Sonic the Hedgehog 2

20 Melee games like Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Sonic the Hedgehog 2 down to the 20 that fit the “Melee” category. Sonic Mania, Kirby's Dream Land 3 and Move or Die top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

iRank87/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Tags

OfflineSolo

Year 1992Dev Sega Technical Institute

Stores

Steam ↗Nintendo ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Melee” category, the closest game to Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is Sonic Mania — scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. Kirby's Dream Land 3 and Move or Die follow close behind.

#1Sonic Mania97 #2Kirby's Dream Land 397 #3Move or Die95 #4SpeedRunners95 #5Kirby: Squeak Squad94

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The best melee games like Sonic the Hedgehog 2

20 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Each one has been evaluated across 10 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

97

Sonic Mania

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 94%· 28KIGDB85· 16OC87· 126

Year 2017Dev Headcannon · SegaOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: vibe casual and visual third person, while skipping setting scifi

Steam Epic Xbox

#2Kirby's Dream Land 3

97

Kirby's Dream Land 3

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

Year 1997Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: setting scifi.

95

Move or Die

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerOfflineCo-opSoloMelee2D

Steam👍 89%· 23KIGDB80· 1

Year 2016Dev Those Awesome GuysOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Its own twist: vibe casual, competitive edge and online features, while skipping adventure storytelling

Steam PS Nintendo

95

SpeedRunners

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerSoloCo-opOfflineMelee2D

Steam👍 94%· 37KRAWG👍 76%· 525MC84OC80· 20

Year 2016Dev tinyBuildPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with racing gameplay, sports simulation and vibe casual, while skipping adventure storytelling

#5Kirby: Squeak Squad

94

Kirby: Squeak Squad

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerMelee2D

IGDB65· 2

Year 2006Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: setting scifi.

#6Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

94

Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineSoloMultiplayerMelee2D

Year 2000Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: setting scifi.

#7Gunstar Heroes

93

Gunstar Heroes

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Co-opSoloMultiplayerOfflineMeleeSci-Fi2DPixel Art

Steam👍 94%· 16IGDB60· 1

Year 1993Dev Treasure · Tec ToyOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · Android

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter and combat tactical, while skipping adventure storytelling

93

Metal Slug 3

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeSci-Fi2DPixel Art

IGDB82· 6

Year 2000Dev SNK · D4 EnterpriseOn Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping adventure storytelling

#9New Super Mario Bros.

93

New Super Mario Bros.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMelee2D

IGDB95· 2

Year 2006Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping setting scifi

#10Metal Slug 2

92

Metal Slug 2

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerCo-opSoloOfflineMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 89%· 1.4K

Year 1998Dev DotEmu · SNK PlaymoreOn PlayStation 3 · Android · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: shooter, first-person shooting and fantasy world, while skipping setting scifi

#11Rayman Origins

92

Rayman Origins

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOfflineMelee2D

Steam👍 94%· 5.9KIGDB89· 8

Year 2011Dev Ubisoft Montpellier · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Mac

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: fantasy world, while skipping setting scifi

#12TowerFall Ascension

88

TowerFall Ascension

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

OfflineMultiplayerCo-opSoloMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 95%· 3.6KRAWG👍 74%· 291MC87IGDB87· 6OC84· 42

Year 2013Dev Matt Makes GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, ranged combat and fantasy world, while skipping setting scifi

#13Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

88

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerMelee2D

IGDB70· 1

Year 2002Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: setting scifi.

#14Sonic Lost World

88

Sonic Lost World

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerMelee2DThird Person

Steam👍 62%· 5.5KIGDB58· 14

Year 2013Dev Sonic Team · NintendoOn PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with visual third person, while skipping setting scifi

#15Sonic Forces

87

Sonic Forces

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeSci-Fi2D

Steam👍 59%· 8.5KIGDB57· 11OC56· 95

Year 2017Dev Sonic Team · Sega GamesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, strong narrative focus and combat tactical, while skipping offline

Complete list of melee games like Sonic the Hedgehog 2

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Sonic the Hedgehog 2, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Ristar

Ristar

Platformer · Adventure

Gravity Circuit

Gravity Circuit

Platformer · Fighting

Duke Nukem

Duke Nukem

Platformer · Shooter

Metal Slug 5

Metal Slug 5

Platformer · Shooter

Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros.

Platformer · Adventure

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