There’s something special about climbing walls that feels so foreign to Sonic games. This latter mode has an interesting premise – you have to collect 100 rings within the allotted time, then make it to the end as quickly as possible – yet it squanders the full potential with only including the first stage and, in doing so, the breadth of any replayability whatsoever. What this means for Sonic 2, then, is that the incredible Sonic & Knuckles game is also included, as well as some nice-to-have, yet not essential, separate game modes, such as a “Ring Keep” mode – you start with 10 rings and lose only half when hurt, as opposed to all in the “original” – and a challenge mode. Think of it as a spruced up greatest hits album, this time with a few extra tracks for good measure that, granted, may not equal the sum of the original, but you still welcome its existence nonetheless. For those not au fait with what this means, Sega Ages is, as Wikipedia states, “a series of video game ports, remakes and compilations published by Sega”. This, then, makes me all the more grateful that Sonic the Hedgehog 2 continues to be released on every platform known to hog-kind, this time under the Sega Ages banner. Regardless, when it comes down to it, Sonic will forever reign supreme in my heart, much to the chagrin of, seemingly, the rest of the gaming sphere. Later 3D Sonic titles lacked the evolution that Mario thrives on, and in playing too safe they damaged any potential growth in a pivotal time for Sega. And yes, the influence that the Mario titles had on the gaming landscape far dwarf any that Sega’s most recognisable mascot ever had, but when the currency I’m dealing in is unadulterated fun, Sega provided the richer experience.
Both Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 Battle easily eclipse any emotions I felt while playing, say, Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. Heck, I even preferred the early “real” 3D Sonic titles (not you, Sonic 3D). I have always preferred Sonic to Mario, or rather I do when it came to the 2D adventures. I feel I need to preface this review with some much-needed honesty, and you can judge both me and my subsequent words from there.
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