LogFAQs > #971978077

3 is my personal favorite, but it is far from the best, and absolutely far from the worst.

Arguably the best is 9, and if strictly talking about the classic six that honor would go to 4.

3 took what 2 defined and improved on it giving us faster climbing speed, the slide, and Rush in place of the Item utilities. However like 2 the game is flawed. Rush Marine doesn't get many uses, and it doesn't help that Rush Jet also works in water. Spark Shock is utterly useless and ranks up there as the worst weapon of the series. The fortress stages also lack in enemies. Among other things. I'll say the game is much harder without weapons.