GameCube

Sonic Mega Collection

Sonic the Hedgehog, just like Nintendo’s Super Mario, is a videogame icon that is recognized around the world. Over the past few years his popularity has declined, but back in the 16 bit era he was tearin’ up the scene like nobody else. Sonic Mega Collection is the ultimate tribute to the blue hedgehog and his fans. Packed with 12 games from Sonic’s and Sega’s history, such as the original Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and the infamous lock-on cartridge Sonic & Knuckles; Sonic Mega Collection is a dream come true for the old school gamer.

The Sonic Adventure games are fine, but once you experience this fine collection of the original Sonic games for the Genesis, you'll have to admit Sonic was better in 2D. Most of these titles have aged extremely well, boasting artistic graphics, simple gameplay (one button!), and memorable soundtracks. Mega Collection contains Sonic 1, 2, and 3, as well as Sonic Spinball, Sonic and Knuckles, Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, and Sonic Blast. The "normal" Sonic games (1 to 3) are all outstanding, with polished graphics, toe-tapping tunes, and hyperactive gameplay.

Sonic Mega Collection is a constant reminder of the early 90s. Back then, we couldn't have even envisioned what a 3D game would be like. It's pretty amazing how far we've come, isn't it? Yet we still love to go back and play classic games. And there aren't many games out there worthy of being called a classic as much as Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2.

With 12 classic Genesis games crammed on to one disc, Mega Collection reigns as perhaps the best compilation ever to appear. Almost every 16-bit Sonic is represented; these include Sonic 1, 2, and 3, Sonic and Knuckles, 3D Blast, Spinball, and Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine.

O game é vendido nos EUA por um preço mais barato que um jogo convencional e não deixa de ser uma das melhores compilações de games antigos do mercado. Até o pouco conhecido "Ristar" está escondido no disco. Se você não tem problemas em lidar com as limitações técnicas do game, é uma ótima oportunidade de conhecer as raízes do porco-espinho azul cobalto.

Sonic returns to the GameCube with a collection of his past video games that originally appeared on the 16-bit Sega Genesis.

In the end we were very satisfied with the Sonic Team's collection of what essentially made them a force in the gaming industry. Personally I'm looking for them to release a part two with such games like Sonic CD, Knuckles Chaotics, Sonic Racing, Sonic Adventure 1 and the Sonic games from the Game Gear.

Only via Sonic Jam and Sega Smash Pack Vol. 1 has Sega compiled some of its greatest hits into one complete package. Of course, with Sonic Adventure 2: Battle becoming a million-seller on GameCube, it didn't take long for Sega to announce it would give all those Sonic fans a little more to love. Sonic Mega Collection was revealed earlier this year and now it's arriving just in time for the holiday season. The main draw is the inclusion of seven perfectly emulated, and sometimes improved, Sonic-themed games. Additionally, fanatics can unlock five bonus games, a few of which are fairly eccentric. It's a wonderful little collection that, while not perfect, is a great value.

It seems the retro game compilation trend is trucking right along--plenty of companies are taking the time to mine their back catalogs for their previous hits and are bringing them to modern systems. While some companies take the bare-bones approach to compilation design, the better packages toss in a handful of extras along with the games, such as old commercials, manual scans, video documentaries, and more. Sonic Mega Collection has a few of these sorts of extras, but more importantly, it combines most of the core 16-bit games from Sega's long-running and popular Sonic the Hedgehog series of fast-paced platformers onto one disc. And while it certainly could have benefited from the inclusion of a few key Sonic games that are missing from the collection, the games on the disc are well emulated and still play as well as you remember.

Une compilation sympathique mais exhaustive, on retrouve toutefois avec bonheur les premières aventures du hérisson bleu parues sur Megadrive. A conseiller avant tout aux inconditionnels de l'époque et du personnage.

Sonic CD, Knuckles Chaotix and a few of the Game Gear or Maser System games would have made this a lot more sought-after, but as it stands you'll probably need to consult your gaming archives before parting with your cash.

Sonic Mega Collection includes some light extras, but don't get excited. The art section is very incomplete. While the comic book covers of some 100 Sonic the Hedgehog comics are included, where are the pencil sketches or character concepts, the roots of Sonic? Instead, we get a few scans of post-Sonic Adventure art with other images that you can easily find online.

Is the Sonic Mega Collection worth it if you have the original games? In all honesty no. These games are direct ports which as we've already mentioned is a shame. The aforementioned games (and the few extras that are included) will only be of interest to those who no longer have the original games and those who are interested in Sonic after his appearances on the GBA and GameCube. It's a good collection but the sore point is the price tag which at just under £40 is shocking for games that are direct ports from an ancient console. Had the price been £20, then it would have represented far better value for money.

There is a saying, often attributed to Santayana: "Those who fail to learn history are forever condemned to repeat it." While in most cases it is a foreboding omen warning against the willy-nilly disregard for past consequences in matters of greater significance than video games, it is no less important in our chosen field of obsession. Sega, it appears, has not learned much from history, and instead willingly chooses to repeat it. The results, while neither disastrous nor ominous, are not nearly as great as they could have been.