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'''Sonic the Hedgehog 2''' is a 2D platform game released in November 1992 for the [[:Category:Mega Drive games|Sega Mega Drive]]/Genesis.  It is a sequel to [[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], and the [[:Category:Sonic the Hedgehog series|Sonic the Hedgehog series]] continued with [[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]] and [[Sonic and Knuckles]].

'''Sonic the Hedgehog 2''' is a 2D platform game released in November 1992 for the [[:Category:Mega Drive games|Sega Mega Drive]]/Genesis.  It is a sequel to [[Sonic the Hedgehog (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], and the [[:Category:Sonic the Hedgehog series|Sonic the Hedgehog series]] continued with [[Sonic the Hedgehog 3]] and [[Sonic and Knuckles]].

>==Version differences==

==Version differences==

As with all the 16-bit Sonic games, the [[PAL]] version runs slower than the [[NTSC]] version. However, the in-game timer is slowed down by the same amount, so identical times are possible in both versions. PAL players may have a slight advantage due to the slowdown aiding players' reactions, but in general players in all regions can compete equally.

As with all the 16-bit Sonic games, the [[PAL]] version runs slower than the [[NTSC]] version. However, the in-game timer is slowed down by the same amount, so identical times are possible in both versions. PAL players may have a slight advantage due to the slowdown aiding players' reactions, but in general players in all regions can compete equally.

Sonic Jam includes three different modes of playing the game: '''Normal''', '''Easy''' and '''Original'''. The Normal and Easy settings make small changes to the levels, such as additional rings (particularly noticable in the [[Death Egg Zone (Sonic the Hedgehog 2)|Death Egg Zone]], which originally featured no rings). It also features a [[Time Attack]] mode, which tracks times, but uses the same altered level layouts as the Normal difficulty. Players using Sonic Jam should therefore use the '''Original''' setting; identical to the original release of the game.

Sonic Jam includes three different modes of playing the game: '''Normal''', '''Easy''' and '''Original'''. The Normal and Easy settings make small changes to the levels, such as additional rings (particularly noticable in the [[Death Egg Zone (Sonic the Hedgehog 2)|Death Egg Zone]], which originally featured no rings). It also features a [[Time Attack]] mode, which tracks times, but uses the same altered level layouts as the Normal difficulty. Players using Sonic Jam should therefore use the '''Original''' setting; identical to the original release of the game.

== Terminology and tactics ==

== Terminology and tactics ==

;Speed Capping:As Sonic or Tails, holding right and jumping while running at a speed greater than the intended maximum will bring you back down to the maximum speed. This should generally be avoided, but is not always a bad thing, as it allows you to gain some reaction time and extra height on some of your jumps. A good example of where this is useful is the shortcut at the end of [[Chemical Plant Zone 1]]. Knuckles does not retain this ability, hence many jumps are much harder with Knuckles than Sonic or Tails, but Knuckles can gain and keep a higher speed due not having to let go of right to keep maximum speed.

;Speed Capping:As Sonic or Tails, holding right and jumping while running at a speed greater than the intended maximum will bring you back down to the maximum speed. This should generally be avoided, but is not always a bad thing, as it allows you to gain some reaction time and extra height on some of your jumps. A good example of where this is useful is the shortcut at the end of [[Chemical Plant Zone 1]]. Knuckles does not retain this ability, hence many jumps are much harder with Knuckles than Sonic or Tails, but Knuckles can gain and keep a higher speed due not having to let go of right to keep maximum speed.

== Speedruns ==

== Speedrun ==

[[The Sonic Center]] [http://www.soniccenter.org/] has hosted Sonic the Hedgehog 2 speedrun competition since December 2003.

[[The Sonic Center]] [http://www.soniccenter.org/] has hosted Sonic the Hedgehog 2 speedrun competition since December 2003.