History YMMV / SonicTheHedgehog2

** Similar to the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' rerelease, the ''SEGA AGES'' version isn't nearly on the same caliber as the Android remaster, but is still an enjoyable package, having flawless emulation while adding Drop Dash, Ring Keep Mode, save states (the latter two being a major help in [[DroughtLevelOfDoom Death Egg Zeon]]) and rumble feature as well as including the ''Sonic and Knuckles'' lock-on rendition to play as Knuckles.

** Similar to the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' rerelease, the ''SEGA AGES'' version isn't nearly on the same caliber as the Android remaster, but is still an enjoyable package, having flawless emulation while adding Drop Dash and rumble feature as well as including the ''Sonic and Knuckles'' lock-on rendition to play as Knuckles.

** The two player split screen function is a more programming-necessitated example. Only three levels are available in VS race mode, the three that are most compatible in this mode. The beta version had split screen available the entire game, though also demonstrates the mass difficulties the other levels have compressing to two screens, often producing glitchy unplayable messes. The 2013 remaster cuts out split screen altogether in favour of one-screen online play, allowing it to have twice as many levels available in VS mode.

* SacredCow: This game and ''VideoGameSonic3AndKnuckles'' are considered the high point of the series by many fans.

* ItsTheSameSoItSucks: Every re-release made after the Android remaster has had a ToughActToFollow due to being straight ports of the original game with minor additions, rather than retaining anything from the expanded remaster that had yet to see any non-mobile ports. The ''Origins'' compilation would finally bring the remaster's additions to PC and consoles, albeit marred by some technical issues due to the compilation's rushed development.

* ItsTheSameSoItSucks: Every re-release made after the Android remaster has had a ToughActToFollow due to being straight ports of the original game with minor additions, rather than retaining anything from the expanded remaster that had yet to see any non-mobile ports. The ''Origins'' compilation would finally bring the remaster's additions to PC and consoles, but even it would be marred by various technical issues due to the compilation's rushed development.

* ToughActToFollow: The 2013 remaster became the gold standard of ''Sonic 2'' ports due to the wide range of features it added, as well as throwing in [[spoiler: Hidden Palace Zone]] as the icing on the cake. As a result, the ''SEGA AGES'' port for Switch ended up being panned by many fans for missing a lot of these features and not being done by the same [[MyRealDaddy Taxman-Stealth partnership]], despite being an otherwise solid port by [=M2=], a studio with an excellent reputation for Sega and shmup ports, that backports in the [[VideoGame/SonicMania Drop Dash]] and retains the option to play as Knuckles.

** The Special Stages can be this, since they require TrialAndErrorGameplay more often than not so a player can memorize the placement of rings and bombs. It's even worse if one plays as Sonic and Tails, since the ring goals are higher, and [[https://youtu.be/EjoDr0CH9K4?t=5m1s it's possible for Tails to get in front of Sonic if he gets hit]], and if the game is controlling him, you've already lost since he'll steal all the rings up ahead and then inevitably lose them.

* ItsTheSameSoItSucks: Every re-release made after the Android remaster has a ToughActToFollow due to being straight ports of the original game with minor additions, rather than retaining anything from the expanded remaster that has yet to see any non-mobile ports. The ''Origins'' compilation would finally bring the remaster's additions to PC and consoles, but even it would be marred by various technical issues due to the compilation's rushed development.

* ItsTheSameSoItSucks: Every re-release made after the Android remaster has a ToughActToFollow due to being straight ports of the original game with minor additions, rather than retaining anything from the expanded remaster that has yet to see any non-mobile ports.

* SignatureScene:
** Chemical Plant Zone easily is the most memorable level in the game due to its fast-paced gameplay, its confusing yet entertaining pipes, and its awesome music track. No wonder it was revamped in ''VideoGame/SonicMania''.
** This game's memorable ending was revisited in a few other ''Sonic'' games.

* {{Fanon}}: A common fan theory is that Mecha Sonic was either a FlawedPrototype for [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Metal Sonic]] (going by the assumption that ''Sonic CD'' takes place at some point after ''Sonic 2'') or, going by the other fan conception that ''Sonic CD'' is an {{Interquel}} between the first game and ''Sonic 2'', that Mecha Sonic was a hastily cobbled together replacement for Metal Sonic [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog4 after he was abandoned upon defeat at Stardust Speedway]].

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: [[AwesomeMusic/SonicTheHedgehog A returning Masato Nakamura strikes gold again with the Genesis version]]. The 8-bit version has some good music too, and the music from Green Hills Zone would be adapted into "Sonic - You Can Do Anything," the opening theme from the Japanese version of ''[[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Sonic CD]]''.

** The iOS/Android versions has Knuckles integrated in without needing ''Sonic & Knuckles'', a Boss Rush mode, an extended vs. mode, a Time Attack mode, an updated soundtrack, and [[spoiler: both a finished version and a secret beta version of Hidden Palace]]. The game also has a couple new visual effects (most evidently the Special Stage, which is now genuine 3D and has a very smooth framerate). This is due to being built on a new, custom engine designed to port classic ''Sonic'' games. This remaster was finally ported over to consoles via ''Sonic Origins'' and despite a few new glitches, it maintains nearly all the same new features and polish as well as a couple new ones like Drop Dash for Sonic and a Mirror Mode.

* AuthorsSavingThrow:
** In the first game, Marble Zone was criticized for its slow pace and focus on tricky platforming. Chemical Plant Zone was therefore designed as Marble Zone's antithesis, with the game letting the player use Emerald Hill Zone to get to grips with the controls and playing style, and then letting them go all-out when they reached Chemical Plant Zone. Granted, while the zone still has one or two tricky bits of platforming, they are just a minor speedbump instead of taking up the entire level.
** While the game ''does'' still have spiritual likenesses to Marble Zone's more intricate underground platforming and Labyrinth Zone's underwater trekking (eg. Hill Top Zone and Aquatic Ruin Zone, respectively), they are generally kept more in tone with Sonic's typical fast paced platforming and aren't nearly as long drawn and tedious.
** The iOS/Android port mitigates several of the criticisms some have had of the original game, such as making Tails' AI in the Special Stages quicker and more responsive (making collecting the seven emeralds with Sonic & Tails far easier), having Super Sonic be activated after tapping the button twice as opposed to simply jumping once in the air (making it so you don't automatically turn into Super Sonic once you get 50+ rings) and even gets rid of the infamous spike trap in Mystic Cave Zone Act 2 in favor of a [[spoiler:secret entrance to Hidden Palace]], amongst other tweaks.
** The use of track 10 for [[spoiler:Proto Palace was likely meant to make up to fans who are disappointed that it wasn't used in Hidden Palace proper in the iOS/Android port]].

** Metropolis Zone, mostly due to the enemies there being the toughest badniks in the game, and some are even placed poorly in the level (such as one of the Slicers being at the top of a yellow triangle spring wall you have to bounce up to, making it hard to avoid the boomerang blades and avoid running into the Slicer at the top of it). It is also [[MarathonLevel the longest Zone in the entire game]], bearing three Acts instead of the standard two.

* SignatureScene: This game's memorable ending was revisited in a few other ''Sonic'' games.

** [[spoiler:Hidden Palace Zone in the remake, mostly for the novelty of finally getting to play one of the most famous DummiedOut levels in gaming history.]]

* BrokenBase: Whether the [[spoiler:Hidden Palace Zone in the remake should've used the DummiedOut track instead of Mystic Cave Zone's 2-player music. Some feel that Hidden Palace deserves its own track, while others consider its theme to be SoundtrackDissonance. The Mystic Cave Zone 2 Player music was always Hidden Palace's music in the beta, but the unused level in the final uses the unused song]].

** You can retain control during the results screen if you're off-screen and airbone as the signpost stops spinning. Unfortunately, the remake fixed this to prevent the associated game-breaking glitch of Super Sonic getting stuck in midair if this is done.

* ItWasHisSled: Hidden Palace Zone in the remake is intended to be a surprise to players, but it's pretty much impossible to discuss this in any ''Sonic'' community without someone spoiling it.
* ItsTheSameSoItSucks: Every re-release made after the Android remake has a ToughActToFollow due to being straight ports of the original game with minor additions, rather than retaining anything from the expanded remake that has yet to see any non-mobile ports.

* NauseaFuel: The iconic half-pipe Special Stages are often called [[FanNickname "Puke Zone"]] for its crude and [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny poorly aged]] imitation of 3D. The framerate is very low, making the stages look like they're put under a strobe light, and the sudden twists and turns make the effect even more disorienting. Several players often complain of eyestrain and motion sickness when playing these stages. Thankfully, the remake ditches the old version and makes them true polygonal stages, making them much smoother.

** The iOS/Android versions has Knuckles integrated in without needing ''Sonic & Knuckles'', a Boss Rush mode, an extended vs. mode, a Time Attack mode, an updated soundtrack, and [[spoiler: both a finished version and a secret beta version of Hidden Palace]]. The game also has a couple new visual effects (most evidently the Special Stage, which is now genuine 3D and has a very smooth framerate). This is due to being built on a new, custom engine designed to port classic ''Sonic'' games. This remake was finally ported over to consoles via ''Sonic Origins'' and despite a few new glitches, it maintains nearly all the same new features and polish as well as a couple new ones like Drop Dash for Sonic and a Mirror Mode.
** Similar to the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' rerelease, the ''SEGA AGES'' version isn't nearly on the same caliber as the Android remake, but is still an enjoyable package, having flawless emulation while adding Drop Dash and rumble feature as well as including the ''Sonic and Knuckles'' lock-on rendition to play as Knuckles.

** Changing to Sonic's super form is triggered by jumping... and nothing else. And since this is a PlatformGame, you will be jumping a lot. This forces you to turn into Super Sonic once you have 50 rings even if you aren't good at controlling him or otherwise want to avoid activating it. Thankfully, in the mobile remake, it's instead triggered by pressing the jump button again in midair. The ''Sonic Origins'' version makes it even better by pressing a separate button while in midair to activate it like in ''Sonic Mania''.

** Mystic Cave Zone, since most objects in the Zone are traps of some sort, and the enemies are either hidden or small enough to overlook. It also has an inescapable spike pit in Act 2 (made worse if you happen to be Super with hundreds of rings). This was fixed in the remake, as the spike pit is replaced with a transition to a [[BonusDungeon new level]].

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: While the 2013 remake has received considerable acclaim, some fans have taken it to task for adding in elements that they deride as gimmicks (such as including the elemental shields from ''Sonic 3''), using a slightly modified version of [[spoiler: the Simon Wai prototype's Hidden Palace Zone rather than trying to recreate the speculated original vision of it being where Sonic learns how to access his SuperForm after collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking not using Track 10 for Hidden Palace]]]].

** The two player split screen function is a more programming-necessitated example. Only three levels are available in VS race mode, the three that are most compatible in this mode. The beta version had split screen available the entire game, though also demonstrates the mass difficulties the other levels have compressing to two screens, often producing glitchy unplayable messes. The 2013 remake cuts out split screen altogether in favour of one-screen online play, allowing it to have twice as many levels available in VS mode.

** The iOS/Android versions has Knuckles integrated in without needing ''Sonic & Knuckles'', a Boss Rush mode, an extended vs. mode, an updated soundtrack, and [[spoiler: both a finished version and a secret beta version of Hidden Palace]]. The game also has a couple new visual effects (most evidently the Special Stage, which has a very smooth framerate). This is due to being built on a new, custom engine designed to port classic ''Sonic'' games.

** Sky Chase Zone, an easy and relaxed level with lovely, gentle music as you fly through the sky. It helps that it's after the horror that is the [[ThatOneLevel Metropolis Zone]].

** Changing to Sonic's super form is triggered by jumping... and nothing else. And since this is a PlatformGame, you will be jumping a lot. This forces you to turn into Super Sonic once you have 50 rings even if you aren't good at controlling him or otherwise want to avoid activating it. Thankfully, in the mobile remake, it's instead triggered by pressing the jump button again in midair. The ''Sonic Origins'' version makes it even better by pressing a separate button while in midair like in ''Sonic Mania''.

** Changing to Sonic's super form is triggered by jumping... and nothing else. And since this is a PlatformGame, you will be jumping a lot. This forces you to turn into Super Sonic once you have 50 rings even if you aren't good at controlling him or otherwise want to avoid activating it. Thankfully, in the mobile remake, it's instead triggered by pressing the jump button again in midair. The ''Sonic Origins'' version makes it even better by pressing a separate button while in midair like in ''VideoGame/SonicMania''.

** Changing to Sonic's super form is triggered by jumping... and nothing else. And since this is a PlatformGame, you will be jumping a lot. This forces you to turn into Super Sonic once you have 50 rings even if you aren't good at controlling him or otherwise want to avoid activating it. Thankfully, in the mobile remake, it's instead triggered by pressing the jump button again in midair.

** The final boss, the Death Egg Robo, while not extremely difficult strategy wise, can be a bit difficult due to its very particular collision. Due to its spike armoured arms, trying to jump into its weak point is hard besides its landing recoil, at which point you have to quickly avoid it firing its arms a great distance at you. Even worse, if you hit him from the wrong angle, you can sometimes fall inside him instead of bounce off, killing you. You can also damage him by hitting him in the back above the flame on his jetpack, though getting behind him can be dangerous as he'll shoot out mines if he lands and boxes you in too close to the edge of the screen. Knuckles' stunted jump height means this boss is a ''huge'' DifficultySpike for him after most of the game being much easier as him as you can only damage the boss when he lands and cannot damage him from the rear at all.

* GenreTurningPoint: While the gameplay by itself wasn't as disruptive for the industry as much as it was an improvement upon its predecessor, ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'' was a turning point in how video games were released, marketed, and perceived in the entertainment industry at large. Up until the early '90's, most video games didn't have strict release dates, often trickling out to retailers over the course of a month or two. With ''Sonic 2'', Sega instead created a huge marketing push around a definite release date of Tuesday, November 24th, 1992, which they dubbed "Sonic 2sday", generating enormous amounts of hype from people who couldn't wait to purchase the game on that day. While this huge launch presented logistical challenges to Sega and retailers, it paid off when ''Sonic 2'' became one of the fastest selling video games up to that point, with many comparing the launch to that of a new album from a major artist or a blockbuster film. It set a standard for definitive release dates for video games going forward, and helped propel video games into becoming an important branch of the entertainment industry.

* CommonKnowledge: Track #10 is often attributed to Hidden Palace and regarded to be its track. However, there is little evidence to support this bar the fact that it was played in the DummiedOut remains of the level in the final game and Masato's demo track heavily suggests it was actually meant for a cutscene as opposed to a stage theme, given that it ends unlike the other tracks, which loop. If anything, there's more evidence to suggest the 2 player theme for Mystic Cave was intended to be the zone's music, given it plays in several prototypes that contain the zone. [[spoiler:This is on top of being the music used for the final zone in the Taxman and Stealth port]].

* RecurringFanonCharacter: There is an infamous glitch that would turn Sonic green with a black mark on his face. The character, nicknamed Ashura by the community, would become popular enough to receive some fan works with him acting as an EvilCounterpart of Sonic, and eventually inspired Creator/IanFlynn to turn Anti-Sonic into a green hedgehog named Scourge in ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics''.

** "The Drill Car" for the game's opening boss, Drill Eggman (aka Egg Mobile-D)/Egg Drillster, a truck with a drill attached to its front. As a result of its inclusion in ''VideoGame/{{MUGEN}}'', it's also referred to as the "Stupid Little Drill Tank".

* FranchiseOriginalSin:
** ''Sonic 2'' would start the trend of every major title introducing at least one new character, in this case Tails. This initially wasn't a problem since Tails lacked the common writing problems and GameplayRoulette that plagued future characters, but with each game that passes by with a new residential BaseBreakingCharacter or [[TheScrappy Scrappy]], the novelty wore off and now any implication of adding a new character in the latest ''Sonic'' title [[BrokenBase can cause fans to lose it]].\\
Another reason why this wasn't a problem during the early years was that the cast was fairly small[[note]]Before this game, the only characters were Sonic and Robotnik[[/note]], so not only did the new characters bring something new to the table, either be story or gameplay wise, but they didn't overshadow already existing characters. Meanwhile, in later years, the series' cast had grown considerably, so new characters were often considered redundant and often came at the expense of an already existing character being DemotedToExtra or PutOnABus.
** The almighty speed booster is introduced in Chemical Plant Zone. Not a problem here, but it caught Dimps' eye, leading to a common criticism of the ''VideoGame/{{Sonic Rush|Series}}'' series and especially ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog4'' being the sheer overabundance of them throughout the game.
** One of the most common complaints about the infamous ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'' was its glitchiness. While nowhere near to the same extent and still being a fairly solid game otherwise, Sonic 2 is also a fairly glitchy game as a result of being ChristmasRushed, even having some [[GameBreakingBug Game-Breaking Bugs]]. For instance, jumping at the end of a level while having all Chaos Emeralds and 50 or more rings [[UnintentionallyUnwinnable softlocks the game, forcing the player to reset and lose all progress]], while landing on certain objects such as the Rexon enemy the wrong way can crash the game altogether.