Sega Smash Pack: Volume 1

The Good
First off, the obvious thing: the price. You can now find Smash Pack at many stores for the low price of 10 dollars. If you were to buy just Phantasy Star 2 and Shining Force on eBay, it would most likely run you over 100 dollars.

Shining Force is one of the best games ever (in my opinion) and helped start the strategy/RPG genre. This is also a fairly long game that will have you engrossed for hours.

Phantasy Star 2 is a traditional RPG that helped usher in the 16 bit RPGs. Haven't played much of this one, but I'm looking forward to it.

Sonic the Hedgehog is a classic, but I already have it for Genesis.

Columns is a fun Tetris style game that has lots of different gameplay modes.

Golden Axe is a very cool, multiplayer beat-'em-up that's one of the best in the genre, in my opinion.

Streets of Rage 2 is another great beat-'em-up, one that many consider the greatest in genre.

Sega Swirl is a fun puzzle style game that can be played against others through email.

Virtua Cop 2 is a good shooter, especially if you have a DC gun. Seemed a bit short though.

Vectorman is a good side-scrolling shooter that abounds in power-ups and other cool stuff. Unfortunately plagued by slowdown.

The Bad
Bad emulation. Because of the DC's powerful sound processor, the sounds of the Genesis games sound like they're being played out of a tin can or something. Some of the games are a little awkward to play with the DC controller. Not all the games are completely smooth.

I just can't figure out why they put some of these games on here. How did Wrestle War get on with Shining Force and Phantasy Star 2? Wrestle War seems like the only one oddly out of place, put I'm also a little disappointed they put Sonic on there. Sure it's a classic and a great game, but how many people actually haven't played it? I also hate Revenge of Shinobi, although I've heard that other people like it.

The Bottom Line
Buy it if you like strategy/RPGs and traditional RPGs and can't afford the original Genesis versions. A compilation of great games with a few oddly out of place but well worth your money.