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This Sonic 2 Beta section is, as the title explained, on the Sonic 2 Beta game which are not released for the gamers.
For your information, this game was sent out to magazines by SEGA itself so that they can comment on the game in their magazines. However, I've obtained a Sonic 2 Beta ROM that allows me to test it and there are many bugs and glitches in it because it's just a beta version.
Unfortunately, in the final version (the real Sonic the Hedgehog 2 game that is released), certain zones like Wood Zone, Genocide City and most importantly, Hidden Palace Zone is not included and that was a great pity. For a proof, you can find it below.
Now, if you have been a great player of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, you'll notice several things missing and odd things appearing. Yes, there should be a couple of options beneath the 'Sonic the Hedgehog 2' logo but there aren't in the beta version.
Also, there are several strange zones appeared with certain renamed zones such as Green Hill Zone which later renamed as Emerald Hill Zone.
Look carefully, this zone should be Emerald Hill Zone but instead, it's called Green Hill Zone! See the enemy above, it's a strange red bug in Act 1 while the top-right picture is Act 2 and the boss, I think it's the same. This zone is almost the same as the original one except for a few changes.
Now, the pictures are from Wood Zone and the graphics are really nice, isn't it? The Wood Zone will start in the beginning but they begin to have a 'death end' later on where you'll just fall to death.
Oh yes, if you don't want the level to end quickly, you can do a debug code and explore the zone more but you'll still have a dead end. Also, they have an unmovable wood thing! Even when it moves, it doesn't make Sonic moves! See the above picture, Sonic is standing on nothing and no, I don't edit the pictures and I'm not really good in them!
Meteropolis Zone, I believe, does not have any major changes in them. The pictures above are from Act 1, 2 and 3. See the Act 2 picture, Sonic and Tails is not hurt by the lava! SEGA did not put the 'hurt programming' in it yet, I suppose.
Now, that two pictures above are Hill Top Zone, as you may have already guessed and there aren't many changes in the Beta version in Act 1 and Act 2.
One of the best stages out there, Hidden Palace Zone! It's supposed to be in Sonic 2 but somehow, they took it off and replaced it in Sonic & Knuckles. See the Act 1 pictures, there is the dino robot that just moves around and most amazingly, the Tails icon box! When you hit it, it will add an extra life to Sonic! But, thanks to GuywhtNfly@aol.com for the info. The extra life with Tails face is there because, in the final version, you have the option of playing only as Tails. (Click on Options at the main screen). So when you play as only Tails, you get the different extra live box.
Look more carefully above. After the icon box, there will be a breakable platform where you must jump off quickly. And the green bridge will light itself when Sonic runs on it! Cool!
After that, you'll reach a dead end, I think. Then, you'll need the debug code to explore more. Now, the most amazing picture of all, the Master Emerald, in Sonic 2! It's way cool and I don't understand why SEGA must remove it. And see Sonic in the right picture? You can't walk up there either. Strange.
What do you think the tube below the Master Emerald lead to? If you guess it right, it's just water leading to death and can only be accessed by using the debug code. Oh, in Act 2, (the right picture), you'll just be stuck in walls and can only get out by debug. See the water? Quite unusual as there are no water in the original Hidden Palace Zone.
You can even access everywhere here and it's almost the same as Act 1! But, try and see the breathing of Sonic. It's not bubbles but some kind of machines! Oh, and one more thing, there will be no Master Emerald there. No, it's empty.
Know where is it? Yes, Oil Ocean Zone and the pictures are from Act 1 and 2 respectively. There seem to be no major changes, I think.
Jump in to Dust Hill and you'll expect desert or dust. No, it's just Mystic Cave Act 1 and 2 respectively and wonder why SEGA would make strange names. Notice the lamp hanging, quite nice!
Notice the pictures and it's quite strange but it's actually Casino Night, only the backgrounds and things have changed colours. Whenever you start the game, Sonic will be standing on air and fall. See the Act 1 and 2 pictures? They will usually lead to death if you're not careful.
Chemical Plant Zone with no major changes either. The pictures are from Act 1 and 2. Also, in the title screen, if you wait for a few seconds, there will be a demo on it.
Yet another strange zone, Genocide City. Both pictures are Act 1 and 2. Genocide is meaning 'death' in general and the name really suits in. Both Acts are nothing but you'll just fall to death with a strange background.
What's next? You won't expect it to be Aquatic Ruins. No, the original name is Neo Green Hill Zone. The pictures are Act 1 and 2 and there are not really much changes, really.
What does Death Egg Zone look like with two acts? It's really 'Death Egg' where Sonic and Tails will fall to death, similar to Genocide City.
Lastly, I would like to comment that this is a really fun game and I think it's better than the original Sonic 2! Hidden Palace Zone, I missed it and it's a real good level. No, you can't select the Special Stage for it's not even completed yet. Sigh.
Kilid@hotmail.com has another theory for the storyline, "Tails is a Kitsune. As far as I know Kitsunes are mystical creatures from Japanese folklore. They are foxes who have many tails, the more tails it has the more powerful they can be.
Possible storyline: Sonic is chill'n in the Green Hill Zone when a bright light appears and floats down to Sonic. Squinting at the light Sonic sees a flying two tailed fox. The fox comes over the sonic and says "Sonic, I need your help." Sonic says, "who, are you?" The fox says "My name is Miles Prower, I am a Kitsune." "What do you need my help with?" "The one you call Robotnik is after the Master Emerald, which I guard with my life. You must stop him at all costs." Sonic smiles and says, "Sure, lead the way!"