Difference between revisions of "Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)/Development"
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''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' has gone through several changes over its development process. There are several rejected ideas, levels, and other things that were left on the cutting room floor. The following details several of these things. | ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'' has gone through several changes over its development process. There are several rejected ideas, levels, and other things that were left on the cutting room floor. The following details several of these things. | ||
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| + | ==Prototype Versions== | ||
| + | Several prototypes have been found over the years. The first prototype discovered, the [[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Simon Wai prototype)|Simon Wai prototype]], found by [[Simon Wai]], is famous for its deleted levels. Another much [[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Nick Arcade Prototype|earlier beta]] was found by [[drx]] and looks similar to the one featured on the tv show ''Nick Arcade''. This was followed later by the discovery and release of five more betas, named [[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Beta 4|Beta 4]], [[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Beta 5|Beta 5]], [[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Beta 6|Beta 6]], [[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Beta 7|Beta 7]], and [[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Beta 8|Beta 8]]. These ones seem to be very similar to the final version. | ||
==Time Travel== | ==Time Travel== | ||
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*The level design for Wood Zone and Metropolis Zone are similar. | *The level design for Wood Zone and Metropolis Zone are similar. | ||
*An unused futuristic looking Star post can be found using debug. | *An unused futuristic looking Star post can be found using debug. | ||
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==Deleted Levels== | ==Deleted Levels== | ||
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''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' was originally envisioned to have many more levels than those included in the final version. Three levels, [[Wood Zone]], [[Hidden Palace Zone]], and [[Genocide City Zone]], were found in the the "Simon Wai prototype" in unfinished form. There was also a [[Desert Zone|desert themed level]] which had a single mockup image printed in several gaming magazines but was dropped very early in the games development. Lastly, two other levels, [[Winter level]] and [[Rock Zone]], were also dropped early in development and the only references to their existance come from concept art and interviews by [[Sonic Team]] staff members. More info on these Zones can be found in their respective articles. | ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' was originally envisioned to have many more levels than those included in the final version. Three levels, [[Wood Zone]], [[Hidden Palace Zone]], and [[Genocide City Zone]], were found in the the "Simon Wai prototype" in unfinished form. There was also a [[Desert Zone|desert themed level]] which had a single mockup image printed in several gaming magazines but was dropped very early in the games development. Lastly, two other levels, [[Winter level]] and [[Rock Zone]], were also dropped early in development and the only references to their existance come from concept art and interviews by [[Sonic Team]] staff members. More info on these Zones can be found in their respective articles. | ||
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| + | ==Concept Art== | ||
| + | The following is concept art for the game which doesn't fit in any of the preceeding sections. | ||
| + | ===Levels=== | ||
| + | <gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" perrow="4"> | ||
| + | Image:Metropolis concept.jpg|Metropolis Zone. | ||
| + | Image:S2concept-1.gif|Near a large ramp. | ||
| + | Image:S2concept-2.gif|Familiar area from Chemical Plant Zone. | ||
| + | Image:S2concept-3.gif|Sky Chase Zone and possibly Hill Top Zone. | ||
| + | Image:S1concept-SCENE.jpg|A scene which seems to feature Tails. | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Enemies=== | ||
| + | <gallery widths="148px" heights="140px" perrow="4"> | ||
| + | Image:Sket ball.png|Bouncing ball, sprites can actually be found in a proto in Oil Ocean Zone. | ||
| + | Image:Sket banper.png|Bumper badnik which sends player flying in opposite direction. | ||
| + | Image:Sket fishfrog.png|Fish and frog badniks. Frog jumps twice and jumps higher on 3rd jump. Fish is in the final game. | ||
| + | Image:Sket bubbler.png|Bubblers mother and Bubbler. Bubbler would explode when near player and is dropped by Bubblers mother. Sprites have been found in a prototype. | ||
| + | Image:Sket bee.png|Bee which is similar to Buzzer but it's attack would destroy bridges. Sprites for a burning log were found in a prototype. | ||
| + | Image:Sket snail.png|Snail which stick to the wall then rolls after player when near. | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
==Early Game Design== | ==Early Game Design== | ||
Revision as of 22:47, 18 August 2008
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has gone through several changes over its development process. There are several rejected ideas, levels, and other things that were left on the cutting room floor. The following details several of these things.
Prototype Versions
Several prototypes have been found over the years. The first prototype discovered, the Simon Wai prototype, found by Simon Wai, is famous for its deleted levels. Another much earlier beta was found by drx and looks similar to the one featured on the tv show Nick Arcade. This was followed later by the discovery and release of five more betas, named Beta 4, Beta 5, Beta 6, Beta 7, and Beta 8. These ones seem to be very similar to the final version.
Time Travel
The concept of Time Travel in Sonic 2 was referred to in early concept art, as well as several gaming magazines including a July 1992 EGM article. Only past and present timezones are referred to in the concept art, so it may not have had as many alternate time zones as Sonic the Hedgehog CD. It isn't known at what point the time travel concept was dropped, but the 1992 EGM article refers to the game as being 40% complete whilst mentioning time travel being associated with the game. The concept art refers to the scrapped level Rock Zone as being the past version of the scrapped Desert Zone.
Allusions to Time Travel in the Simon Wai prototype
Although time travel is not present whatsoever in the final game there are possible leftovers in the Simon Wai prototype that indicate it was present in the game at one point.
- Aquatic Ruin Zone's name is listed as Neo Green Hill Zone, possibly indicating it as a future version of Emerald Hill Zone (which was listed as Green Hill in this prototype).
- Some prototype zones share soundtracks, Wood Zone shares the same music as Metropolis Zone and Genocide City Zone shares music with Chemical Plant Zone.
- The level design for Wood Zone and Metropolis Zone are similar.
- An unused futuristic looking Star post can be found using debug.
Deleted Levels
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was originally envisioned to have many more levels than those included in the final version. Three levels, Wood Zone, Hidden Palace Zone, and Genocide City Zone, were found in the the "Simon Wai prototype" in unfinished form. There was also a desert themed level which had a single mockup image printed in several gaming magazines but was dropped very early in the games development. Lastly, two other levels, Winter level and Rock Zone, were also dropped early in development and the only references to their existance come from concept art and interviews by Sonic Team staff members. More info on these Zones can be found in their respective articles.
Concept Art
The following is concept art for the game which doesn't fit in any of the preceeding sections.
Levels
- Metropolis concept.jpg
Metropolis Zone.
- S2concept-1.gif
Near a large ramp.
- S2concept-2.gif
Familiar area from Chemical Plant Zone.
- S2concept-3.gif
Sky Chase Zone and possibly Hill Top Zone.
- S1concept-SCENE.jpg
A scene which seems to feature Tails.
Enemies
- Sket ball.png
Bouncing ball, sprites can actually be found in a proto in Oil Ocean Zone.
- Sket banper.png
Bumper badnik which sends player flying in opposite direction.
- Sket fishfrog.png
Fish and frog badniks. Frog jumps twice and jumps higher on 3rd jump. Fish is in the final game.
Bubblers mother and Bubbler. Bubbler would explode when near player and is dropped by Bubblers mother. Sprites have been found in a prototype.
- Sket bee.png
Bee which is similar to Buzzer but it's attack would destroy bridges. Sprites for a burning log were found in a prototype.
- Sket snail.png
Snail which stick to the wall then rolls after player when near.
Early Game Design
These scans come from various magazines. Many things found in these images can be found in the multiple Sonic 2 prototypes that have been discovered. For in depth comparisons of which prototypes contain what is seen in the scans see Magazine Preview Scans.
Various
Title screen found in manual.
Same Title screen in color.
Different level select screen.
Emerald Hill Zone
Mockup with Sonic off-center. Note the Green Hill Zone clouds in the background.
Tails lives counter says Sonic.
Tails lives counter says Sonic still.
Eggman flying straight down.
- Mag compare25a.gif
Score counter in 2p mode.
Aquatic Ruin Zone
Title card is messed up, also reads "Neo Green Hill Zone".
Casino Night Zone
Early level design and graphics.
Hill Top Zone
Green balls on see-saws.
Mystic Cave Zone
Level referred to as Dust Hill Zone.
Hidden Palace Zone Zone
Mockup screenshot of Hidden Palace Zone. Sonic is off center and there is a strange background.
Shield glows through tube.
- Mag compare7a.gif
Green object above lives icon.
Similar to final.
Wood Zone
Sonic laying down.
Desert Level
Mockup of Desert level.
