All Levels maps (with routes)

This is a collection of All levels maps with routes. At the moment of this update, it contains the routes for "All Stages" and "Best Ending Categories" categories. This maps could be used for IL practice too.
Eventually, this will be updated containing the routes for "Beat the game".
Make sure to read the General Notes
Link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zz8WL_TrW2JJJTeHguRpVr3kw-sUepDj?usp=sharing

Notes: Sorry for having tons of folders, it's for the sake of keeping an order for each stage in the future.

All Stages Route

As per the rules of the category, you can do any stage and boss in any order. For simplicity sake, this guide will go through each zone in order, the recommended fast teams for each stage, the pros/cons for each, and a map drawing out the routes for each stage.

TODO: Fill this

Any% Route

[center]**Basic Text Route**[/center]
This requires starting the game off of an empty story mode file.
Soft reset for every team swap.

Start with T+S
Route 99: Acts 1, 2, 3, Boss
Sunset Hill: Acts 1, 2, 3, Boss
Reset to swap to S+T
Ocean Base: Acts 1, 2, 3, Boss
Toy Kingdom: Act 3, reset at start of Amy cutscene

From here, there are two routes you can take, Amy or Tails Route, which are roughly the same time and comes down to personal preference.

Amy Route

Swap to A+S
Toy Kingdom: Acts 1, 2, Boss
Twinkle Snow: Acts 1

Pros: Don't have to worry as much about cycles.
Cons: Handful of spots in TK2 and TS1 that are prone to subpixel screwage.

Tails Route

Swap to T+S
Swap to A+S
Toy Kingdom: Acts 1, 2, Boss
Twinkle Snow: Acts 1
Swap to A+S

Pros: Flight speeds up a few levels and helps prevent subpixel screwage, especially in TS1
Cons: For this to be worth it, you have to make the earlier end cycle of TK2

Routes Converge here

Twinkle Snow: Acts 2, 3, Boss
Cyber Track: Acts 1, 2, 3, Boss
Chaos Angel: Acts 1, 2
Reset to swap to T+A
Chaos Angel: 3, Boss
Altar Emerald

TODO: Populate this guide with routes drawn on maps

Best Ending Basic Route

This is a basic route which gives a very high-level overview of it. For more details (chao locations, key locations, reasoning for teams, etc), go to the Detailed Route!

[center]**Basic Text Route**[/center]
This requires starting the game off of an empty story mode file.
Soft reset for every team swap.

**Route 99**
Start with T+S
Map Chao
Act 3
Act 2
Act 1
Special Stage
Boss, reset to S+T

**Sunset Hill**
Act 1
Map Chao
Act 3
Reset at Knuckles cutscene, to K+T
Act 2
Special Stage
Boss

**Ocean Base**
Act 1
Act 2
Act 3
Special Stage
Boss
Reset to T+S

**Toy Kingdom**
Act 1
Act 2
Map Chao, reset to S+T
Act 3
Reset at Amy cutscene, to A+S
Special Stage
Boss

**Twinkle Snow**
Act 1
Map Chao
Act 2
Act 3
Special Stage
If US version, Reset to K+S. If JP/EU version, stick with A+S
Boss

**Cyber Track**
Act 1
Reset to S+T
Map Chao
Act 2
Act 3
Reset at Cream cutscene, to A+S
Special Stage
Boss

**Chaos Angel**
Act 1
Map Chao
Act 2
Reset to T+A
Act 3
Boss
Altar Emerald
Credits
Start again with S+A (faster overworld) or S+K (faster boss)
Special Stage
Altar Emerald
Nonaggression

Best Ending Mapped Route

[center]**General Best Ending Notes**[/center]

- This guide has an in-depth guide for the current 100% route which includes a map of each area and hub, the general route to take, and the reasoning behind each route decision.
- To unlock Knuckles, Amy, and Cream, you have to beat Act 3 of Sunset Hill, Toy Kingdom, and Cyber Track (respectively) with Sonic as the lead character.
- After you get your 10th chao, the special key is unlocked. Every stage has two sets of special key locations (note the plural), and the game chooses one randomly upon entering the stage. The route is designed to be as consistent as possible without revisiting stages (i.e. be able to get the special key regardless of which set is chosen), but there are exceptions, and those will be pointed out.
- All hub maps taken from http://www.sonicgalaxy.net/maps-gba-sa-3/
- All individual act maps taken from thesoniccenter

Map Legend:
-Red path = route to follow
-Non-Yellow Circles = chao
-Yellow circles = potential key locations after the last chao

[center]**Route 99**[/center]

Start the game with T+S.

**Hub Part 1**

Following this route, grab the pulley, tag to the chao, then fall and tag to act 3.

http://i.imgur.com/gY3XvcB.png

In Act 3, both possible key locations are on your path after the last chao, noted as yellow circles.

**Act 3**

http://i.imgur.com/1lHtleI.png

**Hub Part 2**

Coming out of Act 3, follow this route to go through Act 2, 1, and the special spring.

http://i.imgur.com/F2R0PXm.png

**Act 2**

http://i.imgur.com/DPqGRv4.png

**Act 1**

http://i.imgur.com/QaPeEDA.png

Special Stage

**Hub Part 3**

Coming out of the special stage, tag in the air to the right, then hold left so you ascend past the act 2 ring and a few ledges.

http://i.imgur.com/sDFFAQf.png

**Boss**

[center]**Sunset Hill**[/center]

Reset upon seeing the "Sunset Hill" header and switch to S+T

**Hub Part 1**

Follow the hub path, clearing Act 1, getting the hub chao, then clearing Act 3.

https://imgur.com/gSDG5G8.png

**Act 1**

https://imgur.com/UHpoCdD.png

**Act 3**

https://imgur.com/Mit9SPe.png

**Hub Part 2**

After clearing Act 3, reset after the whiteout (the game saves unlocking Knuckles). Switch to K+T and follow the path here to Act 2 and the special spring.

https://imgur.com/9MYzo7T.png

**Act 2**

The blue route denotes the path that's guaranteed to get a special key regardless of location (noted by yellow circles). If you want to save ~6-7 seconds and make a 50% gamble, follow the purple path near the end instead.

https://imgur.com/vlsXxHW.png

**Hub Part 3**

After getting the emerald, follow the path here to the boss.

https://imgur.com/aXBrvbw.png

**Boss**

Detailed Team Guide

## **Team Types**

Sonic Advance 3 allows you to pair any of the 5 characters (Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Cream, and Amy) with any other. This means there are 20 possible teams in the game, all of them with their unique traits. For the purpose of brevity, teams will be abbreviated as two character's abbreviations, with a + in between:

- Sonic = S
- Tails = T
- Knuckles = K
- Cream = C
- Amy = A
- Any character = ?

While the tag actions depend solely on the support character (listed in the General Mechanics guide), the lead character also gains or trades abilities depending on who they are paired with.

Teams are categorized by speed, power, and flight. This is shown in the upper-left corner of the screen during standard gameplay with either a S (Speed), P (Power), or F (Flight).

The type of team is determined by if sonic or knuckles are in your team, as they have the dominant traits. If Sonic is in the team, then the team is automatically speed. If Sonic is NOT in the team, but Knuckles is, then the team is automatically power. If neither Sonic nor Knuckles are in the team the team is flight.

- Speed teams can enter boost mode, either by running for a period of time, hitting a boost pad, or using Sonic's Tag Action
- Power teams can break power barriers, and also take 2 hits to destroy some normal barriers instead of 4.

The "exceptions" to the above rules are S+K and K+S. These are speed teams, but they also have power attacks because both sonic and knuckles are in the same team, so this team has traits from both speed and power.

The team type is honestly a meaningless label aside from the rules above. For example, while S+T can enter boost mode, they can still fly using Tail's air tag action.

The teams will be organized by partner, because teams with the same partner are more similar with each other than teams with the same leader, so appropriate comparisons can be made.

## **Sonic Partner**

### Tails & Sonic

- Boost Mode
- Sonic Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = Tail Swipe
- A in air/water = flight/doggy paddle as normal (lasts 5 seconds)
- Can trick off springs and ramps

This team is, hands down, the best team in the game for pure horizontal movement, and being able to fly and double jump with Sonic's Tag Action help compensate for its lag of vertical mobility, making it one of the most versatile speed teams. Tail's flight (and swim) does not lose any horizontal speed at all even when ascending (unlike other 2D sonic games where Tails loses speed each time he ascends). If a jump is buffered from Sonic's Tag Action, then Tails starts flying, while he does lose boost mode, he will maintain all of that speed through his flight. This makes this team overall the best in the game for pure horizontal speed. Being able to trick and swim are extra bonuses that make this team even better. **If you want to use a team with Sonic's Tag Action, this should be the team to default to.**

His tail swipe attack is also one of the best attacks in the game as it comes out instantly, has excellent reach, doesn't hurt himself, and the hitbox stays out much longer than the animation makes it seem.

### **Knuckles & Sonic**

- Boost Mode
- Sonic Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = double punch
- A in air = headbutt
- A in water = breast stroke, can climb walls
- Floats on water surfaces

This team is well suited for levels that require a lot of horizontal speed while having power attacks as well. While knuckles can't glide like normal, his headbutt works similarly to his forward trick in Sonic Advance 2, in that he gains a forward burst of speed, bounces off enemies, and rolls upon landing (and maintains boost mode if he does it while in it). **Use this team over other T+S teams if you need power attacks.**

### **Cream & Sonic**

- Boost Mode
- Sonic Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground or air = Cheese Bullet
- A in air = flight
- Floats on water surfaces

This team is similar to T+S except Cream's flight loses horizontal speed so it's slower. However, Cream can cancel her flight at any time unlike T+S, and her initial vertical flight speed is faster.

Cheese is no longer a homing attack. Instead, Cheese fires forward in a bullet, which is both good and bad. Cheese can be fired at any time (normally he needs a target to be used), and the hitbox is a lot larger and lasts way longer than it looks, so this can be really useful for some bosses. This is especially nice for Gemerl, since Cheese normally can't attack Gemerl until after his invincibility frames run out, but with this team, he can. Cream can also use this attack while running in boost mode, and continue to run with boost mode.

In the end, **if you need that little extra vertical flight or the ability to cancel flight or cheese, use this team over T+S.**

### **Amy & Sonic**

- Boost Mode
- Sonic Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = hammer
- A in air = elbow dash
- B in air = air hammer
- Down+B in air = hammer twirl

This is the only team in the game led by Amy where she can spindash and spin at will, so she controls like the other four characters. Despite the inability to fly like T+S and C+S, this is still one of the most versatile teams in the game, having boost mode, air control with her elbow dash (this maintains boost mode), and being able to hammer springs. **Use this team over T+S if you can take advantage of hammering springs in the level.**

## **Tails Partner**

### **Sonic & Tails**

- Boost Mode
- Tails Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = skid attack
- Can trick off springs and ramps

This is a well-balanced starting team that adapts well to many scenarios casually. Access to boost mode, having Tail's height-reaching tag actions, and being able to trick makes this a team well suited for speedrunning vertical levels with boost pads. A key example is Ocean Base 1. This is effectively the closest you can get to playing as "Vanilla Sonic". **If you want Tails' tag actions, this should be the team to default to.**

### **Knuckles & Tails**

- Tails Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = uppercut
- A in air = midair hop into glide, can climb walls
- A in water = breast stroke, can climb walls
- Floats on water surfaces

This team is very popular among casual players for good reason. Gliding, climbing, and Tail's tag actions makes this team excellent for exploration. The uppercut is a great fast attack that has a large hitbox and stays out for some time so it's one of the best attacks in the game for bosses (especially Gemerl). This team can also use power attacks. **If you need power attacks or want to take advantage of knuckles jump-gliding, use this team over S+T.**

### **Cream & Tails**

- Tails Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground or air = Cheese Attack
- A in air = parasol

A very mediocre team. To note, this is the only team that can use cheese while also using Tails' tag actions. This team also has a parasol, which is unique but not very useful because it's so slow. **If you want Tails' tag actions but also access to cheese, use this team.**

### **Amy & Tails**

- Tails Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = giant step
- B during giant step = faceplant attack
- B on ground = hammer
- A in air = balloon float
- B in air = midair hammer jump attack

This team is very similar to A+C, but instead of being able to trick, this team has Tail's tag actions and a midair jump. This team is hindered by being unable to spindash, instead being replaced by her inferior giant step like from advance 1. However, this is the only team that has a direct midair jump that doesn't require a tag action. This can be useful for vertical climbing, but there aren't any situations where this would be particularly useful. **Use this team if you want a hammer and a double jump while keeping Tails' Tag Actions.**

## **Knuckles Partner**

### **Sonic & Knuckles**

- Boost Mode
- Knuckles Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = long-lasting power skid attack
- B in air = insta-shield
- Up+B in air = upward air dash attack
- Down+B in air = bounce attack

Sonic gains a lot of interesting aerial attacks when paired with Knuckles. The Up+B in air attack is useful for gaining a bit of extra height when used at the peak of Sonic's jump. Unfortunately for speedrunning levels, while this team has access to boost mode, it's completely outclassed by other S+? teams. However, this team is well-suited for some bosses thanks to the vertical reach from the Up+B attack, along with insta-shield and his skid attack. Examples include Ocean Base's boss, and Altar Emerald's boss. **Use this team if you want the fastest vertical attack in the game, along with other nifty abilities.**

### **Tails & Knuckles**

- Knuckles Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = Tornado attack
- A in air = Tails Glide
- A in water = Breast Stroke
- B in air = Insta-Shield

This team is unique in that it's the only instance ever where Tails can use insta-shield! His tornado attack can be used repeatedly for a while and its hitbox stays out for some time until you either stop mashing B or he gets tired. Unfortunately, its lack of horizontal range makes it dangerous to use on bosses.

Tails also learns how to sort of glide like Knuckles (both in air and water). Compared to Knuckle's glide, Tail's version accelerates horizontally a bit more quickly but descends much more quickly, making its uses very limited. An interesting niche, though, is that the horizontal speed from Tail's glide is maintained from landing (unlike Knuckles where he comes to a near stop). This team doesn't really have much use all around.

### **Cream & Knuckles**

- Knuckles Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground or air = Cheese Attack
- A in air = flight
- Cheese rotates around Cream as a hitbox

This is a solid team for bosses, as C+K has access to both the homing attack, and having Cheese as protection. Cream can also fly as usual. To note, the only power attack available is using Knuckle's ground tag action, as using Cheese is not a power attack. **Use this team if you want to take advantage of Cheese's barrier.**

### **Amy & Knuckles**

- Knuckles Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash but no spin
- B on ground = giant hammer
- Down+B on ground = hammer flip
- B in air = air hammer

This team is similar to Vanilla Amy from Advance 1, except with an actual pseudo-spindash. However, her hammer flip goes at a set speed, so her horizontal speed doesn't carry over, making it not very useful. The giant hammer, while cool, is slow and doesn't really deal any extra damage so it's also useless for bosses. On another note, this is also the only team in the game that can spindash without balling up, which could be useful as there are times you don't want to ball up.

## **Cream Partner**

### **Sonic & Cream**

- Boost Mode
- Cream Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = skid attack
- Side+B in air = sideways air dash attack
- A in air near enemy = homing attack
- Can breath underwater

This team has a lot of neat properties. Access to boost mode and Cream's air tag action makes this a very versatile team. While S+T and S+A are more suited for vertical levels, and T+S is more suited for horizontal, S+C is the in-between team which can reach high heights at decent horizontal speeds. This makes this team one of the best for navigating larger levels that have a lot of walls, like Chaos Angel 1 and 2.

S+C's aerial side attack is useful for gaining a bit of extra distance or getting a bit of extra horizontal momentum out of a jump. Breathing underwater, while useful casually, shouldn't really be a big deal for speedrunning, but it doesn't hurt.

Having access to cheese makes this a decent team for many bosses too.

**This should be the team to default to if you want Cream's tag actions.**

### **Tails & Cream**

- Cream Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = Tail Swipe
- A in air = Upward Propeller Flight
- A in water = Doggy Paddle
- A in air near enemy = Homing Attack

The tail swipe is a great attack as it has good reach and stays out for a long time. Having access to both this and Cheese makes this team a great choice for bosses. While his propeller flight suggests that this team should be useful for just vertical reach, this style of flight lasts for a very short time and is also outclassed by T+A's flight. As a result, this team is mostly outclassed for levels, but great for bosses. **Use this team if you want access to both cheese and Tails' tail swipe.**

### **Knuckles & Cream**

- Cream Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = double punch
- A in air = glide, can climb walls
- B while gliding near enemies = homing attack
- A in water = breat stroke, can climb walls
- Floats on water surfaces
- Cheese flies around Cream as a hitbox

This team is the team to play if you want to play as Vanilla Knuckles, with a normal glide, normal punch, normal climbing, and normal floating. In addition, having access to Cream's air tag action makes this a very well-rounded team. Compared to S+C, this team trades boost mode and S+C's side+b attack for power attacks and gliding, so this team can be used as a safer team instead of S+C or if power attacks are needed. This can also be a good team for bosses thanks to having Cheese access and Cheese automatically spinning around Cream.

### **Amy & Cream**

- Cream Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = giant step
- B during giant step = faceplant attack
- B on ground = hammer
- A in air = balloon float
- B in air = air hammer
- Can trick off springs and ramps

Very similar to A+T, but instead of having a midair hammer jump, this team can trick and has Cream's tag actions. This team is hindered by being unable to spindash, instead being replaced by her inferior giant step like from advance 1. It's not too big of a deal since Cream's air tag action can give a lot of acceleration in the air. This team can also trick. There aren't really any real uses for this team currently.

## **Amy Partner**

### **Sonic & Amy**

- Boost Mode
- Amy Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = hammer
- B in air = spin
- Does not automatically spin jump

Many people think being paired with Amy is a detriment to the lead character but this isn't necessarily true. The fact that the main character straight jumps, and also can spin in the air at all gives you a lot of extra control in the air, which is very useful.

Having boost mode and Amy's tag actions makes this team well-suited for vertical levels. While S+T generally excels a bit more for climbing, S+A gains a hammer that Sonic can use on springs, giving this team a useful niche.

### **Tails & Amy**

- Amy Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = hammer
- A in air = Flight with Hammer. Lasts 3 seconds. Accelerates more quickly than other Tails flights.
- B while flying = Hammer while flying
- A in water = Doggy Paddle
- B in air = spin
- Does not automatically spin jump

Many people think being paired with Amy is a detriment to the lead character but this isn't necessarily true. The fact that the main character straight jumps, and also can spin in the air at all gives you a lot of extra control in the air, which is very useful.

The main reason to use this team is Tail's flight. He accelerates much more quickly (both vertically and horizontally) than S+T's flight and Tail's air tag action, but at the cost of only lasting 3 seconds. In addition to Amy's tag actions and having a hammer for springs, this is one of the best teams for exploration, vertical reach, and most importantly, prolonged flight. Keep in mind that being able to hammer while flying gives this team potential for aerial bosses as well, like Altar Emerald's boss. The main downside is lack of boost state. This team shines the most in Chaos Angel 3, where boost is useless but this team can most reliably and quickly skip all three autoscrollers thanks to its unique flight properties.

### **Knuckles & Amy**

- Amy Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = hammer
- A in air = glide, can climb walls
- Can spindash up walls
- Down+B in air = drill attack
- Floats on water surfaces
- B in air = spin
- Does not automatically spin jump

This is another great team both for exploration and vertical levels. Being able to spindash up walls gives this team a niche that S+T and S+A wish they had. Having Amy's tag actions and being able to hammer springs is just icing on the cake. The drill attack is a power attack that's great for attacking downward.

### **Cream & Amy**

- Amy Tag Actions
- Down+A on ground = spindash
- B on ground = hammer
- B in air = Cheese Attack
- Down+B in air = ground pound
- A in air = flight
- Does not automatically spin jump
- Can trick off springs and ramps

This team is the only team in the game where Cream actually gets her own attacks that don't use cheese: hammer, and a ground pound. This team is also one of four teams that can trick. Cream flight and Amy's tag actions makes this team well suited for vertical levels, while also having access to cheese and tricks.

General Mechanics


**Spin Dash**:


When you are standing still, press and hold the D-pad down, then tap A once or twice. Release the D-pad to blast off in a burst of speed. Two tap spindashes are faster than one tap, though there are instances where one tap dashes can be useful. A+T and A+C cannot spindash, whereas A+K can spindash without rolling. Generally speaking, the best way to accelerate without a tag action is to do a 2-tap spindash and a very short hop, then a full jump. Read Ball Mode for more info.

**Ball Mode**:


You enter ball mode if you press down while moving or do a spindash (exceptions are A+T, A+C, and A+K). In ball mode, you accelerate more when going downhill, but otherwise always decelerate. Generally, you want to avoid staying in ball mode unless you're going downhill; jumping is a common form of getting out of ball mode, especially with a downhill slope jump.

Furthermore, if you jump out of ball mode, you have no air control until you land, and you won't accelerate. This is why out of a spindash, you want to jump out of ball mode with a short jump and land as soon as possible, so you can start running on foot instead of in ball mode. After you land, you can do a full jump while retaining air control to accelerate even more quickly in the air. See Aerial Speed for more details. Certain actions in the air regain air control if you jump out of ball mode, which allows you to start accelerating or pulling back. Such moves include insta-shield, firing cheese, air-spinning if partnered with Amy, or flying.

**Slope Jump**:


When floors are not level, the incline affects the angle and speed of your jumps.

When jumping off an uphill incline, the character will go much higher but not as horizontally far and lose horizontal speed. The steeper the hill, the more extreme the effect (i.e. more height). You want to do uphill slope jumps if you need height.

When jumping off a downhill incline, the character will not gain much height, but will gain much distance (and sometimes horizontal speed). The steeper the hill, the more extreme the effect. You want to do downhill slope jumps if you want to accelerate more quickly or break out of ball mode.

**Loop Jump**:


A variation on the Slope Jump, which takes place inside a loop. If you enter a loop from the left and jump from its top left, you catch the next corner of the loop and are propelled off, gathering more momentum than usual. You get the same effect if you jump from the top right of a loop after entering it from the right.

**Aerial Speed**:


Sonic Advance 3 is different from other 2D sonic games in that when in the air, your character will accelerate much more quickly than on the ground, even when ascending. This means that you want to jump to accelerate, since your aerial acceleration is higher than ground acceleration. Jumping out of spindashes is the fastest way to accelerate without tag actions.

**Rails**:


Your character will always land on a rail first try (exception is at specific angle changes, this is a case-by-case basis). However, the moment you jump off that same rail, you can't land on it again. If you want to get off of a rail, just jump again. If you want to land on it, try to aim for spots that aren't angle changes. If you want to go through a flat part of a rail, the fastest way to do so is to time a tag action such that it finishes charging the moment you land on the rail, which kicks you off the rail.

**Tricks**:


Similarly in Advance 2, Rush, and Rush Adventure, you can trick off of ramps, hoops, and springs. By pressing R after hitting one of these, you can trick forward (back is the same as forward in this game), up, or down. There are some things to note about tricks in this game:

- Only S+T, T+S, A+C, and C+A can trick. Their tricks are mostly the same as the lead character's tricks in Sonic Advance 2.
- Your character will initiate a trick upon RELEASING the R button, not when you press it. So after you hit a spring/hoop/ramp, you have to press R then release it at the moment you want to trick.
- You cannot charge a tag action during a trick.

**Boost Mode**


Boost Mode is a returning mechanic from Advance 2 and works similarly for the most part. Only teams with Sonic (either as lead or partner) can enter boost mode. In boost mode, the lead character moves and accelerates much more quickly, exceeding a grounded speed cap that would take place without boost mode.

You can enter boost mode through the following methods:

- Running for a long period of time (speed shoes make this happen much more quickly)
- Hitting boost pads
- Using Sonic's Tag Action

You lose boost mode if any of the following happen:

- Get hit
- Finish charging a tag action
- Don't have enough grounded speed when on ground
- Use any attack or aerial action

Note that you can still maintain boost speed in the air even if you lose the actual boost mode. For example, if you jump out of boost mode then finish charging a tag action, you are still moving at boost speed (but you'll lose it when you land). Another key example is if you fly as Tails/Cream (especially Tails), you can maintain a lot of your boost speed.

**Tag Action**


The Tag Action is the unique feature in this game that differentiates it from all other sonic games, and adds another layer of depth in execution. This mechanic has so much depth that it deserves an entire section to itself in this page.

In a given team, the second character has the ability to perform a supporting action for the lead character, called the tag action. To perform a tag action, start holding the R button (default controls). After 1.5 seconds, the support character will automatically jump into the lead characters hands, and you can release R to perform the tag action at any time after this happens.

While charging a tag action, if the charging animation is interrupted, but R is still held, then the tag action will begin charging as soon as possible, except it will only take 1 second to charge. This is a VERY important mechanic to understand and take advantage of. Interrupting the charging animations includes (but is not limited to) the following:

- Taking damage
- Running up a wall or through a loop
- Running through a spiral
- Attacking
- Flying
- Grabbing a pulley

For example, suppose you need to have a tag action charged as soon as possible after coming out of a loop, but 1.5 seconds is too much time. If you start charging after coming out of the loop, you'll end up waiting a bit to finish charging before using it. However, if you charge before entering the loop, keep holding R, have it canceled by running through the loop, then it will only take 1 second to charge upon exiting the loop, saving 0.5 seconds over otherwise.

What the tag action is depends on two things: who the support character is, and whether it is used on the ground or in the air. The lead character does not change what the Tag Action is. Here is a list and analysis of all the tag actions for each support character.

**Sonic**


Ground Tag Action: Give the lead character a sudden burst of speed forward and puts him/her in boost mode.
Air Tag Action: Same as ground, but in the air.

Both of Sonic's tag actions literally put the lead character on an invisible grounded boost pad for one frame. This means that by pressing A the frame R is released, the lead character can jump in the air. This can be pause buffered by charging the tag action, pausing, letting go of R and holding A, then unpausing while continuing to hold A.

It's also important to note that by rolling or jumping the frame this tag action is used, the lead character hits the boost pad for two frames, moving 20% faster than otherwise. As a result, for maximum speed, it's generally best to always either hold down while releasing R, or buffer a jump from the tag action. There are a few cases where doing a normal slower tag action is more effective though (such as going too far, or getting stopped by a wall otherwise).

**Tails**


Ground Tag Action: Toss the lead character up and slightly to the side.
Air Tag Action: Fly and carry the lead character.

Tail's ground tag action is similar to Amy's in that it's purely a height gainer and kills all of your previous horizontal speed. His ground tag action gives a bit more height than Amy's, and sends the lead character to the side (hers sends the character straight up). This is ideal if you need tons of height and also want to have some horizontal speed when landing. A disadvantage to this is that the lead character cannot perform any air action for long time after being tossed, until landing; this includes charging another tag action, so Amy's tag action is more effective if you need to chain more frequent tag actions.

Tail's air tag action has Tails carrying the main character for 8 seconds. Both Tails and the lead character can get hit by enemies. However, the landing hitbox is the connecting point between Tails and the lead character. The moment you initiate this tag action, the lead character's position is shoved downward from where it was used; this can be abused to clip into Cyber Track's pinball entrance machines from the wrong end.

**Knuckles**


Ground Tag Action: Tossed forward by the lead character as a power attack.
Air Tag Action: Glide and carry the lead character.

Knuckle's tag actions are generally not very useful for speedruns as his ground tag action does not do any extra damage than normal attacks, and being carried by knuckle's glide isn't useful either since Sonic's air tag action works better for horizontal distance.

**Cream**


Ground Tag Action: Give the lead character control of Cheese. Pressing B commands Cheese to attack.
Air Tag Action: Same as ground, but in the air. Also gives the lead character an upward boost.

Cream's air tag action is unique in that it directly amplifies the lead character's vertical velocity (i.e. the higher vertical speed, the more effective vertical boost you get). If used at the peak of a jump, the lead character will get some height. If used at the start of a jump, the lead character will gain a lot of height (though not as much as Tails/Amy's ground tag actions). If used off a spring, the lead character goes flying. Cream's tag action is effective for having both horizontal and vertical mobility, though not as effective as Sonic's for horizontal nor Amy & Tails for vertical.

**Amy**


Ground Tag Action: Shoot the lead character straight up with her hammer.
Air Tag Action: Same as ground, but gives significantly less height.

Amy's tag action tosses the lead character straight up after coming to a complete horizontal stop. While her ground tag action gives slightly less height than Tail's, the lead character can immediately start charging another tag action while in the air, which has its advantages. This also applies to her air tag action, and is the only tag action in the game that quickly sends the lead character upward vertically in the air.

Level Maps (Without route)

Route 99 Act 1 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z11.png
Route 99 Act 2 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z12.png
Route 99 Act 3 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z13.png
Sunset Hill Act 1 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z21.png
Sunset Hill Act 2 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z22.png
Sunset Hill Act 3 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z23.png
Ocean Base Act 1 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z31.png
Ocean Base Act 2 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z32.png
Ocean Base Act 3 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z33.png
Toy Kingdom Act 1 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z41.png
Toy Kingdom Act 2 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z42.png
Toy Kingdom Act 3 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z43.png
Twinkle Snow Act 1 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z51.png
Twinkle Snow Act 2 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z52.png
Twinkle Snow Act 3 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z53.png
Cyber Track Act 1 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z61.png
Cyber Track Act 2 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z62.png
Cyber Track Act 3 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z63.png
Chaos Angel Act 1 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z71.png
Chaos Angel Act 2 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z72.png
Chaos Angel Act 3 - http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sv3z73.png

Source: http://www.soniccenter.org/maps/sonic_advance_3

Sonic Advance 3 Beat the Game / Any% Full Video Guide

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/306013119

This is a stream I made about a month ago where I teach the whole Beat the Game category. It's a bit messy and awkward but I hope it helps.

Version Differences

Sonic Advance 3 Version Differences
 
**North American (NA)**
* English voice acting
* More rings give you more air control and acceleration. But it's much less significant than the JP/EU versions and in Sonic Advance 2.
* Bosses for Route 99, Sunset Hill, Ocean Base, Toy Kingdom, Chaos Angel: After defeating eggman, you gain control of your character immediately when he's off screen.
* Toy Kingdom 3: Near the beginning there are two power barriers.
* Cyber Track 1: Both barriers around the last chao are power barriers (i.e. need knuckles to break it).
 
**JP and EU**
* More rings give you more air control and acceleration. The effect is very similar to the mechanic in Advance 2, and much stronger than in the NA version.
* Bosses for Route 99, Sunset Hill, Ocean Base, Toy Kingdom, Chaos Angel: After eggman flies off screen, it usually takes about an extra 1-2 seconds to regain control of the character.
* Toy Kingdom 3: Near the beginning only the far right power barrier exists, the left one is gone.
* Cyber Track 1: the barrier to the right of the last chao is NOT a power barrier (i.e. anyone can break it). The left barrier is still a power barrier.
 
**JP but not EU**
* Japanese voice acting
* Route 99 pulley sound effect is different from NA/EU
* Toy Kingdom rocket explosion sound effect is different from NA/EU
 
**EU but not JP**
* English voice acting
* Route 99 pulley sound effect is the same as NA
* Toy Kingdom rocket explosion sound effect is the same as NA version
 

**Overall**
* JP and EU are exactly the same for gameplay
* NA and EU are exactly the same for sound effects and voice acting
* JP and EU should be barely faster for basically every non-boss level due to more air acceleration from rings. Thus doing time attack runs on non-boss levels is better on JP/EU version. This also makes some jumps more consistent in JP/EU than US because of more air control, but there are situations where jumps can be less consistent because there's more variability with air control.
* Toy Kingdom 3 is a few seconds faster for power teams in JP/EU than NA.
* NA version saves time on many bosses due to regaining control. Doing boss attack runs is faster on NA version, with the exception of Twinkle Snow, Cyber Track, and Altar Emerald.

**Beat the Game Category**
* NA saves about 2 seconds each for 5 bosses with offscreen kills if done properly. JP/EU cannot regain control instantly. Ideally it's about a total 10 second timesave.
* JP/EU saves a little bit of time for every level due to more air acceleration, but it doesn't really add up to enough time to compensate for slower bosses.
* If the player is decent at off-screen eggman kills, the NA version is faster, but if not, the JP/EU version is theoretically barely faster.
* Note that japanese text saves time in beat the game because of the intro cutscene. It saves time for chao text, though an ideal run should never get any chao, so japanese text mitigates the time loss.

**Best Ending Category**
* Cyber Track 1's chao requires Knuckles in NA version, whereas JP/EU version can stay with Amy+Sonic, cutting out a team swap. This saves about 10 seconds for JP/EU over NA version.
* NA saves about 2 seconds each for 5 bosses with offscreen kills if done properly. JP/EU cannot regain control instantly. Ideally it's about a total 10 second timesave.
* As the two changes above basically balance each other out, but JP/EU saves a tiny bit of time on every level, so ultimately JP/EU should be barely faster than NA version for the Best Ending category. It's not worth worrying about too much, as the time difference isn't significant.
* Note that japanese text saves time in best ending because of the intro cutscene and chao text.

Name	Author
All Levels maps (with routes)	NachoTheAdventurer 2 years ago
All Stages Route	kirbymastah 8 years ago
Any% Route	kirbymastah 7 years ago
Best Ending Basic Route	kirbymastah 7 years ago
Best Ending Mapped Route	kirbymastah 7 years ago
Detailed Team Guide	kirbymastah 7 years ago
General Mechanics	kirbymastah 8 years ago
Level Maps (Without route)	CountCreep 8 years ago
Sonic Advance 3 Beat the Game / Any% Full Video Guide	FruitiePie 6 years ago
Version Differences	kirbymastah 7 years ago