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Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Nick Arcade prototype)/Comparisons/Scrap Brain Zone

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It was once thought that Hill Top Zone was a comparitively late addition to Sonic 2, recycling artwork from Emerald Hill Zone to save development time. The Nick Arcade prototype proves this is not the case, as the stage is here as "Scrap Brain Zone".

Act 1

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Nick Arcade prototype
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Final game

As with the rest of the game, the layout was changed a fair bit before release, but it's looking the part.

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Nick Arcade prototype
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Final game

These lifts aren't fully functional yet. The platforms don't fall like they're supposed to.

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Final game

Lava isn't painful yet.

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Nick Arcade prototype
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Final game

These see-saws use a green orb as the counter-weight.

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Nick Arcade prototype
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Final game

Sonic doesn't automatically spin when entering a tube. This is a recurring theme across Sonic 2 prototypes.

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Nick Arcade prototype
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Final game

This lift needs flipping. Stand on it and Sonic and Tails will be taken into a wall.

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Final game

This one's stopped before reaching the bottom of the line. Oops.

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Final game

And finally, a tunnel leading to death. There is more of the level underneath here, but the screen limits have yet to be adjusted from Sonic 1.

Map

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Nick Arcade prototype
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Final game


Act 2

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Nick Arcade prototype
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Final game

Act 2 has a different layout, but the player will not see much of it during normal play. Instead, within a few seconds of moving right, Sonic and Tails will hit this wall.

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Final game

With debug we can get to the section above. Slope detection doesn't seem to be working properly.

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Final game

The objects allowing the player to access the second collision layer are missing, so they can't run around loops.

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Final game

In fact, all objects are missing.

Sonic2NA Comparison HTZ Act2Floor.png
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Final game

The camera isn't optimised for the stage.

Sonic2NA Comparison HTZ Act2Floor2.png
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Final game

Some sections seem to be completely missing. It makes the Zone impossible to navigate by normal means.

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Final game

Hmm... what happens if I start walking forward...

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Final game

The game crashes! Remember, if this is still playing by Sonic 1 rules, the game is expecting Eggman to show up and jump on a button here, sending Sonic to Act 3. As the data for this event no longer exists, the game doesn't know what to do, and so breaks spectacularly. The same thing will happen if the player attempts to play "Final Zone", although there the screen is purple.

Map

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Nick Arcade prototype
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Final game


Act 3

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Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype
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Sonic the Hedgehog

This is different! But it shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as in Sonic 1, Scrap Brain Zone Act 3 recycles graphics from Labyrinth Zone, and those are now missing. Likewise, using debug mode to move to the right and over the top of the screen will take the player to Final Zone, just like in the first game.

References


Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Nick Arcade prototype), prototype version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)
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