Released in 1992 for the Sega Genesis, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 took everything great about the original and cranked it up to 11—faster levels, slicker animations, better music, and the debut of Sonic’s sidekick: Miles "Tails" Prower. The story’s simple: Dr. Robotnik is back, and he’s kidnapping animals to power his evil machines—again. This time, he’s building the Death Egg, and only Sonic (and Tails) can stop him. Race through iconic zones like Chemical Plant, Casino Night, and Metropolis while collecting Chaos Emeralds and aiming to unlock Super Sonic. Why it’s legendary: Tight, responsive platforming with crazy momentum physics Two-player mode with split-screen races or co-op First appearance of Tails, Sonic’s flying fox buddy Chaos Emerald bonus stages in 3D-style half-pipes One of the best 16-bit soundtracks ever made Speedrunning roots start here—perfect for playing fast or exploring deep This video features the colorful title screen loop and a slice of gameplay from Sega’s golden age.