The concept for "Sonic 3D Blast" originated during the development of "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" (1994). Most of the programming was outsourced to the British studio Traveller's Tales, as the Japanese Sonic Team staff was preoccupied with "Nights into Dreams" (1996). Development lasted eight months, and the team drew inspiration from "Donkey Kong Country" (1994) and "Sonic Labyrinth" (1995). "Sonic 3D Blast" was developed alongside the Saturn game "Sonic X-treme". When "X-treme" was canceled, Sega commissioned a port of "3D Blast" featuring improved graphics for the Saturn.