The game's 3D environment, "Sonic World", received mixed reviews. Lee Nutter of "Sega Saturn Magazine" said that it featured "some of the most astounding graphics witnessed on the Saturn", rivalling those of "Super Mario 64". He praised the lack of clipping or glitching, and commended the 3D engine as "truly remarkable". Glenn Rubenstein from GameSpot, however, was not impressed, feeling it did not look as smooth as "Super Mario 64" or "Crash Bandicoot". Rubenstein praised the unlockable content, in particular the ability to view Japanese versions of "Sonic the Hedgehog" cartoons and adverts. "Electronic Gaming Monthly" described the 3D world as innovative and fun, but too small to serve as anything more than a preview. The lead reviewer called it "the best Game Select screen ever created" and emphasized that no one should buy the compilation for the 3D world alone.