Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
PAL 50Hz
Okay so there is this neat ROM hack I found by anchorman2k3 where it removes all the Michael Jackson/Brad Buxer tracks from the game and replaces them with the 2019 Hidden Palace - November 3rd 1993 Origins music and the problem is (like so many ROM hacks) is that it has to be patched to the USA Sonic 3 ROM only, patching to the Europe PAL ROM won't work and forcing the NTSC USA ROM in PAL mode results in a block out region message saying ''this is designed for NTSC hardware only'' even if you do manage to pass this screen, the game will play with slow music not representing the real PAL version from 1994, so what I have done is I have personally opened up the USA ROM with the music patch already patched to it in a hex editor and reversed the region code from USA (U) to Europe (E) so the hack can be played on a PAL machine without slow music.
I thought it was best to just paste the link here rather than on something heavy like ROMHack Plaza as doing so could land me in trouble. You have to be careful when sharing other people's ROM hacks as sometimes the authors don't like it, at least here it's kept at a lower level of exposure and it's in good faith as it's just an option so that PAL Mega Drive owners don't miss out on playing this great hack of Sonic 3.
The video just shows quick examples of what to expect from this hack with the music replacing many of the old retail tracks from Carnival Night/Ice Cap/Launch Base/Knuckles and Credits theme.
Known Bugs:
1. in the Special Stages, the music stops once you collect 50 rings, I don't know why? The sound effects keep playing though and once you exit the Special Stage all is normal again.
2. The Data Select screen is corrupted by showing the words ''DATA SELECT'' in the save windows and it shows all the emeralds in the save window slots even though they're empty.
I've played through this game from start to finish so I can verify that it works and doesn't crash on real hardware.
The game is being played on a Mega EverDrive X7 running on a PAL HD VA4 November 1991 model 1 SEGA Mega Drive console.
PAL ROM DOWNLOAD: mega.nz/file/32BiETCS#X0XWPQHX_CFWYmujYYrRScWcHJx4d3mvf-q-Xr9aO4Q
If you still want the USA ROM patch version: romhackplaza.org/romhacks/sonic-the-hedgehog-3-with-1103-origins-music-genesis
AUTHOR/ORIGINAL UPLOADER: demenciafan2k3, anchorman2k3
PAL VERSION: Adrian Gauna
Enjoy!
PAL 50Hz
Okay so there is this neat ROM hack I found by anchorman2k3 where it removes all the Michael Jackson/Brad Buxer tracks from the game and replaces them with the 2019 Hidden Palace - November 3rd 1993 Origins music and the problem is (like so many ROM hacks) is that it has to be patched to the USA Sonic 3 ROM only, patching to the Europe PAL ROM won't work and forcing the NTSC USA ROM in PAL mode results in a block out region message saying ''this is designed for NTSC hardware only'' even if you do manage to pass this screen, the game will play with slow music not representing the real PAL version from 1994, so what I have done is I have personally opened up the USA ROM with the music patch already patched to it in a hex editor and reversed the region code from USA (U) to Europe (E) so the hack can be played on a PAL machine without slow music.
I thought it was best to just paste the link here rather than on something heavy like ROMHack Plaza as doing so could land me in trouble. You have to be careful when sharing other people's ROM hacks as sometimes the authors don't like it, at least here it's kept at a lower level of exposure and it's in good faith as it's just an option so that PAL Mega Drive owners don't miss out on playing this great hack of Sonic 3.
The video just shows quick examples of what to expect from this hack with the music replacing many of the old retail tracks from Carnival Night/Ice Cap/Launch Base/Knuckles and Credits theme.
Known Bugs:
1. in the Special Stages, the music stops once you collect 50 rings, I don't know why? The sound effects keep playing though and once you exit the Special Stage all is normal again.
2. The Data Select screen is corrupted by showing the words ''DATA SELECT'' in the save windows and it shows all the emeralds in the save window slots even though they're empty.
I've played through this game from start to finish so I can verify that it works and doesn't crash on real hardware.
The game is being played on a Mega EverDrive X7 running on a PAL HD VA4 November 1991 model 1 SEGA Mega Drive console.
PAL ROM DOWNLOAD: mega.nz/file/32BiETCS#X0XWPQHX_CFWYmujYYrRScWcHJx4d3mvf-q-Xr9aO4Q
If you still want the USA ROM patch version: romhackplaza.org/romhacks/sonic-the-hedgehog-3-with-1103-origins-music-genesis
AUTHOR/ORIGINAL UPLOADER: demenciafan2k3, anchorman2k3
PAL VERSION: Adrian Gauna
Enjoy!
