While the franchise has always been an incredibly popular staple in gaming, Sonic The Hedgehog has had somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, aided by the success of the film franchise and the release of Sonic X Shadow Generations. The films themselves have been praised for being filled with references for long-time fans while bringing a new generation of players into the franchise for the first time. With Shadow X Generations releasing only a few months before the third game, it was a fantastic entry point for Sonic 3 fans who wanted to learn more about Sonic’s rival.

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