Game Name: Sega Genesis Classics

Developers: Sega and D3T Limited

Publisher: Sega

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

Price: $39.99 (CAD)

Release Date: December 7, 2018

Introduction

I used to love the games on the Sega Genesis. It was also a different time. I did not care if Super Mario Bros. was not available on this machine. We had a similar thing with Sonic so we were good. However, there were some games on the platform other than Sonic that were great. Golden Axe for example was and still is a great game.. I also loved Mortal Kombat for the gameplay but also the blood code (A,B,A,C,A,B,B). Surprised that I still remembered that.

I saw this compilation and I was on the fence if I should buy it or not. I already had a similar compilations on other platforms. Let us dig in to see if this is worth the pick up.

List of Games

• Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle

• Alien Soldier

• Alien Storm

• Altered Beast

• Beyond Oasis

• Bio-Hazard Battle

• Bonanza Bros.

• Columns

• Columns III: Revenge of Columns

• Comix Zone

• Crack Down

• Decap Attack

• Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine

• Dynamite Headdy

• ESWAT: City Under Siege

• Fatal Labyrinth

• Flicky

• Gain Ground

• Galaxy Force II

• Golden Axe

• Golden Axe II

• Golden Axe III

• Gunstar Heroes

• Kid Chameleon

• Landstalker

• Light Crusader

• Phantasy Star II

• Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom

• Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millenium

• Ristar

• Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi

• Shining Force

• Shining Force II

• Shining in the Darkness

• Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master

• Sonic 3D Blast

• Sonic Spinball

• Sonic the Hedgehog

• Sonic the Hedgehog 2

• Space Harrier II

• Streets of Rage

• Streets of Rage 2

• Streets of Rage 3

• Super Thunder Blade

• Sword of Vermilion

• The Revenge of Shinobi

• ToeJam & Earl

• ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron

• Vectorman

• Vectorman 2

• Virtua Fighter 2

• Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair

• Wonder Boy in Monster World

• 
  

Sample Gameplay

Bottomline

These compilations have been around for as long as I can remember. I had a Greats Hits Collection for Genesis on my original XBOX, the XBOX 360 and now I also have it on my XBOX One.

Let's start with the presentation. I have to admit that it looks good. As you can see in the above, the menu where you choose your games, is a kid's room. There is a TV set and shelves on the side. The shelves have the games mentioned above. When you are ready to play a game, you choose it and then there is an animation to insert your cartridge in the Genesis or Mega Drive. Then you start the game as expected. I like that they seemed to put a bit of effort in the presentation. You can even control if it is day or night outside which is a nice touch.

The games included are what you would expect from Sega. You have your Streets of Rage trilogy and a few Sonic the Hedgehog games. I believe that you can get the trilogy's for a lot of these games for 10$ to 15$ a pop. So if you see Sonic, Golden Axe and Streets of Rage in one spot, that alone is worth the 40$ price tag. The other games are just gravy.

However, the gravy is not that great. The rest of the games I have not really heard much of, with a few exceptions. I remember playing Vectorman a long time ago, but it never really wowed me. They only included one Shinobi game. That is a bit of a bummer as I liked all of the Shinobi games.

How do the games play with the XBOX controller? I must admit that it takes some getting used to. I never had an issue with Sonic Mania. However, the minute that I play the older games my muscle memory kicks in and I have trouble with the buttons.

Also, I found that while playing Golden Axe, the hit detection was off. I do not remember this being an issue on the original games on the Genesis. So I am not sure if the issue is with the emulation or the way that I am playing it.

I did play Sonic and I had a better experience with it. The buttons did respond better.

So is this worth your hard earned cash? The answer for me is yes. The games that are AAA, are awesome. Just with Sonic and Streets of Rage, I have more than enough to keep myself entertained. I agree that it is not great that most of us need to keep buying these compilations, but it is either that or go the illegal route with ROMs.

Rating: 3.75 Genesis's out of 5

What do you think? Would you buy this?

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