SEGA Genesis Collection – PS2 – Review

The Sega Genesis, or Sega Mega Drive
as it’s dubbed in Japan, was released in the late 80s to contend with Nintendo’s
8-bit wonder. Sega set out to create a powerhouse that would not only outdo the
NES graphics-wise, but control the video-game market in sales. They achieved
these goals the way any good console does: exclusive titles. Sonic the Hedgehog,
Phantasy Star, Golden Axe and the like proved to be long-lasting, household
franchises – but best of all – system sellers. In 1992, the Sega Genesis held a
respective 55% market share. Sales eventually slowed down, but with the launch
of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in the same year, Sega’s market share rose to an
unprecedented 65%, a feat no one first thought feasible for the underdog.

If, for some reason, you didn’t get
the chance to dive into the Genesis in the past 15+ years, I want you to
immediately stop reading and head to your nearest retailer and pick up Sega
Genesis Collection. I won’t beat around the bush here. This is a collection of
28 of the absolute best releases on the platform, from classics such as Sonic
the Hedgehog (1 and 2) and the Vectorman series, to landmarks such as Ecco the
Dolphin and Shinobi III. Couple a ton of fantastic extras, and the fact of the
matter is this is a must-own for all PS2 owners.

Below you will find the list of
titles included in this terrific package:

• Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle

• Altered Beast

• Bonanza Bros.

• Columns

• Comix Zone

• Decap Attack

• Ecco the Dolphin

• Ecco: The Tides of Time

• Ecco Jr.

• 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

• Shadow Dancer: The Secret of
  Shinobi

• Shinobi III

• Sonic the Hedgehog

• Sonic the Hedgehog 2

• Super Thunder Blade

• Sword of Vermillion

• Vectorman

• Vectorman 2

• Virtua Fighter 2 (Genesis version)

As you can clearly recognize by
looking at this massive listing, Sega Genesis Collection is as comprehensive as
it’s going to get on one disc – or at least until Sega Genesis Collection 2
drops. Additionally, unlike Midway Arcade Treasures and Atari Anthology, every
single one of these games is worth playing for more than two minutes. This is an
unspeakable accomplishment for a compilation of this caliber.

One of the main aspects fans will
appreciate in this collection is the ability to save your progress at any point.
That’s right, you don’t have to complete Sonic the Hedgehog or Ristar in one
sitting anymore. This setup allows for up to three save slots for each title,
which, in a word, is incredible.

What would a compilation like this
be without truckloads of extras, you ask? A superb compilation with no extras.
In all sincerity though, Sega has outdone themselves in this particular
department. Five – count it – five unlockable arcade games, loads of easily
accessible (hint: boot up a title, literally) developer interviews, cheats and
tips, original game trailers, and beautiful artwork. The picture quality on the
videos is top-notch as well. The only complaint I have is with the incorporation
of English subtitles in lieu of a vocal translater. However, this is only a
minor setback. 

Sega Genesis Collection is beyond
the shadow of a doubt the best compilation disc I have ever played. All 28
titles hold up remarkably well, and luckily not just in the gameplay department.
Comix Zone, most notably, sports draw-dropping visuals and art direction that’ll
leave gamers in awe. There are also games included in this collection that may
have been overlooked while still in print, Kid Chameleon abruptly coming to
mind, an excellent platformer with a unique premise. A good deal of multiplayer
goodness has been tossed in, too, from Altered Beast to the blissful Virtua
Fighter 2. When all is said and done, this collection is near perfection in
every conceivable way.

Gameplay: 9.0
Some of these games were downright revolutionary in terms of gameplay. Both
Sonic the Hedgehog and Ristar reconsidered what a platform game could be, and
Vectorman took the action genre to another level (no pun intended).

Graphics: 8.2
This is always a tough category to score in compilations due to the original
date of the material included. Sega Genesis Collection, on the other hand,
wholeheartedly delivers with sheer style.

Sound: 8.2
The majority of these classics possess insanely catchy tunes, Ecco the
Dolphin and Sonic the Hedgehog being my personal favorites.

Difficulty: Medium
The inclusion of being able to save your progression at any moment in time
truly renders some of the harder titles available more accessible.

Concept: 9.0
Compilations are nothing new or innovative, but the utter quality of this
collage is something to behold. To put the icing on the cake, it’s retailing at
an attractive budget price of 20 bones.

Multiplayer: 8.5
Just as you remember it. Gamers can partake in cooperative play and versus
in milestones such as Bonanza Bros. and Virtua Fighter 2.

Overall: 9.0
Whether you’re someone who never owned a Sega Genesis or a gamer wanting to
relive some of gaming’s peak moments, this collection – made up of 28 of the
system’s finest offerings – is a true standout.