Difference between revisions of "Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) scrapped levels"
From Sonic Retro
| Line 38: | Line 38: | ||
The crocodile badnik, [[Gator]] was programmed into the game, and in older builds was a placeable debug object in [[Hidden Palace Zone]]. Its artwork does not exist in the final game. Much like the [[Buzzer]]s in this image however, it cannot be confirmed whether it was intended to be seen in this level, as Brenda Ross did not work on the objects and enemies. | The crocodile badnik, [[Gator]] was programmed into the game, and in older builds was a placeable debug object in [[Hidden Palace Zone]]. Its artwork does not exist in the final game. Much like the [[Buzzer]]s in this image however, it cannot be confirmed whether it was intended to be seen in this level, as Brenda Ross did not work on the objects and enemies. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
---- | ---- | ||
==Winter Zone== | ==Winter Zone== | ||
| Line 61: | Line 56: | ||
Art used in both this winter level and desert level would later be brought to ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball]]'' and used in Brenda Ross' level, [[Underground Caves]]. This too was also scrapped, merged with the planned second level to form [[Toxic Caves]]. | Art used in both this winter level and desert level would later be brought to ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball]]'' and used in Brenda Ross' level, [[Underground Caves]]. This too was also scrapped, merged with the planned second level to form [[Toxic Caves]]. | ||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | ==Rock World Zone== | ||
| + | Rock World Zone, likely known internally as just "Rock Zone" is mentioned multiple times in internal documents and sketches{{fileref|Sonic 2 Level Map Concept 04.png}}{{fileref|Sonic 2 Level Map Concept 02.png}}, though what it contained is unclear. The scrapped Banper enemies were also set to appear in the stage{{fileref|Sket banper.png}}, suggesting some thought had been put into its creation before being scrapped. | ||
| + | |||
| + | With a very generic working name it is fully possible Rock Zone became something else, such as [[Mystic Cave Zone]] or even [[Hidden Palace Zone]], which take place in rocky environments. | ||
---- | ---- | ||
==Blue Ocean== | ==Blue Ocean== | ||
Revision as of 02:23, 8 January 2024
|
This short article is in need of work. You can help Sonic Retro by adding to it. |
|
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) |
| Scrapped Levels |
| Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) scrapped levels |
Contents
Introduction
During development of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Sega Mega Drive, a number of levels were planned which were not completed in time for the final game. Some are more (in)famous than others: Hidden Palace Zone and Wood Zone were to some degree playable and featured in the printed press, while Genocide City Zone was referenced in-game by several known Sonic 2 prototype builds.
However, there are many more that did not make it past the design stage, or were radically overhauled by the time the game was released. Some exist only as names in developer notes, while others were partially completed before being axed. The following lists the levels that are known to have existed.
Sand Shower Zone
| show;hide
|
| Sand Showers Zone |
|---|
| Concept Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) |
| Number of Acts: Unknown |
| Level theme: desert/western |
A "Desert Zone"[1][2] also known as "砂漠 Zone" ("Sabaku Zone", literally "Desert Zone")[3] and similar phrases such as "Desert"[4][5] and "Desert level". Devised by Brenda Ross, it is not thought to have ever made it into an actual build of the game.
It is claimed by Ross that the level's layout was completed before work began on Wood Zone, Ross' second level which was also ultimately scrapped[6].
Ross also claimed in an interview that the level would have above ground and below ground sections[6]. Alongside Ross, art director Tim Skelly has suggested that most of the graphic tiles would have been reused (with a different color palette) in a winter level[6][2].
The earliest known report of "Sabaku Zone" is mentioned in a piece of concept art for an early "Banper" enemy, suggesting, in a period of development where time travel was still being considered, that the zone would have belonged in one of the present timelines[3]. Banper is also claimed to be planned for another stage, "Rock Zone" set in the past[3]. If one is to assume Sabaku Zone and Rock (World) Zone are the same place in different time zones, further concept art could suggest the desert level was at one point known as "Sand Shower Zone"[7][8][9].
Desert levels have since proved common in Sonic games, the first being the Competition mode stage Desert Palace in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, followed by Sandopolis Zone in Sonic & Knuckles. The 2011 version of Sonic the Hedgehog CD was planned to feature a new Round, Desert Dazzle, with a similar look to this mock-up. By extension, the Sonic Mania stage Mirage Saloon Zone also draws inspiration, as it is based on the Sonic CD Desert Dazzle concept.
Shortly after Sonic 2's announcement, Sega distributed three "screenshots" of the game, which were mock-ups constructed out of both completed Sonic 2 assets and holdovers from the original Sonic the Hedgehog, alongside what would become Emerald Hill Zone and Hidden Palace Zone.
This desert level was showcased in Sega Visions' Issue 10[10], UK's MEGA magazine's 1st issue in October 1992[11], and reappeared in 1994 for a speculated Sonic The Hedgehog 4 game for the Mega Drive in Electronic Gaming Magazine's Issue 59[12].
The crocodile badnik, Gator was programmed into the game, and in older builds was a placeable debug object in Hidden Palace Zone. Its artwork does not exist in the final game. Much like the Buzzers in this image however, it cannot be confirmed whether it was intended to be seen in this level, as Brenda Ross did not work on the objects and enemies.
Winter Zone
| Winter Zone |
|---|
| Concept Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) |
| Number of Acts: Unknown |
| Level theme: winter |
A winter-themed zone, created by Brenda Ross was to recycle graphics from the above desert stage but with a suitable winter palette[6]. Cacti would have been replaced with Christmas trees[6], and the two levels placed far apart so that the recycling would be less obvious[2]. According to art director Tim Skelly, very little else was produced for the winter theme[2].
A mock-up image of this Zone was unveiled on December 12, 2023, found from a portfolio VHS tape showcasing Ross' work. It is almost identical to the desert level's mock-up, but with a wintrier color palette and various types of Christmas trees replacing the cacti, matching previous descriptions. Other differences from the desert mock-up include a lilac sky, the mesas in the background being replaced by a snowy mountain range with a pine forest in front, as well as the Buzzer Badniks being absent.
Art used in both this winter level and desert level would later be brought to Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball and used in Brenda Ross' level, Underground Caves. This too was also scrapped, merged with the planned second level to form Toxic Caves.
Rock World Zone
Rock World Zone, likely known internally as just "Rock Zone" is mentioned multiple times in internal documents and sketches[9][7], though what it contained is unclear. The scrapped Banper enemies were also set to appear in the stage[3], suggesting some thought had been put into its creation before being scrapped.
With a very generic working name it is fully possible Rock Zone became something else, such as Mystic Cave Zone or even Hidden Palace Zone, which take place in rocky environments.
Blue Ocean
| Blue Ocean |
|---|
| Concept Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) |
| Number of Acts: Unknown |
| Level theme: ocean |
This zone is concept art that is presumed to be associated with "Blue Lake Zone" on the 'Ruined Past' and 'Ancient Time' versions of the time-travel island sketches.
Tropical Sun
| Tropical Sun |
|---|
| Concept Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) |
| Number of Acts: Unknown |
| Level theme: tropical island |
This zone is concept art that is presumed to associate with either "Tropical Summer Zone" or "Tropical Plant Zone" of the 'Ruined Past' and 'Ancient Time' versions of the time-travel island sketches.
Ocean Wind
| Ocean Wind |
|---|
| Concept Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) |
| Number of Acts: Unknown |
| Level theme: tropical island |
This zone is concept art that is presumed to be associated with "Ocean Wind Zone" on the 'Now' version of the time-travel island sketches.
Madness Mountain
| Madness Mountain |
|---|
| Concept Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) |
| Number of Acts: Unknown |
| Level theme: medieval |
This zone is concept art that is presumed to be associated with a yet-to-be seen medieval/past version of the time-travel island sketches.
Other Features
| Secret Jungle |
|---|
| Concept Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) |
| Number of Acts: Unknown |
| Level theme: jungle |
| Emerald Isle |
|---|
| Concept Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) |
| Number of Acts: Unknown |
| Level theme: ancient ruins |
A few other noteworthy features appear in Hirokazu Yasuhara's time travel sketches, including a stone-pyramid structure called "Warp Point", and a sacred shrine in ancient times called "Olympus".
Other levels that may have inspired development in prototypes of the game include "Emerald Isle"[13] for Aquatic Ruins Zone, and "Secret Jungle"[14] for Wood Zone.
It is not known if any other levels were conceived that got past the concept stage.
References
- ↑ Brenda Ross interview by Wetflame
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Tim Skelly interview by ICEknight (August 2004)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 File:Sket banper.png
- ↑ File:Sonic2 MD TomPayne badnikconcepts3.jpg
- ↑ File:TomPaynePapers Small Blank Notepad (Loose, No Order) 2023-04-07-0028.jpg
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Brenda Ross interview by Deviance (February 2001)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 File:Sonic 2 Level Map Concept 02.png
- ↑ File:Sonic 2 Level Map Concept 01.png
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 File:Sonic 2 Level Map Concept 04.png
- ↑ File:SegaVisions US 10.pdf, page 5
- ↑ File:Mega UK 01.pdf, page 29
- ↑ File:EGM US 059.pdf, page 60
- ↑ File:Sonic2 ConceptArt EmeraldIsle.png
- ↑ File:Sonic2 ConceptArt SecretJungle.png
| Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) | |
|---|---|
|
Main page (KiS2|2013|3D|Ages) Manuals Development |
show;hide
Scrapped Levels: Scrapped Enemies: 2013 remake only: 2013 remake only: Knuckles in Sonic 2 Prototypes: |
_2023-04-07-0028.jpg){kind=link}
- Stubs
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) levels
- Levels with a desert/western theme
- Levels with a winter theme
- Levels with an ocean theme
- Levels with a tropical island theme
- JPEG titlescreen
- Levels with a medieval theme
- Levels with a jungle theme
- Levels with an ancient ruins theme
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit) scrapped levels