If you thought this was already a great compilation to to have for the PS2, it gets even better on a handheld.
After the success of the Classics Collection, SEGA does it again and this time bringing us the goodness that was the Genesis (or MegaDrive, as I knew it for the longest time).
The Genesis, dating from 1989, was the first 16-bit system and at that point set a standard for games to come. SEGA Genesis Collection reproduces several titles that made our delights back then and adds to them with a museum feature and a series of unlockables.
Once you start browsing the main menu you find 28 games ranging from platformers to RPGs, which under a single cartridge is already a bargain. Among others, you will find Columns, all three Golden Axe titles, Phantasy Star II, III and IV, three Ecco games, Ristar, Virtua Fighter 2, Sword of Vermillion, Altered Beast, Kid Chameleon, Alex Kidd and Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2. The greatest thing for me was finding games that I had never heard of among the familiar faces I used to play many years ago. That's why I like compilations, because there will always be something new to me. Yes, because I didn't play that many games back in the 90's (in Portugal, of all places, it's like a dead end for games over there most of the time).
Of the ones I was familiar with, Golden Axe was probably my favorite. I remember playing it occasionally on arcades, but a friend gave me a PC version and I didn't seem to ever get tired of it. Obviously, it was the first thing I fired up on the PSP, followed by a quick Columns game (which I used to play on the GameGear), and a bit of Sonic to boot. Mind you, I'm probably the slowest Sonic player in history, but I still enjoy it at my own pace.
Games that I have never played before are usually fun to try out, and this was no exception. Flicky, as basic as it is, for some reason is also extremely addictive and a ton of fun. Ristar initially seemed like an easier platformer than it actually is, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I was never much of a Phantasy Star person until the online one came along on the Dreamcast, but now I have no excuse to try out some of the previous episodes of the series.
All games are very well emulated, graphic and soundwise; there are no additions or distortions. However, there are wi-fi options for some of titles that offer two-player modes, either co-op (Golden Axe for example) or versus (i.e., Columns).
As added bonus, there is a Museum feature where you can read about each game's history, see some hints and even the box covers for the games, plus a series of unlockables including more games, trailers, interviews and even a cheat sheet. Want to know how to unlock some? Here you go!
Astro Blaster: Complete Comix Zone chapter 1.
Congo Bongo: Get a Chaos Emerald in Sonic.
Eliminator: Clear level 2 of Altered Beast.
Space Fury: Find the first bonus area in Ristar.
Interview with Rieko Kodama - get at least 1,000 coins in Alex Kidd.
Interview with Makoto Uchida - get at least 150,000 points in Altered Beast.
Interview with Kazou Wakihara - get at least 5,000 points in Columns Easy Arcade Mode.
If you thought this was already a great compilation to to have for the PS2, it gets even better on a handheld. There is nothing quite like turning your PSP into a mini portable Genesis no matter where you are. The emulation is great, the games are as close to the original as possible and they cover a good selection of genres, the menus are very easy to browse, and it's packed with tons of little extras that make it all the more enjoyable.
This holiday season I'll be taking this little treat on my 7-hour plane trip and everywhere else I go. I would highly recommend it as a stocking stuffer for anyone with a PSP and everyone who is old enough to reminisce about the golden days of Genesis gaming.
Review text part of Grrlgamer.com. Full review and screenshots at: http://www.grrlgamer.com/review.php?g=segagenesiscollection