Favorite Classic Sonic Game?

I've always been in the camp that the old school Sonic the Hedgehog games beat out the old school Mario games in almost every regard, even though the Sonic series basically fell into hell the moment the Dreamcast launched. Of these legendary games, however, which one is the best of the best?

While Sonic CD, which I finally had the chance to experience with its original soundtrack , became a strong contender for this spot recently mostly due to how kickass the Japanese/European soundtrack actually is, I'm gonna have to cheat on this one and go with the combination of Sonic 3 and Knuckles. Neither Sonic 3 nor Sonic and Knuckles really get much love by most gamers (especially the former), and that's primarily due to the fact that Sonic Team was forced to cut the full game into two and release each as a separate game. Sonic 3 on its own really isn't that great, and while Sonic and Knuckles is actually a pretty strong contender for my second place, neither can touch how flawless the combination of the two are.

My least favorite? Sonic 2, as I find it to be greatly overrated. With the exception of the amazing Chemical Plant Zone, the majority of the zones, especially in the second half of the game, are completely forgettable and have some pretty terrible level design, especially Oil Ocean Zone. I've never really understood why people are so enamored with this game; it's really not that good.

As well-loved as the Mega Drive Sonics are, I'm gonna have to go with "none of the above". Even though Sonic 3 and Knuckles is an awesome game. This is largely because I grew up with a Master System rather than a Mega Drive, so the Sonic games on there are actually a lot more familiar to me...and even though I have both consoles now, I have to say that I still enjoy the Master System versions more.

So my choice? Sonic 2 on the Master System. Not that most of you even know it ever existed.

Wait, post deleted?
I prefer the classic, still.

Personally, I like Sonic 2. It was one of the first games I played, and it jsut has so much sentimental value for me. The stages were challenging too. Sonic 3 and Knux. is just behind, I love that one too.

My vote's on Sonic 2. I w0uld consider Sonic & Knuckles a better game, but as my personal favourite, Sonic 2. Now there's probably about 80% nostalgia behind my decisions, as Sonic 2 was the first console game I ever owned and finished all by myself as a wee toddler.

I don't know what to say about it, I love everything about this game, except for the Metropolis Zone, I never really liked that one for some reason. While I can agree with Zaius that the latter half of the game isn't as good as the first half when it comes to level design, I wouldn't say they're bad, just a bit messy. I love the Oil Ocean stage though. The music, the enemies and the visual design just go so well together.

I would combine Sonic 3 and Knuckles into one vote since they were suppose to be one game.

My favorite classic Sonic games were "Sonic 3 and Knuckles" and "Sonic CD" becuase they gameplay were the greatest of their time and SK3 was the best of the series. Awesome graphics, timeless gameplay, perfect music and it aged beautifully.

Am I allowed to mention Sonic Rush, as although it isn't one of the original Sonic games it is certainly a spiritual successor and I think it brings back all the joy of playing those old games. The music is pretty fantastic too.

EDIT: Though I can't for the life of me work out what the hell they were doing putting dialogue in the game; I always liked the opening scene in Sonic 3 when he's just running like a hedgehog should, when Knuckles bumps him and takes all the emeralds. Simple, to the point, cue game play. More of that, please.

Sonic 3 and Knuckles, because it's the only one I could beat without save states. Sonic 1 frustrated me as a kid, but when I played Sonic 3 I loved it. And the music kicks ass. Sonic CD was also fun.

Sonic 3 and Knuckles. Thatr game is just ****ing amazing, and makes you wonder if the it and the later games are even part of the same series.

I love Sonic 2. It was my first Sonic game (and I'm pretty sure it was my first Genesis game) way back as a kid, but that's not the only reason I love it. I still play it nowadays, and it's real fun. I can agree that the latter half of the game isn't quite as good as the former, but I don't think it's bad. I absolutely love the music as well. It has that "Genesis-feeling" sound quality to it (S3&K upped the music quality quite a bit, but there's something I love about the primitive sounds of the previous games).

But really, I love all the classic Sonic games (the ones on this poll). I've played all of them (I would say I own all of them, but my Sonic CD disc is too beat up to be read now), and they're great. What I would give to have another of these made, a la MegaMan 9. Hop to it, Sega; there's no harm in trying (at this point in Sonic's career).

What a stupid poll.

Who in their right mind would choose Sonic 3 or Sonic & Knuckles when they can choose Sonic 3 AND Knuckles?

Incidentally, S3K is my choice. It had a real sense of scope and adventure that no Sonic game has achieved since. Sonic CD comes close with its time travelling, but the levels feel pretty disconnected - in S3K, they have graphical consistency, and things like the Death Egg and the ancient statues/murals of Floating Island, coupled with act/zone transitions, male you feel like you're actually travelling across this island rather than hapharzardly being transported from a ruin to a casino to a mountain (Sonic 2, I'm looking at you).

No Sonic Triple Trouble or Sonic Chaos? I'm a sad, sad man.

Sonic 3 & Knuckles is pretty cool, too.

I really couldn't stand Sonic CD. The levels made no sense, the bosses were bad and the future/past thing just confused me and made no sense whatsoever.

Originally Posted by Hombre de Mundo

I really couldn't stand Sonic CD. The levels made no sense, the bosses were bad and the future/past thing just confused me and made no sense whatsoever.

Okay, I can get on board with the fact that the layouts and the time-travel mechanic were pretty rough around the edges, but the bosses? They were the most creative in any Sonic game. Instead of "hey Eggman's shooting fireballs - hey this time he's riding a car at 5mph!", we got bumper robots, pinball tables, and of course, the Metal Sonic race - quite possibly the most epic moment in an old-school Sonic game, apart from maybe Doomsday Zone.

Originally Posted by GamenerdAdvance

What a stupid poll.

Who in their right mind would choose Sonic 3 or Sonic & Knuckles when they can choose Sonic 3 AND Knuckles?

Probably the three people that did.

Originally Posted by DrZaius1

Probably the three people that did.

Fair enough, but the question stands; why? Why would someone choose one half of a game when they can choose the whole game? Sure there are minor changes when locked-on (the inferior S&K title theme replaces the S3 one), but nothing to justify choosing only one.

Can't vote. Do not like Sonic.

Originally Posted by GamenerdAdvance

Fair enough, but the question stands; why? Why would someone choose one half of a game when they can choose the whole game? Sure there are minor changes when locked-on (the inferior S&K title theme replaces the S3 one), but nothing to justify choosing only one.

Ask them.

Originally Posted by DrZaius1

Ask them.

Nobody has actually stood up and admitted to choosing S3/S&K alone, so now who do I ask? :P

Originally Posted by GamenerdAdvance

Nobody has actually stood up and admitted to choosing S3/S&K alone, so now who do I ask?

Technically, Sonic 3 and Knuckles is cheating, but I couldn't not put Sonic 3 and Knuckles as a poll option.