This is where the series peaked for me as it struck a good balance between speed and exploration, while removing some of the stuff that didn't quite work in the first game and increasing the overall game flow (by implementing the spin dash). The halfpipe bonus stage is my favourite of the lot, which is kind of a big deal since beating the games without collecting the emeralds leaves me with an empty feeling inside. On the artsy side, the relationship between Sonic and Tails here is the most gripping depiction of unrequited love since Sweeney Todd.