Comparisons
From Sonic Retro
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 | 
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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.
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| Tails Jumping/Spinning Animation | File:Comp tailspinp.gif | File:Comp tailspinf.gif
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Tails' jumping/spinning set of sprites doesn't have the reflective white spot in the prototypes.
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| Spindash
| File:Comp spinp.gif | File:Comp spinf.gif
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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.
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| Spikes
| File:Comp smspikesb.gifFile:Comp tailsspikes.gif | File:Comp smspikesb.gifFile:Comp tailsrings.gif |  File:Comp tailsringsf.gif
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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.
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| Spinposts
| File:Comp signposta.gif | File:Comp signpostf.gif
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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.
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| Wall Collision
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| No effect, though sprites are in ROM: File:Comp htired.gif | No effect
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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.
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| Braking Animation
| File:Comp smsonbrakep.gif | File:Comp sonbrakef.gifFile:Comp sonbrakef2.gif
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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.
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| File:Comp tailsslide.gif | File:Comp tailsbrakef.gif
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| Ledge Animations
| File:Comp sonledgep.gif | File:Comp smsonledgef.gif |
Sonic's ledge animation is also based on Sonic 1. Fear the tailless Tails!
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| File:Comp tailsslide.gif | File:Comp tailsledgef.gif | |||
| Tails Pushing Animation
| File:Comp tailspushp.gif | File:Comp tailspushf.gif
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Tails has no pushing sprites in either prototype. He simply keeps "walking" towards the wall or whatever obstacle is in his path.
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| File:Comp invincible.gif
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| File:Comp sneakers.gif
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