Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
a game by Sega, Ancient, and Aspect
Genres: Action, Arcade Classics, Platformer
Platforms: Sega GenesisGenesis, Sega Master SystemSega Master System, GameGear
Editor Rating: 8.8/10, based on 12 reviews, 11 reviews are shown
User Rating: 7.0/10 - 73 votes
Rate this game:
See also: 2D Platformer Games, Side Scroller Games, Sonic Download, Nintendo Switch Sonic Games

The recipe for a great hand-held game is pretty simple, but sometimes hard to pull off. Fast-paced game play, crisp graphics that won't leave you blind, and enough challenge to ensure you won't finish the game with one set of batteries seems to be a tough combo for a mighty miniature. Good news! Sonic The Hedgehog 2's back for a Game Gear sequel and has everything it takes to make you wanna hold hands with your Game Gear for a good long time.

Which Way to the Emerald City?

Sure, Sonic finished off the diabolical Ivo Robotnik in the first Sonic The Hedgehog for the Game Gear (See GamePro, February '92). If you thought that was the end of that story, though, you're way wrong. Robotnik's returned to the forest and kidnapped all the little forest creatures, including Sonic's two-tailed foxy buddy, Tails. To free all the critters from Robotnik's Crystal Egg, Sonic's got to locate all six Chaos Emeralds.

The scene is set for seven zones of rip-roarin', multi-scrolling action/adventure that shows off the Game Gear at its best. Sonic runs, rolls, and jumps through the two Acts of each Zone, and then faces off against one of Robotnik's seven deadly robots in each Zone's additional final Act.

Hedgehog Handsome

Sonic 2's graphics belong in the top ranks of the Game Gear's greatest hits. The scenery is crisp and clear, and it includes plenty of secret tunnels, loop-to-loops, and interesting underwater areas. Sonic's a small sprite, but his movements are well-animated and easy to follow.

What's new and different to see? Try the loop-to-loops for one. Then, check out the deadly spinning Flywheels in the Gimmick Mountain and Crystal Egg Zones. While you're at it, eyeball Sonic's new rides: the Railcarts in the Under Ground Zone, the Hang Gliders in the Sky High Zone, and the Bubbles in the Aqua Lake Zone.

The game play is Sonic all the way, simple to learn and easy to control for the most part. However, Sonic's a feisty character. Master the subtleties of his movements, or you'll roll into some serious and frustrating trouble.

Ring Around the Rodent

Per standard Sonic, you grab Rings and special Monitors to earn different types of power-ups and you must always have at least one Ring in your possession. One hundred Rings still earns you a 1-up, but this version of the game doesn't have any Bonus rounds. Sonic can also search for Super 10 Ring Monitors, Power Sneakers, Invincibility Monitors, and 1-ups.

Rodentia Dementia

Even the speediest of Sonic players won't blow through this Game Gear adventure in one sitting. As in all the Sonic adventures, you can attempt to fly through the Zones, but you're not gonna beat the game without the six Chaos Emeralds. To up the challenge, Sonic begins the third Act of each Zone without Rings-and he won't find any either. He's got to fight each Robotnik robot without a single Ring in reserve. This means one hit, and you're out. Although frustrating, this also ensures that the bosses are tougher to beat than prior Robotnik incarnations.

The Little Hedgehog that Could

Sonic The Hedgehog obviously has what it takes to be more than a long-term contender in the video game arena. This latest success story's got the game play, the graphics, and the guts to ensure that Sonic will continue to be the title holder in the Game Gear division.

ProTips:

  • The date scrolls up when Sonic jumps. This often makes it impossible for Sonic to see what's below him. Look carefully before you leap and beware of jumping in areas with moving critters below you.
  • The first Chaos Emerald is in the upper far-right comer of the Under Ground Zone's Act 1.
  • Sonic still likes to rock and roll-right through solid walls. Search for areas where the bricks or blocks are smaller or different This usually indicates a spot where you can break through the walls.
  • Defeat Robotnik's first robot by simply leaping over all of its cannonball shots.

Download Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Genesis

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
  • Game modes: Single game mode

Player controls:

  • Up, Down, Left, Right - Arrow keys
  • Start - Enter (Pause, Menu select, Skip intro, Inventory)
  • "A" Gamepad button - Ctrl (usually Jump or Change weapon)
  • "B" button - Space (Jump, Fire, Menu select)
  • "C" button - Left Shift (Item select)

Use the F12 key to toggle mouse capture / release when using the mouse as a controller.

Sega Master System

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
GameGear

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

After his last adventure, everyone's favorite hog sat back, unlaced histennies, and prepared fora little R 'n' R. Now he's got good news and bad news. The bad news is that Sonic's arch-nemesis, Doctor Robotnik, is back to avenge his defeat in the original Sonic The Hedgehog. The good news? This means another super speedy handheld adventure for Sonic fans everywhere.

Rock the Doc

This time around, Doc R has cooked up a fiendish Death Egg. This cracked weapon will destroy the entire world if Sonic doesn't manage to scramble it in time.

Prepare to conquer six new hard-boiled levels of Sonic-style action. The vertically- and horizontally-scrolling side-view game play features that old familiar Sonic fun, as well as some ultra-cool new means of locomotion for his Hedge-hogness. Yup, the dude with a 'tude takes to the skies, grabs some wheels, and gets upside down, just to make some smokin' tracks with his trademark tennies. Sonic's also got a cool new foxy buddy, Tails, who makes cameo appearances throughout the game.

Sonic Soon-to-Be

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is speeding to a Game Gear near you this November. We'll have a complete review on the game in an upcoming issue of GamePro. In the meantime, kick back, unlace your tennies, and check it out.

Now that Sega's official sultan of speed, Sonic The Hedgehog, has officially zipped onto retail shelves across the country, it's time to see just what makes the speed meister tick in this sizzling sequel.

Better the Second Time Around

Everything gets better with practice, and Sega's proving that with a more than suitable sequel to 1991's Game of the Year. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is everything you loved about Sonic The Hedgehog, plus more -- more Zones, more enemies, more companions, more play modes, and more players.

Sonic was set for early retirement, ready to rest on the laurels of his '91 achievements. Unfortunately, Dr. Robotnik (Sonic's arch-enemy) decided to play it fast and loose with the forest creatures one more time. This time, the bad doctor's hatched a new sinister weapon, the Death Egg. Sonic's got to scramble the Doc's cracked plot, or the forest and its creatures are cooked.

Tough luck for Sonic, but great news for Sonic lovers everywhere. Fans of the personable homehog will be delighted to discover that Sonic isn't gonna battle the Doc solo. Enter Tails. This perky two- tailed creature of the fox persuasion is about the cutest companion that any Sonic fan could ask for. In the one-player mode, Tails tags along and does his best to help Sonic by grabbing rings and whomping bad guys. In the innovative two-player mode, Tails and Sonic work cooperatively or go head-to-head competitively in a unique split-screen format. Although the split-screen's tough to follow due to its small size and the super speed of the characters, it's an interesting change of pace.

ProTip: Make Tails help you in one-player mode. Jump towards an enemy, and then leap back. Tails will usually leap forward and do the dirty work.

Some Things Change, Others Remain the Same

Experienced players will recognize some of the locales from the first game, like the Emerald Hill Zone. However, Sonic 2's eight Zones (with two stages apiece) are packed with imaginative and original, new scenery. If you thought you saw it all in Sonic The Hedgehog, "you ain't seen nothing yet." For example, Sonic rides through vacuum tubes in a Chemical Plant, zips across corkscrew speedways in the Emerald Hill Zone, frolics through giant pinball and slot machines in the Casino Zone, and swings from vines in the Mystic Cave Zone.

Sonic 2's game play mechanics are the same as Sonic 1's with a few cool exceptions. The dude with a 'tude still skims, jumps, grabs rings and power- ups, and races across the screen. Only this time around, if you can believe it, he's even faster! When you hit the Chemical Zone, Sonic streaks across the screen at speeds never-before-seen in a video game. The mighty hedgehog also has a new secret weapon -- the Spin- Dash. Just push Down and hit Button C to make Sonic rev up for super dashes that'll take him where no hedgehog has gone before.

In Sonic The Hedgehog it was always a good idea to carry at least one ring. This advice is twice as good in Sonic The Hedgehog 2!

Sonic 2's graphics are actually better than the original's. The rich variety of scenery, slightly larger sprites, and extra added attitude help the spunky hedgehog paint video game magic. Sonic's music isn't quite as impressive through. The tunes have a slightly tinny quality at times, but there's a new and improved theme song for each of the Zones.

Simple Sonic

If there's a downside to Sonic The Hedgehog 2, it's that the game's just not tough enough. Players of all levels will be able to work their way through most of the game in relatively short order. Although Dr. Robotnik's mechanical animals are abundant in some levels, other levels, like the Casino Zone, are sparsely populated. Per usual, Dr. Robotnik's bad boss incarnations at the end of each level are imaginative but relatively easy to beat. Fortunately, each level is large and features many different paths and many delightful surprises. It's easy to whiz through a Zone. The challenge and the fun lies in uncovering all of the Zone's hidden secrets.

Every time the cracked Doctor appears, Sonic has to figure out how to bonk him eight times to send him packing. In the Hill Top Zone, jump, curl into a super Sonic bullet, and bonk him 'til he's done for.

Gamers who sail straight through all of the zones have another surprise in store for them. You'll only see the game's true ending if you snag all the Chaos Emeralds from Bonus Rounds that are scattered along the way. Sonic and Tails enter Bonus Rounds by tagging special signposts scattered throughout each Zone. Then they take off in a tunnel race, where they try to snatch a specific number of rings. You view the 3-D action from behind the speedy duo, as you try to grab rings and dodge what look like bowling balls. Theoretically, the Genesis isn't capable of scaling, but Sonic's Bonus Rounds are gonna make you wonder!

  • When you enter a Bonus Round, you lose all your rings. If you're close to 100 rings, which earn a 1-up, you might want to skip the Bonus Round -- unless you're hunting for Chaos Emeralds!
  • Don't forget to jump. You can grab high-flying rings and dodge the bowling ball-like obstacles.
  • To beat Dr. Robotnik in the Chemical Zone, position Sonic on the yellow platform in the middle of the screen. When Robotnik appears on either side of the screen, bounce and bash him two times. Then duck and cover. If Sonic's ducking, Robotnik's evil chemicals won't hurt him.

Aquatic Ruin Zone:

Destroy Robotnik in the Aquatic Zone by jumping on the arrows that lodge in the pillars. From there, it's an easy jump to hit Robotnik. Don't forget to dodge the next flying arrow.

More of a Good Thing

It's tough to follow a classic, but Sonic The Hedgehog 2 earns top honors. There's enough stuff that's new and different in Sonic 2 to make it a must-have game for fans of the original. Probably the best thing about Sonic 2 is that it's just plain fun. Beginning and hardcore gamers alike will enjoy this fast-paced romp with His Hedgehogness and Tails. We can't wait to see what Sonic's gonna do on CD. In the meantime, Sonic 2 gives ya plenty of fabulous gaming to pass the time.

  • The Casino Zone's a great place to rack up a few free lives. Between the tons of rings and the slot machines, where you can score big with extra rings, it's easy to rack up 100 rings for a 1-up.
  • In Aquatic Zone 2, there seems to be a dead end to the far right of the bottom of the water. Bounce off the yellow button to ricochet around the 180, and knock the top of the column. It will then drop low enough for Sonic to use as a springboard to catapult him onto the higher ledge to the right.
  • Defeat Dr. Robotnik in the Mystic Cave Zone by dodging the falling stalagtites (don't worry -- the rocks won't hurt you). Then nail him twice each time he lowers his spikes.
  • In the Mystic Cave Zone, nail the glow bug creatures when they're NOT glowing.
  • The fans in the Oil Ocean can make you blow where you don't want to go...and also where you do want to go! Use them to your advantage.
  • The oil's pretty gooey on the Oil Ocean's surface. When Sonic falls into it, keep jumping and you might be able to leap to a safe ledge.

I remember the lead up to and the actual release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 like it was yesterday. Released in 1992, this was a massive success and a huge deal in the world of video games. All over the world, people were excited to get their hands on the next adventure of Sonic the Hedgehog. For most people, Sega knocked it out of the park and for many, it remains a firm favorite game of theirs to this day.

Dr. Robotnik Is At It Again!

The plot of the game is pretty much the same as the first game with Robotnik up to no good, turning animals into robots and trying to get the Chaos Emeralds. He has a new Death Egg space station that will result in disaster for the world if he gets it up and running. Back during these days, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 had more than enough plot for us!

SuperSpeed!

The gameplay of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is what we wanted. It takes what made the first game so great and expands on it. Sonic now has a new dash move which was a big deal at the time. Being able to hold down and make Sonic spin without running made for some fun parts of the game. You can now burst through walls easier and you can even run up steeper slopes without having to take a bit run-up.

There was a new kind of special stage where you view Sonic from the back as he collects rings and tries to get to the Chaos Emerald at the end. These stages are fun, but they are also very challenging, sometimes to the point of frustration. However, it just makes it all that more rewarding when you manage to get the Chaos Emerald at the end.

My Two-Tailed Friend

Sonic 2 introduces a brand-new character, Sonic’s little buddy called Tails. Tails can use his two tails to fly and with this, he can pick up Sonic. If a second controller is plugged in they can take control of Tails which can be fun. Tails follows Sonic around, but you can make it so Sonic is just on his own if you like. This is actually easier, especially in the special stages as Tails is more harm than good here. Still, Tails would become a massive part of the world of Sonic. So, he was a great addition to Sonic the Hedgehog 2. There is also a 2-player competitive mode where you can race each other which can be fun.

What Happened To The Third Act?

The stages feel much larger in this game than they did in the first. However, each one now only has two instead of three. You fight Robotnik at the end of the second act. At the time it bothered me how each one only had two acts, but I think this allowed them to add more variety in the levels in all honesty.

There is a good reason why so many people say that Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is their favorite game in the series. It is one of the best games for the console and it is one of my favorite games of all time. Sonic 2 is just a lot of fun to play. I feel the levels were a lot more imaginative this time around and the addition of Tails was great, even though the two-player aspect was rather limited it was still fun to be able to play through the whole game with a friend.

9.5

Final Score

Pros:

  • The game looks great
  • It has a really classic soundtrack
  • There is a nice variety to the stages
  • The addition of Tails was awesome
  • You can now play with a friend

Cons:

  • In the special stages Tails is a massive hindrance
  • The two-player racing mode has very small characters

At the end of Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr. Robotnik's Scrap Brain facility was destroyed, but the evil doctor narrowly escaped.

Now Robotnik is back and plans to conquer the world once more. He secretly follows Sonic's biplane, the Tornado, to his vacation spot, Westside Island. According to legend, an ancient civilization once abused the power of seven "power stones" on Westside Island. Sonic meets a peculiar two-tailed fox named Miles Prower, better known as "Tails". The two become good friends. Meanwhile, Robotnik begins his search for the Chaos Emeralds to fuel his new Death Egg engine. One afternoon, he launches his full-scale attack on the island. He imprisoned all the animals of the island and turned them into mindless worker drones. Fortunately, Sonic will thwart the Doctor's plans at all cost. This time, he isn't alone, as Tails decides to aid him. Together they must locate the Emeralds before Robotnik does, and put an end to this diabolical scheme.

Everyone's favorite hedgehog is back in this second installment of the Sonic series. This time, Sonic has enlisted the help of his buddy Tails to help him in his fight against the evil Dr. Robotnik! This awesome sequel gives you more levels, better graphics and a two player split-screen option for double the fun! There is still tons of hidden stuff for you to search for as well as some incredible new obstacles like the infamous "corkscrew". Cruise through tubes, jump over traps, and even hop aboard a biplane in a super-Sonic quest to stop Dr. Robotnik once and for all.

People say:

8.0

Here's a game that's oozing with a lot of hard programming work. This game is a graphic tour-de-force for the Genesis, but I thought the play was a little disjointed. There is definitely a lot to explore, but the game is manic in its approach. None of the levels are too linear, which is both good and bad. A nice follow-up though.

8.0

Sonic's back and this time he's bigger and better. The graphics have improved with great colors and new hyper scrolling backgrounds. The music is decent and sounds as good as the first. The game play is top notch, but there's not enough freedom to explore the huge levels. Not linear but still too straighforward!

10

Sega's mascot is back in a new adventure that can best be described with a lot of 2s. Being twice as long the game offers more enjoyment for the buck. As a 2 player game, there is twice the fun. The levels are larger and harder and Sonic's new moves are quite innovative. Overall, the best all-round game on the market.

9.0

No Genesis would be complete without Sonic 2! The two-player option is the best thing Sega could have done (after all, even Mario shares the spotlight with Luigi and the gang). Highly intense backgrounds, awesome tunes, and wild levels are everything I have come to expect from a worthy sequel for Sonic!

It's finally here! The Hedgehog with an attitude has just been released! As promised, here is a look al this incredible game! As opposed to the previous version, this cart is twice the size! The levels are also laid out so that you can run, run, RUN to your hearts content

while searching for hidden stuff! With new resolution technology, you can even play with a friend and have twice the fun going head to head in a (to the evil Dr. Robotnik! The music is pumped and the paralax will blast you into the outer limits! And if you think what we've here is good, wait until, you see next issue! More levels, more pix and more fun!

  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Available: November 1992
  • No. of Levels: 35+
  • Theme: Action

The world's fastest video game character is back and he's even faster than ever! Sonic made his debut last year on the Genesis and took the video game world by storm. The little blue hedgehog, capable of mind-blowing speeds and incredible moves, sent Genesis to the top of the video game market. Sonic even won the coveted title of Video Game of the Year by none other than Electronic Gaming Monthly.

Now, the same development team that created the first blockbuster cart is working on the sequel. This cart promises to have even more action, enemies and levels. Sonic's maximum speed will be even higher than the first cart. One of the main features of this new cart is the addition of a character known as Tails. Tails is a little fox with two tails. He likes to mimic all of Sonic's moves. He doesn't quite have Sonic's speed, but for a 41/2-year-old, he learns quickly. He may even be faster than Sonic someday! The great part about Tails is that he brings the option of having two players to Sonic's game. The game will be split into almost 35 levels and will feature time travel. Sonic and Tails will venture through prehistoric swamplands and futuristic cities filled with pollution. Electronic Gaming Monthly is here with the first in-depth look at this great cart, so check out the next few pages for the inside scoop on Sonic 2.

SONIC

Sonic has been working out and he's super-fast. He's about 16 years old now, and his attitude is getting worse: he's a lead foot and he doesn't even have a driver's license! He's gotten so fast that he can even travel through time!

TAILS

Tails is a unique little fox. His two tails always seem to get in the way when he tries to mimic Sonic's fast-blast take off. He idolizes Sonic and follows him wherever he goes. For 4 1/2, he sure is fast. I wonder if he'll ever be faster than Sonic?

Dr. Robotnik

Dr. Robotnik is back with more dirty tricks up his sleeves. After he was thwarted by Sonic in the first adventure, he has since created a whole new army of robot creatures. His master creation is the monstrous "Death Egg".

MORE LEVELS, MORE ENEMIES, MORE FUN!

Sonic 2 is, without a doubt, going to be one of the greatest action carts for the Genesis. There will be many new aspects to the game play. The developers of the game are keeping the contents of the game under the highest security though. One of the game play elements that we are excited about is Sonic's ability to travel through time when he reaches warp-sonic speed. We don't know exactly where or how Sonic is going to travel through time, but prehistoric and futuristic levels are a must. Sonic may do super spins over the back of a brontosaurus or zip through the tubes of some futuristic robot factory. The last level will be a battle against Dr. Robotnik and his hideous Death Egg. The Death Egg is an immense star-like fortress and has the ability to destroy Sonic's entire home planet. The background graphics will be even better than before, with tons of parallax scrolling and plenty of ultra-high-speed action. The two-player option also adds to the playability. Look for this hot cart to be released in November 1992. Sonic 2 is shaping up to be quite a sizzler!

Go to the Options by pressing the pad DOWN twice at the title screen. Make sure you are playing "Sonic and Tails." Go into the game and using controller 2, move the pad in any direction, or press any button and you will see that you can move Tails anywhere on the screen separately from Sonic! This will make it easier to work as a team and complete the game. Also, since Tails cannot die, you can use him to defeat the bosses and just have Sonic avoid them. If you want to go back to the one player mode, just leave Tails alone and he will go back to following Sonic.

What's faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings with a single bound? Well, him too, but we're talking about Sonic The Hedgehog. Sega of America's bringing their speedy dude with a 'tude back for an 8-meg Genesis encore.

Rock the Doc

Dr. Robotnik's back and, per usual, he's making trouble for Sonic and all of his buddies. The diabolical doc has invented a "Death Egg". Sonic's got to crack the case and fry Dr. R. before the Death Egg scrambles the world. In the process, he's gonna go back and forth through time, putting some heavy wear on his high tops.

Sonic 2 has the same speed, cool graphics, and trademark tennies that made the original game a groundbreaker. In addition, Sonic's got a new buddy-a foxy guy with two tails called, appropriately, "Tails!' Are we talking two-player action? Well, only Sega knows for sure... and they're not ready to talk. But, it's gotta take some mighty fancy programming to make a game as fast as Sonic work as a simultaneous two-player. Here's hoping they can!

Sonic the Hedgehog 2, also known as Sonic 2, is a well-known and appreciated game developed in the United States by the Sonic Team of the Sega Technical Institute. The game, however, was released in Japan on November 21, 1992, and then in Europe and North America three days later. The day of Tuesday, 24 November 1991 is known as the Sonic 2sday. The second version of the game is a sequal of the first edition, and was soon followed by a third game. The second game introduced Tails as a new character.

The story focuses on Sonic the Hedgehog and his new partner, Tails, Their mission was to stop the evil Dr. Robotnik from stealing the Chaos Emeralds. While Robotnik has an army at his disposal, Sonic and Miles "Tails" Prower have to defeat the villain with their bare hands.

The game was very popular, and it is still played by many children. The incredible number of sales, six million copies by June 2006, says more than enough about the success of this game. The game could have been played at the single mode, double mode or in the seven special stages.

The gamers can play the game in one of the seven special stages. Gamers can access it when Sonic collects at least 50 rings and hits a Star Post. Then, a red halo of stars float above it and Sonic can jump through it to get to a special stage.

The game, as stated before, is a sequel of the first version, in which Robotnik is defeated by Sonic. After that, Sonic is followed by Robotnik in a biplane to his vacation spot. Sonic meets a two-wailed fox, Tails, and they become good friends. Robotnik begins his search for the Chaos Emeralds to fuel his new Death Egg warship. He imprisons all the animals on the island and turns them into workers. Sonic sends Tails to locate the Emeralds before Robotnik does, and to stop him from fueling the Death Egg warship.

Before the release of the game, Sega launched a $10 million dollar advertising campaign for the sequel. The game was available on Mega Drive/Genesis in Japan, and then came three days later in Europe and North America. Though the first game was mainly developed in Japan, the process of development was moved to the United States for the second game. Almost half of million copies of the Sonic 2 were sold in the first week after the release. The game was considered a hit at that time and was followed by Sonic 3, released two years later.

Snapshots and Media

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Screenshots

Sega Master System Screenshots

GameGear Screenshots

See Also

Viewing games 1 to 6