S2Beta:Comparisons

Sonic 2 Beta vs. Final Comparisons

Here you will find a list of general differences between the prototypes and final version of Sonic 2. For zone layout comparisons, go to the zones section.

Topic	S2 Early Prototype	S2 Beta	S2 Final	Description
Running Animation				In his prototype running animation, Sonic has a very distinctive swirling pattern in his legs, however upon closer inspection this is just part of a larger change. The entire running animation is different in the prototype compared to the final, and most importantly uses more frames.
Tails Jumping/Spinning Animation	File:Comp tailspinp.gif		File:Comp tailspinf.gif	Tails' jumping/spinning set of sprites doesn't have the reflective white spot in the prototypes.
Spindash	File:Comp spinp.gif		File:Comp spinf.gif	There is no dust when Sonic or Tails is charging up for a spindash. The prototype charge-up sound is the normal spinning sound, and there is no release sound effect. Also you cannot re-charge a spindash in the prototype -- tapping the button does nothing. In both prototypes the spindash is unfinished - multiple taps of the button do not increase the speed of the spindash afterwards. The final has a complex system to decide the speed of the spindash. You can also hold a spindash on a breakable platform and Sonic will float in the air, instead of falling as he does in the other versions.
Spikes	File:Comp smspikesb.gifFile:Comp tailsspikes.gif	File:Comp smspikesb.gifFile:Comp tailsrings.gif	File:Comp tailsringsf.gif	In both prototypes, Sonic dies immediately, just like in Sonic 1. In the final he becomes invincible for a short while and stands on the spikes unharmed. It's worth mentioning that while Tails is invulnerable to spikes in the Beta-E prototype, he is still capable of losing rings in both prototypes (and is vulnerable to spikes in the Beta). He does not lose rings in the final release.
Spinposts	File:Comp signposta.gif	File:Comp signpostf.gif		The signposts in the Beta-E prototype are different to the ones in both Sonic 1 and Sonic 2. They are symmetrical and the faces are looking directly forward. The Robotnik image is the only one out of the three that hasn't been changed.
Wall Collision		No effect, though sprites are in ROM: File:Comp htired.gif	No effect	The sprites featuring Sonic sitting and standing up in the Sonic 2 Beta-M ROM caused many theories at the time they were discovered ("Would Sonic get tired?" for example), but thanks to the Beta-E prototype, we now know they were used when Sonic collides into a wall in this rather unique gameplay element. With this and the unused <a href=/?p=s2-lostdata>Chemical Plant Zone failed boss</a> in mind, you could think the game was perhaps originally intended to be more cartoon-humour based.
Braking Animation	File:Comp smsonbrakep.gif		File:Comp sonbrakef.gifFile:Comp sonbrakef2.gif	Two of Sonic's braking frames are based on Sonic 1. There's a bunch of weird ones that didn't make it into Sonic 2 final. Tails' braking animation hasn't been implemented. He simply slides across the floor, with his tails disappeared.
	File:Comp tailsslide.gif		File:Comp tailsbrakef.gif
Ledge Animations	File:Comp sonledgep.gif		File:Comp smsonledgef.gif	Sonic's ledge animation is also based on Sonic 1. Fear the tailless Tails!
	File:Comp tailsslide.gif		File:Comp tailsledgef.gif
Tails Pushing Animation	File:Comp tailspushp.gif		File:Comp tailspushf.gif	Tails has no pushing sprites in either prototype. He simply keeps "walking" towards the wall or whatever obstacle is in his path.
File:Comp invincible.gif	S2 Early Prototype Makes Sonic invincible Plays Sonic 1 invincibility music Shows no stars		S2 Beta Makes Sonic invincible Plays music which is used as the SuperSonic music in the Final Shows smaller stars than in final
File:Comp sneakers.gif	Makes Sonic faster Background music speeds up Sound effects are not sped up		Makes Sonic faster Background music speeds up in some cases. As MesterKeel pointed out, using FB in the sound test allows you to apply the speed shoes effect. FC slows the music down again. Sound effects are sped up