Half of the game was still in development and six zones compared to Sonic 2's eight with the final parts of the game making up nine and a half. Granted when they did release S&K and fully completed Sonic 3, it was definitely a hell of a good game, but the damage was already done and Donkey Kong Country was creeping up with just the game itself vs. needing TWO games for the full experience. Sonic 3 should have had two more zones from S&K and a playable Knuckles and that could have saved it.

THEN make Sonic 4 in late 1995 with whatever zones didn't make it in Sonic 3 and new zones atop that with Knuckles and the Chaotix crew as new playables and Sonic as a hidden bonus character after the main campaign. Donkey Kong Country had no opposing competition and DKC2 claimed 1995 as its own with ease. Sonic 4 and Alien Soldier could have countered it.