Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection
Encyclopedia
Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, known as the Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection in PAL region
s, is a compilation
of video games developed by Backbone Entertainment
for the Xbox 360
and PlayStation 3
consoles. The compilation features 48 Sega
games (49 counting two versions of Altered Beast
) which were previously released for the Mega Drive/Genesis (including most of the Sonic the Hedgehog titles released for the system), arcade
and Sega Master System
.
The collection also features interviews with some of the original game developers. All items can be unlocked by earning certain Achievements (360) or Trophies (PS3).
According to Ethan Einhorn, the producer for the collection, the three "lock-on" games (Knuckles in Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and "Blue Sphere") were not included citing "tight development times", and that including them would have meant "dropping several titles from the collection altogether", specifically the aforementioned nine unlockable games since "they all required unique emulation solutions".
or PSN. Titles can be arranged alphabetically, chronologically, by genre, or by player-assigned rating. Each Mega Drive/Genesis game also has a "museum" similar to the previous Sega Genesis Collection
that consists of information, trivia, box art, and cartridge art.
gave Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection a 9.0/10 score and an Editor's Choice Award, praising the addition of a rating system for each game and the Streets of Rage series, among other things. Greg Miller of IGN said that he "can't recommend this game enough". Retro Gamer
rated the game 98%. It also received the award for Best Anthology in GameShark's Game of the Year Awards 2009.
auction website TradeMe
for the Starship Children's Health
foundation.
PAL region
The PAL region is a television publication territory which covers most of Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe...
s, is a compilation
Product bundling
Product bundling is a marketing strategy that involves offering several products for sale as one combined product. This strategy is very common in the software business , in the cable television industry Product bundling is a marketing strategy that involves offering several products for sale as...
of video games developed by Backbone Entertainment
Backbone Entertainment
Backbone Entertainment is an independent video game development company located in Emeryville, California.Backbone Entertainment is the result of a 2003 merger between Digital Eclipse Software and ImaginEngine...
for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
consoles. The compilation features 48 Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
games (49 counting two versions of Altered Beast
Altered Beast
Altered Beast is a 1988 beat 'em up arcade game developed and manufactured by Sega. The game is set in Ancient Greece, and follows a centurion who is resurrected by Zeus to rescue his daughter Athena, and to do so become able to turn into beasts such as the werewolf with usage of power-ups...
) which were previously released for the Mega Drive/Genesis (including most of the Sonic the Hedgehog titles released for the system), arcade
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
and Sega Master System
Sega Master System
The is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan , 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe....
.
Mega Drive/Genesis games (40 total)
- Alex Kidd in the Enchanted CastleAlex Kidd in the Enchanted Castleis a side-scrolling platform game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis video game console. The game was released in Japan in February 1989, North and South America in August 1989 and in Europe on November 1990...
- Alien StormAlien Stormis a 1990 beat 'em up arcade game by Sega, later ported to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and Sega Master System. The Sega Mega Drive version was also released on Wii's Virtual Console in 2007...
- Altered BeastAltered BeastAltered Beast is a 1988 beat 'em up arcade game developed and manufactured by Sega. The game is set in Ancient Greece, and follows a centurion who is resurrected by Zeus to rescue his daughter Athena, and to do so become able to turn into beasts such as the werewolf with usage of power-ups...
- Beyond OasisBeyond OasisBeyond Oasis, known in Japan as and in Europe as The Story of Thor: A Successor of The Light, is a action role playing video game developed by Ancient and published by Sega for the Mega Drive/Genesis console. The game was later re-released to the Wii's Virtual Console on March 19th, 2007 in North...
- Bonanza Bros.Bonanza Bros.is a 1990 3D-style, 2D shooting platform arcade game by Sega. It is one of the earliest arcade games powered by the arcade system board, the Sega System 24.-Gameplay:Bonanza Bros...
- ColumnsColumns (video game)is a puzzle video game, first created in 1989 by Jay Geertsen. Early versions of the game were made and ported among early computer platforms, and then the Atari ST, until 1990, when Jay Geertsen sold the rights to Sega, where it was ported to several Sega consoles.-Description:The game takes...
- Comix ZoneComix ZoneComix Zone is a arcade-style action game. The game's unique feature is that it is set within the panels of a comic book. Each level consists of two pages and secrets are discovered by shredding the paper and revealing items. The unique dialogue is rendered within talk bubbles with the typical...
- Decap AttackDecap AttackDecap Attack, a westernised version of the Japanese game , is a video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis console. The game is also a part of the Sega Genesis Collection for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable and Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3...
- Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean MachineDr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine-External links:* at Game Rankings* at The Internet Movie Database...
- Dynamite HeaddyDynamite Headdyis a video game released in 1994 by Sega and produced by Treasure. It was released on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis system, with ports to the Sega Game Gear and Sega Master System. A port for the Sega 32X was planned, but due to the system's low popularity, the port was canceled...
- Ecco the DolphinEcco the DolphinEcco the Dolphin is a puzzle video game released in 1992 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. The central character, Ecco, is a bottlenose dolphin controlled by the player through a progression of side-scrolling aquatic levels...
- Ecco: The Tides of TimeEcco: The Tides of TimeEcco: The Tides of Time, developed by Novotrade International and released 1994, is the second game in the Ecco the Dolphin series, a sequel to Ecco the Dolphin for the Sega Mega Drive, Game Gear, and Mega-CD...
- ESWAT: City Under SiegeESWAT: City Under SiegeESWAT: City Under Siege, in Japan , is a 1990 side scrolling platform video game for the Sega Mega Drive and Genesis video game consoles.ESWAT: City Under Siege was based on the arcade game ESWAT: Cyber Police released a year earlier in 1989...
- Fatal LabyrinthFatal LabyrinthFatal Labyrinth is a role-playing video game produced by Sega. Originally available exclusively on the Sega Meganet multiplayer gaming service in 1990, it was later remade for the Sega Mega Drive in . The game appears in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3...
- FlickyFlickyFlicky is an arcade game made by Sega. First released in arcades in 1984, Flicky was also released at the time for the SG-1000, and then ported to the MSX and Japanese computers Sharp X1, Fujitsu FM-7 and NEC PC-8801. It was later ported to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1991...
- Gain GroundGain GroundGain Ground is a 1988 action-strategy arcade game with real-time strategy elements, later ported to the Sega Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, and PC Engine . In 2004, it was re-released in Radica Games' TVPlay Legends Vol. II TV Games compilation. It was remade in the PlayStation 2 title Sega...
- Golden AxeGolden AxeGolden Axe is a side-scrolling beat 'em up and hack & slash arcade video game released in 1989 by Sega for the System 16-B arcade hardware. It is the first game in the Golden Axe series....
- Golden Axe IIGolden Axe IIGolden Axe II is a side-scrolling fighting game released for the Sega Mega Drive. It was released on December 26, 1991. It is the home console sequel to the popular game Golden Axe, marking the second game in the series, though the arcade did see a sequel of its own called Golden Axe: The Revenge...
- Golden Axe IIIGolden Axe IIIis the last installment in the Golden Axe series released for the Sega Mega Drive on June 25, 1993. The cartridge unit was only released in Japan while the North American release was a Sega Channel exclusive....
- Kid Chameleon
- Phantasy Star IIPhantasy Star IIPhantasy Star II is a console role-playing video game developed by Sega AM7 and released for the Sega Mega Drive in Japan in 1989. It was also released for the Mega Drive in Europe and the Genesis in America in 1990...
- Phantasy Star III: Generations of DoomPhantasy Star III: Generations of Doomis a traditional console roleplaying game that was released for the Sega Mega Drive in Japan in April 1990 and in the United States in the summer of 1991...
- Phantasy Star IV: The End of the MillenniumPhantasy Star IV: The End of the Millenniumis a console roleplaying game released in 1993 for the Mega Drive in Japan and in 1995 for the Sega Genesis in North America. It is the fourth and final game in the original Phantasy Star series, concluding the story of the Algol Star System...
- RistarRistarRistar, known as in Japan, is a platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for the Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis in 1995. A Sega Game Gear version, which features different levels than the Mega Drive version, was also released in the same year.The game stars a humanoid cartoon star...
- Shining Force: The Legacy of Great IntentionShining ForceShining Force, known as in Japan, and otherwise known as Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention, is a 1992 turn-based strategy role-playing video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis console...
- Shining Force II: The Ancient SealShining Force II, is a tactical role-playing game for the Mega Drive/Genesis console developed by Sonic! Software Planning in 1994. The storyline is not directly connected to the original Shining Force, although a Game Gear title Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict links the two games' plots.The game is much...
- Shining in the DarknessShining in the DarknessShining in the Darkness, released as in Japan, is a 1991 RPG for the Mega Drive/Genesis video game console. It was one of the first RPGs released for the system, and began the Shining RPG series that would span four Sega video game consoles as well as the Game Boy Advance and PlayStation 2.On...
- Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja MasterShinobi III: Return of the Ninja MasterShinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, released in Japan as , is an action game developed and published by Sega for the Mega Drive/Genesis console that was released in 1993.It is the direct sequel of the 1989 game The Revenge of Shinobi...
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 16-bit 1992 platform video game that was developed by Sonic Team members working at the Sega Technical Institute, and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis console. It was released in Japan on November 21, 1992 and in North America and Europe on November 24, 1992...
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3Sonic the Hedgehog 3Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 1994 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States by members of Sonic Team working at Sega Technical Institute, and was published by Sega, debuting worldwide in the first half of 1994...
- Sonic & KnucklesSonic & KnucklesSonic & Knuckles is a 1994 platform video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was developed in the United States at Sega Technical Institute by members of Sonic Team, and was published by Sega worldwide on October 18, 1994.As well as working as a standalone...
- Sonic 3D Blast
- Sonic SpinballSonic the Hedgehog SpinballSonic the Hedgehog Spinball is an adventure pinball game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It was originally released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1993 and later ported to the Game Gear and Master System in 1995.The game title is a pun on pinball and Sonic's famous spin dash move...
- Streets of RageStreets of RageStreets of Rage, known in Japan as , is a side-scrolling beat 'em up released by Sega in 1991 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It is the first installment of the Streets of Rage series which was followed by Streets of Rage 2 and Streets of Rage 3. The game was also converted over to Sega's Game...
- Streets of Rage 2Streets of Rage 2Streets of Rage 2, known in Japan as , and in Europe as Streets of Rage II with a Roman numeral, is a side-scrolling beat 'em up released by Sega in 1992 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. The game is also playable in the game Sonic's Ultimate Sega Genesis Collection...
- Streets of Rage 3Streets of Rage 3Streets of Rage 3 is a side-scrolling beat 'em up released by Sega in 1994 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It is the last part of the Streets of Rage series. It was later released for the Japanese version of Sonic Gems Collection for the GameCube and PlayStation 2, and for the Wii Virtual Console...
- Super Thunder BladeSuper Thunder Bladeis a shooter for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis console, published by Sega. It was one of three launch titles for the console in Japan . It is a follow-up to the arcade game Thunder Blade. It was released for the Virtual Console on September 17, 2007...
- VectormanVectormanVectorman is a series of run and gun platform games developed by BlueSky Software and published by Sega for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It was released on October 24, 1995 in North America and on November 30, 1995 in Europe...
- Vectorman 2
Unlockable extra games
- Alien SyndromeAlien SyndromeAlien Syndrome is a run and gun arcade game developed by Sega in 1987.-Gameplay:Two players control two soldiers named Ricky and Mary, who must fight their way through large eight-way scrolling levels rescuing their comrades who are being held by aliens...
(arcade) - Altered Beast Altered BeastAltered Beast is a 1988 beat 'em up arcade game developed and manufactured by Sega. The game is set in Ancient Greece, and follows a centurion who is resurrected by Zeus to rescue his daughter Athena, and to do so become able to turn into beasts such as the werewolf with usage of power-ups...
(arcade) - Congo BongoCongo BongoCongo Bongo is an isometric platform arcade game released by Sega in 1983. Strong evidence from analysis of the game's ROM claim that Ikegami Tsushinki also did development work on Congo Bongo. The game has come to be seen as Sega's answer to the highly successful Donkey Kong game that was...
(arcade) (under original title "Tip Top" in some regions) - Fantasy ZoneFantasy Zonethumb|Fantasy Zone arcade PCB is a surreal arcade game released by Sega in 1986. It was later ported to a wide variety of consoles, including the Sega Master System. The player controls a sentient spaceship named Opa-Opa who fights nonsensical invader enemies in the titular group of planets, full...
(arcade) - Golden Axe WarriorGolden Axe Warrioris an action-adventure spin-off of the popular Golden Axe video game series. The game was released on the Sega Master System in 1991. The game follows a young warrior who tries to avenge the death of his parents by exploring ten labyrinths, collecting nine missing crystals, and battling with Death...
(Sega Master System) - Phantasy Star (Sega Master System)
- ShinobiShinobi (arcade game)is a side-scrolling action game produced by Sega originally released for the arcades in . In Shinobi, the player controls a modern day ninja named Joe Musashi who goes on a mission to rescue his kidnapped students from a group of terrorists...
(arcade) - Space HarrierSpace Harrieris a third-person rail shooter game, released by Sega in 1985. It was produced by Yu Suzuki, responsible for many popular Sega games. It spawned several sequels: Space Harrier 3-D , Space Harrier II , and the spin-off Planet Harriers ....
(arcade) - ZaxxonZaxxonZaxxon is a 1982 arcade game developed and released by Sega. Some sources claim that Japanese electronics company Ikegami Tsushinki also worked on the development of Zaxxon...
(arcade)
The collection also features interviews with some of the original game developers. All items can be unlocked by earning certain Achievements (360) or Trophies (PS3).
According to Ethan Einhorn, the producer for the collection, the three "lock-on" games (Knuckles in Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and "Blue Sphere") were not included citing "tight development times", and that including them would have meant "dropping several titles from the collection altogether", specifically the aforementioned nine unlockable games since "they all required unique emulation solutions".
Additional features
As well as being able to play the games in their original aspect ratio and appearance, players also have the option of switching to a wide-screen view, as well as turn on a smoothing option akin to those featured on Mega Drive/Genesis titles released on XBLAXbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
or PSN. Titles can be arranged alphabetically, chronologically, by genre, or by player-assigned rating. Each Mega Drive/Genesis game also has a "museum" similar to the previous Sega Genesis Collection
Sega Genesis Collection
The Sega Mega Drive Collection is a video game compilation for the PlayStation 2 and PSP, compiled and emulated by Digital Eclipse and released in the U.S. in 2006 and Europe and Australia in 2007...
that consists of information, trivia, box art, and cartridge art.
Reception
The compilation received mostly positive reviews. IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
gave Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection a 9.0/10 score and an Editor's Choice Award, praising the addition of a rating system for each game and the Streets of Rage series, among other things. Greg Miller of IGN said that he "can't recommend this game enough". Retro Gamer
Retro Gamer
Retro Gamer is a British magazine, published worldwide, covering retro video games. It was the first commercial magazine to be devoted entirely to the subject. Although launched as a quarterly publication, Retro Gamers soon became a monthly...
rated the game 98%. It also received the award for Best Anthology in GameShark's Game of the Year Awards 2009.
Sega Mega Drive LP Vinyl
Sega Mega Drive Vinyl is a soundtrack featuring music from the games in this compilation and was only made available in Australia and New Zealand. The release was limited to 3500 copies worldwide with each one being numbered. Vinyl #0002 has been auctioned on a New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
auction website TradeMe
TradeMe
Trade Me is the largest Internet-auction website operating in New Zealand. Managed by Trade Me Ltd the site was founded in 1999 by New Zealand entrepreneurSam Morgan who sold it to Fairfax in 2006 for NZ$700 million...
for the Starship Children's Health
Starship Children's Health
Starship Children's Health, opened in 1991, is one of the first purpose-built children's hospitals in New Zealand, and the largest such facility in the country...
foundation.