Relive your (something secret) days this November [update 2]

by Joystiq Staff { Jun 25th 2006 at 6:10PM }

While at the Sega holiday event last week, one of the more promising titles I came across was the upcoming Genesis Collection for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable -- due sometime in November. Normally, I shy away from these collection-type games, but Sega has a special place in my heart. Growing up with just about every console, my fondest memories are the ones with the good ol' Genesis.

As for this collection, it pretty much will have the essentials. Not all of the 28 games included -- there will also be an additional three to unlock -- have been officially announced, but here are a few that were on the version I saw:

Shinobi II
Sonic the Hedgehog
Golden Axe I, II, and III
Virtua Fighter 2
Altered Beast
Ecco the Dolphin
Phantasy Star

I've always wondered why Sega never released this kind of collection before, but it's about time they did. A Sega rep assured me that all the titles would be direct representations of the originals. So, no George Lucas-like revamps here. Are there any games missing from that initial list that you'd like to see included? ToeJam & Earl anyone?

[Update 1: Due to a miscommunication between us and the good folks at SEGA, we didn't realize the information formerly contained in this post was under embargo. As a result, they've asked us to remove the content until the embargo is up on July 15th. Thanks for understanding; our apologies.]

[Update 2: Embargo is up, post is restored.]

Tags: Genesis Collection, GenesisCollection, Sega Genesis, SegaGenesis

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Blink @ Jun 25th 2006 6:19PM

I would think that the Wii downloads would be cheaper if you only wanted a third of the 28 titles, not to mention a lot easier to locate and play if you wanted a few rounds against robotnick after smashing on brawl all night long. But, that's just me, cause I know I'll already be putting a lot of bucks into their virtual console system anyways.

Robert @ Jun 25th 2006 6:20PM

Wow. I haven't been this excited for a PSP release since Liberty City Stories. Really. Altered Beast here I come.

Conn @ Jun 25th 2006 6:26PM

I really, really hope the remaining Shinobi's appear (Shinobi 3, Revenge of Shinobi, Shadow Dancer) along with both Vectorman's and Ristar. I'd love to see Gunstar Heroes and Dynamite Headdy as well, but they're Treasure's :(.

Ryan de michigan @ Jun 25th 2006 6:29PM

oooh fingers crossed for vectorman

Curtis B @ Jun 25th 2006 6:32PM

Did a similar thing at the site: http://www.n-philes.com/features.php?id=249

So already I'd say: World of Illusions, Eternal Champions, Vectorman, Streets of Rage 2, Road Rash, and GUNSTAR FRIKKIN HEROES!!!!

fwacce @ Jun 25th 2006 6:36PM

Remember that they did this before with the Sega Smash Pack for the Dreamcast, and every game on there sucked. They screwed up the emulation so bad, it wasn't even worth playing the games. Let's hope they get it right this time.

dcfox @ Jun 25th 2006 6:37PM

They have released something along this line before. Sonic Mega/Gem Collection, Sega Classics Collection, and the Sega Ages series in Japan. They also have several compilations on the GBA as well. So this isn't entirely unexpected. But like Blink, I'll be sticking to the Wii's VC for all me retro needs.

SickNic @ Jun 25th 2006 6:40PM

I just hope they start releasing titles for Xbox Live Arcade.

Loque @ Jun 25th 2006 6:49PM

I like how the first comment is something about the wii.

Look, the Wii downloads will be cool, but will it be portable on the PSP? I'm not a fan, but thats still cool. The genesis games need a return, no matter WHAT the medium.

Zac @ Jun 25th 2006 6:51PM

Sega Classics Collection came out on PS2 a little over a year ago. It was a horrifying experience.

and who wants to play the GENESIS version of VF2 anyway?

Blink @ Jun 25th 2006 7:00PM

True, being portable will be awesome...but at the same time, it's going to be on a portable that costs just as much as a console that can get the same games( Wii is $250-200, PSP is $250-200). Of course, each version of obtaining the games will have advantages over the other, but really I'll just be happy to get the games in my hands.

bv @ Jun 25th 2006 7:04PM

Thunderblade would have been cool, as would shadow dancer and Last Battle.

teknotom @ Jun 25th 2006 7:07PM

It looks cool, well, cool enough. But if you're getting a Wii, Wii (sorry, why) bother?

Aenril @ Jun 25th 2006 7:18PM

This is another one of those things that should appear on all platforms. No technological restrictions here.

bassbeast @ Jun 25th 2006 7:23PM

This is way too much double-dipping for my liking.

Let's see: Sega is egtting revenue from the Virtual Console, they're releasing "Sonic Genesis" on GBA, and now this? Enough's enough.

If you want Genesis on your PSP, I hope you didn't upgrade your firmware from 1.5, if you know what I mean.

Garrett @ Jun 25th 2006 7:29PM

Golden Axe III?! It's a dream come true. This also indicates that the sequels the west never saw may make their way to the Wii too.

My main concern is that the games will be as crappily done as the GBA Smash Pack. Well, its Golden Axe was bad, I gave up on the whole cart after that so I can't say if Ecco and Sonic Spinball also suffered.

Of course in the case of the Wii the emulator can be patched if it's shoddy to begin with, but the Virtual Console naturally isn't portable.

Still, it's interesting to see they haven't forgotten the sequels. Previous packs often skimmed off the first entry in each series and forgot about the more involved and often better sequels altogether.

Emceay @ Jun 25th 2006 7:35PM

I never realized how creepy Altered Beast looks during transformation screens. How I did not mess my pants while playing that and Splatterhouse is beyond me. Then again, when I was 12, ripping spinal cords out was 'cool' now it's 'grotesquely cool' - world of difference.

Robert Summa @ Jun 25th 2006 7:38PM

For those of you worried about quality: Keep in mind, like I wrote, that the Sega rep confirmed these titles are being left alone. That is, however the original quality was, that's how this will be -- or so he said.

For those of us scurred of PSP bricks, this is gonna be a killer PSP title.

I still want my ToeJam & Earl, though, on it.

Emceay @ Jun 25th 2006 7:40PM

Oh, bassbeast.. developers and publishers still like to pretend there's loyal customers out there that don't play roms. Just like how the RIAA thinks it's customers love buying albums their friends own. To not release genesis games on psp would just be encouragement for pirates.

Henry @ Jun 25th 2006 7:44PM

Why not on the DS?
I don't have a PSP but would love to play all those games on the move!

Hugh Jass @ Jun 25th 2006 7:57PM

Genesis games are so easy to find that I can't get too excited over this. The original games are cheap as can be on Ebay, and emulations are everywhere: on the GBA, on the Dreamcast, on the XBOX, and elsewhere. Why so pumped for yet another rehash?

32_footsteps @ Jun 25th 2006 8:08PM

Well, I'm assuming that it isn't just Genesis titles, as the original Phantasy Star was only on the Sega Master System. So it might not be the Genesis version of Virtua Fighter 2.

I just hope that this version of Phantasy Star is much better than the GBA Phantasy Star Collection. That crashes on you about every 60 seconds or so. You literally have to save after every fight if you want to advance the game at all. I generally found if you saved it after every fight, you'd see a crash about every fourth save.

Blink @ Jun 25th 2006 8:10PM

That would just be foolery, Henry. Nintendo's already getting all these titles with the Virtual console. I'm actually suprised to see it on both the PSP AND the PS2. I'd expect it to be on PSP and Xbox OG, so that Sega could get the most out of every company.

Angelo @ Jun 25th 2006 8:46PM

I believe there was a Japan-only Megadrive version of Phantasy Star 1, 32_footsteps.

The ZeroCorpse @ Jun 25th 2006 8:52PM

Is it just me, or has Sega forsaken Toejam & Earl? It was an awesome game, and the two sequels were NOTHING like the original, and no fun at all.

GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL FORMULA, SEGA!

Agent X @ Jun 25th 2006 9:17PM

This is the first that I've heard about this package, as none of the other major video game sites have picked up on it. In any event, it's great news! I'm interested in finding out what other games will be included.

This should be a nice package to have on both PS2 and PSP, although if I could only get one, I'd probably opt for the PSP version (assuming the game list and overall quality are equal). Many of these Genesis games would lend themselves nicely to handheld play. Yes, I've already got a Nomad (two of them, in fact), but the bulk and low battery life (on 6 AA batteries) aren't conducive to frequent portable use.

Robert Summa @ Jun 25th 2006 9:20PM

#23

Joystiq isn't a major gaming site?

Believe me, it's true. I saw it and played it myself. They only had playable versions of Sonic, Shinobi II, and Altered Beast on the build.

Blink @ Jun 25th 2006 9:33PM

I think he's comparing it to corperate controlled websites like IGN and Gamespot, saying that mom and pop gaming websites like Joystiq aren't major.

Then again, it may be because of the blog layout. I always just think of joystiq as a subsection of engadget, or a lesser partner.

Agent X @ Jun 25th 2006 9:39PM

Sure, I consider Joystiq is a major gaming site, Robert. That's why I referred to the "other" major gaming sites. :)

Robert Summa @ Jun 25th 2006 9:52PM

Yeah Agent X, I realized that after I submitted the comment. I was just too lazy to edit it. No worries.

Either way, hopefully I'll be able to bring alot more content here you won't find first anywhere else.

PanzerKammander @ Jun 25th 2006 11:34PM

WHERE IS SHINING FORCE!?!?

God, I loved that game, it was incredible.

Matthew M @ Jun 25th 2006 11:50PM

I'm really excited to see a Sega collection come out to the PSP. Now I might actually get one. However, some of my favorite games probably won't come out because they're not the "best of the best"

Some of my favorites were Sega's, "Aladdin", and "Cool Spot", and some of those. But I doubt they'll show their faces in something like this unfortuntaly

neale @ Jun 26th 2006 1:46AM

sonic 2 multiplayer, did no one else enjoy this? id love a wifi enabled version of sonic 2 to race through the 4 levels or whatever they had

DS, DS! ive just got one, and they avoid it?!

Spoon @ Jun 26th 2006 3:03AM

I wonder what the other listed games were.

soco @ Jun 26th 2006 4:53AM

i can't imagine they'd release a collection of mostly genesis era games without releasing Phantasy Star 2 on that. now it kinda minimizes the effect of the sega games on the virtual console and xboxlive, as i'd imagine this will average about 2$ a game, and i'm guessing both will charge about 3-5$ a game. although i'm guessing the XBLA games will include online play, so it may still be useful to buy them there.

either way, i'm glad they're finally releasing a collection of some of sega's finest games. here's to sega milking franchises for everything they're worth!

GSI @ Jun 26th 2006 4:59AM

I think 'major gaming site' is a matter of opinion.

Anyways...as cool as "Altered Beast" WAS it is a ridiculously short game and me personally I thought "Ecco the Dolphin" was kinda blah. Although I do see buying this maybe b/c of "Virtua Fighter 2" and "Phantasy Star" though.

syco @ Jun 26th 2006 7:18AM

I thought this was about the Wii before I clicked on it, like a list of confirmed genesis titles or something. I was fairly disappointed.

DG @ Jun 26th 2006 8:16AM

VF2 on Genesis was atrocious. They'd be better off with Eternal Champions.

They might also want to include Kid Chameleon, Aladdin, Shadow Dancer, Ghostbusters, Castle of Illusion, Columns I & III, and even though it's an EA game, I'd love to see Skitchin' as well.

genericname @ Jun 26th 2006 8:17AM

NiGHTS goddamn it!

madato @ Jun 26th 2006 11:16AM

If they don't bring Genesis games to the DS (or gba :D) soon... homebrewers WILL! They had ecco on the gba but the soundtrack was skipped I read.

I can't believe how many games haven't been mentioned here in the comments yet. This'll be long, and I'm sorry, but I can't risk the chance of the people in charge reading these comments without seeing these beloved games!

Sonic2-4
Zool
Mickey Mania
Earthworm Jim 1+2
Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel
Rock and Roll Racing
Ultimate Mortal Kombat III
Desert Strike
Death and Return of Superman
Misadventures of Flink
Alien Soldier
Pitfall
Rolling Thunder 2,3
Spiderman vs Kingpin
Spiderman and Venom - Maximum Carnage
Strider 1,2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
X-Men 2 Clone Wars
Wonderboy 1-3
Ultraman
Rocket Knight Adventures
Pulseman
Legend of Toki
Fighting Masters
Double Dragon
Beavis and Butthead
Batman Returns
World of Illusion
Little Mermaid
Lion King
Pocahontas
Tiny Toons

bring it to DS! psp is too expensive and heavy :P

madato @ Jun 26th 2006 11:18AM

test

32_Footsteps @ Jun 26th 2006 11:40AM

"now it kinda minimizes the effect of the sega games on the virtual console and xboxlive."

Just as older Sega games on those services minimized the effect of Sega games on Gametap.

Sega's out to reach the braodest audience possible with their older games. Hey, I can understand that. More formats equals more customers, and we the consumer really win - we get to pick and choose amongst the versions for the best one we can find.

Also, madato, you ought to do a little research. At least a few of those titles (Sonic, EWJ) already have been rereleased on various current systems.

SuicideNinja @ Jun 26th 2006 12:00PM

Hopefully they play better than running a Genesis emulator on the PS2.

Matt Rix @ Jun 26th 2006 2:17PM

VectorMan... and a little know game called "Greendog"

-Matt

blazemore @ Jun 26th 2006 7:28PM

eh... I'm kind of tired of seeing console ports of games that had much better arcade versions.

Altered Beast and Golden Axe in the arcades were SO much better than the Genesis versions.

Also, the lack of games on these types of compilations is pretty crappy. They could fit so much more, or throw several series worth of games (all Shinobis, all Golden Axes, all Phantasy Stars, all Eccos, etc). I bought the Smash Pack for PC when it came out even though there were some great emulators out at the time. I was very disappointed with the shoddy sound emulation, so I'm very wary of how this will turn out.

Donutta @ Jun 27th 2006 1:58AM

Makes me feel better about upgrading to 2.71 to play LocoRoco. And while LocoRoco makes me feel all warm and fluffy about owning a PSP (it *is* better than anything on the DS ;P), this will certainly help validate that NZ$900 purchase. Finally, some decent games.

Garrett Garcia @ Jun 27th 2006 8:16PM

Sounds great. I missed the genesis the first time around (although my brother had a game gear) and if these 28 games are the best from the systems lifespan, than I certainly wouldnt mind picking up a copy, for PSP of course.