Dr. Crusher Presents: The 30 Days of Sonic the Hedgehog Mk.II (Daft and Tolerating It)-PAGE 72, FIN

[Tani Coyote]

Day 4!

 

Put me down for Egg Emperor as well.

 

That fucker was only mildly challenging with Team Sonic for me, but holy shit did he become a juggernaut with Team Dark. They weren't kidding about cranking up the difficulty.

 

Ahh... there's also Sky Rail from SA2. I forget by what miracle I was able to finally complete it, but needless to say, I learned to TRULY ADORE the homing attack mechanics in that game. Careening into oblivion was common for me as the camera freaked out whenever I'd try to hit those fan... spring... things.

[Gabz Girl]

Day 2! Stages You'd like to Go To!

 

My number one on that list would probably be Emerald Coast, specifically Big's area of that stage. It looks gorgeous; pure white sand, turquoise waters, tropical fish everywhere...this is paradise. <3 Other stages I'd like to visit would be Casino Park and Dry Lagoon.

 

Day 3! New item!

 

Erf, this is a toughie since there's already so many items to assist Sonic on his quest. How about something to aid Sonic underwater, like one of those machines you hold on to and it propels you thtough the water? I can't remember the name but they basically act like Koopa Shells in Super Mario Galaxy; grab hold of them and enjoy the ride! This allows Sonic to "swim" through the water with relative speed. And yes, they do exist in real life. I just can't remember the name...

 

Day 4! Hardest stage from childhood!

 

Eternal Engine in Sonic Adventure 2. Even to this day the stage sometimes fucks me over because of the stupid Artificial Chaos which do tons of damage and doors that can suck you into space if you accidentally blow them up. Seriously, must've died about 15 times when I first played through the game.

[Celestia]

Sonic the Hedgehog: Green Hill Zone Act 2

For some reason, I could not get past the part where you have to jump across the moving platforms over the spike pits.

I've been playing Sonic 1 for years and I still somehow manage to mess up during that section. Not every time I play the game, but often enough that it's pretty embarrassing to think about...and admit. B|

[redhellc]

Wow this I completely missed this, well since I barely had free time in the last few days I'm not that surprised I missed I few things. Anyway might as well start now.

 

Question #4: What were the most difficult challenges for you during your early/younger years with the series?

 

Well this guy!

 

 

Yeah I know nowadays this seems stupid, but I had the absolute worst time with this Boss. I just couldn't figure out the timing to attack. It was so annoying. But when I discovered he wasn't even the final boss....Yup then came even worst times, the special stages....I spent so much time in those...All of that just so I could play the last boss which was incredibly disappointing, oh well.  

[Aero]

Day 3: What new item(s) would you like to see in a future game? 

 

Hmm...interesting question, really. Never thought about it. If I had to come up with something on the spot, though...maybe an Earth Shield that grants a similar ability to the Drill Wisp? Press the jump button and down to underground for a very short time as a form of a shortcut to bonuses or other useful items, like a ring box or special stage entrance.

 

 

Day 4: What were the most difficult challenges for you during your early/younger years with the series?

 

I only had Rush for quite a while, and encountered several obstacles in that game alone. I didn't know much about the special moves, so when I got to a certain spot in Night Carnival, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to go just a bit higher to press the button on the ceiling and progress with the stage. After nearly 2 months, I finally realized all I had to do was press up and R to perform a double-jump of sorts. :V

 

And also in Rush...

THIS STINKIN' BOSS.

Kept blowing me away and knocking me off the stage no matter how hard I button mashed. I got the greatest sense of relief after finally beating it.

[SenEDDtor Missile]

Day 1: Which game has your top favourite boxart?

Day 2 - 3 Locales you'd like to visit?

Day 3 - A power-up you'd like to see added to a future title?

Day 4: What were the most difficult challenges for you during your early/younger years with the series?

 

1) Probably either Sonic Unleashed or Shadow. For how overly edgy the latter is, it still looks pretty cool.

2) Everywhere in Unleashed, especially if it comes with free flight plans on the Tornado !

3) Eh...I kinda would like to see the Gravity thing from Zero Gravity become more used, since I think it had potential.

4) Honestly, nothing I can think of really. I haven't gotten up to Eggmanland in Unleashed so that might change, but most other games I either haven't played or haven't had any problems with.

[RosaRosaRosalina]

DAY FOUR: DIFFICULT STAGES IN CHILDHOOD

 

Remember last year, where I expressed my difficulties with Sonic 2 8-bit? Guess I could do a bit more explaining. Each and every single level in the game has some form of utter bullshit that I can't really put into a good form of words to express my total dislike towards them. But the one zone that I've always had a problem with was Sky High Zone. 

 

Ever thought what would happen when you take the Carnival Night Barrel and shift it into a 90 degree angle? 

 

You get this giant sack of shit:

This was so aggravating to me when I was, like, ten. Still is now. Since I didn't really have a manual with the game, I couldn't really figure out how to move it. Even with the manual, even with those GameFAQs guides, and currently, even with YouTube playthroughs, where people are almost literally playing the game right in front of you. This part was completely unbearable. I just shifted left and right, up and down, and every result turns out exactly the same. Either I fall, hit that spike pit they so cleverly placed a good few feet below and lose my rings OR I fall, hit the spike pit and die. 

 

It's a shame, everything else about this level is really good. I dig the music, the level itself is an 8-bit Hilltop Zone design wise, and I've always felt relieved going here after dealing with Underground Zone. 

 

Another mention right about now should be Frog Forest Zone in Sonic Heroes. And, probably unsurprisingly, it's for a similar reason to the previously stated zone. 

 

 

The hardest part of this zone? This. I could never get that flower to work right, and I've always had a bit of trouble with getting the flower to fly in the air in the first place. I think I remember not getting the flower to move a few times. The black frogs were a nuisance and those giant robots the stage throws at you were a headache. I think that's probably why this zone ended up being my least favorite in the game so far.

 

At least I had fun with Bingo Highway. Too bad this stage was next to it.

[Rusty Spy]

Day 4: What were the most difficult challenges for you during your early/younger years with the series?

 

Beating Sonic 2 as a kid. Probably the earliest major challenge from a Sonic game. Well lets not mince words here:

 

 

This motherfucker was always a pain. While I generally consider Sonic 2 the hardest of the classic games, the final boss was usually where most playthroughs ended for a while.

 

There's also the last few Special Stages from that game too, though oddly enough the final special stage is actually kinda easy, i.e there's less complicated formations to memorize and the ring requirement is surprisingly lenient, at least compared to some earlier ones, in particular https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPDmZaxiVQ4, which can still give me trouble sometimes.

[Bowbowis]

4. Hair Pullingly Difficult Sonic Moments from my Childhood

 

Three things immediately come to mind when I think about this...

 

1. Mystic Mansion (Team Sonic)

 

This level right here is the reason that Sonic Heroes is the third Sonic game I beat despite being the first one I owned. For the most part the level isn't too bad, then you hit the last room. You know, that one room with the three switches, where hitting one causes a formation specific challenge to appear and you need to complete all three to progress? Well I could do the power and flying challenges no problem. But the speed challenge? The speed challenge is quite possibly the most sadistic homing-chain in Sonic history. In fact Mystic Mansion is probably a major factor in why I defend the concept of homing-chains. It proves that they can be used to provide the player with a legitimate challenge instead of simply being pseudo-automated segments.

 

2. The Biolizard

 

The Biolizard is a hard boss and is one of my favorites in the series for exactly that reason. He appears just after you've completed Cannon's Core (which is a tricky level in it's own right) and anybody thinking that, that means they'll be receiving a breather in the form of an easy boss fight is going to be in a very rude awakening. Everything you've learned playing as Sonic/Shadow throughout the game is put to the test. Somersaulting? Check. Grinding? Check. Homing Attacking? Check. Navigating while floating on air currents? Check. Even your skill with the basic jump will be put to the test. If you have not mastered SA2's speed characters, you will not win. Even today I rarely beat this guy without losing four or five lives in the process. If anything the Finalhazard is just a fun mini-game, this guy is the real final boss of SA2. And it is so satisfying to nail that bastard's life support for the final time and yell "FUCK YOU, BITCH!" or whatever it was I would have yelled in that situation when I was eight years old.

 

3. The Entirety of Secret Rings

 

There's not much to say about this. The controls are such utter bullshit that the game can be damn near impossible to play. Granted it's nowhere near as bad as Free Riders, but still...

 

Honorable Mentions

 

Eternal Engine, Final Rush, Cosmic Fall, Sky Road (Riders)

[jords]

Question 3:

An elemental shield type of item I had in mind called the wind shield. It'd fit with classic sonics gameplay. With this shield, you'll be able to push everything around you when using it in the air. Simply pushing robotniks, missles, bullets spikes and projectiles will be pushed away but it will not destroy them though so simply pushing them and rushing into robots with spikes on them would still hurt your shield. Its useful for secret paths that are blocked with robots you can't touch.

Question 4:

I would probably have to say is the final boss of sonic 2, having to go through silver sonic and death egg robot without any rings is sure a tough battle to deal with. I've struggled pretty hard when facing it first time. O had the sonic mega collection plus and that had restore points but my stupid self never knew how to use it so I kept going at it until I beat it in one run.

[Multikaris]

Day IV: Greatest Challenge of my Youth?

 

For me, it was most likely getting through Final Fortress as Team Rose as the hardest challenge I completed. Marble Zone was tough enough to keep me from seeing the rest of Sonic 1, same with Chemical Plant for Sonic 2, and THAT ANTLION for Sonic 2 8 Bit.

[Echidna Adventurer CC14]

My most difficult childhood Sonic challenges were actually from the exact same game!

Security Hall

Lordy, was this level a pain as a 10-year-old. Compared to the simpler Dry Lagoon, this stage was SUPER confusing. You not only have multiple levels of ground to cover that the Emeralds could possibly be hiding on, but vaults that can only be accessed by specific switches that you, of course, have absolutely no idea how and/or where to locate until you do a bit of exploring and experiment. Plus, there's a freaking TIME LIMIT! Try figuring out the switch thing AND the "dig into the active safes to access them" thing AAAAAAND the multiple level thing on your first attempt as a kid! It was a lot to process after just blowing up crap (And a fox) with Eggy. Needless to say, I started with the Dark Story when I got this for my 10th birthday, but I immediately hit a wall with this stage. Took me a bit to finally beat it and boyyyyyyyyy, was it satisfying. Now I can beat it in record time. XD

Crazy Gadget

Here's another one that made my progress hit a wall! I had no problem with Mad Space or Meteor Herd, but this level proved that the more linear Sonic/Shadow stages make the switch/gravity mechanic ALOOOOT harder to get used to. Sonic's flying every which way, there's A LOT of harmful electric/acid/stuff, and there's so many switches, that it's hard to wrap your head around which one to pick. It's like one big puzzle that you really have to get used to before mastering. It also seemed like the longest level EVER as a kid. I was thankful when I finally beat it. XD

[Ratcicle King]

Question #4 - Which challenges gave you a hard time as a kid

 

Finishing Sonic 2, seriously, everything from Oil Ocean to the Death Egg was hard as fuck for me, I don't know why, first we have Oil Ocean, which overstays it's welcome waaaay too fast, and the boss is the easiest thing ever, but it can still glitch you into dying if you're not careful enough, then we have Metropolis, which is an endurance test by itself, as it WILL test your patience, the badniks are fucking made to get you angry, and every single part of the level is out for your ass. Doesn't help the boss here is also annoying.

Then we have Sky Chase, not hard but a bit boring. Then Winged Fortress, oh boy, a level OVER A BOTTOMLESS PIT, WHAT A JOY.

And it's also easy to get lost here. And the boss is also fucking hard. And then once you get through all that, honestly, I didn't have too much of a hard time with Silver Sonic or the Death Egg Robo, mostly because after going through all that madness, I was pretty good at it.

 

I think I also had a hard time with Death Egg in Sonic 3, because I kept getting lost then running out of time because of it, and Scrap Brain Zone because of it's incredible dickery of a level design, which is even worse than Metropolis in my book, and it's just outright MEAN.

[Spin Attaxx]

Really, the only two that come to mind would be the Barrel in Sonic 3 (who'da thunk it) and the Artificial Chaos mission in Shadow. Having to kill 30 enemies scattered over a giant level with fuck-all idea of where they all are, thus making me traverse the entire level several times over just to find the last bloody one... urgh.

[Shaddy Zaphod]

I wish I could provide pics for this stuff, but since I'm currently lyig in bed holding an iPod touch, I'm not putting in the effort.

Question #4: What were the most difficult challenges for you during your early/younger years with the series?

Okay...wow. The earliest is probably the very small moving platforms before the end of chemical plant 2, then the folding platforms in the boss arena itself.

Then comes motherfucking Sky chase 2. In SA1. God I hated that shit. The fuckig homing mines (which 6-yr old me called "eefo bombs" for some reason) were the bane of my existence. I'm stull not a fan of the sky chase levels in Adventure, seeing as there isn't any way to make them go faster, but I can pretty much ace it nowadays. I also couldn't seem to comprehend that the giant-ass laser in the front of the egg carrier was a giant-ass laser that did damage.

After that, yeah definitely Egg emporer like everyone else, but also the final boss of Advance 1, and of course, the entirety of Advance 3. Having the worst level design and two of the hardest bosses in the Advance trilogy, you'd think I hate the game, but it's actually my favorite out of the fhree, just in front of Advance 1.

W

...which brings me to my next point, fucking advance 2. I hate this game's level design. Because it's so clearly okay until you get past music plant and then it's so shitty. I hate everything about Sky Way Road place area. The crazy-reflex mandatory trick areas, the insane speed that doesn't make it easy to see what lies ahead, the fucking BOSS that can KILL YOU IN ONE HIT, ugh. Maybe this is why I liked advance 3 better.

[Strickerx5]

Day 4: Most difficult challenge *why do I suck so much?* I faced in my early days with the series

 

Since I really was a latecomer to this series (started around the end of 2007), I can't really say I ran across much that got me stuck. Especially since I didn't actually play through the classic games at that point (which I find to be a fair bit more difficult than most of the stuff later on). Though, I will say there was one boss battle that literally had me raging at the screen for a while.

 

Back in 2008 the only console I really played was the Wii. I was just a full on Nintendo fanboy back then (luckily I would grow out of it a year or two later when I got a 360). Anyways, after I had finished up the adventure titles I was eager for more. I was on a full swing of this damn blue hedgehog and nothing was going to stop it for a while (seriously though, finished the entirety of Sonic X in about two weeks...). Unleashed was still a ways away and I wasn't about to wait till then to get my Sonic fix. I found out a Sonic game had been released for the Wii and quickly brought it without a second thought... big mistake on my part though. That game was Secret Rings.

 

Like wow, that definitely kept me good until Unleashed came around (not for enjoyment mind you). I couldn't recall ever playing something so.. weird before. Didn't take my pre puberty mind to know that Sonic wasn't meant to be controlled like that. It was really a combination of both poor control and just random difficulty spikes. Not to mention not knowing what to do half the time as the game never tells you what you need to do to move on. All of this boiled to a point with the Erazor Djinn boss fight.

 

This prick tho...

 

Seriously though, fuck this boss. Looking back it doesn't look as hard as I thought but damn did it ruin my time back then. I just didn't know what I was suppose to be doing. Every time I tried to damage him it either didn't work or just ended up hurting me. Half of his moves I just couldn't dodge either. If this game had a life system I probably would of outright returned the game. I was that frustrated. I put it down for probably a month until I worked up the nerve to find a way to beat it (also I wanted to get this piece of crap out of the way before Unleashed came out). Looked up a youtube video on what to do and was able to get through it. Couldn't tell you how relieved I was. I didn't even care about the final boss. Beat that without any help. It was a breeze compared to what was before it. I don't hate Secret Rings because of this boss (once you apply all those abilities to Sonic the game becomes a blast) but it is one of the two games in the franchise I actually put down for a while (the other being Heroes). I was honestly just happy to be done with it so that my hype for Unleashed could continue to build to crazy heights.

 

Though, I guess I was waiting for the wrong game at that point. Those Eggmanland hotdog missions are, by far, the hardest thing I've ever experienced in this series. XD

[The Tenth Doctor]

Day 4: Hardest Challenge

 

 

Hello Mr Biolizard. EggmanLand took me a week, this guy took me years. I had to get my bro to beat him originally. I just wasn't quick enough, accurate enough and also the feel of the boss scared me. The box says 3 and up, how can a 3 year old beat this guy?

[Brad]

 

Yeah I'd be lying if I didn't say this was the biggest trouble of my childhood. I never actually owned the original title - my first time experiencing Sonic 2 was via Mega Collection for the Playstation 2. I was a kid when I played this though and it was absolutely the biggest nightmare ever. Now I'm older and we're graced with the miracle of save states and whatnot it's much less daunting, but back then I didn't know what a save state was. Going up against this guy (after the Silver Sonic mini boss) with his ridiculously small openings to take advantage of and deadly attacks on zero rings made me throw my controller in anger many times.

 

There's other things too. The terrible rail switching mechanics of Rail Canyon which killed me more times than I can count (actually, this could just be fighting with Heroes' generally bad controls lmao), being forcibly taught how to do tricks in Sky Canyon with no prior information they existed, beating the final boss Emerl on Sonic Battle, and obviously figuring out the barrel. But Sonic 2's final boss was always the thing which made me cry, yell, and scream in victory when I finally beat it.

[FReaK]

Day 1: Which game has your top favourite boxart?

this.

[PickleBrows]

Day 4: Difficult Challenges

 

Two comes to mind and both come from Sonic Heroes.

 

1. Special Stages

 

 

I think everyone that's played the game has had some horror story with these things. I could always get the first two as a kid but from the third one onwards it was just mayhem. I never understood why I was dropping off the sides just for daring to run on them. I can handle these pretty much fine now but after 11 years I would hope so.

 

2. Bingo Highway Slide

 

 

Specifically that path the arrow's pointing at. I don't know if it was because I was using the PS2 version or what but this bend was so tricky to navigate back in the day. I just couldn't get the characters to move as I needed them to in order to reach the end without falling off. I bought the Xbox version a couple of years ago and there's absolutely no issues there now. Again, not sure if it's the PS2 version or just from getting older.

[MamboCat]

Day 4: Mambo Gets Mamboozled!

 

My early/younger years would be the Classic era, so the moments that flummoxed me would have been the usual suspects:

 

 

This stuff...

 

 

These dudes...

 

and of course this guy!

 

But the one thing that gave me the most problems was the hang-glider from Sky High Zone in 8bit Sonic 2.

 

 

Honestly, at the time I could not finish this game without cheating; using the level select to get past this bit and continue from there. I just couldn't figure out how to use the fucker! Many years later, I'd be told how it works and eventually I'd succeed but yeah... as a kid I could never do it!

[Ducktor Naldush]

Question #4: What were the most difficult challenges for you during your early/younger years with the series?

 

Uhm...now that's something I've to think about. I'm pretty sure the barrel in Sonic 3 didn't stop me back in the day, and I know for sure that Sonic Adventure was relatively a breeze. I won't count Knuckles and Rouge's SA2's stages because their difficulty was mostly dependent on your knowledge of the level, and what took me 40 minutes to complete the first time (Meteor Herd, I'm looking at you), I can now finish in no time.

 

So, I guess it comes down to two things, in the end.

 

Sonic Adventure 2 : Shadow VS the Biolizard

I swear, this is one of those games where the second-to-last boss is harder than the last. I started losing count how many times Shadow butchered the word "Maria" in his strong Japanese accent as he died from anything in that challenge. 30 times? 40? Who the heck knows? And that thing that the Biolizard does when it's down on health? The thing with the flying pimples? What's up with that?!

 

... I'm ashamed to say this, but come on, it was my first Sonic game on PS2, the worst version of the game, I wasn't motivated enough 'cause I..you know...

 

Ah, screw it, I just plain sucked.

 

Sonic Heroes : Egg Emperor VS. Team Rose.

 

Yeah. Team Rose. The one team that grants you invincibility, a shield, and a power-up everytime you do a team blast. I don't remember what was so difficult about this boss, I really don't. Especially since now I could beat it probably blindfolded. I'm sorry Big. So, so, so sorry.

[Adamis]

Woops I've missed the beginning of this. Thanksfully we're the fourth of June so I can go back from the start

 

Question #1: Which game has your top favourite boxart?

 

This one.

 

 

It's nostalgic for me : Back in 1992, I was so impatient to get the second Sonic game. My mother went to the shop on release day and the only copy she could find was the Japanese version, so she bought it and the adapter that would allow it to be played on my PAL MegaDrive. I'll let you imagine the joy I felt when she gave it to me. The box was beautiful, the manual was filled with illustrations and the game was lovely. I was amazed by the beauty of Emerald Hill Zone and the Special Stage (and the catchy musics).

 

Question #2: If you could take a vacation in THREE settings/zones/etc in Sonic's universe, where would you go?

 

- Apotos. I love the scenery, it just looks like a place you can chill out, take a book and read it peacefully on a bench, smelling flowers all around you.

- Seaside Hill, because I love the whale-shaped islands, and I'd love to take a swim in those waters (only if the giant badniks have been desactivated of course ^^)

- Angel Island, to see the zones and the mysteries that surround the island. I want to see the ruins of the Knuckles Clan, I want to see the Master Emerald with my own eyes.

 

Question #3: What new item(s) would you like to see in a future game?

 

I'd like to see some kind of Magnetic Shoes for Sonic so he could walk on walls/ceilings made of metal, adding some new bits of exploration. I think that kind of item would work better in a 2D game though.

 

Question #4: What were the most difficult challenges for you during your early/younger years with the series?

 

- The infamous Carnival Night barrel was an annoyance at first, but before I figured it out, I passed it simply by transforming into Super Sonic next to the wall, glitching through it most of the time.

- I've never been able to get all emeralds in the Advance series. Not the patience/luck.

- I didn't have much trouble with the games, even when I was a kid. The only game I didn't really completed myself is Shadow the Hedgehog, partly because of that mission in the town with Knuckles where you must find bombs or something.

[StaticMania]

Day 4: The most difficult challenge from Child-hood/early years

 

While I did have trouble with Sonic 3's barrel section, that isn't what ever gave me a hard time consistently for a while.

 

I'd say that the most trouble I've ever had with anything consistently in this series for a long while was in Wing Fortress zone.

 

 

This part right here, right before that check point. If you don't have good timing or even hesitate for a second while jumping over this pit,  You Will die...most certainly you will. Even with how fast I may be able to complete this game, I'll always tend to die at least once or twice at this section of the stage, unless I get lucky and skip it...because that does happen sometimes.

[...]

Question Numero Cuatro: What were the most difficult challenges for you during your early/younger years with the series?

 

 

These levels. Those bloody fishing levels. I'm pretty surprised nobody else has mentioned them yet.

 

I absolutely couldn't stand literally forcing myself to play through these poorly designed, inept messes. Sonic Adventure was a game I had a great amount of fun with as a kid, and it all came to a screeching halt when I realized I had one more character's story to complete before I could get to the big kahuna: Super Sonic. So, young me was introduced to this big purple oaf who was looking for his frog. I thought, "how bad could this be"? Oh, how gullible I was.

 

I ended up not completing the game until several years after the fact (I finally beat it in 2010, it's kinda sad) because of my pure hatred for the fishing levels. Even if Big's story mode was mercifully short, it didn't make the fishing any less frustrating. The wonky controls and fish constantly letting go of my reel no matter how hard I tried pissed me off to no end, and it felt like salt being rubbed on the wound when there was a friggin' time limit looming over my head. So yeah, if you couldn't tell, I hated the fishing levels as a kid.

 

Special mention goes to the Last Story in Sonic '06, screw those black hole orbs or whatever those were.