Sonic Gems Collection review

[THATinkjar]

I have been eagerly anticipating an online review of Sonic Gems Collection for weeks, now. And at last, GameSpy have come up with the goods. I thought a few of you may wish to read a review while you wait, rubbing your hands in glee.

You can check it out here (http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/sonic-gems-collection/641969p1.html).

[MegaDrive20XX]

I kind of agree to the point that this collection only has 3 titles and 6 "hand me down" GameGear titles is weak. Seriously, do we need these re-re-released again? We have them on Sonic Mega PLUS on PS2/Xbox....Sonic DX on Cube...now this? Come on Sega, don't get lazy on us!

Yet, I'm not gonna argue, because Sonic R, Sonic the Fighters, and Sonic CD is so damn worth the $30 (Yet I'll wait till it drops to $19.99 ;))

Yet, what the heck is up with this man's hatred of Sonic Spinball??? GameGear verison does stink, but I love the original Genesis Sonic Spinball! *throws Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine at him*...stupid punk...

Anywho, he's right about one thing, We need Knuckles Chaotix and for the love of god, bring SegaSonic Arcade back. I honestly, wanted to see "Sonic 3D Blast" the Saturn verison on this collection, simply because the soundtrack was very top notch I thought.

Edit: I Just noticed this....not only does the Japanese verison has the Streets of Rage Trilogy...they also get Vectorman 1 and 2.....damn....just when I thought we were getting something good...they get both, while we only get one pair...

[chrisbid]

we wont be seeing any saturn exclusive games on next gen systems any time soon. saturn emulation is still too spotty for mainstream consumption. the games on this collection (and others) are derived from PC versions.

[snes_collector]

we wont be seeing any saturn exclusive games on next gen systems any time soon. saturn emulation is still too spotty for mainstream consumption. the games on this collection (and others) are derived from PC versions.

What about Mega Man Annversary Collection? I don't remember those being on PC.

[Captain Wrong]

Is this coming to PS2/Xbox? (I'd imagine like the other collection it will eventually.) I wonder if they will add Streets of Rage back in for a re-release? That'd be sweet.

Just thinking out loud here. :)

[THATinkjar]

Is this coming to PS2/Xbox?

It is due out on PlayStation 2 at some point, with Streets of Rage included on it in America.

[Captain Wrong]

Is this coming to PS2/Xbox?

It is due out on PlayStation 2 at some point, with Streets of Rage included on it in America.

Heh. Lookie thar. I wuz right.




(Guess I shouldla Googled, huh? Sorry, only on first cup o'coffee. LOL)

[chrisbid]

we wont be seeing any saturn exclusive games on next gen systems any time soon. saturn emulation is still too spotty for mainstream consumption. the games on this collection (and others) are derived from PC versions.

What about Mega Man Annversary Collection? I don't remember those being on PC.

mega man 8 was on playstation

[GrayFox]

I know it's not gonna be in today, but damn, I wish my copy would come in.

I wanna play Sonic CD with my wavebird.

[MegaDrive20XX]

I know it's not gonna be in today, but damn, I wish my copy would come in.

I wanna play Sonic CD with my wavebird.


Don't worry, it'll be Wednesday

[Cmosfm]

Is this coming to PS2/Xbox?

It is due out on PlayStation 2 at some point, with Streets of Rage included on it in America.

Well I know what I'm waiting for! :D

[joshnickerson]

I'm probably gonna wait for a price drop, since the only game I'm really interested in is Sonic CD.

[Jorpho]

we wont be seeing any saturn exclusive games on next gen systems any time soon. saturn emulation is still too spotty for mainstream consumption. the games on this collection (and others) are derived from PC versions.

Sega said that the reason Sonic the Fighters never appeared on the Saturn was because of its complexity.

[Zubiac666]

Is this coming to PS2/Xbox?

It is due out on PlayStation 2 at some point, with Streets of Rage included on it in America.

I think you are posting bullcrap:

Ign:

Sonic Gems Collection, which features a compilation of sought after Sonic classics spanning Sega CD all the way to Game Gear, is headed directly toward Nintendo's current-generation system -- and yes, it's coming exclusively. Gems Collection is set to hit GameCube on August 16. A PlayStation 2 version of the title will also be released, but only in Europe.
and

Interestingly, Sega recently revealed that the PS2 version of Sonic Gems Collection, which will only be released overseas

Gamespy:

This compilation has been announced as an exclusive title for the Nintendo GameCube in America, but is also available for PlayStation 2 in Japan.


so it won't come to US for PS2.You will have to import it from europe or japan.

But I would recommend importing the japanese Gamecube version (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-27-70-pyb.html) cause it contains all 3 "Street of Rage"s AND the two vectormans.
:-P

[MegaDrive20XX]

Yup, it's time to import

[suppafly]

I love current generation consoles, but WHAT is the point of buying this game, when you can get all the original version for those 30 US?

Sonic CD is dirt cheap, Sonic R isnt expensive. And that sonic fighters doesnt sound like its too good.

Maybe for non-collectors its a good price, becuase they dont have to buy the original consoles. But with so many collectors here on DP, wouldnt it be cooler to have the original versions?

Just my 2 cents..

[chrisbid]

we wont be seeing any saturn exclusive games on next gen systems any time soon. saturn emulation is still too spotty for mainstream consumption. the games on this collection (and others) are derived from PC versions.

Sega said that the reason Sonic the Fighters never appeared on the Saturn was because of its complexity.

arcade emulation is far easier on a current gen console/PC than the Saturn.

[hbkprm]

i have been waiting for months for this good shit

[TheRedEye]

I love current generation consoles, but WHAT is the point of buying this game, when you can get all the original version for those 30 US?

NEWS FLASH: Study shows that some people don't have a Sega Saturn or Sega CD videogame console in their homes. World stunned. More on this as it develops.

[klausien]

But I would recommend importing the japanese Gamecube version (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-27-70-pyb.html) cause it contains all 3 "Street of Rage"s AND the two vectormans.
:-P

I agree wholeheartedly. That way you also get the original Japanese soundtrack for Sonic CD AND the original, unaltered Bare Knuckle 1-3.

[Captain Wrong]

I love current generation consoles, but WHAT is the point of buying this game, when you can get all the original version for those 30 US?

NEWS FLASH: Study shows that some people don't have a Sega Saturn or Sega CD videogame console in their homes. World stunned. More on this as it develops.

I declare!

*faints*

[suppafly]

I love current generation consoles, but WHAT is the point of buying this game, when you can get all the original version for those 30 US?

NEWS FLASH: Study shows that some people don't have a Sega Saturn or Sega CD videogame console in their homes. World stunned. More on this as it develops.

You wouldnt have made such a silly comment if you´d read my post completely....:p

[kainemaxwell]

Well, this is definitly a reason to look into imports.

[MegaDrive20XX]

I love current generation consoles, but WHAT is the point of buying this game, when you can get all the original version for those 30 US?

NEWS FLASH: Study shows that some people don't have a Sega Saturn or Sega CD videogame console in their homes. World stunned. More on this as it develops.

I declare!

*faints*

Objection! OVER RULED! I want a re-trial!

[Cryomancer]

I hear rumors of this game detecting the region of the console you're using for things like the music in sonic cd. Dunno if this applies to the bonus genny games or not (oh nos, streets of rage is HIDDEN ON THE DISC CALL THE ESRB).

[PDorr3]

I think Im gonna wait for a price drop. I already have sonic r and sonic cd, Im only buying it for sonic fighters and the game gear games.

[Jorpho]

Sega said that the reason Sonic the Fighters never appeared on the Saturn was because of its complexity.

arcade emulation is far easier on a current gen console/PC than the Saturn.

...But Sonic the Fighters isn't emulated in MAME yet, whereas vaguely-working Saturn emulators do exist.

Anyway, it is true that for $10 cheaper you can get this charming compilation (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00014WYOK/qid=1124246918/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-0718950-4233755?v=glance&s=software&n=507846), which can't be that much worse in the end (despite the technical niggles).

[Leo_A]

As someone that can't justify buying a Saturn, Game Gear, and 32x for a handful of decent games when there's more worthwhile investments for my money I have to spend on gaming, I'm happy to see this.

[THATinkjar]

I hear rumors of this game detecting the region of the console you're using for things like the music in sonic cd.

Apparently, the original intention was to make both soundtracks available, and that the user could select which they listened to. This was scrapped, unfortunately, due to space constraints. I've also heard it was a copyright issue. Who knows.

[Jive3D]

I played the japanese ps2 release last night. The music in Sonic CD is from the US version of the game (*sigh*).

[THATinkjar]

I played the japanese ps2 release last night.

How did you manage that?

[Mayhem]

It's out in Japan. My copy is probably sitting at home from PlayAsia at the moment no doubt (was sent 10 days ago, but I'm in the US at the mo).

[importaku]

I can't wait to play this, i just hope the unlockables are easier to get than the last sonic collection they were a total pain to unlock.

[GrayFox]

Wow, apparently we (Gamestop) didn't get it in today.

I'm salty about this.

[klausien]

FINALLY got my Japanese Cube copy today courtesy of Play-Asia. :D Gave it about an hour thus far. A quick rundown:

Sonic CD: First thing I tried. Loads quickly. Ah, glorious Japanese soundtrack. It is definitely the PC version as it includes the load screen that wasn't in the Sega CD version, though it is unnecessary due to how speedy the game loads. Have yet to try the special stage.

Sonic the Fighters: Pretty cool. Graphics are nice, especially the flying carpet stage. Plays like a dumbed down VF, with nice special moves from the Sonic games (Sonic can spindash!), and a splash of Fighting Vipers. Will put more time into this later.

Sonic R: PC. The Emerald stage is not transparent. Now, I have never played the PC version, but there is zero background pop-up in Gems. The water effects are pretty cool too, though again lack transparency. Runs at a very solid framerate. Plays better with the GC controller. All in all, much better than the Saturn version.

The GG games: Same as on Sonic Mega Collection Plus. Nothing to see here, move along.

There are two open spots in the menu for extra games (Vectorman 1 & 2). I am hoping that more will appear. It would suck if the Bare Knuckle games were either cut completely or are in the PS2 version only. We will have to see as there is really nothing out there about this yet. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[rayearthknight]

I hear rumors of this game detecting the region of the console you're using for things like the music in sonic cd.

Apparently, the original intention was to make both soundtracks available, and that the user could select which they listened to. This was scrapped, unfortunately, due to space constraints. I've also heard it was a copyright issue. Who knows.

I doubt it's space contraints--as the games are pretty small--the music took up a lot of the space on Sonic CD, more than likely it's the copyright--maybe Spencer Nilsen's contract had some stipulation in it that allowed for his music (and Pastiche's voices) to be used on all US versions of Sonic CD.

I noticed on the back of the case there is the mark of 1-4 players. Which game can play four players? Sonic R? I bought it on my way to work today, so I haven't been able to play it.

Off-topic--Does anyone else hope that Sonic Team releases an update or a collection containing Burning Rangers and Nights into Dreams?

[Mayhem]

There are two open spots in the menu for extra games (Vectorman 1 & 2). I am hoping that more will appear. It would suck if the Bare Knuckle games were either cut completely or are in the PS2 version only. We will have to see as there is really nothing out there about this yet. Keeping my fingers crossed.

That really WOULD suck because I specifically went for the Japanese version because they said it would have the Bare Knuckle games (and not Vectorman).

[Jive3D]

Sonic CD: First thing I tried. Loads quickly. Ah, glorious Japanese soundtrack.


ARE YOU SURE???

I was playing the Japanese PS2 version last night. I was surprised that there was almost zero japanese text at all. And I was pretty sure that the soundtrack was from the US version...

THE CUBE version has the japanese soundtrack???

I'd really like to nail this down, b/c if this if true I'm going to import it right a F-in way...

[Leo_A]

"The GG games: Same as on Sonic Mega Collection Plus. Nothing to see here, move along."

If you're talking about emulation quality then I suppose it's the same, but this is a different set of GG games than we got for Mega Collection Plus.

[klausien]

If you're talking about emulation quality then I suppose it's the same, but this is a different set of GG games than we got for Mega Collection Plus.

Different, more limited set, but nothing new. Not that I was expecting anything new. Just saying that the GG games are not why you buy the collection.

I also see that all 3 Bare Knuckle games are on the back of the box, so that bodes well. Just need to figure out how to unlock them. I've unlocked Vectorman thus far.

As for the Sonic CD music concerns, apparently the PS2 version has both soundtracks. It depends on the region of the console. The import Cube version definitely has the right soundtrack.

[WiseSalesman]

Hate to threadjack, but this has me wondering....what's involved in getting my cube ready to accept imports?

[JLukas]

Does the Gamecube version have Pro-Scan support?

WiseSalesman: you can use an Action Replay, or install a region switch (which requires taking the Gamecube apart and soldering) Or you can have a professional mod it. NCSX.com should still offer that service for around $35.

A note to anyone buying the GC import, don't forget to have a spare memory card to use for Japanese saves. Trying to save an import game on a card that has US saves will ask you to reformat your card (and lose all your saves)