Sonic 2 with Knuckles

Original game : Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Platform : GEN

Author : Giovanni

Release date : 23 April 2023

Category : Improvement

Patch version : 1.0.1

Modifications : G, S, P

Downloads : 974

ROM Information

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

Hack description

Sonic 2 with Knuckles is a ROM hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

This ROM hack aims to be a gameplay enhancement of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, including features and mechanics from Sonic 3 & Knuckles, as well as some original features.

The core additions of this ROM hack are the following:

- Insta Shield: Sonic can perform an Insta-Shield, allowing him to become invulnerable during its execution, extend his attack range and even deflect some bullets. This can not be executed in 2P Versus.
- Rolling jump lock cancellation: Much like in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, using the Insta-Shield allows for cancellation of the rolling jump lock, a mechanic present across the original quadrilogy on the Mega Drive. This can also be triggered any time the Insta-Shield is impossible. This can not be executed in 2P Versus.
- Flight: Tails can fly, as well as pick up Sonic in the main game's two player Co-op mode. Just like in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Tails can also deflect bullets while flying.
- Knuckles: Knuckles is now a playable character, who can be selected from within the options menu. He retains his gameplay style from Knuckles in Sonic 2, but can also destroy monitors while in a gliding state, as well as deflect bullets.
- Improved pausing mechanic: Pausing is now player dependent. If player 1 pauses, only player 1 can unpause. Same goes for player 2.
- In-game player swap: The two players can swap controllers virtually. This can be achieved during a pause, with both players pressing the A button. This feature is meant for use on emulators with netplay capabilities.
- New transformation method: To turn into a Super form, the button combination is the same as for the "Multi-Button" option for Sonic 3 Complete (Press a different face button from the one you used to jump with.)

In addition, there are numerous bugfixes, most courtesy of the writers of Sonic Retro's Sonic Community Hacking Guide How-Tos.

Additional thanks go to the maintainers of the Sonic 2 Github disassembly, and the contributors to the Sonic 2 Community's Cut disassembly.

Contributions

Contributor	Type of contribution	Description
Heyjoeway	Original Hacking	Code and assets from Sonic 2 Community's Cut
redhotsonic	Original Hacking	Guides
MoDule	Original Hacking	Guides
Esrael	Original Hacking	Guides
MainMemory	Original Hacking	Guides and tools
flamewing	Original Hacking	Guides
DeltaWooloo	Hacking	Programming work (that got scrapped)
Selbi	Original Hacking	Guides
Puto	Hacking	Guides
Clownacy	Original Hacking	Guides

Reviews

Just one major step away from being perfect	yoshieggshaha	2024-06-20	Version 1.0.1
There are 2 things this hack needs to really give it a strong sense of completion This hack is missing a key change that was made to Knuckles in Sonic 2, which was retaining rings after exiting a special stage. If you want to play as Knuckles, you are better off just playing the official release as of right now This one is a bit nitpicky, but I think it's pretty important to sell the package considering other hacks have done this for years. Having access to the Knuckles title screen if you're playing as Knuckles is an essential part of the Knuckles experience. Similarly, I have seen hacks give Tails his own title screen as well if he is chosen as a character Overall this is a good improvement hack for Sonic 2 & if you are mainly familiar with playing vanilla like most people are, then this is a fine hack for you. But if you spent most of your time playing Knuckles in Sonic 2, then this won't be a great hack for you

Finally Tails can fly in Sonic the Hedgehog 2!	Prickles55	2023-08-18	Version 1.0.1
As the title says, this hack now makes it possible for Miles "Tails" Prower to finally be able to fly by himself when playing in "Tails Alone" mode in Sonic 2! No more copying of Sonic's moveset here in Tails, just plain his own ability being present through the entire playthrough makes it comfortable at last from entire years of the fanbase trying to understand the behaviour of Tails's flying in Sonic 3 and trying to unsuccesfully port it to Sonic 2, now once and for all! Totally my favourite way to play Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as of now...

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