Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Alex and Luke Talk Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Speed was the promise. Trauma was the water level. Developed by Sega Technical Institute and published by Sega, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 launched for the Sega Genesis in November 1992 and cemented Sonic as Mario's true '90s rival. With the debut of Tails, the spin dash, bigger levels, and an even louder attitude, Sonic 2 became one of the defining platformers of its era. Three decades later, it remains a fascinating snapshot of the console wars—equal parts brilliant, frustrating, and unmistakably Sega.

At the time of recording, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 holds a Metacritic score of 83. According to HowLongToBeat, the main story averages around 2.5 hours, though that's assuming you're actually making it through Death Egg Zone. As Alex and Luke quickly rediscover, Sonic wants you to go fast... while constantly punishing you for doing exactly that. Save states? No judgment here.

Alex played on an original Sega Genesis, the Mega SG, and an Anbernic RG Arc D  while Luke tackled the game on a Sega Genesis Mini. Alex rolled credits—with a healthy assist from modern conveniences—while Luke bowed out before the finish line after reliving enough childhood trauma to satisfy him. Along the way, the brothers revisit the Genesis vs. Super Nintendo rivalry, debate whether Sonic 3 is secretly the superior game, and marvel at just how strange Sonic's world becomes once you leave Green Hill behind.

This episode is unofficially brought to you in part by little kid bikes. Whether they're balance bikes, pedal bikes, or training wheels, watching your kid discover two wheels for the first time never gets old.

Audio Credits:

"Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Main Theme)" from the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Original Soundtrack — composed by Masato Nakamura — © Sega.

Original theme music owned by Low Five Gaming.

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