When I first got my Mega Drive, it came with two (technically) games. One was the classic three-in-one cartridge — Streets of Rage, The Revenge of Shinobi, and Golden Axe — a solid introduction to Sega’s world of side-scrolling chaos. But the real prize in the box was Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
I’d seen Sonic before on my cousin’s Master System, so I already knew who the little blue guy was. But when I fired up the Mega Drive and that iconic “SEGA!” scream blasted out of the TV, I was absolutely blown away. It was faster, louder, and sharper than anything I’d ever played.
The premise is simple enough. Our blue hedgehog hero is once again out to stop the evil Dr. Robotnik, who’s been turning animals into robots for his mechanical army. Sonic races across zones to free his friends and shut down Robotnik’s latest plan — this time leading all the way to the intimidating Death Egg.
From the poison-soaked Chemical Plant Zone to the perilous showdown in space, Sonic 2 is a masterclass in platforming. You run, jump, spin-dash, and fight your way through waves of enemies, looping tracks, and perfectly timed jumps that test your reflexes just enough to keep things fun.
Helping out this time is Miles “Tails” Prower, Sonic’s loyal two-tailed fox companion. A second player can take control, which usually meant my younger brother would jump in as the indestructible Tails — flying back in after every fall. It was chaotic, sometimes frustrating, but always brilliant.
Each level bursts with colour and personality. Even though you’re speeding through at a ridiculous pace, it’s hard not to notice how well-designed everything is — from the industrial pipes of Metropolis Zone to the tropical sunshine of Emerald Hill. And that soundtrack... it’s the kind that gets stuck in your head decades later, with every tune perfectly matching the energy of the stage.
The boss battles deserve a mention too. They’re challenging, especially the final fights on the Death Egg, but they never feel unfair. When you lose, it’s because your timing was off, not because the game cheated you. That balance — tough but fair — is part of what makes Sonic 2 so endlessly replayable.
Looking back, it’s easy to forget where Sonic started when modern games sometimes miss the spark that made him great. But revisiting Sonic 2 reminds you why Sega’s blue blur once stood toe-to-toe with Mario — fast, flashy, and full of heart.