Sonic the Hedgehog 2

"Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is just as good on GameGear as it is on the Genesis!"

Several years ago, Sega's flagship character, Sonic the Hedgehog, teamed up with Tails and many other assorted animals to take down the Robot-loving freak, Dr. Robotnik, in Sonic the Hedgehog 1.

Sonic made his way onto the GameGear in this sequel in a VERY big way. Sega employed all the same formulas from the original Sonic the Hedgehog that worked so well, and it paid off big time. The story is great, the gameplay is basically the same but enhanced, the graphics couldn't look better, and the music is, as in every Sonic game, spectacular.

The story for Sonic 2 is simple, yet for platformers, its just perfect. Whereas games like RPG's are based upon an intriguing storyline, its satisfying to play a fresh platform game such as Sonic 2 with a simple plot that gets you into the game yet doesn't keep you in the dark.

Tails has been captured by Robotnik, and its up to Sonic to rescue him, as well as give Robotnik another piece of humble pie. The player, as Sonic, is charged with the task of not only stopping Robotnik and saving Tails, but also collecting the Chaos Emeralds hidden in various Zones, and finally stopping all of Robotnik's evil henchmen as well.

The gameplay is the same as Sonic 2 for the Genesis: fast paced, action packed, and easy with the controls. Fast paced is Sonic's middle name, and Sega did a good job of making sure the game didn't move too slow, because the game would really be bad if Sonic could not rush through each Zone with great speed and precision. Though the game is VERY fast paced, each level is quite big and full of lots of depth. The game includes lots of secret passageways and new places to explore, which is great. The addition of different vehicles to use in certain levels adds to the fun and excitement of the game. Sonic can travel in Gliders, Mine Carts, and even Air Bubbles to reach certain places he couldn't before. Its great to take away from the monotony of running around the levels burrowing through tunnels and take to the air at times.

The graphics of the game are amazing. I've been impressed with them for the last several years, especially for a GameGear. In the second world, where you get the ability to fly a hangglider, there is really cool lightning effects which loom in the background. Such is an example of how Sega used the graphical engine of the Game Gear to its full potential. The color scheme of the Game Gear is very impressive as well, and its bears little or no difference to that of the Genesis version.

The enemies in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 are very creative, original, and pleasing to look at. Each enemy has their own distinct features, and this is saying a lot for the age of this game. The robotic details of the game are quite impressive, and they really do pass as very intelligent robot enemies. The way these enemies are designed was definitely used to show their evil personae, and it succeeds with flying colors.

The sound of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is great, to say the least. The tracks used in the game's levels are all fast paced and exciting, which is great, and it matches perfectly with the speed the game moves. Moving at Sonic Speed and listening to the fast paced music all adds to the great platforming experience Sega brings in Sonic 2.

The sound effects could use a little work, though. Every time you jump, it makes the same sound, which gets old at times. Hitting enemies and bosses makes the same sound as well. I find it a little hard to believe that every enemy dies the same way with the same sound. This is probably the most notable flaw in the game.

In terms of replayability, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 offers a good amount for a Platformer of that generation. Two endings to the game, Chaos Emeralds to find, and all around fun that comes from playing through the game over and over will keep you coming back for more!

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 truly is a classic, as far as Platforms go. To say that Sega did something of noteworthy quality on its first Portable System is quite a feat indeed.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/14/04