S2B/Sonic 2 Beta Zones/Genocide City Zone

The most enigmatic zone of all, since there is little information about this zone. Let's review the definition of "genocide":

Main Entry: geno·cide
Pronunciation: 'je-n&-"sId
Function: noun
Date: 1944
: the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group
- geno·cid·al /"je-n&-'sI-d^&l/ adjective
-- Merriam-Webster OnLine

Besides the unusual choice of name, the fact that there is zero screenshots, not even mock-ups, of Genocide City, contributes to the mystery of this zone.

Some popular theories for why Genocide City is canned:

• The name Genocide is inappropriate
• Zone involves too much destruction or violence which isn't suitable for children
• Zone involves explosions or special effects that would've stressed the Genesis hardware too much
• Zone existed as a time-travel element, and the time-travel idea was later dropped entirely
• Not enough time to make it

The first explanation is silly, because Sonic Team didn't just pick a name randomly. They knew what it meant, and could've renamed it anytime. The rest is open to wild discussion since nothing could be proved or disproved. Usually people firmly believe in one or another explanation, sometimes quite religiously.

At this point, we still cannot draw any conclusion on what this level would look like, or why it was scrapped.

Flaming Skull and Sonic's Skeleton

Connection with Chemical Plant Zone?

Since Genocide City Zone plays Chemical Plant music, some people suggest that it would be a "bad future" of Chemical Plant. Of course, this kind of groundless speculation cannot be taken seriously.

At some point in time, ROM hackers have apparently found clues that led us to believe Genocide City might use the same tiles as Chemical Plant. The relationship of CPZ/GCZ may be quite parallel to that of EHZ/HTZ.

"I can now confirm something else. CPZ and GCZ used the same patterns and block mappings. What that means is while the blocks I've found were indeed used for GCZ, they were also used for CPZ. [...] you'll notice that I said that these are CPZ tiles, but that GCZ used the same patterns."

― Nemesis, ROM Hacker @ Area 51 phpBB (defunct)

The above statements were made long time ago, so they may be no longer valid. As of right now, the generally consensus is that there is absolutely no data in the ROM that belongs to Genocide City. Everything the level loads is simply the default.

More info about those leftover Chemical Plant tiles is available.

Loaded Tiles

Why are tiles from Aquatic Ruin Zone loaded into the RAM?

"ARZ tiles were defaulted for use by the programmers."

― Saxman, ROM Hacker @ Area 51 Ikonboard (defunct)

Sonic and Tails fall to their deaths in Genocide City Zone. Well, at least something gets killed.

A graphical glitch in 2P mode when you go a bit to the right. If you manage to have Sonic fall through it, the object will disappear and the blue background restored. Submitted by Q.T.