Video Game of the Day is a daily show available on Amazon Alexa devices and here on this website. Each day, we briefly discuss the history of a single game, randomly chosen. If you would like to listen on your daily flash briefing, you can enable Video Game of the Day here: https://amzn.to/2CNx2NJ.
Hello and welcome! My name is Katosepe and I’ll be your host for today’s Video Game of the Day.
So, you’ve buckled down, worked hard, and finally after all the effort, you have a mascot character for your company. A mascot character that may even be able to compete with the Italian plumber himself. He’s had one successful game so far but what comes next? How do you follow-up one hit with another? Obviously, you give him a sidekick. Today’s game is Sonic the Hedgehog 2, developed by Sega Technical Institute and released on the Sega Genesis in 1992.
Sonic the Hedgehog made a big splash in gaming when it released and after Sega made it the pack-in title for Sega Genesis consoles, those things were selling like mad. But Nintendo was into the 16-bit era by this point and Sega couldn’t rest on its laurels. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 would have to be bigger and badder than the first in order to keep up.
So, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 returns to the gameplay roots of the first game but even bigger. Levels are built around speed and precise platforming, with multiple routes offering significant replayability for each level. Typically, higher routes are faster but require more difficult platforming to complete and falling will send you down a slower route through the level.
Sonic doesn’t rush through levels alone this time, though. He has a sidekick in Miles “Tails” Prower, a yellow fox with two tails who looks up to Sonic. Having Tails allows two players to play co-op through each level. The second player takes control of Tails and while the first player still controls the camera and the route traveled, Tails can pick up rings and defeat enemies. Unlike later games, Tails cannot yet fly, at least not under the player’s control. Whenever Tails goes too far off screen, he will fly back onto the screen a moment later but this is automated.
Sonic the Hedgehog was a big deal when it released but everyone wondered if it would simply be a fluke. A one-hit wonder. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 cemented Sonic’s place in gaming history. This was a character who was here to stay and this time, he has friends. Sonic 2 received massive acclaim and is still fondly remembered today.
Thank you so much for listening! If you like the show, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. It helps us out a great deal if you do. You can also follow me on Twitter @vg_oftheday for more facts about each game we talk about. Don’t forget to check back here tomorrow for another Video Game of the Day!
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Devin "Katosepe" Sloane is a long time gamer and host of the show Video Game of the Day. He firmly believes Darklands is the pinnacle of gaming achievement and this is a hill he will die upon. Where his nickname came from is a secret to everybody.
