Template:Short description Template:Main other{{#invoke:infobox|infoboxTemplate | child = | subbox = | bodyclass = ib-video-game hproduct {{#ifeq:|yes|collapsible {{#if:|{{{state}}}|autocollapse}}}} | templatestyles = Infobox video game/styles.css | aboveclass = fn | italic title =
| above = Sonic Mega Collection
| image = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image={{#invoke:WikidataIB |getValue|rank=best|P18 |name=image |qid= |suppressfields= |fetchwikidata=ALL |onlysourced=no |noicon=yes|Sonic Mega Collection Coverart.png}}|size=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=1|alt=|border=|suppressplaceholder=yes}}
| caption = {{#if:Sonic Mega Collection Coverart.png||}}
| label2 = Developer(s) | data2 = Sonic Team
| label3 = Publisher(s) | data3 = Sega
| label4 = Director(s) | data4 = Yojiro Ogawa
| label5 = Producer(s) | data5 = Yuji Naka
| label6 = Designer(s) | data6 = Hideaki Moriya
| label7 = Programmer(s) | data7 = Template:If first display both
| label8 = Artist(s) | data8 = Yuji Uekawa
| label9 = Writer(s) | data9 = Template:If first display both
| label10 = Composer(s) | data10 = Hideaki Kobayashi
| label11 = Series | data11 = Sonic the Hedgehog
| label12 = Engine | data12 = Template:If first display both
| label13 = Platform(s) | data13 = GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows
| label14 = Release | data14 = GameCubeTemplate:Video game releasePlayStation 2, XboxTemplate:Video game releaseWindowsTemplate:Video game release
| label15 = Genre(s) | data15 = Various
| label16 = Mode(s) | data16 = Single-player, multiplayer
| label17 = Arcade system | data17 = Template:If first display both
| data30 =
| below = Template:EditOnWikidata
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Template:Nihongo foot is a video game compilation developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega in 2002 for the GameCube. It is a compilation of several Sonic the Hedgehog games originally released for the Genesis, along with a few other Sega-published titles for the system.
According to the director, Yojiro Ogawa, the purpose of the compilation was to introduce younger players to the original games in the Sonic series. The games are played through a Genesis emulator developed by Sonic Team themselves. Outside of the games, the compilation includes Sonic-themed videos and illustrations, as well as high-resolution scans of the instruction manuals and Sonic the Hedgehog comic covers. In 2004, the compilation was re-released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows as Sonic Mega Collection Plus with additional Sonic games originally released for the Game Gear.
Reception to Sonic Mega Collection as well as Plus was positive, with praise going to its faithful emulation, strong core games, nostalgic value, and low price. Criticism was directed toward the absence of Sonic CD, lackluster extras, weaker spin-off titles, tedious unlocking mechanics, and some visual issues in Plus. A second compilation focused on rare and obscure Sonic titles, Sonic Gems Collection, was released in 2005.
OverviewEdit
Sonic Mega Collection compiles 14 emulated games originally released for the Sega Genesis, limited to only 12 in releases outside of Japan. Seven games are available by default, while the remainder are unlocked by launching other games repeatedly.<ref name="AllComps">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These include three games that recreate the Sonic & Knuckles "lock-on technology" to allow for new modes and/or playable characters in the first three Sonic games, and four non-Sonic games published by Sega, two of which are exclusive to the Japanese release.<ref name="GICube"/> High-resolution instruction manual scans are included for each game. An "Extras" section features over 100 scans of comic covers from Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog series, illustrations of Sonic characters throughout the franchise's history, and a handful of videos promoting other Sonic games, including the opening and ending cutscenes from Sonic CD.<ref name="NWRReview"/>
Sonic Mega Collection Plus includes all 14 of the games from the original release in all regions, plus the addition of six Game Gear games.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The compilation's user interface has been updated, and all games now support the ability to suspend and resume gameplay at any time.<ref name="AllComps"/> The illustration gallery has been expanded with artwork from games released since the original Mega Collection, while all videos from the original release have been omitted, replaced by a gallery of storyboards and in-production renders of cutscenes from Sonic Heroes.<ref name="AllComps"/><ref name="GameSpotXbox"/>
Development and releaseEdit
Mega Collection was developed by Sonic Team,<ref name="NWRReview"/> the studio behind most games in the Sonic series. According to director Yojiro Ogawa, Sonic Team's goal with the compilation was to introduce children to older games in the series and showcase what made Sonic successful.<ref name="gspyogawa">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Sonic Team chose to focus on including all the Genesis Sonic games.<ref name="nakaq&a"/> Rather than porting them from the Genesis, they collaborated with VR-1 Japan to develop an emulator to run the games' ROM images.<ref name="NWRReview"/> Series co-creator Yuji Naka, who served as producer, said the team intended to include the 1993 Sega CD game Sonic CD, but storage constraints prevented this.<ref name="nakaq&a">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Sonic Team also considered including BlueSky Software's Vectorman (1995).<ref name="gspyogawa"/> CD and Vectorman later appeared in Sonic Gems Collection (2005), a successor to Mega Collection focusing on rare Sonic games.<ref name="gspyogawa"/> Sonic Team had trouble gathering materials for the compilation because it had been a decade since they made the games and "Sega's not that good about keeping history."<ref name="nakaq&a"/> For instance, Naka wanted to include the original prototype of the first game but Sonic Team could not find its ROM image.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Sega announced Mega Collection as a GameCube exclusive in early July 2002,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and revealed which games would be included later that month.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The compilation went gold the following November;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Naka said Sonic Team felt a sense of accomplishment when they completed it.<ref name="nakaq&a"/> Mega Collection was released in North America on November 12, 2002,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in Japan on December 19, 2002,<ref name="NWRReview"/> and in Europe on March 21, 2003.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In European territories, Infogrames distributed the compilation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> When Sega began to expand support for the PlayStation 2, it commissioned a version of Mega Collection for that console and the Xbox.<ref name="PlusImpressions">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This version, Sonic Mega Collection Plus, was announced at E3 2004.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Plus was released in North America on November 2, 2004,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in Japan on December 9, 2004,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and in Europe on February 4, 2005.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A Windows version was released in Europe on March 31, 2006 and in North America on March 9, 2007.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was later included in the Sonic PC Collection (2009).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ReceptionEdit
GameCube versionEdit
Template:Video game reviews Reviews for Sonic Mega Collection were "generally favorable" according to Metacritic.<ref name="MetaCube"/> Chet Barber of Game Informer and Fran Mirabella III of IGN regarded it as one of the best compilations of its time.<ref name="GICube"/><ref name="IGNCube"/> Critics considered it a great value for Sonic fans and newcomers, especially those without access to a Genesis,Template:Efn and its low price tag was said to complement its value.<ref name="NWRReview"/><ref name="EuroGCube"/><ref name="GameZoneCube"/> However, Michael Cole of Nintendo World Report and Johnny Liu of GameRevolution deemed it less essential to those who already own the originals or Sonic Jam.<ref name="NWRReview"/><ref name="RevolutionNGC"/> Sonic Mega Collection was a runner-up for GameSpotTemplate:'s annual "Best Platformer on GameCube" award, which went to Super Mario Sunshine.<ref name=bestworst2002>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Critics lauded the faithful emulation quality of the Genesis games, which provided an authentic experience.Template:Efn They emphasized that the controls adapted well to the GameCube controller.Template:Efn Although Mugwum of Eurogamer faulted the preservation of the games' flaws, he and Mirabella noted that the split-screen multiplayer mode of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was improved from the original Genesis version to run at a full resolution.<ref name="EuroGCube"/><ref name="IGNCube"/> The lack of some modern enhancements was lamented. Scott Alan Marriott of AllGame, Greg Bemis of Extended Play and Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot pointed out the lack of a save state function, and Marriott added that high score and best time tracking should have been included.<ref name="AllgameNGC"/><ref name="GameSpotCube"/><ref name="TechTVNGC"/> Liu wished for an updated control scheme for Sonic Spinball that used the GameCube controller's shoulder buttons.<ref name="RevolutionNGC"/> Major Mike of GamePro and Miguel Lopez of Electronic Gaming Monthly felt that the games were showing their age, with Lopez arguing that they have held up less gracefully than the competing Super Mario series.<ref name="EGMNGC"/><ref name="GameProNGC"/>
The core Sonic games — Sonic 1, 2, 3, and Knuckles — were praised as timeless classics, with Louis Bedigian of GameZone citing Sonic 2 as the pinnacle for its level design and speed.<ref name="NWRReview"/><ref name="EuroGCube"/><ref name="GameZoneCube"/><ref name="TechTVNGC"/> However, he saw Knuckles as a step backward due to the level design's accommodation of the slower-moving Knuckles.<ref name="GameZoneCube"/> Unlockables like Ristar and Flicky were appreciated for adding value, with Bemis praising Ristar as a gem.<ref name="GICube"/><ref name="AllgameNGC"/><ref name="IGNCube"/><ref name="TechTVNGC"/> Sonic 3D Blast and Sonic Spinball were criticized as weaker entries, lacking the series’ signature speed and polish.<ref name="NWRReview"/><ref name="AllgameNGC"/><ref name="EGMNGC"/><ref name="RevolutionNGC"/> Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine was received more positively, with Liu calling it one of the best chain-reaction-based puzzle games and Bemis highlighting its appeal as a multiplayer game.<ref name="AllgameNGC"/><ref name="RevolutionNGC"/><ref name="TechTVNGC"/> The omission of Sonic CD was a widespread source of disappointment, as it was considered one of the best Sonic games.Template:Efn Other noted omissions included Sonic R,<ref name="GICube"/><ref name="NWRReview"/><ref name="AllgameNGC"/><ref name="GameSpotCube"/> SegaSonic the Hedgehog,<ref name="GameSpotCube"/> Knuckles' Chaotix,<ref name="AllgameNGC"/> Sonic the Fighters,<ref name="GameSpotCube"/> and the Game Gear titles.<ref name="NWRReview"/> Bemis and Cole criticized the unlocking process, requiring repetitive game launches, as tedious and poorly designed.<ref name="NWRReview"/><ref name="TechTVNGC"/>
The supplementary material was considered underwhelming and poorly executed for its lack of depth.<ref name="AllgameNGC"/><ref name="EGMNGC"/><ref name="RevolutionNGC"/><ref name="TechTVNGC"/> Cole and Mirabella negatively compared the presentation to Sonic Jam, which they said had a more substantial interface and amount of content. Mirabella added that the video compression was low-quality, and Cole dismissed the menus' music and artwork as "so-so", comparing it to Phantasy Star Online.<ref name="NWRReview"/><ref name="IGNCube"/> Marriott and Liu appreciated the comic covers and manuals, but said that they felt incomplete without context or additional content like print ads or character bios.<ref name="AllgameNGC"/><ref name="RevolutionNGC"/> The inclusion of Sonic CDTemplate:'s intro and ending videos was bittersweet, highlighting its absence, though Liu remarked that the song "Sonic Boom" was "almost bad enough to rival the DK monkey rap".Template:Efn Mugwum was annoyed by the menus' loading times.<ref name="EuroGCube"/>
PS2 and Xbox versionsEdit
Template:Video game reviews The Xbox version of Sonic Mega Collection Plus was also met positively, while the PS2 version received "mixed or average" reviews.<ref name="MetaPs2"/><ref name="MetaXbx"/> Avery Score of GameSpot, Chris Baker of GameSpy, and Hilary Goldstein of IGN lauded the compilation’s low price for its amount of games, assessing it as an excellent deal.<ref name="GameSpotXbox"/><ref name="GameSpyPs2"/><ref name="IGNPlus"/> Aceinet of GameZone and Rob Semsey of TeamXbox noted the charm of revisiting the series' prime, with the core games still holding up due to their speed, level design, and gameplay.<ref name="GameZonePs2"/><ref name="TeamXbox"/> Jeremy Zoss of Game Informer and Matt of PALGN highlighted its appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers curious about gaming history.<ref name="GIPlus"/><ref name="PALGN"/> Matt, 1Up NetworkTemplate:'s Jeremy Parish, and EurogamerTemplate:'s Tom Bramwell advised owners of the GameCube version against repurchasing, as they considered the Game Gear titles lackluster and the unlockable games tedious to access.<ref name="1UPPS2"/><ref name="EuroGPS2"/><ref name="PALGN"/>
Like the GameCube version, the emulation was described as near-perfect, accurately replicating the original Genesis and Game Gear games’ look, sound, and feel, including glitches and slowdowns.Template:Efn Goldstein called the collection "the best emulations on any console or handheld to date", while Score and Matt noted that flaws like framerate stutters persisted due to the direct ROM emulation.<ref name="GameSpotXbox"/><ref name="PALGN"/> Baker and Goldstein noticed a black border around the screen, but did not consider it a significant distraction.<ref name="GameSpyPs2"/><ref name="IGNPlus"/> Goldstein noted the colorful Genesis games as a "refreshing change" from modern grim visuals, but he observed minor ghosting in the backgrounds, and said that the Game Gear titles looked "gruesome" when scaled up.<ref name="IGNPlus"/> Parish criticized the blurry, interpolated Game Gear visuals with no option for crisp pixels,<ref name="1UPPS2"/> and Semsey noted that playing the Game Gear titles in full-screen exacerbated their blurriness.<ref name="TeamXbox"/> Score, Matt, and Semsey praised the convenience of the ability to save progress at any time, though Score noted it could feel like "cheating" for purists, as it altered the original experience.<ref name="GameSpotXbox"/><ref name="PALGN"/><ref name="TeamXbox"/>
The core Sonic games were again regarded as standout titles. Parish and Goldstein praised their precise emulation, innovative level design, and enduring appeal,<ref name="1UPPS2"/><ref name="IGNPlus"/> and Baker noted their ability to evoke marvel at their speed.<ref name="GameSpyPs2"/> Parish highlighted 2 and Knuckles as the strongest, citing 2Template:'s "finely-honed action" and KnucklesTemplate:'s "lush graphics and thoughtful level design". However, he noted the simplicity of the Sonic formula compared to Super MarioTemplate:'s exploration-focused gameplay.<ref name="1UPPS2"/> Aceinet argued 2 and 3 better captured the essence of Sonic than the first game.<ref name="GameZonePs2"/> Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine was a standout among the spin-off titles. Score, Baker, and Semsey noted its lasting appeal, with Baker saying it could "keep you busy for hours".<ref name="GameSpotXbox"/><ref name="GameSpyPs2"/><ref name="TeamXbox"/> Parish found the game "strange" after Puyo PuyoTemplate:'s introduction in America,<ref name="1UPPS2"/> and Bramwell questioned the inclusion of the Game Gear version given the Genesis version.<ref name="EuroGPS2"/>
The Game Gear titles were regarded as the weakest part of the collection. Parish, Baker, and Goldstein found most of the Game Gear games sluggish, blurry, or nearly unplayable on large TVs due to resolution issues and doubled pixels.<ref name="1UPPS2"/><ref name="GameSpyPs2"/><ref name="IGNPlus"/> Bramwell, Baker, and Semsey cited Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Chaos as exceptions, deeming them decent 8-bit versions of the Genesis formula.<ref name="EuroGPS2"/><ref name="GameSpyPs2"/><ref name="TeamXbox"/> Parish described the Game Gear ports as "awful" and "clumsy" compared to Genesis titles,<ref name="1UPPS2"/> while Zoss noted their visuals "made [his] eyes catch fire".<ref name="GIPlus"/> Bramwell called Sonic Drift "terrible" and physically nauseating.<ref name="EuroGPS2"/> Semsey acknowledged their appeal for nostalgia or for players who never owned a Game Gear,<ref name="TeamXbox"/> but Matt argued they added little to the package.<ref name="PALGN"/>
The unlockable non-Sonic titles were a welcome addition. Score, Baker, and Goldstein highlighted Comix Zone as a fan favorite for its unique comic-book style,<ref name="GameSpotXbox"/><ref name="GameSpyPs2"/><ref name="IGNPlus"/> Parish saw Ristar as the most entertaining while describing Flicky and The Ooze as forgettable.<ref name="1UPPS2"/> Parish and Baker criticized the tedious unlocking process, with Parish calling it "laborious drudgery".<ref name="1UPPS2"/><ref name="GameSpyPs2"/> Bramwell likened it to waiting for a secret track on a music compilation CD 30 times.<ref name="EuroGPS2"/> The absence of Sonic CD was a continuing disappointment, with Baker noting its divisive reputation but strong fanbase.<ref name="GameSpotXbox"/><ref name="GameSpyPs2"/><ref name="OPMPS2"/><ref name="PALGN"/> Other noted omissions included SegaSonic the Hedgehog,<ref name="GameSpyPs2"/><ref name="PALGN"/> Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble,<ref name="GameSpyPs2"/> Knuckles Chaotix, Sonic the Fighters, and Sonic R.<ref name="PALGN"/>
Reactions to the supplementary material were lukewarm. Score and Semsey appreciated the readable Sonic the Hedgehog "Firsts" comic and zoomable manuals,<ref name="GameSpotXbox"/><ref name="TeamXbox"/> but Matt felt the extras "scraped the barrel" and lacked depth compared to the GameCube version's unique content.<ref name="PALGN"/> Matt and PlayStation World noted the extras were underwhelming for fans expecting more memorabilia,<ref name="PALGN"/><ref name="PSWPS2"/> and Parish found the Sonic Heroes movies mediocre.<ref name="1UPPS2"/> Bramwell praised the menu's clean design with faded game footage.<ref name="EuroGPS2"/>
The PlayStation 2 version of Mega Collection Plus received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),<ref name=platinumelspa>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Follow-upEdit
A second Sonic the Hedgehog compilation, Sonic Gems Collection, was developed with a focus on rare and obscure titles such as Sonic CD, Sonic the Fighters, and Sonic R.<ref name="gspyogawa"/> Sonic Gems Collection was released in 2005,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and received mixed reviews from critics.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
NotesEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Sonic the Hedgehog Template:Sega video game compilations