Rings are the most fundamental and abundant item in Sonic Advance 3. They serve multiple purposes, acting as both a form of health and a currency for extra lives.
- Protection: As long as you have at least one ring, taking damage will cause you to scatter your rings instead of losing a life. You can quickly recollect some of the scattered rings if you're fast enough.
- Extra Lives: Collecting 100 rings will grant you an extra life. The ring counter will reset to zero after granting a life, and you can continue collecting more.
- Score: Each ring collected contributes to your overall score for the act.
- Partner Gauge: Collecting rings also helps to fill your partner's Tag Action gauge, allowing you to use their special ability more frequently.
Always prioritize collecting rings, especially before challenging sections or boss battles. They are your primary defense mechanism and a key component for achieving high scores and extending your playtime.