Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Game Gear/Master System) - A Retrospective
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
- The game where Tails "dies".
Is the other Sonic 2 as good as the one everyone knows about? Is it at least fun?? In this video, I monkey around and find the conclusion at some point!
Enjoy. ^.^
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:35 - Development
5:01 - Story & Gameplay
13:47 - Levels & Music
18:52 - Characters and Enemies
26:04 - The Game Gear port
30:24 - Legacy & Fangames
36:45 - Conclusion
Music used:
"Leder's Gymnopedie" from Mother 3
"Track 4" from Janou Touyuumon
"Lofi Collection" by SuperChaosControl
"Town" from Cruisader of Centy/Soleil
"Final Fantasy VII - Don of the Slums (YM2612)" by Jorge
"Crystal Egg Zone [Act 1 Remix]" by King Meteor Studios
"Chill Zone Act 1" by Pejman Roozbeh
"File Select" by Pejman Roozbeh
I have a Sonic blog!
RobotnikHolmes’ Sonic Blog: / robotnikholmescomicblog
RobotnikHolmes’ Twitter: / robotnikholmes
#sonic #sonicthehedgehog #sonicgames #gamegear #mastersystem #8bit - Розваги
The 8-bit Sonics are super underrated. People usually dismiss them because "Game Gear", but the Master System versions are great.
I love finding awesome little channels like this, instant sub.
Many thanks. ^.^ Welcome aboard!
I swear to god they put the levels in the wrong order in this game. The difficulty curve is S shaped and the easy green hill type level is near the end!
Level order should be
1. Green Hills
2. Sky High
3. Aqua Lake
4. Under Ground
5. Gimmick MT.
6. Scrambled Egg
7. crystal Egg
Green Hill 3 has a hellish spring section though. Hated that...
Love how thorough your coverage of 8-bit Sonic 2 is! This is the first video of yours I’ve seen, but it’s definitely earned my subscription. Between the solid production value and script, and the coverage of not only the official versions of the games, but fan reimaginings as well, I was engaged the whole time. Keep up the good work!
What a compliment! ✨ Thanks, matey! I enjoy going in depth with these games and I'm happy you enjoyed the coverage 😁
Thank you! I’m so glad someone has finally done a video on how hard this game is! I had this on game gear as a kid and honestly the first boss was almost impossibly hard! I never made it past scrambled egg zone! But usually the batteries would die before that anyway 😂
Bless your heart, thank you for sharing your tale. 😊 Its nice hearing from people who played this game on the original hardware, you guys are the real heroes! xD
Your sonic videos are one of the best, so high quality and entertaining you deserve more views and likes!
Thank you very much! I enjoy making them as an excuse to gush about Sonic 😂
Ahh, Jesus. Those bloody hang gliders! I got this game on release and was NEVER able to get through Sky High zone act 2 because I couldn't figure out how to control the hang gliders. If I wanted to finish the game I'd quit there, activate the level select code, and continue through the game that way. Of course then I'd get locked out of the Crystal Egg zone because I didn't have all the Chaos Emeralds, so I'd have to use the level select AGAIN. It wasn't until 2015 that I eventually picked this game up again, figured out how to use the hang gliders, and finished the game ligitimately. xD
That's very valid xD I'm sorry you went through a similar experience bud 🥲
@@RobotnikHolmes You know my pain! T_T
You probably held forward, which has the hang glider go down. Pressing back is what you needed to do to stay at the same height. It's similar to using the parachute cape in Super Mario World.
This, on the Game Gear, was my introduction to Sonic the Hedgehog
I sorry for your lost [🔋🔋🔋] [🔋🔋🔋]
I apologise for the trauma.
This video is fuckin rad!!
I love how dry and understated your delivery is, and your writing is remarkably in-depth considering the obscurity of the subject matter. Beyond that you miraculously got me to give a shit about Sonic 2 for Game Gear which is a genuine feat lol.
Such a compliment. 🤭 Thank you ever so much!
A really well productioned... producted...? A really well made video. The 8-bit Sonic games (yes, even including Sonic Blast) are probably my favourite Sonic games, just cause I have played them so much. It's always nice to see a video aknowledge them.
"Produced" is the word you are looking for, my friend.
Wow, this Sonic seems way more frustrating than from the one's I'm used too, the music seems really good though. Great video Robotnik, for all my Sonic needs I need look no further than you and your videos, thanks for all your work you put into these.
Happy to help with your Sonic info, Kitarra! Thank you for your support and kind comments as always ✨️🫶
Let's keep things in simple terms
YOU DESERVE MORE VIEWS AND SUBSCRIBERS
I haven't seen a channel which such good editing only to get such few likes, man I hope you actually grow more
Thanks for this, one of my fav games from childhood, and you gave it its due.
This takes me back. "Blind jumps" is apt description for this game as a whole. You have to take a lot of hits and lose a lot of lives to get sense of the layout of the levels - and once you figured it out it was awesome. I'm talking about the Master System Version specifically. I know its a hard game but back then in the 1990s/1980s things were different - you only owned a few games and would play the heck out of them.
I remember getting this on release, was so excited to play it but then I got to the first boss and oh boy let's just say the frustration was real.
Those BALLS, man... 😵
Sonic 2 on the Master System is a solid game. Sonic 2 on the Game Gear is not.
i dont know how your channel isnt more popular your videos are so good im always suprised when i see the viewcount
Over saturation on the topic at hand
Bless, thank you ever so much for the positive comment! ✨ Whether peeps see it or not, I'll keep making these 😁😁
Master System Sonic games were legit some of my favourites, couldn't beat S2 when I was a kid!
Those "cont" monitors are... unfortunate for those with similar brains to mine 😅
I actually really liked the bosses. Except the first crab boss - it was unfairly hard, though looking back it was good to put it first so after a game over it wasn’t too long or hard to get back to it and try again.
So happy you posted! I love your videos 💕
Thank you so much! 💖✨💖✨
Great video! It definitely deserves more views!
I appreciate it a lot, thank you! Tell your entire Koopa Troop, even. 🤭
Yeah that name was really frustrating for me as a kid. I asked for Sonic 2 expecting the one I played at my friend's house, and my mom came home with this game. I usually couldn't even get past the first boss. He was hard AF to beat for a little kid, you can't get any rings before the fight so one hit killed you.
To this day I can't beat the first boss...I'm 37. I thought I just sucked at video games until I recently found out that this game has a reputation for being really hard!
At one point, a kid lent me his Game Gear for an hour and Sonic 2 was the game I played, but later I learned the Master System has the better version due to it's increased resolution, and a game like Sonic 2 (8-bit) was designed for the console and scaled down for the portable.
I won't say it's a hard game at all, but I do agree it suffers from a few bad design choices, but even as a 10yo kid it was manageable once you figured what the game wanted you to do, which can be translated to lots of blind jumps.
All in all, I think this version is one of the most creative Sonic games, the hang-glider stages, rain, bouncing on water in high speeds, mine carts, being able to change direction when inside ducts and tunnels, unique bosses, the stage themes which are mostly far apart from the 16-bit game and more.
I will always recommend playing the console version over the crammed portable one, as it becomes harder for the wrong reasons.
The thing about hang-gliders is that those which you get jumping from beneath them will rise as far as you hold the jump button and those you get on the ground will grant you more speed if you just spin without holding any direction, then, controlling it with < or > as you go.
I appreciate the creativeness also, but I agree it could have been designed a little better. It's awesome getting to hear the experience of somebody who grew up with the game! 😁
I have all 4 mainline Game Gear Sonic games and the only one I could never beat is this one.
I do have a fondness for this game as well as Sonic 1 on the SMS, as I had a Master System before I got a Mega Drive 2 with Sonic 2 as it's pack in. It is as hard as hell, but the SMS version is somewhat more forgiving than it's handheld counterpart (which I've played through it's various re-releases in compilations and stuff, and makes me question why the SMS versions weren't also included as part of Sonic Origins Plus offering, the rom files are a few dozen megabytes in size and might give a bit more variety in the line up, but that's just me!)
My personal headcanon for this game is that it takes place before it's MD counterpart, and has Robotnik kidnap Sonic's new buddy in an attempt to distract Sonic from finding out about his new Death Egg, which is still under construction. Then Sonic and Tails heda to West Side Island to stop the mad Doctor and is moustached Sphere of Death!
The Digimon profiles for the bad Nik’s was gold. Instant subscribe
It made for an appropriate aesthetic. 😎 Fellow Digimon fans unite!
@@RobotnikHolmes can you imagine if we got a badnik raising game?? I would eat that up so bad!! And also “raising” boss mechs! Like play as Dr Eggman? Ugh the world is unfair
I remember getting this with my birthday money as a kid, only had the Master System at the time, so, excitedly, I rode the bus home with my dad, dreaming of Casino Night Zone, flying with Tails and playing as Super Sonic. Was so disappointed when I got home to find it was completely different to the Megadrive version.. but I really enjoyed it (trying to time my slope jump in Green hills in time with the music to imitate the scene in the Sonic CD intro was a habit I aquired) and still have my original copy back home, Still play it time to time. Id give it a 6/10, not a good as Sonic 1, but keep at it and its a lot of fun.
Bless, that can be the case when games have the same name, especially if their release dates are so close together too. 😂 Its awesome getting to hear your history with it, and happy you found enjoyment out of the game!
Love this game, wish there were more difficult platformy Sonics.
🙏
Answer to the opening question: when I was a kid it was Mortal Kombat 2 for me!
That hang glider, no explanation on how to control it... And not many lives
I really tried to like this game when it first came out. I'd find myself playing it just to try and convince myself that I liked it. I never could fool myself.
Ah... The very first game I clearly remember as a child that actually made me literally cry... out of frustration. Because finding and getting those emeralds were an immense pain, and still are even with save states, because to this day I still can never get the Sky High Zone emerald :| So getting that bad ending implying Tails died was pretty much salt in the wound after all my efforts... and even cheating to skip to the actual final stage would change nothing.
The pain is real! Sorry to hear your experience wasn't a fun one as a kid, buddy. 🤗
Easily my favourite sonic game. No cap
I honestly think the Game Gear version of Pit Master may be the meanest boss in Sonic history. Only other one I can think of to give it a run for it's money is the Egg Wheel from Sonic Advance 2, and at least that's the fifth level.
Great video! Sonic 2 on SMS was the first videogame I ever played, and left one hell of an impression on me. Hard as nails, but well worth it haha Making the jump to MD Sonic games was mind blowing!
Gotta ask, what's the name of the music track playing at 13:47? Been buggin me since watching this video and music credits in description aren't helping! 😅
Thanks a lot! I'm hearing it was a lot of people's first Sonic game AND video game they played, its really fascinating hearing your experience!
And that song is "Sonic 2 (Lofi Collection) ~Green Hills Zone~ (You Can Do Anything)" 😁
ua-cam.com/video/Jp8XtNmMEZ8/v-deo.html
@@RobotnikHolmes Much appreciate the response my friend! This song has just unlocked some core memories haha Incredible. Just earned yourself a lifelong subscriber from me! 🤟
Great video, thanks for showing me this UA-cam
And thank you for watching it! 😁
I always liked MS Sonic 2 better than the Mega Drive version as it was more of a challenge. Great game
Sonic 2 is HARD if you are playing on the Gamegear since you can't see where your going, if you are playing on the Master System then the game is a breeze. I remember playing this as a friends house upon release back in 1992 with me getting it shortly after. Modern day games are coming across as spoilt and not understanding where games came from. There games were designed to be more difficult to extend the run time due to their short length and replayability was key so you would keep playing to find all 5 chaos emeralds and the 6th given if all 5 were collected. I was able to finish Sonic 2 on the SMS when I was 8 or 9, I wasn't good but I just tried again and again until I beat it which is what we did back then, personally I thought this was a good version of Sonic for those who couldn't afford a Mega Drive here in the UK and the Master System is all we could afford so Sonic 1, 2 and Sonic Chaos on the SMS is the best we could get. Regarding Checkpoints the only one I could see actually needing on is being Aqua Lake Act 2 needs one but most of it can be skipped unless your going for the Chaos emerald.
Not to sound mean but this is a more of a "I'm a modern day spoilt gamer review and I'm using modern day metrics to review a game from 1992", those who reading this wasn't even BORN yet.
I imagine its a much better experience when you've played it often, and especially when completing at such a young age?? I admire that and I thank you for checking this video out!
And no offence taken, these videos are just my experience with the games from ports and the like, but I do my best to cover what other fans got out of it too. That's why I appreciate comments like your's that give me more viewpoints than just my own. 😁
I still cannot beat the first boss of this game due to the screen being cut off on the Game Gear version. Very frustrating as this game came with my Game Gear and I could never progress. My brother once got to the hand glider stage for me but I couldn't beat that either.
I'm content knowing that I'll never legit complete this game, but I may at some point emulate it to cheat my way through.
The GG port first boss is much tougher than the Master System one, because of the squished screen AND the projectiles come in at different angles.
I loved this game. The only part I had a problem with was the first boss, everything else was fine to me
Same here. Once you figured out the bomb pattern and where to stand on that hill without getting hit (yes there is a pattern, 3 different patterns that are random on arrival iirc) the rest of the game is actually quite enjoyable after that. Never had a Master System or Mega Drive at the time so Game Gear Sonic was what I grew up with as a child. Managed to beat it completely by the time I was 10. That was in the days long before you could view a YT video to find the locations of the emeralds!
My older brother bought this game. He wouldn't let me play until he beat the game, but I did get to watch. Watching him beat it, I was able to beat it bt Christmas 1992.
Excellent channel. Thank you.
Thank you very much! I'm happy you think so 😁
In the SMS version of Sonic 1, the rules of getting a ring panel are similar, have a multiple of ten (or zero) rings but less than fifty (or you get the bonus stage panel instead). This is the first I hear of having to lose a life in order to get the ring or extra life panel (I assume for the Game Gear version?)
You are correct on both fronts! 👍
The origanal is best... I done a live stream of it before and after playing the remastered and found the remastered excessivily too easy, so easy that I bet it in first go in under an hour, while the origanal forced me to learn how the game works
Ah, makes sense xD One day Sonic 2 (8-bit) will be adapted with a fair bit of challenge, I'm sure 👍
@@RobotnikHolmes Think they will never ever make a Sonic or Mario game thats hard again, its only for kids now!! Retro games taught us valued lessons, that to be successful you need to work hard.. present day games give u invinate lives and save states, thats not a game at all!!... If they can make a sonic game as beautifully polished as Mania and 70% as hard as Sonic 2 Master System, then you have the greatest Sonic game ever!!!
It is a lot harder than Chaos of the Mega Drive game, but that is a good thing. A bit of challenge is nice. I prefer Sonic 1 (8-bit) by far, but it is still pretty great. I was 8 when it released, but completed it. Can't be that hard...
The bosses in this game are pretty great.
8/10.
Sonic 2 8 Bit is such a mixed bag of a game for me.
Talking about the Master System version, I love the presentation, more emphasis on speed (mostly) & expanded levels but I don’t like the level design, there’s so many spikes and punishing deaths. I’d say both acts of green hills zone and gimmick mountain zone are my favorite levels in the game since they’re fast and have nice level design (besides act 3 dear god) Scrambled egg zone has to be one of my least favorite Sonic levels ever. The music I find quite good especially since this is master system we’re talking but I think Sonic 1 had more memorable tunes to me. The art in the game is pretty great for an 8 bit game I’m impressed for what they did here. I feel like this game is better when you play it multiple times but first experience is absolutely awful especially for game gear. It sucks Sega never rereleases the Master System version because the bigger resolution really helps the game.
I find it funny that the speeds shoes power up is only in the master system version with its own unique song but it doesn’t even speed you up at all!
Anyway really outstanding video, it’s very impressive to see someone talk about this game for more than 10 minutes and your presentation was excellent! Seriously really great work you did! Also P.S I like your character :p
This was wonderful to read! Beyond happy to hear the thoughts of other Sonic fans on these old games. 🤩
The game definitely has its good elements and music, but if you're a seasoned player that knows all the tricks (and how to avoid getting spike-d) then its probably a much more engaging experience. 😂
And thank you for enjoying the video and my character! ✨
My pleasure 😇! I enjoy listening to other people’s thoughts on the old Sonic games & Yea I agree the game does get more fun the more times you play it and avoid the hazards but it’s still a game I don’t play often compared to the other 8 bit sonic games, Also the game gear version is just not fun xD
I've played most the mega drive/genesis sonics up to 3D, just 1 and this on game gear, but yeah while Chaotix is easily the easiest, these 8-bit games are hard as nails ha. Nice thorough retrospective
Thanks a lot, buddy! I appreciate the encouragement, I will definitely need it. 😄
@@RobotnikHolmes you're most welcome mate, top sonic content 👏
Did you know that the Game Gear version has something more upbeat to play for the good ending?
I did! Its a proper bop. 🤭
It wouldn't have been very hard compared to a lot of games from the 1980s if it weren't for the hang gliders. Those were impossible if you don't know the trick to it (which the game and manual never tell you).
2:28 I don't remember that area in the game. Is that from a ROM Hack?
Oh! That was part of the autodemo, like beta footage they showed off to SEGA. I hope that clears it up!
@@RobotnikHolmes Ah, right! I forgot that was a thing.
Bro i don't get it, with sonic 1 when they ported it to the game gear they optimised it to accommodate the smaller console but with the sequel they didnt even bother
The new developer was probably not as skilled as Ancient to pull that off, perhaps? 🤔
I personally found this game to be quite easy on Master System. Certainly harder on the Game Gear though. Completed it numerous times and I wasn't a particularly skillful player.
In comparison to so many other titles i'd played before and after, it didn't seem to be as challenging them at all. Everyone is different though, i guess.
I'm finding a lot of people who grew up with the game or know it super well. Its fascinating hearing other people's perspectives!
Other than that pincer boss I don't remember Sonic 2 being that hard tbh
I remember Scrambled Egg Zone being frustrating
Ever since my kid got an autism diagnosis, my friend won’t quit asking me if I like sonic 😾
Sonic 2 on SMS is quite easy if compared to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on NES...
Game Gear boss music >>> Master System boss music. Game gear screen size was punishing tho.
The boss music's so ominous! Wish the boss arenas weren't so tight during it though. 😅
Played this on the Game Gear. I feel like you could play as Tails though? Loooong time ago.
You might be thinking of Sonic Chaos! You can play as Sonic or Tails there. 🙂
I never made it past the lava world
@24:36 You think Game-Games are actually pronounced Ga-mei-Ga-mei, as in Ka-me (ha-me)?
Very probably! Thank you for pointing that out. 😂
Why is the footage so blurry?
I may or may not have accidentally buggered my footage. 😂 Will fix it for the next 8-bit vid, for certain.
I still have mine
On Master System was PLAYABLE
From what I can tell, there's parts of the fanbase that dislike the Game Gear one or enjoy the challenge 😆 You learn something new every day!
I'll agree. I just went through that version on my everdrive. It's still not a very good game (Alex Kidd, Castle of Illusion are *far* better master system platformers if you want something that isn't sonic) but at least there isn't screen crunch.
@@evan2902 land of illusion was for me the best platformer too 😉
Mecha sonic looks like poochie the sonic
Sonic 2 on Game Gear is a broken game in my opinion. I have never seen a more frustrating gaming experience in my life. This was supposed to be a fun platformer for kids for God’s sake on a handheld and they just had to make the first boss one of the most brutal first bosses in history.
37:10 Get good?
Genesis? You must mean Mega Drive
Yep! Its called the SEGA Mega Drive in everywhere but North America, but I enjoy the name so much I keep using it. 😂
I hated this game since I played it after playing Sonic 2 on Genesis. The bosses were especially disappointing.
Also, it's pronounced "Ga-mei ga-mei" not Game game, lol. Kinda like kame-hame-ha They are turtle robots.
The bosses have infuriated many a gamer 😅
And thank you for pointing that out! I considered it might have been called that lol
Played this to death on ms but the gg version is terrible
Sonic2 GG UGZ boss
People who dont know: 😊
People who know: 🤬
So real for that. 😂
Hate this game.
They forgot to make it enjoyable.
I think I finished it eventually, but I've no reason to ever want to touch it again. Awful & annoying.
this game was fked up
M
Sonic 2 on GG ruined that system for me and I never got another game for it after.
I know a friend who had a similar experience 😅
I had this on game gear along with most of the other sonic games and several others. Out of them, the GG version of Ristar was probably what I played most and I still think it's a pretty good game. If you like shmups, the Aleste games are amazing and very well tuned for genre newcomers as well. (part of the reason why i imported the shottriggers collection on switch ngl)
Get Good!!!
this was my fav. i could easy complete it before the batteries died
What a pro! 😁 I'm happy this game has a lot of fans, as tricky as it is to get a handle on at first.