Editing Sonic Drift 2

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{{Infobox video game
|title     = ''Sonic Drift 2''
|image     = Sonic Drift 2 GG US.jpg
|developer = [[Sega]]
|publisher = [[Sega]]
|producer  = Motoshige Hokoyama
|composer  = 
*[[Masayuki Nagao]]
*Saori Kobayashi
|genre     = Racing
|modes     = Single-player, multiplayer
|released  = 
'''[[Sega Game Gear]]''':<br/>{{vgrelease|EU=April 1995<ref name="meanmachine"/><ref name="C&VG"/>|JP=17 March 1995<ref>{{Cite web|title=Game Gear Cartridges (Sega released)|url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207045745/https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html#wrapper|publisher=[[Sega]]|archivedate=6 May 2019|accessdate=22 February 2022|language=Japanese}}</ref>|NA=November 1995}}
'''[[Nintendo 3DS|3DS Virtual Console]]''':<br/>{{vgrelease|JP=14 November 2012<ref>{{Cite web|title=ソニックドリフト２|url=http://vc.sega.jp/3ds/drift2/|publisher=[[Sega]]|language=Japanese|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115230605/http://vc.sega.jp:80/3ds/drift2/|archivedate=15 November 2012}}</ref>|NA=4 July 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/5Zcyf4ldxyvS4MxrFyZZRLwjDIp25ltf|title=Sonic Drift 2|accessdate=10 January 2022|publisher=[[Nintendo]] (US)|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707104529/http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/5Zcyf4ldxyvS4MxrFyZZRLwjDIp25ltf|archivedate=7 July 2013}}</ref>|EU=4 July 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/SEGA-Game-Gear/Sonic-Drift-2-774781.html|title=Sonic Drift 2|accessdate=10 January 2022|publisher=[[Nintendo]] (UK)|archiveurl=https://archive.is/lBljY|archivedate=11 August 2019}}</ref>}}
|ratings   = {{Vgrating|SEGA=All Ages|ESRB=K-A|PEGI=3|CERO=A|USK=0}}
|platforms = 
*[[Sega Game Gear]]
*[[Nintendo 3DS]]
*[[GameTap]]
*[[Nintendo Switch]]
|preceded  = ''[[Sonic Drift]]''
}}
{{Nihongo|'''''Sonic Drift 2'''''|ソニックドリフト２|Sonikku Dorifuto Ni}}, known as '''''Sonic Drift Racing''''' in Europe, is a kart racing game in the [[Sonic the Hedgehog series|''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series]] for the [[Sega Game Gear]], developed and released by [[Sega]]. The game is the sequel to ''[[Sonic Drift]]'' that, unlike its predecessor, was released internationally in 1995. Featuring more race courses and additional items, the game also added more playable characters.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Drift2 Title.png|thumb|left|The title screen of ''Sonic Drift 2''.]]
''Sonic Drift 2'' is a racing game with nearly identical gameplay elements compared to ''[[Sonic Drift]]''. In gameplay, the player races along a courses against three other characters for a top position in the race. Like in the previous entry, the game's single player mode has three [[Chaos GP]] circuits with different difficulty settings (purple, white and blue) to win, with each circuit featuring six race tracks for the player to complete. Clearing all three circuits grants access to the Final Cup. The game also has same the features and difficulty options from the previous title, while also allowing the player to turn race track obstacles on or off.

The game's controls are closely similar to those in ''Sonic Drift'' with only small changes. [[Monitor]] power-ups are not triggered automatically upon contact, but are instead saved at the top corner of the screen and it can be used in any time. The player can only carry one power-up at time. Alternatively, the player can use a playable character's Special Ability after getting two [[Ring]]s. Certain Monitor items or Special Abilities can as well hamper opponents' progress. The game is more challenging than the ''Sonic Drift'', as the courses include more tricks and obstacles and a more advanced A.I. that has an easier time competing against the player. The player also has to worry about moving outside the roads' borders, which may hold pits or off-road tracks that slows down the racers.

Like in ''Sonic Drift'', the player starts out in the fourth place at the beginning of a Chaos GP circuit. As the player completes a race course, they and each other racer are awarded with points based on their finishing positions, allowing the participants to improve their place:
*'''1st Place''': 3 points
*'''2nd Place''': 2 points
*'''3rd Place''': 1 point
*'''4th Place''': 0 points

[[File:Drift2 Emerald Hill 2.gif|thumb|right|[[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]] and [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]] in [[Emerald Hill (Sonic Drift 2)|Emerald Hill]].]]
In gameplay, [[Chaos Emerald]]s are awarded for winning races. If [[Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic]], [[Miles "Tails" Prower|Tails]], [[Amy Rose|Amy]], or [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]] collect all six in the Blue GP, they will face [[Doctor Eggman|Dr. Eggman]] in a "Final GP" race around the [[Death Egg (Sonic Drift 2)|Death Egg]]. If Eggman, [[Metal Sonic]], or [[Fang the Hunter|Fang]] collect all six in the Blue GP, they will then face Sonic in the "Final GP" race. When the player wins the Final GP in first place, they will have cleared the game.

===Controls===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!Button formation
!Action
|-
|{{Directional Pad Left & Right}}
|Steer
|-
|{{2 Button (Game Gear)}}
|Accelerate
|-
|{{1 Button (Game Gear)}}
|Brake
|-
|{{Directional Pad Up}}
|Use Power-up item / Special Ability
|-
|'''START'''
|Pause
|-
|'''START''' + {{1 Button (Game Gear)}} + {{2 Button (Game Gear)}}
|Pause + exit Free Run mode
|}

===Objects===
====Items====
''Sonic Drift 2'' has more items and power-ups than ''[[Sonic Drift]]'', most of which are housed in multicolored [[Monitor]]s.
{|class="wikitable"
!Image
!Name
!Description
|-
|[[File:Sonic-Drift-Ring.gif|center]]
|[[Ring]]
|The traditional [[Ring]] that can be collected over the course of a race. If a racer has two Rings (three in [[Metal Sonic]]'s case), the racer can perform their own unique Special Ability.
|-
|[[File:High-Speed.png|center]]
|[[Dash (power-up)|Dash]]
|A red [[Monitor]] that grants a small burst of speed.
|-
|[[File:Drift 2 YellowMonitor.png|center]]
|[[Jump]]
|A yellow Monitor that bounces the racer into the air, similar to the [[Spring]].
|-
|[[File:Drift 2 BlackMonitor.png|center]]
|[[Mine (power-up)|Mine]]
|A gray Monitor that contains a mine. The player can drop the mine on the race course, which causing the a racer that hits it to screech to a complete stop.
|-
|[[File:Invincibility-Muteki.png|center]]
|[[Invincible]]
|A blue Monitor which makes the racer invulnerable to obstacles and Special Abilities for a few seconds.
|-
|[[File:Spring-Sonic-Drift-2.png|center]]
|[[Spring]]
|Red Springs that will bounce the racer into mid-air. Several race courses have [[Bottomless pit|Gorges]], that the racers have to cross by using Springs. While flying via a Spring, power-ups or Special Abilities cannot be utilized.
|-
|[[File:Flash Star.png|center]]
|[[Flash]]
|When a racer drives into a [[Flash]] Star, the entire screen momentarily whites out. In the Versus multiplayer mode, this will happen to both players, regardless of user.
|-
|[[File:Drift 2 Reverse.png|center]]
|[[Reverse (Sonic Drift 2)|Reverse]]
|Passing though a [[Reverse]] ball reverses a racer's movements momentarily, meaning pressing {{Directional Pad}} left turns the racer to the right and vice versa.
|}

====Gimmicks and obstacles====
{|
|style="vertical-align: top;"|
*[[Balloon]]
*Balloon Cushion
*[[Bumper|Bobbin]]
*Cracks
*Electromagnetic Pole
*Fallen Rock
*[[Bottomless pit|Gorge]]
*[[Jump Panel (ramp)|Jump Panel]]
*[[Mecha Vulture]]
|style="vertical-align: top;"|
*[[Meteorite]]
*[[Bomb (obstacle)|Mine]]
*[[Motora]]
*Puddles
*Sand Pile
*Snowdrift
*Stalagmite
*[[Triangle Bumper]]
|}

==Characters==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan="2"|Image
!rowspan="2"|Character
!rowspan="2"|Vehicle
!rowspan="2"|Special Ability
!colspan="3"|Stats
|-
!Acceleration
!Speed
!Handling
|-
|[[File:Sonic-Drift-2-Cyclone-Art.png|150px]]
|[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]
|[[Cyclone (Sonic Drift)|Cyclone]]
|''Sonic uses the '''[[Power Sneakers (power-up)|Dash]]''', a sudden burst of speed that blows him past the other drivers. Its effect is short lived.''<ref name="p7">''Sonic Drift 2'' ([[Sega Game Gear]]) United States instruction booklet, pg. 7.</ref>
|colspan="2"|High
|Low
|-
|[[File:Tails 68.png|150px]]
|[[Miles "Tails" Prower]]
|[[Whirlwind S7|MTP-02 Wheelwind S7]]
|''Tails uses the '''[[Jump]]''' to propel him over obstacles and opponents' cars. The '''Jump''' can be used even in a turn.''<ref name="p7"/>
|colspan="3"|Medium
|-
|[[File:Amy 43.png|150px]]
|[[Amy Rose]]
|[[Breeze]]
|''Amy distracts her rivals with the '''[[Heart Attack]]''', which makes them lose their sense of direction. While they're confused, she blazes on ahead.''<ref name="p8">''Sonic Drift 2'' ([[Sega Game Gear]]) United States instruction booklet, pg. 8.</ref>
|High
|Low
|Medium
|-
|[[File:Robotnik 54.png|150px]]
|[[Doctor Eggman|Dr. Eggman]]
|[[Egg Typhoon (Sonic Drift)|Egg Typhoon]]
|''The evil Doctor tosses [[Mine (explosive device)|'''Mines''']]<nowiki/> that, when hit by other drivers, detonate and destroy their cars. Do they affect the Eggman's Egg Typhoon? Only one way to find out...''<ref name="p8"/>
|Low
|Decent
|Very high
|-
|[[File:Knuckles 55.png|150px]]
|[[Knuckles the Echidna]]
|[[Tempest]]
|''Knuckles can '''[[Punch]]''' opponents (if one is near him) or '''Jump''' over them. The '''Jump''' is also good for avoiding obstacles such as '''Mines'''.''<ref name="p8"/>
|colspan="3"|Medium
|-
|[[File:Knack 3.png|150px]]
|[[Fang the Hunter|Fang the Sniper]]
|[[Marvelous Queen]]
|''Fang's a slick one. He chucks '''[[Oil Balls]]''' onto the track that, when hit, cause other cars to spin out of control.''<ref name="p8"/>
|colspan="2"|High
|Low
|-
|[[File:Metal Sonic 15.png|150px]]
|[[Metal Sonic]]
|[[Blue Devil]]
|''If you think Sonic's '''Dash''' is hot stuff, wait 'til you see Metal Sonic's '''[[Super Dash]]'''! It's so hot it costs three rings for him to use it.''<ref name="p9">''Sonic Drift 2'' ([[Sega Game Gear]]) United States instruction booklet, pg. 9.</ref>
|colspan="2"|Very high
|Very low
|}

==Courses==
Each [[Chaos GP]] circuit in ''Sonic Drift 2'' has six racecourses based on some [[Zone|Zones]] from the previous ''Sonic'' titles for the [[Sega Mega Drive|Sega Genesis]], each with its own obstacles and items related to their theme. Like power-ups and Special Abilities, many obstacles can affect course of the race by knocking racers off the race track or slow them down.

Several of the courses, such as [[Emerald Hill Zone|Emerald Hill]] and [[Casino Night Zone (Sonic the Hedgehog 2)|Casino Night]], are named after Zones from ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'', while [[Ice Cap (Sonic Drift 2)|Ice Cap]] is a reference to [[IceCap]] from ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]'', released the previous year. [[Iron Ruin]] serves as a nod to [[Scrap Brain Zone|Scrap Brain]] from the original ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', which also appeared in the first ''Sonic Drift''.
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan="2"|[[Chaos GP]]
!colspan="6"|Course no.
|-
! 1. !! 2. !! 3. !! 4. !! 5. !! 6.
|-
|Purple
|[[File:Emerald Hill 1.png]]<br />'''[[Emerald Hill (Sonic Drift 2)|Emerald Hill]] 1'''
|[[File:HT1.png]]<br />'''[[Hill Top (Sonic Drift 2)|Hill Top]] 1'''
|[[File:DV1.png]]<br />'''[[Dark Valley]] 1'''
|[[File:CN SD2.png]]<br />'''[[Casino Night (Sonic Drift 2)|Casino Night]]'''
|[[File:DR1.png]]<br />'''[[Desert Road]] 1'''
|[[File:IR.png]]<br />'''[[Iron Ruin]]'''
|-
|White
|[[File:DR2.png]]<br />'''Desert Road 2'''
|[[File:RS.png]]<br />'''[[Rainy Savanna]]'''
|[[File:IC.png]]<br />'''[[Ice Cap (Sonic Drift 2)|Ice Cap]]'''
|[[File:HT2.png]]<br />'''Hill Top 2'''
|[[File:MC.png]]<br />'''[[Mystic Cave Zone (Sonic Drift 2)|Mystic Cave]]'''
|[[File:Emerald Hill 2.png]]<br />'''Emerald Hill 2'''
|-
|Blue
|[[File:DV2.png]]<br />'''Dark Valley 2'''
|[[File:QC.png]]<br />'''[[Quake Cave]]'''
|[[File:BP.png]]<br />'''[[Balloon Panic]]'''
|[[File:EO.png]]<br />'''[[Emerald Ocean]]'''
|[[File:MW.png]]<br />'''[[Milky Way]]'''
|[[File:DE.png]]<br />'''[[Death Egg (Sonic Drift 2)|Death Egg]]'''
|}

==Other modes==
===Free Run===
[[File:Sonic-Drift-2-Menu.png|thumb|right|The main menu.]]
'''Free Run''' is the basic [[Time Attack]] mode of ''Sonic Drift 2'', it allows the player to replay any of the race courses with goal of getting the fastest record possible. On the menu screen, the player can choose the race course and playable character and then start the race with the "Run" option. The separate "Results" option shows the player's three best circuit times and the single best lap time.

===Versus===
'''Versus''' mode is the multiplayer mode of ''Sonic Drift 2'', it can include up to two players. To play, two [[Sega Game Gear|Game Gear]] handheld units must be connected using two ''Sonic Drift 2'' cartridges and one Gear-to-Gear Cable (called "VS Cable" in Japan). The Versus mode's gameplay is similar to that in the [[Chaos GP]], and includes the same features and race courses.

===Option===
The '''Option''' menu lets the player set the game's difficulty to either "Normal" or "Hard,"<ref name="p9"/> with Hard mode increasing the opponents' acceleration. It also includes the Enemy option, which lets the player turn on or off the obstacles on the race course.<ref name="p9"/>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
|Fam = 19/40<ref name="famitsu">{{Cite journal|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ソニックドリフト2|journal=[[wikipedia:Famitsu|Weekly Famicom Tsūshin]]|issue=327|pages=41|date=24 March 1995}}</ref>
|C&VG = 91%<ref name="C&VG">{{Cite journal|last=Patterson|first=Mark|title=Review: Sonic Drift 2|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/5/5b/CVG_UK_161.pdf#page=97|journal=[[wikipedia:Computer and Video Games|Computer and Video Games]]|pages=97|issue=161|date=April 1995|accessdate=22 February 2022}}</ref>
|MMS = 92%<ref name="meanmachine">{{Cite journal|last1=Merrett|first1=Steve|last2=Swan|first2=Gus|title=Game Gear Review: Sonic Drift 2|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/5/5a/MeanMachinesSega30UK.pdf#page=75|journal=[[wikipedia:Mean Machines|Mean Machines Sega]]|date=April 1995|pages=74,75|issue=30|accessdate=22 February 2022}}</ref>
|SPower = 81%<ref name="spower">{{Cite journal|last1=Mortlock|first1=Dean|title=Reviews: Sonic Drift 2|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cd/SegaPower_UK_66.pdf#page=57|journal=[[wikipedia:Sega Power|Sega Power]]|pages=57|issue=66|date=May 1995|accessdate=22 February 2022}}</ref>
|SSMJP = 7.0/10<ref name="ssm">{{Cite journal|title=Mega Gear Dog Race: ソニックドリフト２|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/ab/SSM_JP_19950401_1995-04.pdf#page=132|journal=[[wikipedia:Sega Saturn Magazine|Sega Saturn Magazine]]|pages=130|date=April 1995|language=Japanese}}</ref>
|GPro = 3-/6<ref name="gproDE">{{Cite journal|last=Hellwig|first=Thomas|title=Game Gear Test: Sonic Drift|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/1/10/GamePro_DE_1995-07.pdf#page=65|journal=''[[wikipedia:GamePro|GamePro]]''|pages=65|issue=10|date=July 1995|accessdate=22 February 2022|language=German}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[Sonic the Comic]]''
|rev1Score = 67%<ref name="stc">{{Cite book|last=Jenny|first=Fromer|title=[[Sonic the Comic Issue 49|Sonic the Comic]]|issue=49|chapter=Review Zone|page=12|date=April 1995|accessdate=22 February 2022}}</ref>
}}
''Sonic Drift 2'' received mixed to negative reviews from critics, much like the original ''[[Sonic Drift]]''. 

On its release, ''[[wikipedia:Famitsu|Famicom Tsūshin]]'' gave the game a score of 19 out of 40.<ref name="famitsu"/> For its inclusion in ''[[Sonic Gems Collection]]'', Tom Bramwell of [[Wikipedia:GameSpy|GameSpy]] criticized the game for looking awful due the resolution on the [[Sega Game Gear|Game Gear]] emulation.<ref name="gspyREV">{{Cite web|last=Bramwell|first=Tom|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_sonicgems_gc|title=Sonic Gems Collection|publisher=[[Wikipedia:Gamespy|Gamespy]]|date=6 October 2005|accessdate=17 August 2016}}</ref> Ryan Davis of [[Wikipedia:GameSpot|GameSpot]] also called the game "unplayable because of poor handling and a really short horizon."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Davis|first=Ryan|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sonic-gems-collection-review/1900-6131881/|title=Sonic Gems Collection Review|publisher=[[Wikipedia:Gamespot|Gamespot]]|date=6 October 2005|accessdate=17 August 2016}}</ref>

==Re-releases==
''Sonic Drift 2'', along with other [[Sega Game Gear|Game Gear]] titles, would later be featured as unlockable games in ''[[Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut]]'' for the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] and [[PC]], where it becomes available after collecting all 130 [[Emblem]]s and completing 90 [[Mission Mode|Mission]]s. Along with other Game Gear games, it was also made available in [[Sonic Gems Collection]] for the GameCube and [[PlayStation 2]]. The game has also been ported to [[Coleco Sonic]], Playpal Plug and Play for Coleco, and [[Tectoy]] Master System 3 for Tectoy. ''Sonic Drift 2'' was also one of games that were available in TBS GameTap service until its closure in October 2010.

On July 1, 2013, ''Sonic Drift 2'' was re-released for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] Virtual Console in Europe at the price of £3.59 (€3.99). This included the same content as the original game, except it could be played in 3D.<ref name="3DS-ESHOP">{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.sega.com/2013/07/04/three-more-on-the-3ds-game-gear-games-hit-the-eshop/|title=Three More on the 3DS: Game Gear Games Hit the eShop|work=Sega Blog|publisher=[[Sega]]|date=4 July 2013|accessdate=17 August 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707100423/http://blogs.sega.com/2013/07/04/three-more-on-the-3ds-game-gear-games-hit-the-eshop/|archivedate=4 July 2013}}</ref>

''Sonic Drift 2'' was re-released along with the other Game Gear ''Sonic'' titles on [[Sonic Origins Plus|''Sonic Origins Plus'']], which was released on June 23, 2023 for the [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S]], [[Nintendo Switch]], & PC.

==Staff==
*'''Programmer''': A. Morino
*'''Artists''': K. Tamura, H. Takano, A. Tezuka
*'''Sound''': [[Masayuki Nagao]] (M. Nagao), Saori Kobayashi (S. Kobayashi)
*'''Planner''': Norihito Kato (N. Katoh)
*'''Director''': Katsuhiro Hasegawa (K. Hasegawa)
*'''Producer''': Motoshige Hokoyama (M. Hokoyama)
*'''Special thanks to''': T. Kosuge, [[Shinichi Higashi]] (S. Higashi), R. Fujimura, Yasuhiro Nishimoto (Y. Nishimoto), Tadashi Ihoroi (T. Ihoroi)
*'''Presented by''': [[Sega]]

==Trivia==
*''Sonic Drift 2'' was the first game to feature [[Metal Sonic]] and [[Fang the Hunter|Fang the Sniper]] as playable characters.
*This game marks the first time [[Doctor Eggman|Dr. Robotnik]] was referred to as "Eggman" outside of Japan.
*Despite ''[[Sonic Drift]]'' being only released in Japan, ''Sonic Drift 2'' was still released in North America as a sequel without changing the title. Also, as the game was being sold under the alternate title ''Sonic Drift Racing'' on the European market, the title screen still refers the game as ''Sonic Drift 2''.
*Due to space limitations, [[Knuckles the Echidna|Knuckles]] and Metal Sonic's names are spelt "Knucles" and "M.Sonic."
*[[Amy Rose|Amy]]'s shirt is colored blue due to palette limitations.
*The [[Marvelous Queen]] and [[Blue Devil]] are the only vehicles with names unrelated to wind or air, though in the latter case a "[[wikipedia:dust devil|dust devil]]" is a name for small but powerful whirlwind containing dirt or dust.
*Fang is the only character to not appear on the North American box art, due to being cropped out by the [[Sega Game Gear|Game Gear]] border, although a part of his vehicle can be seen.
*An 8-bit rendition of the boss theme from ''[[Sonic 3 & Knuckles]]'' can be heard during the "Final GP" race. The composer [[Masayuki Nagao]] also worked on ''Sonic Drift 2''.
*The [[Invincible]] music heard in the game is an 8-bit rendition of the title music from ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*''{{Plain link|http://www.mobygames.com/game/sonic-drift-2|Sonic Drift 2}}'' at ''MobyGames''
*''{{Plain link|http://www.gamefaqs.com/gamegear/586804-sonic-drift-2|Sonic Drift 2}}'' at ''GameFAQs''
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