Early title screen that was used in the AutoDemo Prototype, however Sonic's sprite is a little to the left than seen in the prototype.The Game Gear title screen with rearranged copyright info and no ™ symbol. Sonic's waving hand and Tails' winking eye appear to have more detail here. This can be seen in the final when viewing those graphics with the background palette line, which might mean those graphics are part of the background here and don't animate similar to what is seen in the Shinsaku footage. BeepMD JP 1992-12
Wheels can be seen sparking. Different life icon, along with the lack of a ring icon. HUD is smaller than usual. Could possibly be a mockup sometime after the AutoDemo.
A slightly different title card, with Sonic and Tails jumping onto a different type of floor. MarukatuMD JP issue 2An early animation for being inside an air bubble is seen here. MarukatuMD JP issue 2Checkerboard floor and different palette for being underwater within Act 2. This appears to be near the start of the level. Found on the box of a US Sonic 2 Game Gear bundle.This appears to be near the start of the level again. MarukatuMD JP issue 2
The trees are different compared to the AutoDemo. They were used in Sky High Zone in the final. There is also a different flower not seen in the AutoDemo or the final.The large tree is even larger compared to the AutoDemo.Different trees again.The loop is shorter compared to the AutoDemo and the final, which suggests that this build is earlier than the AutoDemo. Found in the August/September 1992 issue of Sega Visions.The timer does not match up with the running demo of the AutoDemo.Different trees and flower again. The mountains look similar to the ones in Sky High Zone in the AutoDemo, but they are wider here. Samsung Gam*Boy Game Software Index 1992Different flower again. The cloud also looks a bit different compared to the AutoDemo. Samsung Gam*Boy Game Software Index 1992Likely a mockup, as far too many sprites are being rendered at once for the hardware, the boss (and Robotnik) do not appear in this Zone, and there are a great deal more rings (in addition to the differing HUD, with the timer staying the same when compared to the possible mockup of Under Ground Zone, mentioned earlier).A later build with the early graphics but finalized trees. BeepMD JP 1992-11
The only known screenshot showing a prototype of the Sega Master System version. The foreground has unique rock graphics which were removed. Several foreground elements are missing along with the cycling lights in the background, and the rings above the minecart were removed. Sega Force (Sweden) 1993-01
Watch on YouTubeIncludes early footage of the 8-bit Sonic 2 at a later point in development.
Sega Shinsaku Soft Video
Final
The title screen appears to be static.
The scrolling is a bit buggy when going too fast.
Sonic's hurt animation uses the drown and death animations.
Sky High and Aqua Lake have very different graphics, more resembling a checkerboard pattern seen in some early screenshots.
The rings in Sky High are blue.
The signpost graphics are very different and are noticeably shorter.
Sega Shinsaku Soft Video
Final
Sky High is titled "SKY HI".
A boulder can be seen in Sky High, which isn't present in the final. Although, the graphics are unused in the final.
Sky High also has a "?" monitor which seems to not do anything. This is unused in the final version.
The water doesn't work in Aqua Lake.
The start of Aqua Lake has a Sonic monitor that, when broken, doesn't give Sonic an extra life. Instead, it causes invincibility stars to appear around Sonic, but doesn't actually grant invincibility or change the music.
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