Sonic 2 – Score Rush is a ROM hack of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis.
This ROM hack is a direct sequel to the previously released Sonic 1 – Score Rush, and it brings all of its features to Sonic 2. This hack is also directly built on top of “Sonic 2 with Knuckles”.
Much like its predecessor, this ROM hack introduces three game modes to the game, all focused around one central gimmick, that being the Score Rush.
The Score Rush is a gameplay gimmick in which your score, which starts from 5000 points, constantly goes down at a steady pace. Should it go down to 0, the player immediately fails the challenge. Most standard methods of obtaining points still work, but you can also obtain points through rings, starposts, and certain powerups. Finishing levels awards you a fixed 1000 point bonus, with the score tallies being completely removed. Acquiring an invincibility monitor freezes the score, preventing it from running down. It may also freeze on certain instances where the player is not in control.
This ROM hack can be played as Sonic, who sports as additional optional moves the following:
- the Drop Dash, from Sonic Mania;
- the Super Peel-Out, from Sonic CD;
- the Insta-Shield, from Sonic 3.
In addition, this hack can also be played as Tails and Knuckles, both of whom feature their movesets from Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
Furthermore, it is possible to enable bullet deflection, a feature from Sonic 3 & Knuckles that protects characters from bullets, so long as they are using their air moves.
All of the above additions are optional, and it is possible to revert back to the original Sonic 2 moveset.
Sonic 2 – Score Rush features the same three game modes from Sonic 1 – Score Rush, them being the following:
- Score Rush: A full playthrough of Sonic 2 from start to finish, with the Score Rush gimmick. The objective is beating the game with the highest score possible. Running out of points leads to an immediate Game Over.
- Endless Rush: A playthrough of randomly selected Sonic 2 levels, increasing in difficulty as it goes on. The objective is beating the highest possible amount of levels in one sitting.
- Quick Rush: The game mode allows the player to select one level of their liking, and playing said level under the usual Score Rush gimmick.
To play Sonic 2 – Score Rush, you must apply the provided xdelta patch on a Sonic 2 REV01 ROM. If you bought the Steam release prior to its delisting, the ROM in question should work just fine.
*Staff note: This submission uses an XDELTA patch*
Giovanni
Playtesters:
BladeOfChaos
DarkShamilKhan
DashZick
DaxKatter
DeltaWooloo
Inferno
KGL
MDTravis
Scrap Sorra
TomatoWave_0 (Tomatoes in game)
yami
Additional artwork:
MDTravis
CKDev
MunchJrGames
Slick-Nick (Slick Nick in game)
thelilcoin
Giovanni
Additional sound:
DeltaWooloo
Giovanni
Additional code:
heyjoeway
redhotsonic
MoDule
Esrael Neto
flamewing
MarkeyJester
vladikcomper
Selbi
Puto
MainMemory
Devon
Kilo
Additional tools:
MainMemory
kirjava
Promotional media:
Froozex
Special Thanks:
Sonic Hacking Contest
redhotsonic Sponsors: for sticking around back when I was making Sonic 1 - Score Rush, and for watching me make and test Sonic 2 - Score Rush
RadiantNexus: a good chunk of their people went on to help out with the development and playtesting of Sonic 2 - Score Rush
redhotsonic, Argick, NicoTB, Froozex: for their immense support back during the showcase by the Media Panel of Sonic 1 - Score Rush
Monopattino, fuzzybit: for being some of my closest friends ever, and listening to me infodump about Sonic 2 - Score Rush
TomatoWave_0, DeltaWooloo: for additional work that ended up being scrapped from the final release
D.A. Garden (listed in game as DA Garden): for reporting some last minute errors before the SHC deadline
SEGA
Sonic Team