Sonic 3 & Knuckles' Weird Windows 95 Port

[@StuffWePlay]

Fun fact: The first time I beat Sonic 2, it was a version made for an old flip phone. Metropolis Zone SUCKED using a phone click wheel thing for movement. Also, if you like what I do, consider throwing a coin to your KZbinr: ko-fi.com/stuffweplay

[@BadBoyBird]

The first time I beat sonic 2 was on sonic ultimate genesis collection

[@NachoNinja]

I still can't - it runs really slow on my Chromebook, and my phone Sonic 2 is pretty tough, but great port. I actually really dug the Sonic 3 PC release, and the PC was the first time I played Sonic CD. Really dug your video, especially at the end with the weird CG ads from Mcdonalds.

[@ScutoidStudios]

Windows xp stuff often runs on Linux with WINE, you could use a usb key with Linux on it for thst

[@jadedheartsz]

I got this game as a gift for my 8th birthday so i've got a lot of nostalgia for this port, i'd borrowed Sonic 3 on the Genesis from my next-door neighbor but never got to play Sonic and Knuckles before so this was my first exposure to it.

[@touria3571]

The first I beat sonic 1 and sonic 2 it was on my Sony Xperia XZ2 it was to HARD

[@Bakanineinstein]

Funny sidenote about Knuckles in Sonic 2... The complete ROM file for that version of Sonic 2 is on the Sonic and Knuckles Genesis Cart, think of attaching the Sonic 2 cart as the software key it's looking for to boot into the game!

[@StuffWePlay]

Oh that's actually really cool! Also, TIL :)

[@Bakanineinstein]

@@StuffWePlay TIL? Thank you, yeah for some reason a LOT of people to this day seem to think Sonic 2 was made like Sonic 3 and parts of the program lock and key themselves together into a new ROM... But that's giving anyone, let alone Sega a little too much credit for forward thinking... They did try that very thing with the pre-existing code for Sonic 1 to add Knuckles into it as well, but that's where they figured out it just wasn't going to happen... Although they made VERY GOOD progress in doing that and could have even gone through with it if people wouldn't mind a version of the game that locked up every time you tried to land from Knuckles air glide on to a moving platform or spin dash... EVER! So yeah... THAT is why they simi reprogrammed Sonic 2 and added the whole thing in just to give one of there cooler ideas a go! And it was only possible because of the HUGE increase in memory of the newer carriage boards, although they really didn't need to go quite as ham on the intro to the game as they did with the sudo 3D Sonic... 😅

[@StuffWePlay]

TIL means Today I Learned :) And thank you for the run down! This is way cool!

[@Bakanineinstein]

@@StuffWePlay TIL... TIL!?... LMFAO! 🙃🤣😅👍 Anyawhoo No problem, just regurgitating some information I picked up years ago on a forum called Sonic Cult that an old friend of mine used to run... The people who lurked around there where usually pretty knowledgeable, when they went being self absorbed jerks who would condemn you on the spot for not worshipping every moment that they wasted there time for you... 😑 But seriously they did find out a LOT about the development of the early Sonic games, perhaps if they had spent more time trying to share there info instead of trying to get others to apologize for not being "at there level" yet having the balls to call themselves a Sonic fan... MAYBE more people would already know about stuff like this... 😅

[@ScutoidStudios]

@@Bakanineinstein it's more that I imagined it had a rom in it but with no sprite and pallette info and it took those from sonic 2's cart.

[@imaginox9]

I've installed it on my previous PC and I really liked it ! As for the MJ themes, there is a mod that allows you to replace the default MIDI soundtrack with your own MP3 files. So I basically downloaded HD versions of each theme (including the MJ ones) + the Mania themes of Angel Island, Hydrocity, Flying Battery and Lava Reef and it was a great experience

[@xxxmachoman96xxx]

I had this, the Sonic CD, and Sonic R windows ports growing up. I sank hours into Sonic R but it broke my heart that no amount of effort could get Sonic CD to run (I was working with XP at the newest then, maybe even older). Getting CD in Gems Collection later on really felt like an achievement. I have no memory of playing this despite it running, but I played S3&K on Gamecube to death soon after. I also had a demo of 3D Blast but don't remember that bizarre special stage at all, only the Genesis one.

[@pastqr]

Same. I love Sonic R. Its a great game i dont care what anyone says.

[@HistoryandReviews]

My PC cd for sonic cd worked great

[@jadedheartsz]

Yup I got Sonic CD on PC for Christmas and this for my birthday.

[@Maxiom5]

I had this as a kid! I recall later going to a community center with a Sega Genesis and being baffled to find the Sonic 3 and Knuckles carts. I had just always assumed Sonic was a computer game and had no idea what a sega genesis was.

[@jeroenboth167]

Amazing video I really loved to hear about this version since I have only had an demo CD version of this Windows 95 collection for years now ⭐️

[@StuffWePlay]

I'm way glad you enjoyed it!

[@BadBoyBird]

Isn't there another Version with garfield and another game

[@StuffWePlay]

This version was actually the version in that pack! It was bundled with a Garfield game as part of the Sonic and Garfield Pack, which I'd love to cover on its own if I could ever find a copy haha

[@CosmicSponge2004]

@@StuffWePlay It also has Baku Baku Animal

[@joniivee]

I love this story and you tell it well ad always. Glad you were able to avoid the Hedgehog Fanfic error!

[@StuffWePlay]

Thank you so much!

[@Jersa7]

I liked the subtle Spaceballs reference when you mentioned Ludicrous Speed. Barely there, but I got it. Nice video.

[@StuffWePlay]

Thank you tons!

[@curtdower1330]

I use to love the FM mode on sound, specifically on my old ISA Aztech 16 bit sound card (back in the days). :D I think depending on your sound card the audio would be slightly different.

[@PAINBRINGER]

I got the Xpert Software release on ebay dirt cheap a while ago, and factory sealed. Along with Sonic R, Sonic CD, and Sonic 3d Blast. Your video on Origins reminded me I had those lying around. Mine come in Jewel cases, love those.

[@Mirai8]

I didn't even know this existed, great video. Are you a fan of the Sakura Taisen series? Would love to see a video on that if you are!

[@StuffWePlay]

I've never heard of it before, but I'll definitely look into it!

[@cookieface80]

This was how I played it as a kid (despite owning a Mega Drive). Xplosiv and Soldout were a god send for British kids in the 2000s.

[@kchrules775]

I had this and the Windows port of Sonic CD back when they first came out. For a while I couldn’t even get the music to work, but eventually got it and I always loved those midi tunes. The Genesis (and beta) music is way better, but it’s weird nostalgia for me.

[@Evercade_Effect]

I love learning about geeky stuff like this. I didn't know Sonic 3 was half the game. I feel like I need to play the full version. Hopefully PS4 will get a release.

[@StuffWePlay]

I'm really glad you enjoyed it!

[@rynobehnke8289]

I guess one thing of note would be to say that MEDI music is highly dependent on ones PC as MEDI datas are more like digital note sheets and based on what sound synth the PC is equipped with will the music sound different. Most people thing of the MEDI's are not all that good because there only known the Windows default synth which really isn't that great. OH also this game always came bundled with Sonic the Hedgehog the Screen Saver. Even if latter versions no long included a short cut to the installer on the autorun menu is the program still on the disk of every version of the game. The installer just has to be manually started.

[@Damian-cilr2]

Its midi not medi Dammit

[@SpeedyBlur2000]

I might be mistaken because it has been almost 2 whole decades (I'm 24 by the way, born in 1999), but I believe this was indeed my first ever exposure to Sonic 3 and Knuckles. I might have played it on the Genesis, but I have more memories of playing Sonic 1 and 2 on the Sega Genesis than Sonic 3. Fun fact, I started playing Sonic games as early as 2002, when I was just around 3 years old. I would also start playing these games on other compilations and eventually emulators in the mid 2000's, such as Gens+ and Kega Fusion.

[@FrolicBTH_Official]

Fun fact: The Sonic 3 Prototype/Sonic & Knuckles Collection music tracks were reused in Sonic Origins (Mainly Carnival Night, Icecap, Launch Base, and The credits theme for Sonic 3 alone)

[@midi_feline]

That is such an obscure fact, fr 😱

[@SpiderSplash_]

SWP: Who is PEGI and should I be afraid of them? Me: Yes, they mark LEGO games with their mark for violence

[@TarksGauntlet]

While I'm sure my introduction to sonic was Sonic 2 on genesis, the first place I REALLY got into sonic was on PC with the sonic CD port. Sonic on PC just always worked for me haha.

[@StuffWePlay]

Honestly, I should do a retrospective on the whole Sega PC line from the 90s at some point. There was a lot of great stuff!

[@Ghosthound_X]

I played the hell out of this collection on my Compaq 99 PC back then. I had everything unlocked in S3&K those were good times.

[@NeonGSP]

Gotta love actually living in the UK where you can get this for £5 with everything and an excellent condition

[@Tamamo-no-Bae]

The demo of this PC port was my first introduction to Sonic since I've never been a console gamer. Later I got the others on emulator, but this one will always have a special palce in my heart. :3

[@Nathan-rb3qp]

Brad Buxer is the guy that's hoarding the rights to MJ's Sonic 3 music.

[@Gabi-enby]

According to what I've been checking, the actual last release of Sonic 3 & Knuckles with the original soundtrack is on the 'Sega Genesis Classics' physical release, a collection of the digital released on Steam SEGA titles Before that there was also Sonic Classic Collection, for the Nintendo DS (with DSi enhancements).

[@pvzmariosonica8fan]

4:49 Nice reference to the movie _Spaceballs_

[@CosmicSponge2004]

I got my Wii Refurbished from GameStop in 2015. The original owner downloaded Sonic 3 but not Sonic & Knuckles!

[@UltraSTH]

Update, Sonic Origins uses the prototype OST as well

[@tomstorm255]

These games are how I became a Sega kid. Didn't have an actual Sega console like all my friends in the 90's - but I had the Win 95 ports of Sonic CD, Sonic 3D Blast and Sonic 3 & Knuckles!

[@pinhead7422]

Ice Cap Zone's music is actually a reworked version of an unreleased song by The Jetzons titled "Hard Times". You can easily find it on youtube if you'd want to have a listen! Other than that, amazing video man!

[@imGamer230]

scottish person here, dont worry pegi is safe and there no need to worry

[@tristanbush6576]

I came back to this and I just had a thought: Sonic 2 is just weeks away from releasing in theaters and where in the world is the Sonic Origins Collection?! Iizuka said it would release before the movie and we still haven't heard a thing about it. What do you think, Jamie?

[@StuffWePlay]

I'm hoping we hear more whenever the next Nintendo Direct drops - or, if we must wait, at least before E3

[@ianproductions5540]

The fact that the game framerate is uncapped is confusing to me, wouldn't that mean that your game would either be running faster, slower, or rarely 60 fps?

[@NeonGSP]

Also the launch button isn’t what you want, afaik that last worked on XP, it’s the GAME folder ya want

[@CosmicSponge2004]

Sonic 3 released on Steam on January 26, 2011

[@Axxon_N]

This is the Sonic 3 I played the most growing up oddly enough

[@caiocesarmarques4765]

Awesome video. Do you will make a video about the other Sonic games on the brand Sega PC (Sonic CD, Sonic's Schoolhouse, Sonic 3D Blast and Sonic R)?

[@StuffWePlay]

I've actually covered Sonic R before! And it's funny you mention 3D Blast - I'm hoping to end off 2021 with a look at all its different versions!

[@caiocesarmarques4765]

@@StuffWePlay I know why! The game will be 25 years old this year.

[@Turbulation1]

@@StuffWePlay kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZPGh3ynlteErJI Speaking of 3D Blast here is a prerelease Trailer for the Saturn version by the way, you might have not known about. The main changes comes from the special stages and you can notice plenty of differences.

[@KatherineOfEden]

I had no idea this existed. S3&K will always be my favourite classic Sonic game 😌

[@EdalgmWasTaken]

The steam version was released in 2011, after the 2009 xbox live arcade release.

[@MichaelF267]

I had this pc port. I always wondered why the music was changed. I assumed they had trouble transferring it to midi for the pc

[@CosmicSponge2004]

The speed is on intense windowed. It's fine in Full Screen no matter what PC

[@pastqr]

This is literally the port i grew up with on my pc. I never played Sonic 3&knuckles on a sega.

[@MichaelF267]

meh it's confirmed, updated versions of the pc/beta music are in sonic origins.

[@StuffWePlay]

I may need to do a quick video on this. This is wild

[@MichaelF267]

@@StuffWePlay cool. Look forward to it

[@Damian-cilr2]

"updated" more like downgraded haha Ok no but seriously they sound bad.

[@MichaelF267]

@Damian-cilr agreed. They sounded better on the original prototypes. I understand why they can't use the sega genesis soundtrack. Michael Jackson's not the only issue.... other dead people are featured on it but these demakes of the prototype tracks on origins suck

[@ChadWSmith]

Please do review the Sonic Origins Collection for Switch. And Sonic 3 Complete ROM Hack, which Sega lets you legally play if you have the Steam "Sega Mega Drive / Sega Genesis Classics" game. It's their official emulator for PC - and you can add ROMs through Steam Workshop.

[@StuffWePlay]

I absolutely will then! And I had no idea you could do that with the Steam version - that's really rad!

[@darthsombra2102]

It took my so long to figure out that this was the game I played when I was a kid. Yes. This was my first Sonic game that I played back in the day with my mother. Fun fact. I thought Knuckles was a girl.

[@noneyaseen]

sonic3 and knuckles cover without any title like you know what this

[@Nathan-rb3qp]

Jackson also composed the base midboss theme.

[@Jb33124]

I used to play this type of Sonic 3 on my windows XP years ago! Lost the disc, though

[@shadowwhite9324]

theoreticil you cam change your display refresh rate to 50hz this can help but...sonic origins

[@CosmicSponge2004]

I have this. But I use Windows Vista so it's a little glitchy

[@Damian-cilr2]

I kinda prefer to prototype version of carnival night,but hey its just my opinion afterall

[@ikagura]

The proto musics aren't bad..

[@baileyyyyyyyyyyyy]

download sonic 3 air if you have the pc steam port, it's much better and uses the old michael jackson composed music

[@gary23386]

Why do you consider it weird?

[@snowvoredude]

why wierd

[@Hey-Its-May]

You're not playing the original Sonic & Knuckles Collection. The original was in a white jewel case with "Sega PC collection" printed on the side

[@StuffWePlay]

I literally mention that in the video

[@Hey-Its-May]

@@StuffWePlay You mentioned that you had an imported copy, but you did not go over how the original version looks and differs. Either way, no big deal.

[@SpeedyBlur2000]

This is a nice little childhood memory, but do you guys remember those hanging monkey bars or pulleys on playgrounds? Well, when I was a kid, circa 2006-2007, when I was around 7-8 years old, I would go play on the playground, and pretend I was Sonic running around. When I got to the pulleys and monkey bars, I legitimately thought I was in Flying Battery Zone. 🥰🥰🥰