Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (iOS, 2013)

The 2013 mobile remake of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the third game in the Taxman/Stealth collection of remastered Sonic games. Like the 2013 Sonic 1 before it, the Sonic 2 remake replaces the rudimentary emulated version originally on the App Store and adds Knuckles, auto-match multiplayer, 60FPS, and widescreen support as well as running on the Retro Engine.

The remake is most notable for including a completed version of the famed Hidden Palace Zone, accessible in normal gameplay...although it uses the 2-player Mystic Cave tune (like the Simon Wai prototype of the Genesis original) rather than the otherwise-unused Song #10 that plays upon loading the Zone in the final, because they felt it was a better fit.

Level Select


The level select can be accessed the same way as in the 2013 Sonic 1 – start a "No Save" game and choose a character. On the SEGA logo screen, tap the letters S-E-G-A in that order once the entire word appears. If done correctly, you will hear the ring chime twice. Then hold two fingers on the bottom of the screen and wait. After the title screen appears, you'll be taken to the level select.

Game Config Menu


Play sound 00 three times in the Sound Test to bring up a "Game Config" menu. It replaces the more rudimentary menu from the 2013 Sonic 1.


 * Player: Similar to the player select in the Genesis game's options menu, this allows you to play with Knuckles with Tails following, ala the default Sonic and Tails option.
 * Items: Lets you choose between Sonic 2 items, hidden Sonic 2 items (all monitors display a "?" graphic), Sonic 3 items, and hidden Sonic 3 items.
 * Flight: Toggles Tails' signature ability.
 * Air Cap: Toggles the air speed cap.

Debug Mode


Play sounds 01, 09, 09, 02, 01, 01, 02, 04 (the US/European release date of the original Genesis game) in the Sound Test. During gameplay, tap the upper-left corner of the screen to access the debug mode. To change the item you are placing, press the + or - on the top of the screen.

Tapping the lives counter in Debug Mode will take you back to the Level Select.

Eighth Special Stage
Similar to how the 2013 Sonic 1 added a hidden seventh Special Stage, this port adds an eighth Special Stage. By selecting sounds 00 through 07 in the Sound Test, you can change which Special Stage you go to. Playing sound 00 and selecting Special Stage takes you to Special Stage #1, 01 takes you to #2, and so on, with 07 taking you to #8.

The eighth Special Stage is purple, a color previously used exclusively in multiplayer Special Stages, and features a corkscrew loop. A video can be seen here.

Unused Sprites
Most of these are, unsurprisingly, leftovers from the original Genesis game.