Fortunately, this isn’t a widespread problem nor is it one that will detract most from enjoyment. The actual games themselves are a different story. Admittedly, many of the games offered are outstanding classics that not only were seen as great titles then but still hold up after over a decade, like Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Columns, Shinobi III, Ristar, Beyond Oasis, and Comix Zone. These are games that are absolutely still worth playing as their gameplay holds up to modern day equivalents.

However, a good chunk of the massive list is filler: Games that were added simply to bump up the total number and make the compilation seem all the more valuable. These games don’t really offer any sort of valuable entertainment today, as they either have stiff controls (E-SWAT), graphics degraded close to the generation prior (Flicky), archaic genre gameplay (Fatal Labyrinth), or a combination of all these factors (Alex Kidd). Nostalgia would be one of the few reasons why anyone would play these games today, and while that is desired by some, most will only get through a short session before ignoring them outright.

Before that session is over, though, most will try to play for the unlockables and the achievements, both of which Sega has served up with distinct flair. The “Extras” menu, accessed by hitting Y on the main menu, holds the details of these bonus materials, including how they are unlocked. Most are short interviews with developers of the original games, but also available are older Master System and arcade titles.

These previously unavailable titles are given a new home here and unlocking them takes playing through almost every original game. For example, to unlock the Arcade version of Altered Beast, 100,000 points have to be accumulated in the first level of the Genesis version. To get Shinobi’s Arcade style, the first level of Shinobi III must be completed without losing any continues. With this clever strategy, Sega entices the player to go through every game on the list not only for basic entertainment, but to unlock even more games, adding to the collection’s worth even more.

Some of these unlockables, almost all of which grant achievements, are difficult, but none are too challenging to cause irritation. The collection’s save system helps out matters too. During any game, no matter what moment, the player may save their spot from the pop-menu, with three slots open to save. So when getting 20,000 points in Columns’ easy mode feels out of reach, the save system makes it far less frustrating.

This welcome feature is just another example of why Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection is not just an ordinary compilation, but an extremely polished collection of Sega’s past games. It includes some pointless duds, sure, but its the presentation and those outstanding games of Genesis lore that makes this a welcome gaming treat.

For a complete listing of all games available in Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection, click here.

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About The Author

Isaac is a student at Auburn University, majoring in Communications.

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