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{{LevelBob|levelscreen=hilltop.png|levelno=Fifth|game=Sonic the Hedgehog 2|acts=2|boss=Submarine Eggman|osv=[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 OSV]]}}
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{{Breadcrumb
'''Hill Top Zone''' is the fifth zone in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''. It uses the same graphics from [[Emerald Hill Zone]]. No one knows for sure why they had this zone clone.
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|Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|:Category:Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) levels|l2=Levels|{{PAGENAME}}}}
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{{LevelBob
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| levelscreen=hilltop.png
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| levelno=Fifth
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| game=Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
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| acts=2
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| location=[[West Side Island]]
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| theme1=mountain/canyon
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| theme2=underground/cave
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| theme3=lava/volcano
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| boss=Submarine Eggman
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| rings1=146 + 40
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| rings2=199 + 80
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| icon=HTZiconS2.png
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| name_jp=ヒルトップ ''Hiru Toppu''{{fileref|Sonic2 MD JP manual.pdf|page=34}}
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| name_de=Bergspitzenzone{{fileref|Sonic2 MD EU manual.pdf|page=36}}
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| name_fr=Zone du Sommet de la Colline{{fileref|Sonic2 MD EU manual.pdf|page=36}}
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| name_es=Zona de la Cima de la Colina{{fileref|Sonic2 MD EU manual.pdf|page=36}}
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| name_pt=Zona Hill Top{{fileref|Sonic2 MD PT manual.pdf|page=19}}
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| name_it=Zona Montecolle{{fileref|Sonic2 MD EU manual.pdf|page=37}}
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| name_se=Bergstoppszonen{{fileref|Sonic2 MD EU manual.pdf|page=37}}
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| name_nl=Heuvel Top Zone{{fileref|Sonic2 MD EU manual.pdf|page=37}}
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| name_fi=Harjunhuippuvyöhyke{{fileref|Sonic2 MD EU manual.pdf|page=37}}
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| name_kr=힐 탑 지역{{fileref|SonicClassics MD KR manual.pdf|page=27}}
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| prev=Casino Night Zone
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| next=Mystic Cave Zone
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}}
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{{otherPage|desc=the [[Sonic Drift 2]] level|page=Hill Top (Sonic Drift 2)}}
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'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is the fifth [[Zone]] in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'', featuring extended level blocks such as [[Star Light Zone]]'s start loops and [[Green Hill Zone (Sonic the Hedgehog 16-bit)|Green Hill Zone]]'s spin tubes.
  
Hill Top Zone has extended level blocks, such as [[Star Light Zone]] start loops, and [[Green Hill Zone]] spin tubes.
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==Overview==
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This mountainous stage features lava pits and underground caverns, similar to [[Marble Zone]]. However, Hill Top features no sturdy ruins of long-gone civilizations; they would have been ground to dust by the frequent earthquakes which ravage the Zone and fill the chthomic spaces with scorching magma—often while [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] and [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]] are ''inside''. Outside, pine trees rise over a landscape of blue-tinted rocks, with rickety vine chairlifts connecting one peak to another. See-saws and loop-the-loops are scattered throughout the zone; while the latter springs our heroes up the mountainsides, the loops invariably send Sonic and Tails cannonballing into the volcanic caves. The boss at the end is [[Submarine Eggman]].
  
The zone also contains lava, and has caverns where you can be trapped during earthquakes (due to a layer of ground moving up and down). Before the boss in Act 2, there is a room full of rising lava and platforms to the exit at the top. This is commonly known as the "volcano."
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Geographically, the Zone is located amidst the high peaks of [[West Side Island]]. It can actually be seen from [[Emerald Hill Zone]]; the vertiginous ridges of Hill Top's background glimpsed on the horizon at the far right of the first stage.  
  
==Instruction Manual Description==
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A slightly modified version of Hill Top Zone's art is also used in [[Emerald Hill Zone]], with different coloration. No one knows why for sure, but Emerald Hill Zone and Hill Top Zone were developed during the same time which can be proven by playing the [[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Nick Arcade prototype)|Nick Arcade prototype]] and [[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Simon Wai prototype)|Simon Wai prototype]] where they were both completed simultaneously.
Lava boils from volcanoes and earthquakes shake the ground. Spring for the rings on teeter-totters and blast through underground tunnels and caverns.
 
  
==Sonic Team Commentary (from ''[[Sonic Jam]]'' Strategy Guide)==
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==Quotes==
The thing that stands out most in this zone is probably the way the whole screen shakes in the areas where the lava is moving. And then the mountain in the background has a slightly polygon-like look to it. We were aiming for a look similar to the kind of thing we had in mind with ''[[Sonic 1]]'''s [[Green Hill Zone]]. ([[Yuji Naka|Naka]])
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{{quote|1=Lava boils from volcanoes and earthquakes shake the ground! Spring for the [[Ring]]s on teeter-totters and blast through underground tunnels and caverns.|2=''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' US manual|ref={{fileref|Sonic2 MD US manual.pdf|page=16}}}}
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{{quote|The thing that stands out most in this zone is probably the way the whole screen shakes in the areas where the lava is moving. And then the mountain in the background has a slightly polygon-like look to it. We were aiming for a look similar to the kind of thing we had in mind with ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic 1]]'''s [[Green Hill Zone (Sonic the Hedgehog 16-bit)|Green Hill Zone]].|[[Yuji Naka]]|''[[Sonic Jam Official Guide]]''|ref={{fileref|SonicJamOfficialGuide Book JP.pdf|page=45}}}}
  
 
==Enemies==
 
==Enemies==
*[[Rexon]] - Plesiosaur enemy, sits in lava and throws fireballs at you. Once destroyed, its body can be used as a platform to stand on.
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{| style="width:auto;"
*[[Spiker]] - Cone enemy, launches its cone at you when you jump over it.
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|style="text-align:center;"|{{spriteImage|Rexon sprite.png}}
*[[Sol]] - Spherical enemy, surrounded by 4 fireballs which it throws at you. Referred to as "Sol" in the instruction manual, and "Ghora" in [[Sonic Jam]].
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|'''[[Rexon]]''' — Plesiosaur [[Badnik]]. Sits in lava and spits projectiles at the player. Once destroyed, its body can be used as a platform to stand on.
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|-
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|style="text-align:center;"|{{spriteImage|Sol sprite.png}}
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|'''[[Sol]]''' — [[Orbinaut]]-type Badnik, surrounded by 4 fireballs which it throws at the player. Referred to as "Sol" in the instruction manual, and "Ghora" in ''[[Sonic Jam]]''.
 +
|-
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|style="text-align:center;"|{{spriteImage|Spiker sprite.png}}
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|'''[[Spiker]]''' — Cone Badnik. Launches its cone upward/downward when the player jumps over it or walks under it.
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|}
  
==Prototype Differences==
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==Technical information==
===Early Prototype/Nick Arcade Beta===
 
* Lava doesn't cause harm.
 
* Green orbs are used as the weight on teeter-totters instead of a Sol without fireballs.
 
* Cable lifts do not work properly.
 
* The playfield limits are still the same as they were in ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic 1]]'', but the level does not end at these limits. As a result, Act 1 cannot be played through.
 
* The secondary [[collision array]] for Act 2 is missing.
 
* Act 2 crashes at about the midpoint. This is because the level event handler calls a subroutine from ''Sonic 1'' that no longer exists (the transition between Acts 2 and 3 of [[Scrap Brain Zone]]). Final Zone crashes at the beginning for the same reason.
 
 
 
===Wai Beta===
 
* Sonic doesn't spin when going through tunnels.
 
* There is no earthquake sound effect.
 
 
 
==Technical Information (Final)==
 
 
{|class="prettytable"
 
{|class="prettytable"
 
!Offset||Description
 
!Offset||Description
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|-
 
|-
 
|$46DD4
 
|$46DD4
|HTZ act 1 level layout
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|HTZ Act 1 level layout
 
|-
 
|-
 
|$47044
 
|$47044
|HTZ act 2 level layout
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|HTZ Act 2 level layout
 
|-
 
|-
 
|$95C24
 
|$95C24
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|-
 
|-
 
|$E4D74
 
|$E4D74
|HTZ act 1 ring locations
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|HTZ Act 1 ring locations
 
|-
 
|-
 
|$E4EAA
 
|$E4EAA
|HTZ act 2 ring locations
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|HTZ Act 2 ring locations
 
|-
 
|-
 
|$E8302
 
|$E8302
|HTZ act 1 sprite locations
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|HTZ Act 1 sprite locations
 
|-
 
|-
 
|$E8668
 
|$E8668
|HTZ act 2 sprite locations
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|HTZ Act 2 sprite locations
 
|}
 
|}
  
{{Sonic2Levels}}
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==In other media==
[[Category: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) Levels]]
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===''Sonic the Comic''===
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In the ''[[Sonic the Comic]]'' series, Hill Top Zone first appeared in [[Sonic the Comic 020|issue #20]] where it was depicted as a barren landscape populated by a tribe of native birds who request Sonic and Tails' help. According to [[Chief Kordon]], the Mountain of Destiny was about to erupt, prompting the heroes to go inside and investigate. Inside, the heroes were attacked by a Rexon, and Sonic transformed into [[Super Sonic]] under great pressure. Though they found the cause of the eruption, which was [[Dr. Robotnik]]'s Seismatron, Super Sonic attempted to escape with intentions of taking out Tails, though the fox manages to use reverse psychology to get Super Sonic to run circles around the erupting lava, cooling it and forming a Sonic statue.
 +
 
 +
The Hill Top Zone would later face other threats, including a swarm of Badniks that invaded from the [[IceCap Zone]] via a portal, and a missile fired by [[D.R.A.T.]] which Sonic was able to divert using his speed.
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
 
 +
{{S2MDOmni}}

Revision as of 08:36, 12 August 2020

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
»
Levels
»
Hill Top Zone
Hilltop.png
Hill Top Zone
Fifth Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
Number of Acts: 2
Location: West Side Island
Level themes: mountain/canyon, underground/cave, lava/volcano
Boss: Submarine Eggman
Maximum rings, Act 1: 146 + 40
Maximum rings, Act 2: 199 + 80
Non-English names:
Casino Night Zone | Mystic Cave Zone
For the Sonic Drift 2 level, see Hill Top (Sonic Drift 2).

Hill Top Zone is the fifth Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, featuring extended level blocks such as Star Light Zone's start loops and Green Hill Zone's spin tubes.

Overview

This mountainous stage features lava pits and underground caverns, similar to Marble Zone. However, Hill Top features no sturdy ruins of long-gone civilizations; they would have been ground to dust by the frequent earthquakes which ravage the Zone and fill the chthomic spaces with scorching magma—often while Sonic and Tails are inside. Outside, pine trees rise over a landscape of blue-tinted rocks, with rickety vine chairlifts connecting one peak to another. See-saws and loop-the-loops are scattered throughout the zone; while the latter springs our heroes up the mountainsides, the loops invariably send Sonic and Tails cannonballing into the volcanic caves. The boss at the end is Submarine Eggman.

Geographically, the Zone is located amidst the high peaks of West Side Island. It can actually be seen from Emerald Hill Zone; the vertiginous ridges of Hill Top's background glimpsed on the horizon at the far right of the first stage.

A slightly modified version of Hill Top Zone's art is also used in Emerald Hill Zone, with different coloration. No one knows why for sure, but Emerald Hill Zone and Hill Top Zone were developed during the same time which can be proven by playing the Nick Arcade prototype and Simon Wai prototype where they were both completed simultaneously.

Quotes

Lava boils from volcanoes and earthquakes shake the ground! Spring for the Rings on teeter-totters and blast through underground tunnels and caverns.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 US manualMedia:Sonic2 MD US manual.pdf[6]

The thing that stands out most in this zone is probably the way the whole screen shakes in the areas where the lava is moving. And then the mountain in the background has a slightly polygon-like look to it. We were aiming for a look similar to the kind of thing we had in mind with Sonic 1's Green Hill Zone.

Yuji NakaSonic Jam Official Guide[7]

Enemies

Rexon sprite.png
Rexon — Plesiosaur Badnik. Sits in lava and spits projectiles at the player. Once destroyed, its body can be used as a platform to stand on.
Sol sprite.png
SolOrbinaut-type Badnik, surrounded by 4 fireballs which it throws at the player. Referred to as "Sol" in the instruction manual, and "Ghora" in Sonic Jam.
Spiker sprite.png
Spiker — Cone Badnik. Launches its cone upward/downward when the player jumps over it or walks under it.

Technical information

Offset Description
07 Level Value
$2BA2 HTZ Palette (0B)
$C7F2, C964 HTZ layer deformation info
$3FD26 Dynamic pattern reloading for HTZ
$40038 HTZ animated pattern load cue
$40372 EHZ, HTZ misc sprite mappings
$41FFE HTZ object debug list
$44E50 EHZ and HTZ primary 16x16 collision index
$44F40 EHZ and HTZ secondary 16x16 collision index
$46DD4 HTZ Act 1 level layout
$47044 HTZ Act 2 level layout
$95C24 EHZ/HTZ main level patterns
$985A4 HTZ 16x16 block mappings
$98AB4 HTZ pattern suppliment to EHZ level patterns
$99D34 EHZ/HTZ 128x128 block mappings
$E4D74 HTZ Act 1 ring locations
$E4EAA HTZ Act 2 ring locations
$E8302 HTZ Act 1 sprite locations
$E8668 HTZ Act 2 sprite locations

In other media

Sonic the Comic

In the Sonic the Comic series, Hill Top Zone first appeared in issue #20 where it was depicted as a barren landscape populated by a tribe of native birds who request Sonic and Tails' help. According to Chief Kordon, the Mountain of Destiny was about to erupt, prompting the heroes to go inside and investigate. Inside, the heroes were attacked by a Rexon, and Sonic transformed into Super Sonic under great pressure. Though they found the cause of the eruption, which was Dr. Robotnik's Seismatron, Super Sonic attempted to escape with intentions of taking out Tails, though the fox manages to use reverse psychology to get Super Sonic to run circles around the erupting lava, cooling it and forming a Sonic statue.

The Hill Top Zone would later face other threats, including a swarm of Badniks that invaded from the IceCap Zone via a portal, and a missile fired by D.R.A.T. which Sonic was able to divert using his speed.

References


Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
Sonic2 title.png

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