Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 picks up right after Sonic 2. The Death Egg has fallen onto Angel Island, a floating island powered by the Master Emerald, and Dr. Robotnik has tricked its guardian, Knuckles, into fighting Sonic and Tails. The zones are bigger than ever, with new elemental shields and a save system. This is the 1994 Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) game, and it plays right here in your browser with no download.

Played Sonic 2? Start with Sonic 2, and finish the story with Sonic & Knuckles.

How to play

1. Press Play under the title picture, then Start (Enter) on the title screen.
2. On the Data Select screen, pick No Save or a save slot, choose Sonic and Tails, Sonic alone or Tails alone, and press Start.
3. Run with the arrow keys and jump with Z, X or C. Hold down and press jump to charge a spin dash.
4. Collect rings: while you hold at least one, a hit only makes you drop them.
5. Find the giant rings hidden in the zones to enter the Blue Sphere special stages and win the Chaos Emeralds.

Controls

Computer: arrow keys run and look up or crouch, Z, X or C jump, down + jump charges the spin dash, Enter is Start and pauses. Move the mouse over the game to show the bar with pause, restart, sound, save state, load state and full screen buttons.

Phone and tablet: the classic three-button pad appears under the game: the cross, A, B and C to jump, and Start.

A USB or Bluetooth gamepad also works.

Cheats

Press the magic wand button next to the full screen button above the game. A small panel opens over the game, and the game waits until you close it.

• Unlimited lives: you always have three lives.
• Unlimited rings: you always hold 50 rings, so a hit never costs a life.
• Super form: all seven Chaos Emeralds and 50 rings. Jump, then press jump again in the air to turn into golden Super Sonic, faster and invincible.

Reloading the page turns the cheats off again.

The three shields

• Flame shield: protects from fire. Press jump in the air for a fiery dash forward.
• Bubble shield: lets you breathe under water. Press jump in the air to bounce off the ground.
• Lightning shield: pulls nearby rings to you. Press jump in the air for a double jump.

About Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sega released Sonic 3 for the Mega Drive in February 1994. It was planned as one big game with Sonic & Knuckles, which came out later that year: plug Sonic 3 into the top of the Sonic & Knuckles cartridge and the two join into Sonic 3 & Knuckles.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sonic 3 free to play here?

Yes. You can play it free in your browser on Yes This Game, with no download and no sign-up.

How do I become Super Sonic?

Collect all seven Chaos Emeralds in the Blue Sphere special stages, then with 50 rings jump and press jump again in the air. The Super form cheat does this for you.

Where are the special stages?

Giant gold rings are hidden off the main paths of each act. Jump into one to play the Blue Sphere stage.

Can I play Sonic 3 on my phone?

Yes. On a phone or tablet the three-button pad appears under the game.

Can I save my progress?

Yes. The bar under the game has save state and load state buttons that keep the game in your browser on this device.