This video was made in 2014 with footage recorded from Wii Virtual Console, and the production was limited compared to what I can do today. Additionally, I was considerably less experienced with scriptwriting and editing than I am now. If I were to remake this video today, it would be much higher in footage quality and I probably would've ironed some things out. I'm not too fond of it myself, but a lot of people disagreed and asked me to keep it public, so here we are. If I can get the capacitors in my Triple Bypass Genesis replaced, I might redo this video.
Do you like Game Gear Sonic 1 and 2? What about RUclipsrs such as Johnny’s opinion on them? Do you feel they were too generous/harsh? And are you a fan in general of them?
It’d be really cool to see a remake of this video. While I still like this video, seeing it with your modern production and current opinions would be super cool
@@auralunaprettycure While Somecallmejohnny, during his old and recent reviews of Sonic 2 did have great reasons to love Sonic 2 even nowadays, I think that his take on the game mainly applies to the iOS/Android version being the definitive version, not to mention the ending of his 2021 review of the game was also moving to show how long of a way he came as a reviewer.
I agree, I think there are lots of better games on Genesis than Sonic 2, it’s a shame that many titles get buried for that one (or S3K burying them too, but hey that game is at least one i love so it feels earned)
@@auralunaprettycure S3K is a definite masterpiece improving basically on every aspect of the games before it. Earned for sure! I decided to get AIR on PC, and it's so glorious playing it in widescreen.
*"I beat this game when I was 8 years old. You must suck at video games."* *If that's what you were going to say, please save it. I've heard it all before. I don't care.* *I didn't have the same first playthrough experience you did, and that's never going to change. Get over it.* *I am not accusing this game of being HARD. I'm accusing it of having flawed DIFFICULTY DESIGN. There's an important difference there.* *I don't "suck at video games" just because I have a different opinion on this game's difficulty than you do.* *For your information, I can beat this in an hour with no problem NOW. That doesn't mean the difficulty is well designed, it just means that the game is easy when you've memorized all the surprised kills. That's not good design.* *If you are going to nitpick the stuffing out of new Sonic games over trivial things that don't matter, like Sonic's eye color, then I'm allowed to make note of when your precious classics do something wrong. It's only fair.*
I am glad you said what you said. On my first play through of Sonic Lost World, I had a great time. Sure, one or two stages were really difficult but they were still a blast. And the game as a whole was pretty good. I respect your views on things even if there are some things I don't fully agree with. Great video! Keep up the good work!
+xCrackxRabbitx It's just that I feel that they put the Red Ring too low in that awkward position. It was frustrating to grab and the effort to get it ate 27 or so of my lives.
+ToxicPenguin Oh absolutely! This reupload is a faithful recreation of everything good about the original video, retaining all the highlights, in-depth analysis of major game aspects, and solid editing work, while also getting rid of all the bad things like [spoiler alert] the ghosting.
This review is AMAZING!! Also, Technically there were 3 Sonic 2s made. Before they made CD and Sonic 2, they made Sonic 2 on the GameGear. Since it came out before Sonic 2 for the Genesis, Tails was introduced in Sonic 2 for the Gamegear.
If you want an unfair boss fight, let's talk about Wing Fortress Zone. Good luck trying to land on the platforms while not getting gouged by spikes while you're trying to dodge platforms covered in spikes, all while trying to attack a laser-blaster before it blasts you with its laser. It's a freaking crap-shoot filled with spiky pin-balls _that you're supposed to land on._ Rings or no rings, even if you know what you're supposed to know, you've got a better chance at winning the jackpot at Casino Night Zone than beating this boss without dying. tl;dr WING FORTRESS ZONE'S BOSS IS THE WORST BOSS IN THE GAME
So, fun fact: during my most recent playthrough of Sonic Origins, I actually managed to beat the Death Egg Robot on my first try, but don’t get me wrong, it was mainly down to pure luck. I didn’t take any risks, just hitting him when he landed. Origins was the first time I had ever beaten Sonic 2 legitimately, but my first attempt, it took me like 30 tries to get it.
There's actually a very easy way to get all the Chaos Emeralds fairly early in the original Mega Drive/Genesis game: The "Reset Trick". What you do is collect 50 rings, go to the very first check point of Emerald Hill Zone, and enter the Special Stage. Alternatively, do the "Stage-Select Cheat", go to the 'Sound Test" on the menu, choose '19, 65, 09, 17'', then press A +Start, and then A+Start again at the title screen, and choose to go to a "Special Stage". Keep in mind that once you activated the "Stage-Select Cheat" you don't need to do the sound-test selection again in order to activate it, you just press A+Start to enter the "Stage Selection Menu". Whatever you choose to do, the important thing is to *stay consistent*. If you choose to access the first easy check point in Emerald Hill Zone, keep doing that. If you choose to access the Special Stage via the "Stage Select Cheat", again keep doing that. Now play through the Special Stage. Once it's over, *before you return to normal gameplay*, PRESS THE RESET BUTTON! Now go to the Special Stage again... Yep, you see correctly! You actually kept your chaos emeralds! Keep going to the Special Stage and keep resetting and trying until you get all of them. It's then you find out that Super Sonic in the original Sonic 2 for the Mega Drive/Genesis comes with a big drawback: You don't get to choose when to activate him. In Sonic 3 (&Knuckles) as well as the iOS/Android Remake for Sonic 2 you just perform the insta-shield trick (Press Jump while in Mid-Air with no shield) in order to turn into Super Sonic once you collect more than 50 Rings. In the original Sonic 2 for the Mega Drive/Genesis however, you turn into Super Sonic the moment you jump once your Ring Counter is over 50. This is especially jarring in stages like the "Air Fortress Zone" where you *need* to stay in control (though turning into Super Sonic allows you to take a much less frustrating shortcut to the end of that particular level if you know what to do). Have Fun!
Sonic Mania is 2nd behind 3&K for me. A lot of mania's levels are too long and mazey, and suffer a tad (though nowhere as much) from sonic CD's kind of placement of things for the sake of them, rather than things being there because they look like they belong. 3&K seems more varied and things are in places that make more sense. Also perhaps this is just a matter of having years playing it, but if you look at any screenshot of 3&K on any level, you know EXACTLY where it is in the level. Whereas I couldn't do the same for sonic 1 and 2, which I played just as much as a kid, and can't yet do for Mania. But this is all nitpicking really, since both 3&K and Mania are two of the best games ever made
The spin dash button combintion is genius! It prevents players from abusing it like what was seen in adevnture 1 - instant boosting. Players are rewarded speed for playing well and the spindash is the last resort, hense standing still and pushing down on the said button.
Donkey kong was the answer to sonic - cool music, awesome graphics and speed. Sonic's concept was about speed running, which was inspired by getting better at Mario games. This is fact if you do your research.
*My Sonic 2 ROR,* now reuploaded in higher quality. *No more footage ghosting!* No, I was too lazy to change anything else. I rendered this back during the original marathon and don't have the project file any more. Anyways, I had figured out how to fix ghosting for Sonic CD and Sonic 3&K, so there won't be higher quality versions of those videos. Enjoy.
I agree a lot about that cover art. The Japanese covers were so cool with that crazy 90's style and designs for Sonic and Tails. While the US cover... like you said, kinda fugly. 😂 Some have dubbed the American design for Sonic in the Classics as _American the Assface._ 😂
+ExoParadigmGamer You complained that you had trouble with the spindash blasting you into obstacles you couldn't react quick enough to avoid. But did you know you could control the speed output of the spindash by slowly revving it up for a slow speed burst or quickly revving it up for high speed? If you want the slowest speed output, then just hold 'a' while in spindash until you don't hear the revving up noise, then release while holding back a little. I believe it's up to the player to decide how much speed he needs for specific areas, and he shouldn't spin dash blindly expecting to flawlessly blaze through a classic level like he's playing sonic rush. The classic games are really about pacing while paying attention to hazards surrounding sonic, not about blazing through hoping to easily bypass every obstacle. If you're unsure about what obstacle you can't avoid on time while using spindash, then use a moderate speed level of it so you could react quick enough while keeping a decent speed.
Death Egg Robot... *shudder* I had the benefit of first playing the classic games in Mega Collection Plus, and even when I saved after every hit I landed, I STILL found this boss to be the hardest in any Sonic game I've ever played!
I agree with the death egg rant, it took me a whole year to finally beat the death egg fight, thank god I played the mobile version first, and had a save system. Strangely I beat the final boss with knuckles!(the hard mode of the game!)
The Taxman version enabled me to get the Chaos Emeralds today for the first time WITHOUT the cheat. Restarting the Special Stage really helps you to not only get better at them but if your lives are gone, you can restart the save file where you left off, enter the stage and try again and it is great now having a save file that permanently has Super Sonic much like 3 & Knuckles. It is indeed my preferred version of Sonic 2 as well.
You know, I honestly find this review very funny and well explained. I gave a like and I sent it to my sister, who loves the classic Sonic games. But watching again now, just for the sake of fun, *I don't understand what was all the trouble about the last boss.* I don't remember anyone saying "OMG, that boss is impossible!" or something like that. Everyone that had or rented the game just figured out what to do after a couple of deaths. A lot of people must write that to you, but I'll try to explain what I don't understand. *I was trying to remember what I did.* The first time I reached the boss, I got a game over because I had just one life - I remember that. But the second time I was confident, with more than a handful of lives. So I decided to try to hit the belly again (no success on that matter). Then I decided to wait to see all the boss forms or movements and check if he could trap himself or give a breach in his defense. And that was it: the moment I saw the robot landing, I figured I could reach his head and that's it. Yes, I died again because of the projectile, but the path was clear. I'm not saying I am a genius. Actually, a lot of my mates figured that out by themselves, without the aid of the internet. "Ok, cool generation of pro-players! So what?". *The thing I don't understand is:* why you played the full game for four times, but didn't waste a couple of lives to see the whole boss pattern? I think the frustration got to all over your head.
I am surprised you found this game harder. The level design is specifically designed to encourage you to coast along a set path. It took me years to clear Sonic 1 because of its death traps but I coasted through this game my first time.
Honestly, I’m more than happy that both the 2013 versions of Sonic 1 & 2 got a “REPLACE” score compared to the Genesis originals (AND ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO SONIC GENESIS (alongside Pac-Man World 1 for the GBA compared to the console version… mostly) WHICH RIGHTFULLY GOT A “REBREAK”).
Sonic 2 was sonic's first game where he could charge the spindash. That itself was something new in the series. I don't feel comparing it to the 3d spindash charge is fair cuz back then we had nothing to compare it to so im sure if this review was made in the 90's that wouldnt had been a problem.
@@Jetanium whoa, why? It's incredible and the improvements and bug fixes, remastered soundtrack and options are so nice. Also they added scaling for loops and stuff
Just like you, beating the Death Egg Robot for the first time took me several playthroughs to beat him. When I beat him for the first time (as Tails) I was so happy and proud of myself for not giving up! Also like you I can usually beat him on my first try since I have learned some other ways to exploit his pattern and weak spot. Sonic 2 is my 2nd favorite classic Sonic game next to 3 & Knuckles
If this game at least had unlimited continues at the start of each zone and a password feature, then it's frustrating elements would be tolerable enough to be forgivable. Alternatively, this is the kind of game that could REALLY benefit from a Shovel Knight style breakable checkpoint system. That would make this game so much more friendly and approachable, that it would be nearly impossible to get mad at it even with the unforeseen deaths.
IMO, the Sonic 2 final boss isn't that hard to beat once you know how to spin dash infront of Robo Sonic and take it slow with the Death Egg Robo. Just wait for him to stand still and time your jumps when he lands.
Am I an idiot for thinking the Genesis version is better than the mobile one? I get that the mobile port has more features, but the physics just work better on Genesis.
as someone who only enjoys a select few Sonic games from the Classic and Modern Era of Sonic Games, think that Sonic 3 & Knuckles along with Sonic CD are the only enjoyable classic games *IN MY OPINION*
Yeah, at least someone has a similar opinion to me because I think sonic 2 is too overrated and praised for it's actual quality and it's just way too popular. In fact, a lot people think sonic 2 is better than SONIC 3!!! That is truly outrageous.
I think the actual quality of Sonic 2 (16-but) is that while the mobile version is one of the greatest Sonic games up to the ranks of (the 2013 version of) its predecessor and Sonic 3 & Knuckles, the Genesis version, while mostly enjoyable, is too flawed for people to act like it’s as good (or much worse, making Sonic 3 & Knuckles look bad by comparison).
I have watched the sonic videos some many times not just because of how good the video is(and I applaud you for that),But I LOVE it when you say "Dr.Ivo Eggman Robotnik" I just get a kick out of it :D
I actually agree with you a lot! This game is my least favorite game of the classic series, and by far i prefer Sonic 1, 3 and CD. Tho the spindash isn't really that much of a problem, nor it is the Level design (at least before Hill Top Zone), and the final boss wasn't too dificult imo, but anyways :P. But... this game isn't fun... at all. I only like, like 3 zones...
I'd disagree with you on assigning the spin dash it's own button. While it is convenient in the 3D games, it also come at the price of being able to abuse it, much like in Adventure 1. Plus you'd take some of the challenge out of maintaining the speed you get with the spin dash as it is, or, if you're new to the game, would probably end up slamming into a wall, some spikes, or surprise-motherfucker badniks with spikes. It's also not totally counter-intuitive, given that commercials would've most likely shown how a spin dash works, your friends could tell you how to do it, or you can read the manual (for the original or the HD remasters).
Let's hope Tails wasn't being passed way unlike the 8-bit sequel before Sonic 2 16-bit. By the way it took me a lot of tries to beat the final boss in my Note 3 (Android device).
Sonic 2 has more underwater sections than Sonic 1? So that very short part in Chemical plant + the optional route in Aquatic ruin is more and harder than the entire Labyrinth-Zone and Act 3 of Scrap Brain-Zone in Sonic 1? That's just BS. Also, more spikes and stage hazards? Not really, look at all the spikes and lava in Marble-Zone, spears and fireballs in Labyrinth-Zone or those saws and flamethrowers in Scrap Brain. The final boss can be unforgiving for new players, granted. In the end though, this was a game made for kids back in the 90s and as a 90s kid you had time and a lot of patience when it came to video games. Also, fighting a giant robot on a space station to make it blow up is hell of a lot cooler than fighting that weirdo in Lost world for example.
I think I already did that... was it twice? Maybe through all 3 character choices in Sonic 3 (Alone)? (Sonic 3 first, then I'll play Sonic 3 & Knuckles.)
I am super glad I finally found a you-tuber who's willing to speak up and flat out say that the classic sonic games are not the holy grail of game design that so many blind-eyed fans think it is, still not bad games but severely under polished ones when compared to its rival Mario (which arnt perfect either but in more small nit pick blemishes, rather then grating design flaws).
I love your video man, I'm a huge sonic fan since day one. I do love the iOS/android remake of all the sonics. Playing sonic as long as I have I can see very small differences most people don't catch. However the only complaint I have is that they are not Bluetooth controller compatible which is a bummer. Playing sonic to its best ability requires a controller. I always play the classics to keep my memory and skills sharp. I am very excited for Sonic Mania to debut this year. Looking forward to more of your videos brother👍🏾👍🏾
I love Sonic 2 but fuck that final boss. Not even one ring and you only get one chance to figute out how to hit Robotniks big ass suit. Ruined the game for me and i felt cheated. Havent looked it up but I haven't played it since. And dont tell me "Oh its obvious!" No the first robotnik fight was obvious. The last fight is bullshit.
One thing I find annoying with the Android Remakes is that they not only kick you back to the title screen after a game over, but they also save your lives counter everytime you die. This means that if you get a game over, you'll always start with ONE life, and every single death requires you to go through the menus, select your file and go through the entire stage all over again. This may not SOUND too annoying, but it becomes VERY annoying in some stages. Like Labyrynth Zone act 3, Scrap Brain Zone act 3 and Starlight Zone act 3. Some might say that refilling the lives counter to 3 or to whatever previous number it was might have made the game too easy, but that's why the "No Save" mode is there. The save option is for those who want to avoid frustration and to be able to relax and enjoy the game without much fear of losing progress. And even then, they DEFINITELY didn't need to kick you back to the title screen. Even if they only started you with one life, couldn't they at least restart the level immediatelly? This isn't a game breaking issue, and I still managed to beat Sonic 1, but the title screen thing becomes really annoying and genuinely puts me off from playing.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the very first Sonic game I ever heard of, saw, and played. It was brand new, I was at... I struggle to call him a friend, more of an acquaintance than anything else... I was visiting a kid I knew from school, and he had just got the game, and it looked awesome. Later that year, I got a Sega Genesis and a copy of Sonic 2 as a gift, and loved it. I was never able to beat it, however. I played that game pretty ritualistically for the next twenty some-odd years as I grew up, going back to it every so often whenever the mood struck me. Never managed to beat it once. Not without using the debug mode cheat, anyway. Playing fair and square? No luck. I'm sorry, but Exo is 100% right about Sonic 2's difficulty and special stages. I'm 37 years old, I played Sonic 2 back in 1992 when I was just 7 years old, I love this game... but sometimes I absolutely can't stand it.
Here's an idea: maybe games that use a lives system could use a "Practice" feature, similar to the Mario Party minigames, where the player can try and figure out how to complete a section or defeat a boss in a risk free environment with no threat of losing progress, at the cost that whatever the player does in "Practice" mode doesn't count, neither the victory nor the death, and after practicing they still have to complete the section under the risk in order for it to count. That would allow games to still keep the tension of the lives system and the threat of losing progress, while eliminating or mitigating the unfair element of the player dying because they didn't know what they needed to do or didn't see certain hazards coming and would otherwise lose multiple lives AND their progress trying to figure it out. The Oil Ocean Boss and the Death Egg Robot are both bosses that could benefit from a system like this. Let the player practice and figure the boss out in a risk free environment, THEN have them fight the boss WITH the risk of losing progress after they know what they need to do. That would have HEAVILLY mitigated the problems with Sonic 2's final boss. I think Exo will agree that the Death Egg robot wouldn't be nearly as egregious or frustrating if Sonic 2 had such a feature, even if it still kept the limited continues. It might have even prevented the death in launch base zone.
Seriously the special stages suck in this game and even the difficulty is spiky in the game. If noctis from ffXV was here and sees a special stage glow on the poll he will say “Don’t bother!” Because the special stage is hard.
Hey! I just found your channel last night and love your Sonic videos. I have a question, though: why do you always trash talk the Sonic fanbase and seem to get all bent out of shape when someone has a minor complaint about a modern Sonic game?
Because he is frustrated with the hardcore classicists nitpicking the shit out of modern sonic, and doesn’t understand how they think that unbalanced difficulty is perfectly fine.
@@mirajaded Problem is he's doing the exact same thing he's complaining about. I tend to prefer the 2D games but can't stand CD and haven't played a lot of the 3D games but Generations is my second favorite game in the series after S3K
3:02, even though I think that box art is iconic, I will agree that the artwork is fugaly. I have nothing but respect for the late Greg martin he is a great artist, but I am sorry I don't like the US box artwork I agree that the Japanese box art looks better.
I did not do that run from side to side when fighting the death egg as a kid. Still beat him, multiple times. Stage select cheat was awesome as wlel since you could select the special stage, and as you finished, you got plopped at stage one. Reset (Not power off) and you could repeat getting them chaos emeralds and start stage 1 with the ability to use Super Sonic. Legendary times.. Legendary times.
Dude. Love your shit. And I agree with your opinion. I wasn’t alive when sonic 1- adventure 1 came out. And when I first played these games when I was young ( like 8) I couldn’t get past marble zone and aquatic zone when I was younger now I can no problem and it’s bs how people (as you say bc I haven’t played lost world yet) say trial and error in that game is bad but in classics is fine. I love sonic and I have beaten sonic 1-3&k a few times (I guess mania fits too in this huh) and I have only finished generations and forces. I think I prefer the boost formula a bit more bc I think it handles platforming and speed very well. Just now I’m actually playing Sonic adventure 1 (Dreamcast version right now at least) and I can see why people do like it but like with sm64 the camera is aged as well as me..a giant failure and pain in the ass but at least my shorty ness had never killed anybody. But yeah I totally agree for first times with sonic it’s hard and bs but gets better with each play through.
I get some of the complaints, but a lot of it is nitpicks. Sega was an arcade developer so a lot of their games have an arcade mindset where trial-and-error are more common. You're not expected to breeze through the game on your first playthrough. You have to memorize the level design and know which routes to take and where enemies spawn at. Once you get real good at the games the experience becomes much better. Sonic might be fast, but the games are not purely about going fast. Speed is a reward for keeping up momentum and knowing when to slow down is important too. There's no save feature in the original Sonic 2, but lives are easy to obtain as well as getting continues. It's only the Genesis original because every other version of Sonic 2 has a save feature. I'll admit that the special stages are a real pain. The 2013 remaster at least makes it much less frustrating.
I hate how you say that the modern fanbase is whiny and they nitpick too many minor things, then YOU go and say: "it's only fair that I nitpick the classics" If you are going to call people who nitpick the modern games whiny, THEN DON'T GO AND NITPICK YOURSELF! I respect your opinions about the game, but really?! That's putting you on the same level as the people who nitpick the modern games, and in my opinion is VERY hypocritical.
I really like Sonic 2 but I agree on your points, the special stages suck, the level structure is confusing sometimes, Metropolis SUCKS, and the last 3 bosses suck (especially in K.T.E. in Sonic 2) i played originally in the SEGA vintage, which made the special stages less painful, (still sucked tho to the loading time of the savestates) and some of the zones
Why would Eggman have rings in his base for Sonic? >w> But yeah, I fully agree that boss is awful. Music is awesome, Silver sonic is a pain but manageable; but Death Egg Robot is so awful.
A little harsh review but I mostly agree on the difficulty being unbalanced and the special stages being unforgiving (these reasons are why I haven’t beaten the game).
I know i'm late here but Sonic Team should implement elemental shields to the final bosses. Why? Because if a boss requires 12 hits and no rings are given, it then becomes so hard it's unfair, but if we give the player a certain amount of an elemental shield that is required to beat the boss, it sets how many hits you can take before you can't hit it at all. Let's say a boss requires 8 hits and no rings, and 3 bubble shields are given to the player and is required to damage the boss, if you have none left then you can't hit it, it makes bosses feel difficult without making them impossible for newcomers. This can probably work.
2:20 But as far to my knowledge, Tails was always a genius whose IQ rivals Dr Robotnik, ever since his introduction in Sonic 2. Hell, he was the one who fixed Sonic's plane when it got shot down while trying to board the Wing Fortress
I disagree with your opinion about the Death Egg Robot, but not because I say it isn't difficult; no, I think you dislike it for the wrong reasons.The first time I played that final boss was a pain in the ass, I constantly tried to hit him, but his arms killed me WITHOUT WARNING like you said in the video. But that's the thing, you would probably die like 2-3 times and then find out that the only parts that you should hit the Robot is when he is fully stationary but that's the thing, IT'S SO TEDIOUS AN BORING.I mean, It's easy, but in a tedious way. The game forces you to be so careful because you don't have a single ring and puts you in one of the most unfair battles in the games, and IT'S CERTAINLY EASY BUT SO FREAKING TEDIOUS!!!Nice video BTW :D
MetaCross it stops being tedious when you find out that you can run and jump at Robotnik when his body is low with each step he takes. Just don't try this tactic with Knuckles.
I know Exo himself said this review is outdated, and some of his points are valid criticism (mainly the limited continues, the special stage design and the difficulty spike on the final boss). But I still find hilarious how he describes Sonic 2 like it was Dark Souls lmao. The game is one hour long, not two. And all acts are designed to be beaten in less than 5 minutes, not 15. People shouldn’t try to get the emeralds if they can’t beat the game yet.
My first Genesis game! Sadly don't have an android. That special stage looks a bit more playable. On the Genesis version, I found a game genie code that's SUPPOSED to give you 8 rings for every one you collect in the special stage, but that's not exactly what it does. Instead, it gives you all the rings you pass by as long as you're not jumping. Then all you have to worry about are the bombs. Most of the time though I just played without collecting any emeralds.
Here's hoping Sonic Origins REPLACES the iOS/Android version. Just being able to use a controller by proxy gives it a REPLACE verdict in my book, but I'm hoping they bring back Tails co-op.
It's going to be almost an 1:1 port of the original phone versions, utilizing the same version of the engine used back then, the difference obviously being proper controller support, meaning Tails co-op is a thing if using the decomp as an indication. However, it's like I said, what you see is what you get regarding the phone versions and Origins, no extra flair inside the games themselves, only outside.
@@KayFiOS Since it's an exact port of the 2011-13 releases, save for 3K which has a new one with the updated engine instead, and these versions don't have the original multiplayer, it's to be expected to not have it indeed. Hopefully there might be something to compensate, but it still boggles my mind why SEGA didn't contract Headcannon to give an universal coating to all 4 titles instead of updating 3K only.
@@chrishd659 They are adding the Drop Dash to all three titles, so maybe they'll add back the multiplayer, but it's a mode that I can do without. It's still looking like the best way to play all four games. Besides, at least there's the Classic Mode, so maybe that'll have the multiplayer.
@@KayFiOS True, at this point the collection is looking good, although it was possible for them to polish them better, especially for the price they're charging. Classic Mode looks fine, I guess, but since they're supposed to be the unaltered original games, I personally think they should've maintained the original titles on Steam since the remakes are the focus in Origins, but that's another subject. The ports by themselves are almost the definitive way to play the classic titles, even if they miss a thing or two. Hopefully SEGA will add more stuff like the drop dash was, but it sucks that they didn't manage to get HC to update the engine for all titles to have a more cohesive bundle and by consequence, being able to modify it better. Feels quite odd not having Knuckles in CD because of that for example, while not a big loss for me, it looks uneven and weird due to engine differences. Btw, one month left for the release, I'm curious to see how it'll turn out 👀
In order to get some secrets play the "No save mode" select a character press S E G A (if you do this in backwards it changes the name of Tails to Miles) in correct order and tap and hold with two fingers at the title screen and reveal the secrets by using the sound test and here's some codes that you need: Debug mode - 1,9,9,2,1,1,2,4 All Chaos Emeralds - 4,1,2,6 Proto Palace zone - 3,3,3,B,10,10,10,4 (Debug mode required) Special Stage 8 (which is the hardest special I've ever played) - 7 Configuration menu - 0,0,0 14 continues - 1,1,2,4
On my old genesis, I could hit the first checkpoint, get an emerald, hard reset the game, go back to the same checkpoint, and still retain my emeralds.. Rinse and repeat. ^_^ It was a weird thing Ive never been able to replicate, outside of my first sega.
I can get super sonic in chemical plant on every playthrough. It's really not that bad. I do admit the special stages aren't great, but the sonic 1 ones are worse to me
I first played the classic games on the sonic mega collection on the game cube and I fucking hated sonic 1 and 2 because of how difficult they were 7 years later I find remakes of those games on iOS and it was one hell of a better experience than the originals
Atomic take but, the sonic 2 special stages are my favorite. Sure there a chore for your first time, but once you’ve played them so many time like I have it’s pretty fun, in my opinion
I like Sonic 2 and all, but Sonic 1 is so much better IMO :/ And I will say it for you: Sonic's 2 level design is really fucking bad, borderline amateur. (And I do like Sonic 2) I agree with your Lost World comparison too. That game is great, plus you can even skip hard parts if you die enough times lol. Sonic Lost World is probably the best Sonic game in at least a decade, maybe even the best 3D Sonic ever along with Generations
funny how someone who has never actually designed and built any software is saying some software is amateur. this software sold millions of copies. grow a neckbeard
And then there's me. I played some sonic 2 yesterday and had 4 emeralds before the end of the emerald hill zones and got through them with less than 3 minutes on the level clock.
Most of your complaints are for fixed in the mobile version. I’m not saying your complaints aren’t justified I’m just saying the mobile version can be amazing in 16:9 and 3D special stages Edit: metropolis zone enemy placement is bad in both versions
I belong to those you beat Sonic 2 when they were kids. It took me a couple of months if I recall correctly. It's not an easy game by any means BUT. You keep mentionining the first playthough and that's a big no no. I'm not gonna tell you to git gud of course but I have some points for consideration... The industry was not as it is today with a zillion games available at a low price range. No app stores no Steam etc. That means that you bought a new game every X months at full price (because you couldn't nag your parents all the time). So, yes they made them hard so you had something to do until you could have a new game. It would be INEXCUSABLE if you could beat it in the first playthrough and trial and error was the way games were designed back then, just look at Megaman. And everyone bitching about it are just used to games holding your hand. As for trial and error in Lost World... Ha ha... Just consider the situation when the game came out and don't mention first playthroughs when reviewing retro games. I generally enjoy your videos but you miss an important factor this time around. Keep up the good work!
You know what is unfairly hard? SNK final bosses on their fighting games. They pull denials out of their asses just because they can. Now Sonic 2 and even Ninja Gaiden have everything mapped and predetermined. So, yeah... Trial and error is legit
Bear You're right, except for the "uneducated" part. My next question: So what? I mean, at least I know the most basic form of grammar, like...hmmm...I don't know...putting capital letters at the beginning of every sentence? Not like some Bear I know **cough** **cough** What age do *you* have?
This video was made in 2014 with footage recorded from Wii Virtual Console, and the production was limited compared to what I can do today. Additionally, I was considerably less experienced with scriptwriting and editing than I am now. If I were to remake this video today, it would be much higher in footage quality and I probably would've ironed some things out. I'm not too fond of it myself, but a lot of people disagreed and asked me to keep it public, so here we are. If I can get the capacitors in my Triple Bypass Genesis replaced, I might redo this video.
Do you like Game Gear Sonic 1 and 2? What about RUclipsrs such as Johnny’s opinion on them? Do you feel they were too generous/harsh? And are you a fan in general of them?
It’d be really cool to see a remake of this video. While I still like this video, seeing it with your modern production and current opinions would be super cool
Glad your keeping this public as I love watching the sonic ROR’s from time to time
Not a bad idea to remake this video. There are some pretty trash opinions here
@@auralunaprettycure While Somecallmejohnny, during his old and recent reviews of Sonic 2 did have great reasons to love Sonic 2 even nowadays, I think that his take on the game mainly applies to the iOS/Android version being the definitive version, not to mention the ending of his 2021 review of the game was also moving to show how long of a way he came as a reviewer.
This video really satisfies me since I've suffered many of the same flaws Exo had, but was never usually brought up by a lot of reviewers.
I agree, I think there are lots of better games on Genesis than Sonic 2, it’s a shame that many titles get buried for that one (or S3K burying them too, but hey that game is at least one i love so it feels earned)
@@auralunaprettycure S3K is a definite masterpiece improving basically on every aspect of the games before it. Earned for sure! I decided to get AIR on PC, and it's so glorious playing it in widescreen.
@@auralunaprettycure What are your favorite games on the genesis?
*"I beat this game when I was 8 years old. You must suck at video games."*
*If that's what you were going to say, please save it. I've heard it all before. I don't care.*
*I didn't have the same first playthrough experience you did, and that's never going to change. Get over it.*
*I am not accusing this game of being HARD. I'm accusing it of having flawed DIFFICULTY DESIGN. There's an important difference there.*
*I don't "suck at video games" just because I have a different opinion on this game's difficulty than you do.*
*For your information, I can beat this in an hour with no problem NOW. That doesn't mean the difficulty is well designed, it just means that the game is easy when you've memorized all the surprised kills. That's not good design.*
*If you are going to nitpick the stuffing out of new Sonic games over trivial things that don't matter, like Sonic's eye color, then I'm allowed to make note of when your precious classics do something wrong. It's only fair.*
I am glad you said what you said. On my first play through of Sonic Lost World, I had a great time. Sure, one or two stages were really difficult but they were still a blast. And the game as a whole was pretty good. I respect your views on things even if there are some things I don't fully agree with. Great video! Keep up the good work!
+Dimitri Smith Those red rings!!! >.
+xCrackxRabbitx Only one Red Ring irritated me when I tried to get it. It was in Lava Mountain Zone 3. The rest were fine, to me anyway.
haha yeah, same here. I just had issues with the wall running ability sometimes. It was hit and miss..
+xCrackxRabbitx It's just that I feel that they put the Red Ring too low in that awkward position. It was frustrating to grab and the effort to get it ate 27 or so of my lives.
I give this reupload... a replace!
+ToxicPenguin Oh absolutely! This reupload is a faithful recreation of everything good about the original video, retaining all the highlights, in-depth analysis of major game aspects, and solid editing work, while also getting rid of all the bad things like [spoiler alert] the ghosting.
“Welp” Sonic Origins got that covered for a option to try again in the special stage (cost coins - anniversary mode only)
i still choose not to go for emeralds in that particular game because the special stages are still really long
This review is AMAZING!! Also, Technically there were 3 Sonic 2s made. Before they made CD and Sonic 2, they made Sonic 2 on the GameGear. Since it came out before Sonic 2 for the Genesis, Tails was introduced in Sonic 2 for the Gamegear.
If you want an unfair boss fight, let's talk about Wing Fortress Zone. Good luck trying to land on the platforms while not getting gouged by spikes while you're trying to dodge platforms covered in spikes, all while trying to attack a laser-blaster before it blasts you with its laser. It's a freaking crap-shoot filled with spiky pin-balls _that you're supposed to land on._ Rings or no rings, even if you know what you're supposed to know, you've got a better chance at winning the jackpot at Casino Night Zone than beating this boss without dying.
tl;dr WING FORTRESS ZONE'S BOSS IS THE WORST BOSS IN THE GAME
Kirbysmith64 wing fortress zone's boss fight is well designed and fair, just really difficult.
Yeah it sucks but the final boss might be more miserable
Ian Smart Not really fair with the laser but you damage boost your way to victory.
If they ever get to actually do Sonic 3 & Knuckles, I hope they take some hints from Sonic 3: Complete.
Taxman helped develop that hack, actually. I think.
ExoParadigmGamer
Did he, now? Huh...
I'll check it out on Sonic Retro.
I agree
@@ExoParadigmGamer does that mean another ROR on s3
I'm from the future sonic origins is a thing
So, fun fact: during my most recent playthrough of Sonic Origins, I actually managed to beat the Death Egg Robot on my first try, but don’t get me wrong, it was mainly down to pure luck. I didn’t take any risks, just hitting him when he landed. Origins was the first time I had ever beaten Sonic 2 legitimately, but my first attempt, it took me like 30 tries to get it.
There's actually a very easy way to get all the Chaos Emeralds fairly early in the original Mega Drive/Genesis game: The "Reset Trick".
What you do is collect 50 rings, go to the very first check point of Emerald Hill Zone, and enter the Special Stage. Alternatively, do the "Stage-Select Cheat", go to the 'Sound Test" on the menu, choose '19, 65, 09, 17'', then press A +Start, and then A+Start again at the title screen, and choose to go to a "Special Stage". Keep in mind that once you activated the "Stage-Select Cheat" you don't need to do the sound-test selection again in order to activate it, you just press A+Start to enter the "Stage Selection Menu".
Whatever you choose to do, the important thing is to *stay consistent*. If you choose to access the first easy check point in Emerald Hill Zone, keep doing that. If you choose to access the Special Stage via the "Stage Select Cheat", again keep doing that.
Now play through the Special Stage. Once it's over, *before you return to normal gameplay*, PRESS THE RESET BUTTON!
Now go to the Special Stage again... Yep, you see correctly! You actually kept your chaos emeralds! Keep going to the Special Stage and keep resetting and trying until you get all of them.
It's then you find out that Super Sonic in the original Sonic 2 for the Mega Drive/Genesis comes with a big drawback: You don't get to choose when to activate him. In Sonic 3 (&Knuckles) as well as the iOS/Android Remake for Sonic 2 you just perform the insta-shield trick (Press Jump while in Mid-Air with no shield) in order to turn into Super Sonic once you collect more than 50 Rings. In the original Sonic 2 for the Mega Drive/Genesis however, you turn into Super Sonic the moment you jump once your Ring Counter is over 50. This is especially jarring in stages like the "Air Fortress Zone" where you *need* to stay in control (though turning into Super Sonic allows you to take a much less frustrating shortcut to the end of that particular level if you know what to do).
Have Fun!
yes! that's how I did it back in the day. and my brother would play as tails. this guy is so dumb!
Uuuum...isn't that...cheating?
@Bear Ugh...People like you are just sickening. ITS A OPINION!!
But it's cheating.
Exo: Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Eh, still think S3&K is the best.
Come at me, fanbois.
Agreed. Sonic 3 is the best of the classic trilogy (Quadrilogy, if you count CD)
I agree
I'd say Mania is the best, with 3&K being a close 2.
Mania
Sonic Mania is 2nd behind 3&K for me. A lot of mania's levels are too long and mazey, and suffer a tad (though nowhere as much) from sonic CD's kind of placement of things for the sake of them, rather than things being there because they look like they belong. 3&K seems more varied and things are in places that make more sense. Also perhaps this is just a matter of having years playing it, but if you look at any screenshot of 3&K on any level, you know EXACTLY where it is in the level. Whereas I couldn't do the same for sonic 1 and 2, which I played just as much as a kid, and can't yet do for Mania. But this is all nitpicking really, since both 3&K and Mania are two of the best games ever made
The spin dash button combintion is genius! It prevents players from abusing it like what was seen in adevnture 1 - instant boosting. Players are rewarded speed for playing well and the spindash is the last resort, hense standing still and pushing down on the said button.
Donkey kong was the answer to sonic - cool music, awesome graphics and speed. Sonic's concept was about speed running, which was inspired by getting better at Mario games. This is fact if you do your research.
Or just do it like sa2..
*My Sonic 2 ROR,* now reuploaded in higher quality. *No more footage ghosting!* No, I was too lazy to change anything else. I rendered this back during the original marathon and don't have the project file any more. Anyways, I had figured out how to fix ghosting for Sonic CD and Sonic 3&K, so there won't be higher quality versions of those videos. Enjoy.
I agree a lot about that cover art. The Japanese covers were so cool with that crazy 90's style and designs for Sonic and Tails.
While the US cover... like you said, kinda fugly. 😂
Some have dubbed the American design for Sonic in the Classics as _American the Assface._ 😂
+ExoParadigmGamer Who is more fat Classic Mario or Classic Sonic?
+ExoParadigmGamer You complained that you had trouble with the spindash blasting you into obstacles you couldn't react quick enough to avoid. But did you know you could control the speed output of the spindash by slowly revving it up for a slow speed burst or quickly revving it up for high speed? If you want the slowest speed output, then just hold 'a' while in spindash until you don't hear the revving up noise, then release while holding back a little. I believe it's up to the player to decide how much speed he needs for specific areas, and he shouldn't spin dash blindly expecting to flawlessly blaze through a classic level like he's playing sonic rush. The classic games are really about pacing while paying attention to hazards surrounding sonic, not about blazing through hoping to easily bypass every obstacle. If you're unsure about what obstacle you can't avoid on time while using spindash, then use a moderate speed level of it so you could react quick enough while keeping a decent speed.
*****
It's okay...
I prefer the crazy 90's look of the Japanese Covers.
What's the difference? Sure you said its higher quality, but the maximum quality my phone could reach is 480p.
Death Egg Robot... *shudder* I had the benefit of first playing the classic games in Mega Collection Plus, and even when I saved after every hit I landed, I STILL found this boss to be the hardest in any Sonic game I've ever played!
That music when he realizes there is no rings LOL
Gonna have to disagree. Despite being shorter, Sonic 1 was still harder for me.
Newbpwn3r180 Yeah, I actually. reached death egg in sonic 2 unlike sonic 1 where I'm stuck on Labrinth Zone act 3.
This is one of my favs games of all time. I just have so much good memories with Sonic 2.
I agree with the death egg rant, it took me a whole year to finally beat the death egg fight, thank god I played the mobile version first, and had a save system. Strangely I beat the final boss with knuckles!(the hard mode of the game!)
For those who don't know, it is actually quite possible to get all 7 chaos emeralds in Emerald Hill Zone alone!
3:24 yes even on mobile actually.
Started to recently play this again, love this game
Especially the iOS/Android version (it genuinely fixed what was broken to begin with in the Genesis version).
The Taxman version enabled me to get the Chaos Emeralds today for the first time WITHOUT the cheat. Restarting the Special Stage really helps you to not only get better at them but if your lives are gone, you can restart the save file where you left off, enter the stage and try again and it is great now having a save file that permanently has Super Sonic much like 3 & Knuckles.
It is indeed my preferred version of Sonic 2 as well.
You should do a RoR on Diddy Kong Racing
You know, I honestly find this review very funny and well explained. I gave a like and I sent it to my sister, who loves the classic Sonic games.
But watching again now, just for the sake of fun, *I don't understand what was all the trouble about the last boss.* I don't remember anyone saying "OMG, that boss is impossible!" or something like that. Everyone that had or rented the game just figured out what to do after a couple of deaths. A lot of people must write that to you, but I'll try to explain what I don't understand.
*I was trying to remember what I did.* The first time I reached the boss, I got a game over because I had just one life - I remember that. But the second time I was confident, with more than a handful of lives. So I decided to try to hit the belly again (no success on that matter). Then I decided to wait to see all the boss forms or movements and check if he could trap himself or give a breach in his defense. And that was it: the moment I saw the robot landing, I figured I could reach his head and that's it. Yes, I died again because of the projectile, but the path was clear.
I'm not saying I am a genius. Actually, a lot of my mates figured that out by themselves, without the aid of the internet. "Ok, cool generation of pro-players! So what?". *The thing I don't understand is:* why you played the full game for four times, but didn't waste a couple of lives to see the whole boss pattern? I think the frustration got to all over your head.
Technically, the Genesis/iOS version’s story plot took place after its Master System/Game Gear version’s plot.
I am surprised you found this game harder. The level design is specifically designed to encourage you to coast along a set path. It took me years to clear Sonic 1 because of its death traps but I coasted through this game my first time.
Honestly, I’m more than happy that both the 2013 versions of Sonic 1 & 2 got a “REPLACE” score compared to the Genesis originals (AND ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO SONIC GENESIS (alongside Pac-Man World 1 for the GBA compared to the console version… mostly) WHICH RIGHTFULLY GOT A “REBREAK”).
This video made me go on Google play and buy both remakes.
Wow great non biased review dude, finally someone not blinded by nostalgia😎👍
Sonic 2 was sonic's first game where he could charge the spindash. That itself was something new in the series. I don't feel comparing it to the 3d spindash charge is fair cuz back then we had nothing to compare it to so im sure if this review was made in the 90's that wouldnt had been a problem.
All of your cons are exactly why I prefer Sonic 3 and Knuckles 10x more and consider it the quintessential classic Sonic game.
Have you played Sonic 3 Complete?
@@Jetanium yeah it's the best thing since sliced sonic bread.
@@Jetanium although Sonic 3 AIR is my new go to now
@@cheekydaze6018 I actually looked at that first and skipped over it.
@@Jetanium whoa, why? It's incredible and the improvements and bug fixes, remastered soundtrack and options are so nice. Also they added scaling for loops and stuff
Just like you, beating the Death Egg Robot for the first time took me several playthroughs to beat him. When I beat him for the first time (as Tails) I was so happy and proud of myself for not giving up! Also like you I can usually beat him on my first try since I have learned some other ways to exploit his pattern and weak spot. Sonic 2 is my 2nd favorite classic Sonic game next to 3 & Knuckles
If this game at least had unlimited continues at the start of each zone and a password feature, then it's frustrating elements would be tolerable enough to be forgivable.
Alternatively, this is the kind of game that could REALLY benefit from a Shovel Knight style breakable checkpoint system.
That would make this game so much more friendly and approachable, that it would be nearly impossible to get mad at it even with the unforeseen deaths.
IMO, the Sonic 2 final boss isn't that hard to beat once you know how to spin dash infront of Robo Sonic and take it slow with the Death Egg Robo. Just wait for him to stand still and time your jumps when he lands.
Sonic 1 is much easier than Sonic 2,
I personally rank Sonic 2 as the worst game in the classic series...
The Special Stage is the worst of all
Am I an idiot for thinking the Genesis version is better than the mobile one? I get that the mobile port has more features, but the physics just work better on Genesis.
as someone who only enjoys a select few Sonic games from the Classic and Modern Era of Sonic Games, think that Sonic 3 & Knuckles along with Sonic CD are the only enjoyable classic games *IN MY OPINION*
From worst to best for me it goes
Sonic 2
Sonic 1
Sonic cd
Sonic 3 & k
@@owtheedge3956 for me it would be:
Sonic 2
Sonic 1
Sonic 3
Sonic CD
(Yes, i know, dumb, but i like CD just a bit more)
@@oliverafton1444 when u say s3 do u mean base game or s3@k
@@owtheedge3956 Uhh Sonix 3 & Knuckles. I just call it Sonic 3, cause that's how it is supposed to be called
Yeah, at least someone has a similar opinion to me because I think sonic 2 is too overrated and praised for it's actual quality and it's just way too popular. In fact, a lot people think sonic 2 is better than SONIC 3!!! That is truly outrageous.
I think the actual quality of Sonic 2 (16-but) is that while the mobile version is one of the greatest Sonic games up to the ranks of (the 2013 version of) its predecessor and Sonic 3 & Knuckles, the Genesis version, while mostly enjoyable, is too flawed for people to act like it’s as good (or much worse, making Sonic 3 & Knuckles look bad by comparison).
Couldn't agree more about the special stages.
Totally brought the experience of Sonic 2 down for me.
That a spicy review 👌
I have watched the sonic videos some many times not just because of how good the video is(and I applaud you for that),But I LOVE it when you say "Dr.Ivo Eggman Robotnik" I just get a kick out of it :D
I actually agree with you a lot! This game is my least favorite game of the classic series, and by far i prefer Sonic 1, 3 and CD. Tho the spindash isn't really that much of a problem, nor it is the Level design (at least before Hill Top Zone), and the final boss wasn't too dificult imo, but anyways :P. But... this game isn't fun... at all. I only like, like 3 zones...
The death egg robotic robot takes exactly 14 hits to beat
I'd disagree with you on assigning the spin dash it's own button. While it is convenient in the 3D games, it also come at the price of being able to abuse it, much like in Adventure 1. Plus you'd take some of the challenge out of maintaining the speed you get with the spin dash as it is, or, if you're new to the game, would probably end up slamming into a wall, some spikes, or surprise-motherfucker badniks with spikes. It's also not totally counter-intuitive, given that commercials would've most likely shown how a spin dash works, your friends could tell you how to do it, or you can read the manual (for the original or the HD remasters).
Opinions are opinions sure a lot of people like this game but that’s his opinion
Let's hope Tails wasn't being passed way unlike the 8-bit sequel before Sonic 2 16-bit. By the way it took me a lot of tries to beat the final boss in my Note 3 (Android device).
Sonic 2 is still my favourite but the final boss is godawful.
Sonic 2 has more underwater sections than Sonic 1? So that very short part in Chemical plant + the optional route in Aquatic ruin is more and harder than the entire Labyrinth-Zone and Act 3 of Scrap Brain-Zone in Sonic 1? That's just BS. Also, more spikes and stage hazards? Not really, look at all the spikes and lava in Marble-Zone, spears and fireballs in Labyrinth-Zone or those saws and flamethrowers in Scrap Brain.
The final boss can be unforgiving for new players, granted. In the end though, this was a game made for kids back in the 90s and as a 90s kid you had time and a lot of patience when it came to video games. Also, fighting a giant robot on a space station to make it blow up is hell of a lot cooler than fighting that weirdo in Lost world for example.
Look i understand you grew up with this game but he is right i raged quit this game for not being disigned so difficult but for being disigned poorly
I remember raging on Chemical Plant Act 2 when you got to the part with the purple water. Oh how I hated that stage.
Here is one challenge in sonic 3: Get all chaos emeralds before Carnival Night Zone
I think I already did that... was it twice? Maybe through all 3 character choices in Sonic 3 (Alone)? (Sonic 3 first, then I'll play Sonic 3 & Knuckles.)
Its....not that hard honestly. I've literally got all the emeralds before Marble Garden in like 3 playthroughs
Challenge? Please
You can easily get all seven Chaos Emeralds before the end of Hydrocity Zone
I am super glad I finally found a you-tuber who's willing to speak up and flat out say that the classic sonic games are not the holy grail of game design that so many blind-eyed fans think it is, still not bad games but severely under polished ones when compared to its rival Mario (which arnt perfect either but in more small nit pick blemishes, rather then grating design flaws).
I love your video man, I'm a huge sonic fan since day one. I do love the iOS/android remake of all the sonics. Playing sonic as long as I have I can see very small differences most people don't catch. However the only complaint I have is that they are not Bluetooth controller compatible which is a bummer. Playing sonic to its best ability requires a controller. I always play the classics to keep my memory and skills sharp. I am very excited for Sonic Mania to debut this year. Looking forward to more of your videos brother👍🏾👍🏾
I love Sonic 2 but fuck that final boss. Not even one ring and you only get one chance to figute out how to hit Robotniks big ass suit. Ruined the game for me and i felt cheated. Havent looked it up but I haven't played it since. And dont tell me "Oh its obvious!" No the first robotnik fight was obvious. The last fight is bullshit.
One thing I find annoying with the Android Remakes is that they not only kick you back to the title screen after a game over, but they also save your lives counter everytime you die.
This means that if you get a game over, you'll always start with ONE life, and every single death requires you to go through the menus, select your file and go through the entire stage all over again.
This may not SOUND too annoying, but it becomes VERY annoying in some stages.
Like Labyrynth Zone act 3, Scrap Brain Zone act 3 and Starlight Zone act 3.
Some might say that refilling the lives counter to 3 or to whatever previous number it was might have made the game too easy, but that's why the "No Save" mode is there.
The save option is for those who want to avoid frustration and to be able to relax and enjoy the game without much fear of losing progress.
And even then, they DEFINITELY didn't need to kick you back to the title screen. Even if they only started you with one life, couldn't they at least restart the level immediatelly?
This isn't a game breaking issue, and I still managed to beat Sonic 1, but the title screen thing becomes really annoying and genuinely puts me off from playing.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the very first Sonic game I ever heard of, saw, and played. It was brand new, I was at... I struggle to call him a friend, more of an acquaintance than anything else... I was visiting a kid I knew from school, and he had just got the game, and it looked awesome. Later that year, I got a Sega Genesis and a copy of Sonic 2 as a gift, and loved it. I was never able to beat it, however. I played that game pretty ritualistically for the next twenty some-odd years as I grew up, going back to it every so often whenever the mood struck me.
Never managed to beat it once.
Not without using the debug mode cheat, anyway. Playing fair and square? No luck.
I'm sorry, but Exo is 100% right about Sonic 2's difficulty and special stages. I'm 37 years old, I played Sonic 2 back in 1992 when I was just 7 years old, I love this game... but sometimes I absolutely can't stand it.
Well done video, hope ya make a video like this for Sonic Mania
Here's an idea: maybe games that use a lives system could use a "Practice" feature, similar to the Mario Party minigames, where the player can try and figure out how to complete a section or defeat a boss in a risk free environment with no threat of losing progress, at the cost that whatever the player does in "Practice" mode doesn't count, neither the victory nor the death, and after practicing they still have to complete the section under the risk in order for it to count.
That would allow games to still keep the tension of the lives system and the threat of losing progress, while eliminating or mitigating the unfair element of the player dying because they didn't know what they needed to do or didn't see certain hazards coming and would otherwise lose multiple lives AND their progress trying to figure it out.
The Oil Ocean Boss and the Death Egg Robot are both bosses that could benefit from a system like this.
Let the player practice and figure the boss out in a risk free environment, THEN have them fight the boss WITH the risk of losing progress after they know what they need to do.
That would have HEAVILLY mitigated the problems with Sonic 2's final boss.
I think Exo will agree that the Death Egg robot wouldn't be nearly as egregious or frustrating if Sonic 2 had such a feature, even if it still kept the limited continues.
It might have even prevented the death in launch base zone.
Seriously the special stages suck in this game and even the difficulty is spiky in the game. If noctis from ffXV was here and sees a special stage glow on the poll he will say “Don’t bother!” Because the special stage is hard.
I actually finished Sonic 2 first before Sonic 1. The only thing was that I used Knuckles to zoom by any obstacles that I could avoid.
Hey! I just found your channel last night and love your Sonic videos. I have a question, though: why do you always trash talk the Sonic fanbase and seem to get all bent out of shape when someone has a minor complaint about a modern Sonic game?
Because he is frustrated with the hardcore classicists nitpicking the shit out of modern sonic, and doesn’t understand how they think that unbalanced difficulty is perfectly fine.
@@mirajaded Problem is he's doing the exact same thing he's complaining about. I tend to prefer the 2D games but can't stand CD and haven't played a lot of the 3D games but Generations is my second favorite game in the series after S3K
Green hills zone act 3 in sonic 2 game gear is my equivalent to the death egg zone
3:02, even though I think that box art is iconic, I will agree that the artwork is fugaly. I have nothing but respect for the late Greg martin he is a great artist, but I am sorry I don't like the US box artwork I agree that the Japanese box art looks better.
The mobile versions of Sonic 1 and 2 are much better. I can get through special stages in Sonic 2 on my android phone easily
I did not do that run from side to side when fighting the death egg as a kid. Still beat him, multiple times. Stage select cheat was awesome as wlel since you could select the special stage, and as you finished, you got plopped at stage one. Reset (Not power off) and you could repeat getting them chaos emeralds and start stage 1 with the ability to use Super Sonic. Legendary times.. Legendary times.
Dude. Love your shit. And I agree with your opinion. I wasn’t alive when sonic 1- adventure 1 came out. And when I first played these games when I was young ( like 8) I couldn’t get past marble zone and aquatic zone when I was younger now I can no problem and it’s bs how people (as you say bc I haven’t played lost world yet) say trial and error in that game is bad but in classics is fine. I love sonic and I have beaten sonic 1-3&k a few times (I guess mania fits too in this huh) and I have only finished generations and forces. I think I prefer the boost formula a bit more bc I think it handles platforming and speed very well.
Just now I’m actually playing Sonic adventure 1 (Dreamcast version right now at least) and I can see why people do like it but like with sm64 the camera is aged as well as me..a giant failure and pain in the ass but at least my shorty ness had never killed anybody. But yeah I totally agree for first times with sonic it’s hard and bs but gets better with each play through.
S2 is my least favourite, however at 18:45 the checkpoint expires from time, not from traveling too far away as you can see the stars go inwards.
I get some of the complaints, but a lot of it is nitpicks. Sega was an arcade developer so a lot of their games have an arcade mindset where trial-and-error are more common. You're not expected to breeze through the game on your first playthrough. You have to memorize the level design and know which routes to take and where enemies spawn at. Once you get real good at the games the experience becomes much better. Sonic might be fast, but the games are not purely about going fast. Speed is a reward for keeping up momentum and knowing when to slow down is important too. There's no save feature in the original Sonic 2, but lives are easy to obtain as well as getting continues. It's only the Genesis original because every other version of Sonic 2 has a save feature. I'll admit that the special stages are a real pain. The 2013 remaster at least makes it much less frustrating.
I hate how you say that the modern fanbase is whiny and they nitpick too many minor things, then YOU go and say: "it's only fair that I nitpick the classics"
If you are going to call people who nitpick the modern games whiny, THEN DON'T GO AND NITPICK YOURSELF! I respect your opinions about the game, but really?!
That's putting you on the same level as the people who nitpick the modern games, and in my opinion is VERY hypocritical.
it's the classic fanbase who nitpick the shit of these games... not the modern fanbase
He didn't say that he hated the game. He said that there was flaws to the game.
John Sledge lol w hav a triggered ass fanboy
I'm giving Sonic 1 on mobile a whirl because of this review series. It was free on the app store!
BigBossMan538 I would try it too but reading the reviews for it, it looks like they seriously fucked it up
Rage-Quit Taco Gaming what did they do?
@@Gorilla-r4g Ads, ads everywhere
I really like Sonic 2 but I agree on your points, the special stages suck, the level structure is confusing sometimes, Metropolis SUCKS, and the last 3 bosses suck (especially in K.T.E. in Sonic 2) i played originally in the SEGA vintage, which made the special stages less painful, (still sucked tho to the loading time of the savestates) and some of the zones
"oH, iT's ThE fInAl BoSs. It'S sUpPoSeD tO bE hArd"
"iF yOu KnOw WhAt To Do, It'S nOt ThAt BaD"
Why would Eggman have rings in his base for Sonic? >w> But yeah, I fully agree that boss is awful. Music is awesome, Silver sonic is a pain but manageable; but Death Egg Robot is so awful.
A little harsh review but I mostly agree on the difficulty being unbalanced and the special stages being unforgiving (these reasons are why I haven’t beaten the game).
I know i'm late here but Sonic Team should implement elemental shields to the final bosses. Why? Because if a boss requires 12 hits and no rings are given, it then becomes so hard it's unfair, but if we give the player a certain amount of an elemental shield that is required to beat the boss, it sets how many hits you can take before you can't hit it at all. Let's say a boss requires 8 hits and no rings, and 3 bubble shields are given to the player and is required to damage the boss, if you have none left then you can't hit it, it makes bosses feel difficult without making them impossible for newcomers. This can probably work.
I loved these reviews so much as a kid
i missed this show
2:20 But as far to my knowledge, Tails was always a genius whose IQ rivals Dr Robotnik, ever since his introduction in Sonic 2. Hell, he was the one who fixed Sonic's plane when it got shot down while trying to board the Wing Fortress
4:50: I also feel like another one of the buttons could've been used to activate and de-activate Super Sonic.
I disagree with your opinion about the Death Egg Robot, but not because I say it isn't difficult; no, I think you dislike it for the wrong reasons.The first time I played that final boss was a pain in the ass, I constantly tried to hit him, but his arms killed me WITHOUT WARNING like you said in the video. But that's the thing, you would probably die like 2-3 times and then find out that the only parts that you should hit the Robot is when he is fully stationary but that's the thing, IT'S SO TEDIOUS AN BORING.I mean, It's easy, but in a tedious way. The game forces you to be so careful because you don't have a single ring and puts you in one of the most unfair battles in the games, and IT'S CERTAINLY EASY BUT SO FREAKING TEDIOUS!!!Nice video BTW :D
MetaCross it stops being tedious when you find out that you can run and jump at Robotnik when his body is low with each step he takes. Just don't try this tactic with Knuckles.
Nice Yuna pic love her more then lilo i know its not the topic but still i thought would say that
I know Exo himself said this review is outdated, and some of his points are valid criticism (mainly the limited continues, the special stage design and the difficulty spike on the final boss). But I still find hilarious how he describes Sonic 2 like it was Dark Souls lmao. The game is one hour long, not two. And all acts are designed to be beaten in less than 5 minutes, not 15. People shouldn’t try to get the emeralds if they can’t beat the game yet.
My first Genesis game! Sadly don't have an android. That special stage looks a bit more playable. On the Genesis version, I found a game genie code that's SUPPOSED to give you 8 rings for every one you collect in the special stage, but that's not exactly what it does. Instead, it gives you all the rings you pass by as long as you're not jumping. Then all you have to worry about are the bombs. Most of the time though I just played without collecting any emeralds.
Here's hoping Sonic Origins REPLACES the iOS/Android version. Just being able to use a controller by proxy gives it a REPLACE verdict in my book, but I'm hoping they bring back Tails co-op.
It's going to be almost an 1:1 port of the original phone versions, utilizing the same version of the engine used back then, the difference obviously being proper controller support, meaning Tails co-op is a thing if using the decomp as an indication.
However, it's like I said, what you see is what you get regarding the phone versions and Origins, no extra flair inside the games themselves, only outside.
@@chrishd659 So they might still axe the split screen multiplayer? Disappointing if that's the case, but it's not like I would play that mode anyway.
@@KayFiOS Since it's an exact port of the 2011-13 releases, save for 3K which has a new one with the updated engine instead, and these versions don't have the original multiplayer, it's to be expected to not have it indeed.
Hopefully there might be something to compensate, but it still boggles my mind why SEGA didn't contract Headcannon to give an universal coating to all 4 titles instead of updating 3K only.
@@chrishd659 They are adding the Drop Dash to all three titles, so maybe they'll add back the multiplayer, but it's a mode that I can do without. It's still looking like the best way to play all four games. Besides, at least there's the Classic Mode, so maybe that'll have the multiplayer.
@@KayFiOS True, at this point the collection is looking good, although it was possible for them to polish them better, especially for the price they're charging. Classic Mode looks fine, I guess, but since they're supposed to be the unaltered original games, I personally think they should've maintained the original titles on Steam since the remakes are the focus in Origins, but that's another subject.
The ports by themselves are almost the definitive way to play the classic titles, even if they miss a thing or two. Hopefully SEGA will add more stuff like the drop dash was, but it sucks that they didn't manage to get HC to update the engine for all titles to have a more cohesive bundle and by consequence, being able to modify it better. Feels quite odd not having Knuckles in CD because of that for example, while not a big loss for me, it looks uneven and weird due to engine differences.
Btw, one month left for the release, I'm curious to see how it'll turn out 👀
In order to get some secrets play the "No save mode" select a character press S E G A (if you do this in backwards it changes the name of Tails to Miles) in correct order and tap and hold with two fingers at the title screen and reveal the secrets by using the sound test and here's some codes that you need:
Debug mode - 1,9,9,2,1,1,2,4
All Chaos Emeralds - 4,1,2,6
Proto Palace zone - 3,3,3,B,10,10,10,4 (Debug mode required)
Special Stage 8 (which is the hardest special I've ever played) - 7
Configuration menu - 0,0,0
14 continues - 1,1,2,4
On my old genesis, I could hit the first checkpoint, get an emerald, hard reset the game, go back to the same checkpoint, and still retain my emeralds.. Rinse and repeat. ^_^ It was a weird thing Ive never been able to replicate, outside of my first sega.
xCrackxRabbitx something similar in the mobile version. I'll make a video on it :P
Thats awesome! I'll keep an eye out for it! ^_^
I can get super sonic in chemical plant on every playthrough. It's really not that bad. I do admit the special stages aren't great, but the sonic 1 ones are worse to me
ExoParadigmGamer. I 100% respect your opinion. I hate the special stages too.
David Beacham same I'd say Sonic 4 special stages were much better and a much more fun time than Sonic 2's bullshit special stages.
I first played the classic games on the sonic mega collection on the game cube and I fucking hated sonic 1 and 2 because of how difficult they were 7 years later I find remakes of those games on iOS and it was one hell of a better experience than the originals
Atomic take but, the sonic 2 special stages are my favorite. Sure there a chore for your first time, but once you’ve played them so many time like I have it’s pretty fun, in my opinion
The Sonic 2 classic heroes version is far better than the original sonic 2. But sonic 3 special stages are by far the absolute worst!
Never play Death Egg as Knuckles. I spent a week on the remake to beat the D.E.R. It’s almost not worth it.
I did and I won on the iOS version of Sonic 2 so it's not really that hard cause of his jump and cause that he jumps lower than sonic
2 Years to complete the 2nd Sonic game
Coincedence i think not
I like Sonic 2 and all, but Sonic 1 is so much better IMO :/
And I will say it for you: Sonic's 2 level design is really fucking bad, borderline amateur. (And I do like Sonic 2)
I agree with your Lost World comparison too. That game is great, plus you can even skip hard parts if you die enough times lol. Sonic Lost World is probably the best Sonic game in at least a decade, maybe even the best 3D Sonic ever along with Generations
funny how someone who has never actually designed and built any software is saying some software is amateur. this software sold millions of copies. grow a neckbeard
Wait.....you had to hit it when it bent over huh well I just spent 8 playthroughts not knowing what in the name of god I was doing
And then there's me. I played some sonic 2 yesterday and had 4 emeralds before the end of the emerald hill zones and got through them with less than 3 minutes on the level clock.
Most of your complaints are for fixed in the mobile version. I’m not saying your complaints aren’t justified I’m just saying the mobile version can be amazing in 16:9 and 3D special stages
Edit: metropolis zone enemy placement is bad in both versions
Right?! That’s actually the point Exo tried and succeeded to make in this review!
Glad bro has changed a bit of his mind on this game. This video was a bit too harsh.
How?
Weird question, but what's your favorite color?
Love sonic 2 special stages. I find it fun to learn them. Maybe thats just me.
I loathe them🙂
I belong to those you beat Sonic 2 when they were kids. It took me a couple of months if I recall correctly. It's not an easy game by any means BUT. You keep mentionining the first playthough and that's a big no no. I'm not gonna tell you to git gud of course but I have some points for consideration...
The industry was not as it is today with a zillion games available at a low price range. No app stores no Steam etc. That means that you bought a new game every X months at full price (because you couldn't nag your parents all the time). So, yes they made them hard so you had something to do until you could have a new game. It would be INEXCUSABLE if you could beat it in the first playthrough and trial and error was the way games were designed back then, just look at Megaman. And everyone bitching about it are just used to games holding your hand. As for trial and error in Lost World... Ha ha...
Just consider the situation when the game came out and don't mention first playthroughs when reviewing retro games. I generally enjoy your videos but you miss an important factor this time around. Keep up the good work!
thank you! this guy is just a noob
Yes that is correct, but this game is hard for all the wrong reasons.
let me guess, +Cosmozerk, you are under 25 and uneducated...
You know what is unfairly hard? SNK final bosses on their fighting games. They pull denials out of their asses just because they can. Now Sonic 2 and even Ninja Gaiden have everything mapped and predetermined. So, yeah... Trial and error is legit
Bear You're right, except for the "uneducated" part. My next question: So what? I mean, at least I know the most basic form of grammar, like...hmmm...I don't know...putting capital letters at the beginning of every sentence? Not like some Bear I know **cough** **cough**
What age do *you* have?
I don't understand this video. It's all over the place. Are you comparing sonic 1 to sonic 2, or the genesis versions to the mobile versions of each?
Oh, it's the final boss! It's supposed to be hard! :^)
also thanks for the hd reupload