sonicthehedgehog2
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Sega marks its 60th anniversary with free mini-games on Steam
Try a canceled Golden Axe game and a Streets of Rage/Yakuza mashup.
Sega adds 'Streets of Rage 2' and more to the Genesis Mini lineup
Sega is set to release its Genesis Mini retro console in September, with a line-up of 40 games. It revealed ten of them when it announced the system's release date last month, and now it's taken the wrapper off another bunch of titles.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 hits Android and iOS with long-lost Palace Zone stage
If you're looking to party like it's 1993, you can now do it on your Android or iOS hand-held device, thanks to a new Sonic the Hedgehog 2 reissue from Sega. On top of the 11 levels and seven special zones from the classic game, the portable version includes the Palace Zone, a rarely seen beta stage that was cut from the original game. There's also a widescreen mode for easier portable gameplay, a "boss attack mode" and the ability to play as Knuckles along with Sonic and Tails. It's now on Google Play at $2.99 (like the original version) and should hit iOS later today. So, if you'd like to revisit your childhood, but at 60 fps this time, hit the source.
The Nook Simple Touch can run a Genesis emulator, but should it?
There we were, thinking touch-based versions of gaming classics were a bad idea on a device intended for gaming -- and then we saw Sonic the Hedgehog 2 running on a Nook Simple Touch. YouTube user "ndncnbvcuyuys" rooted his touch-based Barnes & Noble e-reader, installed the Android 2.1 OS on it, and hooked up a Sega Genesis emulator. The results are not what we'd call "ideal," but as the hacker says, "It is playable." Sure, technically speaking, the on-screen virtual buttons allow interaction with Sonic and his buddy Tails, but whether it's any fun at all is another question altogether. "ndncnbvcuyuys" seems to have a penchant for the impossibly fast games on touch-based e-readers, as he got PlayStation 1's WipeOut running on the Nook Simple Touch just a few weeks back. Might we suggest a PlayStation Vita instead? [Thanks, Ron]
Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog has had a presence on the iPod since before everything "app" lived on the iPhone / iPod touch. Even today, old-school iPods like the 3rd- and 4th-gen Nanos, the iPod classic and the 5th-gen iPod can enjoy the original Sonic the Hedgehog game with some scrollwheel fun. The newly released sequel to the original game, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 [US$5.99], was just released for the iPhone and it's kind of like having a Genesis in your pocket. This is a good thing if you have fond memories of that 16-bit system, but if you're looking for a smooth, modern game with the little blue bomber, it's not. For you, we recommend keeping an eye out for Sonic 4. We're guilty of falling into the former camp, so we're kind of pleased with the same Sega emulator the company uses in its other iPhone games (e.g., Golden Axe). This means that anyone who played the first Sonic game on the iPhone will be instantly at home with this sequel. Read on to see if it's worth investigating if you don't have any sort of history with the game. %Gallery-92004%
Chaos Rings and Sonic 2 out, Square Enix games on sale
Square Enix has released their Chaos Rings game that we heard about a while ago. At US$13.99, it's one of the most expensive iPhone (not iPad -- yet) games you'll find, but the reviews are terrific so far. The game appears to be a classic Square Enix title, complete with great graphics, a deep storyline and a tight battle system. I haven't gotten a chance to try it yet, but it definitely looks intriguing, and if the game matches up to the hype, we could have a new bar set on Apple's handheld platform. To celebrate, Square Enix is putting all of their other games on sale, including dropping Final Fantasy 1 and 2 down to $7 each. If you've been waiting to pick up one of their other titles, now's your chance, and maybe you can add the money you save into the price of the new game. And finally, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is now out from Sega for the iPhone. Unfortunately, the game uses the same Sega emulator as all of their other games, so it's not exactly glitch-free or polished gameplay. Still, it's playable, and it's definitely the second Sonic game, recreated on the smaller screen. You can pick it up for $5.99.
Sonic 2 speeds onto XBLA
There was a time when Sonic the Hedgehog 2 -- now available on Xbox Live Arcade -- was accompanied by much fanfare and bizarre commercials. Alas, that time is gone and we are left only with tiny little announcement posts like this one. Still, the quality of the game hasn't been diminished. Actually, in light of Sonic's more recent console endeavors, the quality may actually have increased. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 improves on the first game in a number of ways. It introduces Sonic's bosom buddy Miles "Tails" Prower, split-screen multiplayer, and Sonic's trademark spin dash. It's definitely one of the best games in the series and worth checking out.
XBLA getting Sonic the Hedgehog 2 this week
Microsoft just announced this week's Xbox Live Arcade title and even though we aren't being treated to a twofer we do get the loveable blue hedghog Sonic. This Wednesday, September 12th Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be available for download off the XBLA for 400 Microsoft points. Even better than the 400 point pricetag is the fact that Sonic 2 will feature not only two player local co-op, but it will also include two player online co-op too. And you know how much we love our online co-op ... oh joy!
