Game Info
GAME NAME: Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection
DEVELOPER(S): Backbone Entertainment
PUBLISHER(S): SEGA
PLATFORM(S): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
GENRE(S): Compilation
RELEASE DATE(S): February 10th, 2009
In the early 90’s there was a war of epic proportions, a war that was not fought using guns but rather one that used consoles as weapons and software as ammo. This would become known as the “console wars” between the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and the SEGA Genesis. This was the time when SEGA boasted that they did what Nintendon’t. The battle shifted sides a few times but overall the winner would be crowned and that champion would be the SNES. Even though the SNES won the war, the Genesis was no slouch and had plenty of gems in it’s lineup. The 16-bit era could be considered the Golden Age of gaming, where games were developed with the game play first mentality and graphics playing second fiddle. Something today’s developers should stop and take a look at. So now we will take a walk down memory lane as we look at one of the best compilations to hit the market, Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection.
This collection features over 40 classic Genesis titles, some are nothing less then amazing like the Streets of Rage and Sonic series while others fall into mediocrity like Gain Ground and Super Thunder Blade. The graphics stay true to their 16-bit counterparts with SEGA including an option to smooth the sprites over and change the games ratio into 16×9 for those with an HDTV. For some games this looks great but for others the grainy old school look is better and much rather preferred. Even the high pitched tingy sounds of these games remain intact for all the purists out there. This game represents nostalgia in every sense of the word.
Here is the list of the games that is included with the collection, including the unlock-able games as well.
Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Alien Storm
Altered Beast
Beyond Oasis
Bonanza Bros.
Columns
Decap Attack starring Chuck D. Head
Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
Dynamite Headdy
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco: The Tides of Time
E-SWAT
Fatal Labyrinth
Flicky
Gain Ground
Golden Axe
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Kid Chameleon
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
Ristar
Shining Force
Shining Force 2
Shining in the Darkness
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic 3
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic & Knuckles
Sonic Spinball
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 3
Super Thunder Blade
Vectorman
Vectorman 2
Unlockable Games
Alien Syndrome (Arcade)
Altered Beast (Arcade)
Congo Bongo (Arcade)
Fantasy Zone (Arcade)
Golden Axe Warrior (Master System)
Phantasy Star (Master System)
Shinobi (Arcade)
Space Harrier (Arcade)
Zaxxon (Arcade)
Now this seems like a lot of games but there were a few games that I feel SEGA should have included. Where is Toe Jam & Earl, Toe Jam & Earl: Panic on Funkatron, Revenge of Shinobi, and Shadow Dancer? Overall though this is a collection that is definitely worth the price of admission considering each of these games used to retail at $50 a piece, this is a must own for anyone looking to experience their gaming’s roots.
