PS2 Which of the Sega Ages titles worth while?

[OldSchoolGamer]

Of the Sega Ages series which are really worth getting? Why? Why not? Your opinions please!



If this has been asked or covered I apolagize and request this to be moved to the proper thread, or point me there, THANKS!!!!!!

:cheers:

[Graham Mitchell]

Disclaimer: I've only played what came in the Sega Classics Collection for the US PS2.

That said, you must play Fantasy Zone. It is the only one on that collection that is absolutely essential. The gameplay and mechanics are identical to the SMS/arcade classic, but the facelift is amazing. It looks like you're staring at a 3-D fishtank. The cell-shading effects and depth provided by parallax scrolling are fantastic, and really do the game justice. Plus, occasionally, when you beat a boss, the camera flips to look from behind Opa-Opa, and you collect all the coins in a modified first-person perspective, kind of like Space Fantasy Zone or something. It's fantastic.

Virtua Racing is arcade perfect. It's the best home version of V.R. you'll ever see. It's really like having the arcade hardware (without the steering wheel and cockpit, of course) in your home. And on a nice big TV, it's probably better. All the subtleties of the sounds and visual effects seem to be there, plus there's extra tracks and a Grand Prix mode. I recommend it.

Alien Syndrome is also great. Compared to other PS2 titles, it seems a bit rushed and cheesy, but the familiar gameplay is there. Plus, it uses dual-joystick controls for moving and firing, like Robotron or Smash TV. I much prefer that way of playing to the original, so check it out.

Outrun is not as great as V.R. and Fantasy Zone, but it's probably better than the Arcade version. It's really fun.

Avoid Golden Axe like the plague. It's ugly, and the levels are all screwed up. It's also not fun.

Space Harrier's okay, but it's a bit of a bummer for some reason. Sure, it's got ploygons aplenty, but it looks kind of cheesy and, in actuality, I prefer the original with that checkerboard floor (You can use some setting in the Ages version to turn the floor into the checkerboard if you want to). It's okay if you don't have another version of Space Harrier, but it's nothing you absolutely need.

Columns looks nice in parts, but the sound is terrible and it lacks the classic 3 tunes from the original. (I have no idea why they chose to change that. Bad move on their part.) There's a vs. computer mode like Super Columns on the Game Gear, but after a few opponents they become essentially impossible to beat. (You'll see what I mean. I don't think they tested that game very well...)

There's nothing else on that comp that really sticks out to me. Monaco GP is okay; it's a very strange racing game. Bonanza Brothers is fun but ugly. Tant-R is a wierd mario-party type game that's neat to play around with, but not worth spending a bunch of money on.

Hope that helps.

[InsaneDavid]

Virtua Racing is arcade perfect. It's the best home version of V.R. you'll ever see. It's really like having the arcade hardware (without the steering wheel and cockpit, of course) in your home. And on a nice big TV, it's probably better. All the subtleties of the sounds and visual effects seem to be there, plus there's extra tracks and a Grand Prix mode. I recommend it.

Well it's close, I will agree that Virtua Racing Flat Out is the best home version yet released. It runs at 60FPS as opposed to the arcade's original 30 and has some slight graphical enhancements such as some reflections. The draw distance however is slightly closer than the arcade original and the driver's hands don't fully turn the wheel in driver perspective view. The race length is set a four laps when most arcade cabinets were defaulted at five - which makes the order in which the audio clips at checkpoints play incorrect. There are also some minor sound errors. This is all just me being picky however.

Pick up the Sega Classics Collection US release for $20 or less to get a taste of these games before importing. OutRun is a blast and it's a shame the AfterBurner remake didn't make it onto the US compilation. I mean, who the hell really needs yet another crappy version of Columns?!

[RadiantSvgun]

Phantasy Star II is great. Along with Gunstar Heroes Treasure box. Don't overpay for those though.

[fahlim003]

In addition to Treasure Box, the more recent Tetris Collection good.
Not to mention the Wonder Boy Collection, quite the set.

[OldSchoolGamer]

WOW! Thanks guys, I will track all those down!!!! You guys rock!!!!!!
:-D

[GaijinPunch]

All of the 3D ones are pretty lame in terms of quality, although a few can be fun. If you want "quality ports", Anything from Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box and up are pretty much replicas of their originals, including super plays, all sorts of inserts (on the disc), and best of all, their original resolutions.

[davidbrit2]

You need After Burner II. Gameplay is basically identical to the original, but with a tremendous 3D overhaul. My only gripes are that the enemy missiles seem like they behave ever so slightly differently from the arcade version (though that may be the 3D playing tricks on me), and the gunners that approach from the rear are pretty easy to get behind and take down. I'd love to track down the Ace Combat 5 flight stick to see if it works well with this. ;-)

Also, Galaxy Force II is getting released sometime this month, I think. Imagine a more laid-back After Burner II that's kind of like Star Fox. Very high quality game that's rarely brought up.

[GaijinPunch]

tremendous

Definitely not the word I would use to describe the "overhaul" done. That's me though.

[fahlim003]

As I recently discovered, Virtua Racing (Volume 8 by 3D Ages) is basically a perfect port. All things considering it shouldn't be anything less for a Model 1 game from '92 to only now have a perfect port. 32X wasn't too shabby at the time but it's not close at all now.

Also noteworthy is the new Galaxy Force Special Extended Edition which just came out. In short: the best port yet. Another long overdue.

[Family Computer]

I picked up the Space Harrier II Sega Ages collection, it seems to be a really accurate port. I am going to try to hunt down a Hori Flight Stick to use with it and Rez.