Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - Anniversary Edition

By SophieDude

Are you up 2 it? Again?!

Hello this is my first time participating in the Sonic Hacking contest.

Now I know what you are thinking "Isn't it a bit too early for an Anniversary Edition?" the answer is yes, However I've been working on multiple mods over the past few years and I felt like this one was the only one I could finished and enter into the contest.

Anyways, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - Anniversary Edition is an enchantment mod of Sonic 2 that I've been working on for many years in my spare time.

Features

  • Tons of Bug Fixes, Ranging form Big to tiny little fixes
  • Hidden Palace Zone has been added as a Extra Level, you can find in Mystic Cave Act 2 if you fall into the Pit (Just like in the Moblie Version).
  • Hill Top Zone has been added to 2P Vs. mode. To access it, highlight Emerald Hill and hold C and push Start.
  • Remixed Music and different music for each Act.
  • The original soundtrack is available as an option
  • Knuckles is playable, along with and option to have Tails follow him (Though he is not playable in 2 Player mode just yet)
  • Tails can Fly/Swim (but can't carry Sonic/Knuckles yet)
  • Tails also now has a Super Form
  • Tails's Shorter Height is now actual taken into account for collision instead of just reusing Sonic's Height.
  • The Level Layouts have been modfied with bugfixes and new areas for Knuckles and Tails to Explore
  • An Easy and Hard mode that rearranges the Level Layout and adjusts the Bosses. These modes don't just make the Game Easier/Harder, They actually rearrange the Level Layout to make it different and Easier/Harder (Think of them more as Sonic Jam's Easy mode or Sonic Mania's Encore Mode)
  • An Extended Options screen with 2 Pages
  • New Vs. mode Options in the Option screen
    • No Teleport Monitors
    • Fixed Monitors
  • Smoother Animations
  • Enchanced Graphics that looks nicer and matches Yasushi Yamaguchi's artwork much closer (as well as imported graphics from Sonic Mania)
  • Each Act has a Different Color Palette, to give it that Sonic 3 feeling
  • You can hold B while a Level is loading to have different music playing, like the 2 player songs
    • This also works in 2 Player mode as well so you can have 1 player songs in 2 player mode
  • In 2 player mode the Signpost also Doesn't lock the Screen anymore when it appears on Screen, Only when you cross it. Allow you to get more points over the other player in case you didn't want to finish the level yet.
  • Tails A.I. Improvements:
    • He can't steal a bubble from you anymore, he now leaves the bubble after breathing it like in Sonic Mania
    • He can't active collasping platforms, falling platforms, moving platforms, and HTZ zip lines

Important note

The 1-up Song currently has a habbit of crashing the game, usually when it fades back into a song. Because of this I have Removed the 1-UP Song and Replaced all calls to the 1-up Song with the Perfect Ring Jingle from Sonic 3's Special Stage. This is Currently a Temporary Fix until I fix the Issue.

Credits

Original MIDI Version of Chemical Plant Act 2 from vgmusic.com - Created by Kentaro - Converted to SMPS and Edited by Me

A Really old version of Clownacy's Clone Driver, The only reason that I haven't change to a different sound driver is because I'm lazy

Mega PCM By Valdikcomper

Gallery
Download

File Type: rom/mega-drive

File Size: 1.05 MB

SophieDude @ 2020-10-26 05:53:13

Just a little reminder that wood zone and cyber city zone are bonuses and most likely will be removed due to how unfinished they are, which is why they can only be accessed in the level select.

Warning Casino Night Zone Boss is Broken

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-FDj75q1rR_BpTUBHbzCRPpG-LIwOKtQ/view?usp=sharing

Here is a Fixed Version, However Due to the Rules the Build on this Entry page should be the one that is judged. Just Use this Version to enjoy the mod but the other to vote.

Last modified by SophieDude @ 2020-10-26 19:04:21

Eeveelover64 @ 2020-10-26 07:06:00

Makes sense, hopefully they can be finished in the near future along with fixing any bugs/glitches/crashes!

Ivanpascua16 @ 2020-11-03 19:18:43

I was going to tell you about that problem but ... thank you!

Eeveelover64 @ 2020-11-13 15:58:06

Hey where is sound test 59, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 60, and 61 used? Orrrr... are they unused?

Last modified by Eeveelover64 @ 2020-11-18 05:02:18

Sonic_the_dutch_hedgehog @ 2020-10-26 07:06:01

Holy shit the art is beautiful!

EPICTAILS @ 2020-10-26 08:09:45

I love this mod but i found a glitch in casino night where the game crashes during the boss and I can't avoid it

D.A. Garden @ 2020-10-27 01:29:34

Which was already noted by the developer as the first comment, above. There's even a link to a fixed version.

EPICTAILS @ 2020-10-27 05:00:41

That wasn't there yesterday so I didn't know

VirtuaKazama @ 2020-10-26 11:23:47

SophieDude, nice job on sprite work and the music! I liked the transition on Mystic Cave to Hidden Palace. I'm gonna explore more of this romhack after work.

SophieDude @ 2020-10-26 14:18:13

Comment deleted by SophieDude @ 2020-10-26 15:34:54

SophieDude @ 2020-10-26 14:34:20

Comment deleted by SophieDude @ 2020-10-26 15:34:48

PhoenixityCD @ 2020-10-26 17:47:54

How do you access the level select?

SophieDude @ 2020-10-26 19:02:18

All of the Cheat Codes are the Same as the original, Enter 19, 65, 09, 17 in the Option Screen Sound Test

Last modified by SophieDude @ 2020-10-26 19:03:01

Jdpense @ 2020-10-26 19:05:53

I honestly thought that this was just going Sonic 2 but with minor sprite edits at first, but I was very glad that wasn't the case! I can tell you put a lot effort in sprites and artwork, as every asset was changed! I was very surprised and impressed by this one!

TheDarkParadox2020 @ 2020-10-26 19:55:18

The art of this Hack, simply beautiful, the music thinks the same. Nice job doing this Hack

Last modified by TheDarkParadox2020 @ 2021-05-04 10:36:42

D.A. Garden @ 2020-10-27 01:31:57

I love the remix in Chemical Plant Zone Act 2. If this is what you can do as your first custom track in game, then I cannot wait to see what else you can pull off. I love the difficulty levels (although I feel a little more could be done with it), and the bosses using each level's instrumentation is a very nice touch.

E-122-Psi @ 2020-10-29 15:25:52

Yay, someone used the 2P VS expansions. :D

Anyway this is looking impressive, the music remixes in particular sound pretty awesome and the extra shade and gradient to the whole package (along with the colour scheme tweaks between acts) really do spruce up the whole thing. Kinda looks like a 32X port.

The juiced up options is also a great bit of polish.

Last modified by E-122-Psi @ 2020-10-29 19:25:14

sodbilguun @ 2020-10-29 20:32:37

Is Works On MD.EMU Is Pretty Good But Wood Zone Is Unfinshed But Hidden Palace Zone And Cyber City aka Gencoide City Zone Is Complete

Eeveelover64 @ 2020-10-30 11:33:01

Did you even read Sophiedude's comment?

Eeveelover64 @ 2020-10-30 11:26:47

I really like this hack, the visuals are great, the music is great, and I'm glad you were able to implement tails flight and knuckles, really good job on this hack!

pds566 @ 2020-10-30 13:19:54

(1) This rom hack seems quite interesting... I have liked a lot of your hack: the new set of sprites, zone background palette colors, the new background music remixes... but what I liked the most is your new "hard mode". It's quite interesting to see finally somebody attempting to make a Hard mode for Sonic 2. I could suggest you adding up more hits required (8 for almost all Sonic 2 / 3&k battles) in order to defeat Eggman on each battle, something like 20.

Last modified by pds566 @ 2020-10-30 13:55:02

SophieDude @ 2020-10-31 12:50:53

So I actually did increase his amount of hits but it didn't make it harder just longer. so I reverted all of the boss to 8. I'm currently thinking I different ways of make each boss harder like for example wfz boss currently changes behavior a bit in hard mode

pds566 @ 2020-10-30 13:56:50

(2) Also if possible, I'd really like if you can increase Eggman invincibility between each hit so the battles don't end on the very usual 2-5 seconds (Chemical plant or Hill top boss battles for example)... As a final suggestion, is there some chance you could increase the amount of rings required for each round of each special stage ?

pds566 @ 2020-10-30 13:57:06

(3) I haven't seen a single Sonic 2 rom hack to ever change special stages but increasing the rings for each special stage round would definetely boost the "hard mode" to a way better and accurate spot. I'd really appreciate if you can apply either all or any of them into your hack... There're very few Sonic 2 hacks which may attempt to bring up a harder / more challenging version of the game... I hope you can answer, please ! Thank you a lot for sharing developer !!

SophieDude @ 2020-10-31 12:55:55

The problem with changing the special stage is that I have to test to make sure you can get enough rings in each section. I'm really bad at the special stages in sonic 2. This is currently why they don't change on hard mode. I'm trying to think of a better way of making it hard.

pds566 @ 2020-11-01 15:06:07

(1)Is there some other social media to contact you for a faster interaction ? I'm a very old experienced Sonic 2 player which may help you out with difficulty testings on my little stream if you ever want a tester for a difficulty boost, no problem at all !! I literally know every single ring spot and I have just played them so many times in the past to know that those would be a whole different thing if actually was increased the rings required for each special stage Round...

pds566 @ 2020-11-01 15:06:38

(2) Not only that I haven't ever seen changed from any sonic 2 hack but also I haven't ever seen somebody who ever changed object/mine/rings from any special stage so AT LEAST this harder rings requirement for each Round would actually make the game feel much more fresh in my very honest opinion... I'm pretty sure there're other people who are looking for a way HARDER Sonic 2 experience which may enjoy this as well...

pds566 @ 2020-11-01 15:06:50

(3) Either this or I would really appreciate a unique version for me to play them with a higher rings requirement I could let you know specifically for each round... This harder special stages version is something I always dreamed for, but I'm way too stupid to know how to modify by myself.

Big Mike @ 2020-10-31 17:02:12

Your hack fires on all cylanders! The graphics, the music, and the whole enchilada are perfect. This perhaps may be the definitive Sonic 2 experience.

NASCARDalek48 @ 2020-11-07 15:19:58

I love this Beautiful hack!

July2612 @ 2020-11-09 14:20:44

Holy crap! This is good! This is now my prefered method to play Sonic 2!

TheNoobster @ 2020-11-09 21:36:34

Hey, if you can, please keep Cyber City Zone. It is actually what I really wanted. Also, fun fact, someone put Metropolis's palette into Sonic Spinballs "The Machine" level and noticed that it looks exactly like Metropolis. If you can keep it, please use The Machine's palette, if you can.

Eeveelover64 @ 2020-11-12 11:26:52

Also, I will rip this games music... eventually, cuz the remixes are AMAZING! This soundtrack deserves to be listened by EVERYONE!

KnuxRuso480 @ 2020-11-13 11:54:01

This game is very good, especially the music

7/10

SonicPLAY @ 2020-11-17 13:09:21

If Amy Rose Was Jourable in Sonic 2 Anniversary as Knuckles ?

Kariokartknex @ 2020-11-28 12:00:19

I cant download it!

DiegoBrando @ 2020-11-29 02:38:29

Nice Game

dylans0123495 @ 2020-12-07 15:34:14

Huh, cool, i hope to see how it'll be when it's complete.

dylans0123495 @ 2020-12-07 15:55:46

Something i'd like is that the themes of the levels would change when Hard Mode is activated.

dylans0123495 @ 2020-12-07 18:17:24

I played it, and honestly, it's a good game, It would've been nice if we could play as S&K, but at least it's nice we can play as K&T so i'll let that pass, However, this isn't what i want to say, i'll give my criticism to da Hard Mode:

1. Hard Mode is Almost not different to the normal Sonic 2:

(I had to resume all of this to comment this.)

dylans0123495 @ 2020-12-07 18:17:47

you said the level layouts was changed to be harder, Through, i played it and didn't other differences other than jerk moves in some parts and boom, really? I throught it was HARD, add some bottomless Pits, More plataforming, it could be harder, like changing the level layouts so they're harder.

dylans0123495 @ 2020-12-07 18:18:14

2. Bosses being very easy on Hard Mode:

Despite it is "harder", I can Jump like 8 Times on Eggman and destroy him in less of 5-10 Seconds, At least make them have 15 HP and his Invecibility Frames last longer so you don't defeat him that fast.

dylans0123495 @ 2020-12-07 18:18:40

4/10, it's good, but it's anything but Hard, This fails at being what it is. HARD MODE. If you improved or not it'd still be a nice game i'd still enjoy, because 1 bad aspect won't ruin the entire game for me, Keep the good work, buddy.

SnarkyJerster @ 2020-12-09 00:49:01

Hey, love the hack! Only minor moan is that the ring count goes up in debug mode when Super.

ClockworkBastard @ 2020-12-12 14:37:44

Dude, cool hack! Everything look as a good old, yet a bit polished! Hope you will add more needed stuff on actual anniversary! You've got two years! ;)

I didn't get it, did you hardened the special stages a bit (in hard mode) - your hack made me play Sonic 2 without save states! I never made it since... I learned emulation, about 20 years ago I think! O_O......

But I did beat it on a good ending ai a first play. thou it is still was a challage! Thanks

pds566 @ 2021-01-21 17:35:52

Hello, are you updating this rom hack still ? Would love to see more additions into it.

YaBoiPookus @ 2021-02-10 16:15:56

ok can some one help me please i have the mod downloded how do i run the game

Mariocarai @ 2021-03-29 16:50:18

Despite the many bugs that happen from time to time, letters break or you lose speed in a part of the Chemical Plant, this is ignored because the game is done well!

ClockworkBastard @ 2021-07-08 23:45:00

That is so cool, such a crisp re-representation, I definitelly should go throught it!

The only thing, that I wish for, as perfectionist, is to add a Widescreen GX (libretro) hack! Or, the better — is to recreate it once again as a Sonic2 whitehead decompilation!!

Tahazzar @ 2021-10-15 02:59:19

Loving it.

What's the voice clip you're using for Robotnik's laugh (whenever he scores a hit)? Could you share that as a sound file somehow? I would like to use it in my own rom hack as well.