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-- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 --
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Formats: Sega Game Gear, Sega Master System
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Sega of Japan
Rating: N/A
Debut: October 25, 1992 (Latin America)
Cast: Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Silver Sonic, Dr. Ivo Robotnik/Dr. Eggman
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After saving South Island from Robotnik's first assault, things have been too quiet for comfort.
So, Sonic the Hedgehog left the island to find other adventures around the world. Upon his
return, he discovered that all of his friends were gone. Confused, he went back to his digs to
think, and found a note from Miles "Tails" Prower. Robotnik had made Tails write the note, which
commanded Sonic to collect the six Chaos Emeralds and bring them to Robotnik if he ever wanted to
see his friends again.
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-- International Info --
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Area
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Title
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Debut
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Latin America
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Sonic the Hedgehog 2
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October 25, 1992
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Europe
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Sonic the Hedgehog 2
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October, 1992
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USA
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Sonic the Hedgehog 2
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November, 1992
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Japan
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Sonic the Hedgehog 2
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November 21, 1992
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It's a little known fact that the Game Gear version of Sonic 2 was released a few weeks before
the Genesis version, making this Tails' true debut (although he doesn't actually appear in
the game until the ending).
The 8-bit version of Sonic 2 is something of a mixed bag. It's probably the fastest-moving of
the Game Gear Sonic games, but this results in alot of blurring, and makes it difficult to see
and react to obstacles in your path. To make things worse, there seem to be many cheap hits
deliberately placed to take advantage of this flaw.
The music is very catchy, and the tracks are much longer than standard Game Gear tunes. However,
they sometimes hit notes that strike as annoying to the ears...headphones eliminate this problem,
but it still seems that, quite often, they're just too over-the-top for GG tunes...like the
composer was trying to outdo the system's sound capabilities.
Like the 8-bit version of Sonic 1, Chaos Emeralds are not obtained in Special Stages, but can be
found hidden around the Zones...and they are well hidden and difficult to get to. Also
like Sonic 1, bosses are fought without any Rings; but unlike Sonic 1, there's usually a lengthy
Act to get through before fighting each boss, most of which are simply way too difficult
to be forced to fight with no Rings (meaning death after the first hit). Of all the
traditional-style Sonic games, this one's about my least favorite, although it isn't without its
merits.
Under Ground Zone: Bubbling magma flows through the underground
tunnels in this mountain range. Abandoned railcarts lie silently on the
endless railways that seem to lead into nowhere.
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Sky High Zone: Pyramid-shaped evergreens tower on blue-colored hills
in this world of mountain peaks. Nothing below but clouds, nothing above
but sky...until Sonic finds himself trapped in a thunderstorm.
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Aqua Lake Zone: Elaborate fountains spout crystal-clear water in
beautiful formations. Giant, hollow columns filled with flowing water hold
the stony block ceilings into place.
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Green Hills Zone: Diamond and heart-shaped flowers dot the green
hillsides; accented by tall trees with oval-shaped tops. The rolling hills
often curl into loops, creating a surrealistically beautiful countryside.
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Gimmick Mountain Zone: Steel walls line the inside of this metallic
mountain. Conveyor belts, giant rotating corkscrews, spinning gears and
countless other mechanical gadgets fill the giant underground warehouse.
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Scrambled Egg Zone: Mysterious floating lights contrast the dark,
rocky terrain. Pipes and tubes weave intricate patterns through the rough
nighttime landscape.
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Crystal Egg Zone: Pastel colors light up this sparkling crystal
fortress. Glass cacti and flashing spheres decorate this world of illusion,
where things are rarely as they seem.
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None Available
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Level-Select: (Game Gear version) At the title screen, press and hold the D-pad in a
southwesterly direction, as well as buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously. Continue to hold until the
title screen appears. On Tails' third blink, quickly press START while still holding the D-pad,
1, and 2. A Ring chime should sound if you've done it correctly.
Level-Select: (Master System version) With the system off, hold the D-Pad in a
northwesterly direction while pressing buttons 1 and 2 on controller 2. Continue to hold and
power the system on. Continue to hold until the title screen appears, then press 2 twice on
controller one.
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Screenshots taken by Jared "Green Gibbon!" Matte. Game Gear version
shown. Game Gear box cover from Sega Online. Information
compiled and arranged by Jared "Green Gibbon!"
Matte.
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