4. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994, Genesis)

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is Sonic’s first real attempt to tell a story complete with cutscenes and a new enemy: Knuckles. Though developed in tandem with Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3 first debuted by itself in February of 1994. One of Sonic 3’s key additions is new shield power-ups that augment Sonic’s platforming abilities. The fire shield gives Sonic a powerful flame-wreathed forward dash that extends his hangtime. The bubble shield has a somewhat useless double-bounce ability but, critically, allows him to breathe underwater, and the electric shield attracts nearby rings to Sonic, makes him immune to electricity, and grants a double jump that opens up inaccessible areas. (Tails, of course, can just fly up, while new Sonic frenemy Knuckles can glide in or climb a nearby wall.)

Sonic 3 is the second Sonic game with suspected ties to Michael Jackson, as it was long rumored, then confirmed, then unconfirmed, that Jackson contributed to some of the game’s soundtrack. Regardless of his involvement or not, it’s one of the best—Ice Cap Zone is a certified, triple-platinum bop.