My views on Sonic Gems collection, Another "too long didn't read" topic.

Well, since a lot of you tend to write reviews on things in this forum, I thought I would too.

Anyway, I was given Sonic Gems Collection at Christmas, and haven't really played it properly until now (Super Smash bros has been taking me in as one of it's children). This is the PS2 version I'm reviewing if it makes any difference, although I believe all three versions are the same. Sonic Team have made a decent job with porting these games, so they're still fun, but not as fun as the originals. Here's why:

Sonic the Fighters
Sonic Team's best idea for a long time. This is a great game, although it's not as big and extensive as games like Virtua Fighter or Tekken. It's fun beating up Sonic or tails with Bean the dynamite, and truely is an orignal Sonic game. 8/10.

Sonic CD
What happened here? It's not the Mega CD version or the PC version, it's a combination of both, which means it's not really a port of the orignal. Gameplay wise it's perfect, but Sonic team seemed to have rushed it a little, despite the fact they've been working on emulating it since Sonic Mega Collection. A few things have been changed, and not for the better (Like tidal tempest's now uncoloured water). Still pretty good though. One thing I found annoying is the fact I spent quite a while on it, only for it not to save... which is really bad, considering "NOW SAVING DO NOT REMOVE MEMORY CARD" screens pop up every time you finish a game. Probably my fault, but it should really auto-save at the end of each level, like the original games. 7/10.

Sonic R
I don't really know why they made a big deal out of this one. It wasn't that good to begin with, but it brings back memories, even though it's probably the easiest Sonic game I've ever played. This version has FAR too many loading screens though. Neither the Sega Saturn or PC versions needed all of them. I encountered 3 just getting to the grand prix, which isn't too good. I also reccomend going to options and disabling the vocals of the songs before you play. The lyrics are enough to scar you for life... I practically know them off by heart though years of play on the Sega Saturn/PC versions, and that's not a good thing. 6/10.

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Now we hit the game gear games... Each one of these have been 'blessed' with a save system, which is stupid, as it makes them too easy.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
One of my favourite Game Gear games, but shouldn't have really left the Game gear. I know a lot of people complained about the Game gear titles being released for these compilations (The other obviously being Mega Collection), and now I see why. It's been enlarged, which isn't too good for the eyes, and even worse when they could have simply emulated the Master System version which accomodates a bigger screen (And therefore is slightly easier). I think I'll stick to my old game gear thanks. 6/10

Sonic Triple Trouble
Again, same as above, minus the Master system part. I don't know why they didn't decide to put Sonic Chaos in it's place (Being the prequel, and also being released for the Master system and therefore having a bigger screen), but that's Sonic team for you. Didn't play it too much because I was skimming through the games. 7/10

Sonic Spinball
Another slightly annoying one, as it could have been the master system version, but still pretty fun. Fails in comparison to the Mega Drive one though. 6/10

Sonic Drift 2
Another one that should really have stayed on the handhelds. When it's on a big screen, you can easily see that the graphics aren't too good, and therefore makes it a little bit unattractive. Still pretty fun, although you'll have. 6/10

Tails Skypatrol and Tails Adventures
Rather than repeat myself over and over, these all got the same treatment as above, enlarged so it hurts, and made easy with the save system. Fun, but not as fun as before the conversion. 6/10

So anyway, I'm not too pleased with this game, other than Sonic the Fighters. If you're planning to buy it, then I can't stop you, but don't be suprised when you finish StF, SCD and SR, and then play a completely different game altogether. The Saturn version of Sonic 3D could have been added to make it a little better, but really all of these games should have been included with Sonic Mega collection.

Overall score: 6/10

Wait... they gave Spinball a save feature?

But... the whole point of that game was *****ing because you can't get past the last level and have to fight that ****-ugly scorpion again. :(

Also, if I remember correctly, Gems collection has a "save-state" feature for all Game gear games. Which is how my brother completed Sonic 2 within a few hours.

I thought half of the games in Gems Collection is great. I actually like sonic R even if its annoying at times

I love Sonic Gems, and I love the songs from Sonic R >:(

Other than Work it Out, you're a horrible person.

Those songs all bit ass. To make up for the fact Work it Out was the only good song in the whole game, they later remixed it to match the lack of quality of the others.

I actually like the songs. Does that makes me weird?

Although Work it Out is my favorite, the other ones aren't THAT bad >:/

This post has been edited by Hypermug on Jan 7 2006, 01:48 PM

The lyrics of Sonic R have been haunting me for nearly 10 years. Without vocals, the music is definately better.

Livin in the city
you know you have to survive
you've got to keep the beat alive
where everything is green (that's right, right?)
as you see

OH GOD THAT'S BAD.

The game is terrible without vocals. Would you rather have one of Knuckle's rap songs playing in the background?

I KNOW THAT IT'S HERE, I CAN SENSE IT IN MAH FEET, THE GREAT EMERALD OF POWER ALLOWS ME TO DSAKJDKDLSFD

This post has been edited by Hypermug on Jan 7 2006, 01:54 PM

No, that's bad too... although it's also funny at times *shot*

I liked Sonic R

Gems Collection needs more Sonic Eraser.

and Sonic Schoolhouse!

Another day is like a new beginning~
I saw today, I know that it's a new start.
I know the bad times are dissapearing~
Cause now I know, that we'll never be apart!

This post has been edited by Hypermug on Jan 7 2006, 04:24 PM

Or a demo of Sonic Xtreme maybe. >:U

Hey I've got a little review for you:

Sonic Gems Collection sucks horrible dirty un-wiped ass, except for Sonic CD.

I can't even understand how anybody can enjoy the terrible **** music in the US version of Sonic R. Actually, I might enjoy playing that game more if my ears weren't bleeding because of some pop that's very reminiscent of the sounds of Nsync, except being sung by an under-paid Latino woman instead of 5 homoerotic men. They could have atleast played only the backtracks, but no, I have to deal with god-awful lyrics as well.

If Sega really wants to push the 'badass' feel for the 'new Sonic' then they should skip all this pop/emo-rock bull**** and put in some speed metal, or Twisted Sister.

I wasn't even thinking of buying it anyway.

But Sonic R was part of the OLD Sonic, so it doesn't counts in that...

Anything after Sonic and Knuckles, and anything where Yuji Naka has very little part in development, to me is considered "new Sonic".

This post has been edited by Taisa Kaepora on Jan 7 2006, 05:22 PM

There's a video if you unlock EVERYTHING. I'll video tape it later maybe.