Like many Mega Drive owners Sonic 2 holds a special place in my heart, even though I technically played the completely different Master System game of the same name first much like Sonic 1 I’m not going to deny this version is better. So even if I wasn’t reviewing the Sonic The Hedgehog 2 film this game would’ve appeared on this site sooner or later. Frankly Sonic 2 on the Mega Drive is one of my go-to childhood games that I put on for an hour or two here and there because I know I’ll always have a great time both due to nostalgia and the fact it’s still a great game, right up there with Streets of Rage II on both accounts. So let’s take a look!
Background:
A not-quite-as-iconic opening level, but still: Sonic and Tails! … With Tails eclipsed by Sonic, which is fitting I guess…
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 released exclusively for the Mega Drive on November 21st 1992 in Japan with the rest of the world getting the game three days later on the 24th. As mentioned a Master System and Game Gear version of Sonic 2 was released around the same time but it’s entirely different (though does feature Tails!).
Like the original game Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has been ported to damn near every console and platform in existence be it through single re-releases, Sonic compilation packs or MegaDrive compilation packs. Even the most modern systems have the new Sonic Origins game, which has a good port of the game on it as well as a new widescreen infinite continues mode with new animated cutscenes. Instead of listing them all I’ll just safely say that as long as the console you have was reasonably popular and released after SEGA stopped making consoles there’s most likely a version of Sonic 2 on it somewhere…
Gameplay:
An extremely iconic second level with one of the best soundtracks around.
The core gameplay remains the same as Sonic 1 but everything is greatly improved, especially the fact you can now crouch, charge and then spin-dash rather than having to gain momentum and press down like in the original, this was a small thing but so revolutionary for the game series. Beyond that though you run from left to right jumping or spin-dashing through enemies, collect power ups like speed boosts, shields and extra lives and collect rings which act as health: when you get hit you drop all your rings but as long as you can grab at least one ring you’ll be able to take another hit. Still a very original concept for a platformer. The other big change is Tails, who in the default mode of the game follows you around as a (rather stupid) A.I. companion who thankfully doesn’t count towards your hits or lives given how easily he dies all the time. You can choose to play without him and even as Tails without Sonic, complete with a little helicopter hover move.
Wow it’s …. sort of 3D. Ish… okay, not really. Looked cool back in then though!
There are 11 Zones split into two Acts each which means less Acts per Zone but much more variety in level design, and what fantastic levels they are! Damn near every one is filled with personality, unique gimmicks, a fun boss fight and an amazing music track. Much like last time you can enter a bonus level, this time if you cross a checkpoint marker with at least 50 rings. Instead of a queasy rotating level from last time it’s a weird behind-character-view mode when you run across a halfpipe collecting rings and dodging bombs. You’re rewarded with a Chaos Emerald at the end and if you do this seven times you get the true ending, complete with Super Sonic, who you can play as if you get all seven emeralds and then collect 50 rings in a level.
There’s also multiplayer, both co-op where one player controls Tails during the single player mode (though the camera always follows Sonic) and a split-screen versus mode where two players race across levels to beat the other in several different categories (most rings collected, time it took, that sort of thing). Neither are amazing but as a little bonus thing it’s good fun.
Graphics and Sound:
I didn’t mention the plane level, did I? Oh well, it’s not as exciting as it looks, sadly. It’s just regular controls with the plane under you…
The graphics are full of lovely sprite work, colourful backgrounds and a great sense of speed. Can’t complain there, nor can I complain about any single part of the soundscape, from the great sound effects to the already mentioned iconic soundtrack full of nothing but memorable tunes.
Story:
Love the theme that plays when this final boss appears… which is lucky because I had to hear it many times as a kid before I cracked it…
Dr. Robotnik is back! … is pretty much the whole story really. He once again seeks the Chaos Emeralds and has trapped a load of innocent animals inside his Badnik machines to help his cause. The only key differences is that Sonic’s buddy Tails is in for the ride and Robotnik has not only built a robotic facsimile of Sonic called Metal Sonic but he’s also created a massive space station called the “Death Egg”. You won’t be surprised to hear that Sonic stops Robotnik, destroys Metal Sonic and takes out the Death Egg for good measure.
Thoughts Then:
Sonic begins his long-term relationship with massive pinball machine bumpers.
As I mentioned in my original Sonic 1 (for the Mega Drive) review I got the MD a few years in and so got Sonic 2 only a few months after getting the console itself and boy did I ever play it to DEATH. Also like I mentioned earlier in this review, Sonic 2 and Streets of Rage 2 are probably the first two games I just absolutely fell in love with and due to that there was no way this wasn’t getting a 5, it stopped my jealousy over my brother’s SNES and made me proud to be on team Sega (even if on reflection the Super NES clearly had the better game catalogue, but don’t let my child self hear me say that! …Whatever that means)
Thoughts Now:
*Gasp!* The Hidden Palace Zone! It was restored for later versions of Sonic 2 (like the Origins version seen here) after having been cut in the original. I forgot about it and legitimately found it by mistake when I played through Origins, it was a really fun moment!
Sonic 2 is one of those games that they just nailed every single part of it, from the gameplay to the graphics to the soundtrack, and thanks to being a 2D sprite game even in 2023 it still gets a tick in every category regardless of how old it technically is. Although I enjoyed Sonic 3 / Sonic and Knuckles plenty this is still peak 2D Sonic for me, and I can happily play it any time.
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