Sonic Mega Collection. Warning to all Sonic Fans who already own all the old sonics. There is nothing new here. All that is in Sonic Mega Collection is 7 Sonic games and a few secrets. The games play just as they did for the genesis as well. In fact, this collection is not a port as many think, Sonic Team programmed the disk to work as an emulator of the genesis, and they are just roms. Very well made roms, but roms non the less. No new secrets are added to the games, no new graphic overhauls, nothing at all. In fact, there is no level select (minus the cheat codes that is) so don't go buying this looking for such. If you already own all the Sonics, I suggest only buying this if you are a fan and want a collection. Of course, if you already own all the Sonics, you probably are a big sonic fan, so what am I saying, go out and buy it right away. The disk does come packed with secrets like art of all the characters, little bios on them, the history of Sonic, and the covers of all the Sonic comics. Yes, just the covers, so don't think you could read every comic (over 200 if you wanted to know) by buying the game. Yes the game also has some extra games, but they are unlockable only.

Now for the games. I guess I should review each game separately, so here goes:

Sonic The Hedgehog (Yes it is The with a capital T, Sonic's creator, Yuji Naka, copyrighted Sonic's name and made 'The' his middle name.) was a pretty good game all in all. Sure there were some basic flaws with the game, like jumping when you ran uphill and all that jazz, but still, it gave Mario a run for his money back in the day, and is still fun to play. Simplistic gaming that focuses more on running fast than platformers made the game different and fun.

Sonic 2 improved Sonic 1 in most every way. The levels were still quite fun and now Miles "Tails" Prower followed Sonic around everywhere, being dumb. It allowed to charge up your spin to make it around loop-dee-loops when you slowed down, which was extremely helpful. Still, between Sonic 1 and Sonic 3, I would have to rate Sonic 2 as worst. Not bad in its own right, but worst of the three.

Sonic 3 was a masterpiece. While Sonic 2 didn't really add anything new to the gameplay, Sonic 3 doesn't either. But it adds a new nemesis, Knuckles the Echidna. It also allows for saving your progress, which is a relief. But all in all, Sonic 3 had the best levels, and Sonic had a new, slicker look to him. Still extremely fun and extremely fast. Sonic 3 is the best Sonic ever. (Minus Sonic CD which isn't included in this collection, since the collection only has Genesis games, and CD was a Sega CD game, the only good one I might add.)

Next is Sonic and Knuckles. This game allowed you to play as either Sonic or Knuckles in harder (think Mario Lost Levels) levels. It also allowed you to play Sonic 2 and 3 with Knuckles, who can glide and climb walls. But you have to unlock that.

Sonic 3D Blast is dumb. Fake 3-D Sonic that looks like a bad version of Mario RPG without the RPG. Play it only when bored or stoned, or both.

Sonic Spinball. I can just hear the proposition for this game. Sonic spins fast right? Yeah. He bounces around on all sorts of stuff right? Yeah. We put pinball like levels in Sonic already right? Yeah. What about a game where all you do is control the pinball rudders and let Sonic bounce around? Wow Bob, that's the dumbest idea ever. Thanks, but marketing already approved and the game ships tomorrow. Oh well, hopefully the drugged-up American youth won't even notice.

Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. Worst name for a game ever. Acceptably good game, but whenever I play it I crave Puzzle Fighter. If you don't have Puzzle Fighter, get it. If you can't get it, play that game I just mentioned. I don't want to write it again.

What liked: Sonic 1- Knuckles. Feeling like I am 8 again.

What disliked: Listening to the Genesis music. Not being able to save. Sonic 3D blast and Sonic Spinball.

What to expect: The games on the Genesis with loading times.

What not to expect: Anything new.

What's so different from this and other games of it's genre: Sonic is a genre. It is all the Sonic games. Don't expect anything different.

Ratings on:

Control: 9 - responsive to a fault.

Graphics: 8 - I'm rating on a Genesis scale. Translated perfectly so that there are no glitches or flaws.

Sound: 3 - I can't listen to Genesis music anymore.

Style: 8 - Sonic has always oozed with style. This game records all his good moments, as well as sadly, all his bad ones too.

1st hour: 10 - Yay! Sonic!

5th hour: 4 - Now I remember why I hate Sonic games. I've gone thru all the good ones and keep dying. I need some more practice.

1st week: 2 - Eww, Sonic 3D Blast, keep your shirt on, that's gross.

5th week: 5 - Good to pick up every now and then, don't expect to put a lot of time into it though.

#1 reason why I hate this game: Where's my Sonic CD? Where's my saving options? You suck Sonic Team! No, I don't mean that, I promise! I love you and all your games, well except for Sonic 3D...

by Hawke