Sonic 2 8-bit is an oddball in the series, a game that differs completely from its console counterpart, as well as one I strongly reccomend playing a specific version of. The game gear version of this game is horrible. The screen crunch is insane, making the first boss, one of the hardest in the whole series. The game was just not built to be played like this, so if you do, play the Master System version. The increased resolution makes a world of a difference.

I mean I still a really hard game. Level design is very punishing, bosses don’t give you any rings and finding the 6 chaos emeralds hidden in stages can be a quite an undertaking.

All the stages have something to set them apart, whether that gimmick is actually fun.. or works at all is up for debate. But I think it gives Sonic 2 8-bit an identity that most will miss due to how awful the game gear version is.

I don’t really reccomend this game, but I’ve also played a lot worse.