Sonic 2 - Multiplayer in all zones

That wasn't an improvement, that was a complete and total downgrade.

Sonic 2's Versus was great in the sense that after you complete the main game you could take your knowledge from the main game and race against your buddies taking that knowledge with you. On top of that, all the attractions of the main game are in the multiplayer game as well like badniks, rings, shortcuts and the memorable stages.

Sonic 3 removed all of that and stripped it down to a former shell of itself. Sure its own set of levels were nice but they were pathetically short and almost all forms of obstacles were gone.

Sonic 2 Versus was the full blown experience cut in half for two people to enjoy. Sonic 3 Versus is an over simplified experience that gets tiring quickly.

The multiplayer in the Advance games were one of the few reasons I loved those games more than classics..

Shit's always more fun with friends.

 

Advance was Sonic 2's VS refined to it's full potential. Shame Game Boy Players can't do a split screen function or something.

A nice touch to SADX was allowing a split screen function for all the Game Gear games too, meaning you could sorta have races if both screens were timed properly, even if it meant ear rape due to both screens playing sound at the same time.

 

Yeah, this is exactly what I mean. I used to always try and finish the level, and it would add an extra layer of strategy because you'd have to correctly judge when you should make a dash for the signpost. I was quite disappointed to find that there's no penalty for failing to finish. I guess it just depends how much emphasis you put on racing over collecting. It certainly wouldn't be too hard to make it a customizable option in an "improved 2P VS" hack.

 

Choose from ORIGINAL (60 seconds, no penalty), ADVANCED (30 seconds, act lost), or TIME TRIAL (0 seconds, act lost). Perhaps the item box option could be changed too? I'd like to play through keeping the item boxes as they are in 1P mode, or have an ALL ROBOTNIK mode for some extra challenge.

 

I have to disagree completely, sonic 3's versus mode/time attack is almost perfect. There is no element of random chaos to negate the element of skill among players, allowing the gameplay to become very technical. The best player will always win. The only downside is that you can turn on items, thereby re-introducing that skill-negating element.
The levels are short, sweet and capitalize on the nuances of the game engine. There are no checkpoints, no special attacks, no special character abilities. Everyone is on completely even ground. The only complaint I can see one having with sonic 3's versus mode is the small selection of stages. Sonic 3's vs mode is as great as it is, because it has no fluff.

 

Tails can fly, and all three characters have different jump, acceleration, grip and speed stats. =P

 

I forgot about that, however it does raise another point that is lost in most sonic 2p games - both players can be the same character. also, I just checked and the jump stats don't seem any different. I tested them in Endless Mine and all 3 characters jump to the top of the first ledge just past the start post.

 

And that makes it very boring. Not to mention that the "random chaos" from Sonic 2's 2P can be removed with a bit of hacking, which would, in your eyes at least, improve it.

And again, this makes it very boring. I've played ASR online a lot, and I often win because my driving skill is better than most, and none of the items can really hit you once you've gained enough a lead. At that point, it becomes a time-trial race, which would be fun except for the lack of a time to beat. It's the same deal with Sonic 3. Once you're sufficiently ahead, you've won. It takes away all of the excitement.

 

If it wasn't for the optional objects after each lap, the Vs. mode in Sonic 3 would be the same as playing in turns and then comparing race times.

In Sonic 2 there's at least some indirect interaction between both players, since you can grab the rings and monitors before the other does, making things a (tiny) bit more complicated for the other player.

 

And Tails accelerates to top speed faster than Sonic and Knuckles. His top speed may not be faster than Sonic or Knuckles but considering how the levels are design that doesn't make a difference at all. You would be retarded to pick anyone but Tails.


Sonic 2?



Yeah, a game that's completely unfair. Only chaotic thing about Sonic 2's multiplayer is the monitors.

You go through the same level, you have the same enemies and the same obstacles. Thing you'll need some level of skill for to overcome in any platforming game. It's not a racing game, your skill isn't determined on how good you can turn sharp corners it's how good you can maneuver the levels with all the shit being thrown at you.

If you don't have any elements in a platforming game other than some slopes then what the hell do you have left? Trolling with switches?

 

There may have been a bit more along the lines of traps and skill in Competition but it's still kinda basic, add to that you just admited to Tails being a game breaker of sorts (I hate to think what may have happened if Knux had got all his special abilities as planned).

Sonic 2's VS is made as a secondary utility but it's fun playing the 1P levels in full in a race plus there is some skill applied to those who have more experience with the 1 player game. The teleportation boxes make it a bit cheap but then again it's a gamble for both players to have them around.

It's a lower scale racing game but a fun party game.