While it did make its way to PC and later consoles, Sonic R was the only exclusive (at the time) Sonic the hedgehog game that the Sega Saturn would get in its lifetime. It is a game that has a very mixed fan base with some enjoying it and others ranking it as one of the worst Sonic games ever to be released. SONIC 3 – ANGEL ISLAND REVISITED (Sonic 3 A.I.R.) is a PC port of the original Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Freed from the hardware limitations of the Genesis / Mega Drive, it allows for features you would only expect from a fan game engine, including full widescreen support. FEATURES 100% accurate Sonic 3 & Knuckles physics.
- Developer: Travelers Tales
- Genre: Racing
- Originally on: Saturn (1997)
- Works on: PC, Windows
- Editor Rating:
- User Rating: 6.7/10 - 9 votes
- Rate this game:
While it did make its way to PC and later consoles, Sonic R was the only exclusive (at the time) Sonic the hedgehog game that the Sega Saturn would get in its lifetime. It is a game that has a very mixed fan base with some enjoying it and others ranking it as one of the worst Sonic games ever to be released. I fall on the side of that this is an ok game, but it does take a lot of dedication in order to get the best out of it.
Fast And Smooth
I want to start by talking about one of the aspects of the game I think is good and that is the presentation. Sonic is all about speed and Sonic R captures that speed very well. The game moves at a fast pace and there is very little pop in compared with other games of this era so I give it props for that.
There are only five tracks in this game! I know that may sound crazy, but to be fair the original Ridge Racer only had one (with variations) and people let that slide. While five tracks is not many. They counter this by making them huge and very non-linear with many ways to get to the end and many secret areas to find. Plus, these tracks capture the Sonic world perfectly. You only have four characters at the start of the game, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy, but you can unlock a few more such as the strange, but awesome Metal Knuckles which I do not think has appeared anywhere else.
Super Sonic Racing
Let’s talk about the soundtrack. I think that one of the coolest aspects of Sonic R is the soundtrack, I freaking love the soundtrack. While I can say that I like it, I can see why for some people the soundtrack may not be to their taste. It was not like anything else we had experienced in a Sonic game before and I appreciated that, plus it had that super catchy song…. You know the one I am talking about.
I Wish I Loved You!
I do feel that this is a game that has a lot going for it. I liked the fact that the single-player championship mode has a bit of a story to it. I liked how you unlocked characters in this mode as well. I also liked how you could play with friends to take part in time trials or burst balloons if you want. So, while there are not many tracks, Sega really gets the best out of them.
The problem is that the controls of Sonic R are best described as twitchy. When you are at high speeds, the controls can be very sensitive which can make taking corners really tough. I do think that the controls are manageable once you get the hang of them. It just takes a great deal of time and patience to do that and as I am a huge Sonic fan, I am willing to do this. I can see why others would not want to bother.
I can see why Sonic R is a game that some people do not like. It is a very, very hard game to love and requires a great deal of patience from the player to get to grips with the controls. With that being said, I do feel that this game is nowhere near as bad as some people make out. I for one, would loved to have seen Sega try and make another game like this on the Dreamcast! It may not be perfect, but this is a game I have always managed to have a good time with.
Final Score
Pros:
- Features some interesting characters like Metal Knuckles and Tails Doll
- It captures the spirit of the franchise very well
- I love the soundtrack
- The game moves at a fast pace
- The levels are non-linear
Cons:
- The game's controls take a long time to get the hang of
- While I like all five tracks, a couple more would have been great
Download Links
System Requirements
Processor: PC compatible, P-200
Sonic 3 Download Free Pc
OS: Windows 9x, Windows 2000 Windows XP, Vista, Win 7, Win 8, Win 10.
Game Features:Single game mode Multiplayer (Hotseat)
Sonic 3 A.i.r Free Download
YouTube’s ‘Eukaryot’ has released a new fan remaster of the classic Sonic 3 & Knuckles game, called Sonic 3 A.I.R. Sonic 3 A.I.R. is built on top of the Sonic 3 & Knuckles Steam version, meaning that you’ll need this Steam version in order to play this fan remaster.
According to its creator, Sonic 3 A.I.R. (also known as Sonic 3 Angel Island Revisisted) features 100% accurate Sonic 3 & Knuckles physics, allows players to choose Sonic, Tails or Knuckles, supports Sonic & Tails co-op, comes with widescreen display support as well as additional effects like 360° rotation.
Furthermore, this fan remaster features optional high quality pixel filter xBRZ, controller support, an Experimental Time Attack mode, new movement options like Tails Assist and Flight Cancel, and comes with many fixes and small gameplay tweaks.
Those interested can download this fan remaster from here or from here.
Have fun everyone!
Watch this video on YouTube
John Papadopoulos
John is the founder and Editor in Chief at DSOGaming. He is a PC gaming fan and highly supports the modding and indie communities.Before creating DSOGaming, John worked on numerous gaming websites. While he is a die-hard PC gamer, his gaming roots can be found on consoles. John loved - and still does - the 16-bit consoles, and considers SNES to be one of the best consoles. Still, the PC platform won him over consoles. That was mainly due to 3DFX and its iconic dedicated 3D accelerator graphics card, Voodoo 2. John has also written a higher degree thesis on the 'The Evolution of PC graphics cards.' Contact: Email