SEGA AGES makes the case for why you need another copy of Sonic 2
by Amr (@siegarettes)
- SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Developer: M2
- Publisher: SEGA
- Switch
Releasing alongside Puyo Puyo 2, Sonic 2 provides an interesting contrast within the SEGA AGES Switch lineup. Unlike Puyo Puyo 2, which has rarely been accessible outside of Japan, Sonic 2 is a game that’s been ported to nearly every generation of hardware following the Genesis, even having a separate release on the Switch as part of the SEGA Mega Drive and Genesis Classics collection. Some of these previous releases are arguably superior, such as the mobile ports which rebuild the game from scratch for modern systems, with widescreen support, higher framerates and added content.
Instead of shooting for the definitive release like Puyo Puyo 2, the AGES version of Sonic 2 positions itself as an alternative way to play the original, adding new modes and options to change how you approach the original. All the previous modes from the 3D Archives release are here, alongside the addition of 100 Ring Challenge, Super Sonic mode and the addition of Sonic Mania’s Drop Dash.
The Drop Dash is the headline addition here, making it easier to carry momentum through stages. This is the first time it’s been officially included in Sonic 2, though it was accessible through various ROM hacks previously. Unlike Sonic 1, which was designed without the Spin Dash, the Drop Dash fits more cleanly into Sonic 2’s moveset. Stages have more unbroken stretches of road to run across, and a stronger focus on keeping momentum, which gives space to find tiny optimizations and boosts. As in Sonic Mania, the Drop Dash only gives you a partial speed boost and is subject to the speed cap on Sonic’s rolling form, so there are still plenty of reasons to use the Spin Dash or keep running instead.
The Super Sonic and Ring Keeper modes change the game less dramatically, but also provide a refreshing alternative to the original game’s challenge. Ring Keeper starts you off with ten rings and cuts the number of rings in half each time you take damage, allowing you a lot more leeway for mistakes, especially in the final stage that otherwise requires you to play perfectly.
Super Sonic mode unlocks upon completing the game, and begins each stage with 50 rings and all the Chaos Emeralds, letting you become Super Sonic immediately and run through the game nearly invincible as long as you keep picking up rings. Collecting all the Chaos Emeralds has always been the most tedious part of every Sonic game, and in Sonic 2 collecting the Emeralds doubles the time it takes to beat the game. Having the option unlock after beating the game is more straightforward and personally feels like the better way to handle it.
The 100 Ring Challenge is the most underwhelming of the new additions. It’s a time trial mode that requires you to collect 100 rings then reach the goal. Sadly you can only play through the first stage of Emerald Hill in this mode, then upload your score to the leaderboard. There’s some novelty to it since it forces you to pick different routes than normal play, but it wears off quickly. Leaderboards are also separated by Sonic and Knuckles challenges.
Oh, I forgot to mention, Knuckles returns in this release. The co-star of Sonic 3 & Knuckles was of course previously playable if you combined copies of Sonic 2 and Sonic & Knuckles, but this version of the game was generally less accessible in most official releases. Unlike his appearance in S3&K, Knuckles’ changes are less dramatic in Sonic 2. They amount mostly to color palette changes and some extra secrets to find using his glide and climb abilities. Still, it’s a good addition that helps make the AGES release feel more like a complete package.
SEGA AGES Sonic 2 might not be the definitive way to play Sonic 2, but it provides plenty of different ways to experience it, and tons of small quality of life options that help make it feel more in line with the modern way we play games. Sonic 2 has an infinitesimal amount of ways to experience it, but M2 has once again given me a reason to justify owning yet another copy of Sonic 2.