Sonic Gems Collection

A Treasure Chest of Rare Gems

JP release: 11th August 2005
NA release: 16th August 2005
EU release: 30th September 2005
Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega
NGC Magazine Score: 59%
Mods Used: None

This collection was a big thing when it came out: multiple Sonic games that were previously difficult to get hold of, including what was essentially a lost classic Sonic game, Sonic CD. We were teased with the intro for the game in the Mega Collection, and now we can finally play it. We also got a bunch of Game Gear games and a few bonus Mega Drive games, depending on region.

Sonic the Fighters

When Sega created Fighting Vipers, someone created versions of Sonic and Tails to be secret fighters. Sega liked this idea, but figured they could do more, so the code to select them was removed (fans have since figured out how to access them) and a full on Sonic fighting game was created, using Fighting Vipers as a base.

Sonic the Fighters is a 3D fighting game with some rather lovely looking stages. It’s a pretty competent arcade fighter and even has some unique characters.

Sonic CD

The fabled “lost” Sonic game. I remember getting to play this on the GameCube for the first time and was just completely and utterly lost, as none of the game’s mechanics made sense for me. While you can rush to the end of the level (as the ticking clock implies you have to do), but you’ll get a bad ending. Instead, you have to explore through multiple time zones.

You start off in the present and can use an awkward time travel mechanic (you have to maintain speed on levels that don’t seem designed to do so) to travel to the past and future. If you manage to track down the Robot Generator, you can save the future and obtain a good ending.

While this game is loved by some, I just don’t get on with this at all. The exploration just doesn’t fit Sonic’s controls at all and the levels are just a complete mess, both visually and from a layout standpoint. I don’t think this is a good game. And this version doesn’t even let you let you choose the better version of the game’s soundtrack.

Sonic R

The infamous Sega Saturn racing game. It’s a racing game that consists of only five tracks and some truly terrible controls. You play as Sonic and co on foot (although Amy and Dr Robotnik are in vehicles), dashing around levels with branching paths, and parts where you can just ignore obstacles – there’s a loop in the first level you can just run around.

There are rings to collect, which allow you to use boosts (which concert all your rings into speed) and open doors for shortcuts. There’s a chaos emerald hidden behind some of these, so you’ll need to collect plenty of rings and avoid the boosts to be able to find it, and then go on and win. Just make sure you don’t pick a vehicle based character. You’ll need to jump to make it to some areas, and these characters can’t jump.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-bit)

The Master System Sonic 2 was a big let down from the first Master System Sonic game, and the Game Gear version is worse. It has massive screen crunch problems, meaning that you can’t see obstacles in time to react. It will never be stated enough that Sega should be including Master System versions of games in these compilations.

Sonic Spinball (8-bit)

A pretty dreary port of the Mega Drive game. It’s very slow, has naff physics and the levels are broken up into segments.

Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble

A Sonic platformer designed specifically for the Game Gear rather than a Master System port. As a result, the game is much better suited to the tiny display and this ends up being a lot of fun.

Sonic Drift 2

The first Sonic Drift was boring, the sequel gives us interesting obstacles and mechanics to every level and makes it into an enjoyable racer.

Tails Skypatrol

An immensely difficult side scrolling space shooter where you play as Tails throwing rings. The rings can also latch onto objects to move Tails around.

Tails Adventure

An exploration based platformer that’s sort of a Metroidvania. You’ll have to explore levels to find new items to progress through the game. One issue is you can only carry a couple of items at a time so you’ll have to constantly leave levels to swap items.

Vectortman (NA/EU)

A very stylish side scrolling platformer shooter. It has impressive graphics for the console with convincing 3D-like effects.

Vectorman 2 (NA/EU)

Vectorman returns with more transformation and more action, with more variety between levels

Bonanza Bros (JP)

[details here]

Streets of Rage (JP)

The start of a classic franchise. It’s a side scrolling co-op beat-’em-up that’s a lot of fun. As it was made specifically for the Mega Drive, it felt like a full on arcade game at home. The only reason this wasn’t talked about is…

Streets of Rage 2 (JP)

Because of how much cooler the sequel was, with some astonishing music and just lots of great looking levels

Streets of Rage 3 (JP)

[Streets of Rage]

There’s also lots of artwork to unlock in the Sega Museum, with lots of great designs to see. You can also play sections of a bunch of other Sonic games (although generally just the final boss) that were in Mega Collection.

It’s definitely an interesting collection, with more obscure, unknown or just rarer games. But, ultimately, the games included aren’t really that good, especially the three headliners. The Streets of Rage trilogy (which were exclusive to the Japan version) outclass everything else on the disc.

Fine

Completely underwhelming all round. If you have to but a Sonic Collection, the other previous one is far superior. to start with, the games on that disc are actually pretty decent and, as an added bonus, extra like Flicky and Ristar really round the package off.
Geraint Evans, NGC Magazine #112

Remake or remaster?

While these games aren’t the best, compilations should include poorer received games.

Official Ways to get the game

There’s no official way to buy Sonic Gems Collection. However, Sonic the Fighters is available on Xbox or elsewhere via the Yakuza Spin-off Lost Judgement, Sonic CD is in Sonic Origins and Sonic R is on PC. The Game Gear games are in Sonic Origins Plus. The bonus games are also on Steam.