Sonic the Hedgehog 2

A brilliant presentation of a fantastic platformer, with a reasonable helping of extra features (some useful, others fairly throwaway). If you haven't played Sonic 2 before it's a must-have: whether it's worth buying if you already have the game in some other form, though, is questionable.

The Sega Ages line brings Sonic The Hedgehog 2 to the Nintendo Switch, which offers a classic retro platforming experience with modern features.

Even if you own Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on a dozen consoles, playing it again on Switch is worth it for the few extras and portability.

SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a major blast from the past. It looks and plays great, and it’s the right kind of way to release a new port. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is just as enjoyable now as it was nearly thirty years ago when it was originally released.

In spite of featuring less content than the title's 2013 remake for iOS and Android, that doesn't change the fact that this is the best version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 currently available for a home console. Knuckles is included as a playable character, Super Sonic and Super Knuckles have their own unlockable modes where the Chaos Emeralds are collected out the gate, and the inclusion of the Drop Dash only adds depth to already excellent platforming. With a fantastic set of levels, and plenty of quality of life additions, SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is one of the line's better offerings.

With some welcome new extras, including a playable Knuckles, SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is another masterful port from M2 and the best version of the best Sonic game yet.

2020 appears as if it will be big for the blue hedgehog so why not pick this up on your Switch and get ready for the ride.

Still, if you like the 16-bit Sonic 2, and especially if you like playing as Knuckles in Sonic 2, then this is still a must-own for platforming fans as it’s a very solid version of the game, and completely eliminates the input lag that plagues the version in Sega Genesis Classics. Definitely worth looking at regardless!

If for some reason you still haven’t picked this game up yet, the low price and impressive extras set should soften the blow of uncertainty. It’s a classic for a reason, and 2D Sonic games are a fantastic fit for Switch. Grab it.

All in all, Sonic 2 is still a great game this time wrapped in a very nice package. The new modes make the game more accessible than ever, while still retaining the core Sonic experience. While there are some nice details, like being able to switch between versions of the game and the Sonic & Knuckles lock-on cart appearing when selecting the echidna's mode, the lack of widescreen support is very strange.