Sonic Mega Collection Plus

"Let it be known the “Sonic” series is my all-time favorite. This game is a Godsend."

There are many series dear to my heart. Dead or Alive, Metal Gear Solid, Gradius, of course, Mario. Yet none, not even Mario, can equal my love for the speedy blue Hedgehog. This series was the first I ever played, and I will always remember my playing this game. I remember my Uncle and my cousins, who introduced me to videogames. I was probably three years old, I recall watching my Uncle beating Sonic 1. I stayed up so late, watching him play. I remember countless times, falling asleep to him playing videogames. It was the Sonic series that made me who I am today. If not for Sonic, Tails, and the evil Dr. Robotnik, I would be a much different person, with differing viewpoints on many things. I shudder when I think of what may have happened if Sonic had never entered my life so many years ago. I'm glad, to say the least, that it worked out this way, that is for sure.

If you can't tell by the title of this game, this is a collection of Sonic games. It includes 7 Genesis titles (Sonic, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, Sonic and Knuckles, Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic Spinball, and lastly, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine). Those games are the best Sonic games ever. Sonic was far cooler during the Genesis days. Sure, Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 were good, I liked Heroes, but nothing can measure up to the greatness of 16-Bit Sonic. Each and every game on this collection is amazing. Some better than others, but all good. Even if you own every single one of theses games, I still suggest getting this collection. Any true fan should own it.

Graphics--10/10
The graphics remain unaltered and are in their classic 16-Bit glory. The Sonic series always had amazing graphics, on a limited capability system. The colors are bright and vibrant, the backgrounds look great. Sonic featured 3D graphics before most other games even imagined the possibility. Sonic 2, first featured the 3D mini-game, in which you must collect coins in a circular tunnel. Then Sonic 3, also added a mini-game, in which you must jump over red balls, and jump on blue balls, in a hope to get the coveted Chaos Emerald. Sonic Team went even further when they created Sonic 3D Blast, which was a fully 3D game, on the Genesis! That game was truly amazing. When I first played it, those long years ago, I was astounded by what I saw. These Graphics may be 10+ years old. But they seem like they are the graphics of today. Easily, this category gets a 10.

Sound/Music--10/10
The music and sound of Sonic games is allows great. It is unique and refreshing. Never does it get old. The songs are long, synth-like songs. They show many great instruments, even if it is all in some MIDI form. I don't find anything better than Sonic music. It never gets old, never stale. Then, Robotnik has his own boss theme music, which strikes fear into all that hear it. The sound effects are also great. The sound of collecting rings, is still fresh in my memory. The sound of Sonic or Tails revving up for a roll. I love all things about Sonic, and the Sound/Music is simply one more great thing. A perfect score.
Controls--10/10
The controls are simple, yet great. Each button does the exact same thing. They all jump. When you hold down, and press a button, Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles starts doing their trademark Rev Roll. In Sonic 3, though, Tails and Knuckles have extras. Tails can fly, and Knuckles can glide. Sonic…yeah, he has some mediocre power move. He really got the Staff in this deal. The controls are friendly to all. Experts know the secrets of them, and rookies can pick up and play. It is fun for everyone! 10 out of 10.

Gameplay--10/10
The Sonic games are not like Mario or Megaman. They may appear like it, but it is different. In Sonic, you run through stages, at a high speed, collecting rings, beating enemies, and attempting mini-games in which the Chaos emerald is the prize. In Sonic 1, there are three stages per level. Sonic 2 and 3 feature two stages per level. The last stage of each level has a boss to fight. The boss is always Dr. Robotnik, but he has a different machine each time. He always escapes too, until you fight him in the final battle. Sonic is also good, because anyone can play. Beginners can play by just completing each stage, while veterans can locate secrets, get Chaos Emeralds, and scoring massive points. As I said before, Sonic can appease a large crowd. It can please the hardcore gamer, as well as the more casual one. For that reason, the Gameplay gets a 10 out of 10.

Replayability--10/10
This category also gets a 10. I will tell you how replayable these games are. Flashback to 1995. I was in Kindergarten. I owned a Sega Genesis, with many good games. Yet, I always was found by my family, playing one game. Sonic 2. I came home from school, everyday, ate a bologna sandwich (Yum!), and played Sonic 2. I beat it almost daily, and it still never got old. These memories, are the reason as to why I know, with my whole heart, that Sonic is the greatest videogame series ever created. I played Mario as a youngster, too. Super Mario World was always fun. Yet, I always found myself going back the Genesis, with Sonic and his gang. Sonic has been keeping me occupied for my entire life. For that, this category gets a 10 out of 10.

Whenever someone asks me, “What is your favorite game of all time?” I always answer the same. Sonic 2. When someone asks “What is your favorite console of all time?” I always answer the same. Sega Genesis. People call me a Sega fan-boy, but I am not. I am actually a Sonic fan. One of the biggest out there. I follow him anywhere, the Genesis, the GameGear, the Saturn, the Dreamcast, the Gamecube, the Gameboy Advance, the Playstation 2, the Xbox, the DS. Hopefully soon, the PSP. So, I am no fan-boy, I am a Sonic fan. No matter what system, I will always follow.

Sonic shall live forever!!!

*does HBK pose, with a Sonic picture behind, as blue fireworks go off*

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/27/06