Genesis Sonic cleanup

[White-Jet]

Yes, according to the Cutting Room Floor's Nick Arcade and Simon Wai portions of the prototype, as well as the iOS/Android port, which reinserts Hidden Palace Zone among all the other levels that were left unused in Sonic 2's original release, the Emeralds are nothing more than obstacles meant to be broken to allow further access into the stage. And just to further cement Dolphman's claims, the breakable emeralds don't glow at all, not even in the iOS/Android ports.