10 Video Game Characters You Didn't Take Seriously (Until They Killed You)

7. Antlion Mecha (Sonic 2, Master System)

Izumi Shenmue 2
SEGA

Whilst Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was panned by contemporaneous critics for being easier than a binary sudoku, its pared down small-screen sibling on the Game Gear (and in PAL territories, the trusty Master System), was anything but a jog in the park.

In the Mega Drive games, a forgiving fountain of rings cascades out of the hedgehog upon damage. Hardware limitations preclude this on the 8-bit variants; the jewellry, like that caught in a pleasure beach claw machine, is good for one use only. Sonic isn't even afforded that solitary means of protection in boss levels, which are entirely devoid of bling.

That means anyone migrating from the Mega Drive is in for a rude awakening - and the spiny speedster's first difficulty spike comes in the very first level. Unless you know the precise pixel on which to stand, the bouncing bombs of Underground Zone's end baddie, Antlion Mecha, will make salami out of Sonic. That makes a humbling level 1 game over entirely possible. Half the bits, twice the bite.

In this post: 
Shenmue 2
 
First Posted On: 
Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.