Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Master System box art

Sega Master System · Platformer / Action

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Certified classic

SystemSega Master System
Released1992
GenrePlatformer, Action
DeveloperAspect
PublisherSEGA
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesSonic
ESRBE
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 21

Released for the Sega Master System in 1992, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a platformer developed by Aspect and published by SEGA. It blends platformer and action elements.

It landed about 6 years into the Master System's life. Other notable Master System releases from 1992 include Prince of Persia, Master of Darkness and Olympic Gold. Among the 66 Master System platformers in our database, it ranks #3 by legacy score.

It is part of the Sonic series; on the Master System you can also try Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic Chaos and Sonic Blast. The series also appears on other systems with Sonic the Hedgehog (Genesis) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis). Aspect also made Legend of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, Virtua Fighter Animation and Batman Returns for the Master System.

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to run, jump and explore
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you want to experience one of the Master System's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is like

Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.

Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 gameplay screenshot on Master System
In-game screenshot (Master System)

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 cheats & codes

19 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:

Infinite Rings00D2-9998
Infinite Lives00D2-9809
Level Select Zone00D2-950X
Level Select Act00D2-960X
Score 999000 For Every Act And Unlimited Timer00D2-B9FF
Glider From The Start00D5-0213

See all Sonic the Hedgehog 2 cheats

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

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Playing Master System games today

The Master System library is full of colorful arcade-style games that are easy to pick up. Many titles also appear in Sega's official compilations.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 FAQ

When did Sonic the Hedgehog 2 come out on the Master System?

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was released for the Sega Master System in 1992.

Who made Sonic the Hedgehog 2?

It was developed by Aspect and published by SEGA.

Is Sonic the Hedgehog 2 multiplayer?

No. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a single-player game.

How long does Sonic the Hedgehog 2 take to play?

As a platformer, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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