Facebook – Top 100 FAVORITE Video Games: 25

25: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis)
Developer: Sega
Year: 1992

me into “gamer” status. Granted, I’d played a mess of NES games prior to this, but the Genesis is the first console I remember obtaining, and Sonic 2 is one of the first games I really remember attempting to burn through in order to beat, one of the first games I snuck out of gaming magazines at Wal-Mart with a pencil and paper (due to lack of serious internet connection at the time), and one of the first games I remember every inch of, to this day. So, to say Sonic 2 is one of the most influential games in my history as a player, I want you to understand that I mean that, 100%.

The instruction booklet found in the “not for resale” box that came with my family’s Genesis describes the plot like this: Dr. Robotnik (NOT Eggman!) was defeated by Sonic in the first game, follows his nemesis to the place the blue hedgehog goes to vacation, and discovers a source of immeasurable power in the form of seven emeralds. He plans to use these to power the Death Egg, a total Star Wars ripoff (as if anyone is unaware of that) that will cause destruction and chaos. Sonic, with his new two-tailed buddy Miles (Prower. Miles Prower. Miles Pr ower. Miles per hour. Your welcome.) team up to fight the badniks (animal buddies trapped in robotic casings of evil!) to thwart the “good” doctor every step of the way. Keep in mind that we’re talking about a game whose plot is included – in its entirety – in the instruction booklet. No where else. The reason this isn’t problematic is because the game is awesome and all you need to know is Dr. Robotnik is an evil dude.

The gameplay is just the same as any and all 2D Sonic games, wherever you might find them (Genesis, Game Gear, Game Boy, now?); run Sonic through a haphazard obstacle course full of angry robot animals, spikes aplenty, and more than a few bottomless pits of death. Strewn about are rings used to keep Sonic alive; getting hit doesn’t kill him, instead causing him to drop however many rings he’d collected. This means that, so long as you hold on to at least one ring, you’re immortal (until the end boss(es), but I digress). Collect 50 and you’ll have a chance at a secret stage in which you can attempt to collect a Chaos Emerald. The thing this game added – and an element that remained in subsequent games – was a two-player mode, with one person controlling Sonic, the other Tails the fox. If Sonic was immortal with a ring in hand, Tails was invulnerable to just about everything. Boss battles became a joke when Sonic merely needed to avoid being hit while Tails dished out and took all the damage. Of course, the two-player bit only caused frustration in secret stages, but that’s another matter entirely.

One of the reasons that I love this game above all others is because of the levels. Sonic 1 had some neat stages, but lacked the real punch of a more daring sequel, and Sonic 3 and/or Sonic/Knuckles seemed to be awesome but too grandiose. Sonic 2 had the right balance. Also, it had Casino Night Zone, a level unparalleled in any other Sonic game before or since. The music, too, is my favorite, with the Metropolis Zone (featured on my Top 10 Soundtracks list!) and Mystic Cave Zone levels having some kickass beats to them. But even the more annoying levels had their fun to be found (here’s looking at you, Aquatic Ruin Zone!). Perhaps its simple nostalgia, perhaps its the fact that I can blast through Chemical Plant Zone without blinking, now, or perhaps its just that good, but Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s presentation and level design is above par, setting the bar too high for the entire series. Plus, Sky Chase Zone and Flying Fortress Zone? Please. Please. Also, this game introduced us to Super Sonic. So, you know, there’s that.

All in all, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is my all time favorite outing for Sega’s mascot, and a really fun game to blaze through, even today. I had the game on Genesis, have it on the Sonic Collection on PS2, and even have it on my 360 version of the Genesis Mega Collection or what have you. While its dated as hell and not generally considered the best by most (from what research I’ve done, anyhow), I think its the one that stands out the most. Platforming games are dying out, slowly, with new games being boring or tired (with little exception), but classics like this still stand out as prime examples of quality gaming.

Classic Moment:
How’s this for how important Sonic 2 is for me, life-wise? I (still) use Sonic 2 as a metaphorical reference point for how I get along in relationships with women. This is because I don’t enjoy talking about how far I get with a chick. Its no one’s business. But if they want to know if I’ve “made it to the Chemical Plant Zone” or how many “Chaos Emeralds” I’ve “collected” I’d be more than happy to share that information. What does all this mean? Let’s just say that being stuck on Emerald Hill Zone with no rings is the worst place to be, when it comes to a relationship, and that the aim is always, always to become Super Sonic. Its kinda dumb, personal, and shameful to talk about in public, but Sonic 2 is that important to me.

 

No wonder I’m currently single…

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Added March 31, 2017
Love me some Sonic 2. Can’t be stated enough. Its a shame the version on PS3 stinks. The controls are just slightly off, making those final fights so damned difficult to time.