Unapologetic - Sonic 3 & Knuckles

Let me tell you about my favorite video game of all time.
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Follow me on Twitter - gameapologist
Patreon - patreon.com/gameapologist
SPOILERS BELOW!
A massive thank you is due to all the amazing guests that shared their voices and talent for this episode. I'm really sorry I didn't vocalize a shout out in the video itself, but I liked how the video ended and I'm a bit of a stickler about that to my own detriment sometimes. I hope that's okay.
If you are reading this and have no idea what I'm talking about... WATCH THE VIDEO FIRST. Don't spoil the surprise for yourself! After that? Checked out the work of these insanely wonderful people:
Channel Pup - / @channelpup
Gilly The Kid -
/ retrocityzone
Slope's Game Room -
/ djslopesroom
The Completionist -
/ thatonevideogamer
Tripplejaz -
/ @tripplejaz
Geek Critique -
/ tgcritique
AntDude -
/ antdude92
Treasure Hunting Sonic -
/ @treasurehuntingsonic
Sam's Procrastination Station -
/ @samprocrastinates
Tails' Channel -
/ tailschannel
Garrulous64 -
/ mariomasterdt
Codename Gamma -
/ codenamegamma
Dave Ace -
/ daveacegamer
Knuckles Channel 3 & Knuckles -
/ @gottabefrank
...and of course, the one we ALL call Johnny:
SomecallmeJohnny -
/ somecallmejohnny
There is also music to check out! Tee Lopes gave me his blessing to use his STUNNING re-imaginings of Sonic music. I seriously don't understand how more people haven't checked some of these tracks out:
/ teezord
I didn't reach out to Snappleman or anyone who helped put together the now legendary Project Chaos compilation, but be sure to check it out if you haven't:
ocremix.org/album/9/sonic-3-a...
I also made note of it, but in case you have not checked it out for yourself, the Sonic 3 A.I.R. mod is absolutely incredible. I used it as an excuse to go back and capture some more footage for this video to mix in with the vanilla Steam footage. If you own S3K on Steam, this mod latches onto that, so it is completely legit. Check it out here:
sonic3air.org/
Okay...I think that's it for now. If you made it all the way down here? Thank you for checking out the video, this took a LOT of work, and I have not slept for a very long time...but it was worth it. If you are one of the guest cameos, seriously, thank you so much for helping make this happen. Gilly and Sam actually reached out to a lot of folks for this, so hey, hope I did you all justice.
...and of course, thank you Sega, Sonic Team past and present, for creating something truly special for millions of us fans of all Generations.
Toot toot, Sonic Warriors.

[@abrahammoratti]

Game Apologist: The Movie

[@zubair1149]

That would be somewhat interesting.

[@auser994]

Game Apologist 2: The Electric Boogaloo

[@abrahammoratti]

@@auser994 Game Apologist 3: Spin Dash Drift.

[@logiarplayz9029]

This is a very epic bruh moment.

[@deadaccount4411]

Where's the blu ray version of this!!!

[@definitelynotsmart]

WHEN HE CALLED HYPER SONIC ELECTRIC SOLDIER PORYGON I IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHY.

[@beary324]

Ah yes seizure I see

[@Jellyman4]

*s e i z u r e* *i n t e n t i f i e s*

[@beary324]

𝐞 𝐩 𝐢 𝐥 𝐞 𝐩 𝐬 𝐲 𝐢 𝐧 𝐭 𝐞 𝐧 𝐬 𝐢 𝐟 𝐢 𝐞 𝐬

[@Needwagon4Speedwagon]

Whoa you cracked that code!?

[@yellowglitchedsonic1206]

I like how in sonic forces there’s the achievement called “freedom fighters”

[@Aberyyyy]

This is almost as long as the actual Sonic Movie, let that sink in.

[@trash_lol]

shorter by what, a minute? movie’s 99 minutes

[@Aberyyyy]

@@trash_lol that's why I said *ALMOST*

[@superstupidsongs2455]

I find this Sonic "movie" to be better than the other one lol

[@donnawat1]

It’s not as long as the movie it is the movie

[@anexistingperson8540]

@Hooty HOOT HOOT I wish people talked about the OVA more

[@bluesox2762]

"Let me get this straight. You think Sonic 3 & Knuckles is a good game?" "I do. And I'm tired of pretending it's not."

[@sphereyahya]

TRUE

[@futbolover10]

t8me stamp plz

[@Gefdragoon]

i was surprized that anyone in the community thought it was trash more than anything

[@randoliz]

I do, and I will never pretend its not

[@ASOtheprO]

Forget what I think, it is

[@SimplyWav]

Y’know, with all the negativity out there right now about the series, this is something special, I hope you know that. Thanks, dude.

[@geothepoly]

All the negativity in general really makes me wish that we actually got a new port of this game

[@capirucho5065]

Geo The Poly Same.

[@crestofhonor2349]

Game Apologist: modern games shouldn’t be split up Final Fantasy 7 Remake: *sweats*

[@Planag7]

Lol!

[@siraccountless2195]

And Pokémon maybe

[@rainpooper7088]

Sir Accountless Pokémon Mystery Dungeon 2 definitely does.

[@chocov1233]

@@siraccountless2195 The Legend of Zelda Oracle games for the Game Boy.

[@meat_monkey]

modern games

[@brandongrey9240]

“Sega should not have to wait for fans to grow up, to handle it themselves” That is so true yet so sad.

[@RabeaMassaad]

This is my childhood I hammered S3&K - it’s such a good story! Masterpiece

[@quarreneverett4767]

I never got to see ot sorry

[@hyperstick]

Even though I Grew up in the 2000s I still have fond memories of sonic three and knuckles from my old ds

[@robensmonteau161]

"Why are you settling for mediocrity?" *-Game Apologist*

[@pkthefirst1524]

I strongly agree with this quote, but it depends on your view on mediocrity. for example, I LOVE sonic unleashed, I think its great, but I can see how it could be mediocre to some people.

[@TheKoloradoShow]

Problem is we're forced to because of modern sonic teams decisions. But hopefully this year will be the big year for Sonic like they're claiming it to be.

[@sayer4148]

@@TheKoloradoShow they started strong with the movie, that's for sure.

[@TheKoloradoShow]

@@sayer4148 good point. Let's hope they keep it up

[@robensmonteau161]

For the record, the quote just stuck with me because it doesn't just apply to Sonic games, or games in general.

[@enjoyerofcake2123]

I just watched a feature-length fangush over a twenty-five year old game. Why am I crying?

[@cygnusprime6728]

It's ok to cry

[@dn22pkkdd476]

Maybe the real Sonic 3 And Knuckles, was the friends we made along the way?

[@mattfromwiisports9414]

@Muse Suse AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@ap1evideogame44]

@Muse Suse "Sonic is kil" "no"

[@smbz7961]

@@dn22pkkdd476 Maybe the real Sonic 3's were the and Knuckles we played along the way.

[@Caskiphil]

17 minutes just for an intro. *that's how you know he's gonna get into it.*

[@bulb9970]

14:16 - 18:15 Every once in a while I come back here to listen to this part again. It’s masterfully written and even though I’m personally not as much of a fan of 3&K as others are, I just enjoy seeing someone show genuine passion for something they love. Of course the entire “documentary” is top notch, but I don’t think I’ll ever find something as heartfelt as this monologue on youtube.

[@mauricejames8969]

"This is the green hill I am dying on" lines like that get you a like. And a sub (been subbed for a minute now) Not even halfway into your video and I am thoroughly enjoying myself. I really appreciate your opinion and your genuine, respectful, intelligent, humorous, humane, and just awesomely human way of expressing it.

[@hamzahargrave2410]

17:36

[@futbolover10]

awesomely human..?

[@damongambuti]

"There comes a moment for every gamer when they realise they are playing their favourite game for the first time."

[@burrri]

That was deep

[@Canalbiruta]

Me finishing for the 50th time sonic 3: "now come to realize... This game is fucking awesome!"

[@dakootersexpressossfm]

that moment for me was when i played halo reach

[@hurt4322]

That moment for me was when I completed the Darker Side in Mario Odyssey.

[@dakootersexpressossfm]

@@hurt4322 noice

[@romanpackham8471]

hot take: the unfiltered beta music was still a bop also, i'm telling you that once sega gets it's sh!t together, sonic is gonna make one hell of a comeback!

[@person4485]

Hey im loving to agree with this bro

[@daelen.cclark]

Sonic Frontiers looks promising.

[@Chicken_Nugget1]

Sonic Origins. Here we come.

[@juniosonic3511]

So true, Sega can make a game better than all Mario games without problems, they just have to try

[@Chicken_Nugget1]

@Charon the Toaster I got away with the bugs but there was alot of dissapointment & could have beens.

[@hyperparipi]

I want to thank you for this, as well as everyone else who contributed. For me, I grew up with Sonic. One of my very earliest memories is playing Sonic 3 & Knuckles at my aunt's house the day Sonic & Knuckles came out in the UK - apparently this was how my family were bribing me to stay overnight somewhere unfamiliar to me. I distinctly remember sitting there in the dark in my older cousin's room just SO excited to be experiencing a new Sonic game. I was hardcore obsessed with Sonic right through the Saturn, Dreamcast, PS2 eras, and it petered off a little for me by early 2010s. Though Sonic Adventure 2 stayed as my favourite game of all time, and I went to Summer of Sonic conventions... I just kind of naturally fell out of it as I was getting into my 20s. The last game I remember buying was Generations, and I barely played it before going back to other games. I'd go back to the Adventure games from time to time, play through them and get momentarily back into Sonic before falling back out. Recently, I've come back. Properly. I can only really pinpoint the anniversary orchestra as being the starting point for my resurgence in interest. The last month or so has been extremely Sonic-oriented for me in the most wonderful nostalgic way, but it's also helped remind me why I love Sonic so much. Sonic was there and was what I turned to when I didn't really have anything else. Some of the most pivotal moments of my life, good and bad, have some kind of memory regarding Sonic attached to them. I've always considered Sonic important to me, even when my interest was minimal. If people asked my favourite game, I'd end up mentioning Sonic right along Final Fantasy XIV, even with the disclaimer that I haven't played in a while. I'm not going to go into detail, but right now is a pretty challenging part of my life. Having Sonic back in times like this... it feels like home. I don't even care if it's cringe to say. Even if Forces needed some work (a lot of work), I still wholeheartedly enjoyed my time with it. I had fun. I'm having fun, with all the games I've played since returning, and that's just not something I can say for any other franchise. Even though I'm digging through new games, games I barely played, games I haven't properly played in about 2 decades... it still feels homely to me. It still feels like it did when I'd come home from school as a kid and hop right into a game. Now I come home from school as a teacher and hop right into a game. Even though my life is in a completely different place now in every single way - right down to the country I'm playing in - Sonic feels like a constant regardless of how much he changes, or his gameplay, or the lore around him. He's still Sonic. And I'm so glad for that. Sonic has been there at all the major trajectories of my life, and I know that's not a unique story. That's something a lot of us have experienced, and continue to do so. I teared up a fair few times in this video because the things you said, as well as the guests, really resonated with me and why Sonic matters.

[@tnytmytx]

tl;dr: Sonic good, Video good

[@phantomstrider]

Dang.. This was like a narrarated re-living of the entire adventure from so long ago. There's so much this game told to me in story and atmosphere as a kid without a word of dialogue.

[@zooooooooom]

HOLY CRAP HE'S HERE

[@daniellavizsla2223]

Well I'm surprised to see one of my other favorite KZbinrs

[@zooooooooom]

@Chrispγ Chap Sonic is one of Josh's video game heroes

[@jessiewipperman2330]

Howdy strider

[@dorinaorban2427]

Hey strider

[@papermario6856]

I swear, this whole video is exactly how I feel about mania. In fact, mania was the game that made me appreciate sonic 3 and raise it as one of my favorite games. I was a stupid kid who got game overs at hydrocity and couldn't get super sonic. But after watching so many videos on how this one game I hated is so great, i gave it another shot. I played it over and over, and slowly, it's brilliance began to show. I swear, I can't believe I thought this masterpiece was bad. Honestly, it opened my eyes to what a sonic game should be. This game influenced me so much I actually started playing rom hacks and fan games. It even gave my kiddie self right now a little hint of game design brilliance. I know this comment will probably go into obscurity, I just wanted to share my story with this game, and how it became a great favorite of mine nowadays

[@PretentiousLatinName]

well said

[@thatperson1009]

The people who criticise sonic should try making one themselves Edit some sonic games actually suck but some people should just chill because change isn’t a bad thing

[@zubair1149]

This comment ain't going into obscurity anytime soon. Judging by the amount of likes, a lot of people have read and appreciated what you have to say.

[@dinosaur2022]

finally im not the only one who used to game over at hydrocity

[@blitzkrieg5584]

Fucking love mania Sonic 3 and K was great too

[@Jet_1652]

“Justin you get back in that tree and make me some fuudgeee strips” had me on the floor 💀

[@R3t1xtheIdiot]

17:52 "Where we talk about the good in one of the greatest games ever made." Very correct my friend.

[@jonathanmartinez4660]

8:15 "JUSTIN, WHERE ARE MY COOKIES? I SWEAR TO GOD, YOU GET BACK TO THAT TREE!" made me laugh way harder than it should holy shit.

[@___8241]

RIGHT

[@bluewulv]

YEAH! AND FUDGE GRAHAMS TOO!

[@5150serg]

Hours later I’m still laughing about this ...

[@gizmowolf405]

I hate how emotional i got over this. This is some grade A presentation, the way you have with words is phenomenal, and the idea of having all these guest speakers made me feel as though i wasnt alone. That i wasnt the only one who felt this strongly about some small blue rodent, reguardless of quality. Thank you.

[@NillKitty]

I agree. This video hits upon all of the special feelings and broken assumptions I encountered as a kid playing this. I also got pretty emotional watching this.

[@corison2058]

This. This right here is why I subscribed to this guy. The first sonic game i played was sonic adventure dx, followed by sonic 2.

[@8-bitsarda747]

I was getting emotional, and I'm not the biggest fan this game. I don't think it's bad, but it's not one of my all time favorites. That's probably because I find myself more drawn towards games with stories that cannot be told through subtext

[@intuitivegamer7576]

your not alone when it comes to being emotional over this

[@gooolixx]

same

[@coltonk.3086]

You’re one of my favorite KZbinrs. This video is awesome. You strike a PERFECT balance in proving a point and humor. There’s a reason you have a 71K subscriber count.

[@Dprkr1]

I played this game a TON as a kid, but I was always absent to any narrative, I never really thought about it, I was entranced with the platforming and puzzles. Upon hearing the story now in detail it has birthed an entirely new appreciation for the game for me, thank you for invigorating the game for me GA.

[@faidou9954]

"Sonic was never good" Me: Opinions were never facts, I learn this in Elementary school.

[@randomcringeyyoutuber6750]

It's not an opinion if it's blatantly wrong.

[@yeezies6191]

@@randomcringeyyoutuber6750 thats not true, but its 100% true

[@BrianBurke06]

Sonic was never good is literally the worst thing you could say to me.

[@yeezies6191]

@@BrianBurke06 and thats a factn't

[@aX0n777]

@@BrianBurke06 sonic was never good since 3&k, everything after ranges from unplayable garbage to "ok at best"

[@Swagkage]

this video is great. S3&K is a masterpiece and I'm happy to see such a well structured video essay explaining why. i didn't grow up with the genesis games, they're older than I am but i still think it's the pinnacle of platforming. thanks for this vid. an hour long and not a second wasted

[@ayandavee4963]

Wow one of my favourite youtubers likes the best era of sonic

[@glitchxtheglitch1225]

I miss HYPER Sonic

[@5688gamble]

Yeah, one issue, he tried to say S3K isn't a broken mess? Uhh... Has he seen just how broken this game is! Just amazing you can do such crazy things as skipping acts, spawning bosses in the wrong act, fighting the wrong boss, playing cutscenes in the wrong area, zipping through walls, wrapping the level, stealing the wheel physics in CN1 etc, without the game just giving up and crashing!

[@SuperBetaBuxbros.]

Scale Super Sonic swag

[@readoptionlee]

holy shit hi swagkage

[@taxisalad]

This straight up feels like a professional documentary--wait no, fuck that, it *IS* a professional documentary!!

[@kris_0520]

I’m late to the party, but this was an amazingly powerful video. Going into the “why” over things that wouldn’t matter to people who don’t care about this series, and even things I didn’t even notice when I first played the classic Sonic games at a young, young age, was just simply awesome in the most literal sense.

[@Garrulous64]

That was quite the ride, man. (I mean that in a good way, of course)

[@tariromutizwa6910]

PREACH BROTHA

[@KaiokenBlu]

whats the bad way? hmmmmmm?

[@kylecampbell565]

don't you mean "what a wild ride"

[@orangecrust8002]

There comes a moment when every user realizes they’re watching their favorite content creator for the first time. Of all the reviews you’ve done of the sonic series. This is the best of all of them the passion you put behind these things is honestly so great it inspires me. I’m so glad that you’ve grown ever since you started.

[@professorparabeetle]

Intro and Video Timestamps for anyone who wants it Intro: 0:00 - 17:57 Main Video: 17:57 - 1:38:10

[@Misaio]

This was great. Clearly a lot of love went into it. I'm not a hard core Sonic fan. I couldn't beat some of these levels to save my life. But I like it. The secrets, the a-ha! moments. This took me back. It's nice to know that people still appreciate them.

[@Fluffy56547s]

KZbin mistreated this masterpiece. Should’ve went viral.

[@technoguyx]

Hopefully it'll be one of those videos that are rec'd to everyone years afterward for whatever reason.

[@_V.Va_]

Almost at half a million views, babyyyy.

[@Fluffy56547s]

@@_V.Va_ Lets gooo

[@slopesgameroom]

I missed this video when it was first uploaded. Thank you ever so much for letting me be a part of it! LOVIN' IT!

[@jaymontgomery8566]

I am hereby taking part and preserving the 69 that has been blessed upon this comment.

[@jaymontgomery8566]

Now it has 96 likes. Huh.

[@Suprkpa]

God i love the retro community

[@thomasthetankengineNo.1]

I wasn't even born in the 90's, i'm a mid 2000's kid. but even i know that sonic was everywhere.

[@autistic-dan455]

I watched this video once before but never commented. Having come across it again several months later, I feel more confident in commenting on videos. So yes, I've watched this video from beginning to end, twice. Being a younger brother, I naturally gravitated towards Tails. My earliest memories of Sonic are playing with my brothers as Tails in Sonic 2 & 3. With 3 and eventually with the add-on, I got to be more helpful in flying Sonic around. We'd skip the sand potentially crushing us by flying up to the next platform instead of releasing it. I'd always panic at that part. That damn Carnival Night Zone up and down thing was as frustrating for us, too. Sonic would play a significant role in my upbringing and among many others, inspired me to want to create and share stories too. He helped me through the times I was dealing with depression and I know he'll always be there. Such an amazing and well put together video. It's KZbinrs like yourself that has taught me that I can still make something entertaining, despite my social difficulties and academic...incompetence. It took me a really long time to figure it out, but I am walking those first steps now. Thank you.

[@shanetorok3293]

Why sonic matters to me. I came from a broken home. I experienced many things a normal child should not have, every day was a struggle at that point in my life. This little blue bundle of joy was my out. Nothing mattered when I was speeding through level after level, smashing my way through spinball or collecting emeralds to get super sonic. It made me feel free and well.. it made me feel something I didn't experience a whole lot of as a kid. Happy

[@JustJohn43]

Sonic was the same for me, you could stick in a pair of headphones and escape. I often dream of being free and wanting to fly, but blasting through a Sonic level invokes so many more emotions

[@nathans3815]

For me as well. Sonic was my way to relax, get away ,and just have fun. Man do I love this community.

[@SLIDD_DDILS]

This is something all Sonic fans, as well as Sonic haters, deserve to see!

[@travismccallum5738]

I can see why sonic fans like the game, but it is not fun at all to me. I dislike sonic because it feels like budget mario. Precise platforming and obstacles feel so fun to pull through. Getting to the end feels so rewarding after surviving and running through all the obstacles that are crafted perfectly. Sonic makes me suffer because it tries to platform with clunky controls and a zoomed in camera. The enemies are more nuisances than obstacles and It feels like I can't even run fast because I hit a wall every 2 seconds. I have no idea what makes people enjoy sonic levels because it feels like a clusterfuck. I hate sonic 1 because stage 2 is stupid and I dislike sonic mania and the 1 hit ko mechanic. I have rings so let me live. I say I hate sonic and never see it as a good game because I am spoiled by mario and how amazing mario 3 and mario world are. In comparison it just makes me want to put down a sonic game to play mario. 3d sonic is actually more fun imo. Sonic heroes and adventure have more style because it isn't trying to copy 2d mario. I grew up on sonic and only liked sonic heroes. Never liked 2d. My oppinion stands with me and I do not call them bad games, just... I don't understand why people like 2d sonic. I tried many times. Even bought mania and stopped after flying battery. My favorite thing in mania was the puyo puyo fight. Sonic haters are justified in saying they dislike sonic games. I do not condone insulting, but the haters will still dislike sonic after watching this video since at a core, sonic is not for everyone. I stand by mario, but sonic is allowed to stand beside him also.

[@SLIDD_DDILS]

@@travismccallum5738 Even as a diehard Sonic fan, i completely understand

[@sayer4148]

@@travismccallum5738 1 hit KO mechanic in Mania? I don't recall anything like it besides bottomless pits, getting crushed and drowning.

[@travismccallum5738]

Simon Alonso Mostly the crushing is what i dislike. I admit I suck at sonic games and I always die. I always lose at the platforming sections.

[@sayer4148]

@@travismccallum5738 yeah, I can think of parts where one would be constantly getting crushed to death (Chemical Plant for example).

[@thisisasupersayin376]

This video is incredible. The part starting at 1:24:18 got me crying. For the longest time I debated over weather Mania or 3K was my favorite Sonic game, and near the end of this video, looking back on all the And Knuckles November videos, I was finally able to make my decision. Thank You. Also can we just ignore for a second that every Sonic level has Zone at the end? Because with that context removed, is it even possible for a final level to have a more forebodingly epic name than "The Doomsday Zone"?

[@KraziShadowbear]

Wish more people could see this masterpiece and learn from it..... 51:36 The funniest part of this awesome episode. "And then Vegeta's hair powered up so much that it flew off all over the place" killed me. XD Edit: Coming back two years later to watch this video from beginning to end, I never even noticed how many similarities there are in this game to a nostalgic classic of my own. The sequel to a game that included a mascot that was meant to rival Classic Sonic in the early days, but eventually became it's own thing. *Jazz Jackrabbit 2* The colors, the music, the aesthetic. It all adds up. The stakes are higher, the story is more awesome, and everything has SO much detail and heart put into it. The backgrounds, the enemy types, the powerups and abilities. It's all so colorful and wild and amazing! It literally feels like something lives here! Like the world is truly alive!

[@mr.kevin1209]

"Aw yeah, this is happenin' "

[@mr.kevin1209]

@@secoTheSonicFan It's from Sonic Adventure 1

[@mamacofeliz6025]

@@mr.kevin1209 His line was also a reference

[@mr.kevin1209]

@@mamacofeliz6025 where is it from, because I'm not sure where it's from

[@mamacofeliz6025]

@@mr.kevin1209 rigth after the line you quoted.

[@mr.kevin1209]

@@mamacofeliz6025 shoot that's right, I forgot about that, thanks for reminding me of that

[@SamProcrastinates]

This video was absolutely amazing! It made me realize there are little things that I've taken for granted in the game itself that makes it all tie together in a beautiful bow. The classic Sonic games have made me the fan I am today. Those games are timeless!!! I could pick up Sonic 3&K today and play through it fully, and do the same tomorrow without feeling bored or annoyed that I'm playing the same game again. The amount of content they were able to put into a cartridge.... well.... 2 cartridges :P really tells you just how much passion and love went into it. This video PERFECTLY explained all of this, and then some. Thank you so much for allowing me & others in the community to speak about why we love this series so much. This video is the definition of A+ content!

[@aaronhackett6626]

I busted a fat nut

[@krealyesitisbeta5642]

No truer words were said.

[@ignemployee7083]

Sonic was never good

[@destroyertoyz2207]

Do you respect sonic 3 and knuckles more than sonic 2 now

[@AzariusR]

Okay I now understand why Sonic is a phenomenon that exists even till this day. What a masterpiece.

[@allisonklimek5147]

KZbin recommended this video to me over a year later and I'm glad it did. The optimism and positive energy for a franchise I grew up with rekindled the love it's been missing. Love the work and love the passion!

[@malcolmbranch10]

KZbin's algorithm is shitting on this masterpiece. Anyway your video made me cry. I'm replaying the classics now. I share your enthusiasm. Thanks you kindly for your perspective on this wonderful series.

[@adamgray1753]

Yeah really. The original Sonic games were fricken gold or platinum! Oh! Almost every song in every Sonic game up to Sonic and Knuckles was some of the very best techno/video game music I have ever found in the Sega Genesis era.

[@BlindLibrary]

I can't see anything and still play this series with pride and joy. Even enjoying it once in a while with GameGenie cheats! Man I can almost make games more challenging than they were meant to be.

[@edgelord8337]

I've been waiting for this for weeks now and it's finally out! Before I get into what I think I wanted to say thank you so much game apologist for your videos. You've brought me back into being a sonic fan and I've loved every single one of them. I call you the new sonic lore master you've done such a good think and I'm so glad I found out about this channel. I truly appreciate what you make and no matter how long it takes you to make another video I will make sure that I'm there. Thank you so incredibly much!

[@daseal1479]

@@Schnort I'm sure this is just Cyber in disguise. He can't fool us all!

[@RancidKari]

Cybershell disappeared because when he started to disappear his fans got worried and doxed him. they doxed him to find his phone number and to see if he was ok, but when they called his mom picked up.

[@RancidKari]

Also, his discord server and community were pretty toxic. They closed down the discord server and the mods made a new one, which kind of failed.

[@RancidKari]

Also, his discord server and community were pretty toxic. They closed down the discord server and the mods made a new one, which kind of failed.

[@koskk_]

I love how you added those bits w/ people talking abt how they love the series and what they love about it. The way this entire video is put together is amazing. Like a tribute documentary to the series; a love letter to it. All while digging into S3&K and showing how it and everything before it set the building blocks for what everyone loves about it. Just a beautifully put together video.

[@XenoVis]

You've got to appreciate how in 1:32:33 the ring thingy gets bigger, like if it was going to your direction, like if you're the next one in line to speak your thoughts on the series. Cool.

[@InvaderWeezle]

Aw, I wish Cybershell was still around so that he could've been one of the guest speakers in this video

[@Planag7]

He's here in spirit, I would hope :0

[@mattfromwiisports9414]

What if it did the whole emblem thing with Cybershell's pfp and his name, but instead of him speaking, it's just a solid minute of silence

[@Placeholder_.]

He's back

[@seraphsclaws2997]

You've created a video essay on a game which is longer than the game itself. Can't wait to watch this.

[@papersonic9941]

Unless you're a speedrunner, no way you'll beat Sonic 3 and Knuckles in an hour and a half

[@menacingthinker4322]

@@papersonic9941 on average I think a speedrun of S3&K is about 1 hour 40 minutes so it's pretty close

[@MelakiraMusic]

@@menacingthinker4322 more so a regular playthrough if your experienced

[@andreanastacio9548]

@@papersonic9941 with a bit of practice I`m sure you could get through S3&k as fast if not faster than you could watch this video (at normal speed). If I remember correctly the last time I tried to more or less time myself, I took something like 2 hours and 10 minutes to play the game from angel island to the end of doomsday zone, all the while getting all the emeralds and super emeralds, exploring the levels a bit, going into a fair few bonus rooms to get rings and shields, collecting upwards of 50 lives, and with a couple deaths in between, so 1 and a half hours seems totaly doable if you know what you`re doing, dont bother with the super emeralds (you dont lose the chaos emeralds if you dont go into the giant ring in mushroom hill although you may need to avoid all other rings after that), and just bomb through the stages with no distractions as super sonic

[@petwisk2012]

I seriously doubt you can finish S3K in less than 2 hours but you do you

[@ryancho6989]

1:05:37 it took me a while to realize that you stopped the song at "here I come"

[@autumnoraki]

This is just one of the best videos I've ever watched. It's so well put together and the genuine heart you put into it is lovely.

[@erikfischer5257]

There's something uplifting about hearing someone talk so fondly about your favorite video game. This is that video that made me remember why I love sonic 3&k. I first played this game on the Sonic classic collection on the DS and I dismissed it at first, fast forward a bit and I gave it another try and a spent so many hours on it. This video covers everything and I mean EVERYTHING that made that experience so goddamn fun and memorable. This is THE sonic 3&k video on KZbin.

[@Chloethepikachu100]

THE GIFTED POET So do I.

[@magster3997]

Yea, I also have it

[@auser994]

Everone: Game Apologist Me, an intellectual: Cybershell 2 Electric Boogaloo

[@kingdededelicious]

underrated comment

[@abrahammoratti]

Cybershell resurrected.

[@GCplus9162]

Nice reference to the spider man 2 game on sega Saturn

[@mvnkycheez]

Man i miss cybershell so fuckin much ;_;

[@riftontherun6430]

oh god he has a point again

[@Alison1215]

an hour and a half where u talk about my favorite game as a child that made me fall in love with sonic? Thank you so fucking much

[@GameApologist]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@rocketman2379]

Those 18 minutes of intro sent a shiver down my spine. I just finished my first run of the game minutes ago and I just need someone to gush over it with me

[@knockoffsans.3636]

God, your whole speech about everything going into and out of Sky Sanctuary gave me /chills/. I've played this game, god knows how many times, seen that same cut-scene endless amounts of times, but the way you described the threat of the Death Egg, Knuckles' last stand, and the improvement that Sonic has gone through in this short amount of time of the series, literally gave me chills. Bravo dude, bravo.

[@hadamana]

This /\

[@adamgray1753]

I concur, @@hadamana.

[@BonitoJoe111]

55:40 is the most bone-chilling lore foreshadowing I've ever seen in a review. I'm hyped, in fact you could say _I can't hold on much longer..._

[@8-bitsarda747]

but will you ever let go?

[@sonicplays8740]

@@8-bitsarda747 One way track...

[@8-bitsarda747]

@@sonicplays8740 but how long will it last?

[@notaprogamer2782]

@@8-bitsarda747 you know, I'm not gonna think this way

[@ZeldaMasterLogan]

@@notaprogamer2782 Nor will you count on others

[@cloroxbleach371]

Simply the way you tell this story while telling you how amazingly executed it is has more compassion and thought then any Video I've seen on KZbin you had a mix of your own personally experience with the game and a first time players experience and even getting other KZbinrs to tell how sonic impacted their lives is simply beautiful.

[@mistersp3753]

43:51 I used to hate the Glowing Spheres bonus stage when I was younger and inexperienced. Once I figured out the gimmick, it quickly became my favorite. It it by far the most rewarding of the 3 Bonus Stages by allowing you to get several shots at both shields and rings, and even a few 1-ups. It takes luck almost entirely out of the equation and allows the player to go grab those power-ups using their own two hands. And, yes, Titanic Monarch was much easier for me having mastered the technique years ago.

[@BalenaProductions]

This was such a great video!

[@thewanderinggamer1369]

More like film.

[@memelordr]

hello sonic man

[@Unthinkablenames]

Hey sawnic zowmbies guy

[@raygrossman4504]

The only reason I went out of my way to purchase Sonic 3 & Knuckles is because of how good you keep making it out to be. I regret nothing. This game is awesome.

[@apoloccorrea]

Man, thanks for this video. I felt the same things when I finally got all the emeralds and finally got access to the true final stage! Sonic 3 & Knuckles is my favorite Sonic game of all time! Watching your video bring me back so many memories, I went a little emotional here.

[@jonathanpendergast7828]

"WAKU WAKU MOTHERF**KER!" LMAO I LAUGHED SO HARD

[@Drawthhhhh]

This video.. It's beyond being justified from simple words. It's by far one of the most uplifting and positive sonic videos I've ever seen, and having some other big sonic fans be cameos in this video, it just shows us how connected we all can be as people within a fanbase, and it's all jointed by one blue hedgehog. No matter what end we come from, be it games, comics, movies, cartoons, social media, etc. We're all the same sonic fan, and I think this video beautifully articulated that. You really did an amazing job on this one Nick, truly a stellar review and show of proof that the sonic fanbase isn't what it's stereotyped to be, but something so much more than what can be understood by a simple summary.

[@FlowPlex]

Not gonna lie, I respect you. Even though Cybershell is gone, you have exceeded all my expectations, and reminded me that Sonic is good. I shouldn't let people dictate my opinions. Thank you for this video. I will forever be subscribed to this channel.

[@mechajay3358]

@@secoTheSonicFan He vanished

[@zooooooooom]

He disappeared after the "money started rolling in"

[@soniccreephog1819]

Cybershell left... I have no real idea where/why, maybe another 9 year hibernation? If it is that, we'll see him in 2026, if not, never. His Patreon is still running, not a good sign, if you call waiting for almost a decade a good sign... nothing to do but hope that he returns to KZbin on any of his five channels.

[@gavinwilson3707]

@@soniccreephog1819 wait, he has 5? I only know of 3, His main channel, Cyber's hell, and Cybershell & Knuckles

[@soniccreephog1819]

@@gavinwilson3707 Yeah, one is just about him and his dog, and the other he made in 2008, yet only has 1 video. Forgot the name of the dog one, the one with 1 video, I'm pretty sure, is called Cyoashell.

[@Kage2529]

Thank you so much for making this video, it legit brought a tear to my eye at the end. So many wonderful memories of this game. This is what I needed in 2020 thank you again

[@scotthorn3996]

I love your videos. They are so well written and edited, and your enthusiasm toward some of these games, in particular Sonic and definitely 3&K, shows through when talking about them. I don't know why it took so long for me to find this particular video but amazing job.

[@IDHLEB]

This video is like a documentation of my eternal love for this game.

[@edgelord8337]

The level design and music in this game is amazing. They complement each other like butter on toast meaning it's amazing just like butter with toast. You can eat toast and it would taste good by itself but when you add the butter it makes it even better. That's how I can describe this games level design and music. maybe I'm just bias but this game and heroes does an amazing job of having the feeling of the stage being represented by the level design and music. In lava reef we are coming at the end of Sonics journey and the music conveys the message of sonic getting closer and closer even with the twists and turns like when knuckles knocks sonic into a trap in the stage or when he's falling down after completing the other stage. Death egg zone also has a great feel of urgency just like the doomsday zone which really feels like if sonic fails to get the master emerald that eggman will take over the world and that no matter what sonic needs to stop him. marble zone feels like it's uncertainty just like how or lose of control as sonic falls helplessly down a mountain with no control and the music represents that with the highs and lows of the track representing the ups and downs of the stage which has peaks and pits which are like up and downd since you really want to be up to avoid all the hazards. I could go on but maybe I should stop. But you get the point.

[@minelelol13244]

EVERY GODDAMM VIDEO I SEE YOUR LITLLE COMMENT IN BLUE VICATY CYBERSHELL AND MORE WHO ARE YOU!? XD

[@gavinwilson3707]

@pot p cristopher moon?

[@MephilesRequiem]

Welcome back twitter cybershell

[@jeremiah6945]

I see you everywhere edgelord lmao

[@gavinwilson3707]

@pot p oh! Ok

[@roguespectre9656]

After watching this a second time, I still shed tears of joy. A true classic that deserves every bit of attention you and everyone else have given it. Toot toot, Sonic Warriors!

[@gezeo750]

I'm finishing this video high right now. Your breakdown for Sky Sanctuary is making so much since right now! Ditto all the way with this video. I love your explanation of the series and the greatness that is Sonic 3 & Knuckles!

[@callumjones3622]

I'm not gonna lie, near the end when the clips of various of Sonic fans expressed their love and passion of this great franchise, I started to get teary eyed. Right now, I'm in the process of making a video about this game myself, and I'm so fortunate that I had the chance to watch this to further realise its importance and high level quality that I feel a lot more people need to know about.

[@rhythmraccoon8351]

I think you've just done the impossible. I've never been so touched by someone's words for Sonic the hedgehog. Sometimes I wonder if others are right, if the games I like, no, LOVE to play and cherish really are as bad as people say. But you've done it. You've definitively reassured me that the blue blue does indeed matter, and not just to me, or in my head, but to millions of people around the world. And even though we may hit "hard times", we all know we're here for a reason. A genre-shattering reason. Thank you, for not only explaining why Sonic 3 & Knuckles matters, but also why Sonic the hedgehog matters as a whole. God bless!

[@krisstasko]

Your positivity really helps me in times of depression. I get needlessly introspective and more focused on the negativity of others even in a joking sense. It's something my depression does in trying to keep me from talking to others and pull me out of that hole. Rewatching this helped remind me "hey, as long as I'm being positive and enjoying things, the passion will rub off on others and I don't need to worry about defending me enjoying something or interpreting my favorite shows, movies and games!" Thank you man. Toot Toot!

[@dad5draco]

The only reason I'm a gamer today is because I played Sonic 2. This series meant so much to me when I was younger. It has had a huge affect on my life. Sonic was good, and hell, Mania shows it can still be good.

[@Xion431]

Same here I played the crap out the sonic 1-3 games when I was 8 or 9

[@Sketchpunk]

"Despite the ups and downs and all-arounds, I will always cherish those memories" Fuck, i want a shirt or a tattoo of that.

[@inspectorjadget2804]

I don’t know why I bothered commenting, as just another drop in the ocean of opinions, I really do love this series through its ups and downs. And although S3&K isn’t my favorite game, this video reminded me why I still love it over anything the Genesis era churned out. So what I guess I’m saying, is thank you, for rekindling child-like wonder about a game I remember almost as fondly as you do. It was certainly enough to get me to come out of the cave of internet lurking and say something.

[@PedroDeSousa83]

I really love your work on this, thank you for this journey to the past : )

[@binkbunk3759]

when I finished listening to this wonderful video about sonic, I realized how much this franchise means to me. I remembered as a kid in the early 2000s when my dad owned this game on the sega genesis. the moment I touched the controller I knew that video games were going to be very much a part of me in my very soul. I knew that this game was going to be my favorite game of all time even when I played so many countless games, even when I have strayed from this franchise and this community for so long. This video showed me that I am a sonic fan at heart and it's the reason why I love video games in the first place. looking back in life, I am so happy that my love for video games came from this game. Thank you for making me smile.

[@cloudstrifex88]

One thing never changes for me either. This is the greatest game ever made! The music, the colors, the storytelling through such small cutscenes, the new Super and Hyper forms. It's definitely Sonic at his best.

[@BlueJGilbert]

This game changed my life when I was a kid, and now my own kids are experiencing the wonder of this game. They marveled at how the story unfolded, and felt so bad for Knuckles when Robotnik stoke the emerald. They were literally jumping up and down when Knuckles chose to help Sonic reach the Death Egg. They’re now fans of the series too! Thanks again, Game Apologist for reminding me of this game and inspiring me to share it with my kids.

[@Almewsal]

I’m glad one of my sisters told me about you. This video, combined with the 30th Anniversary Symphony a month ago had me remember why the Sonic series was very important to me and to everyone else, that there is a Sonic for everyone. S&K, later S3&K, were the games that got me into Sonic as a kid, and no matter what, I’ll always be a Sonic fan at heart. Thanks for this vid, and this reminder, and I hope all of us can learn to be and think more like you when it comes to expressing our love and opinions on our favorite video games series in a healthy and respectful way, Sonic or not. Keep up the awesome work~

[@kainedakillerv2704]

This was my childhood in thr early to mid 90s. I still have my Sega Megadrive (Genesis in the USA) and my sonic games. I genuinely enjoyed this video immensely. Thank you for this

[@JenukiDa]

While I only started being a huge Sonic fan recently, and never had the chance to play much of the series as a little kid, it was honestly AMAZING to watch through the entire video and listen to you and the other guest KZbinrs gush about how much 3&K and the franchise as a whole means to you guys and your childhoods. I can't wait to give this game and several other Sonic games a go one day and while I never got to have Sonic be a part of my actual childhood, I know playing through these games will still give me that child-like wonder as if Sonic was always a part of my life. Thank you so much for sharing so much of your memories of this game, because it really inspires new incoming fans such as myself to feel that same magic you felt as a kid :)

[@mvnkycheez]

It honestly means a lot to fans like me to hear this, I'm so glad new fans can still come and realise what makes this franchise so special.

[@BlindLibrary]

Especially getting 50 rings after all 7 SuperEmeralds to unlock Tails's new form... SuperTails? Genesis edition of Angry Birds, lol?

[@windows96-formerchannel3]

Well, I am in the exact same situation.

[@buewf2452]

@@windows96-formerchannel3 Same thing here

[@cheesewheel]

The shout-out to strafefox is appreciated. That channel absolutely deserves recognition.

[@agata6337]

this video is sooooooo underrated. loved it, such a good message that can be used on so much views on life. love your content, take care

[@hiimrita9144]

When I saw this video in my youtube recommendations a while back, I was confused, not confused over why this video was talking about why Sonic was good, but confused as to why this series fascinated me. When I was younger I was like those reviewers at IGN, someone who wrote off the series because I thought the series was a mess of weird and bad games, but also a series that had something I wrote off, good games. But as time went on, I started to wonder the same question you were asking at the beginning of this video, what made Sonic good, what about Sonic do people love, and why does Sonic matter. I hadn't played Sonic 3 before watching this video, but by the end of this video something clicked, something that made me understand why Sonic matters to people. This video helped make me understand not to criticize something just because of a common consensus about a series, this video had frankly humbled me, it made me respect something that I never thought I would like, and it made me realize that this series is something worth cherishing. After playing Sonic 3 and Knuckles I can also safely say that this game is one of the all-time greats, and I have to thank you for helping me understand why this series is special.

[@Dadude572]

Hey man, Sonic Boom Knuckles has... His moments.

[@ignemployee7083]

Dadude572 he’s basically a different character. I wouldn’t mind Boom Knuckles going into the Modern universe, it would be cool because there would be 2 Knuckles& knuckles

[@blaacksugar7714]

@@ignemployee7083 Knuckle 2 Knuckle.

[@mattfromwiisports9414]

'BLARRGAHHAGHRHRHRHRHEHAHAHAGRRHRHRHRH' -Boom Knuckles

[@robbiewalker2831]

51:59 - 52:32 Don’t forget “Laputa: Castle in the Sky”; the Entirety of Angel Island plus Flying Battery is based on the locales of the titular movie.

[@sayer4148]

That movie's on Netflix.

[@orlanzo2621]

Absolutely LOVE this. An excellent breakdown on what makes S3&K such an absolutely amazing game. I knew it was one of my favorite games of all time as soon as I beat it back in 1994 at 8 years old. Even now it’s still my favorite game in the series (followed by Mania).

[@terminaldisfunction5306]

I think this is my favorite KZbin video I've ever watched. Thank you so much Nick.

[@BonniesDeadlyVlogz]

It's been 3 years already? Well it's been a wild ride, can't wait to be here for the next 3 years!

[@BonniesDeadlyVlogz]

just finished watching the video, and this really says a lot and I believe way more sonic fans and just gaming fans in general need to see. A good game is good and it brings experiences with it, polish matters. However, even if the game isn't necessarily "good" people can still have fun with it. To this day sonic 06 is my favorite guilty pleasure because it's so bad that I have so much fun with it. Keep doing what you're doing Nick

[@alienman3223]

I just wanted to add my two cents, as someone who was never a real sonic fan: I can't overstate how invested I was in listening to someone simply and personally describing the topic they're most(?) interested in. Despite my lack of experience with sonic in general, I've never felt more confident in hitting that subscribe button! (plus the bell!)

[@noirelocke1519]

You know,this made me realize and remember just how much i loved Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles,then i realized i didn't play them combined,since i couldn't get the Lock-On tech,so i just got hyped for Sonic 3 & Knuckles,downloaded the ROM and started playing and,oh boy,did i enjoy it,thanks lad,this video brought tears to my eyes,this video is nothing short of beautiful,especially when you brought up the story,i never realized the stakes nor the impact of every stage,i used to be obsessed with Sonic 3 and its secrets and i just love how years later i'm still discovering things about this game,thanks lad,you just made my week.

[@johnvipe]

I remembered to watch your Sonic 1 video again last saturday. I needed to hear your legendary rant. and I then got sucked into the whole series.. .again. and I'm all soppy eyed again. Darn you.

[@BlueTyphoon7]

"There comes a moment for every gamer, when they realize they are playing their favorite game for the first time." That quote, is a new favorite of mine I believe. For me, that game was this very one. and then again with Sonic Adventure. and yet again with Sonic Adventure 2. and then again with the likes of other games, (in no particular order) The Legend of Zelda (just the whole franchise), Metroid Prime, Megaman X, Super Smash Bros, Pokemon, TF2, FF7, FFXIV, and over and over again I discover favorite games, but it all starts with this. -a jewel containing the ultimate- This game, that showed me what joys could come from having a favorite.

[@makaylafloyd8156]

I get the reference...

[@GamerGuyd7Aces]

This video gives me life. Thank You Game Apologist for spreading the Gospel about the Holy Grail of Gaming 🙏

[@GmelMkII]

Thank you for spreading the good gospel of S3&K, I'm not ashamed to admit there were some tears shed over the sheer nostalgia overload at some points.

[@ZeroStako]

Thank you for this. I love it. Amazing video!