Notes and Strategy (50)

Learn how to defeat the tricky Mini-Boss in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 by tricking it into destroying itself. Master Act 2 with our expert tips!

Alright, let's talk about this Mini-Boss you'll run into. It's a bit of a puzzle boss, but once you get the hang of it, it's actually pretty simple! The main thing to remember is that you need to trick it into destroying itself. When the drill part breaks off from the main blade, it'll start zipping around the screen, smashing the floor beneath you. If you fall off, that's a lost life, so we want to wrap this up as fast as possible.

Here's the trick: you need to hit the blade part to make it open up and extend. The moment the drill tries to re-attach itself to the blade, that's your opening to score a hit. Keep an eye out for the energy that pops up around it at different times – touching that will zap your health, so stay clear!

Walkthrough: Act 2

1. Start by heading right and going down the slope. You'll pass some bumpers, so navigate through them and enter the water.
2. After you go past the two rotating drums, keep heading right and then climb up the eastern wall.
3. Once you're at the top, break through the walls and ride through the speed boosts.
4. Use your Spin Dash to go up the slope, then carefully glide across the bumpers.
5. Jump onto the moving drum and use it to climb up the wall.
6. Grab the Lightning Shield that's on the platform nearby, then head right.
7. You'll come across more bumpers; make your way past them and glide to grab onto the edge of a platform. (Alternatively, you can use the moving drums, but it's a bit trickier.)
8. Use the cannon to launch yourself over to the right. Be careful of the spikes on the edge of the wall as you land.
9. Continue past the bumpers and head past the Starpost.
10. After you pass the anti-gravity platform, go up the slope and enter the hidden passageway.
11. Run through the speed boosts and open the three Boxes you'll find at the end.
12. Drop down the invisible hole and run through more speed boosts.
13. Eventually, you'll hover upwards and spot a Prison Egg. Open it to finish the level!

Notes for Knuckles in Act 2:

So, you might notice that as Knuckles, there's no drum to go under and no boss to fight in this Act. It seems like Sonic Team might have tweaked the level for him, maybe because the rotating drum was a bit of a pain for players. Fun fact: it's actually possible for Knuckles to get into the Sonic/Tails version of this zone, but you'll need to check out the Glitches section for how to do that!

For now, just head right and use the teleporter to get Knuckles over to Icecap Zone.