Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is Almost Perfect

Some addendums (please read before commenting): "Just git gud at da speshul stagez bro" I did. How else would I have beaten them in the first place? "Git gud" isn't the catch-all argument people seem to think it is. Something being possible to overcome doesn't make it well designed, otherwise why would anyone criticize any game in the first place? Bubsy 3D is beatable if you "git gud"; does that mean it's an amazing masterpiece? 4:13 - Apparently you can't fly as Tails in the original Genesis version. I only ever played as Sonic in that version, so that must be why I missed this. 8:25 - I have no idea why I said that Sonic Origins remade the special stages when the Christian Whitehead ports did it first (heck, those were my first experiences with these games). However, my point that they could've improved the camera behavior still stands, and if anything is only strengthened by the fact that they had more than one opportunity to do so.

Well, the nice thing about Emerald Hill, is that you can get all 7 emeralds in the two acts. You can 100% enjoy speeding through chemical plant with all 7

If you want the special stage to be easier, you need to play them without your sidekick. The stage makes you collect more rings if both Sonic and Tails are together. If Sonic is alone, even if Tails is alone, the special stages will require fewer rings. But only Sonic can go Super in this game.

Hmm. All the complaints outlined in this video are things I loved about the game as a child. I loved the spectacle of the special stages, Sky Chase and Wing Fortress. I loved that the game's final level was punishingly challenging and took mastery of mechanics to defeat. It probably helps that it was the first Megadrive game I had played, but I wonder if this is a case of "you had to be there"...

The main thing I can always say about Sonic 2: Screw that spike pit in Mystic Cave Zone. ESPECIALLY if you somehow have Super Sonic already at that point.

The Special Stages in Sonic 2 make me hugely appreciate the Special Stages of Sonic Generations 3DS.

You are correct re Sonic 2's visual presentation, it is 'grungy' when compared to the clean looking Sonic 1 artwork. I noticed this when playing on a crt back in the 90s. Small point, but in the original Mega Drive release, Tails was unable to fly when controlled by a human. It was irritating.

"Sonic the Hedgehog 2" was one of the most popular games in the UK at the time, cementing game consoles as mainstream gaming platforms instead of unviable jokes compared to computers like the Sinclair ZX Spectrum. It's also one of the few old games to make limited lives and continues work. Receiving a continue for getting 10,000 bonus points encourages mastering the levels, which wouldn't be innovated upon until "Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped" six years later. Overall, this game is a masterpiece. Certainly not perfect, but it's almost there. 💛

I'm loving your choice of backing music

I know it’s controversial to say but I love the sonic 2 special stages, at first I was barely getting all 7 before the final fight with egg man, now I have every green hill check point memorized and can get all 7 before chemical plant on a semi consistent basis even with just sonic. But then again I’ve played through the game like 20+ times so maybe I’ve just crazy. Edit: Metropolis is very difficult yes but if you get all 7 chaos emerald before then and manege to get 50 rings you can bress through all 3. And for the final boss, you can line up your sprit with the mecha sonic fight to where you can hit im 3-4 at once. And for the egg man fight if you go to the end of the arena you can make him fall, shot out his egg boiz he goes up l, comes back down, shots less egg boiz and then you can attack above the fire from the jet pack, (you know when you can’t do it anymore when the fire get larger and brighter.) he flys up and repeat until he is dead.

To this day, i remember each special stage and their ring patterns.

The death egg robot was for me hell. Even when i figured it out, the stupid spikes make it way harder than it needs to be

Sonic 2 for speed. Sonic 3 for platforming.

"Makes it look like he has a white pimple throughout the entire game." I can never unsee that now......... thanks...

wait? tails cant fly in sonic 2 when you play as him from what i remember

I really hate that people will get mad at you for making any form of criticism towards the "classics."

For the longest time, I'd just skip the section at 6:34 and just clip through the fans. As a six year old I just thought that's how you were supposed to do it, lol. Also, when it comes to Mecha Sonic, I'd agree that his hit detection is screwy but you also can't be trying to jump on top of his quills. I always figured that buzzing sound meant they were moving and dangerous, but maybe that's just me. You can completely break the fight and one cycle his ass if you stand where he drops down from, spin dash in place and then make sure to jet off before he darts across (three buzzes and you need to let go of jump). For some reason, that hurts him without hurting you LOL. (Just make sure you're facing left)

Ooooh, nice! This is definitely a pretty unique video idea you cooked up, great job!

Sonic 2 is a great game for sure that’s definitely why it’s a classic. This video gave me some new perspectives about some problems with the game, and even tho I’ve been able to get past these issues they were mainly from trial and error which is kinda of an excuse and not a problem solver like the death egg or special stages. Still this game is great beating the death egg for the first time was legendary for me I still think Sonic 3 is better but hey can’t really beat one of the best, another great review keep it up!

9:34 "Eeeeeeeeexcept foooooooooor that viiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!"