What is better... Sonic 1, 2 or 3?

[IvoSlash]

I prefer S3&K. Best Sonic game ever.
However, Sonic 1 brings the most nostalgia out of me.

[Alexrd]

Sonic 1 is my favourite, although I recognize that Sonic 3 & Knuckles is the best of the series.

Never saw the appeal for Sonic 2...

[XeroShinobi]

Sonic 3&K>Sonic 2>Sonic 1

Without the Knuckles add-on, I'd rank 2 and 3 about the same in quality. All of them are fantastic in their own right. It's kind of a shame that the newer Sonic games have sullied the reputation of the older ones in the eyes of the typical modern gamer.

[Dr Robotnik]

I still enjoy playing all of them.

I guess I'd put sonic 3 top of the pile, even without the s+k cart.

I like the big open levels and the encouragement to explore and find the giant rings. I always sucked at the special stages on sonic 2, so I like the fact they're easier in 3, and I can become supersonic earlier.

[Lync]

For me:

Sonic 1 - The Classic
Sonic 2 - The Favorite
Sonic 3&K - The Best
Sonic CD - The Overlooked

[OverDrone]

For me:

Sonic 1 - The Classic
Sonic 2 - The Favorite
Sonic 3&K - The Best
Sonic CD - The Overlooked

Yeah that's pretty much how I see it. The major achievement of the Sonic 3 games was that they really nailed the combination of speed and exploration perfectly, so for me it's the ultimate outing (even without locking on).

Sonic 2 focuses on speed. CD actively wants you to slow down for various reasons. Sonic 3 is the Sonic idea best executed in my mind.

Sonic CD takes a bashing from some quarters over it's 'fan hack' level design, and while it's schizophrenic compared to the cart games, I wouldn't say it doesn't make for a fun game. Now I pretty much like almost all the Zones in all the MD Sonics, but Wacky Workbench is a design that I'm afraid doesn't really work IMO - I can see what they were going for but it ends up being a pretty retarded experience.

I will say the overall presentation and graphic style is perhaps strongest in CD.

[Lync]

Yeah that's pretty much how I see it. The major achievement of the Sonic 3 games was that they really nailed the combination of speed and exploration perfectly, so for me it's the ultimate outing (even without locking on).

Sonic 2 focuses on speed. CD actively wants you to slow down for various reasons. Sonic 3 is the Sonic idea best executed in my mind.

Sonic CD takes a bashing from some quarters over it's 'fan hack' level design, and while it's schizophrenic compared to the cart games, I wouldn't say it doesn't make for a fun game. Now I pretty much like almost all the Zones in all the MD Sonics, but Wacky Workbench is a design that I'm afraid doesn't really work IMO - I can see what they were going for but it ends up being a pretty retarded experience.

I will say the overall presentation and graphic style is perhaps strongest in CD.

Yeah, I think you summed up what I was thinking pretty well.

I did however forget to mention one more:

Knuckles Chaotix 32X: THE POLARIZING!

[Orchid87]

Knuckles Chaotix 32X: THE POLARIZING!

Makes me wonder. They could easily release Sonic 3 & Knuckles TEH COMPLETE VERSION on 32x with remastered colours and stuff. I'd buy a 32x just for that.

[daminmancejin2]

1. Sonic 1 I like the first one because star light zone music and spring yard zone music
2. Sonic 2 I like this because of aquatic ruin zone music
3. Sonic 3 I like this one because of the Endless Mine

[Pixelepsy]

Makes me wonder. They could easily release Sonic 3 & Knuckles TEH COMPLETE VERSION on 32x with remastered colours and stuff. I'd buy a 32x just for that.

This would have been an epic of galaxy sized proportions. I wish it happened.

[Sonic2sday]

1. Sonic 2!! Great levels, speed, and pure nostalgia for me. Remember my mum bought it and was waiting for us at home after school. And she hated us playing video games! Good times. The spin dash and the bit in Chemical Plant Zone where you nearly go off screen for running so fast completely blew my mind. I loved Tails back then but not so much now.

2. Sonic 1. The original and still holds up so well. I love the simplistic gameplay and lack of speed does not bother me. As others have mentioned, Starlight Zone is enough to up vote this. The background music just sums up my childhood and nearly beings a tear to my eye when I hear it.

3. Sonic 3 & Knuckles. I played this waaaay later, emulated on a PC. I owned S&K but it was near end of the MD days and I think I only bought it cos I was bored and not because I really wanted it, so didnt enjoy too much. Anyway S3&K is pretty epic but just lacks the charm of the originals.


And why so much hate for Spinball? Ok it does feel like a dodgy rip off the Sonic series. But as a pinball game it is excellent, and one of my favourite to this day. I remember the first time I beat it. Was sweating like mad with the last boss, and had to mute the TV to concentrate.

[Gogogadget]

Sonic 3 & Knuckles is so good, the level design, music and graphics are all top notch for a 16-bit game.

Never thought much to Sonic Spinball but it does have some unique charm to it, just seems like a bit of a cash-in really.

[Tripredacus]

I have little to no recollection of playing Sonic & Knuckles. So of the three, I choose to pick Sonic 2 as my favorite.