PSN, WiiWare, XBLA: Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection Revealed - Over 40 Games On One Disc
Looks like we won't be getting any Genesis XBLA games anymore, since there's a new Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 retail package compiling the titles.
Developed by Backbone Entertainment, SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection contains over 40 celebrated SEGA classics in one package; making it the largest collection of SEGA first party games ever offered.The games announced include:
"Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle, Alien Storm, Altered Beast, Beyond Oasis, Bonanza Bros., Columns, Comix Zone, Decap Attack starring Chuck D. Head, Dr. Robotnik's MBM, Dynamite Headdy, Ecco the Dolphin, Ecco II: The Tides of Time, E-SWAT, Fatal Labyrinth, Flicky, Gain Ground, Golden Axe I, Golden Axe II, Golden Axe III, Kid Chameleon, Phantasy Star II, Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom, Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium, Ristar, Shining in the Darkness, Shining Force, Shining Force 2, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic and Knuckles, Sonic Spinball, 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"
The website also mentions that there will be unlockable Arcade and Master System classics as well. Since it also says it will include "four titles from the Phantasy Star series" we can assume the original game will also be included. How achievements will work is also up in the air - with over 40 games, it might end up just being "beat this game".
So, it's a shame we'll probably never see an XBLA release of Sonic 3 & Knuckles like I've suggested. Hopefully they do include the lock-on version in this.
Source: Press Release
Comments
Hopefully after this Sega will be finally able to put the Genesis to rest and move on. I want the Saturn and Dreamcast collections!
Posted by: Anonymous | November 7, 2008 5:41 PM
In Wii Points, this game would be $320, not including the Master System games and other content it's going to feature.
To call this a deal is an understatement at the least.
Posted by: MisterSmith | November 8, 2008 3:56 AM
i bet they only grabbed an opensource emulator, downloaded some of their roms and made a nice selection screen...
i'll skip, i've already my gp2x with all the games i want for every 8-16 bit console
Posted by: Eclipse | November 8, 2008 6:31 PM
This news is somewhat dissappointing for a number of reasons.
First off, unlike the XBLA versions, there probably won't be online multiplayer(for games like Streets of Rage).
Secondly, there likely won't be leaderboards for each game...which would be more likely with seperate XBLA releases. I own 3 different copies of Sonic 3...online leaderboards would be enough incentive for a 4th definitive copy.
Third, from what I've seen of this, the filtering is poor, and you can get superior results in modern emulators. I don't use emulators that often so there are better informed people who know more about this, but I'm fairly certain I'm right.
Finally, games like the Phantasy Star series offer a lot in terms of hours of gameplay, it would sell fairly well on its own on XBLA, where there is a lack of full scale RPGs. It's a missed opportunity for SEGA, it could have made a lot of money. As a consumer I shouldn't complain. But as a fan of XBLA, I'd like to see its full potential realized (ie. good sales of PS would coax Square-Enix to put their 16 bit FF games on XBLA).
On the other hand, SEGA probably feels that games like Vectorman, Ristar, Kid Chameleon, etc. would not sell on their own on PSN/XBLA, but would still appeal to some, so this "shotgun" approach to hit many gamers with different games with one compilation would be the best route to take. I understand that reasoning, but I have to say that no XBLA RPGs was a massive missed opportunity.
Posted by: nrXic | November 10, 2008 5:17 PM
hell ya i love them games
Posted by: jut | February 15, 2009 3:30 PM