In 2020, this version was also released on the Nintendo Switch under the "SEGA AGES" line, featuring most of the same content minus the 3D visuals, but adding extra features like Knuckles, the Drop Dash from Sonic Mania, and leaderboards. In addition to 3D-enhanced visuals, the game also comes with the ability to play either the International or Japanese versions, an optional screen filter which emulates the look of a CRT television, a stage select screen (previously available through a cheat code), the ability to record replays, a save state feature, and finally, a new "Ring Keep" mode which eases less experienced players in by starting each stage or life with 10 rings and only taking half of them if they get hit.
Developed by M2, it's the final game in their 3D Classics series for the handheld. In 2015, another remake was released for the Nintendo 3DS titled 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2. As of November 21, 2017, the remastered re-release of Sonic 2 was included in the Sega Forever line-up of ad-supported free-to-play titles along with Sonic 1 and later Sonic CD. The two-player mode also underwent an upgrade: Chemical Plant Zone, Aquatic Ruin Zone, Hill Top Zone, and Oil Ocean Zone were made available Knuckles is no longer confined to the single-player experience both players can use the same character competitively and each player's screen occupies their own device rather than appearing in a split-screen as in the original. The remaster also added a Boss Rush mode and Hidden Palace Zone, the latter of which was famously cut during development, but lingered on as a Minus World in the finished product. As with Sonic 3, Tails also has the ability to pick up Sonic, fly, and swim.
In 2013, hot off the heels of the Sonic 1 and Sonic CD remasters, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (and, by extension, Knuckles in Sonic 2) was also remastered in the Retro Engine in 2013 for iOS and Android devices by Christian "The Taxman" Whitehead (of Sonic Mania fame) and Simon "Stealth" Thomley, featuring all of the improvements those remasters received.
Knuckles retains his full moveset from the sequel and can even turn into Super Knuckles after collecting the Chaos Emeralds.
Obtaining all seven Emeralds lets Sonic morph into "Super Sonic", who is impervious to most damage, possesses even faster speed and has a higher jump, but consumes rings to stay in this form.Īttaching this game to Sonic & Knuckles will add Knuckles as a playable character in an entirely new version of the game titled Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. This transports the player to a 3D half-pipe tube in which you have to grab a set number of rings while avoiding mines, with the reward being one of the Chaos Emeralds. They can be accessed by collecting 50 rings and jumping into one of the game's many checkpoints. Sonic 2 also included split-screen versions of three Zones that can be enjoyed by two players just for fun. AI-controlled Tails will mimic your movements, but can also be controlled by a second human player. The game can be played as Sonic, Tails (who can't fly as of yet), or Sonic and Tails together. The game also introduces the Spin Dash, a technique in which the playable character spins in place to rev up before taking off at high speed, which allows players to easily destroy Badniks or traverse slopes and loops. Sonic moves faster, there are more different Zones (albeit with only two Acts instead of three like in the original), and the levels tend to be a bit longer. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 kicks everything up a notch. Using the Emeralds' combined power, he hopes to complete his personalized space station, the Death Egg.
He is privy to the legends that tell of a lost seventh Chaos Emerald - and quickly realizes that the other Emeralds are resting within the island's depths. Robotnik, has begun operations on the other side of the island, managing to covertly produce a new generation of Badniks. The duo quickly gets along and sets out together, with the latter surprisingly keeping up with the protagonist's speed by using his tails like a propeller. This attracts the attention of Miles "Tails" Prower, a shy fox cub with two tails. While out on adventure, Sonic lands his biplane, the Tornado, on Westside Island to take a break.