Retro-Comparo: Sonic 2 vs. Sonic & Knuckles

Kicking off a new section here at Retrobeliever, Retro-Comparo is a series of articles that compare two similar games or sequels by rapidly breaking down elements of the two games and deciding an overall winner.

First up are two sequels in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise for the Sega Genesis: Sonic 2 (S2) and Sonic and Knuckles (S&K).

Graphics:

For color and rendering, Sonic & Knuckles has the obvious edge because of its release after Sonic 2, therefore its more effective utilization of the Genesis' graphics capabilities. However, Sonic 2's graphics are oddly sharper. Win - S&K

Sound:

Sound effects are very similar between the two games - so much so that neither game stands out. Win - push

Music:

Though S&K came out later than S2, S2's music is less funky and cleaner-sounding. This one is subjective, though listening to S&K themes during its long levels irritates me more than during the much shorter zones in S2. Win - S2

Stage Design:

S&K has much more intricate zones than S2 with longer runs and more paths; but S2's is pleasingly elegant and shorter, which makes for more zone finishes in, say, 10 minutes than S&K. This lends to S2 a sense of accomplishment. Win - S2

Bonus Stages:

Do you like the half-pipe runs of S2 or the 2D/3D grid exploration of S&K? Because running the half-pipe with Tails can be extremely frustrating, I'll take the awkward navigation of S&K's grid. Win - S&K

Hit Detection:

In S2, foes are vanquished with spin jumps on top of or into them. In S&K, it is the same ideally, though in practice S&K's hit detection is spotty, leading to cheesy ring loss even though one spin-jumps into a baddie. Win - S2

Miscellaneous:

S&K has fire, ice, and lightning force-fields, as well as Lock-On technology; both are advantages borne from being released after S2. Also, you get to play as Knuckles, who is a really cool alternative to Sonic. That said, S2 allows for faster runs and offers fewer annoying impediments. For example, those wind-blowing weathervane roosters and restraining chains in the Mushroom Hill Zone in S&K slow down the action needlessly. Win - push

Overall winner - S2:

Yes, S2 may have nostalgia on its side, but there really is less cheese in S2 than in S&K. I'd take S2 over S&K if asked, but I enjoy both games. My advice: plug in S2 on top of S&K and play S2 as Knuckles. You get the best of both games!