History VideoGame / SonicTheHedgehog2

The sequel to the original ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', this game introduced Sonic's sidekick Tails, along with Sonic's Emerald-charged SuperForm. At over 7 million copies sold, it is the second-best selling [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis/Mega Drive]] game of all time, selling over six million copies, only outsold by its predecessor's 15 million mark. However, most of ''Sonic 1''[='=]s sales came from being a pack-in to the Genesis, with 4 million selling standalone, so ''Sonic 2'' is technically the best-selling standalone game for the console.

The sequel to the original ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog1 Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', this game introduced Sonic's sidekick Tails, along with Sonic's Emerald-charged SuperForm. It is the second-best selling [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Genesis/Mega Drive]] game of all time, selling over six million copies, only outsold by its predecessor's 20,000,000 mark. However, most of ''Sonic 1''[='=]s sales came from being a pack-in to the Genesis, with 4 million selling standalone, so ''Sonic 2'' is technically the best-selling standalone game for the console.

** Downplayed with Tails, who primarily goes by his real name Miles in Japan, but his nickname everywhere else. This is because Sega of America disliked Tails' PunnyName and his nickname was created as a compromise.

->''An attitude, tons of enemies, and a running mate with the mind of a four year old. [[TakeThat (No, it's not another presidential election.)]]''

->''An attitude, tons of enemies, and a running mate with the mind of a four year old. (No, it's not another presidential election.)''

* CrateExpectations: Mystic cave features large wooden crates in groups of 3, moving in a square pattern.

* DubNameChange: The main antagonist and virtually all the robots were once again renamed in localization, and this time, the Japanese version was released first by a few days; unlike the first game, however, some references to the original name remain. "EGGMAN-01" is written on Wing Fortress, and there is a mildly recurring "EG" symbol (replaced with an emblem of his head later in the series), both of which are present in all regions. Also, the Death Egg's name is unchanged.

** This is the first game to feature the Eggman Empire's insignia, but instead of the stylized depiction of Eggman's face introduced later on, [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/sonic/images/d/dd/One_of_more_original_decal_designs%2C_but_the_egoism_came_to_prevail.png it's depicted as the letters "EG" in a diamond pattern]].

** Few American kids might have caught the reference in '92, but looking back, it's hard to observe Sonic powering up to an absurdly high level by sporting gold fur and wildly upright spines (after collecting [[GottaCatchEmAll seven artifacts of power]], no less) and not be reminded of [[Manga/DragonBall a certain manga/anime franchise]]. Also, [[Franchise/StarWars that's no moon]] that Sonic travels [[Film/ANewHope to in the]] [[Film/ReturnOfTheJedi final stage of the game]].

** This is the first game to depict the Eggman Empire's insignia, but instead of the stylized depiction of Eggman's face introduced later on, [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/sonic/images/d/dd/One_of_more_original_decal_designs%2C_but_the_egoism_came_to_prevail.png it's the letters "EG" in a diamond pattern]].

Sonic lands his biplane, the ''Tornado'', on Westside Island to take a break from adventurung and explore a bit. While running about, he attracts the attention of Miles "Tails" Prower, a shy fox cub who was ostracized for his two tails, who becomes inspired by the blue blur's cool confidence and starts following him. Sonic is surprised to find the young tagalong can nearly match his speed by rapidly spinning his tails like a helicopter's propeller, even enabling him to fly. The impressed hedgehog allows the kid to stick with him -- a decision he'll soon be glad he made.

While out adventuring, Sonic lands his biplane, the ''Tornado'', on Westside Island to take a break and explore a bit. Whilst running about, he attracts the attention of Miles "Tails" Prower, a shy fox cub who was ostracized for his two tails, who becomes inspired by the blue blur's cool confidence and starts following him. Sonic is surprised to find the young tagalong can nearly match his speed by rapidly spinning his tails like a helicopter's propeller, even enabling him to fly, and the impressed hedgehog allows the kid to stick with him -- a decision he'll soon be glad he made.

* EasyLevelTrick: You can get four free hits in on Mecha Sonic right off the bat by just sitting in the spot where he lands and spin-dashing in place.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img_1385_6.JPG]]

** If you're playing as Knuckles, via a locked-on ''[[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles Sonic & Knuckles]]'' cartridge for ''Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic 2'', whenever you touch a [[{{Checkpoint}} Star Post]], your Ring count at that point will be recorded. Exiting a Special Stage that you entered there or respawning at that checkpoint after a death will restore your Ring count, instead of putting you back at 0 Rings. This feature wasn't retained in the 2013 remake.

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 ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' fame) and Simon "Stealth" Thomley, featuring all of the improvements those remasters received. As with ''Sonic 3'', Tails also has the ability to pick up Sonic, fly, and swim. The remaster also added a BossRush mode and Hidden Palace Zone, the latter of which was famously cut during development, but lingered on as a MinusWorld in the finished product. 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. 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''. All three of these games, plus a similarly remastered version of ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'', are included in the ''VideoGame/SonicOrigins'' CompilationRerelease.

While out on adventure, Sonic lands his biplane, the ''Tornado'', on Westside Island to take a break. This attracts the attention of Miles "Tails" Prower, a shy fox cub who was ostracized for his two tails. The duo quickly gets along and sets out together, and Sonic is surprised to find that Tails can match his speed by rapidly spinning his tails like a helicopter's propeller.

Meanwhile, [[BigBad Dr. Eggman]], [[IHaveManyNames a.k.a. Dr. Robotnik]], has begun operations on the other side of the island, managing to covertly produce a new generation of Badniks. 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. Using the Emeralds' combined power, he hopes to complete his personalized space station, the Death Egg. After learning about the doctor's mad plan, Sonic and Tails team up to stop him.

** Mecha Sonic (also known as Robo Sonic) has similarities to [[GodzillaVsMechagodzilla Mechagodzilla]], especially in the original concept art, where it has an MS symbol on his symbol reminiscent of the MG(2) on Mechagodzilla. While the Mecha Sonic in ''Sonic 3'' looks very different, the one that makes a cameo in ''Sonic Adventure'' looks even more like Mechagodzilla.

* ChainsawGood: Robo Sonic's spines move and sound like a chainsaw while idle; jumping directly on top of them when they're moving will result in death.

* EasyLevelTrick: You can get four free hits in on Robo/Silver Sonic right off the bat by just sitting in the spot where he lands and spin-dashing in place.

* EvilKnockoff: Mecha Sonic.[[note]]Both this and Silver Sonic in 8-bit ''Sonic 2'' were simply known as "Mecha Sonic" in Japanese material, but they are decidedly different and were given differing names in other sources -- "Silver Sonic" comes from the original instruction booklet while "Robo Sonic" comes from the ''Sonic Dimensions'' [[DownloadableContent DLC]] of ''[[VideoGame/LegoDimensions LEGO Dimensions]]'', differentiating it from the robot '''[[OneSteveLimit also]]''' called "Mecha Sonic" from ''[[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles Sonic & Knuckles]]'' The Encyclo-speed-ia dubs this incarnation "Mecha Sonic mk. I".[[/note]]

* FinalBoss: Dr. Eggman's Death Egg Robot modeled after him and sporting a jetpack, shooting spiked arms, and bombs is the very last challenge in ''Sonic 2''. It's fought right after Robo Sonic, and losing to this machine means having to go through Robo Sonic once again as [[CheckpointStarvation there is no checkpoint in Death Egg Zone]]. The Death Egg Robot returned as the first boss in ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'' and ''VideoGame/SonicMania''.

* LongSongShortScene: The Death Egg Zone theme is whimsically creepy, catchy, and awesome. However, since it's only played in the corridor before the Robo Sonic fight, you likely won't even hear 10 seconds of it. This is justified by the fact that it was originally supposed to be played for a full-length Act in the Death Egg Zone, but that was DummiedOut.

* PreFinalBoss: The last stage, Death Egg Zone, has two bosses. First, Sonic or Tails battles Robo Sonic. After he is defeated, they chase down Eggman, who hops into the Death Egg Robot, which serves as the final boss.

* StoryDrivenInvulnerability: After beating Robo Sonic, Eggman will flee from his control room into the cockpit of the final boss. Despite being the fastest thing alive, Sonic cannot catch up to him; he will magically speed up if you are too close, even if you Spin Dash at him or even use Debug Mode to try and fly ahead of him.

* EvilKnockoff: Robo Sonic.[[note]]Both this and Silver Sonic in 8-bit ''Sonic 2'' were simply known as "Mecha Sonic" in Japanese material, but they are decidedly different and were given differing names in other sources -- "Silver Sonic" comes from the original instruction booklet while "Robo Sonic" comes from the ''Sonic Dimensions'' [[DownloadableContent DLC]] of ''[[VideoGame/LegoDimensions LEGO Dimensions]]'', differentiating it from the robot '''[[OneSteveLimit also]]''' called "Mecha Sonic" from ''[[VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles Sonic & Knuckles]]''.[[/note]]

* PurpleIsTheNewBlack: The first encounter you have with water in this game comes in Chemical Plant Zone Act 2, where the bottom of the act is filled with purple-pink "Mega Mack" (which the English manual states Robotnik filled the factory with in order to poison Sonic). It also rises when Sonic/Tails enter a vertical shaft with moving blocks. There are ''no'' air bubbles in the "Mack".

While out on adventure, Sonic lands his biplane, the ''Tornado'', on Westside Island to take a break. This attracts the attention of Miles "Tails" Prower, a shy fox cub with two tails. 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.

Meanwhile, [[BigBad Dr. Eggman]], [[IHaveManyNames a.k.a. Dr. Robotnik]], has begun operations on the other side of the island, managing to covertly produce a new generation of Badniks. 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. Using the Emeralds' combined power, he hopes to complete his personalized space station, the Death Egg.

* DangerouslyGarishEnvironment: Many of the most garishly-decorated levels are also the most dangerous (most notably, the "Chemical Plant Zone", "Oil Ocean Zone", and "Metropolis Zone" levels). "Casino Night Zone" also counts [[EasyLevelsHardBosses in a way]].

[[BonusStage Special Stages]] were retooled. They can be accessed by collecting 50 rings and jumping into one of the game's many checkpoints. 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. 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.

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 ''VideoGame/SonicMania'' fame) and Simon "Stealth" Thomley, featuring all of the improvements those remasters received. As with ''Sonic 3'', Tails also has the ability to pick up Sonic, fly, and swim. The remaster also added a BossRush mode and Hidden Palace Zone, the latter of which was famously cut during development, but lingered on as a MinusWorld in the finished product. 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. 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''. All three of these games, plus a similarly remastered version of ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'', are included in the ''Sonic Origins'' CompilationRerelease.

* Infinite1Ups: Rings and 1-up monitors respawn after doing a Special Stage, allowing lives to be rapidly racked up in the more backtracking-friendly levels if you know your way around. Emerald Hill Zone Act 2 is especially generous: two 1-up monitors, enough rings for another two lives, and ''five'' star posts.

* LeftHanging: Not the original, but the 2013 mobile port has a SequelHook that shows [[spoiler:the Death Egg crashing into the Floating Island, with Knuckles' eyes peeking out from a bush as Eggman stews over his latest failure]]. The team had plans for a mobile port of ''VideoGame/Sonic3AndKnuckles'', but were unable to go through with it due to music copyright issues, leaving the hook abandoned. This is resolved with the inclusion of both games in ''VideoGame/SonicOrigins'', however.

* EasyLevelTrick: You can knock off half of Robo/Silver Sonic's health right off the bat by just sitting in the spot where he lands and spin-dashing in place.