| Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | |
|---|---|
 A screenshot of the title screen of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | |
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Lead programmer |
Yuji Naka |
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Development Team(s) |
Sonic Team; Sega Technical Institute |
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Game Genre |
Platformer |
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Platform(s) |
Sega Megadrive/Genesis |
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog. It was released on November 21st in Japan and on November 24th in Europe and North America. The day that the game was released in Europe and North America was dubbed 'Sonic 2sday'. The game is a platformer, which introduced Sonic's new friend, Miles 'Tails' Prower (usually shortened to 'Tails').
Game Development
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has a huge development story. It all started when members of Sonic Team went over to the US to work with the Sega Technical Institute. This coalition of Sonic Team and the Sega Technical Institute would be responsible for Sonic 2.
The coalition started by taking Sonic 1 and tweaking the physics. Sonic, in Sonic 1, had a limited speed while running, even when running down slopes. This was changed in Sonic 2. Also, the top speed for Sonic 2 was increased very slightly.
Then the team started to take level design from the game and change it. They created a couple of zones first, in place of other zones in Sonic 1 - the other zones from Sonic 1 were then erased. This early version of Sonic 2 was known as the Nick Arcade Prototype.
Zones that were playable included Hidden Palace Zone, which was playable until Act 2, which sees Sonic stuck in a wall. You can also play through Chemical Plant Zone, although some pallete problems in the background and sprites of the level can be found and the design is buggy, with no rings or badniks, also. The beginning of Hill Top Zone Act 1 can be played by going into the Final Zone slot, but since the boss detection was not removed, you could go a certain distance before the game thinks the boss is there, so the game freezes. The only fully playable level is Emerald Hill Zone, with both acts complete, with the boss not completed. This level can be accessed through the Star Light Zone slot.