head to head
Neither is harder. They score identically on all four axes, so the difference between them is in kind, not degree.

Execution · Practiced Mastery
A blistering DS Sonic built around the boost gauge, introducing Blaze the Cat.

Execution · Practiced Mastery
Momentum-driven execution over fixed levels rewarding memorised routes.
Sonic Rush leans Execution (Practiced Mastery); Sonic the Hedgehog 3 leans Execution (Practiced Mastery).
Same score on execution - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Sonic Rush
Boost management and trick timing at high speed
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Holding speed through fixed hazards demands sharp reactions
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Sonic Rush
Scripted bosses only
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Badniks and bosses repeat identical scripts
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Sonic Rush
Dual-screen layouts surprise on first runs
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Levels never change between runs
Same score on optimization - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
Sonic Rush
Rank grinding turns levels into solved boost routes
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Route choice and emerald collection reward memorised play
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.