History.
Got me to play the og sonic games
Perhaps THE game that properly made me a real Sonic fan, even though I was, at the time, stuck on the PS2. I never grew up with any SEGA consoles (or, even the Gamecube) back in the day, so playing ANY Sonic game growing up while it was mostly exclusive was a very rare and delightful treat. I would always just barely catch scant few episodes of the variety of Sonic cartoons that played during the 90s, and was vaguely aware of the Archie Sonic comics. I loved the "Blue Blur", but it was a very distant fondness, once upon a time never to be properly bridged.
Then, upon the announcement of Sonic Heroes and the sudden realization that Sonic as an IP was going to be available to everyone, becoming a full fledged fan for me was no longer just some distant dream. I finally felt justified in my appreciation, no longer just some limited little kid that seldomly played some pretty cool games about an equally cool protagonist.
THIS game was the first Sonic game I actually ever bought and owned. Booting it up and being able to enjoy one of the most complete "core" Sonic experiences at the time, with some extras (Archie Sonic comic scans, concept art, history on the series and the character, among other things) and even extensive previews of Sonic Heroes, made for quite the over indulgent, but incredibly satisfying, video gaming adventure.
There is something so nostalgic about this compilation that was apparent from the first run, with its comfy selection of non-game tracks (including the exceptionally melancholy "History Menu" track), the transition animations, gameplay previews when you highlight games, and the apparent amount of love and care the just pours through everywhere you look and everything you look at. And, the games themselves, as far as I was aware, played exactly as I remembered the scant few I did manage to try on the rare occasions I had access to a Genesis or GameGear. Even the ones I've never played, and despite the face I was on a PS2 controller, they still played beautifully on their own accord anyway.
Sure, there's some fluff in the collection, including some less than stellar spin-off titles that were brought in that I didn't care too much for... but considering I'm one of the few that actually really likes Sonic Spin-Ball (and was really glad it was in the collection), who am I to judge what games should and shouldn't have been included? There might be someone out there that really liked Sonic 3D Blast or Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, and were absolutely thrilled to know they were part of the collection.
Point is... I don't think it's the perfect Sonic Collection. There's some titles I wish that could have been part of the collection, and some titles that I could have done without. But what IS there, especially the sheer reverence for the history of Sonic as a character and a franchise, has such an infectious charm and warmth that it's hard to say anything negative about it.
If you have a 6th gen console, like a PS2, and you're a Sonic Fan, track this title down. It's still worth it, even after all these years and after other compilations have come and gone.
As for me? I'll let this game's nostalgia wash over me like warm water on a sunny beach.
Then, upon the announcement of Sonic Heroes and the sudden realization that Sonic as an IP was going to be available to everyone, becoming a full fledged fan for me was no longer just some distant dream. I finally felt justified in my appreciation, no longer just some limited little kid that seldomly played some pretty cool games about an equally cool protagonist.
THIS game was the first Sonic game I actually ever bought and owned. Booting it up and being able to enjoy one of the most complete "core" Sonic experiences at the time, with some extras (Archie Sonic comic scans, concept art, history on the series and the character, among other things) and even extensive previews of Sonic Heroes, made for quite the over indulgent, but incredibly satisfying, video gaming adventure.
There is something so nostalgic about this compilation that was apparent from the first run, with its comfy selection of non-game tracks (including the exceptionally melancholy "History Menu" track), the transition animations, gameplay previews when you highlight games, and the apparent amount of love and care the just pours through everywhere you look and everything you look at. And, the games themselves, as far as I was aware, played exactly as I remembered the scant few I did manage to try on the rare occasions I had access to a Genesis or GameGear. Even the ones I've never played, and despite the face I was on a PS2 controller, they still played beautifully on their own accord anyway.
Sure, there's some fluff in the collection, including some less than stellar spin-off titles that were brought in that I didn't care too much for... but considering I'm one of the few that actually really likes Sonic Spin-Ball (and was really glad it was in the collection), who am I to judge what games should and shouldn't have been included? There might be someone out there that really liked Sonic 3D Blast or Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, and were absolutely thrilled to know they were part of the collection.
Point is... I don't think it's the perfect Sonic Collection. There's some titles I wish that could have been part of the collection, and some titles that I could have done without. But what IS there, especially the sheer reverence for the history of Sonic as a character and a franchise, has such an infectious charm and warmth that it's hard to say anything negative about it.
If you have a 6th gen console, like a PS2, and you're a Sonic Fan, track this title down. It's still worth it, even after all these years and after other compilations have come and gone.
As for me? I'll let this game's nostalgia wash over me like warm water on a sunny beach.