Mega Man 3

Mega Man 3 is a side-scrolling platformer where the player controls a character who navigates environments, avoids hazards, and shoots robotic enemies. The core progression involves completing a series of eight main stages, each concluding with a boss encounter. Defeating these bosses grants the player their unique weapon, which can be selected from a pause menu to replace the standard arm cannon. These special weapons offer superior capabilities but operate with limited ammunition, which is tracked separately from the player's health.

Player resources are managed through several systems. Health and weapon energy can be replenished by items dropped by defeated enemies. Additionally, one-time-use Energy Tanks provide a full health restoration. The player begins with three lives, but the game offers infinite continues and a password system to resume progress from any previously reached stage.

This installment introduces key mobility options not present in earlier series entries. The player gains the ability to slide along the ground. Furthermore, a robotic dog named Rush assists as a sidekick, providing three distinct transformation abilities that function similarly to boss weapons. These include a springboard for high jumps, a hovering platform for aerial travel, and a submarine for underwater navigation with limited jumping capability.