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Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)

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Sonic the Hedgehog 2
System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear, Virtual Console
Publisher: Sega
Sega Game Gear
Majesco Sales (US; re-release)
Developer:
Genre: Action[3][4][5][6]
Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code Rating
Sega Master System
EU
1992-11[7] €? 9015
Sega Master System
UK
1992-11[7] £32.99[7] 9015
Sega Master System
AU
1992 $? ?
Sega Master System
BR
1992 R$? 028120
Sega Master System
KR
1995-09 ₩33,000 GB4030JG
Sega Master System
PT
1992  ? MSJ9015
Sega Master System
DE
1992 DM 89.95[8] 9015


Sega Game Gear
JP
1992-11-21[4] ¥3,800 G-3321
Sega Game Gear
JP
(Meisaku)
1993-12-10 ¥? G-3338
Sega Game Gear
US
1992-11-17 $39.99[9] 2507
Sega Game Gear
US
(Majesco)
199x $? 2507
Sega Game Gear
EU
1992-11[10] €? 2507
Sega Game Gear
UK
1992-11[10] £27.99[11] 2507
Sega Game Gear
DE
1992 DM 89.95[12] 2507
Sega Game Gear
PT
1992  ? GGJ2507
Sega Game Gear
CZ
199x  ? ?
Sega Game Gear
KR
199x ₩? GH4013JG
Sega Game Gear
AU
199x $79.99[13] ?
Sega Game Gear
BR
199x R$? 077010


Wii Virtual Console
JP
2008-11-18[14] 500[15]pts ?
CERO: A
Wii Virtual Console
US
2008-12-08[16] 500[16]pts ?
ESRB: Everyone
Wii Virtual Console
EU
2008-12-26[17][18] 500[17]pts ?
PEGI: 3+
Wii Virtual Console
AU
2008-12 600[19]pts ?
OFLC: General (G)


Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
JP
2012-10-31[20] ¥286 (300)[20] ?
CERO: A
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
US
2013-06-27[21] $4.99[21] ?
ESRB: Everyone
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
EU
2013-06-27[22] €4.99[23] ?
PEGI: 3+
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
UK
2013-06-27[24] £4.49[23] ?
PEGI: 3+
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
DE
2013-06-27[25] €4.99[23] ?
USK: 6

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ2) is a 2D Sonic the Hedgehog platform game for the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear in 1992, developed by Aspect Co. Ltd. Even though it shares its name with the 16-bit version of Sonic 2 for the Sega Mega Drive, it is not a port, as it contains an entirely different set of levels and story. It was released slightly before its 16-bit namesake, making this game host to the first appearances of both Miles "Tails" Prower and Mecha Sonic.

Strangely, Tails appears in every title card and has an almost complete sprite sheet, but is only seen in the opening and ending cutscenes, as well as being depicted helping Sonic on the box art. It is possible that he was originally intended to be a playable character, but was cut for time issues.

Story

Tails is captured in the opening sequence.

After defeating Dr. Eggman in the previous game, Sonic leaves South Island in search of other adventures. After returning to the island, he finds a note from his friend and sidekick, Miles "Tails" Prower, explaining that Eggman had captured the island's inhabitants and also imprisoned him in the Crystal Egg Zone. Determined to save his friend, Sonic sets out to stop Eggman and recover the Chaos Emeralds once again.

The opening cutscene disregards Tails' note mentioned in the manual and instead depicts Eggman capturing Tails directly in front of Sonic.

Gameplay

Under Ground Zone, notable for being the first starting Zone not themed on a tropical island.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 improved upon its 8-bit predecessor in many ways. This includes the ability to grab back Rings scattered when hit by an enemy, as well as being able to smash through certain walls. Moreover, one of the major differences from its predecessor is its speed: Sonic 2 is faster than its prequel and is closer to that of the Mega Drive games. However, the Spin Dash from the 16-bit version of Sonic 2, a move specifically designed to provide speed, was not implemented; but this may be simply because the 8-bit version was released earlier.

Many levels contain various methods of transportation and was the first Sonic game to use such methods. In Under Ground Zone and Gimmick Mt. Zone, Sonic can ride a minecart, and in Sky High Zone he can use a Hang Glider. Other new gimmicks include large air bubbles in underwater levels that Sonic can ride in, which will rise upwards until they hit a ceiling, enemy, or obstacle. Sonic is also able to skim across the surface of water if he picks up enough speed.

There are seven Zones in total, each comprising of three Acts. In the third Act, that Zone's boss is faced, without any Rings to grant protection against attacks. Rather than facing Eggman himself, Sonic most often battles robotic animals, such as a sumo pig and a circus sea-lion.

Item Boxes, as in all the classic 8- and 16-bit games, resemble monitors. The items offered in Sonic 2 are largely the same as those in its prequel, although the restart marker and Shields have been removed. Chaos Emeralds are scattered throughout the stages. Each is found in the second Act in each of the first five Zones. If the player collects these and then destroys Mecha Sonic (called Silver Sonic in the English manual) in the sixth Zone, they will obtain the sixth Emerald and can access the true final stage (Crystal Egg). This is required to obtain the 'good ending'. If all the Emeralds are not collected, the game will end after Mecha Sonic's destruction.

Bonus Panel

At the end of Acts 1 and 2 of each Zone, the player has to spin a Bonus Panel to clear the Act, with a reward given based on what it lands on, which itself depends upon the player's items:

Sonic2 SMS Sprite BonusPanel.png
Dr. Eggman
No prize is awarded. This panel comes up most often in the game, if none of the below conditions are met.
Sonic2 SMS Sprite BonusPanel.png
Ring
10 Rings are added to the player's final Ring tally. This is awarded if the player ends the Act with a Ring count that is a multiple of 10.
Sonic2 SMS Sprite BonusPanel.png
Sonic
An extra life is awarded. This is awarded if the player finishes the Act with exactly two lives less than when they started it.
Sonic2 SMS Sprite BonusPanel.png
Tails
A Continue is awarded. This is awarded if the player finishes the Act with 77 Rings and with exactly the same number of lives as when they started it.

Scoring

Enemies: 100 points each.
Master Robots (bosses): 5,000 points each.
Mecha Sonic: 10,000 points.
Dr. Eggman: 20,000 points.

End Level Ring Bonus: 100 points for each Ring held at the end of an Act. Because the Ring counter resets past 99, the maximum possible bonus is 9,900.

End Level Time Bonus: Variable bonus points awarded depending on how quickly an Act is cleared.

History

Development

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)/Development

Versions

UGZbossGG.png
The boss fight against the Pit Master received the most notorious changes in the Game Gear version.

Though both versions were developed simultaneously, the Game Gear version contains noticeable differences from the Master System version as it was finished later. The changes made in the portable version give it a reputation of being one of the hardest Sonic games in existence. Some choices appear to have been intentional, by design: for example, the boss music is different and some boss areas have different layouts.

However, many of the difficulties in the Game Gear version result from its smaller screen and its scrolling: the player is left more open to being hit, in a way that some might label 'cheap', due to not being able to see obstacles and enemies around them but beyond the range of the screen. The scrolling is the same in the Master System version, but is not as big a problem as more of the surroundings can be seen.

Comparisons

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)/Comparisons

Also released on

Production credits

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)/Production credits

Manuals

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)/Manuals

Magazine articles

Sonic Retro emblem.svg Main article: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)/Magazine articles

Artwork

Physical scans

Master System version

Segaretro-round.svg Reception »
Master System, EU
Sonic2ms-box-eu.jpg
Cover
Master System, EU (SMSII)
S2MS-box-eu-alt.jpg
Cover
Master System, PT (Black & white manual)
MS S2 PT.jpg
Cover
Master System, PT (Colour manual)

MS S2 portugal ver 2.jpg
Manual
Master System, CZ (ITO CS)
Sonic2ms-box-eu.jpg
Cover
Sonic2 sms eu.jpg
Cart
Sonic2 SMS CZ Manual.png
Manual
Master System, AU

Sonic 2 Master System AU Cart Top.jpg
Sonic 2 Master System AU Cart Back.jpgSonic2 sms au.JPG
Cart
Master System, AU (APF11 sticker)
Sonic2 SMS AU afp11 cover.jpg
Cover
Sonic 2 Master System AU Cart Top.jpg
Sonic 2 Master System AU Cart Back.jpgSonic2 sms au.JPG
Cart
Master System, AU (Yellow APF12 sticker)
Sonic2 SMS AU yafp12 cover.jpg
Cover
Sonic 2 Master System AU Cart Top.jpg
Sonic 2 Master System AU Cart Back.jpgSonic2 sms au.JPG
Cart
Master System, AU (White APF12 sticker)
Sonic2 SMS AU wafp12 cover.jpg
Cover
Sonic 2 Master System AU Cart Top.jpg
Sonic 2 Master System AU Cart Back.jpgSonic2 sms au.JPG
Cart
Master System, AU (Classics)
Sonic2 SMS AU classics cover.jpg
Cover
Sonic 2 Master System AU Cart Top.jpg
Sonic 2 Master System AU Cart Back.jpgSonic2 sms au.JPG
Cart
Master System, AU (rental)
MS S2 RENTAL AUS.jpg
Cover
Master System, BR
S2MS-box-br.jpg
Cover
Sonic2 sms br.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR (alt)
Sonic 2 MS Tectoy alt.jpg
Cover
Sonic2 ms br altcart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR (?)

Master System, KR
Sonic2 SMS KR cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, KR (Samsung)
Sonic2 gg kr cover back.jpgNospine.pngSonic2 gg kr cover.jpg
Cover
Sonic2 sms kr cart.jpg
Cart

Game Gear version

Segaretro-round.svg Reception »
Game Gear, JP
Sonic 2 GG JP Top.jpg
S2GG JP Boxart back.jpgSonic 2 GG JP Spine.jpgS2GG JP Boxart.jpgSonic 2 GG JP Spine2.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, JP (Meisaku Collection)
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 GG Japan Meisaku Cover Back.jpgSonic The Hedgehog 2 GG Japan Meisaku Cover Front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, US
Sonic2 GG US back.jpgS2GG US Boxart.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, US (Majesco)
Sonic2 GG US majesco back.jpgNospine.pngGG S2 MAJESCO US.jpg
Cover
Sth2 gg us cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU
Sonic 2 GG EU Box Top.png
S2gg-box-back-eu.jpgSonic 2 GG EU Box Spine.jpgS2GG EU Boxart.jpgSonic 2 GG EU Box Spine2.jpg
Sonic 2 GG EU Box Bottom.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, PT
GG S2 PT.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, PT (alt)
Sonic 2 portugal ver 2 gamegear.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, CZ

S2-gg-eu-cart.jpg
Cart
Notavailable.svg
Manual
Game Gear, BR
Sonic2 GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Sonic2 GG BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, KR

Sonic2 GG KR Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
CRC32 5b3b922c
MD5 bf3b7a41e7da9de23416473a33c6ac2b
SHA-1 acdb0b5e8bf9c1e9c9d1a8ac6d282cb8017d091c
512kB 1992-09-05[26] Cartridge (EU/BR) v1.0
Sega Master System
CRC32 d6f2bfca
MD5 0ac157b6b7e839953fc8eba7538fb74a
SHA-1 689339bac11c3565dd774f8cd4d8ea1b27831118
512kB 1992-12-09[26] Cartridge (EU/BR) v2.2
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 95a18ec7
MD5 9c64846563d8b9a24400471322e53fb5
SHA-1 dabb452e416b4fa9cb83d8ddd307c2a32c3a1a7f
512kB 1992-09-12[26] Cartridge (World) v1.1
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 850727a0
MD5 39332eb123aeb1b906c70948641fe889
SHA-1 ba720d925fbed0d68e1d35f61c6f4fec47708718
512kB 3DS Virtual Console (World) VirtualConsole Sonic2 3DS World Icon.png
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 15ad37a5
MD5 ab191d48adc692adb19f429183361ea7
SHA-1 b780c6f059b48d1bb48ee2ad521552dab1487c88
256kB 1991-12-05 EPROM cartridge AutoDemo Download.svg (54 kB) (info) Page

External links

References

  1. https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-2 (Wayback Machine: 2014-04-03 00:26)
  2. https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-4 (Wayback Machine: 2014-04-03 00:26)
  3. File:S2gg-box-back-eu.jpg
  4. 4.0 4.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
  5. File:Sonic2ms-box-eu.jpg
  6. File:Sonic2 SMS KR cover.jpg
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 [mms, issue 2, page 64 mms, issue 2, page 64]
  8. [segamagazin, issue 1, page 70 segamagazin, issue 1, page 70]
  9. [gamepro, issue 44, page 163 gamepro, issue 44, page 163]
  10. 10.0 10.1 [sfuk, issue 12, page 31 sfuk, issue 12, page 31]
  11. [cvg, issue go14, page 12 cvg, issue go14, page 12]
  12. [segamagazin, issue 1, page 71 segamagazin, issue 1, page 71]
  13. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/126960710?searchTerm=sonic%20the%20hedgehog (Wayback Machine: 2023-07-09 06:59)
  14. https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/09.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-01-28 13:27)
  15. http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_sonic2ms/ (Wayback Machine: 2009-02-07 21:16)
  16. 16.0 16.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/ivseDC_bdb4lv4aJ0oR_k2oSJ6-yQwaz (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-22 22:50)
  17. 17.0 17.1 http://www.nintendolife.com/games/mastersystem/sonic_the_hedgehog_2 (Wayback Machine: 2017-07-04 16:48)
  18. https://www.nintendo.fr/Jeux/SEGA-Game-Gear/Sonic-the-Hedgehog-2--772258.html (archive.today)
  19. http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=42&prod_id=19904&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-03-28 01:38)
  20. 20.0 20.1 http://vc.sega.jp:80/3ds/sonic2/ (Wayback Machine: 2012-10-28 18:35)
  21. 21.0 21.1 http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/eZ_9L3ar33k2nmh_r678BsH2KplLPcoO (Wayback Machine: 2013-06-30 10:27)
  22. https://www.nintendo.fr/Jeux/SEGA-Game-Gear/Sonic-the-Hedgehog-2--772258.html (archive.today)
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 http://www.nintendolife.com:80/games/gamegear/sonic_the_hedgehog_2 (Wayback Machine: 2017-09-09 22:04)
  24. https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/SEGA-Game-Gear/Sonic-the-Hedgehog-2--772258.html (archive.today)
  25. https://www.nintendo.de/Spiele/SEGA-Game-Gear/Sonic-the-Hedgehog-2--772258.html (archive.today)
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)/Hidden content#Build date


Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)
S2 sms title.png

Main page
Comparisons
Maps


Manuals
Promotional material
Magazine articles
Video coverage
Reception


Development
Hidden content
Bugs
Hacking guide

Sonic the Hedgehog games for the following systems
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
 1991  Sonic the Hedgehog     1992  Sonic the Hedgehog 2     1993  Sonic Chaos | Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine     1994  Sonic Drift | Sonic Spinball | Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble     1995  Sonic Drift 2 | Tails' Skypatrol | Tails Adventures | Sonic Labyrinth | Sonic 2 in 1     1996  Sonic Blast    
 Unreleased  Sonic's Edusoft
Wii Virtual Console
WiiWare
 2006  Sonic the Hedgehog | Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine     2007  Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Sonic Spinball | Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island     2008  Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit) | Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)     2009  Sonic Chaos | Sonic & Knuckles     2010  Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I