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Missed Opportunity: Creating Our Own Sega Genesis Collection
Written by Robert Falcon on Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Sega Genesis Collection is sweet, but it could have been so much sweeter. Here's how...
Last week, we reviewed Sega's classic compilation Sega Genesis Collection for the Sony PSP. While the game is flying high in terms of extras, playability, and sharp emulation, we can't help but think the boat was somewhat missed when it came to game selections. Golden Axe III? Ecco Jr.? Gain Ground? Some mistakes were made, but not enough to throw off the collection's likeability. Regardless, we got to thinking. What if we put together our own Sega Genesis Collection? What games would we possibly include that haven't been thrown in already? Here now are some of the selections we'd like to see in a second edition, or a full-blown sequel...
Gunstar Heroes- Sega hasn't forgotten about this game. Why do you think they went to such great lengths to get Treasure to work on Gunstar Super Heroes for the Game Boy Advance? (Lest we forget the forthcoming Virtual Console release of this game either.) So it'd be great if Sega included the original game somewhere in handheld form. Its balance of non-stop action and insane presentation make it a must-play for everyone, from casual players who never touched a shooter before to hardcore fans who don't mind a good challenge and all seven of Green's wicked transformations. This is a classic that deserves adoring, and hopefully Sega will give it its due the next time around.
Pulseman- Look, if we're going to throw in obscure titles that no one's ever heard of or even cares about (like Golden Axe III, which didn't even get a domestic release on the Genesis), then maybe Pulseman deserves a chance. This game is a platforming adventure featuring an electrically charged hero who can use bolts and attacks to his credit as he battles menaces throughout the city. The game features simplistic but cute Japanese design, great sound effects, and tight controls. Anyone who appreciates a good platformer shouldn't be without it.
Alien Soldier- Here's another Treasure game that made the cut, a game that never got a US release but deserves the nod anyway. This is another great action game from the studio, but different from what Gunstar offered. Players control a lone soldier with unique weapon power-ups as he battles boss enemy after boss enemy in an attempt to survive. The game features some of the best graphics the Genesis hardware has ever seen, and the gameplay is challenging enough to keep pros coming back at it.
Zero Wing- This one might ring familiar to you, even if you've never played it. That's because it has the infamous "all your base are belong to us", which launched a phenomenon a couple of years back. Despite the horrid translation, this shooting game is actually quite fun, filled with tough bosses, power-ups that can have their power multiplied several times, and the ability to grab enemies and launch them into harm's way. The graphics and music are terrific (for Genesis standards), and two players can jump in at once. Do it, Sega. Include it. For every zig! Great justice!
After Burner II- Don't be fooled, this is really just After Burner redone for the Sega Genesis. But nonetheless, this is an arcade classic worth getting excited about. Players fly a jet through the air, shooting down enemy jets while avoiding missiles and rogue fire. This 3-D game is certainly exciting, and putting it in a Genesis collection would ramp us up for the forthcoming After Burner: Black Falcon game coming to PSP's next year. C'mon, Sega!
Disney's Aladdin- Call Disney and get the license. Persuade and make sure they understand what's being done and I'm pretty sure they'll cave. To misinclude a platforming work of genius like Aladdin is a pure crime. This game features solid cel-animation straight from the hit Disney film, as well as terrific controls (courtesy of David Perry and the team at Virgin) and tons of extras. And no, you don't have to kiss the monkey. The girl, of course, but not the monkey.
Beyond Oasis- The Phantasy Star games are fun, to be sure, but if you're up for a quest game that features a heaping amount of action, Beyond Oasis isn't to be missed. Featuring exquisite graphics, a fine soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro, and enthralling gameplay, this game has an adventure that's well worth completing, as well as many side associates to pick up along the way. Good times!
MIchael Jackson's Moonwalker- All right, so this may be asking a bit much considering the history of Mr. Moonwalker. But nonetheless, this is a fun, classic platformer with all kinds of dance grooves and moves to help Michael rescue the children from gangsters. Does it make sense? No. Bubbles even shows up to help out. But it's fun getting everyone on the screen to dance them into oblivion. OWWW!
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles- The first two Sonic games have been given their due, and now it's time for the next two to step up. Sonic 3 is quite simply one of the best Sonic games ever made, with wonderful power-ups and stellar gameplay additions that enhance the adventure. Knuckles isn't too bad either, featuring new bonus stages and the ability to play as both Sonic and Knuckles. C'mon, Sega, you know you want to give them love.
Streets of Rage and Streets of Rage 2- For the courtesy of those who remember this series, we won't mention Streets of Rage 3. However, the first two games stand out as class-act brawlers. The first introduced the series in great fashion, a fun-playing alternative to Final Fight. The second, however, is where the series really took off, with higher detail, two new fighters, and tons of special moves. This game series deserves some kind of release, period.
Lightening Force and Thunder Force II- Shooter fans would agree with both of these shooter entries, straight from the people at Technosoft. Force II features overhead sequences with fast-paced action around each corner, while Lightening is the epitome of the 16-bit series, a blazing example with gorgeous graphics and tons of power-ups. These would be nice to see again, and maybe Twin Cobra and Truxton as well.
Toe Jam & Earl and Toe Jam & Earl II: Panic On Funkotron- It's all about a pair of rapping aliens trying to avoid run-ins with bothersome earthlings, ranging from ducks carrying around a tomato cannon to a present-hogging Santa Claus. The first game is a masterpiece, a two-player exploration-style game with lots of items and sweet graphics and sound. The second game, however, takes a more typical side-scrolling approach, but keeps the humor level and gameplay just as fresh.
Virtua Racing- Somehow, Sega was able to cram the arcade experience of Virtua Racing into a massive SVP-fueled cartridge for enjoyable 16-bit racing action. That's why it would be nice to see it again. Virtua Racing doesn't have any amazing tricks up its sleeve to make it stand out alongside today's racing opuses, but it's still a lot of fun, especially when players whoosh from the sky view all the way down to inside the cockpit. 16-bit racing never looked so good.
X-Men and X-Men 2: Clone Wars- While we're on the "wishful thinking" list of things, we'd like to talk up X-Men. When the Marvel Comics heroes were in Sega's camp, they were treated with respect in both of these side-scrolling action titles. The second game, Clone Wars, features some more characters than the original game, as well as slightly better graphics and gameplay. But both adventures are worth enduring, especially when you consider how sad modern-day X-Men action games have become. (Note; we aren't including the X-Men Legends games.)
World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse- Last but not least, we have these two Disney classic platformers. Castle features Mickey Mouse working through various levels, including creepy forests and a magical toyland, in an attempt to rescue Minnie from an evil queen. It's lots of fun, but the sequel, World of Illusion, is even more entertaining. Players can choose Mickey or Donald- or both- as they explore a magical world filled with treacherous obstacles. The fun part about World is that it can be completed three different ways- with Mickey, with Donald, or with both of them cooperatively. Despite having to get a Disney license to re-release these games, Sega should consider the movie- it'd be worth it.
posted November 29, 2006