16 years ago, the sequel to one of the most iconic faces in video game history, Sonic the Hedgehog, hit the retail gaming market. This game introduced a new character to the series, Miles “Tails”  Prower, who to this day has remained a prominent face in the Sonic franchise. With Sonic and his new sidekick tearing through brand new zones at breakneck speeds, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 set the bar not only for the Sonic franchise, but for platforming games as a whole at its time. Not used to the speedy platforming that the games delivered, players were blown away by the pace of each level. When asked how they were able to make the game go so much faster than other games at the time, SEGA would explain it using the classic term, “Blast Processing.” Indeed, there was something special about this game!

Celebrate Sonic 2’s 16th birthday with something special! Dust off the ol’ Genesis and give the game a whirl. Get an friend to blast through Emerald Hill Zone in the game’s two player mode! Set yourself some new challenges–for example, I’ve never personally tried getting all of the emeralds because I hate the special stages. Who knows, though–maybe this time I’ll get lucky.

Recall your memories about the game in this forum thread! Share what you decided to do for Sonic’s special day today. Engross yourself in what made this game great. It’s the least you can do, after all!

SEGA’s most successful console turned 20 this past week, so I figured that I should take some time out to honor SEGA’s greatest contribution to video games and its impact on my life.  When I was a child, the Genesis practically dominated my free time and it was deserving of such.  I have some great memories of beating all the Sonic titles for the first time and creating characters in Evander Holyfield’s Real Deal Boxing called “Coconut Poo”.  Give me a break - I was, like, 6.

This maverick of the 16-bit era makes McCain and Palin blush with envy.  Sonic burst on the scene and immediately gave the Genesis an attitude unmatched to this day.  The badassery didn’t end with Sonic, as Mortal Kombat gave us the blood that we were craving for after witnessing the “sweat” on the Super Nintendo.  SEGA became so successful that they decided to run its console into the ground.  In an attempt to hold-on to that success for dear life, SEGA made many Genesis remakes, add-ons, and gimmicks to pathetically end its envious ten-year run.  A fail-tastic trend seen to this day on their many other projects.

Since I’m in a reminiscent mode, what are your memories of the Genesis?  Sound off in the comments, fools.