When I saw this announcement in my inbox, I burst out laughing. Sega has released so many Mega Drive/Genesis compilations over the years that seeing a brand new one just gets funnier and funnier.

Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection -- due early 2009 -- does, to be fair, look like the most comprehensive one yet. It is also developed by Backbone, who did a solid job with the Genesis XBLA ports, even if they left in the old glitches. One also can't blame Sega for wanting to relive the Mega Drive days. It's like an old retired boxer who still polishes his championship belt and rambles drunkenly to kids about the days when Smasher Watkins was king.

Anyway, as always you can expect the usual games to put in an appearance. Whole franchises are more roundly represented as well, with the first three Sonic games and all three Streets of Rage titles appearing. Alien Storm and Space Harrier are also confirmed, along with the unfortunate inclusion of Ecco the crappy Dolphin.

I am a Sega whore so I am interested in how good this is, although I really don't need another copy of Sonic the Hedgehog. Just make sure the brand new Sonic is good and I won't need to keep firing up versions of the original titles.

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (November 3, 2008) – SEGA® of Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc today announced the development of SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. This compilation will feature the best first-party games from SEGA’s respected 16-bit Mega Drive years, as well as bonus content from its 8-bit Master System and 1980’s arcade era games library.

 

“SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection is a must-have for any SEGA enthusiast,” commented Gary Knight, European Marketing Director for SEGA Europe. “Fans will get a chance to relive fond memories from these classic games in HD format.”

 

Developed by Backbone Entertainment, SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection contains over 40 celebrated SEGA classics in one package; making it the largest collection of SEGA first party games ever offered. Featured games include; Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2 and 3, Columns, Alien Storm, Ecco the Dolphin, Space Harrier, and cult classic, Streets of Rage 1, 2 and 3. The games in the collection have been reproduced with the utmost detail and accuracy to commend their originals. In addition, SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection can output the games in 720p with higher resolution graphics for HD televisions, bringing a new visual richness to these classic titles.

 

SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 is scheduled for worldwide release in early 2009.