Unfortunately, the music isn’t the only thing carried over from
Sonic 2. I’ll say it right now:
Sonic Pocket Adventure is almost a direct port of
Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with a few new features. If you’ve already played the hell out of your old copy of
Sonic 2 for the Genesis, I really wouldn’t recommend buying this game unless you absolutely MUST have it on the go. For everyone else, though, keep in mind that this game is almost perfect in every aspect (other than innovation) as far as
Sonic games go!
Of course, everyone knows the basic concept: you run, jump, and spin your way through each level, collecting rings, and pursuing the infamous fatboy, Dr. Robotnik. When you get hit, you lose your rings; get hit when you aren’t carrying any rings, you die. Very simple. The real fun of the game is in the speed, though! There are only a few rare moments when Sonic isn’t zooming across the screen with incredible momentum; he can also do his traditional spin-dash attack to blaze through enemies, smash into walls, and gain speed for jumping ramps and surmounting trick loops and corkscrew spirals.
The control is very fitting in most areas of the game (save the bonus half-pipe areas where it’s almost impossible to guide Sonic around well enough to meet the ring limit), and the newly added Puzzle Mode adds a LOT to the game’s overall replay value. See, as you go along through each level, you can pick up several well-hidden puzzle pieces, which you can later put together to form pictures in the Puzzle Room. What happens when you form a full picture? I have no idea. I haven’t been able to collect enough pieces to make even ONE picture (yes, it’s that challenging!). The game also offers 2-player link modes and Time Trials to keep the action going after you’ve completed the single player game and still gotta keep playin’.
