Sonic Mega Collection

Sonic Mega Collection

OLD SCHOOL COOL

Protagonist:	Sonic The Hedgehog
Genre:	Video game compilation
Platforms:	Nintendo GameCube (original) PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC (Plus)
Release Date:	GameCube: NA: November 10, 2002 JP: March 7, 2003 EU: December 19, 2002 PlayStation 2, Xbox: NA: November 2, 2004 JP: December 9, 2004 EU: February 4, 2005 AU: March 20, 2005 PC: EU: March 31, 2006 NA: March 9, 2007
Developer:	Sonic Team
Publisher:	Sega
Franchise:	Sonic the Hedgehog
Next Game:	'Sonic Gems Collection

Sonic Mega Collection is a video game compilation developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega in 2002 for the GameCube. The compilation contains twelve to fourteen games (depending on region) originally released on the Sega Genesis.

An enhanced version of the game, titled Sonic Mega Collection Plus, was released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox and 2006 for PC, which, in addition to all of the Genesis games, also includes a few Game Gear games.

Games Bundled

Genesis

Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (the Knuckles version is unlockable)
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (the & Knuckles version of the game is unlockable)
Sonic Spinball
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Sonic & Knuckles
Sonic 3D Blast
Flicky (unlockable)
Blue Sphere (unlockable)
Ristar (unlockable)
Comix Zone (unlockable)
The Ooze (unlockable)

Game Gear (Plus version only)

Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic Chaos
Sonic Drift
Sonic Labyrinth
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Sonic Blast

Why It Rocks

The game itself is a throwback to pretty much all the Sega Genesis titles that Sonic has received, including some Game Gear titles. Most of these games, in the first place, have been critically acclaimed by critics and fans and considered to be some of the greatest Sonic games ever made.
The game isn't just a game compilation slapped for 20 bucks, it includes a lot of extras. Considering this, it had previews of the then-upcoming Sonic Heroes video game's cutscenes. It also had manuals of the games (at least for the main Genesis and Game Gear games) which also explained the game's controls and plot, which is helpful to newcomers of the franchise.
The emulation of all games are responsive. They play very fine no matter what the system is. If you're playing the PS2 port on a PlayStation 3, it works. If you're playing the GameCube port on the Nintendo Wii, it also works. It also applies to playing the Xbox port on the Xbox 360.
When you leave the title screen on, it then shows a cutscene involving every main Sonic game for the Sega Genesis on this game. It's there to hook you up on how much fun you're gonna have.
On the GameCube port, if you have save states for Sonic Adventure 2: Battle or Sonic Heroes, you automatically unlock a new game.
Very memorable and smooth-sounding soundtrack for the menus.
The game even has the not-so well-remembered Archie Sonic comic books to read. The best part? They are set during the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog era, which the comics themselves, are more faithful to the games.

Bad Qualities

Some mediocre games, like Sonic 3D Blast, are present, like in most Genesis compilations.
The soundbyte for the games are okay, but they sound a little different from the games (if anything, they have a little lower pitch shift than the originals). Sonic Spinball's option screen music in there has been widely criticized and considered to be one of the worst video game music ever.

Reception

Both versions of the game have been widely positive by critics and fans. IGN gave the game a 7.5 for the GameCube port while giving the Plus version a 7.8. Both versions also have the "generally favorable reviews" rating on Metacritic.