Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a platforming action video game. Developed by Sonic Team and Sega Technical Institute in 1992, it introduces new mechanics to the series, and the lovable young fox known as Miles "Tails" Prower. The massively successful sequel to the original Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 2 stands as the second best-selling Sonic game in history, and is considered by many fans as the best Sonic game.

A 2-D side-scrolling platformer, you control Sonic, a blue-colored hedgehog that runs pretty darn fast across the stages (zones as they are called in the game). Alternatively, the player can also play as Tails, who either functions identical to Sonic. Scattered throughout the zones are golden rings that Sonic can collect, which allows him to not only take damage, but allow access to special stages. The special stage, which is now a pseudo-3D tube, involves collecting a certain amount of rings and avoiding bombs.

Returning from his previous defeat, Dr. Ivo Robotnik plans world domination once again by kidnapping and converting animals into robots, and collecting the seven Chaos Emeralds. Unlike his previous frenzy with Sonic, Robotnik has built the Death Egg, a giant battle station orbiting the Earth, and intends to conquer with it. Sonic (now followed by Miles "Tails" Prower) set off to collect the Chaos Emeralds and defeat Robonik once and for all.

Sonic 2 - Score Rush is a ROM hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis.

This ROM hack is a direct sequel to the previously released Sonic 1 - Score Rush, and it brings all of its features to Sonic 2. This hack is also directly built on top of "Sonic 2 with Knuckles".

Much like its predecessor, this ROM hack introduces three game modes to the game, all focused around one central gimmick, that being the Score Rush.

The Score Rush is a gameplay gimmick in which your score, which starts from 5000 points, constantly goes down at a steady pace. Should it go down to 0, the player immediately fails the challenge. Most standard methods of obtaining points still work, but you can also obtain points through rings, starposts, and certain powerups. Finishing levels awards you a fixed 1000 point bonus, with the score tallies being completely removed. Acquiring an invincibility monitor freezes the score, preventing it from running down. It may also freeze on certain instances where the player is not in control.

This ROM hack can be played as Sonic, who sports as additional optional moves the following:
- the Drop Dash, from Sonic Mania;
- the Super Peel-Out, from Sonic CD;
- the Insta-Shield, from Sonic 3.

In addition, this hack can also be played as Tails and Knuckles, both of whom feature their movesets from Sonic 3 & Knuckles.

Furthermore, it is possible to enable bullet deflection, a feature from Sonic 3 & Knuckles that protects characters from bullets, so long as they are using their air moves.

All of the above additions are optional, and it is possible to revert back to the original Sonic 2 moveset.

Sonic 2 - Score Rush features the same three game modes from Sonic 1 - Score Rush, them being the following:


- Score Rush: A full playthrough of Sonic 2 from start to finish, with the Score Rush gimmick. The objective is beating the game with the highest score possible. Running out of points leads to an immediate Game Over.
- Endless Rush: A playthrough of randomly selected Sonic 2 levels, increasing in difficulty as it goes on. The objective is beating the highest possible amount of levels in one sitting.
- Quick Rush: The game mode allows the player to select one level of their liking, and playing said level under the usual Score Rush gimmick.

Due to the sheer amount of people credited in the ROM hack for their contributions, the appropriate form could not be filled in. It is recommended that you make use of the "VIEW CREDITS" option provided in game.

To play Sonic 2 - Score Rush, you must apply the provided xdelta patch on a REV01 ROM. If you bought the Steam release prior to its delisting, the ROM in question should work just fine.

Database match: Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (World) (Rev A)
Database: No-Intro: Genesis (v. 20210226-213851)
File/ROM SHA-1: 8BCA5DCEF1AF3E00098666FD892DC1C2A76333F9
File/ROM CRC32: 7B905383

View in The Vault