The game is not as bad as people make it out to be. It isn't a Sonic game, it's a Knuckles game, and once you understand that the mechanics are going to be different, once you start having FUN with the unique controls, you can actually do crazy fun moves with the ring tether mechanic. The special stages are hands-down the best the classic games have to offer, and the game breaks up its monotony pretty well with the randomized partner and level selectors. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous and the animations are fun and pretty, and contribute a strong amount to the "classic" Sonic identity- in fact, its influence is all over Sonic Mania, and especially its encore mode! Those who never got to play this game might not even know that the blue combine ring item originated from here. This game is more than deserving of a rerelease and the fair shot at life that the 32X's failure robbed from it. It may not be the best of the classic games, not by a long shot, but it's an important one that deserves to have its chance to shine.