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11.1 years
since unearthing of
prototype ROM
17.2 years
since release
of Sonic 2 on MegaDrive
3.4 years
since renaming to S2B
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Hidden Palace is arguably the most famous lost zone in Sonic 2. Although
Hidden Palace does make a return in Sonic 3 & Knuckles, the one in Sonic 2
is way bigger and has a completely different look.
Hidden Palace plays music #86 in the prototype, which is basically the
same as #03 in the final (Mystic Cave 2P).
Some say it might be a Tails-only level, explaining what would have
happened to Tails after his plane crashed in Wing Fortress Zone. An argument
for it is the existence of a Tails 1-up monitor, and the fact that HPZ's
level value (08) is between WFZ (07) and DEZ (10 in beta's). But then again,
the level values are not an accurate indication of level order. In any case,
it is all just speculations and shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Here's what Craig Stitt said about this zone:
I said before that the reason that Hidden Palace got cut from the game,
just before release (no one told me) was that they had run out of room. This
is what I was told.
However, even if that was one of the reason, I also believe it got cut
[...] because the gameplay was never completed. It was supposed to be a
*secret* level, but I guess they kept putting it off till it was too late.
It certainly looks like an interesting and fun level to play
if finished. It's disappointing that Sega had to can it.
A shield monitor next to the entrace of the tube. Sonic does not spin
when going through the tube. |
Dinosaur enemy that walks back and forth. |
A Tails 1-up monitor? It does give Sonic an extra life, while the one in
final HPZ doesn't. |
The bridge that glows when Sonic walks on it. Nice detail. |
Bat enemy that comes down in an arc motion when Sonic approaches. |
Déja vu... this looks too familiar! |
Continue on Hidden Palace, Page 2->
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