Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Mega Drive/Genesis

Sonic 2 - Mega Drive/Genesis Official Review By Dreadknux

Click 'PLAY' to listen to: Emerald Hill Zone - Jarel Jones

Unlike most games sequels the second Sonic the Hedgehog game is actually BETTER than its prequel. Featuring a new character, Miles 'Tails' Prower, and a new two player mode there's a lot to keep you occupied. Robotnik starts again by capturing all of Sonic's furry friends and turning them into robots. But now he has something more sinister involved. These robots are needed to work on his latest scheme, the Death Egg! But he hasn't found the Chaos Emeralds yet, and that's a good thing. Sonic and Tails have come to stop Robotnik, gain the Chaos Emeralds and destroy his Death Egg for good!

The new Super Spin Dash. It's well good, it is.
Come on then, fatboy, I can take on your drill any day...So he said.

Sonic 2 is the second instalment of the many Sonic games that have appeared on the Mega Drive. As usual, you must run to the end of each act, collecting rings and destroying robots on the way, to pass the finish board. Now Sonic can perform the Super Spin Dash, and 'Tails' can follow Sonic and help him journey through the levels. This game must be the longest Sonic game on the Mega Drive, and also holds many secrets...

The layout of the levels have changed somewhat, with only two acts to each level (except for the monstrous 'Metropolis Zone') with Robotnik appearing at the end of the second act. These bosses are harder than the ones found in Sonic 1, and I think you'll agree once you get to the 'Death Egg Zone', which replaces the 'Final Zone' from Sonic 1 and has you facing two bosses, the second of which is difficult to say the least.

A new Sonic game, a new Special Stage, and this time it has you running for the rings to reach the Chaos Emeralds. Just collect 50 rings and hit a Star Post. There should be a Star Circle spinning around the Star Post. Jump in and you are taken to a semi-circular chute with which you must collect the rings and avoid the bombs that hurtle towards you. Now there's something that'll be worth getting the Chaos Emeralds for! When you have collected all seven of the Chaos emeralds (it ain't easy), then catch 50 rings and jump, you'll transform into your mega alter-ego, Super Sonic!

Unlike its Master System/Game Gear counterpart, you can actually control 'Tails' in the Mega Drive/Genesis version of Sonic 2. It's not much different than playing the game as Sonic, only you can't turn into Super Tails. Still cool, if you prefer 'Tails' to Sonic. If Sonic and 'Tails' are playing through the game though, the computer controls 'Tails' or a second player can control him. Snazzy, eh?

Probably one of the best improvements must be the two player mode, now that Tails is in the Sonic gang. It sees Player 1 controlling Sonic and Player 2 controlling Tails in a split screen race to the finish. You can go on the four levels shown in the screenshot. It's not just the fastest that will stand a chance of winning though. Points are taken account for the amount of rings collected, boxes destroyed and overall score aswell. Cool, eh?

This game has improved upon its predecessor tenfold, it has the difficulty tweaked for the better, there is a two player mode, and there is an extra secret, Super Sonic. This is definitely worth every penny of your money, I don't think this game can be faulted to be quite honest.

Sonic Score: 10 out of 10!

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