A Better Selection
While the featured games (Sonic CD, Sonic the Fighter, and Sonic R) aren't out of place for a compilation on more "rarer" games, this game doesn't entirely represent that. Aside from those games, the rest of the games are Game Gear games that have been released either closely around with Sonic Mega Collection Plus (PS2 and Xbox) and/or were featured as unlockables in Sonic Adventure DX: Directors Cut. Even more interestingly is that Sonic Adventure DX: Directors Cut actually had twice as many Game Gear games there than this game. The only difference was that in this game, you were able to save the progress of the games and create save states for those games. An upgrade, I suppose, but not quite enough. The last two games are the unlockable games Vectorman and Vectorman 2. It's not hard to unlock those games, trust me. The compilation should've featured more actual obscure/unavailable games like Knuckles Chaotix, SegaSonic the Hedgehog (Arcade), Sonic 3D Blast (Sega Saturn version), the Sonic Jam overworld from the Sega Saturn title, and Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (Neo Geo Pocket Color). That alone would've been nicer inclusions that would've easily compensated for the Game Gear games. Although Tails Adventure and Sonic Blast could stay because the players would have to pretty much 100% the game to unlock those games in Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut. The raising of Chao has issues regarding length and its monotonous effects on the gameplay, at least for me. There were even people who were upset that the three Streets of Rage and Bonanza Bros game weren't included in the North American localization. Needless to say, this compilation probably felt like a wasted opportunity and unsatisfying to some people, and it makes sense why. The Game Gear games weren't bad inclusions, but in a compilation game where its theme is "hidden gems", people expected a bit more. It's also probably why the PS2 version of this game wasn't published in North America (because the PS2 Sonic Mega Collection Plus), although I can't be certain. But even then, they should've included more rarer games that weren't published before/closely with another compilation. Heck, maybe one or two more obscure games that aren't about Sonic. For even with the copious amount of unlockable extras, it could have been more. But even with that said, the headlining titles are fun, and most of the other titles are actually enjoyable. So take that for what you will.
Reviewed by: Ryan P from Edwardsburg, MI on 12/21/2018
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