Very cool and THANK YOU for putting this up! I'm am the orginal artist for Hidden Palace! I've only waited 21 years to see that level finished and fully playable. Although somethings have been moved around, it's still 'mostly' the orginal art. (besides the enemies and a few odds and ends, the only thing that is really 'new' is the boss round, I never did any art for a boss round). I found out that the level had been cut from the game just days before it's release... needless to say, I was not happy. Glad to see that it's finally seeing the light of day.
To the best of my recollection there was no boss round for the orginal Hidden Palace Zone. I have come to understand that Christian Whitehead (Australia) created the boss level for the re-release of Sonic 2 (2013) for the iOS and Android.
Just goes to show the power of the internet. If something becomes known enough and popular enough, not even a two-decade old unfinished level is out of bounds for revival.
I can picture AOSTH Robotnik describing this boss machine: When I blow this trrrrrrombone, my eggomatic spike BALLS will OBLITERATE that wrrrrretched hedgehog!
@@DannyMeasho999 because as a child you hear about hidden palace zone and the mystery behind it but seeing finally as an adult or when your older and you see this you have your childhood dream accomplished
@@joseh.749 My dad told me about this zone when I was younger but he said "It never was completed or no one knows how to unlock it" it wasn't until yesterday when I was playing the iOS version of the game and i fell down a cliff to find the zone... it reminded me of my dad....miss him
Craig Stitt (gospyro), I just wanted to give a big shout out for my gratitude for what you have done for the Sonic the hedgehog fans. I am 32 years old, and I remember to this day still playing and growing up with Sonic 2 in my childhood. In fact I always think about those days and tear up and wish I could go back in time. It's just awesome to see original team members of the classic series still on here and talking to the fans. Again thank you so much for everything you have done, and that of course goes to all the hard workers on the sonic games.
MarioFan Kaizer HPZ had used the MCZ2P theme in the Simon Wai beta so it could be considered an alpha theme if you also want ro classify track #10 as the beta theme.
The real theme that plays in HPZ is Mystic Cave 2 player, and track 10 is used in a cutscene, possibly for time travel or Sonic learning how to become Super Sonic
I remember first finding this. When I thought I was going into the spike pit of doom, it brought me to Hidden Palace. Ah, it feels great to suck at simple jumps! ^_^
HIDDEN PALACE ZONE Hidden Palace Zone is a scrapped level from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. It is an underground zone with purple water, featuring sparkling gems and dinosaur-esque badniks. Hidden Palace Zone is perhaps the most infamous of the scrapped Sonic 2 levels due to its widespread appearance in gaming media before the game was released. The majority of the art in the level was created by Craig Stitt. Hidden Palace Zone was never completed for the original release; however, a good portion of the first act is playable in the Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype and the Sonic 2 Simon Wai prototype. It was one of the first levels to be worked on, however progress stopped early during production. It was nevertheless kept in the game throughout most of Sonic 2's development cycle, with its removal being a last minute decision. This is contrary to Wood Zone and Genocide City Zone, which, culled much sooner, were largely kept a secret. Notable features of Hidden Palace include green bridges which glow if Sonic or Tails walk on them. This is actually the same object as the bridge in Emerald Hill Zone, but is set to glow if the level number is that of Hidden Palace's. Also featured is a large ramp towards the end of the level, whose collision means it cannot be climbed without positioning Sonic on it with debug mode. Moving up this ramp will lead to the top of the screen, however using debug mode again will show that it continues at the bottom of the level, leading to a bridge covered in waterfalls and inevitably a platform to nowhere. Unlike other scrapped levels in Sonic 2, Hidden Palace Zone still remains in a corrupted form on the final version of the cartridge, though can only be accessed through game enhancers such as Game Genie. The level plays the unused track 10 in the final game, but opted for the Mystic Cave Zone 2-player music track in the Simon Wai prototype. A second act can also be accessed, but it is a barren version of the first act in all versions of the game. The zone has an icon, intended for the level select screen, but is never seen in normal play. Oddly, it does appear in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 however, as this game recycles Sonic 2's level select with minimal alterations. An interview with Yuji Naka revealed that Hidden Palace Zone was originally intended to be a level where the player would be warped to after collecting the 7 Chaos Emeralds. Once there, they would receive the power to morph into Super Sonic. The idea was ultimately killed and the ability was given to the player immediately.[1] Craig Stitt, in an interview with ICEknight, mentioned that Hidden Palace Zone started as two acts but then switched to a single act before being canceled.[2] Many parts of the level were once grounds for debate, such as the so called "Master Emerald" which blocks a pipe. In actuality, this was meant to be just a breakable object similar to the ones found in Hill Top Zone and Chemical Plant Zone.[2] The Tails 1-up monitor was once thought to be a sign that the level was a Tails-exclusive zone, though we now know it exists due to object subtype changes, as the monitors in this Zone seem to have been placed with the subtypes from the original Sonic the Hedgehog in mind. Some hacks, like Sonic 2 Delta and Sonic 2 Long Version, have attempted to restore the level using the graphics from the prototype version and level map and object data from the graphic-less version in the final release. Hidden Palace was removed but not forgotten. The name was recycled in Sonic & Knuckles for use in an unrelated level, and some of the background art was re-used in Sonic Spinball's Toxic Caves, also designed by Craig Stitt. Some elements like the glowing bridges and spheres in the background were used later in Sonic 3's IceCap Zone as well. The zone was finally restored 21 years later, as a single-act level in the 2013 remake of Sonic 2. The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 remake for mobile platforms adds Hidden Palace Zone as a bonus single-Act Zone, courtesy of Taxman and Stealth from Sonic Retro who worked on the project. Uniquely, this level is not encountered in the normal level progression; instead, it is a secret Zone whose entrance is hidden in an existing stage. The Zone's entrance is located in Act 2 of Mystic Cave Zone, replacing what was previously an inescapable pit of spikes. In this version, jumping into the pit will instead initiate the transition to Hidden Palace Zone. The level has been completely reworked based on the original assets and sprites seen in the Sonic 2 prototypes. This version of the level uses a brand-new level layout created from scratch, though some areas intentionally share similarities with the layout seen in prototype versions of the original game. The music used for this zone is the 2-Player music for Mystic Cave, as was seen in the Simon Wai prototype. New gimmicks have been added for this version of the stage, including water pipes which blast you through tubes, and ziplines which thrust you upward using the slanted shafts seen in the prototype layout. The curved water slide now functions as intended, and the large Emeralds are now breakable objects concealing springs. The Redz, BBat, and Stegway (formerly Stego) badniks are fully functional and present throughout the stage. Redz now behaves differently to the original scrapped version; in addtion to simply walking back and forth, it now stops occasionally to breathe a stream of fire from its mouth. In addition, an all-new badnik exclusive to this version of the game, Jellygnite, inhabits the underwater sections of this level. Also exclusive to this version of the game is the boss of this stage, Brass Eggman. Eggman pilots an Eggmobile with a gigantic trombone attachment, which emits loud blasts of noise that cause rockfalls from above. He also drops large bombs into the water, which will explode creating a brief vertical jet of water. If the water jet hits the player, they will take damage; however, if the jet instead hits Eggman, it will briefly disable his Eggmobile and he'll fall to the ground, allowing the player to damage him with a Spin Attack. As of version 3.0.9, the original version of the stage, as seen in prototype versions of the original game, can be accessed through a code on the stage select menu. After entering the debug mode cheat, playing the sounds 03, 03, 03, 0B, 10, 10, 10, 04 and selecting "Hidden Palace" will take the player to the Proto Palace Zone, which is Hidden Palace's original layout as seen in the Simon Wai prototype. Unlike its revised counterpart, this version of the stage uses Track #10 as its default background music. The single giant emerald present has a unique behaviour only seen in this version of the stage, acting as a warp which takes the player back to the stage select. Credits: Sonic Retro
The beginning reminds me of Lava Reef. Coincidentally, I made a Sonic fan game back in 2004 that had some zones from Genesis Sonic games but my version of Lava Reef had Sonic 2 Hidden Palace's enemies instead of Lava Reef's enemies. I don't have it anymore though.
Lukergamerz Also, it technically isn't what it was planned originally. The plan when Sonic 2 was made was to discover the ability to go super here, and have 2 zones...
I've played the finished version of this level in several rom hacks throughout the years, so I don't think I should feel grateful for anything. That being said, people have all the right to complain if they feel like doing so. It's just a music track (and the original one if the beta version of the game means anything, although the preferred version plays in the finished game when you access the level through a game genie code), but for some it's like playing one of their favorite levels without its proper music. For those people, it's unfinished/badly-done work, so it's their right to complain.
People just don't understand that they've had the real hidden palace zone music in the real hidden palace zone for years. th-cam.com/video/yCf2uCeqpM8/w-d-xo.html
Sorry, but the music change is a pretty serious thing, it really feels out of place for this zone, and to be honest who prefers Mystic Cave 2P music over this legendary unused track? And yeah, as it was mentioned before, why should I be grateful over this thing, when we have sonic 2 beta games where you can play Hidden Palace Zone where the legendary track 10 plays?
For all of these lost Sonic 2 levels: Hidden Palace, Wood Zone, and Genocide City. They should of saved those extra levels for Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles.
why did you come here but even then, desert dazzle is still based off of dust hill making mirage saloon based off of desert dazzle in terms of level looks but the concept is based off of dust hill altogether
Found this by accident about 6 months ago. With classics like Sonic I'd normally rather things be kept exactly as they were but this was a great addition, and the way they repurposed the spike pit in mystic cave 2 was perfect.
It does my heart good to see something from my childhood restored. The use of the music track, as everyone complains, makes sense for the transition to this stage...but yeah, I rather the other track too XD Edit: And now I learn of Proto Palace Zone! So this is TOTALLY fine now XD
So here's the deal... the reason why you hear Mystic Zone 2p music instead of Hidden Palace zone's unused music was due to the fact that hidden palace zone's theme was NOT the theme for this stage. Mystic Cave 2p is the REAL hidden palace zone music. the music considered to be "hidden palace zone" was originally speculated to have been made to play during a possible cutscene where Sonic would use the Chaos Emeralds at the end of the stage to transform into Super Sonic. Look up "Masa Demo Unused Song" and you'll hear that this further proves that Hidden Palace Zone was originally made for some sort of situational event rather than it actually being used for an actual stage theme.
Even though that level was in very early development compared to Hidden Palace Zone (at least judging by the beta version of the game), I wish Wood Zone was made into a fully playable level as well.
I loved the addition of this zone. They took the left over level design that was unused and finished it to make a new level. I also love how how they included a brand new boss in the zone. It might be my favorite boss in the game. Only thing I found confusing was why they didn't use the actual Hidden Palace Zone theme instead of 2 player mystic cave zone music.
@@gamemediafan1714 yes. I had to do research to find this out. But apparently, this is the music that was always going to play for this level. Track 10 is music for when sonic first goes super sonic. If you don't believe me, well, just look at the level lol. Christian Whitehead restored it to it's original version. He did this. He looked at the code from 1992. The "taxman" (another programmer for this game who also studied all the old code from the genesis games) confirmed it too.
@@chillvibed Well he placed track 03 there because of the fast pace of that level. As Proto Palace has the original prototype layout, with some improvements, they placed 10 there. I mean, track 10 was going to be used for a cutscene on the earlier prototypes, but after the Title Card Prototype, (My way of Calling the September, 14 Prototype), they repurposed 03 as Mystic Cave 2-Player's Theme. And 10 as the level's main theme. Until they started erasing it at the CENSOR prototype.
***** Hidden palace is meant to be a mystical place as it is in sonic & knuckles, the original music would have been much better. I love the zone and boss though.
***** lolerz222 Graz D You three do know that Mystic Cave 2-Player's theme was the original theme for Hidden Palace, and that "Track 10" was supposed to be for a cutscene, right?
This is SOOO COOL!!!! They actually remastered this entire level, there's even a well developed boss fight!!!! Christian Whitehead, God bless you. The only thing I wished they did is remaster the actual Hidden Palace music, but I mean, this worked fine also. Great Job!!!!
I'm glad they went with this music, it's more fitting than the other music. The other music was grating and felt more like cutscene music than level music.
Here's how to find Hidden Palace: 1. You must reach Mystic Cave Act 2. 2. Find the second deactivated bridge. Instead of jumping onto the switch, fall down instead. You won't die though. 3. Wait until you appear in Hidden Palace. As usual, have fun!
Spencer The Hedgehog And Oil Ocean used Casino Night 2P. The point is that they changed their minds and replaced this with track 10 before removing the level. The designer of the level art said that they used tracks as placeholders and changed them to see what fits more for every level, so beta music was subject to changes.
To anybody who's not satisfied with the song choice, you might want to take a look at this: Sonic 2: Proto Palace Zone The original Hidden Palace is still in the game, complete with the "unused" Track #10. Although the Retro Development menu was used to access it in the above video, it can be unlocked through normal means, as well. According to The Taxman, the Proto Palace can be accessed by first entering the debug mode cheat, and then playing the songs 03, 03, 03, 0B, 10, 10, 10, 04, and then select "Hidden Palace" on the stage select.
Taxman messed up bigly with this one. The final ROM of Sonic 2 plays #10 in HPZ. The prototypes are the ones that played this one. Hence, Proto Palace should play Mystic Cave 2P, and HPZ should play #10.
***** I thought Dust Hill became Mystic Cave, so it used the music that is used for Mystic Cave. Most people thought that Track 10 on the sound test was the theme for Hidden Palace since it was deleted from the game. Apparently Track 10 was going to be used for a cutscene that never happened.
Spike the Ferret Dust Hill Zone was actually going to have Oil Ocean Zone's theme, and Oil Ocean would use Casino Night 2-P theme. And yes, I know too much about this. LOL!
I'm not sure if the boss of Hidden Palace Zone was actually intended to be in the game or if it was just something that Whitehead and Stealth came up with, but what I am sure about is that the boss will provide a nice difficulty spike.
I don't know if they got the idea for the Master Emerald from this level, but, as has been pointed out, there as no such thing as a ME in 1992. I just needed some kind of big, breakable object to put over the tubes and a big gem seemed like a good idea.
I find it interesting that even in the "finished" "official" version. It still uses the placeholder music instead of Hidden Palace's actual music and the placeholder glitched graphics for the bridge posts.
Tails was originally intended to be the Guardian of Westside Island and its Emeralds, which is why he got Sonic to help him get Robotnik off his island. He was originally also going to aid in showing Sonic how to be Super Sonic. The intention was he would be a magical fox, as opposed to just a tech.
It was a theory based on the Tails life box from HPZ. But that kinda got debunked as time went on and we kept getting info about the development of the game.
Actually they could have used it but they chose not to, you can still find the music in the sound test in the mobile version and there’s another version of the zone in the mobile version which is a unfinished prototype
I used to dream of playing this level as a kid when I heard it was maybe in sonic 2! I can still recall sonic tuesday. Kids at school excited their parents were waiting outside with a copy for them after school. It was a long day!
Is there anything we could do to play HPZ with track 10? (Beside Proto Palace Zone) Mr. Whitehead should have added an switch option for that, because we all know too many fans want track 10 to be the right for HPZ.
@@godofthecripples1237 For some point, Yes. But eventually, between the Title Card prototype(September, 14 prototype), and the CENSOR prototype, they repurposed 10 as Hidden Palace's Main Theme.
It's interesting how the graphics in this zone more closely resemble the graphics of Sonic 3 rather than Sonic 2. It seems slightly out of place, visually. However, its still very fun to play and explore and I'm glad that it's been reintroduced to Sonic 2.
***** No, its not DRM tied. we knew that when Taxman said we can change the JP intro to Sonic CD back to its original version via hacking. I do too. But I'm just correcting you. :)
I know! That's the first thing I thought of. Even though it was unused, the original music was my favorite music in the game, even when I could only listen to it in sound test mode :(
I had only recently played the iOS version. I’ve known about this level but knew it was unfinished until I played the mobile version. When I fell into this level, I hadn’t been that surprised from a game in a while.
According to Naka this was originally a place where sonic would be warped to after collecting all chaos emeralds, I wish that would be how you get to it in this version, also WHERE THE FUCK IS THE ORIGINAL MUSIC!!!!!!! THIS MUSIC SUCKS AND IS UNFITTING!!!!!!!
This level is a double reference. HPZ was not only originally planned for Sonic 2, but you access it by going down the previously inescapable pit with spikes.
Love this! This is why I am still rocking my Xperia Play. This game maps the controls automatically to the physical buttons and it plays PERFECTLY! I also have Sonic 1 & Sonic CD. Makes me look forward to Sonic Mania! AWESOME!
I disagree. The original was really beautiful, and it represents the fact that it's a mystical cave made of crystals really well. I don't hear anything that sounds crystal-ish in this version. I think the original just gives the zone a much better atmosphere.
+Natok the Dragon [PresStarToPlay] that was mystic cave 2 players, its original from the sonic 2 game...ALTHO there is a sonc for this "unplayed" stage that was always a mystery when i was a kid and having a genisis and stuff, BUT i bet you knew all that ;)
The two-player Mystic Cave theme actually was the song that was used for Hidden Palace in Sonic 2 Beta, but I do agree that the stage should have used Track #10, just as the garbled version of the stage did in the original.
Let's see disputes about the soundtrack. The fact that the beta version of the game used this soundtrack - it's true. But also there is one thing that somehow nobody noticed: Oil Ocean zone has the music from Casino Night (2 players). And this music is much more fits to this level, with that, the music from the final version of the game was present. The fact that the music from the levels of 1Player and 2players must do not be repeated. And this condition has been violated in Android / IOS version.
This is really cool! Love this. Know it doesn't really fit considering you have what resembles the Master Emerald getting broken as a basic stage obstacle but still very cool
This is actually the music meant for hidden palace zone.The other track was just meant to be used for a cutscene that was meant to transition into the zone.
Everyone's complaining that they should've used track 10, and I'm just disappointed that they didn't make the track they used sound closer to the Simon Wai prototype version.
I got this game for my original SG in like 1994. Played it all the time. I have the app on my phone. About an hour ago I was just playing on my phone and fell down a hole in Mystic Cave Zone and found this zone. Never for the life of me knew it ever existed until today. I couldn’t figure out the secret to hitting Robotnik at the end. At all.
When I played sonic 2 on my phone i found this zone on accident and thought it was some crazy secret thats hard to find.then i learned it was just some thing that happens to everyone when they fall down in the mobile version.
Very cool and THANK YOU for putting this up! I'm am the orginal artist for Hidden Palace! I've only waited 21 years to see that level finished and fully playable. Although somethings have been moved around, it's still 'mostly' the orginal art. (besides the enemies and a few odds and ends, the only thing that is really 'new' is the boss round, I never did any art for a boss round).
I found out that the level had been cut from the game just days before it's release... needless to say, I was not happy. Glad to see that it's finally seeing the light of day.
That would be me!
gospyro I don't trust you...
Trust me or don't. Your call.
retroreloaded.wordpress.com
gospyro ok...if your the artest..then what was the original boss at the end of the level?
To the best of my recollection there was no boss round for the orginal Hidden Palace Zone.
I have come to understand that Christian Whitehead (Australia) created the boss level for the re-release of Sonic 2 (2013) for the iOS and Android.
Just goes to show the power of the internet. If something becomes known enough and popular enough, not even a two-decade old unfinished level is out of bounds for revival.
This wasn't made by Sonic fans or anything else its Official
@@dhc_shiza bruh he didn't said it was made for fans
@@dhc_shiza it was made by fans, the fan is Christian Whitehead.
@@efeloteishe4675 who was hired by sega
This is one thing I love about the Sonic fanbase, they never let anything die
I can picture AOSTH Robotnik describing this boss machine: When I blow this trrrrrrombone, my eggomatic spike BALLS will OBLITERATE that wrrrrretched hedgehog!
PINGAS
Long John Baldry was the best Robotnik/Eggman.
Thomas DaSilva Hahaha! So accurate! Same!
@@ricardocantoral7672 imo he really fits eggman person personality.... idc what anyone says eggman is a humorous villainous villain
Um, doctor, what happens if the pipe gets stuck?
Robotnik: ...WHAAAT?!?
1:35
Sonic: What is this? Can I break it?
*Sonic destroys Master Emerald*
Knuckles: Oh no!
Can someone explain why there is a spring inside an ancient, mystical rock?
Patkall TV o
It should create energy that floats you up sort of slowly. That was what Sonic 3 did in their Hidden Palace zone.
But i use knuckles destroy it.....(in to one secret hole in myster cave,and you can find hidden palace zone)
Like this
th-cam.com/video/PeYq98oQvOQ/w-d-xo.html
I bet if Craig Stitt, the level artist for Hidden Palace saw this, he'd be thrilled to see it actually finished.
Finally!
:D
+glitchhunter09 He did. And felt impressed, although he noted he never drew a pipe organ for the original game :P
Um, he left a comment on this very video. It's above yours.
He is.
are you blind?
This boss is actually looks very clever, different from most Sonic 2 bosses. I can see it perfectly fitting into Sonic Mania.
I love how it follows you
is this the only act of this level?
@@thomaslee2558 yes
@@thomaslee2558 yea its a secret zone the the mystic cave zone act 2
fun fact
it was supposed to be in sonic mania
in files was found sprite sheet with sonic 2 mobile hidden palace objects
When I heard this was added, I almost cried.
Why
@@DannyMeasho999 because as a child you hear about hidden palace zone and the mystery behind it but seeing finally as an adult or when your older and you see this you have your childhood dream accomplished
@@joseh.749 My dad told me about this zone when I was younger but he said "It never was completed or no one knows how to unlock it" it wasn't until yesterday when I was playing the iOS version of the game and i fell down a cliff to find the zone... it reminded me of my dad....miss him
@@youngrizziepoppin9225 wait, ur dad died?
Craig Stitt (gospyro), I just wanted to give a big shout out for my gratitude for what you have done for the Sonic the hedgehog fans. I am 32 years old, and I remember to this day still playing and growing up with Sonic 2 in my childhood. In fact I always think about those days and tear up and wish I could go back in time. It's just awesome to see original team members of the classic series still on here and talking to the fans. Again thank you so much for everything you have done, and that of course goes to all the hard workers on the sonic games.
Track 10 is actually used in another version of the stage called "Proto Palace Zone"
I AM PROTO! YER SEKURUTY IZ MY MUTTO!
LittleBro / FE2 and dev This meme is dead
Micky Azulay It was alive when the comment was made
HeccBro ???
Type In 4 4 4 0B 10 10 10 3
This is the alpha music for hidden palace zone
and the real final version remains buired in the grave known as the sound test
RIP
UH....
Do you mean Beta?
MarioFan Kaizer HPZ had used the MCZ2P theme in the Simon Wai beta so it could be considered an alpha theme if you also want ro classify track #10 as the beta theme.
The real theme that plays in HPZ is Mystic Cave 2 player, and track 10 is used in a cutscene, possibly for time travel or Sonic learning how to become Super Sonic
@@_pumpiii I thought it sounded very cutsceney. maybe they can remix it and bring it back in a next sonic game
I remember first finding this. When I thought I was going into the spike pit of doom, it brought me to Hidden Palace. Ah, it feels great to suck at simple jumps! ^_^
@@ShadowCH3Z Me too. I discovered it myself today.
@@An_ony_mous same here, I felt like no one else knew about the zone cause I had never heard of the zone before
@@ShadowCH3Z in which zone was the trap?
@@zetro_cloud Act 2, take the lower route and you'll find the pit
Same here
This stage is really cool. Even cooler when you stumble upon it and you had no idea it existed
HIDDEN PALACE ZONE
Hidden Palace Zone is a scrapped level from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. It is an underground zone with purple water, featuring sparkling gems and dinosaur-esque badniks. Hidden Palace Zone is perhaps the most infamous of the scrapped Sonic 2 levels due to its widespread appearance in gaming media before the game was released. The majority of the art in the level was created by Craig Stitt.
Hidden Palace Zone was never completed for the original release; however, a good portion of the first act is playable in the Sonic 2 Nick Arcade prototype and the Sonic 2 Simon Wai prototype. It was one of the first levels to be worked on, however progress stopped early during production. It was nevertheless kept in the game throughout most of Sonic 2's development cycle, with its removal being a last minute decision. This is contrary to Wood Zone and Genocide City Zone, which, culled much sooner, were largely kept a secret.
Notable features of Hidden Palace include green bridges which glow if Sonic or Tails walk on them. This is actually the same object as the bridge in Emerald Hill Zone, but is set to glow if the level number is that of Hidden Palace's. Also featured is a large ramp towards the end of the level, whose collision means it cannot be climbed without positioning Sonic on it with debug mode. Moving up this ramp will lead to the top of the screen, however using debug mode again will show that it continues at the bottom of the level, leading to a bridge covered in waterfalls and inevitably a platform to nowhere.
Unlike other scrapped levels in Sonic 2, Hidden Palace Zone still remains in a corrupted form on the final version of the cartridge, though can only be accessed through game enhancers such as Game Genie. The level plays the unused track 10 in the final game, but opted for the Mystic Cave Zone 2-player music track in the Simon Wai prototype. A second act can also be accessed, but it is a barren version of the first act in all versions of the game. The zone has an icon, intended for the level select screen, but is never seen in normal play. Oddly, it does appear in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 however, as this game recycles Sonic 2's level select with minimal alterations.
An interview with Yuji Naka revealed that Hidden Palace Zone was originally intended to be a level where the player would be warped to after collecting the 7 Chaos Emeralds. Once there, they would receive the power to morph into Super Sonic. The idea was ultimately killed and the ability was given to the player immediately.[1] Craig Stitt, in an interview with ICEknight, mentioned that Hidden Palace Zone started as two acts but then switched to a single act before being canceled.[2]
Many parts of the level were once grounds for debate, such as the so called "Master Emerald" which blocks a pipe. In actuality, this was meant to be just a breakable object similar to the ones found in Hill Top Zone and Chemical Plant Zone.[2] The Tails 1-up monitor was once thought to be a sign that the level was a Tails-exclusive zone, though we now know it exists due to object subtype changes, as the monitors in this Zone seem to have been placed with the subtypes from the original Sonic the Hedgehog in mind.
Some hacks, like Sonic 2 Delta and Sonic 2 Long Version, have attempted to restore the level using the graphics from the prototype version and level map and object data from the graphic-less version in the final release.
Hidden Palace was removed but not forgotten. The name was recycled in Sonic & Knuckles for use in an unrelated level, and some of the background art was re-used in Sonic Spinball's Toxic Caves, also designed by Craig Stitt. Some elements like the glowing bridges and spheres in the background were used later in Sonic 3's IceCap Zone as well. The zone was finally restored 21 years later, as a single-act level in the 2013 remake of Sonic 2.
The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 remake for mobile platforms adds Hidden Palace Zone as a bonus single-Act Zone, courtesy of Taxman and Stealth from Sonic Retro who worked on the project. Uniquely, this level is not encountered in the normal level progression; instead, it is a secret Zone whose entrance is hidden in an existing stage. The Zone's entrance is located in Act 2 of Mystic Cave Zone, replacing what was previously an inescapable pit of spikes. In this version, jumping into the pit will instead initiate the transition to Hidden Palace Zone.
The level has been completely reworked based on the original assets and sprites seen in the Sonic 2 prototypes. This version of the level uses a brand-new level layout created from scratch, though some areas intentionally share similarities with the layout seen in prototype versions of the original game. The music used for this zone is the 2-Player music for Mystic Cave, as was seen in the Simon Wai prototype. New gimmicks have been added for this version of the stage, including water pipes which blast you through tubes, and ziplines which thrust you upward using the slanted shafts seen in the prototype layout. The curved water slide now functions as intended, and the large Emeralds are now breakable objects concealing springs. The Redz, BBat, and Stegway (formerly Stego) badniks are fully functional and present throughout the stage. Redz now behaves differently to the original scrapped version; in addtion to simply walking back and forth, it now stops occasionally to breathe a stream of fire from its mouth. In addition, an all-new badnik exclusive to this version of the game, Jellygnite, inhabits the underwater sections of this level.
Also exclusive to this version of the game is the boss of this stage, Brass Eggman. Eggman pilots an Eggmobile with a gigantic trombone attachment, which emits loud blasts of noise that cause rockfalls from above. He also drops large bombs into the water, which will explode creating a brief vertical jet of water. If the water jet hits the player, they will take damage; however, if the jet instead hits Eggman, it will briefly disable his Eggmobile and he'll fall to the ground, allowing the player to damage him with a Spin Attack.
As of version 3.0.9, the original version of the stage, as seen in prototype versions of the original game, can be accessed through a code on the stage select menu. After entering the debug mode cheat, playing the sounds 03, 03, 03, 0B, 10, 10, 10, 04 and selecting "Hidden Palace" will take the player to the Proto Palace Zone, which is Hidden Palace's original layout as seen in the Simon Wai prototype. Unlike its revised counterpart, this version of the stage uses Track #10 as its default background music. The single giant emerald present has a unique behaviour only seen in this version of the stage, acting as a warp which takes the player back to the stage select.
Credits: Sonic Retro
Taels is disappointed in your recent decisions that’s were the spike pit was
Wow
In the actual genesis they remobed it and now it looks like a seziure (not on the remake you idiots)
Thanks a lot
The beginning reminds me of Lava Reef. Coincidentally, I made a Sonic fan game back in 2004 that had some zones from Genesis Sonic games but my version of Lava Reef had Sonic 2 Hidden Palace's enemies instead of Lava Reef's enemies. I don't have it anymore though.
MrSRArter wait a minute....
Hidden Palace zone is located in Lava Reef...
the two themes sound similar
Was this a coincidence? Or something more...
@@RollyPollyPal Track 10 and Lava Reef Act 2 are very simular now that i think of it
This is actually the hidden palace music. Sonic 2 Beta had this track playing
Even the updated MCZ 2P music is in Hidden Palace, from the recent proto released.
@@CrimsonNeo is dust hill zone
@@yoshithegamerxyz Yeah, I know Dust Hill is Mystic Cave in proto.
@@CrimsonNeo im not dr mario world gamer im DMWG
@@yoshithegamerxyz OK.
Found this place by accidentally falling into the pit too :D
Easier than actual cave one, isnt it?
Yeah and it was hard the boss
I fall down the pit on purpose
Wait, where's the pit?
EDIT: oh yes, no one's gonna reply
ExtremeRacer 879 mystic cave act 2
I jumped on the Master Emerald thinking I could get super powers, instead I broke it.
Still remember seeing this as a screenshot in a magazine as a garbled mess, the mystery behind that never seemed to die for some reason.
Sonic: "I'm not diggin' your music, Ro- butt- nik!"
I really like the boss fight. It's like a creative spin on the Hydrocity boss.
My gosh, you guys are so ungrateful. It's just a music track! Be lucky we got a finished version of this level in the first place!
Not that I'm angry personally but the music is probably the main reason I still go back and play these 2D Sonic games to this day.
Lukergamerz Also, it technically isn't what it was planned originally. The plan when Sonic 2 was made was to discover the ability to go super here, and have 2 zones...
I've played the finished version of this level in several rom hacks throughout the years, so I don't think I should feel grateful for anything. That being said, people have all the right to complain if they feel like doing so. It's just a music track (and the original one if the beta version of the game means anything, although the preferred version plays in the finished game when you access the level through a game genie code), but for some it's like playing one of their favorite levels without its proper music. For those people, it's unfinished/badly-done work, so it's their right to complain.
People just don't understand that they've had the real hidden palace zone music in the real hidden palace zone for years. th-cam.com/video/yCf2uCeqpM8/w-d-xo.html
Sorry, but the music change is a pretty serious thing, it really feels out of place for this zone, and to be honest who prefers Mystic Cave 2P music over this legendary unused track? And yeah, as it was mentioned before, why should I be grateful over this thing, when we have sonic 2 beta games where you can play Hidden Palace Zone where the legendary track 10 plays?
For all of these lost Sonic 2 levels: Hidden Palace, Wood Zone, and Genocide City. They should of saved those extra levels for Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles.
And dust hill zone, right?
@@geoffreynanulaitta917 *Sandopolis*
Ghashto Dersa no actually, mirage saloon
@@jakighcolburnchannel3584 Im pretty sure Mirage Saloon was inspired by a desert theme unused zone in Sonic CD
why did you come here but even then, desert dazzle is still based off of dust hill making mirage saloon based off of desert dazzle in terms of level looks but the concept is based off of dust hill altogether
Found this by accident about 6 months ago. With classics like Sonic I'd normally rather things be kept exactly as they were but this was a great addition, and the way they repurposed the spike pit in mystic cave 2 was perfect.
It does my heart good to see something from my childhood restored. The use of the music track, as everyone complains, makes sense for the transition to this stage...but yeah, I rather the other track too XD
Edit: And now I learn of Proto Palace Zone! So this is TOTALLY fine now XD
So here's the deal...
the reason why you hear Mystic Zone 2p music instead of Hidden Palace zone's unused music was due to the fact that hidden palace zone's theme was NOT the theme for this stage. Mystic Cave 2p is the REAL hidden palace zone music. the music considered to be "hidden palace zone" was originally speculated to have been made to play during a possible cutscene where Sonic would use the Chaos Emeralds at the end of the stage to transform into Super Sonic.
Look up "Masa Demo Unused Song" and you'll hear that this further proves that Hidden Palace Zone was originally made for some sort of situational event rather than it actually being used for an actual stage theme.
Even though that level was in very early development compared to Hidden Palace Zone (at least judging by the beta version of the game), I wish Wood Zone was made into a fully playable level as well.
I loved the addition of this zone. They took the left over level design that was unused and finished it to make a new level. I also love how how they included a brand new boss in the zone. It might be my favorite boss in the game. Only thing I found confusing was why they didn't use the actual Hidden Palace Zone theme instead of 2 player mystic cave zone music.
This is the actual hidden palace music. and always was. Track 10 was like cutscene music.
@@chillvibed really? It doesn't sound like it.
@@gamemediafan1714 yes. I had to do research to find this out. But apparently, this is the music that was always going to play for this level. Track 10 is music for when sonic first goes super sonic. If you don't believe me, well, just look at the level lol. Christian Whitehead restored it to it's original version. He did this. He looked at the code from 1992. The "taxman" (another programmer for this game who also studied all the old code from the genesis games) confirmed it too.
@@chillvibed Well he placed track 03 there because of the fast pace of that level.
As Proto Palace has the original prototype layout, with some improvements, they placed 10 there.
I mean, track 10 was going to be used for a cutscene on the earlier prototypes, but after the Title Card Prototype, (My way of Calling the September, 14 Prototype), they repurposed 03 as Mystic Cave 2-Player's Theme.
And 10 as the level's main theme. Until they started erasing it at the CENSOR prototype.
This music sounds like something you would hear from AM radio when the DJ covers traffic and weather.
They should've used the original music D:
***** Hidden palace is meant to be a mystical place as it is in sonic & knuckles, the original music would have been much better. I love the zone and boss though.
***** lolerz222 Graz D
You three do know that Mystic Cave 2-Player's theme was the original theme for Hidden Palace, and that "Track 10" was supposed to be for a cutscene, right?
***** It was supposed to be a cutscene for the level; that's why it's used on the level...lol
lolerz222 Yeah I know. Just what we need is Mystic Cave 2-Player Music to remind us of the spike pit.
iLLumiNaughty I thought it was the original theme for the Rock Zone.
Nice to see this is in sonic origins now, I've always played the mobile port of these games lmao
Anybody here from Sonic Origins?
Lol yeah! Can't wait to play it on console 🤣
I found this world 30 minutes ago, playing Sonic 2 on my cel phone. My childhood still had a secret for me! Sonic 2 rocks!
This is SOOO COOL!!!!
They actually remastered this entire level, there's even a well developed boss fight!!!!
Christian Whitehead, God bless you.
The only thing I wished they did is remaster the actual Hidden Palace music, but I mean, this worked fine also. Great Job!!!!
For God sakes, the track for hidden palace that was 'original' was originally intended for a cutscene that never made it into the zone.
Now i just wish they remastered the other levels
@@SwagGamer9750 then why is it loopable
go play simon wai prototype and go to HPZ
For some reason I felt like this video was supposed to have a lot more comments
I wish they would put this on the Xbox Arcade like they did with Sonic CD. I'm surprised no one mentioned that.
I'm glad they went with this music, it's more fitting than the other music. The other music was grating and felt more like cutscene music than level music.
Here's how to find Hidden Palace:
1. You must reach Mystic Cave Act 2.
2. Find the second deactivated bridge. Instead of jumping onto the switch, fall down instead. You won't die though.
3. Wait until you appear in Hidden Palace. As usual, have fun!
Really hope this stage comes back in Sonic Mania with it's original song.
Kinda disappointed they didn't use the hidden palace music, still awesome to see the hidden palace zone make a comeback!
You do know the 2-P Vs. Music for Mystic Cave was used for Hidden Palace Zone in the Simon Wai prototype, right?
Spencer The Hedgehog And Oil Ocean used Casino Night 2P. The point is that they changed their minds and replaced this with track 10 before removing the level. The designer of the level art said that they used tracks as placeholders and changed them to see what fits more for every level, so beta music was subject to changes.
*****
At least they gave it a unique boss.... unlike certain "restoration" sonic hacks.
glitchhunter09
Yeah... The hacks used bosses from other zones, which makes you fight the same boss twice.
glitchhunter09 Yes, and it was a good addition. Altough the original idea for the level was different.
The return of a legend!
Arrimas Arrington I meant Hidden Palace Zone in context.
To anybody who's not satisfied with the song choice, you might want to take a look at this:
Sonic 2: Proto Palace Zone
The original Hidden Palace is still in the game, complete with the "unused" Track #10. Although the Retro Development menu was used to access it in the above video, it can be unlocked through normal means, as well. According to The Taxman, the Proto Palace can be accessed by first entering the debug mode cheat, and then playing the songs 03, 03, 03, 0B, 10, 10, 10, 04, and then select "Hidden Palace" on the stage select.
Taxman messed up bigly with this one. The final ROM of Sonic 2 plays #10 in HPZ. The prototypes are the ones that played this one. Hence, Proto Palace should play Mystic Cave 2P, and HPZ should play #10.
great another labyrinth zone-like level. just what we needed. but the music and design is nice!
Using "Dust Hill" theme for Hidden Palace... interesting.
More importantly, they're actually using Hidden Palace from Sonic 2.
*****
I thought Dust Hill became Mystic Cave, so it used the music that is used for Mystic Cave. Most people thought that Track 10 on the sound test was the theme for Hidden Palace since it was deleted from the game. Apparently Track 10 was going to be used for a cutscene that never happened.
Spike the Ferret Dust Hill Zone was actually going to have Oil Ocean Zone's theme, and Oil Ocean would use Casino Night 2-P theme. And yes, I know too much about this. LOL!
***** It gets better than that; the cut Winter Zone was meant to have SKY CHASE'S music!
Joe Flaherty
Now that's interesting. I've got to listen to that.
Joe Flaherty Whaaaaaaaa.........Even I didn't know that!
I'm not sure if the boss of Hidden Palace Zone was actually intended to be in the game or if it was just something that Whitehead and Stealth came up with, but what I am sure about is that the boss will provide a nice difficulty spike.
1:40 Sonic Has Destroyed the Master Emerald!
Sergio lefilaf sabja oh shit.
+Sergio FLS (GD) The Master Emerald doesn't exist in 1992.
Sergio FLS Love doing that as Knuckles
Oh no!
I don't know if they got the idea for the Master Emerald from this level, but, as has been pointed out, there as no such thing as a ME in 1992. I just needed some kind of big, breakable object to put over the tubes and a big gem seemed like a good idea.
Just entered here 5 minutes ago. Never knew about this zone
Thank you, Christian Whitehead! Let's hope this game comes out as a WiiWare game on the Wii U!
lets not, fucking nintendrone
Kyroheart That was uncalled for. Well how about getting this on all Consoles and Steam?
I don't care
Kyroheart Ok then I was just saying. Carry on then :D
Kyroheart Do you even play videogames?
One thing that i, in the 2010s got to experience, that a kid in the 90s wouldn't, was finding this on accident and feeling real cool.
I find it interesting that even in the "finished" "official" version. It still uses the placeholder music instead of Hidden Palace's actual music and the placeholder glitched graphics for the bridge posts.
@sk Actually it was because they couldnt program it in time
the original artist for HPZ told us that
Tails was originally intended to be the Guardian of Westside Island and its Emeralds, which is why he got Sonic to help him get Robotnik off his island. He was originally also going to aid in showing Sonic how to be Super Sonic. The intention was he would be a magical fox, as opposed to just a tech.
Meaning Knuckles is the original Tails.
It was a theory based on the Tails life box from HPZ.
But that kinda got debunked as time went on and we kept getting info about the development of the game.
They couldn't use the original Hidden Palace zone music from in the sound check.... I loved that one...
This was meant to be the original the other was the 2P version.
Actually they could have used it but they chose not to, you can still find the music in the sound test in the mobile version and there’s another version of the zone in the mobile version which is a unfinished prototype
I used to dream of playing this level as a kid when I heard it was maybe in sonic 2!
I can still recall sonic tuesday. Kids at school excited their parents were waiting outside with a copy for them after school.
It was a long day!
This is the two player theme of mystic cave
Is there anything we could do to play HPZ with track 10? (Beside Proto Palace Zone)
Mr. Whitehead should have added an switch option for that, because we all know too many fans want track 10 to be the right for HPZ.
People are saying that track 10 was planned for a cutscene, not the level itself.
@@godofthecripples1237 For some point, Yes.
But eventually, between the Title Card prototype(September, 14 prototype), and the CENSOR prototype, they repurposed 10 as Hidden Palace's Main Theme.
Man, this zone was FUN when I first saw it on my tablet!
I wonder if this was the original idea they had for Robotnik before the lvl was cut?
Robotnik was not in the orginal version of this level as it was supposed to be a hidden level within Mysic Cave Zone.
@@gospyro it wasnt supposed to be a hidden level
@@CG09_TMP You do realise that the guy you replied to was the designer of the level, right?
It's interesting how the graphics in this zone more closely resemble the graphics of Sonic 3 rather than Sonic 2. It seems slightly out of place, visually. However, its still very fun to play and explore and I'm glad that it's been reintroduced to Sonic 2.
Release this to the PC Goddammit >:(...that way we can also edit Mystic Cave's Song to the original unused track >:)
We can do that with the Mobile version too.
Isn't the mobile version DRM-tied?
And...still...I want a PC or a Console Port of this...I don't have an Android and I hate touchscreen anyways
***** No, its not DRM tied. we knew that when Taxman said we can change the JP intro to Sonic CD back to its original version via hacking.
I do too. But I'm just correcting you. :)
Oh ok...still want a PC/Console Version tho...letting this be a Mobile Exclusive is such a shame
I know! That's the first thing I thought of. Even though it was unused, the original music was my favorite music in the game, even when I could only listen to it in sound test mode :(
First time I ran into this level, i was so surprised! Whole level I was like "whaaaaaa-"
Glad they used all the unused enemies and... a jellyfish. DERP.
I had only recently played the iOS version. I’ve known about this level but knew it was unfinished until I played the mobile version. When I fell into this level, I hadn’t been that surprised from a game in a while.
According to Naka this was originally a place where sonic would be warped to after collecting all chaos emeralds, I wish that would be how you get to it in this version, also WHERE THE FUCK IS THE ORIGINAL MUSIC!!!!!!! THIS MUSIC SUCKS AND IS UNFITTING!!!!!!!
Oh nice
I am a IOS sonic 2 user too!
Good level but the boss was way too long
Super sonic makes it shortest
Ever
Btw you can hit him 4 times when he falls not 2
This level is a double reference. HPZ was not only originally planned for Sonic 2, but you access it by going down the previously inescapable pit with spikes.
So…… Can someone tell me why this is only on mobile?
AndyW 813 ^ and sega doesn’t sell these anymore.
Love this! This is why I am still rocking my Xperia Play. This game maps the controls automatically to the physical buttons and it plays PERFECTLY! I also have Sonic 1 & Sonic CD. Makes me look forward to Sonic Mania! AWESOME!
This music doesn't fit. :( They should've used the original music.
I disagree. The original was really beautiful, and it represents the fact that it's a mystical cave made of crystals really well. I don't hear anything that sounds crystal-ish in this version. I think the original just gives the zone a much better atmosphere.
+Natok the Dragon [PresStarToPlay] go look up the cheat for proto palace on mobile it does play the original theme
tfw don't have a smartphone and this game on it
ok...
+Natok the Dragon [PresStarToPlay] that was mystic cave 2 players, its original from the sonic 2 game...ALTHO there is a sonc for this "unplayed" stage that was always a mystery when i was a kid and having a genisis and stuff, BUT i bet you knew all that ;)
I remember when I fell from a deep hole in the Mystic Cave zone, then I came in here, when I tried again I forgot where the hole was.
Cheapest boss and bad controls.
Yeah no.
Yeah. Sonic is a pretty average game with awful controls and bosses that are either way too easy, or confusing like this one.
I'd love to hear a mania version of the original song. Still can't believe those guys got to bring a gaming legend to life...
I hate the song they chose because it's just so unfitting.
The two-player Mystic Cave theme actually was the song that was used for Hidden Palace in Sonic 2 Beta, but I do agree that the stage should have used Track #10, just as the garbled version of the stage did in the original.
I know track 10 just sounds and fits much better in hidden place instead of the other song.
Frezzing123 www.tssznews.com/2013/12/13/taxman-stealth-address-sonic-2-remastered-hidden-palace-music-concerns/
Oh I get it now and thank you
Yeah but I still like the other song better
Let's see disputes about the soundtrack. The fact that the beta version of the game used this soundtrack - it's true. But also there is one thing that somehow nobody noticed: Oil Ocean zone has the music from Casino Night (2 players). And this music is much more fits to this level, with that, the music from the final version of the game was present.
The fact that the music from the levels of 1Player and 2players must do not be repeated. And this condition has been violated in Android / IOS version.
I just used Super Sonic in beating this hidden level. Thanks for showing this hidden level
I love the beginning of the music
I do love the fact that the organ piano is similar to the one from Ristar in the Sound Test option.
Eggman finds an ancient palace filled with magical emeralds.
First order of business, build a sweet looking pipe organ.
This is better then the spike pit
This is really cool! Love this. Know it doesn't really fit considering you have what resembles the Master Emerald getting broken as a basic stage obstacle but still very cool
Robotnik pulling all the stops to destroying Sonic. Even using his musical skills to destroy you.
I always loved this song. Reminds me of The Cure.
They should've made an act 2 using the original design intended unless the original Hidden Palace was only going to consist of 1 act.
Awesome, but Hidden Palace isn't Hidden Palace without that awesome music. I understand why, but it's so much better
It just triggers me that they used the 2 player Mystic Cave zone music instead of the actual Hidden Palace music
This is actually the music meant for hidden palace zone.The other track was just meant to be used for a cutscene that was meant to transition into the zone.
@@adambiggerstaff6593 I know that now, thanks for telling me tho.
Everyone's complaining that they should've used track 10, and I'm just disappointed that they didn't make the track they used sound closer to the Simon Wai prototype version.
Everyone's arguing which track is the real hidden palace zone theme, yet I have it right here: th-cam.com/video/yCf2uCeqpM8/w-d-xo.html
I went to hidden palace twice by accident I just ran ignored everything and didn't focus and boom hidden palace
I got this game for my original SG in like 1994. Played it all the time. I have the app on my phone. About an hour ago I was just playing on my phone and fell down a hole in Mystic Cave Zone and found this zone. Never for the life of me knew it ever existed until today. I couldn’t figure out the secret to hitting Robotnik at the end. At all.
It's funny because this is the mystic cave theme. Just the two player one
Beautiful parallax scrolling, sprites of 3D-rendered emeralds
its nice to see a video of just sonic 2 and not sonic origins sonic 2
I love the way you find this level.
When I played sonic 2 on my phone i found this zone on accident and thought it was some crazy secret thats hard to find.then i learned it was just some thing that happens to everyone when they fall down in the mobile version.
I just played Sonic 2 on the Sonic Origins game on the PlayStation 4 and I found this level there.
Aside from the incorrect music, this is still pretty awesome :D
*Sonic The Hedgehog vs. Octocontrabass Eggmobile*
This makes me wish that more beta levels were remade...
Thx for the walk-thru. I was having trouble with the boss.
I actually discovered this in my sonic the hedgehog 2 Gameplay Walkthrough series
Loving the sound track
Are we not gonna talk about how Sonic just smashed a Super Emerald by jumping on it?
this sounds like dust hill or sand shower zone
Now this is a perfect HD remake.