Sonic Advance 2

Just when you think Sonic can't go any faster, along comes Sonic Advance 2 and shifts into a higher gear. This sequel bet everything on pure, dizzying speed and created one of the most breakneck experiences the blue hedgehog has ever offered on a handheld console.

The basic principle remains a platformer: running, jumping, collecting rings and battling the evil Doctor Eggman. But the second installment dramatically ramps up the pace and designs the levels to reward you for blasting through them at full throttle without stopping. A new playable character, Cream, joined with her chao Cheese, alongside the return of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy. Each character controls differently, so replays make sense.

Development was once again handled by Dimps in collaboration with Sonic Team, and the game came out in 2002. It arrived at a time when Sega had fully embraced the role of publisher on other platforms, and Sonic Advance 2 confirmed that the hedgehog's move to Nintendo hardware wasn't a one-off affair but a long-term direction.

A characteristic element of this game is the emphasis on acrobatic tricks and maintaining maximum speed, where Sonic lights up at sufficient pace and becomes almost unstoppable. This philosophy turns the game into an adrenaline ride, albeit at the cost of some passages needing to be memorized first. Collecting the seven Chaos Emeralds is this time tied to finding hidden special rings in each level, an infamous challenge.

Sonic Advance 2 earned a reputation as one of the fastest 2D Sonics ever, and fans remember it to this day for its energetic momentum and catchy music. For fans of the series it's a mandatory stop among the blue hedgehog's handheld entries and proof that speed never gets old.

Why play: A lightning-fast 2D platformer that pushes Sonic's pace to the max and adds the new character Cream with inventive abilities.