Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Beta - Solid Gold Guide

In 1993, a Sonic 2 walkthrough was published. Written by Tony Takoushi, the Sega Europe software manager at that time, it contained several screenshots of Sonic 2 in an early stage of development. The version shown in the Solid Gold Guide is actually a later version than the Sonic 2 Beta ROM version.

Left: Solid Gold Guide, Right: Sonic 2 Beta ROM

The level select. There's no Genocide City & Wood Zone, and Sky Chase & Fortress Zones have been added. Also, the two-player mode has been added.

This was the first ever screenshot of Wood Zone seen outside of Sega. Also, Sonic is lying down, which he never does in the beta ROM.

Neo Green Hill Zone with a Gaslight-font title card. The word "hill" is messed up though. Spear-throwing Robotnik face has been added. Sonic's start position is different, and Tails has been reprogrammed so he follows Sonic intelligently rather than copying his every move.

Hidden Palace Zone.

You can look a scan of the whole page from which these screenshots came by clicking here.