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.
Contest:
12:21 PM on 11.06.2008
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Also, as far as the "new visual richness" goes, as I've said elsewhere I'd prefer an option to get as close to the original crispness of low resolution as possible, but that's hardly my foremost concern.
At least it looks to be rather cheap - Gamestop lists pre-orders at 30 bucks.
It's one of the most immersive and original games on the Genesis!
Ditto
DO A SEGA SATURN ONE, MAYBE A PANZER DRAGOON/SAGA COMPILATION?
TRY THINKING FOR ONCE.
I believe this is the full list that was posted:
Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Alien Storm
Altered Beast
Beyond Oasis
Bonanza Bros.
Columns
Comix Zone
Decap Attack starring Chuck D. Head
Dr. Robotnik's MBM
Dynamite Headdy
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco II: The Tides of Time
E-SWAT
Fatal Labyrinth
Flicky
Gain Ground
Golden Axe I
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Kid Chameleon
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
Ristar
Shining in the Darkness
Shining Force
Shining Force 2
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic and Knuckles
Sonic Spinball
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 3
Super Thunder Blade
Vectorman
Vectorman 2
Since I missed out on the Sega consoles, I'm really excited for this collection! But why include Phantasy Star 2, 3 and 4 but not the first one? It kinda makes it incomplete... Also, Gunstar Heroes would be nice.
Here here!
And why don't they put Sonic CD on these things most of the time? :(
I'm in.
sonic the hedgehog HD <original title, remember you saw it here first :]
As for Gunstar, it is a somewhat odd omission, especially seeing as they managed to get Dynamite Headdy on there, but if you import for the PS2 you can snag the Sega Ages Treasure Box, which includes both of the aforementioned games, plus Alien Soldier.
In any case, there are very few games listed here which I don't already have on one compilation or another, so I'll likely pass.
Yeah, Phantasy Star is a Master System game, so it's not listed. Given the mention of bonus content from their arcade and Master System libraries, though, I'd say it's likely to be on the disc. Zaxxon, Altered Beast arcade version are also likely to be included.
I like how they're deliberately not releasing it for Wii. Hooray Virtual Console, where you can fill up your limited memory for the privilege of 80 dollars for 10 of the listed games.
No Knuckles Chaotix (I know it was 32X but it was an addon for the Mega Drive/Genesis)
No Rocket Knight Adventures or Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures II?
No other Alex Kidd games? (I know all except Enchanted Castle were on the Master System)
I might still consider getting it tbh, but its a disappointment that neither of the above games made it onto the list
Yeah I'm getting sick of these "collections" where there's only like a dozen games. Of course I understand different developpers and shit but bleeeeh. I might get this pack just so have a good pack of old games playable on my TV without having to plug my ancient consoles all over again.
Damn near 30 games, most of them considered among the best for the Sega and you guys are whining about not there not being enough games?
Christ, gamers are a whiny lot, its a 30 dollar compilation with a shitload of games you can never find now, Hell Sonic 1, 2 and Streets of Rage 2 would cost around 15 if you bought on XBL.
Hell buying them off the internet, all of them would cost more than 30 bucks. And you guys are whining that you want more.
Bunch of bitchy little babies.
Plus, they should release Super Monaco GP.