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Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Nick Arcade prototype)/Comparisons/Graphics

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Sonic

Sonic has a different set of animations in the Nick Arcade prototype. Some are recycled from Sonic 1, while others are completely new.

Sonic1 MD Sprite SonicStand.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicStand.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicStand.png
Sonic 2 final

Sonic has a different standing animation. When left, he taps his feet, but does not lie on the floor like in the final game.

Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicBlink.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicBlink.png
Sonic 2 final

The added blinking frame, which does not appear in the original Sonic the Hedgehog, is different in the prototype, with Sonic's eyelids being completely white.

Sonic1 MD Sprite LookUp.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicLookUp.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicLookUp.png
Sonic 2 final

There are minor shading differences when looking up.

Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicDuck.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicDuck.png
Sonic 2 final

And more when ducking.

Sonic MD Sprite SonicRun.gif
Sonic the Hedgehog
Betarun.gif
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Finalrun.gif
Sonic 2 final


Sonic1 MD Sprite SonicWalk1.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicWalk1.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicWalk1.png
Sonic 2 final


Sonic1 MD Sprite SonicWalk2.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicWalk2.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicWalk2.png
Sonic 2 final


Sonic1 MD Sprite SonicWalk3.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicWalk3.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicWalk3.png
Sonic 2 final


Sonic1 MD Sprite SonicWalk4.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicWalk4.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicWalk4.png
Sonic 2 final

Early builds of Sonic 2 devote 12 frames of animation for a new walk cycle - double the number seen in Sonic 1. It was clearly decided the result looked a bit strange, however, as the final game reverts to a similar look to its predecessor (and in the process, drops the number of frames down to 8).

Sonic1 MD Sprite SonicSpin.gif
Sonic the Hedgehog
Betaspin.gif
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Finalspin.gif
Sonic 2 final
Sonic1 MD Sprite SonicRun1.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicRun1.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicRun1.png
Sonic 2 final
Sonic1 MD Sprite SonicRun2.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicRun2.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicRun2.png
Sonic 2 final
Sonic1 MD Sprite SonicRun3.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicRun3.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicRun3.png
Sonic 2 final
Sonic1 MD Sprite SonicRun4.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicRun4.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicRun4.png
Sonic 2 final

The running animation is also different. Sonic's "swirling legs" are unique to early builds of Sonic 2, and would not be seen again until 25 years later, when a tribute was added to Sonic Mania.

Sonic1 MD Sprite Break.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicBreak.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicBreak.png
Sonic 2 final

More frames were added to the breaking animation, in addition to the two from Sonic 1. In the final game, the animation is simplified.

Sonic1 MD Sprite Balance.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicBalance.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Comp smsonledgef.png
Sonic 2 final

Sonic has only one ledge animation in the Nick Arcade prototype, and it's similar to the one from Sonic 1, just with different shading. It also animates faster.

Sonic1 MD Sprite Push.png
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic2NA MD Sprite SonicPush.png
Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite SonicPush.png
Sonic 2 final

Sonic's pushing animation is slightly different in this prototype as well.

Tails

Tails is missing half of his animations, cruicially including his ability to fly. He usually consists of two objects, with his tails treated as a separate thing when standing, walking, running or jumping. They disappear correctly when certain animations are triggered, but as some animations have yet to be implemented, Tails appears to lose his tails for short periods.

Sonic2NA MD Sprite TailsSpin.png
Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite TailsSpin.png
Final game

Tails' jumping/spinning set of sprites doesn't have the reflective white spot in early prototypes.

Comp tailsslide.png
Nick Arcade prototype
Comp tailsbrakef.png
Final game

Tails has no skidding frames, he just slides across the floor.

Comp tailsslide.png
Nick Arcade prototype
Comp tailsledgef.png
Final game

Tails also has no balancing frames.

Comp tailspushp.png
Nick Arcade prototype
Comp tailspushf.png
Final game

When pushing against an obstacle, Tails uses his walking animation.

Objects

Comp signposta.png
Nick Arcade prototype
Comp signpostf.png
Final game

Signposts are symmetrical in the Nick Arcade prototype.

Sonic2 MD Sprite OldStarPost.png
Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite Starpost.png
Final game

Debug mode allows for these futuristic checkpoints to be placed in a level. They would be replaced by star posts in the final game.

Enemies

Sonic2NA MD Sprite Buzzer.png
Nick Arcade prototype
Sonic2 MD Sprite Buzzer.png
Final game

The Buzzer enemy has a different look to the final game.

References


Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Nick Arcade prototype), prototype version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
S2b title.png

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Part of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) development