PS3 Review – Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection
Retro gaming at its finest.
A description on the back of the case states that it is the largest Genesis collection ever released, and that’s very true. There have been a couple in the past that have also been released, but nothing near this size or quality. I own the past release on my PSP, and this one blows it out of the water.
The first console that I owned was a Super Nintendo Entertainment System. I got it when I was 6 years old in 1991 for Christmas. When you are that age you typically only had one system unless your parents were rich, and believe me, mine weren’t. Many of my friends had the Sega Genesis console, and being a child I was a bit jealous because I loved Sonic. Don’t get me wrong though, I loved my SNES a lot. Zelda: Link to the Past is one of my favorite games of all time. But the Genesis had a great number of titles released on it that I never really got to experience. That is, until now.
What I Liked:
- -The sheer amount of games—there are a lot of games on here, around 40 or so. A lot of them are great titles that are just a blast to play. Some of them I’ve never even heard of, and I am enjoying them a lot.
- -Trophy support—for all the trophy whores out there you will be happy to know that this title supports trophies. Only gripe is a lot of them are ridiculously easy. Especially with the save system. There are a couple though that are a pain.
- -Price—the game is only $29.99. For the amount of games that you are getting for that price it is a steal.
- -Extra Content—there is a lot of extra content on the game. It includes both videos and artwork. Some of the videos have to be unlocked by reaching a certain criteria. I’ve actually watched a couple and enjoyed them so far.
- -Analog or D-Pad support—depending on your personal preference you are able to play the game whichever way you are comfortable with via the analog stick or the d-pad.
- -Save system—the save system in this game helps tremendously with some of the more difficult/frustrating games. You can save at any time via the select button, and load to that exact spot whenever needed.
- -Custom Soundtracks—the game features custom soundtrack support. I actually just found this out after publication of the review, seeing as how I don’t typically use custom soundtrack features. Thanks for the tip EvoAnubis.
What I Disliked:
- -Trophies entirely too easy—yes some may disagree, but some of these trophies are ridiculously easy for the game.
Undecided:
- -Could’ve been more—the game overall is a blast. But Sega could’ve done more with this in my opinion to appeal more to some of the graphics whores out there. While I’m not one of them, considering I played titles like these growing up. I feel the outdated graphics may turn away some of the younger audiences. They could’ve spruced up the graphics a bit more than just giving a “Smoothing” option. While it personally doesn’t bother me, I could definitely see it bothering younger gamers.
Buy/Rent/Stay Away:
Overall the game is great in my opinion. I have throughly enjoyed it. It brings back a lot of memories hanging out with my friends when I was younger. This game is a Retro gamer’s paradise. Everything about it is just fun if you are from that era. It also shows how much harder some titles actually used to be. If you take out that easy save system implemented you will see how hard these games were. There were no real “checkpoints”. But the game may not be liked by the younger audiences as I stated before, based on graphics alone. It’s sad that a gem like this would be passed over for graphics. I would definitely recommend this title to anyone though.
While I know this review is a little short for my style. There is only so much you can say about retro titles. You either love them or hate them. Most people out there are old enough to experience these titles and will most likely end up picking this title up for the nostalgia factor, while there are the others that are young and think that older titles should stay in the past.
If you are actually curious as to what titles are included in the game they are as follows:
- Alex Kidd
- Alien Storm
- Altered Beast
- Beyond Oasis
- Bonanza Bros.
- Columns
- Comix Zone
- Decap Attack
- Dr. Robotnik’s M.B.M
- Dynamite Headdy
- E-SWAT
- Ecco the Dolpin
- Ecco: The Tides of Time
- Fatal Labyrinth
- Flicky
- Gain Ground
- Golden Axe
- Golden Axe II
- Golden Axe III
- Kid Chameleon
- Phantasy Star II
- Phantasy Star III
- Phantasy Star IV
- Ristar
- Shining Force
- Shining Force 2
- Shining In The Darkness
- Shinobi III
- Sonic & Knuckles
- Sonic The Hedgehog
- Sonic The Hedgehog 2
- Sonic The Hedgehog 3
- Streets of Rage
- Streets of Rage 2
- Streets of Rage 3
- Super Thunder Blade
- VectorMan
- VectorMan 2
PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score
Worth the pickup just for the nostalgia factor Shows old school gaming at it’s finest. |  |
35 Responses to “PS3 Review – Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection”
I have not played any of these games, but I will get this one anyway. Nice to try out some retrogames. Nice to see that you can save.
Also what you should have liked: XMB custom soundtrack support.
Here’s something else I JUST found out by accident. If you have a headset hooked up, the game music and sound effects come not through the TV, but through the headset.
Firstly, I absolutely love this collection. I got it from GameFly… but I may just have to go buy this one.
Secondly. Easiest. Platinum. Ever.
There are also an additional 9 games that can be unlocked.
@EvoAnubis
Yes, there is custom soundtrack support.
Anubis, that audio output setting is changed via the device settings in the XMB.
At Justin: Easier than Burnout to?
“@EvoAnubis
Yes, there is custom soundtrack support.”
I know. That was my point. Not hating on the review, mind you; it was really a good read. Just thought that custom soundtrack support should be mentioned, is all.
“Anubis, that audio output setting is changed via the device settings in the XMB.”
Not sure you understand what I’m talking about here. What happens in this game I haven’t been in another game before.
While in the menu, the sound is normal – comes out of the TV. Once you’re in a game, though, if you have a headset hooked up, that’s where all the in-game sounds come from. Damned cool feature.
@ Pesico
Yes, MUCH easier. Burnout still takes some time, a lot of these trophies tall you to only get at most 3-4 levels in, though they’re usually the first level or 2. To make things better, all cheats are left intact. And a few of these have invincibility and level select codes to make the Trophies basically gimmes.
There are a few Trophies that will pose problems, ‘Yatta!’ for beating Dr. Robotnicks M.B.M. being the hardest. There is a cheat to take you directly to the last game, but even then the game is still a pretty big pain in the ass.
“At Justin: Easier than Burnout to?”
I’m not Justin, but I’ll answer this. WAAAAY easier than Burnout. Most of the trophies in this game can be earned in the first few levels of whatever game they’re meant for.
Actually I didn’t know there was Custom Soundtrack support. My apologies Anubis. I don’t have music on my PS3. I usually just use the in game music when playing. That definitely is a plus I will put that into the review. Thanks for the info
Oh yeah . . . forgot about MGM. THAT one is a bitch to earn.
“Actually I didn’t know there was Custom Soundtrack support. My apologies Anubis. I don’t have music on my PS3. I usually just use the in game music when playing. That definitely is a plus I will put that into the review. Thanks for the info ”
No worries, man. I didn’t know either until just a couple of days ago, and I bought it at launch. It’s not mentioned anywhere in the manual or the box. Since I found out, I’ve been trying to let as many people know as I could for the particular reason that it’s not at all well known that it does.
Custom soundtracks seems like a weird match with this game, but again SEGA is utilizing that feature wherever they can. Kudos to them!
Actually I’m playing the title right now. How do you implement the custom soundtrack feature? I don’t see any option for it.
“Actually I’m playing the title right now. How do you implement the custom soundtrack feature? I don’t see any option for it.”
Just go to the XMB and select a song to play like you normally would. If you have Warhawk, it’s the same thing you’d do for that.
Oh ok. I didn’t think about the Warhawk route. I’m used to doing it via menu within the game. Thanks Anubis.
I didn’t know a game was allowed to manipulate your hardware accessories, despite a setting that is enabled or disabled on the XMB…..that’s almost…malware-ish lmao.
So, even though you have the option for your headset to output sound through your TV, the game switches it to your headset?
Is there some option in the game that affects that?
Very strange.
“Oh ok. I didn’t think about the Warhawk route. I’m used to doing it via menu within the game. Thanks Anubis.”
Anytime, man.
“I didn’t know a game was allowed to manipulate your hardware accessories, despite a setting that is enabled or disabled on the XMB…..that’s almost…malware-ish lmao.
So, even though you have the option for your headset to output sound through your TV, the game switches it to your headset?
Is there some option in the game that affects that?
Very strange.”
Not sure; I discovered this totally by accident and haven’t had time to toy with it just yet. I will, though, and let you know.
I’m gonna have to buy this game for sure.I’ll probably buy it sometime after buying SFIV/Killzone 2 but before buying inFamous in June, somewhere in between.
BTW Is any of this Sega retro games heading to PSN as a download?
i ordered this last week, can’t wait. I had a genesis and rented/played many of these games back in the day. A few gems were left off, but overall i am thoroughly excited about this game. Great review. A little disappointing to hear about the trophies being so easy, but oh well.
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Four games I would of added:
- Sonic CD
- NiGHTS into Dreams
- Zillion
- Fantasy Zone 2
There are also 9 UNLOCKABLE GAMES:
· Golden Axe Warrior (SEGA Master System)
· Phantasy Star (SEGA Master System)
· Alien Syndrome (Arcade)
· Altered Beast (Arcade)
· Congo Bongo (Arcade)
· Fantasy Zone (Arcade)
· Shinobi (Arcade)
· Space Harrier (Arcade)
· Zaxxon (Arcade)
Great collection none the less.
Why is it called SONICs ultimate collection if there are games other than sonic ones? Is he running around on the main menu or something?
I think you should have docked like half a point for no online ANYTHING really… Why can’t we Streets of Rage online? Why can’t I play tails while someone else controls sonic online?
this was by far an entertaining game but an easy platinum if you remember the tricks from the old days. I might just write up a guide…
this game is awesome!!!! Love it, but some of the trophys are easy, I do agree and some are damn hard (comic zone)
This is a must own for all us guys that grew up playing these titles.
Lustmonkey: you forgot Gunstar heroes, one of the best sega games ever made. I was surprised to see dynamite heady on the list of games included though.
I really love the Streets of Rage games.
Those times.
Not a retro fan but this looks interesting enough.
please no more blast from the past games.. unless there SF3 M vs C etc
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A good review. I have this game and it worth it.
thanks!
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@ZemaOner
Cause Sonic is on the cover of the game.
Its a great collection but sadly I wish it had included Toejam and Earl 1&2 and Eternal Champions both would of made this collection better. For those asking for online play these games are just straight up ports nothing has changed only trophies and the option of playing them through a filter in HD. Still a great collection for $30 I only got this for Streets of Rage 1-3 been watching to play these again for sometime.
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