Ever wonder what Sonic 2 could've been before its final release? The Beta 4 version is this weird, rough-around-the-edges peek into Sega’s development process. You’ve got familiar zones like Emerald Hill, but some of the layouts feel off—like they hadn’t quite nailed the pacing yet. Tails is here, but he’s glitchier than usual, sometimes phasing through platforms like a ghost.

Weirdest part? The special stages. Instead of the half-pipe chaos from the final game, you’re running through this blocky, prototype-looking maze. It’s janky, but kinda fascinating if you’re into game design history. The music’s different too—some tracks sound like early drafts of what eventually became iconic.

Definitely not the polished Sonic 2 you remember, but a cool time capsule for hardcore fans. Just don’t expect it to play as smoothly as the retail version.