Editing Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (section)

==Reception==
===Sales===
Due to the popularity of its [[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)|predecessor]], ''Sonic 2'' already had an established fanbase anticipating its release.<ref name="IGNRev">{{Cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/795/795640p1.html|title=IGN's Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Review|accessdate=21 October 2007|year=2007|first=Thomas|last=Lucas M.|work=[[Wikipedia:IGN|IGN]]|publisher=Ziff Davis}}</ref> The game received critical acclaim upon release and was a best seller in the UK charts for two months,<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=[[wikipedia:Mega (magazine)|Mega]]|issue=6|date=March 1993|title=Official Gallup UK Mega Drive Sales Chart}}</ref> and the highest selling game of 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/feature/cover-story/sonic-frontiers/brave-new-world|title=Sonic Frontiers Cover Story - Brave New World|last=Shea|first=Brian|date=20 July 2022|publisher=Game Informer|accessdate=23 July 2022}}</ref> As of 2006, the game has sold over 6 million copies,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gamasutra.com/features/20060804/boutros_05.shtml|title=A Detailed Cross-Examination of Yesterday and Today's Best-Selling Platform Games|page=5|accessdate=8 December 2006|date=4 August 2006|first=Daniel|last=Boutros|work=[[Wikipedia:Gamasutra|Gamasutra]]}}</ref> making it the second best-selling game for the [[Sega Mega Drive]], after ''Sonic 1''. Out of those 6 million worldwide sales, only 400,000 cartridges were sold in Japan.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/SegaForce_UK_16.pdf#page=12|last=Kai|first=Norton|title=Sonic CD Slips Up|journal=[[wikipedia:Sega Force|Sega Force]]|pages=12|date=April 1993|issue=16|accessdate=28 February 2022}}</ref>

===Critical reception===
{{Video game reviews
|GR = 88.44%<ref name="gr_sonic2">{{Cite web|title=Sonic the Hedgehog 2|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563343-sonic-the-hedgehog-2/index.html|work=[[Wikipedia:GameRankings|GameRankings]]|accessdate=3 February 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307010824/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563343-sonic-the-hedgehog-2/index.html|archivedate=7 March 2014}}</ref>
|agg1 = ''Defunct Games''
|agg1Score = 93%<ref name="defunct_games"/>
|CVG = 94%<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/reviews/MegaDrive/Sonic2-CVG132-2.html|title=Sonic the Hedgehog 2|journal=[[wikipedia:Computer and Video Games|Computer and Video Games]]|issue=132}}</ref>
|EGM = 35/40<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=[[wikipedia:Electronic Gaming Monthly|Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|title=1998 Video Game Buyer's Guide|pages=87}}</ref>
|EuroG = 9/10&nbsp;{{C|[[Xbox 360|X360]]}}<ref name="gr_sonic2"/>
|Fam = 30/40<ref>{{Cite web|title=ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ2|work=Famitsu|url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9086|accessdate=29 December 2014|language=Japanese}}</ref>
|GameFan = 197/200<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=GameFan|issue=2|date=December 1992|pages=9, 14-17}}</ref>
|GamePro = 5/5<ref name="defunct_games"/>
|GI = 27.25/30<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=Game Informer|issue=8|date=January/February 1993|pages=56-57}}</ref><br/>9.5/10<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=Game Informer|title=Classic Reviews: Sonic the Hedgehog 2|date=May 2002|issue=109|page=104}}</ref>
|GSpot = 8/10&nbsp;{{C|[[Xbox 360|X360]]}}<ref name="GSRev">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-the-hedgehog-2-review/1900-6178735/|title=Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Review|accessdate=21 October 2007|year=2007|last=Provo|first=Frank|publisher=[[Wikipedia:GameSpot|GameSpot]]}}</ref>
|IGN = 8.5/10&nbsp;{{C|[[Wii]]}}<ref name="IGNRev"/>
|ONM = 94%&nbsp;{{C|[[Wii]]}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=East|first=Tom|title=Sonic The Hedgehog 2: The blue hedgehog returns|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/2532/reviewssonic-the-hedgehog-2-review/|publisher=[[wikipedia:Official Nintendo Magazine|Official Nintendo Magazine]]|archiveurl=http://webcitation.org/archive.php|archivedate=31 October 2013|accessdate=3 February 2012|date=11 January 2008}}</ref>
|OXM = 9/10&nbsp;{{C|[[Xbox 360|X360]]}}<ref name="gr_sonic2"/>
|MMS = 96%<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 2|journal=[[wikipedia:Mean Machines|Mean Machines Sega]]|date=November 1992|issue=2|pages=60–63|url=http://info.sonicretro.org/Review_-_Sonic_the_Hedgehog_2_%28Mean_Machines_Sega,_November_1992%29|accessdate=3 February 2012}}</ref>
|EG = 91%<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic-Games-1992-12/Electronic%20Games%201992-12#page/n71/mode/2up|journal=[[wikipedia:Electronic Games|Electronic Games]]|issue=3|date=December 1992|pages=72-74}}</ref>
|Mega = 94%<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Game Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 2|journal=[[wikipedia:Mega (magazine)|Mega]]|publisher=[[wikipedia:Future plc|Future Publishing]]|date=November 1992 |issue=2|pages=36–41|url=http://www.outofprintarchive.com/catalogue/mega/MEGA2.html|accessdate=3 February 2012}}</ref>
|MTech = 95%<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/reviews/MegaDrive/Sonic2-MegaTech11-7.html|title=Sonic 2|journal=[[wikipedia:MegaTech|MegaTech]]|publisher=[[wikipedia:Ascential|EMAP]]|issue=11|pages=3-15}}</ref>
|MZone = 96%<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Sonic the Hedgehog 2|journal=[[Wikipedia:Mega Zone|Mega Zone]]|date=January 1993|issue=25|pages=31–33|url=http://info.sonicretro.org/Review_-_Sonic_the_Hedgehog_2_%28Megazone,_January_1993%29}}</ref>
|SForce = 97%<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Reviewed: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mega Drive)|journal=[[wikipedia:Sega Force|Sega Force]]|publisher=[[wikipedia:Europress|Impact Magazines]]|date=December 1992|issue=12|pages=14–16|url=http://www.smspower.org/Scans/SegaForce-Magazine-Issue12?gallerypage=16|accessdate=3 February 2012}}</ref>
|SPro = 94%<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/reviews/MegaDrive/Sonic2-SegaPro15-8.html|title=Sonic the Hedgehog 2|journal=[[wikipedia:Sega Pro|Sega Pro]]|issue=15|date=December 1992|pages=52-59}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[wikipedia:Bad Influence!|Bad Influence!]]''
|rev1Score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.bad-influence.co.uk/downloads/mag/BI_issue2.pdf#page=46|journal=[[wikipedia:Bad Influence!|Bad Influence!]]|issue=2|pages=46-47|year=1993}}</ref>
|rev2 = Sega-16
|rev2Score = 10/10<ref>{{Cite web|last=Turner|first=Dyson|title=Sonic The Hedgehog 2|url=http://www.sega-16.com/2004/07/sonic-the-hedgehog-2/|date=17 July 2004|publisher=Sega-16|accessdate=28 February 2022}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[wikipedia:Sega Force#Sega Force Mega|Sega Force Mega]]''
|rev3Score = 95%<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Sonic 2|journal=[[wikipedia:Sega Force#Sega Force Mega|Sega Force Mega]]|publisher=[[wikipedia:Europress|Impact Magazines]]|date=August 1993|volume=2|issue=1|pages=91}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[wikipedia:sv:Svenska Hemdatornytt|Svenska Hemdatornytt]]''
|rev4Score = 100%<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_50932|journal=[[wikipedia:sv:Svenska Hemdatornytt|Svenska Hemdatornytt]]|issue=1|pages=37|date=January 1993}}</ref>
|award1Pub = ''[[wikipedia:Electronic Gaming Monthly|Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''
|award1 = Best Game of the Year (Genesis)<ref name="egmbuyersguide1993"/>
|award2Pub = ''[[wikipedia:Game Informer|Game Informer]]''
|award2 = Best Action/Adventure Game<br/>Best Graphics in a Video Game<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=[[wikipedia:Game Informer|Game Informer]]|issue=8|date=January/February 1993|pages=34}}</ref>
}}
''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' received wide critical acclaim.<ref name="defunct_games"/> Based on magazine reviews from the early 1990s, the game holds an aggregate score of 93% at Defunct Games, with this being based on ten reviews.<ref name="defunct_games">{{Cite web|url=http://www.defunctgames.com/reviewcrew/28/sonic-the-hedgehog-2-what-did-the-critics-say-in-1993|title=Sonic the Hedgehog 2: What Did the Critics Say in 1993?|publisher=Defunct Games}}</ref> Based mostly on retrospective online reviews from the 2000s, the game holds an aggregate score of 88.44% at [[wikipedia:GameRankings|GameRankings]], based on eight reviews.<ref name="gr_sonic2"/>

Reviewers praised the game for its large levels,<ref name="GSRev"/> colorful graphics and backgrounds,<ref name="GSRev"/> increased cast of characters, enemies,<ref name="IGNRev"/> and music.<ref name="GSRev"/> Upon release, Ed Simrad of ''[[wikipedia:Electronic Gaming Monthly|Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' stated that the "twice as long" play time offers "more enjoyment for the buck" and that as "a 2 player game, there is twice the fun." He praised the "larger and harder" levels and "quite innovative" new moves, concluding that it is "the best all-around game on the market." ''[[wikipedia:GamePro|GamePro]]'' stated that it is "tough to follow up a classic, but ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' earns top honors." They stated that "the best thing about ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' is that it's just plain fun" and concluded that it gives "plenty of fabulous gaming to pass the time." Andy of ''[[wikipedia:Game Informer|Game Informer]]'' stated that it is "not as easy as the first and has more variation. The addition of the two-player split screen is great." Jaz of ''[[wikipedia:Mean Machines|Mean Machines Sega]]'' described it as "faster, slicker, more colourful, louder, bigger and much, much tougher than the original," concluding that it is "packed with features, has loads of secrets, and rounds it all up with a superlative two-player mode that'll have your friends queuing round the block to play. Brilliant!"<ref name="defunct_games"/>

The game has also been well received in retrospective reviews. [[wikipedia:GameSpot|GameSpot]] stated that "time may have eroded [[Sega]]'s prominence, but it hasn't done much to diminish how sweet ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' is," and, along with other reviewers, commented on how it is still a fun game to play.<ref name="IGNRev"/><ref name="GSRev"/> Critics also enjoyed the faster gameplay the game offered in comparison to its predecessor, as well as its new features. Lucas M. Thomas of [[wikipedia:IGN|IGN]] praised the new [[Spin Dash]] ability, which would prepare Sonic to launch at a faster speed.<ref name="IGNVG">{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|title=Sonic the Hedgehog VC Review|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/01/27/sonic-the-hedgehog-vc-review|publisher=[[wikipedia:IGN|IGN]]|accessdate=18 November 2014|date=26 January 2007}}</ref> Thomas also noted that the levels of ''Sonic 2'' were designed to showcase the character's speed, and was less a "platform-jumping game" than a "platform-running" game, in slight contrast to its predecessor.<ref name="IGNVG"/>

The game's main criticisms concern the competitive, split-screen, two-player mode, and a new introduction to the series.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dotson|first=Carter|title=Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Gets the Remastering Treatment, With the Long-Lost Hidden Palace Level Restored|url=http://www.148apps.com/news/sonic-hedgehog-2-remastering-treatment-longlost-hidden-palace-level-restored/|publisher=148Apps|accessdate=18 November 2014}}</ref> While the mode was generally well-received upon release,<ref name="defunct_games"/> several reviewers have criticized the mode's noticeable slowdown, prominent flickering, and squashed play area for each player. However, IGN praised the innovation of the new two player mode, quipping that "[[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] could never run competitively through the same levels, at the same time."<ref name="lt">{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/06/11/sonic-the-hedgehog-2-review|publisher=[[wikipedia:IGN|IGN]]|accessdate=18 November 2014|date=11 June 2007|title=Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Review}}</ref> William Burrill of the ''[[wikipedia:Toronto Star|Toronto Star]]'' described the two player racing mode as the "only part of the game that can be faulted," citing that the mode and its split screen view "squeezes the graphics, plumps up the characters and slows down the action."<ref>{{Cite journal|first=William|last=Burrill|title=This Sonic is super, too|journal=[[wikipedia:Toronto Star|Toronto Star]]|page=F4|date=12 December 1992}}</ref>

===Awards===
''[[wikipedia:Electronic Gaming Monthly|Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' awarded ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' as the '''Best Game of the Year''' for the [[Sega Mega Drive]], describing it as "the best Genesis cart to come along in a long time!"<ref name="egmbuyersguide1993">{{Cite journal|year=1993|title=Buyer's Guide: Best Game of the Year (Genesis)|journal=[[Wikipedia:Electronic Gaming Monthly|Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|quote=Sega's famous mascot -- Sonic the Hedgehog is back for his second visit to the Genesis, and this version is hot! With 8 megabits of memory good ol' Sonic has a lot more room to do cool tricks and this is what makes this version stand head and shoulders above all the other Genesis games that came out this year. All in all, Sonic 2 is the best Genesis cart to come along in a long time!}}</ref> ''[[wikipedia:Game Informer|Game Informer]]'' gave the game the Best Action/Adventure Game award, praising it for keeping "the same look and feel of the original ''Sonic the Hedgehog'', while adding a two-player mode, longer levels, new moves, and better animation. Wow!"<ref name="defunct_games"/> ''[[wikipedia:Electronic Games|Electronic Games]]'' chose ''Sonic 2'' as one of the three nominees for their Video Game of the Year award, along with ''[[wikipedia:Street Fighter II|Street Fighter II]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:NHLPA Hockey '93|NHLPA Hockey '93]]''.<ref name="eg1992">{{Cite journal|title=Electronic Gaming Awards|journal=[[wikipedia:Electronic Games|Electronic Games]]|date=January 1993|issue=38|pages=26,27|url=http://archives.tg-16.com/00_happy_new_year_1993.htm|accessdate=5 February 2012}}</ref>

''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' has been listed among the [[Wikipedia:List of video games considered the best|greatest video games of all time]]. In 2000, ''Game Informer'' ranked it number 61 on its "Top 100 Games of All Time" list, calling it "the most challenging and finely polished ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' title."<ref>{{Cite journal|date=August 2001|title=Top 100 Games of All Time|journal=[[Wikipedia:Game Informer|Game Informer]]|issue=100|page=28}}</ref> They later ranked it the 97th best game of all time in 2009.<ref name="GI2009">{{Cite web|url=http://nintendoeverything.com/game-informers-top-200-games-of-all-time/|title=Game Informer's Top 200 Games of All Time|publisher=[[Wikipedia:Game Informer|Game Informer]]|year=2009}}</ref> ''Mega'' placed the game at number 36 in their "Top Sega Mega Drive Games of All Time" list in 1994.<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=Mega|publisher=[[wikipedia:Future Publishing|Future Publishing]]|issue=26|page=74|date=November 1994}}</ref> It has also been listed among the best games of all time by ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' (in 1997<ref name="EGM1997">{{Cite web|url=http://kisrael.com/vgames/powerlist/egm100.html|title=EGM Top 100|publisher=[[Wikipedia:Electronic Gaming Monthly|Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|date=November 1997|accessdate=1 June 2011}}</ref> and 2001<ref name="EGM2001">{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20011220003000/http://www.gamers.com/feature/egmtop100/index.jsp|title=Top 100 Games of All Time|publisher=[[Wikipedia:Electronic Gaming Monthly|Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|year=2001}}</ref>), [[wikipedia:GameFAQs|GameFAQs]] (in 2004,<ref name="GF2004">{{Cite web|title=Spring 2004: Best. Game. Ever.|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/c04spr|publisher[[Wikipedia:GameFAQs|GameFAQs]]|accessdate=16 July 2008}}</ref> 2005,<ref name="GF2005">{{Cite web|title=Fall 2005: 10-Year Anniversary Contest—The 10 Best Games Ever|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10|publisher=[[Wikipedia:GameFAQs|GameFAQs]]|accessdate=16 July 2008}}</ref> 2009<ref name="GF2009">{{Cite web|title=Spring 2009: Best. Game. Ever.|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=3509|publisher=[[Wikipedia:GameFAQs|GameFAQs]]|accessdate=10 June 2009}}</ref> and 2014<ref name="GF2014">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ddjgames.com/category/gamefaqs-top-100/|title=Top 100|publisher=[[Wikipedia:GameFAQs|GameFAQs]]|year=2014}}</ref>), [[wikipedia:GameRevolution|GamingBolt]],<ref name="GamingBolt">{{Cite web|url=http://gamingbolt.com/top-100-greatest-video-games-ever-made|title=Top 100 greatest video games ever made|publisher=GamingBolt|year=2013}}</ref> ''[[wikipedia:Guinness World Records|Guinness World Records]]'' (in 2009<ref name="Guinness">{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100107164406/http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/270209_top50.aspx|title=Guinness World Records 2009 Gamer's Edition reveals the Top 50 console games of all time|publisher=[[wikipedia:Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition|Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition]]|year=2009}}</ref>), [[wikipedia:Imagine Publishing|NowGamer]] (in 2010<ref name="NowGamer">{{Cite journal|100 Greatest Retro Games|journal=NowGamer|publisher=[[wikipedia:Imagine Publishing|Imagine Publishing]]|year=2010}} [http://www.nowgamer.com/100-greatest-retro-games-part-1/ part 1], [http://www.nowgamer.com/100-greatest-retro-games-part-2/ part 2], [http://www.nowgamer.com/100-greatest-retro-games-part-3/ part 3], [http://www.nowgamer.com/100-greatest-retro-games-part-4/ part 4]</ref>), ''[[wikipedia:Retro Gamer|Retro Gamer]]'' (in 2004<ref name="RetroGamer">{{Cite journal|journal=Retro Gamer|issue=1|pages=30|date=January 2004}}</ref>), and [[wikipedia:Yahoo!|Yahoo!]] (in 2006<ref name="Yahoo">{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050801002743/http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/specials/100games/|title=The 100 greatest computer games of all time|publisher=Yahoo!|year=2006}}</ref>). In 2022, IGN placed ''Sonic 2'' as the eighth best ''Sonic'' game in their "10 Best Sonic Games" list.<ref>{{Cite web |author=IGN Staff |date=15 July 2022 |title=The 10 Best Sonic Games |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-10-best-sonic-games |work=IGN |accessdate=2 December 2022}}</ref>