Sonic Drift 2

Sonic Drift 2 is the sequel to Sonic Drift. It was released in Japan for the Sega Game Gear in March 17, 1995. Unlike its predecessor, it was released internationally. The European version was released that same month as Sonic Drift Racing (although the title screen still refers to it as Sonic Drift 2), and the North American release in November 1995. It added three characters: Knuckles the Echidna, Fang the Sniper, and Metal Sonic. Sonic Drift 2 was the first game to feature Metal Sonic and Nack the Weasel as playable characters.

Gameplay
Sonic Drift 2 is mostly similar to previous Sonic Drift. There are three different Chaos GPs purple, white and blue emerald to win, as each of courses have six race tracks to complete. There are also same features and difficulty options from the previous game, while also able to turn race track obstacles on or off. The game's controlling is mostly the same with several changes. By pressing up normally releases special attack after getting two rings, while button 1 is used for braking on hard curves and button 2 for acceleration on linear ways. Unlike previous Sonic Drift, the AI is now able to use items and is now trying to keep the front line on itself.

Comparing to previous Sonic Drift, there are now more useful items, which most of them are included in multicolored monitors. There are rings floating around the race track. If the player has collect two rings (three in Metal Sonic's case), the player is allowed to perform their special attack with their racing car, which is different with all seven playable characters. Getting hit by mine of any other's special attack will make the player lose his rings. If the player is driving towards the red spring, it will bounce the racing car to the air while, as it also increases the speed as well. When the player gets white Star on the race track, the screen goes to white on everyone, which distracted driving. When the player got Reverse ball, the player's steering gets reversed.

When the player gets monitor item, he/she can now used in every time unlike in previous game, where it activates it automatically. The player can only have one item at time. When the player gets red monitor, the player can dash down the track with a momentary burst of speed. By getting blue monitor makes the player invincible for a short time, while yellow monitor has same effect as normal red spring. When the player gets black monitor, he/she can sling a mine to the track, which makes rivals to lose rings and got collision.

In the game, Chaos Emeralds are awarded for winning races. If Sonic, Tails, Amy or Knuckles collect all six in the Blue GP, they will face Dr. Robotnik (known to his fellow racers as the "Eggman") in a final race around the Death Egg. If Robotnik, Metal Sonic or Fang collect all six in the Blue GP, they will face Sonic in the final race.

Courses
Several of the courses in Sonic Drift 2 are named after zones from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (including the Emerald Hill Zone and the Casino Night Zone, among others). In addition, Ice Cap is a reference to IceCap Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog 3, released a year earlier. Iron Ruin has been seen as a heads up to Scrap Brain Zone from the original Sonic the Hedgehog, released four years earlier.

Interestingly, the game is somewhat harder than the first one, as the courses have more tricks and the A.I. is more aggressive than the original. The player also has to worry if the road is an on-road course or an off-road course, which can utilize pits on the side or main track.

Re-releases
After the original Game Gear release, the game along with other Game Gear titles are being unlockable games in Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut for Gamecube and PC. Along with other Game Gear games, it is also available on Sonic Gems Collection for Gamecube and PlayStation 2. The game has been ported to Coleco Sonic, Playpal Plug and Play for Coleco and Tectoy Master System 3 for Tectoy. On July 1st, 2013, Sonic Drift 2 was re-released for the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in Europe at a selling price of £3.59 (€3.99). This includes the original game only it can be played in 3D. The Virtual Console description is below:


 * Start your engines and prepare for the race of your life! Choose from seven of your favorite Sonic characters including Sonic, Knuckles, and Dr. Eggman (AKA Dr. Robotnik) and race your way to the finish line. Use each racer’s special ability to gain an edge over the competition and win the fabled Chaos Emeralds! Race across 17 courses in the ultimate Chaos Grand Prix! Challenge a friend via local two-player multiplayer! Choose between seven classic Sonic characters including Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy Rose, and the nefarious Dr. Eggman!

Trivia

 * This is the first game released outside of Japan to identify the character of Dr. Robotnik as Eggman.
 * Despite the fact that the original Sonic Drift was only released in Japan, this game was still released in the US as a sequel without any change in the title whatsoever (probably confusing many American gamers).
 * Knuckles' name was spelled "Knucles" on the character screen due to space limitations, despite the fact that he was often nicknamed "Knuckle" in Japanese manuals and could have fit the letter limit.
 * Sonic's car might be based off a 1992 Ferrari F40 or 1993 fourth generation Chevrolet Camaro.
 * Tails' car is based off various Caterham models
 * Knuckles' car is based on AMC General's Hummer H1.
 * All of the vehicles, with the exception of Blue Devil and Marvelous Queen, are named in relation to wind or air.
 * Fang is the only character to not appear on the North American and European box art, but a part of his vehicle can be seen.
 * In Sonic Drift 2, the invincible theme is from Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
 * During the final one-on-one race, an 8-bit mix of the standard boss theme from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 &amp; Knuckles is played.