Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is well-known for its minimize content material, and whereas snippets of this have been teased over time, The Video Recreation Historical past Basis has now offered what may be essentially the most complete deep dive into Sonic 2’s misplaced levels (thanks, Time Extension).
In accordance with the video, three designers had contributed content material that finally would not make it into the Genesis / Mega Drive sequel, together with Brenda Prepare dinner (previously Ross), Craig Stitt, and Tom Payne. The reasoning behind the degrees getting the chop is that Sonic 2 was initially meant to be way more bold than the ultimate product, roping in time journey mechanics that will ultimately be seen in Sonic CD.
Levels akin to Cyber Metropolis Zone, Winter Zone, Wooden Zone, and Sand Bathe Zone (also called the Desert Zone) sadly by no means made the minimize. Nonetheless, because of the efforts of the Video Recreation Historical past Basis, gameplay footage and property from these levels have now been preserved because of very important contributions from Prepare dinner and Payne.
Documentation from the Cyber Metropolis Zone and pictures from a VHS portfolio containing Prepare dinner’s Winter, Desert, and Woods levels at the moment are absolutely viewable. The crew even went as far as to partially reconstruct the Cyber Metropolis Zone to provide a glimpse into how this might need regarded to gamers.
It is an enchanting take a look at what may have been, however fortunately, Sonic 2 nonetheless turned out to be a banger, proper?