Sonic Mega Collection

"Awesome Game! Worth Everyone's Money!"

This is a review on Sonic Mega Collection for the Gamecube, not the Plus edition for the PS2 and Xbox. Sonic Mega Collection features seven Sega Genesis Sonic Games, plus a couple of unlockable games. The Games are Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, Sonic and Knuckles, Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic Spinball, and Dr. Robotnicks Mean Bean Machine.

Sonic 1: 8/10
The game that started it all! Run at high speeds along 7 different zones. This game can be a little bit difficult for new gamers to the series. There are also special stages were you can collect chaos emeralds.

Sonic 2: 10/10
The best game on the disc in my opinion. 11 different zones, the inclusion of Tails, and some of the best level design in the entire series. One of the best parts of the game is your reward for collecting all the chaos emeralds. Another cool part about this game and Sonic 3 is that a second player can control Tails to help you collect rings, defeat enemies, and get in your way.

Sonic 3: 8/10
This game introduced Knuckles, and keeps all the high speed thrills in session. The only bad thing about this game is you get punished for going fast in the later stages. You will be running and they will throw in a random enemy in front of you. This is also the only game in the collection to offer a save function.

Sonic and Knuckles: 9/10
A continueation off of Sonic 3. This time you can play as either Sonic or Knuckles. Knuckles can glide and climb up walls leading into more secrets. Playing as either character will take you to different stages and fighting other bosses.

Sonic 3D Blast: 6/10
Sonic's first attempt in the 3D world! You run around the worlds, defeat enemies, and collect Flickies. There are a couple of problems with this game. One problem is that the isometric point of view can make jumps one one of the most frusterating experiences ever. The other problem with this game is that when you get hit, your flickies will scatter everywhere, sometimes into lavapits.

Sonic Spinball: 4/10
The worst game on the disc! You use Sonic as a pinball to collect the chaos emeralds on each table and eventually fight the boss. The problem with this game is you need a lot of patience. Sonic moves really fast on the table and its really hard to get Sonic to go the direction that you want him to go. Its not all bad though, the boss battles are both fun and creative.

Dr. Robotnick's Mean Bean Machine: 9/10
The only puzzle game of the bunch! You need to line up four of the same colors of beans in order to remove them off your screen. You can also create chains to send to your opponent. This is the perfect game to get away from the platform games. The added 2P mode is the best Vs. mode on the collection. The only downside of this game is that the single player mode can get tough by the third stage.

So I reviewed each of the games seperately, now its time to rate the graphics, sound, and extras, as well the problems.

Graphics: 9/10
You can't judge these games by today's standard. They were Genesis games made 15 years ago. Luckily the games were really good looking back then. They were bright and colorful. The only bad graphics are in Sonic 3D Blast. Staring at that game long enough can produce plenty of headaches.

Sound: 9/10
There is tons of awesome music in this game. From Chemical Plant Zone to Marble Garden Zone, most of the music in the game fits in with what your playing. The one exception is Sonic Spinball, in which the music in that game was horrible. The Sound effects in this game were also well executed.

Controls: 10/10
You move your character with the analog stick or with the D-pad, and in most game you hit A to jump. Easy enough right. Moving with the analog stick feels well and is superior the clunky D-pad.

Extras: 10/10
There are the manuals to each of the games as well as some of the unlockable games. There are also Sonic comic book covers, including a readable version of the first Sonic comics. There are some pictures of Sonic and friends, also there are movies, including the Sonic CD beginning and ending.

There are two problems with this game. The first problem is how you unlock games. In order to unlock a game, you must play certain games a certain amount of times. Lets say you wanted to unlock Sonic 3 and Knuckles, you would need to play Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles 20 times each. The highlight to this is that entering a game and then exiting counts as a playthrough resulting in fast unlockables. The other problem is that you can't save through the games, meaning you must dedicate over an hour to play these games, excluding Sonic 3.

+ Awesome deal for your money.
+ Most games are instant classics.
+ Unlockable games.
+ 2P games.
+ Most games have awesome cheats.
+ Controls Well
+ Sounds and looks nice.
- Couple of non classics.
- Lame unlocking system.
- No save system (except Sonic 3)

When you have a chance buy or play this game. Sonic the Hedgehog's Genesis days were some of the best days in videogame history.

I'll give this game a 10/10.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/10/09

Game Release: Sonic Mega Collection (US, 11/10/02)