Of the many gaming opinions I’ll often state as fact, none inspires quite the level of self-confidence as “Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the best retro Sonic game.”
Yes, Sonic CD has many fans. Yes, Sonic 3 & Knuckles as a combo of two solid games becomes a better version of itself in its unified form (sort of like the Devastator or Voltron of video games). But I feel comfortable, confident, and maybe even downright cocky about this particular stance.
Sonic 2 is incredible.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Genre: Side-scrolling platformer
Released: 1992
Platform: Genesis
GameFan Score: 197/200
Of course, a little background is probably necessary here.
Sonic the Hedgehog, famously, was Sega’s answer to Nintendo. With their 16-bit Genesis doing moderate business out of the gate, but sensing a huge opportunity (in North America in particular), Sega felt they needed a game that could move system units. Back then, the format for such an app was a first-party platforming game featuring a mascot. They also wanted said mascot to be vibrant, “cool,” and a contrast to the mascots already out there.
“Do that,” they told their developers.
Well, the developers did it. You can read some more of that history here, but the short story is they settled on a blue hedgehog who could run really fast as their new mascot … and it was a hit. Sonic the Hedgehog became the Genesis pack-in game, with the summation of his ultimate success being this: 15 million Genesis units sold.
You’ve really got to hand it to Sega in retrospect. With the original Sonic the Hedgehog in the bag and taking off (making the Genesis into a viable competitor to Nintendo in the process), they spent only about a year getting a sequel ready for the masses. Hey, if the saying goes “strike while the iron is hot,” Sega understood that maxim to the fullest.
Sonic 2 released worldwide just in time for the holiday season in 1992, and it, like its predecessor, was a smash hit, becoming the second most popular game on the console and THE most popular title that wasn’t a pack-in.
So if you’re itching to understand the history of Sega and its mascot better, it’s above saying you probably need to play the first two Sonic games. They’re vitally important to the history of the company, the Genesis, and gaming in general.
That all having been said, Sonic 2 is very simply a better game than Sonic 1.
(It’s not particularly close either.)
Don’t get me wrong. Sonic 1 isn’t some ugly thing in the same way that Mario 1 is. And it’s not an awkward play either … like Mega Man 1 is. It’s deserving of the praise heaped upon it at release, and it’s a game that holds up. You can play it today and enjoy it very much.
But Sonic 2 did everything better.
From the look and sound, to the level design, to the two-player additions, to the game control changes, to the bonus stages … everything was better the second time around.
A simple addition, the spin dash, allowed Sonic to get up to high speed in inconvenient locations, ramping up the speed (and fun) of the game. The whole freakin’ point of Sonic is to go fast. So adding a mechanic that allows you to do that more often (and more consistently) really should have been a no-brainer from the start. It was a necessary addition and improved the overall experience a ton.
The two-player options were welcome too. Opinions vary on Tails as a character, but what can’t be dismissed is the ability for a second player to join the main quest of the game, as well as the ability to face off with Player 1 in a challenge mode. Yes, many platformers have incorporated these elements better since, but just having the ability to do both is hugely important toward expanding the life of the game and the overall enjoyment level too. Two (or more) players is almost always without exception funner than one.
For most of the classic Sonic games, you can say some of the levels and musical selections are truly inspired, but if you want a higher percentage of bangers, Sonic 2 is once again the best option. Its bonus structure is more dynamic and fast-paced — kind of an important thing for a Sonic game, yes? And if you want to experience the highest of highs, it’s difficult to do better than the combination of level design and music within Chemical Plant Zone. That level might be the definitive Sonic experience … everything about it is essentially perfect and should be experienced by all.
The only downside here is there’s a comedown from the high of Stage 2, and the final grind toward completing the game is a touch difficult … but those are quibbles. Any warts here are minor.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a game I go back to regularly, and it’s a game my kids gravitate toward as well, because it’s just that good. It’s truly an all-timer.
So what makes it worth playing today?
It’s an iconic piece of gaming history, and it holds up better than any other Sonic game from that era.
It’s simply a must-play for everyone.
Dave’s Score: 10/10
Check out the whole Retro Gaming Essentials list here!
How to play
- Original hardware (Genesis)
- Master System/Game Gear (somewhat different)
- Sonic Compilation (Genesis)
- Mobile phones
- Sonic Jam (Saturn)
- Sonic Mega Collection & Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Gamecube, PS1, Xbox)
- Sega Genesis Collection (PS2, PSP)
- Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection (Xbox 360, PS3)
- Sonic Classic Collection (Nintendo DS)
- Wii Virtual Console
- Playstation Network (PS3)
- Xbox Live Arcade (Xbox 360)
- Nintendo 3DS 3D Classics
- Nintendo Switch (Sega Ages)
- Nintendo Switch Online
- Sega Genesis Classics (Nintendo Switch, Steam, Xbox One, PS4)
- Sega Genesis Mini