Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit video game)

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Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Coverart.png
Master System cover art
Developer(s)Aspect
Publisher(s)Sega
Composer(s)
  • Naofumi Hataya
  • Masafumi Ogata
SeriesSonic the Hedgehog
Platform(s)Master System, Game Gear
ReleaseMaster System
  • PAL: 16 October 1992
Game Gear
  • EU: 29 October 1992
  • NA: 17 November 1992
  • JP: 21 November 1992
  • AU: 30 November 1992
Genre(s)Platform game
Mode(s)Single player

Sonic the Hedgehog 2[a] is a 1992 side-scrolling platform video game developed by Aspect and published by Sega for the Master System and Game Gear. In the game, players control the titular character as he travels through seven zones, trying to find the Chaos Emeralds in order to save his friend Tails from Dr. Robotnik. It acts as a follow-up to Sonic the Hedgehog, although unlike that game Sonic 2 is vastly different from its Mega Drive/Genesis counterpart.

Released in November 1992, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was critically acclaimed for its presentation and gameplay, although the Game Gear version received criticism for its high difficulty, which was attributed to its lower screen resolution. A direct follow-up, titled Sonic Chaos, was released in 1993.

Gameplay[]

See also: Gameplay in Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit video game)
Sky High Zone Act 1, the second zone in the game (Game Gear version)

Like the previous games, players control Sonic the Hedgehog as he makes his way through each of the game's seven zones, fighting against various badniks and overcoming deadly obstacles.[1] By collecting rings, Sonic can protect himself from damage against enemies and obstacles (with the exception of pitfalls and drowning), with extra lives earned for collecting 100 rings. Unlike the previous 8-bit title, Sonic is now able to recollect some of his rings for a limited time after being hit.[2] Other technical improvements allow Sonic to smash through certain walls and run through loops. Also added to this iteration are gameplay mechanics unique to certain zones, such as riding a mine cart, using a hang glider to glide across the air, skimming across the surface of water and floating inside giant bubbles to reach higher areas.[2] Unlike the previous game, the game no longer features the Shield and Restart Marker items, so if Sonic loses a life, he must restart at the very beginning of the act.

Each of the game's seven zones consist of three acts, the third of which consists of a boss battle (most of which now consist of animal-based robots as opposed to direct confrontations with Dr. Robotnik) in which the player is not given any rings to collect.[3] At the end of each of the first two acts, players can potentially earn bonuses such as additional rings, lives and continues by fulfilling certain criteria upon hitting the act's goal post, such as having a specific amount of rings. In the first five zones, a Chaos Emerald is hidden somewhere within the second act. These five emeralds, along with a sixth earned from defeating the sixth zone's boss, are required to access the game's seventh zone and ultimately achieve the game's good ending by defeating the game's final boss. Otherwise, the game will end after the sixth zone, with Sonic unable to rescue Tails.[3]

Plot[]

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 was Tails being chased by Dr. Robotnik. Sonic chases after him, but he is too late to save Tails. Sonic finds out 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. Thus, Sonic goes on a quest to find the Chaos Emeralds and rescue Tails.[2]

Development[]

A Master System, which Sonic 2 initially released on in Europe and Brazil.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was developed by Aspect Co. with co-operation from Sega, unlike its predecessor which was developed by Ancient.[4] Craig Stitt, who worked as a stage artist with Sega Technical Institute (STI) on the Mega Drive/Genesis game, states that there was little interaction between both Aspect and STI.[5] Unlike the previous game, few edits were made to the Game Gear version to accommodate its lower screen resolution, resulting in it being considered more difficult.[6]

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was first released in Europe in October 1993, followed by an international release in November. The Master System version remained exclusive to Europe and Brazil for many years until it was released in December 2008 for the Wii Virtual Console.[7] The Game Gear version would eventually see release on the Nintendo 3DS eShop in June 2013.[8] The Game Gear version was included as an unlockable bonus in Sonic Adventure DX, released in 2003 for GameCube and Windows, and as one of the games featured in the Sonic Gems Collection, released for GameCube and PlayStation 2 in 2005.

Reception[]

Sales[]

In the United Kingdom, all versions of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 topped the Christmas 1992 sales chart, above Street Fighter II for the Super NES.[16] For the month of December 1992, the Mega Drive version was ranked number one, the Game Gear version number three, and the Master System version number four, while Super Mario Land 2 for the Game Boy was number two.[17]

Contemporary reviews[]

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.[10] 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."[11] 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!"[1]

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.[9] Sega Force gave the Game Gear version a 93% score, describing it as the "most challenging" and "toughest version of Sonic 2."[1] French magazine Mega Force also gave the game a positive review.[18] In 1993, it was awarded as the Best Portable Game of 1992 by Electronic Gaming Monthly.[15]

Retrospective reviews[]

Reviewing the Wii Virtual Console port of the Master System version, 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."[2]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Japanese: ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ2 (ツー), Hepburn: Sonikku za Hejjihoggu Tsū

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Reviewed: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Master System & Game Gear)". Sega Force (12): 30–33. December 1992. Archived from the original on 17 July 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Thomas, Lucas M. (9 December 2008). "Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Master System Version) Review: The name's the same, but it's a totally different game". IGN. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Master System. European)". AllGame. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  4. ^ Parish, Jeremy (5 June 2014). "Who Makes the Best Sonic the Hedgehog Games?". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Craig Stitt interview by ICEknight (January 2001)". Sonic Retro. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  6. ^ Parrish, Ash (5 June 2020). "Game Gear Micro Is Missing The Best Portable Sonic Game". Kotaku Australia. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Two WiiWare Games and One Virtual Console Game Added to Wii Shop Channel". Nintendo of America. 12 December 2008. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  8. ^ Sliwinski, Alexander (17 May 2013). "More Sega Game Gear titles coming to virtual console". Engadget. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b "Game Gear Pro Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 2". GamePro. No. 44. March 1993. p. 164.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b "Master System Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 2". Mean Machines. No. 2. November 1992. p. 66. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "Sonic the Hedgehog 2". Mega Zone (25): 31–3. January 1993. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  12. ^ "Master Market". Sega Force Mega. 2 (7): 79–80 [80]. January 1994.
  13. ^ "Game Gear Guide". Sega Force Mega. 2 (7): 78. January 1994.
  14. ^ "Sega Master Force Issue 2". Sega Master Force (2): 13. September 1993. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "Electronic Gaming Monthly's Buyer's Guide". 1993. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  16. ^ Gregory, Mark, ed. (18 December 1992). "Christmas Top Ten". Mega Guide. pp. 2–3.
  17. ^ "Charts: All Formats Top Ten (Data supplied by Virgin Game Centre)". Digitiser. 10 January 1993. Retrieved 10 March 2021. Lay summary.
  18. ^ "Sonic 2". Mega Force (13). January 1993. Archived from the original on 14 September 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  19. ^ "(Sega Master System) Sonic the Hedgehog 2". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  20. ^ "(GameGear) Sonic the Hedgehog 2". GameRankings. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  21. ^ Sutyak, Jonathan. "Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Game Gear)". AllGame. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2016.

External links[]

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