Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection
Yes it’s Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection the first video game I’ve bought in almost three years. Now despite the fact this is basically just a collection of classic genesis games, it ‘s a new experience to me and a real nostalgia trip for any sega fanatic.
It all started with Sean telling me about the collection during spring break. I was hesitant about having all these games on X-Box due to my dream of owning more genesis games on cartridge but after realizing that would never happen I gave it a shot. So that break Sean, Nancy and myself went to Crossroads and after Sean haggled down a copy of X-Files: Fight the Future for Nancy from 17 bucks to 5 at a Half Price Books, we walked down to Game Spot and I never looked back.
To review this collection I thought it would be nice for me to review my five favorite games, five “new” favorites (my favorites out of the ones I’d never played) and my five least favorite (I will not include the hidden games). After that I’ll point out what I like about the collection and what I think it’s lacking.
5 Favorite New Games
Alien Storm
: Alien Storm is more or less your typical beat em up side-scroller but something about it is just hilarious. You have the stupid characters; the token hot chick, some guy that looks like Elvis and some guy who looks like a Cylon from the old school Battlestar Galactica. They fight mutated people and objects like trash cans that turn into aliens and it goes at an incredibly fast pace. So it’s pretty fun despite it’s lack of ingenuity
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja
: I’d always heard people saying this was one of Sega’s best and it is good but it can be hard to get into. It’s really one of those games you have to play over to over to get the hang of it. I don’t think I ever beat a boss on a first attempt, so you basically have to already know what’s coming or you’re screwed. It can be pretty hard from time to time but satisfying as you progress.
Gain Ground
: This was the first game Sean and I played after I bought this collection. I didn’t expect much from this older arcade game but it’s actually well, exciting. Kind of reminds me of a predecessor to Super Smash TV it’s got enjoyable multiplayer and a simple goal… To gain ground.
Golden Axe III
: What’s great about the Golden Axe series is that the changes are always subtle. I mean aside from the technical advancements this is still the same great formula. The game has a new Panther Guy character and some big buff dude and even the dwarf guy makes appearances in cut scenes.
Beyond Oasis
: I haven’t gotten to deep into this one, but it’s quite impressive considering the era it was released in. A Zelda inspired adventure game, Beyond Oasis has pretty good graphics considering it came out in 1994. Plus it’s always a nice change of pace to get a fantasy game that’s not turn based.
5 Least Favorite New Games
Bonanza Bros.
This looked like it could be fun but it was a terrible disappointment. The gameplay is stiff, the graphics suck balls and I don’t even know what I’m supposed to be doing.
ESWAT: City Under Siege
: This run of the mill shooter really pisses me off. It’s not that fun, it’s hard and I can’t even get to the portion of the game where your guy wears sweet armor.
Dynamite Heady
: I’ve really only played the first level but I quickly grew sick of this game. It’s fun having a character that throws his head to fight but there’s just too much shit going on in this game. Things flying all around and I can never tell when I’m getting hurt. Not to mention the main character is pretty annoying, he reminds me of Rayman except way lamer.
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Super Thunder Blade
: This game seriously takes about a billion tries before you can actually figure out how to play. It’s too confusing, I can never tell how close I am to being hit by a missile due to the 2d graphics and to top it off the controls are sloppy.
Fatal Labyrinth
: This game is seriously a joke. You’re basically just wandering around a labyrinth fighting monsters but the combat setup is just bizarre. You walk up to an enemy press the attack button and the bottom of the screen will say something like “You have inflicted 1 point damage” but it’s impossible to get in more than one hit at a time. So you basically go back and forth with every single enemy you fight. It’s tedious and painful to watch or play, this game is my fatal labyrinth.
The Good
– 40 classic sega games with an additional 9 to unlock!
– Crisp new graphics
– You can unlock interviews with important players in the Sega world.
– Most of the secret games aren’t too tough to unlock
– It’s got all the Streets of Rages, Sonics and Golden Axes
– You can save in any game at any time.
The Bad
– Basically all the hidden games (aside from maybe Space Harrier) are terrible.
– There’s no Toe Jam and Earl, Gunstar Heroes or Double Dragon
– Most of the game’s screens are too small
So it’s a respectable collection that has it’s downfalls but overall is a blast to the past. If you long for the days of 16 bit glory than this is your game.