When Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sega's golden Genesis sequel, first arrived on the App Store in 2009, it was a sloppy, broken mess, featuring a poor frame rate, barely tolerable controls and a myriad of other problems. However, following its treatment of the original Sonic and Sonic CD, Sega provided Sonic 2 with a much-needed makeover, including a faster frame rate and a pair of extras no fan will want to miss.
The Good
With Christian Whitehead once again handling the game's conversion, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 becomes the mobile game that fans in the series truly deserve. The graphics are terrific and move along at a fast pace (especially the bonus levels), and the music is joyous to listen to. Plus, Sega included three great gifts in the package - the ability to play as Sonic 3's Knuckles the Echidna, a challenging boss mode that'll keep you on your toes and the previously unplayable Hidden Palace Zone, which takes time to unlock but is certainly worth it. Best of all, it's offered as a free update on iOS, while the game costs $2.99 by itself.
The Bad
As great as it is to see Sonic back up to speed (literally), Sonic 2 isn't without its problems. The controls can be slippery in the 3D bonus stages, especially if you're playing with Knuckles. In addition, there's no local multiplayer, so you're forced to sit online several moments for a match to start. Finally, there's no level select like in the original, so you have to earn the new Hidden Palace Zone the old fashioned way. Maybe that's how Sega intended it.
The Verdict
While not as seamless as Sonic CD due to a few slight technical mishaps, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the best it could be on mobile, and the extra content really goes a long way. This is one retro favorite we don't mind running around with.
