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Sonic Advance 3

Sonic Advance 3

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Sonic Advance 3 throws you into a high-speed adventure across familiar zones like Sunset Hill and Ocean Base. You'll be boosting through loops, chaining combos, and working with your chosen partner character to stop the nefarious Dr. Eggman. It's a classic 2D Sonic experience that demands precise platforming and quick reflexes.

This guide dives deep into every aspect of Sonic Advance 3. We'll help you master the game's controls and advanced techniques, navigate every treacherous pathway, and uncover the secrets to collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds. Get ready to achieve those Gold Medals and discover everything this GBA gem has to offer.

Part 1

Sonic Advance 3 walkthrough covering special keys, special springs, and Nostalgia Trip section updates from version 1.1.

Version History:

  • Version 0.5: 5/27/04
  • Version 0.51: 5/28/04 - Fixed errors.
  • Version 0.6: 5/29/04 - Added more info, changed move names to match the manual.
  • Version 0.8: 5/30/04 - Major rewrites, added Story, Unlock Features, Map Area, Sonic Factory, Minigames, Time Attack, and Two Player Mode sections.
  • Version 0.9: 6/5/04 - Rewrites in Character Moves, Time Attack, and Chao Locations. Added Special Stage info, Medals section, and Frequently Asked Questions.
  • Version 1.0: 6/9/04 - Added Mini Games and Mini Games Locator, Act and Bosses Section (including General Tips, Locator, and Boss info), and info to Important Team Skills Summary. Smoothed numbering system.
  • Version 1.01: 6/13/04 - Fixed minor errors, including a major error in Unlock features. Addressed issue of people playing early ROM versions.
  • Version 1.02: 9/24/04 - Added Nostalgia Trip section. Minor fixes, general updates.
  • Version 1.03: 10/20/04 - Rewrote Route 99 Act 3 for easier Chao #8 acquisition. Added info about Sonic Adventure 2 music remix, More Chaotix info, and a blurb about Sonic Pocket Adventure to Nostalgia Trip. Fixed wrong section name and typos.
  • Version 1.035: 10/21/04 - Added note on breaking tough barriers with Knuckles/Amy team. Fixed more typos.
  • Version 1.1: 2/15/05 - Improved Special Key section, elaborated on why keys don't appear sometimes, added some key locations. Clumped all Special Spring locations into one section. Renumbered Table of Contents. Added more info in Nostalgia Trip section.

Version 1.1 Updates:

Version 1.1 introduces improvements to the Special Key section, including more details on their appearance and why they might not show up in certain places. Recommended acts for faster key acquisition are now included. To maintain logical flow with the new Special Key location section, all Special Spring locations have been consolidated into their own dedicated section. The Table of Contents has been renumbered to reflect these changes. Additionally, more information has been added to the Nostalgia Trip section, with further details about the Game Gear games.

Tips
  • Pay attention to the recommended acts for finding Special Keys quickly.
  • The Special Spring locations are now all grouped together for easier reference.
  • The Nostalgia Trip section has been expanded with more Game Gear game information.

Part 2

Important notes for Sonic Advance 3 players, detailing differences between the early ROM and final version, including Tag Actions and level changes.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Early ROM vs. Final Version Differences: Be aware that early ROM versions of Sonic Advance 3 have significant differences compared to the final release. These include:
    • Special Keys: In the early version, finding a key and then quitting the level via the pause menu retains the key. This functionality may differ in the final version.
  2. 2
    Tag Actions: Knuckles cannot punch through tough barriers in the early version; you must use him as a partner and perform a Ground Tag Action every time. Cream's Tag Action lasts longer and provides a better height boost when used in the air. Amy's Ground and Air Tag Actions are entirely different; her ground action is similar to Tails' but with less sideways movement, and her air action, while similar, no longer allows for infinite use.
  3. 3
    Power-ups: Invincibility and Maximum Speed last longer in the final version.
  4. 4
    Level Design: Minor changes exist in other areas, notably a missing tunnel in Zone 3 Act 1 and the removal of falling rocks in the Zone 7 Map Area in the final version.
  5. 5
    Time Attack: Time Attack mode functions correctly in the final version.
  6. 6
    Bugs: Several annoying bugs have been fixed in the final release.
  7. 7
    Clarification of Terms: To improve clarity, especially for Chao locations, the term 'Tag Action' has been further defined:
    • Tag Action High Jump: This refers to a specific Tag Action performed by Tails or Amy as a partner.
  8. 8
    Cream's Tag Action Jump: Cream has a Tag Action Jump, though it is not very high, it can be useful.
  9. 9
    Other Moves: Flight, Gliding, Boost Mode, and Tough Barrier Break can be performed by either team leaders or through Tag Actions, depending on your chosen team.
  10. 10
    Gliding: This term encompasses Cream and Amy's Floating Fall when they have specific teammates.
  11. 11
    Climbing: This move is exclusive to Knuckles paired with Tails, Cream, or Amy.
  12. 12
    Team Skills: If you are unsure about a team's ability to perform a specific move mentioned in the Chao location guide, refer to the 'Important Team Skills Summary'. Alternatively, use the recommended team for each act, as they are guaranteed to allow you to find all Chao and progress through the act.
  13. 13
    Story: Dr. Eggman has found the 7 Chaos Emeralds and used Chaos Control to break the world.
Tips
  • Always ensure you are using the final version of Sonic Advance 3 for the most accurate gameplay experience as described in this guide.
  • Pay close attention to the specific Tag Actions available for each character and team combination, as they are crucial for progression and finding collectibles.
  • If a particular move or ability is unclear, consult the 'Important Team Skills Summary' for detailed information on team capabilities.

Part 3

Explore Sonic Advance 3's complex partner system. Learn about character unlocks, Tag Team actions, Boost Mode, Mid-Air Tricks, and team formations to master every combination.

Sonic Advance 3's world has been shattered into 7 pieces! With the Master Emerald's help, Sonic and friends must reassemble it. Eggman has unleashed his Ultimate Fighting Robot, a formidable foe even stronger than Emerl from Sonic Battle. It's time to thwart Eggman's ultimate scheme through teamwork!

Character Moves Introduction:

The partner system in Sonic Advance 3 is intricate. You select a primary character and a partner. Initially, you can choose between Sonic and Tails, with more characters unlocked later. Knuckles is available after completing Zone 2 Act 3, Amy after Zone 4 Act 3, and Cream after Zone 6 Act 3, all requiring Sonic as the main character. Your partner significantly influences the main character's abilities. They enable Tag Team actions by pressing the R button, with each partner offering a unique assist. Furthermore, partners can grant or alter abilities, though this is less crucial for the partner themselves. Various non-attack-related effects can also occur. Each team has a "formation" – Speed (Sonic shoe), Power (Knuckles' fist), or Fly (Tails' tails) – indicating their general strengths, though this isn't always accurate. There are 20 distinct partner combinations. The Extra Zone, accessible after collecting all Chaos Emeralds and beating the Final Zone with Sonic, features a unique partner pairing detailed later.

Basic Moves all Characters can do:

  • Run: Hold right or left to run in that direction, gaining speed with sustained pressure.
  • Crouch: Press down while standing still to crouch, useful for dodging attacks. Holding crouch long enough changes the screen view to see below.
  • Look Up: Press up while standing still to look up, eventually changing the screen view to see above.

Boost Mode and Mid Air Trick Moves:

Some teams can perform moves carried over from Sonic Advance 2. Any team with Sonic as the main character or partner can use Boost Mode. Sonic's Tag Action instantly activates Boost Mode, and only Tails retains his Boost Mode attack. Mid-Air Trick Moves are exclusive to the Sonic/Tails, Tails/Sonic, Amy/Cream, and Cream/Amy teams.

Boost Mode: Requires Sonic on the team. In Boost Mode, you travel at extreme speeds. You can enter Boost Mode by running (especially downhill) for a duration; more Rings accelerate this. Speed boosters can also trigger Boost Mode.

Mid Air Trick Moves: Performable by Sonic/Tails, Tails/Sonic, Amy/Cream, and Cream/Amy teams. These are special mid-air maneuvers using the R button and a directional button, usable in specific situations like jumping off springs while not in ball form. A trick cannot be immediately repeated, and pressing R alone performs a Tag Action.

  • Jump Higher: Press up + R. Most effective at the peak of a jump, allowing access to higher areas.
  • Sideways Propel: Press left or right + R. Propels the character sideways rapidly.
    • Sonic and Amy: Twirl rapidly, moving sideways quickly with slight height loss until hitting a wall or landing. Direction cannot be changed mid-move. Enemies can be attacked.
    • Tails: Spins his tails for a quick forward boost, then begins to fall. Travels less distance sideways than others, with slight control over landing. Enemies cannot be attacked.
    • Cream: Performs a slower spin than Sonic and Amy. Direction can be controlled mid-move, but enemies cannot be attacked.
  • Downward Dash: Press down + R. The character stops mid-air and heads straight down.
    • Sonic: Bound. Enters a fast mid-air spin, heads straight down, then bounces up. Can be used to attack enemies.
    • Amy: Mid-Air Hammer Swirl. Similar to Sonic's Bound but with a slightly larger range.
    • Cream and Tails: Head straight down, with slight directional control. Cannot attack enemies.

Tag Actions:

To activate a Tag Action, press and hold the R button. Orange circles will appear, then...

Part 4

Master Tag Actions in Sonic Advance 3 with partner-specific moves like Sonic's Boost Mode, Tails' flight, Knuckles' throw, Cream's Chao Attack, and Amy's jumps.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Release the R button to activate the Tag Action. The effect may vary depending on whether you are on the ground or in the air.
  2. 2
    Sonic as partner: Activates Instant Boost Mode, usable on the ground or in the air.
  3. 3
    Tails as partner:
    • On the ground: High Jump - Tails throws you high into the air; cannot be used as an attack.
  4. 4
    In the air: Flying - Gain height by tapping the A button. Use directional inputs to control Tails' direction. You cannot stop flying until Tails lands. You can attack enemies with Tails' tails while in the air. Tails can stay airborne for 5 seconds.
  5. 5
    Knuckles as partner:
    • On the ground: Throw Knuckles - Throw Knuckles at enemies or to break barriers that require the Power formation.
  6. 6
    In the air: Gliding - Glide sideways while losing minimal height. Press left or right to change gliding direction. You can attack enemies with your fists. Releasing the A button causes Knuckles to fall. Touching a wall while gliding makes Knuckles cling to it, but you will not.
  7. 7
    Cream as partner: Borrow Cheese - Cheese transforms and follows you for 5 seconds. During this time, use Chao Attack by pressing the B button on the ground or while jumping. Cheese attacks enemies or retrieves item boxes. This is effective against bosses but requires a cooldown period. Using this Tag Action while jumping also provides a slight jump boost.
  8. 8
    Amy as partner:
    • On the ground: High Jump - Amy throws you high into the air; cannot be used as an attack.
  9. 9
    In the air: Spin High Jump - Amy throws you very high into the air; can be used as an attack.

General Partner Trends:

  • Sonic: Grants Boost Mode and generally makes partner's attacks more speed-like.
  • Tails: Adds height to some partner abilities and may remove some moves.
  • Knuckles: Grants the partner more or more powerful moves.
  • Cream: Grants Homing capabilities to all partners except Amy.
  • Amy: Grants the Hammer and removes the normal jump/Spin Attack.

Sonic's Basic Moves:

  • Boost Mode: Sonic can always use Boost Mode.
  • Press down while running: Spin Along Ground - Spin while moving to attack enemies.
  • A button: Spin Jump - Jump or attack enemies.
  • Press and hold down + A button then release: Spin Dash - Used for attacking enemies or increasing speed on slopes. Releasing A after a single press of the A button results in the most powerful Spin Dash. Holding down for a while before releasing A results in a less powerful Spin Dash.
  • B button: Skid Attack - Flip and slide along the ground to attack nearby enemies.

Sonic/Tails (Formation: Speed):

  • Sonic has the same moves as in Sonic Advance 2, including Boost Mode and Mid Air Trick Moves, but cannot perform Double Spin/Homing Attack, Bound, or Jump Dash.
  • Non-Attack Effects: Mid Air Trick Moves.

Sonic/Knuckles (Formation: Speed):

  • Combines speed and power. You can still throw Knuckles at tough barriers.
  • A Button then B: Wind Attack - Increases attack range and speed, allowing attacks higher than normal.
  • A Button then Down + B Button: Bound - Perform a fast spin in the air, heading straight down and bouncing back up.
  • A Button then Up + B Button: Upper Spin - Blast upward in a fast attack, useful against certain bosses.
  • B Button: Fire Sliding - Flip and slide along the ground; more powerful and lasts longer than Sonic's normal skid attack.

Sonic/Cream (Formation: Speed):

  • Sonic can borrow Cheese for Chao Attack and gains a bubble underwater. The Jump Dash is also available.
  • Non-Attack Effects: Breathe Underwater - Sonic gets a bubble underwater and cannot drown.
  • A button then A again while in air: Jump Dash/Homing Attack - Rocket forward at high speed; homes in on enemies if used nearby.

Sonic/Amy (Formation: Speed):

  • This section is incomplete in the source text.
Tips
  • Experiment with different partners to find the Tag Action that best suits the situation.
  • Tails' air Tag Action is useful for gaining height and attacking enemies from above.
  • Knuckles' ground Tag Action is essential for breaking certain barriers.
  • Cream's Chao Attack is a powerful offensive move, especially against bosses.
  • Amy's Spin High Jump can be used offensively in the air.
  • Sonic's Boost Mode, when activated, significantly increases his speed.
  • The Spin Dash's power can be adjusted by how long you hold the buttons.
  • The Fire Sliding attack with Knuckles as a partner is more potent than Sonic's standard Skid Attack.
  • The Jump Dash/Homing Attack with Cream as a partner is excellent for covering distance and attacking multiple enemies.

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