Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)

For the Mega Drive / Genesis version, see Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit).

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Master System boxart
Developer(s)	Aspect Co., Ltd.
Publisher(s)	Sega
Platform(s)	Master System Game Gear Virtual Console
Release date(s)	Master System PAL October 16, 1992 Game Gear PAL October 29, 1992 NA November 17, 1992 JP November 21, 1992 Virtual Console JP November 18, 2008 NA December 8, 2008 PAL December 26, 2008
Genre(s)	Platform game
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ACB: G CERO: A ESRB: E PEGI: 3+
Media/distribution	Cartridge (Physical)

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is an 8-bit 1992 side-scrolling platform handheld console video game developed by Aspect Co., Ltd. and released by Sega for their Master System and Game Gear formats. The Master System version was released in Europe on October 16, 1992. The Game Gear version was released in Europe on October 29, 1992, in North America on November 17, 1992 and in Japan on November 21, 1992.

Being released before the 16-bit version for the Mega Drive (Genesis), the 8-bit editions of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 represented the debut of character Miles "Tails" Prower, who became a recurring character in the series.

The Master System version was released for the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console on November 18, 2008 in Japan, in North America on December 8, 2008 and in the PAL regions on December 26, 2008.

Storyline

South Island has been peaceful since Dr. Robotnik's defeat. Sonic, bored, decides to go on a journey in search of other adventures. Upon his return, he is shocked to find the island nearly abandoned. The only clue as to where all his friends might have disappeared to is a single note, written by his two-tailed fox buddy, Miles "Tails" Prower. In the note, Tails explains that he's been kidnapped by Dr. Robotnik and is being held in a place called Crystal Egg. The price for Tails' safe return are the 6 Chaos Emeralds, to be delivered to 6 new boss robots.

Gameplay

Advances made in this game include Sonic's ability to grab back rings scattered when hit by an enemy as well as being able to smash through certain walls, capabilities not implemented in the 8-bit versions of the original title. There is no Spin Dash because this game was released before the Mega Drive version, which introduced the Spin Dash. Uniquely, this game includes levels in which Sonic must ride a mine cart, and a hang glider, the latter under full player control and a reasonable simulation of physics. There is also a large bubble in underwater levels which raises Sonic upwards until he hits a ceiling, enemy or obstacle. Sonic is also able to skim at high speed across the surface of water.

There are seven zones in total, each comprising three acts. In the final act, that level's boss is faced, but without any rings to collect (hence Sonic cannot survive taking any damage in these battles). Rather than facing Robotnik himself (with the exception of the final stage and some involvement in the first boss), Sonic faces up against a bunch of robotic animals: a giant antlion, a mother ostrich and many of her robotic chicks, a circus sealion, a sumo pig (some believe it to be a bull), and a spiky-backed boar. At the end of the sixth stage, Sonic encounters a robotic doppelganger of himself (dubbed "The Silver Sonic"), the first such robotic "Sonic" of the series. At the end of Acts 1 and 2 of each level, a panel is spun, with a reward given based on what it lands on.

Item boxes are largely the same as the first game (although the restart marker and shield devices have been removed), and like the previous game, Chaos Emeralds are scattered throughout the stages. One is found in the second act in each of the first five zones. If the player collects these five and then destroys Mecha Sonic in the third act of the sixth zone, the sixth emerald is relinquished and the player may access the final stage (Crystal Egg), in the third act of which Doctor Robotnik is faced in a final boss battle. Players able to complete the full task are rewarded with the game's "good ending" which involves Sonic and Tails running along before looking to the sky to see themselves amongst the stars at night. For those who fail to collect all five of the hidden emeralds, play ends after Mecha Sonic's destruction and, with a more downbeat end sequence, Sonic runs alone before looking up at the stars to see Tails alone. This may mean that Dr. Robotnik has killed Tails. This ending also plays if players complete the final stage having accessed it through a level select cheat.

Development

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 received preview coverage in the October 1992 issue of GamePro.

The Game Gear's lower screen resolution results in the Game Gear version having a smaller visible screen area than the Master System edition, causing some fans to consider the Game Gear version the more challenging title. For example, when facing the boss of the Underground Zone, the reduced screen area either side of Sonic gives the player less time to react to hazards moving onto the screen. Other bosses were also affected: the Green Hills Zone battle takes place in a smaller, steeper arena; there is a 3rd chute which cannot be seen while fighting Robotnik in the final Crystal Egg stage.

Sky High Zone Act 1, the second zone in the game (Game Gear version)

The music for the intro sequence is also different. The Game Gear version uses the Scrambled Egg Zone music for the scene showing Robotnik escaping with the captive Tails, while the Master System version uses the title screen music. The boss music is also different between the two versions. The Game Gear has different tracks for the good and bad endings while the Master System version uses the bad ending theme for both.

The Game Gear version also features dark blue (instead of green) water in the second Act of the Aqua Lake Zone, and omits the game's only "High Speed" item box, which may be found in the Master System version of this stage.

Soundtrack

The music for Green Hills Zone was later used as the theme song for the Japanese and European versions of Sonic the Hedgehog CD, where it is called "Sonic: You Can Do Anything". A remix of the tune is also used for Mecha Green Hill Zone in Sonic Chaos.

Re-releases

The Master System version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was released on Wii Virtual Console in America on December 8, 2008.

The Game Gear version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is also included in the following compilations:

• Sonic Adventure DX for the Nintendo GameCube and Windows PC
• Sonic Gems Collection for the Nintendo GameCube and Sony PlayStation 2.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
Publication	Score
GamePro	5 / 5 (Game Gear)
IGN	8 / 10 (Wii)
Mean Machines	95% (Master System)
Mega Zone	93% (Master System)
Sega Force	92% (Master System) 93% (Game Gear)
Sega Force Mega	93% (Game Gear) 92% (Master System)
Sega Master Force	92% (Master System)
Awards Entity Award Electronic Gaming Monthly Best Game of the Year (Portable Game Systems)

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Master System and Game Gear has been critically acclaimed since release. The Master System version received a positive review from Mean Machines, which described it as better than its predecessor and as "one of the greatest Master System games of all time," giving it an overall 95% score. Mega Zone gave this version an overall 93% score, with reviewer Steward Clark stating that it is "radically different to the Mega Drive version" but still "another winner!" He praised the "superb gameplay" and described it as a "classic in its own right." Sega Force gave the Master System version a 92% score, noting that instead of "trying to scale down the MD version," Sega have "opted for a totally different game — and well good it is, too!"

The Game Gear version received a positive review from GamePro staff writer The Unknown Gamer, focusing praise on both the gameplay and the impressive graphics for the small handheld console. It gave the game scores of 5 for graphics, 4 for sound, 4.5 for control, and 5 for overall fun factor. Sega Force gave the Game Gear version a 93% score, describing it as the "most challenging" and "toughest version of Sonic 2." French magazine Mega Force also gave the game a positive review. In 1993, it was awarded as the Best Portable Game of 1992 by Electronic Gaming Monthly.

Reviewing the Master System version for its Virtual Console release, IGN gave the game a score of 8.0 out of 10. The reviewer Lucas M. Thomas stated that many Wii owners may "erroneously assume that it's a technically inferior port of the Genesis classic with the same name. It's not." He described the Master System game as "entirely its own adventure" with its own "unique elements like mine carts and hang gliders," concluding that it is "a hidden gem from Sonic's early years."

External links

• Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit) page at The GHZ