Sonic Advance 3

Sonic Advance 3 is a 2004 side-scrolling platform game developed by Dimps and Sonic Team and published for the Game Boy Advance. Dr. Eggman has used the Chaos Emeralds to split the world into seven parts, separating Sonic and Tails from their friends. The two begin a journey to reunite with Knuckles, Amy, and Cream while confronting Eggman's new robot, Gemerl.

Gameplay and Partner System

The main feature is a two-character partner system. Players choose a lead character and a supporting partner, with different combinations changing available attacks, movement abilities, and routes through the stages. Five characters become available during the adventure, allowing 20 ordered team combinations.

Each character retains familiar abilities, but the selected partner can modify the lead character's movement and attacks. Team Actions allow characters to cooperate, helping them reach elevated platforms, overcome obstacles, or attack enemies. These abilities make character selection important for exploring different sections of a stage.

The game also includes Boost Mode, aerial tricks, rings, springs, rails, and other movement mechanics associated with the Sonic Advance series. Players can explore branching routes and use different character combinations to discover hidden areas.

Playable Characters

• Sonic the Hedgehog: Uses running speed, spinning attacks, and movement abilities that change depending on his partner.
• Miles "Tails" Prower: Can fly using his twin tails and provides aerial movement options through Team Actions.
• Knuckles the Echidna: Can glide, climb suitable walls, and use powerful close-range attacks.
• Amy Rose: Uses her Piko Piko Hammer for attacks and provides hammer-based abilities in certain team combinations.
• Cream the Rabbit: Can fly using her ears and receives support from Cheese the Chao, who can attack enemies.

Sonic and Tails are available from the beginning. Knuckles, Amy, and Cream are unlocked as players progress through the story and rescue them.

Zones and Level Design

The game contains seven main zones, each with three playable acts and a boss encounter. Unlike the earlier Sonic Advance games, each zone also has a hub map where players select acts, visit mini-games, and travel between areas.

• Route 99: An urban environment with roads, loops, rails, and mechanical obstacles.
• Sunset Hill: Grassy terrain with slopes, platforms, and sunset-colored scenery.
• Ocean Base: An industrial coastal environment featuring machinery and water hazards.
• Toy Kingdom: A toy-themed area containing colorful structures and mechanical obstacles.
• Twinkle Snow: Snowy and icy environments with frozen terrain and platforming challenges.
• Cyber Track: A technological environment with electronic structures and complex routes.
• Chaos Angel: Ancient ruins containing elaborate machinery and late-game challenges.

After clearing the seven main zones, players reach Altar Emerald for the final story encounter. An additional final battle in Nonaggression is available after fulfilling the Chaos Emerald requirements.

Hidden Chao and Special Stages

Each of the seven main zones contains ten hidden Chao distributed across its acts and hub area. Finding all ten Chao in a zone allows players to obtain Special Keys by completing acts in that zone.

A Special Key activates the Special Stage entrance on the corresponding zone map. In these Special Stages, Sonic rides on the wing of the Tornado 2 aircraft while collecting rings and avoiding obstacles. Successful completion awards a Chaos Emerald.

Players can collect seven Chaos Emeralds, one associated with each main zone. Collecting all seven allows Sonic to access the additional final encounter after the main campaign.

Key Features

• 20 team combinations: Pair five playable characters in different lead and partner arrangements.
• Team Actions: Combine character abilities to navigate obstacles and attack enemies.
• Seven main zones: Explore three acts and a boss encounter in each zone.
• Hub-based progression: Select acts, find mini-games, and return to previously visited areas.
• Hidden Chao: Collect ten Chao per zone to unlock access to Special Keys.
• Special Stages: Use Special Keys to enter Tornado 2 ring-collection challenges.
• Extra final battle: Collect all seven Chaos Emeralds to unlock the additional confrontation with Gemerl.
• Original multiplayer support: The GBA release supports multiplayer modes through compatible handheld systems and link cables.

Gameplay Tips

• Experiment with team combinations: Different partners provide movement and attack options that can help reach new routes.
• Explore the hub areas: Each zone map contains entrances, mini-games, and locations worth checking.
• Search for hidden Chao: Collect all ten in a zone before attempting to earn Special Keys.
• Complete acts for Special Keys: After collecting the Chao, replay acts to find a Special Key and unlock the zone's Special Stage entrance.
• Use aerial Team Actions: Partner abilities can help cross gaps and reach elevated platforms.
• Unlock the true ending: Collect all seven Chaos Emeralds and complete the final story encounter with Sonic as the lead character.