Sega Nerds

Review: Sega Genesis Collection

by Chris on January 4th, 2007

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Okay, I fully realize Sega Genesis Collection has been released for awhile now, but I feel it’s my solemn duty to tell you how incredibly badass this game is.

I’m going to officially go out on a limb and declare Sega Genesis Collection the greatest compilation ever made. Yes, my friends, the best ever.

Read on to find out why.

So it’s that good, eh?
While most companies are putting together a list of classic games to put into a compilation, more often than not a load of crap games are included to “round out the roster.” In the music industry, they say it has more “filler than thriller.” Well, Sega Genesis Collection is anything but.

We’re talking nearly 30 Sega Genesis games that are some of Sega’s best work ever. However, there are a few oinkers that made it on the list (i.e. Flicky and Gain Ground), the overwhelming majority are games that you played and loved growing up. And to make it even better, Sega released the Collection on the PS2 and PSP, so you can have these classic Genesis titles on the go!

The best part, however, is Sega did a really good job diversifying the games, and pretty much all genres are present, save sports. You’ll find your Sonic the Hedgehogs, Golden Axes, Phantasy Stars, Echos Eccos and Vectormans, just to name a few.

But in the spirit of fairness, it just wouldn’t be right to blindly call Sega Genesis Collection the best ever without looking at its competition, would it? Let’s take a quick look at some other compilations that we’ve seen lately.

EA Replay - While there are some decent games that make the list, EA’s biggest franchise, Road Rash, just doesn’t stand the test of time very well. Plus, it only has about half the games that Sega Genesis Collection offers.

Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded - Again, this game only features half the game on Sega Genesis Collection, but it does have a few quality games like Ghouls ‘n Ghosts and Knights of the Round. I guess there just weren’t enough Capcom Classics to compete with Sega’s Collection, eh?

Metal Slug Anthology - While I’m sure many Metal Slug fans probably think this is the greatest thing since sliced bread, it really caters to a very niche audience. Many gamers who have played this franchise know it’s one of the greatest side-scrolling shooters ever made, but there just isn’t enough variety to push it ahead of Sega Genesis Collection.

Sega Classics Collection - Please don’t think that just because this site is called Sega Nerds that we love and cherish every piece of shit Sega releases. Hell no. You see, in Sega Classics Collection, these games are all remakes of Sega’s classics, but the problem is, most of the games just weren’t updated very well.

I won’t even bother wasting too much space talking about the lame Atari, Intellivision and Namco compilations that were released. Those oldies should stay in the past.

So you see, Sega Genesis Collection just has the best lineup of games … period.

But what about the extras?
I’m glad you asked. Collection features unlockable content like interviews from some interesting developer interviews, original arcade titles like Zaxxon, Tac-Scan and Altered Beast and wireless multi-player for the PSP version.

While the extras aren’t the best to have ever been added in a compilation, they are a nice touch. I just wish Sega made it a little more hard to unlock a few of them. Several of the developer interviews can be unlocked by simply playing the game, which kind takes the purpose of it being an unlockable and kicks it in the nuts.

Okay, okay, how does it play?
Good, real good. The games are all emulated very well, and I didn’t notice any slowdown that plagued a few of the games from back in the day. The sound comes through very nice, and, in the PSP version at least, there are three video settings (original, full and stretched) to better help you take full advantage of the PSP’s beautiful screen.

Plus, Sega included a Save Anywhere feature that allows you to save the game, go play another game and go back to your original game right where you left off. This makes beating games gaming on the go a lot easier.

But surely there are some bad things, right?
I think the biggest complaint I have about Sega Genesis Collection are there some games that shouldn’t have been left out (namely Shining Force). However, I’m sure Sega didn’t blow it’s whole load in one shot and is planning a Sega Genesis Collection 2 for release later this year.

Is this the end?
I imagine that playing through every one of these games would take you literally close to a week to finish. But finally beating some of the games you grew up on and never beat then is extremely satisfying. Sega Genesis Collection has the best compilation of classic titles ever put together, and it’s bargain-price of $20 and $30 on the PS2 and PSP, respectively, makes its purchase even more of a no-brainer. Plus, it’s my Game of the Year, so that should tell ya something, eh?

Sega Nerds Rating: 9.5/10

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POSTED IN: Chris, Review, Sony PSP, Sony PlayStation 2