasing (depending on the Character) will cause the main character to be boosted high into the air, given a speed boost, or able to use the secondary characters main ability, such as being able to hold onto Tails as he flys.
The levels are sectioned off into a smaller level area, where the player must go to the act itself in order to enter the levels. I find this much more fun, and free roaming than the past Sonic Advances in the past. My favorite area, and acts, are the second you go to. It reminences of Green Hill Zone, with pallette, and even a remix of the original score.
One thing I appreciate, and is worth mentioning is that no longer can you hold in right the whole time and finish the level. In many occasions the game has the characters moving in all directions.
All in all, The game is faster, smoother, and most of all more fun. It is my favorite among the Advances.

Blew me away

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: May 27, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The title says it all. This game was addictive from the moment I put it in the system. With the new team based gameplay that was first featured in Sonic heroes, this game will have you stuck till the end. The story line is also one of the best I've ever seen from a 2d sonic port. This game is also very challenging, with some very complex boss battles. The new zone scheme is cool also, where you are able to play any of the zone's 3 acts in any way you wish, followed up by a boss battle. If you are looking for a truley great game to play, you can't go wrong with Sonic Advance 3.

Sonic Advance 3 is the best!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 19
Date: July 11, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The title says it all!!!!!!!!

good

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: December 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

all the sonic games are pretty much the same. you run through a maze of loops, ramps, cannons (ect.)and always do a stunt or two, and have explosive bosses. this game is pretty much the same. i suggest you get this game if you're a sonic fan, but i wish that all the games woul'nt be the same.

This game rocks!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 9
Date: November 07, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I love this game! It's my favorite gameboy game! If you like Sonic the Hedgehog, buy it now! It's even in Scholastic book orders! It has super fast levels and hard bosses! I love it sooo much!

Great Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 22, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is awesome and solid. Not only does it combine gameplay stratigies from the first two Sonic games(i.e rails, and attacking with Amy), the tag feature adds a whole new dimension. There is the Chao missons that let you get special stage access.My advice: Dont give up. The sound and graphics are pretty good. Game speed also runs about the same as SA 2. It runs fast and furious in some places. Other than that, hardcore Sonic fans, like myself, will be hooked on this game for hours. It might take some time for others, but I garentee that with you, you just might enjoy it.

totally AWESOME

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: May 29, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This game is very fun. It has awesome replay value, and there's tons to do even after you beat the final boss! It is the perfect game for first time Sonicers, and Sonic fans will revel in it's tag-team action. Extremely easy to learn but hard to master, this game represents sonic at his best.

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