View Full Version : Sega Genesis Collection impressions
DaBargainHunta
12-02-2006, 10:00 AM
In short, it ROCKS!
I started off with Shadow Dancer and then Shinobi III (no Revenge of Shinobi on this disc, unfortunately). I'm glad to report that they're as fantastic as ever.
Then I played through a bunch of others: Golden Axe, Alex Kidd, Sonic 1, Comix Zone, etc. Nothing beats classic old school gaming goodness, my brother. I ended my session by trying the Genesis version of Virtua Fighter 2. This ain't the arcade game, that's for sure, but it's also not as bad as I thought it'd be. I had a bit of fun with it, and the graphics are very decent considering the original hardware. It's more of a 2D version of the game. You won't ever confuse this with the classic arcade or Saturn incarnations, but it's worth a look.
Each game has a description, tips, and box art. It's fun seeing the differences between the Genesis and Mega Drive boxes.
You can also unlock stuff. So far I've unlocked an interview with the Sonic designer (haven't watched yet) a trailer for Virtua Fighter 5 (looks AMAZING!), and a couple of arcade games - Zaxxon (fun) and Zektor (reminds me of Geometry Wars).
This is EASILY worth $20!
gepeto
12-02-2006, 01:13 PM
I love it . The controls are nice and the game selections are nice. I just wish they had streets of rage in there. The phantasy star collection alone is worth the price plus toss in sword of vermillion(one of my personal Fav) and you got a keeper.
Most compilations feel rushed this one doesn't.
norkusa
12-02-2006, 01:33 PM
What system is this for? PSP?
s1lence
12-02-2006, 01:46 PM
PS2 and Xbox are the systems that it is on. Supposedly it was going to be on the 360 but I've never seen it.
VACRMH
12-02-2006, 03:47 PM
I keep hearing about some emulation problems, anyone expierence that?
I own most of the games on the collection for the genesis, but i'm considering picking it up for Golden Axe 3.
Leo_A
12-02-2006, 04:08 PM
Its available for PSP and Playstation 2. It was never announced as a Xbox or Xbox 360 title.
77punk
12-02-2006, 04:12 PM
I Love Sega.. Please Make More Hardware! I Miss You!
lordnikon
12-03-2006, 07:28 PM
This collection turned out pretty good. The 2 high points in my opinion are the performance. The games have no sprite flicker, and the sound emulation is half-way decent. The arcade version of Altered Beast was a pleasent suprise. I didn't know about the inclusion of this unlockable until after it was released.
I can't say that I like the start screen design. The in-game pause menus are fine, but the blue and white vector graphics belong in Playstation magazine or something. The designer working on those background graphics should have matched the design elements used for the Genesis marketing in general. It would have been much better. Is a grey grid over a black background too much to ask for?
Also did anyone notice the goof on the GainGround cover? Its the mega drive PAL cover... :/
Vectorman0
12-03-2006, 07:39 PM
I love the PS2 version, and am considering getting the PSP version. Does anyone know what got left out/added on the PSP version? I doubt it makes it worth paying $10 more over the PS2 version.
Anyway, I find the emulation to be very good, and I couldn't ask for any better. Playing Vectorman I only noticed a few sounds that were off. Otherwise I didn't notice anything in any other games that didn't seem right. I haven't put too much time into it, but the extras are very nice, especially for a $20 game. I recommend it to any Genesis fan who doesn't have all of the good games it has.
davidbrit2
12-03-2006, 07:44 PM
I've seen some strange visual glitching in Sonic 2 while Lisa was playing. It happened in one of the early water stages, and the screen sort of blips out for a second almost like a static pattern. And the characters in Sword of Vermilion seem to be fond of wearing bright green eyeshadow...
jsiucho
12-03-2006, 09:06 PM
Its great playing Shadow Dancer in the Shitter!!!!
JS
Leo_A
12-03-2006, 09:37 PM
The PSP version's unlockable arcade games are Astro Blaster, Congo Bongo, Eliminator, Space Fury, and Super Zaxxon. Otherwise, the content is identical to the PS2 version.
Between both and various other releases since the Saturn years, most early 80s Sega arcade titles are finally available to play in versions that are accurate to the originals.
PDorr3
12-03-2006, 10:25 PM
I was at target today and saw this, I passed it up however because I wanted the psp version (which they didnt have) because i would much rather have all of these games on the go, talk about only needing one game to bring for a vacation trip :)
JPeeples
12-04-2006, 05:34 AM
I got this a couple weeks ago, and outside of some small control and sound issues, I adore this compilation.
RetroYoungen
12-04-2006, 06:01 AM
I've seen some strange visual glitching in Sonic 2 while Lisa was playing. It happened in one of the early water stages, and the screen sort of blips out for a second almost like a static pattern. And the characters in Sword of Vermilion seem to be fond of wearing bright green eyeshadow...
I thought it'd just be me! When I was running through Sonic 2 the same thing happened, that was the only serious glitch I found with the game. The rest of it was fine, beautiful really; the emulation was very nicely done.
Plus, now I don't have to drag out my Genny to play Sword of Vermillion or Phantasy Star, definately a perk. ^_^
segagamer4life
12-04-2006, 08:45 AM
Has anyone played the unlockable ARCADE ver of Altered Beast on the PS2 version? At least my version had several audio glitches, like if you continue, their is a loud scratch noise, when the character "drops" down, I was wondering if anyone else encountered this?
VACRMH
12-04-2006, 10:49 AM
The PSP version has for unlockables the arcade games Astro Blaster, Congo Bongo, Eliminator, Space Fury, and Super Zaxxon. Otherwise, the content is identical to the PS2 version. Between both, most early 80s Sega arcade titles are finally available to play in versions that are accurate to the originals, I can only think of Monaco GP and Turbo for games that are missing before 1985.
Wait, so the PSP version has more games over the PS2 version?
DaBargainHunta
12-04-2006, 11:35 AM
Wait, so the PSP version has more games over the PS2 version?
No, you can unlock the following arcade games on the PS2 version:
Altered Beast (Arcade)
Future Spy
Tac/Scan
Zaxxon
Zektor
Neil Koch
12-05-2006, 08:16 PM
Has anyone played the unlockable ARCADE ver of Altered Beast on the PS2 version? At least my version had several audio glitches, like if you continue, their is a loud scratch noise, when the character "drops" down, I was wondering if anyone else encountered this?
I didn't notice anything in Altered Beast, but there are sound problems (or poor emulation) on some of the games - like in Golden Axe, all of the enemies have the same death scream.
A solid collection, but I miss Revenge of Shinobi, Streets of Rage and Shining Force (which weren't put in due to copyright issues).
Famidrive-16
12-06-2006, 01:22 AM
Whoa, is this a new one? Because I played some Sega Collection on the PS2 a year or so ago that sucked ass. I'm guessing this is new.
DaBargainHunta
12-06-2006, 04:02 AM
Whoa, is this a new one? Because I played some Sega Collection on the PS2 a year or so ago that sucked ass. I'm guessing this is new.
The one you're thinking of is a collection of the Sega Ages remakes with "enhanced" graphics. I didn't think it sucked ass (Virtua Racing and Outrun, among others, came out nicely IMO), but I can understand why some people wouldn't like it. In any case, this is indeed a different collection, and it has the ORIGINAL Genesis games.
77punk
12-06-2006, 04:03 AM
Sega Should Make Hardware Again!
sabre2922
12-06-2006, 04:19 AM
Sega Should Make Hardware Again!
see if you still want that after playing SONIC on the 360.
It seem the Sega of old is but a "shadow of its former self" RE pun intended.
The Sega that I luved all but died with the Dreamcast. and what the hell is up with Sonic Team ?
Although I cant wait to pick up the PS2 ver of Sega Genesis classics those were the days.
segagamer
12-06-2006, 03:47 PM
NO, Sega should NOT make hardware again!!!
udisi
12-06-2006, 03:55 PM
not to change the subject but the PSP got a EA collection that has Mutant league football on it plus some of the EA games that were on Genesis before they went all sports.
DragonMaster Sam
12-06-2006, 05:49 PM
I didn't notice anything in Altered Beast, but there are sound problems (or poor emulation) on some of the games - like in Golden Axe, all of the enemies have the same death scream.
A solid collection, but I miss Revenge of Shinobi, Streets of Rage and Shining Force (which weren't put in due to copyright issues).
What copyright issues are there for Streets of Rage and Shining Force? I thought Sega owns those games.
A solid collection, but I miss Revenge of Shinobi, Streets of Rage and Shining Force (which weren't put in due to copyright issues).
Not true. Streets of Rage was kept off to maintain the collection's teen rating, and Shining Force was considered, but left off due to space issues. Sega might add it and its sequel for another volume though. I asked the Sega Genesis Collection's Associate Producer Stephen Frost these very questions when I interviewed him (http://www.sega-16.com/Interview-%20Stephen%20Frost.php).
Neil Koch
12-07-2006, 01:13 AM
I thought it was because Yuzo Kashiro wouldn't give them the rights to use his music. It's puzzling that SoR would be considered a M-rated game ... it's certainly not more violent than Golden Axe or Final Fight.
kainemaxwell
12-25-2006, 07:14 PM
Got this for Christmas today and i gotta say this is one the better collection packs I've got. Have experienced no emulation problems video or sound-wise, and the amount of games, and the 3 PS games alone makes this an easy pick up for $20!
Overbite
12-25-2006, 07:32 PM
Not true. Streets of Rage was kept off to maintain the collection's teen rating, and Shining Force was considered, but left off due to space issues. Sega might add it and its sequel for another volume though. I asked the Sega Genesis Collection's Associate Producer Stephen Frost these very questions when I interviewed him (http://www.sega-16.com/Interview-%20Stephen%20Frost.php).
didnt he write for PSM mag?
Jimmy Yakapucci
12-25-2006, 07:53 PM
Has anyone tried playing the RPGs on the PSP version? I was wondering how hard is was to read the text since the games were originally written for TV use. That is one reason why I have held off on playing Phantasy Star 1 on my Game Gear.
JY
davidbrit2
12-26-2006, 07:16 AM
Has anyone tried playing the RPGs on the PSP version? I was wondering how hard is was to read the text since the games were originally written for TV use. That is one reason why I have held off on playing Phantasy Star 1 on my Game Gear.
JY
Vertical resolution on the Genesis is something like 224. Vertical resolution on the PSP is 272. I suspect it would be nice and crisp.
Jimmy Yakapucci
12-26-2006, 09:45 AM
Okay. I was wondering about the size of the text as well, since the original was programmed for a 19 inch or so screen as opposed to the 3 or 4 inches of the PSP.
JY
FantasiaWHT
12-26-2006, 10:44 AM
Please buy this game. Playing 33 games (many of them among the best 16-bit games ever made) for $20 just cannot be beat. Screw you Nintendo :P
Oh, and the "level up" jingle in PS2 is odd... it reverbs much longer than it should (yes, I have played PS2 enough to know that hehe)
Playing PS4... I love the game, but my first thought was "For $100 (when it came out) you'd think they could've done a decent job translating it"
When you try to open the technique menu for a character who doesn't have techniques yet- "Chaz does not have the technique"
oy.
sirhansirhan
12-26-2006, 02:02 PM
For those of you who haven't already bought it, Circuit City has it on sale for $10 new (on PS2 only) this week.
RPG_Fanatic
12-29-2006, 11:03 PM
I've been playing these on the PSP for a year already through the Gen. emulator and play 100% like the original.
kainemaxwell
02-19-2009, 10:53 PM
Been playing around with this again. Enjoying the save states, and like how the save files listed items, etc you have when you saved. Unlocked Zaxxon for fun earlier too.
Very tempted to finally play PS2-4, though I have the cart for PS4 and beaten it a few times (about 5-6 years ago). A bit apprehensive on starting PS2 or 3 after hearing of their difficulties, and possibly having to print out mad faq sheets. Suggestions?
heybtbm
02-20-2009, 09:38 AM
Suggestions?
Yes. Sell this crap version and buy the (far) superior 360/PS3 version that came out last week. It's got SHINOBI ARCADE, both Shining Forces, and all three Streets of Rage for crying out loud.
kainemaxwell
02-20-2009, 10:01 AM
Yes. Sell this crap version and buy the (far) superior 360/PS3 version that came out last week. It's got SHINOBI ARCADE, both Shining Forces, and all three Streets of Rage for crying out loud.
Only if you buy me a PS3 or 360, then I will. :D
Kitsune Sniper
02-20-2009, 03:21 PM
Been playing around with this again. Enjoying the save states, and like how the save files listed items, etc you have when you saved. Unlocked Zaxxon for fun earlier too.
Very tempted to finally play PS2-4, though I have the cart for PS4 and beaten it a few times (about 5-6 years ago). A bit apprehensive on starting PS2 or 3 after hearing of their difficulties, and possibly having to print out mad faq sheets. Suggestions?
I so wanted to like this compilation, but the crappy audio emulation just... argh.
I only bought it so I could play Phantasy Star IV. And they couldn't even get that right.
Why Digital Eclipse is considered a good emulation company is beyond me.
SkiDragon
02-20-2009, 08:32 PM
So, are these straight up emulated ROMS on a disk? Have any alterations/improvements been made?
NayusDante
02-20-2009, 09:30 PM
I'm curious to see how the price of the 2006 compilation drops, given the fact that the new one retails for about the same price.
Kitsune Sniper
02-20-2009, 09:41 PM
Drops? I got mine on clearance from Gamestop last year. For like what, seven bucks?
NayusDante
02-20-2009, 10:22 PM
I swear it's still $30 every time I see it... For PSP at least.
Leo_A
02-21-2009, 12:23 AM
GameStops around here had tons of new copies a while back of the PSP version. which they seemed to struggle to get rid of at $10.
Nesmaster
02-21-2009, 12:45 AM
I grabbed this from EB for $4.99 used up here in Canada... but I don't think I'll play it since I have the 360 one coming in the mail shortly. Keep in mind I picked this up before I heard about the 360 one. :)
Leo_A
02-21-2009, 04:07 PM
I grabbed this from EB for $4.99 used up here in Canada... but I don't think I'll play it since I have the 360 one coming in the mail shortly. Keep in mind I picked this up before I heard about the 360 one. :)
The PS2 and PSP releases are both still worth playing. They each had 5 different arcade titles from the 1980s as unlockables, with only three of these 10 arcade titles being carried over to the 360 release. It also has 3-4 Genesis titles that the 360 version didn't keep.
I think owning all three (No need to get both the 360 and PS3 release of the latest one, since they're both identical this time around) is the way to go. They complement each other nicely with unique content in each release.