Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit video game)

1992 video game
the Master System and Game Gear game

is a 1992 platform game developed by Aspect and published by Sega for the Master System and Game Gear. It is the sequel to the 8 bit Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) and follows Sonic as he attempts to get the Chaos Emeralds back to rescue his friend Miles "Tails" Prower from Dr. Robotnik. Like the first Sonic the Hedgehog, players run through levels at high speeds while collecting rings and defeating enemies. Although it shares the same title with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Sega Genesis and their releases coincided, the games have little in common and share no levels. Unlike the first 8 bit Sonic game, which was developed by Ancient, Sonic 2 was developed by Aspect, which did not interact with the Sega Technical Institute team developing the Genesis version. Sonic 2 was released in November 1992 to critical acclaim. Critics considered it an improvement over the first 8 bit Sonic and praised its visuals and gameplay. The game has been rereleased in numerous formats, including Sonic compilations and Nintendo's Virtual Console service.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2s gameplay is largely the same as its 1991 predecessor. A side scrolling platformer, the player controls Sonic the Hedgehog as he runs at high speeds, defeats enemies, and overcomes obstacles. The story takes place following the events of the last game; Sonic returns home to find that Doctor Robotnik has captured Miles "Tails" Prower, so he heads off to rescue him before it's too late. There are some changes however; checkpoint and shield item boxes are absent, and Sonic can now collect rings he drops when damaged. Craig Stitt, who worked as a stage artist with Sega Technical Institute (STI) on Sonic 2 for the Sega Genesis, stated that there was little interaction between Aspect and STI. Both versions of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 were released in PAL territories in November 1992. and in North America in December 1992. It was the first four megabit cart for the Game Gear, the largest yet. The Master System version remained exclusive to PAL territories until it was released in December 2008 for the Wii Virtual Console. The Game Gear version was included as an unlockable bonus in Sonic Adventure DX (2003), and as one of the games featured in the Sonic compilation Sonic Gems Collection (2005). It was also released on the Nintendo 3DS eShop in June 2013. In the United Kingdom, all versions of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (including the 16 bit Sonic 2) combined topped the Christmas 1992 sales charts. For the month of December 1992, the Mega Drive version was ranked number one, the Game Gear version number three, and the Master System version number four, while Super Mario Land 2 for the Game Boy was number two. Sonic 2 is the bestselling Game Gear game, having sold over 400,000 copies.