/vr/ - Retro Games

>>8527446
Sonic 3 and Knuckles was originally envisioned to be a single full game with roughly 11-12 full zones, the true "Sonic 3" envisioned by the developers. Due to scoring a strictly timed Happy Meal promotion with McDonalds, a 6 zone game made with whatever they could finish in time was released, henceforth referred to as "Sonic 3 Alone."
The other half of game would be released later that year as another cartridge, "Sonic and Knuckles." This cartridge was very special, as it was built with an slot on top of it where you can stick a second cartridge for it to read nearly every Genesis game up to that point. Most games you plugged in would generate a Special Stage uniquely tied to the cartridge. Plugging in Sonic 2 would let you play as Knuckles with all his abilities in Sonic 2.
Plugging Sonic 3 Alone into Sonic and Knuckles effectively merges the two halves into the full length game it was always meant to be, now titled "Sonic 3 and Knuckles."