Retro Recommendation - 50 Genesis games for $35

Don't let that little blue hedgehog nickle-and-dime your wallet. Play smart!

[Note: Originally, I mistakingly wrote that Shinobi was NOT in the Genesis Collection, when it is actually one of the hidden games. I've adjusted the numbers in the article to correct this oversight - Commander Tim]

Sega has a very interesting history. 20 years ago, they ushered in the era of 16-bit gaming. 15 years ago, they were one of the biggest video game companies in the world, constantly trading the top spot with Nintendo. 10 years ago, they launched the Dreamcast, which would be their last video game console. 5 years ago… well, let’s just say they weren’t doing so hot. Endless horribly done sequels of Sonic, and just a general feeling of disorganization across their product line. However, more recently, it would seem that someone at Sega remembered that they used to make good games. No, more specifically, they used to make GREAT games! Ever since the sales of downloadable retro games exploded  into a real force to be reckoned with, Sega has been raiding their back catalogue, and re-releasing the titles that made them so legendary on all of the various consoles. Their latest retro-themed blast comes in the form of six Sega Genesis games on XBox Live Arcade. Check out the list:

• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – My personal favorite of the original Sonic games, and easily the biggest.
• Gunstar Heroes – The legendary run-and-gun shooter from iconic developers Treasure.
• Shinobi – The king-of-the-hill when it comes to quality side-scrolling ninja gameplay.
• Phantasy Star II – Widely considered the best entry in Sega’s genre defining role-playing game series.
• Altered Beast – “Rise from your grave!” The title that helped usher in the 16-bit era.
• Comix Zone – The brilliant and often-overlooked title from very late in the Sega Genesis’ life.

Each title is a true classic in every sense of the word, and at only 400 MS Points (or around $5) they’re worth every penny. However, if this were the entire story, I wouldn’t bother even writing this article. I’d simply pull a Kotaku (‘natch) and paste the official press release from Sega announcing their release, and call it a day. No dear reader, I would never perform such a disservice. I am here to help present an alternative. To offer you a value-add for your purchase. Let’s take a look at the recently released Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection. It’s available on both the XBox 360 and the Playstation 3, and the selection of titles is fantastic. Have a look:

Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection
offers a much better value for
budget minded gamers.

• Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
• Alien Storm
• Altered Beast
• Beyond Oasis
• Bonanza Bros.
• Columns
• Comix Zone
• Decap Attack starring Chuck D. Head
• Dr. Robotnik's MBM
• Dynamite Headdy
• Ecco the Dolphin
• Ecco II: The Tides of Time
• E-SWAT
• Fatal Labyrinth
• Flicky
• Gain Ground
• Golden Axe
• Golden Axe II
• Golden Axe III
• Kid Chameleon
• Phantasy Star II
• Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
• Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
• Ristar
• Shining in the Darkness
• Shining Force
• Shining Force 2
• Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
• Sonic 3D Blast
• Sonic and Knuckles
• Sonic Spinball
• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3
• Streets of Rage
• Streets of Rage 2
• Streets of Rage 3
• Super Thunder Blade
• Vectorman
• Vectorman 2

That’s 40+ games spanning the entire back catalog of Sega for less than $30. In addition, you get extras like museum pieces about each game and interviews with the developers. You’re getting not only the majority of titles that Sega released on XBox Live Arcade, but over 35 more for less than the price of purchasing all six of the downloadable titles separately. There is one must-have classic that you will be missing though, and I recommend purchasing through XBox Live: Gunstar Heroes. And I know what you’re saying “If I buy the Geneis Collection AND that game, I will have spent $35!”, and you would be correct. But consider the value for a moment:

6 downloadable titles at 400 points (or $5) each = $30

40+ (including the 6 released on XBox Live arcade) titles plus Gunstar Heroes = $35

You’re spending FIVE dollars more, and getting roughly 833% MORE games (based on having unlocked the hidden games on Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection). To me, this is a no-brainer.

So there you are. Fifty games for $35, or less if you shop around. Amazon.com is currently selling Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection for $28 with free shipping, and while you’re there, snag some Microsoft Point cards to purchase the other two titles from XBox Live. I've even provided the links below to save you the trouble of searching. No need to thank me, it’s what I’m here for.

Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for PS3 or XBox 360
Xbox 360 Live Points Card

Alternatively, you could show you’re a true hardcore retro-gamer and take advantage of the fact that it’s garage sale season. With some rummaging around, you always could potentially pick up a Sega Genesis and a bunch of games on the cheap. In addition to being able to use an actual Genesis controller to play the games, you’ll use less energy too.

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I thrive on your feedback, so please leave a comment below. If you have a Retro Recommendation you'd like to share, you can reach me via email at tim@commandertim.com, or on Twitter @commandertim. And please visit my personal internet tube at commandertim.com for links to all of my past and present work.