R2

Sonic the Hedgehog CD

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Levels

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R2

Sonic CD prototype 510 level select, with level 2 missing. The final level select can be seen here.

R2 is a reference to a deleted level from Sonic the Hedgehog CD. Proving its existence is possible by examining the game files on a PC. When examining the level files, the levels skip from R1 (Round 1) to R3 (Round 3), with no R2 to be found. Its existence is also proven by using the level select menu, where when switching between levels, it skips from level 1 to level 3, again leaving out level 2. In an interview with Jim Tretheway, it was stated that the level was likely cut as it didn't meet quality standards. However, in a Twitter reply from December 22 2022, Mazin confirmed that R2 was cut because the music data did not fit into the CD rom of the game (https://twitter.com/Mazin__/status/1606052153914982400)

Based on the missing file's name, the level would have been placed between Palmtree Panic and Collision Chaos. Judging from the level selection, it would have been 3 Zones, like every other Round in the game.

The default song in D.A. Garden mode, "Little Planet", is a leftover from this level. A brief remix of the "Bad Future" theme of the stage is present in the song "Techno Power Mix" also composed by Masafumi Ogata for the 1994 album "Sonic Remix" the song "sonic stream" from the same album and composer is also speculated to have pieces or be a full remix of what R2's "Good Future" theme would have sounded like

Design

The above concept art shows what was intended to be the missing R2 level. The concept art was released in the Sonic CD developer's diary video, uploaded by SegaEurope onto YouTube on November 29, 2011. The Taxman, developer of the 2011 re-release, claimed this concept art was for R2. The uncut extended ending video, which was released later, also shows what R2 was intended to look like. The video shows a ruins area with a enemy bursting out of the ground. The sequence takes place after the first level is shown, serving as further evidence that the level was R2, in the 2022 game "Sonic Origins" further concept art was released which mentioned the level "R2", one of which being a map of Little Planet showing each zone in order, and R2 is one of the featured zones, being located between Palmtree Panic and Collision Chaos.

What can be gathered from the concept art is that it had aqueduct-like structures in the background. The background seems to show a forest of trees and what appear to be iron beams or totems, the level was going to be inspired by Marble Zone, from the genesis edition of Sonic 1, and the level would have featured weird traps and obstacles like fans that would have possibly lifted sonic in the air serving as both an useful mechanic and an obstacle. Mountains can be seen further behind.

As the ending video was probably made before the game was finalized, there are differences between what is portrayed in the videos as opposed to what is in the final game. So what is learned from the ending video may or may not have been in the final version. What can be gathered from the uncut extended ending video is that there are metallic structures, perhaps pillars. Stone tiling with sections that collapse when Sonic gets near them are also present. There are vines and other vegetation that grow in various places. The only thing for sure that coincides with the concept art is that the level was a ruins type level.

Uncut extended ending video screenshots

A animated gif of the scene can be found here.

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Enemies

Three normal enemies and one boss are known to belong to the R2 level, according to The Taxman. This includes the Antlion from the uncut ending video, the Worm/Snake, and the Drill Armed enemy. Concept art for the boss has not been shared, but some sprites have been found. See the sub-section below.

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  Worm/Snake (CDS probably stands for CD Sonic, an early name for Sonic CD)

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  Drill armed enemy

Sprites

Sprites shared by The Taxman. Note the boss with a giant wheel on the bottom and a spring on the back, although the sprite itself appears unfinished. Also, when R2 was scrapped, the Antlion was considered for R8 (Metallic Madness) before being scrapped as well. Signs of this can be found in prototypes, which recreate the enemy's sand traps with sloped pits, spikes and trap doors. These are still present in the final layouts, but the trap doors were removed. The R8 version of the sprite was slightly redrawn, with the highlight on it being smaller.