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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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
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!
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!
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.
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.
You’re one of my favorite UA-camrs. 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.
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.
UA-cam'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.
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.
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.
@@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
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
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
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 UA-camrs 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.
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.
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!
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 UA-cam.
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"?
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.
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 UA-cam on any of his five channels.
@@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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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~
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!
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 UA-camrs 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 :)
UA-cam 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sonic CD is slower than Sonic 1 and 2. The time travel is interesting, though. Sonic 3&K has a good storyline and seems to be more balanced but it could be faster if the emeralds could be found through check points or the end of zones like Sonic 1 or 2, instead of looking all over the level for big rings.
Considering the end of this video featuring SomeCallMeJohnny, as one who has seen his rise from years ago during his first Month of Sonic, when I found him with less than a thousand subscribers, seeing your rise from me joining your channel when it was only at three thousand coming to this point is incredibly heartwarming to see in this community. I think what you, Ruby of Blue and JebTube, just to name some, have been putting out for the Sonic community have been excellent in bringing back the core and soul of this franchise, why we celebrate and wish to see it continue. Sonic 3 has always been in the realm of my favourite game, and to see you perfectly describe not only why it is a masterpiece but why it denies the criticism Sonic has been receiving from the mainstream game critics I greatly appreciate as a fan observing this community for over ten years. I look forward to hearing you talk about the Adventure series and greatly appreciate your dedication to defending this game in every aspect.
the sheer work you put into this REALLY shows. your style of commentary is so engaging, and your opinions mixed with fact AND the opposite side of the arguments really give the video a good balance. you explain everything in such a detailed and fun way - im pretty sure in every video of yours, i learn something new about this franchise, which i thought i already knew so well. plus, im thinking this is probably to date my favourite video of yours, nice work man! i also REALLY appreciate the extra voices from other video game/sonic channels sharing their views - it made me quite emotional actually. throughout the years ive dipped in and out of the sonic fandom (right now im hyperfixating again), but everytime i come back to it, i always feel straight at home. i too questioned whether i thought the sonic franchise was good only because of my strong tie to it with nostalgia (grew up playing the classic games on my mums megadrive), but this video has been so relieving! i just wanna thank you for this video, in an hour and a half youve managed to completely capture everything i LOVE about not just my favourite game, but my favourite video game franchise possibly ever. im actually really emotional rn, thank you man!!
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.
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!)
This masterpiece of a passion project is one of my favorite things to listen to on UA-cam, but if I can complain pointlessly for a minute, I don't particularly enjoy the middle section where you talk about the different gameplay styles in S3&K. Not for the commentary (which is excellent as always), but for the music selection. I realize that this is entirely a matter of personal taste, but I don't like Ice Cap Zone enough to listen to its theme for minutes on end without some additional variety. It bores me immensely, and makes that part of the video hard to listen to, especially with headphones. Phew! Sorry, just needed to get that off my chest. You keep doing as you do. You're awesome, man! 😁
Thank you and genuinely appreciate the constructive criticism! You sat through a long video, only fair to keep it engaging. I'll keep it in mind going forward!
After watching this, I’m baffled by the work this man puts in to his content. He keeps on going on and on about the principle that even if your an die hard fan of anything that you shouldn’t keep quiet about it. He spoke out about his favorite video game time in and time out with so much passion with every second of each video he makes. Now with his definitive 1 hour 38 minute 10 second documentary he goes above and beyond with reaching out to others who have the same passion as he does to create the ultimate master piece that I ever seen. So kudos to you Game Apologist, keep up your hard work for generations to come (pun intended). Also 13:40 and 46:50 were the best and I had a good laugh at them.
This is... By FAR... The MOST... Beautiful... Heartwarming... And INSPIRING... video... I have ever watched on UA-cam. This takes the cake, this is hands down one of the best videos I have ever had the honor of watching. Everything you said about being a Sonic fan, and about this community matches how I feel... I just... I have no words... I fucking cried man... CRIED... You had me in tears... TEARS! I'm even subscribed to at least half the people in your video! And I can tell you, without a doubt, from the bottom of my heart, that you are going to have 1 million subs one day, and you are easily one of the best critique channels I have watched, and this is going in my playlist of "Best Videos On UA-cam". You're a legend man, a fucking legend. Keep up the good work.
Finally, yes!! Hey 👋 I’m that guy from SpeedSuperSonic’s livestream! Just wanna say I love your vids and can’t wait to see you review more sonic games in the future! And maybe even more discussions like the one you had with channel pup, I LOVED that! Edit: OH MY GOSH, YOU GOT SOMECALLMEJOHNNY?! I LOVE THAT GUYS CHANNEL!!
Holy crap, this was one of the most beautiful things i saw on this platform. I actually got super emotional while watching because it's exactly how i felt for a long time but couldn't put it into words. Thank you so much, and i am so glad that a friend of mine sent me this video.
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
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.
"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.
You are the level headed hero that represents a part of the community that I hope will shine through and power this franchise to new heights. Really appreciate opinions that resonate with me as a fan from the very start to now. Toot toot sonic boomers.. toot toot
This is probably one of my favorite videos I've ever watched on UA-cam. I loved your passion and explanations for a game that I don't think I really appreciated all that much until watching this video. Keep up the good work :D
Man, seeing Johnny, Frank, Jirard, Sam, etc., suddenly have their logos appear on screen and hear their voices in here was a kind of hype I was not expecting to get. Love all these dudes, and I loved this video. Sonic 3 and Knuckles, even though I'm a younger fan, will always be one of my all-time favorites. Thank you for this.
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
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
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!
"Why would you bring them back if they had flaws worth fixing... *rIgHt SoNiC tEaM??* " Sonic Team: * Silence & Knuckles * Edit: i love your humor and jokes, they aren't there only for laughs but also help you make a point and are in the context of the game and what you're talking about....well at least most of them (they're still funny though)
46:56 God damn, I was howling, this video isn’t just a review, basically a tribute, you have already gotten to the cybershell level of Sonic God, I love hearing you talk, and the jokes always make me smile hugely at the least, good job ;)
Everyone has their own experiences with this franchise, some more unique than others. Everybody has their own perspective on these games, shows, toys ect. but it's important to know that everyone is here for sonic. In someway or another we like this little blue blur of nonstop personality. Wether it be for the games, cartoons, comics or any kind of other media. This video in my opinion captures what this huge franchise is about in the first place. as a person who is not that old in the community, i have had such a good time interacting with fans of older and younger age than me. each person has their own perspective on what the games should be and which cartoon is better and the conversations i've had with the many people were a true joy to be had. as cheesy as it sounds watching the community come together for things like sonic's anniversary party or the opening of the movie just puts a huge smile on my face and i'm sure its the same for a-lot of people This video sort of states my views on the fandom as a whole. We should band together as one and not divide ourselves. yes all of us like sonic for different reasons and heck we like different sonic's as a whole, but at the end of the day it needs to be said it all started with the title character himself from those first steps in the green hills. Thank you so much Nick! (if its okay that i call you that.) for a video that not only just reviews a crucial game in the franchise, not only just making jokes(that are really funny btw) about other eras of sonic but for giving people a visual/audible example of what makes this franchise so great in the first place. It's videos like this that make me happy to be a Sonic Fan! ^^
This was a really fun watch, I really loved the level of love, meticulous detail, and description given to this game. Sonic matters to me because of the fun I've been given, the friends, the lessons, and everything I cherish in my life as I know it today was really all because of him. Sonic Adventure was my first ever Sonic game, and it's easily my favorite one which I go back to every single year. A lot of the variety introduced into these games have made me very open to all sorts of video game genres, what games can do, and how much joy that they bring you. It's because this franchise had done whatever it wants over the past few years, that I'm more accepting of change. It's why I get frustrated when people say "Sonic is all about going fast" when really, that's not it at all to me. Sonic games can be whatever they want to me, and just like any video game, what matters is that it's fun. I know a lot of people hate Resident Evil 5 because it's not a Resident Evil game, but I had so much fun with that game that I don't even care about what it's "supposed" to be. I can find enjoyment about a lot of things that people don't like, which was why I resonated with your channel and it's name. For example; I like Sonic Forces, I can have fun with Sonic '06, I love Black Knight. I can find enjoyment in what people think is "the worst to offer for this franchise." Everyone is perfectly fine to have their opinion, but it's always stung when seemingly everyone around you dislikes the one thing you like. But, just like you said in the video, it's better to challenge that thought instead of getting angry or being immature about it, which is why I'm so eager to talk about why they do or don't like these games. This was an amazing video to watch, and I'm super happy with it. Thank you for all the stuff that you do.
Nailed it! One of the best UA-cam videos I’ve ever seen. The ‘okay’ reaction to Sonic Mania is exactly what it should be. Sonic Mania isn’t exactly better than 3K it’s more of the same, especially given it came out 20 years later. I still think Sonic hasn’t topped what 3K’s experience sets out. The atmosphere and wonder of not knowing what could happen next. Now a days we all expect that Super Sonic fight at the end, that these characters will be there. I don’t think there has been an experience quite like that since the classic era.
I'm still discovering things in Mania. I haven't played it a ton and there's enough new stuff to mess with my brain, having known S1-3K incredibly well for so long. It's kinda weird to have something so similar but so new in something I've played forever.
Alex Tirrell There are new things in Mania, like & Knuckles Mode, the new Levels and Special Stages. I’m just saying that it’s own identity is weak like half the game is literally S3K.
Flying battery zone is sick in itself. But those stages is seriously overused. And i keep dying on the big spider boss. So i have to re run so much of that stage again. I get tired of it. Id be less tired if that was a totally new stage
Sonic Bruh I know that. I’m not critiquing Mania dev team, just the final product for what it’s worth. Also that’s partly why I say there is missed potential, they were held back by Sonic Team from making a proper new Sonic game.
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!
Man, this was worth the wait. The collaborative efforts of many of the community, the well-thought out points of discussion and a great reminder of what it means to be a Classic Sonic fan. As someone who has been rediscovering the series and looking at the games in light of what I feel is a rediscovering of myself, I think a lot of us fans are much like Sonic - We're always positive about things and push through failures to triumph through the difficulties and become something better at the end of it all. Thank you for such a great overview of one of THE most important and influential games in my life.
WHEN HE CALLED HYPER SONIC ELECTRIC SOLDIER PORYGON I IMMEDIATELY KNEW WHY.
Ah yes seizure I see
*s e i z u r e*
*i n t e n t i f i e s*
𝐞 𝐩 𝐢 𝐥 𝐞 𝐩 𝐬 𝐲 𝐢 𝐧 𝐭 𝐞 𝐧 𝐬 𝐢 𝐟 𝐢 𝐞 𝐬
Whoa you cracked that code!?
I like how in sonic forces there’s the achievement called “freedom fighters”
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
well said
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
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.
Fucking love mania
Sonic 3 and K was great too
Wow i has the exact opposite reaction
“Sega should not have to wait for fans to grow up, to handle it themselves”
That is so true yet so sad.
Y’know, with all the negativity out there right now about the series, this is something special, I hope you know that. Thanks, dude.
All the negativity in general really makes me wish that we actually got a new port of this game
Geo The Poly Same.
Game Apologist: modern games shouldn’t be split up
Final Fantasy 7 Remake: *sweats*
Lol!
And Pokémon maybe
Sir Accountless
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon 2 definitely does.
@@siraccountless2195 The Legend of Zelda Oracle games for the Game Boy.
modern games
"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."
TRUE
t8me stamp plz
i was surprized that anyone in the community thought it was trash more than anything
I do, and I will never pretend its not
who has ever pretended sonic 3 and knuckles was bad dude
Game Apologist: The Movie
That would be somewhat interesting.
Game Apologist 2: The Electric Boogaloo
@@auser994 Game Apologist 3: Spin Dash Drift.
This is a very epic bruh moment.
Where's the blu ray version of this!!!
This is almost as long as the actual Sonic Movie, let that sink in.
shorter by what, a minute?
movie’s 99 minutes
@@trash-lol that's why I said *ALMOST*
I find this Sonic "movie" to be better than the other one lol
It’s not as long as the movie it is the movie
@Hooty HOOT HOOT I wish people talked about the OVA more
This is my childhood I hammered S3&K - it’s such a good story! Masterpiece
I never got to see ot sorry
Even though I Grew up in the 2000s I still have fond memories of sonic three and knuckles from my old ds
I just watched a feature-length fangush over a twenty-five year old game.
Why am I crying?
It's ok to cry
Maybe the real Sonic 3 And Knuckles, was the friends we made along the way?
@Muse Suse AAAAAAAAAAAAAA
@Muse Suse "Sonic is kil"
"no"
@@dn22pkkdd476 Maybe the real Sonic 3's were the and Knuckles we played along the way.
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.
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.
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.
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
your not alone when it comes to being emotional over this
same
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.
"Why are you settling for mediocrity?"
*-Game Apologist*
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.
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.
@@TheKoloradoShow they started strong with the movie, that's for sure.
@@sayer4148 good point. Let's hope they keep it up
For the record, the quote just stuck with me because it doesn't just apply to Sonic games, or games in general.
"There comes a moment for every gamer when they realise they are playing their favourite game for the first time."
That was deep
Me finishing for the 50th time sonic 3: "now come to realize... This game is fucking awesome!"
that moment for me was when i played halo reach
That moment for me was when I completed the Darker Side in Mario Odyssey.
@@hurt4322 noice
17 minutes just for an intro.
*that's how you know he's gonna get into it.*
"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.
17:36
awesomely human..?
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
Wow one of my favourite youtubers likes the best era of sonic
I miss HYPER Sonic
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!
Scale Super Sonic swag
holy shit hi swagkage
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!
Hey im loving to agree with this bro
Sonic Frontiers looks promising.
Sonic Origins. Here we come.
So true, Sega can make a game better than all Mario games without problems, they just have to try
@Charon the Toaster I got away with the bugs but there was alot of dissapointment & could have beens.
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.
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.
HOLY CRAP HE'S HERE
Well I'm surprised to see one of my other favorite UA-camrs
@Chrispγ Chap Sonic is one of Josh's video game heroes
Howdy strider
Hey strider
You’re one of my favorite UA-camrs. 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.
This is something all Sonic fans, as well as Sonic haters, deserve to see!
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.
@@travismccallum5738 Even as a diehard Sonic fan, i completely understand
@@travismccallum5738 1 hit KO mechanic in Mania? I don't recall anything like it besides bottomless pits, getting crushed and drowning.
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.
@@travismccallum5738 yeah, I can think of parts where one would be constantly getting crushed to death (Chemical Plant for example).
UA-cam'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.
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.
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.
You've created a video essay on a game which is longer than the game itself. Can't wait to watch this.
Unless you're a speedrunner, no way you'll beat Sonic 3 and Knuckles in an hour and a half
@@papersonic9941 on average I think a speedrun of S3&K is about 1 hour 40 minutes so it's pretty close
@@menacingthinker4322 more so a regular playthrough if your experienced
@@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
I seriously doubt you can finish S3K in less than 2 hours but you do you
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
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
For me as well. Sonic was my way to relax, get away ,and just have fun.
Man do I love this community.
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 UA-camrs 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.
"Sonic was never good"
Me: Opinions were never facts, I learn this in Elementary school.
It's not an opinion if it's blatantly wrong.
@@randomcringeyyoutuber6750 thats not true, but its 100% true
Sonic was never good is literally the worst thing you could say to me.
@@BrianBurke06 and thats a factn't
@@BrianBurke06
sonic was never good since 3&k, everything after ranges from unplayable garbage to "ok at best"
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.
RIGHT
YEAH! AND FUDGE GRAHAMS TOO!
Hours later I’m still laughing about this ...
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.
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!
I busted a fat nut
No truer words were said.
Sonic was never good
Do you respect sonic 3 and knuckles more than sonic 2 now
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 UA-cam.
THE GIFTED POET So do I.
Yea, I also have it
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"?
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.
@Sonic He vanished
He disappeared after the "money started rolling in"
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 UA-cam on any of his five channels.
@@soniccreephog1819 wait, he has 5? I only know of 3,
His main channel, Cyber's hell, and Cybershell & Knuckles
@@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.
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.
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.
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!
@@Schnort I'm sure this is just Cyber in disguise. He can't fool us all!
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.
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.
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.
UA-cam mistreated this masterpiece. Should’ve went viral.
Hopefully it'll be one of those videos that are rec'd to everyone years afterward for whatever reason.
Almost at half a million views, babyyyy.
@@_V.Va_ Lets gooo
Damn.......... thank you. This was honestly the best video I've ever watched on youtube. I have goosebumps and I'm crying.
I missed this video when it was first uploaded. Thank you ever so much for letting me be a part of it! LOVIN' IT!
I am hereby taking part and preserving the 69 that has been blessed upon this comment.
Now it has 96 likes. Huh.
God i love the retro community
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.
This /\
I concur, @@hadamana.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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..._
but will you ever let go?
@@8-bitsarda747 One way track...
@@sonicplays8740 but how long will it last?
@@8-bitsarda747 you know, I'm not gonna think this way
@@notaprogamer2782 Nor will you count on others
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.
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~
Aw, I wish Cybershell was still around so that he could've been one of the guest speakers in this video
He's here in spirit, I would hope :0
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
He's back
This video is like a documentation of my eternal love for this game.
“Justin you get back in that tree and make me some fuudgeee strips” had me on the floor 💀
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!
"Aw yeah, this is happenin' "
@Sonic It's from Sonic Adventure 1
@@mr.kevin1209 His line was also a reference
@@mamacofeliz6025 where is it from, because I'm not sure where it's from
@@mr.kevin1209 rigth after the line you quoted.
@@mamacofeliz6025 shoot that's right, I forgot about that, thanks for reminding me of that
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
My pleasure! Thank you for watching!
That was quite the ride, man. (I mean that in a good way, of course)
PREACH BROTHA
whats the bad way? hmmmmmm?
don't you mean "what a wild ride"
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 UA-camrs 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 :)
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.
Well, I am in the exact same situation.
@@windows96-formerchannel3 Same thing here
UA-cam 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!
This was such a great video!
More like film.
hello sonic man
Hey sawnic zowmbies guy
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.
EVERY GODDAMM VIDEO I SEE YOUR LITLLE COMMENT IN BLUE VICATY
CYBERSHELL AND MORE WHO ARE YOU!? XD
@pot p cristopher moon?
Welcome back twitter cybershell
I see you everywhere edgelord lmao
@pot p oh! Ok
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.
Same here I played the crap out the sonic 1-3 games when I was 8 or 9
Everone: Game Apologist
Me, an intellectual: Cybershell 2 Electric Boogaloo
underrated comment
Cybershell resurrected.
Nice reference to the spider man 2 game on sega Saturn
Man i miss cybershell so fuckin much ;_;
oh god he has a point again
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.
I think this is my favorite UA-cam video I've ever watched. Thank you so much Nick.
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.
Honestly i thought S3K was underrated for a long time Becuse everyone talks about sonic 2 and 1
Nah, Sonic CD was more underrated. And it still kinda is.
I thought the opposite. I thought that Sonic 1 and 2 were underrated because everyone talks about S3&K
Sonic CD is slower than Sonic 1 and 2. The time travel is interesting, though. Sonic 3&K has a good storyline and seems to be more balanced but it could be faster if the emeralds could be found through check points or the end of zones like Sonic 1 or 2, instead of looking all over the level for big rings.
@@lovestarlightgiver2402 Yeah, but it was my introduction, so I still have a special place for it.
@@weaponizedestrogen All of the games are good imo.
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.
Considering the end of this video featuring SomeCallMeJohnny, as one who has seen his rise from years ago during his first Month of Sonic, when I found him with less than a thousand subscribers, seeing your rise from me joining your channel when it was only at three thousand coming to this point is incredibly heartwarming to see in this community. I think what you, Ruby of Blue and JebTube, just to name some, have been putting out for the Sonic community have been excellent in bringing back the core and soul of this franchise, why we celebrate and wish to see it continue. Sonic 3 has always been in the realm of my favourite game, and to see you perfectly describe not only why it is a masterpiece but why it denies the criticism Sonic has been receiving from the mainstream game critics I greatly appreciate as a fan observing this community for over ten years. I look forward to hearing you talk about the Adventure series and greatly appreciate your dedication to defending this game in every aspect.
Jebtube gave up on the Sonic franchise, apparently.
Shellubla Red aw man
the sheer work you put into this REALLY shows. your style of commentary is so engaging, and your opinions mixed with fact AND the opposite side of the arguments really give the video a good balance. you explain everything in such a detailed and fun way - im pretty sure in every video of yours, i learn something new about this franchise, which i thought i already knew so well. plus, im thinking this is probably to date my favourite video of yours, nice work man!
i also REALLY appreciate the extra voices from other video game/sonic channels sharing their views - it made me quite emotional actually. throughout the years ive dipped in and out of the sonic fandom (right now im hyperfixating again), but everytime i come back to it, i always feel straight at home. i too questioned whether i thought the sonic franchise was good only because of my strong tie to it with nostalgia (grew up playing the classic games on my mums megadrive), but this video has been so relieving!
i just wanna thank you for this video, in an hour and a half youve managed to completely capture everything i LOVE about not just my favourite game, but my favourite video game franchise possibly ever. im actually really emotional rn, thank you man!!
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.
The shout-out to strafefox is appreciated. That channel absolutely deserves recognition.
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!)
This masterpiece of a passion project is one of my favorite things to listen to on UA-cam, but if I can complain pointlessly for a minute, I don't particularly enjoy the middle section where you talk about the different gameplay styles in S3&K. Not for the commentary (which is excellent as always), but for the music selection. I realize that this is entirely a matter of personal taste, but I don't like Ice Cap Zone enough to listen to its theme for minutes on end without some additional variety. It bores me immensely, and makes that part of the video hard to listen to, especially with headphones.
Phew! Sorry, just needed to get that off my chest. You keep doing as you do. You're awesome, man! 😁
Thank you and genuinely appreciate the constructive criticism! You sat through a long video, only fair to keep it engaging. I'll keep it in mind going forward!
After watching this, I’m baffled by the work this man puts in to his content. He keeps on going on and on about the principle that even if your an die hard fan of anything that you shouldn’t keep quiet about it. He spoke out about his favorite video game time in and time out with so much passion with every second of each video he makes. Now with his definitive 1 hour 38 minute 10 second documentary he goes above and beyond with reaching out to others who have the same passion as he does to create the ultimate master piece that I ever seen. So kudos to you Game Apologist, keep up your hard work for generations to come (pun intended). Also 13:40 and 46:50 were the best and I had a good laugh at them.
This is... By FAR... The MOST... Beautiful... Heartwarming... And INSPIRING... video... I have ever watched on UA-cam. This takes the cake, this is hands down one of the best videos I have ever had the honor of watching. Everything you said about being a Sonic fan, and about this community matches how I feel... I just... I have no words... I fucking cried man... CRIED... You had me in tears... TEARS! I'm even subscribed to at least half the people in your video! And I can tell you, without a doubt, from the bottom of my heart, that you are going to have 1 million subs one day, and you are easily one of the best critique channels I have watched, and this is going in my playlist of "Best Videos On UA-cam". You're a legend man, a fucking legend. Keep up the good work.
WHY HASN'T THIS VIDEO REACHED 300K VIEWS YET?!
Edit: WHY HASN'T THIS VIDEO REACHED 1M VIEWS YET?!
Intro and Video Timestamps for anyone who wants it
Intro: 0:00 - 17:57
Main Video: 17:57 - 1:38:10
Holy hell! I knew you said this was gonna be big, but I wasn’t expecting a feature-length documentary 🤩
Finally, yes!! Hey 👋 I’m that guy from SpeedSuperSonic’s livestream! Just wanna say I love your vids and can’t wait to see you review more sonic games in the future! And maybe even more discussions like the one you had with channel pup, I LOVED that!
Edit: OH MY GOSH, YOU GOT SOMECALLMEJOHNNY?! I LOVE THAT GUYS CHANNEL!!
GAMING MOTION he is one of the best channels
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.
Holy crap, this was one of the most beautiful things i saw on this platform. I actually got super emotional while watching because it's exactly how i felt for a long time but couldn't put it into words.
Thank you so much, and i am so glad that a friend of mine sent me this video.
It's been 3 years already? Well it's been a wild ride, can't wait to be here for the next 3 years!
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
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.
"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.
I get the reference...
You are the level headed hero that represents a part of the community that I hope will shine through and power this franchise to new heights. Really appreciate opinions that resonate with me as a fan from the very start to now. Toot toot sonic boomers.. toot toot
Also the cameos! 👌
Okay I now understand why Sonic is a phenomenon that exists even till this day. What a masterpiece.
This is probably one of my favorite videos I've ever watched on UA-cam. I loved your passion and explanations for a game that I don't think I really appreciated all that much until watching this video. Keep up the good work :D
Man, seeing Johnny, Frank, Jirard, Sam, etc., suddenly have their logos appear on screen and hear their voices in here was a kind of hype I was not expecting to get. Love all these dudes, and I loved this video. Sonic 3 and Knuckles, even though I'm a younger fan, will always be one of my all-time favorites. Thank you for this.
That's actually impressive you know them all by name!
@@superstupidsongs2455 Thanks, I was a pretty big fan of all these guys at one point or another, they're all pretty great dudes.
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
Hey man, Sonic Boom Knuckles has... His moments.
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
@@ignemployee7083 Knuckle 2 Knuckle.
'BLARRGAHHAGHRHRHRHRHEHAHAHAGRRHRHRHRH'
-Boom Knuckles
This video gives me life. Thank You Game Apologist for spreading the Gospel about the Holy Grail of Gaming 🙏
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!
"Why would you bring them back if they had flaws worth fixing... *rIgHt SoNiC tEaM??* "
Sonic Team: * Silence & Knuckles *
Edit: i love your humor and jokes, they aren't there only for laughs but also help you make a point and are in the context of the game and what you're talking about....well at least most of them (they're still funny though)
46:56 God damn, I was howling, this video isn’t just a review, basically a tribute, you have already gotten to the cybershell level of Sonic God, I love hearing you talk, and the jokes always make me smile hugely at the least, good job ;)
Considering how naive he is i'm accepting this skit as partial head cannon.
Exactly
@@michaelpacicco3685 *Same.*
"No lines?"
"Not a single one."
This straight up feels like a professional documentary--wait no, fuck that, it *IS* a professional documentary!!
Everyone has their own experiences with this franchise, some more unique than others. Everybody has their own perspective on these games, shows, toys ect. but it's important to know that everyone is here for sonic. In someway or another we like this little blue blur of nonstop personality.
Wether it be for the games, cartoons, comics or any kind of other media.
This video in my opinion captures what this huge franchise is about in the first place. as a person who is not that old in the community, i have had such a good time interacting with fans of older and younger age than me. each person has their own perspective on what the games should be and which cartoon is better and the conversations i've had with the many people were a true joy to be had. as cheesy as it sounds watching the community come together for things like sonic's anniversary party or the opening of the movie just puts a huge smile on my face and i'm sure its the same for a-lot of people
This video sort of states my views on the fandom as a whole. We should band together as one and not divide ourselves. yes all of us like sonic for different reasons and heck we like different sonic's as a whole, but at the end of the day it needs to be said it all started with the title character himself from those first steps in the green hills.
Thank you so much Nick! (if its okay that i call you that.) for a video that not only just reviews a crucial game in the franchise, not only just making jokes(that are really funny btw) about other eras of sonic but for giving people a visual/audible example of what makes this franchise so great in the first place. It's videos like this that make me happy to be a Sonic Fan! ^^
This was a really fun watch, I really loved the level of love, meticulous detail, and description given to this game.
Sonic matters to me because of the fun I've been given, the friends, the lessons, and everything I cherish in my life as I know it today was really all because of him. Sonic Adventure was my first ever Sonic game, and it's easily my favorite one which I go back to every single year. A lot of the variety introduced into these games have made me very open to all sorts of video game genres, what games can do, and how much joy that they bring you. It's because this franchise had done whatever it wants over the past few years, that I'm more accepting of change. It's why I get frustrated when people say "Sonic is all about going fast" when really, that's not it at all to me. Sonic games can be whatever they want to me, and just like any video game, what matters is that it's fun. I know a lot of people hate Resident Evil 5 because it's not a Resident Evil game, but I had so much fun with that game that I don't even care about what it's "supposed" to be. I can find enjoyment about a lot of things that people don't like, which was why I resonated with your channel and it's name. For example; I like Sonic Forces, I can have fun with Sonic '06, I love Black Knight. I can find enjoyment in what people think is "the worst to offer for this franchise." Everyone is perfectly fine to have their opinion, but it's always stung when seemingly everyone around you dislikes the one thing you like. But, just like you said in the video, it's better to challenge that thought instead of getting angry or being immature about it, which is why I'm so eager to talk about why they do or don't like these games.
This was an amazing video to watch, and I'm super happy with it. Thank you for all the stuff that you do.
I wasn't even born in the 90's, i'm a mid 2000's kid. but even i know that sonic was everywhere.
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.
That movie's on Netflix.
Nailed it! One of the best UA-cam videos I’ve ever seen. The ‘okay’ reaction to Sonic Mania is exactly what it should be. Sonic Mania isn’t exactly better than 3K it’s more of the same, especially given it came out 20 years later. I still think Sonic hasn’t topped what 3K’s experience sets out. The atmosphere and wonder of not knowing what could happen next. Now a days we all expect that Super Sonic fight at the end, that these characters will be there. I don’t think there has been an experience quite like that since the classic era.
I'm still discovering things in Mania. I haven't played it a ton and there's enough new stuff to mess with my brain, having known S1-3K incredibly well for so long. It's kinda weird to have something so similar but so new in something I've played forever.
Alex Tirrell There are new things in Mania, like & Knuckles Mode, the new Levels and Special Stages. I’m just saying that it’s own identity is weak like half the game is literally S3K.
Flying battery zone is sick in itself. But those stages is seriously overused. And i keep dying on the big spider boss. So i have to re run so much of that stage again. I get tired of it. Id be less tired if that was a totally new stage
Marxus Yeah. Honestly Mania is a disappointment because it could have been the real Sonic 4 but instead its more like Sonic 4 in a 16-bit costume.
Sonic Bruh I know that. I’m not critiquing Mania dev team, just the final product for what it’s worth. Also that’s partly why I say there is missed potential, they were held back by Sonic Team from making a proper new Sonic game.
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!
Man, this was worth the wait. The collaborative efforts of many of the community, the well-thought out points of discussion and a great reminder of what it means to be a Classic Sonic fan.
As someone who has been rediscovering the series and looking at the games in light of what I feel is a rediscovering of myself, I think a lot of us fans are much like Sonic - We're always positive about things and push through failures to triumph through the difficulties and become something better at the end of it all. Thank you for such a great overview of one of THE most important and influential games in my life.