This was the first game I ever owned so I have a lot of inherent good feelings about it. In any case, it's a really confident step from the first one and holds up wonderfully. The level design is so much better on a moment-to-moment level with a new interesting gimmick in every zone - plus, tightening those up to 2 acts instead of 3 forces them to fill each level with cool ideas. Cannot be overstated how vibrant this one looks and sounds too. Much less bullshit in this one too, there's ample opportunity for extra lives and continues and even though I used save states liberally I was surprised at how completeable it all felt (at least until the final level which is still kinda bullshit). Had a good enough time to roll right into the third one.