Sega Classics Collection – Review

Old-school retro classics. Four words that can make many a gamer grin like a lunatic. With everything from the Plug ‘n’ Play SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis packages you can get from Argos, to the MAME emulators for those of us who legally own jamma boards, we all have a bit of our childhood gaming experience at our finger tips. Bearing that in mind, when SEGA bring out a Classic Collection of games updated for the PlayStation 2 that contain tweaked graphics and sound you’re surely on to a winner, right? Not exactly…

Firstly, there’s the selection of games that SEGA has chosen to include in the Classics Collection. While there are the obvious ’safe’ choices (Columns, Golden Axe, OutRun) some of the selections are slightly bizarre; for example, Bonanza Bros., which was released to little acclaim back on the Mega Drive. Surely titles such as Toejam & Earl, Shining Force, and a certain hyperactive, spiky blue-haired insectivore would have been better choices (though SEGA does package Sonic in separate specific collections).

Secondly, there’s the need for SEGA to ‘remaster’ the collection and bring the titles up to date for today’s gamers in terms of graphics, controls, and sound. The problem here is that not only is the overhaul unnecessary but it also works negatively in removing the games from their original state and making them little more than that of sub-standard PSOne titles. The very reason that videogames become memorable is for the complete package they offer in gameplay, soundtrack and visuals; all elements that remain fondly in the mind. Why change the retro formula when the market you are trying to appeal to want to receive the games in all their original glory?

For a game-by-game breakdown the following descriptions will be kept brief for a couple of reasons, namely:

• It’s more than likely you’ve already played these titles seeing as many are 15 years old.
• Most of them exist on such a basic gameplay level that there is little need for deep explanation.

Let’s start with Columns. Without a doubt, Columns was SEGA’s attempt to rival Nintendo’s classic Tetris. It’s an addictive puzzler that involves lining up coloured jewels in rows of 3 or more in order to clear them from the screen. Easy to pick up and an addictive game in its own right, Columns is certainly one of the better titles on this compilation; but then, with puzzlers, it’s the gameplay that keeps you coming back for more, and that’s the one element SEGA hasn’t altered.

OutRun is a firm favourite from when we were but wee nippers, and it involves nothing more than driving a Ferrari Testarossa convertible—with your girlfriend by your side—and breaking speed limits galore to get from Coconut Beach to your chosen destination. Driving against the clock, you need to successfully reach each checkpoint to continue the journey. Fail to do so and it’s “Game Over”. The Ferrari is viewed from behind, via a slightly elevated fixed camera, and, to an extent, there is some variation to the route you take thanks to forked carriageways before each checkpoint that help determine how you progress. Beyond the breakneck gameplay, OutRun’s most memorable aspect was its soundtrack, and before the game started you could choose one of three tracks to play through the Ferrari’s radio during your journey. All were obvious slices of 1980’s cheese, but all were annoyingly catchy at the same time. The same is certainly true here too. However, SEGA’s desire to tinker with OutRun before inclusion into the Classics Collection detracts from the overall childhood memories and fun. The subsequent graphical ‘enhancements’ have made it feel even more dated then it already is (despite being 20 years old it never previously felt so, whereas now it really feels like a lowly Master System port).

For this reviewer, Space Harrier was never that good in the first place, and in this conversion it may actually be worse. Basically, Space Harrier is R-Type meets Star Fox in a third-person shooter that has been badly converted. The only real redeeming feature in the original arcade game was the speed in which everything came at you, which kept you constantly attuned to the action and prompted a finger on the ‘fire’ button at all times. By stark contrast, this ‘new’ version of Space Harrier is slowed beyond belief and you can see everything coming an hour before it’s anywhere near you. The camera perspective issue can also be a bit annoying when you think you’ve clearly dodged an incoming fireball only for it to smash into your forehead—though there are enough annoyances in total to make this one pale into insignificance. Not a good thing.

Monaco GP is the somewhat disappointing top-down racer it always was. Limited choice of cars, simplistic controls and courses, and the need to never touch the brake, all of which damage the enjoyment factor in Monaco GP. Other than the mass crashes of the computer-controlled cars—which all sport A.I. equivalent to a Commodore 64 on life support—and the ambulance that causes more harm than good, this really is one to avoid. Monaco GP is the standout turkey among the other games on this particular retro compilation.

Fantasy Zone is one of the few rays of light in Classics Collection, successfully retaining its cutesy side-scrolling shooter charm from that of the original. Controlling a winged Robin Reliant—sans the wheels—you have to blast through the ensuing enemy waves to get from level to level. As ever, the obligatory big bosses stand in your way at the end of each level, which also emerge as oddly cute in their own little ways. Ship upgrades are purchased from the shop with currency earned from destroying enemy hordes. Fantasy Zone is the first game on the collection that looks and plays as it first did, and although many gamers find side-scrolling shooters tedious, this one has a unique charm that makes it well worth a whirl.

The less said about Virtua Racing (or VR) the better. Back in the day, when polygon graphics were considered all the rage, this was one of the leading titles. Other then the choice between 4 different views of the car it was a fairly poor game when it first appeared and, despite SEGA’s best attempts, this is still the case. All racing corners can be taken at 130mph and the need to touch the brake (as with Monaco GP) is all-but nonexistent. Virtua Racing is a stupidly easy game, and it would be the real dud of the pack if it weren’t for Monaco GP, which is even worse.

The real star of this collection is Tant-R, or Bonanza Bros. as it’s also known, which is a Japanese puzzle adventure game that never received the recognition it deserved. The basic premise is that you are a policeman trying to capture criminals and in order to do that you have to play a load of mini-games—think Mario Party on an 8-bit console. Typical Japanese graphics from the ‘80s (Alex Kidd style) make Tant-R very playable and mildly addictive (even if some of the sub-games are ridiculously easy). This certainly emerges as one for the kids to enjoy, but not exclusively—it can be our little secret.

Some of the above summations have been pretty damning thus far, but fear not, as the real reviewing vitriol has been duly saved for Golden Axe. This was one of the best games ever to grace the Mega Drive (other than possibly Streets of Rage) and there was no other side-scrolling action game that could touch Golden Axe for gameplay and addictiveness. Sadly, this has been ruined by what can only be described as downgrading of the graphics and unwarranted modification of the gameplay. This is not Golden Axe as we know it, this is a poor clone using the same characters and enemies but with all the life drained from the experience. Sure, the bearded green dwarf Gilius is still there with his huge chopper (easy tiger!), but his silly little roll attack has now gone. And what about the magic effects? Well, what can I say? Gone are the flame-breathing dragons and in come the little blue flashes that a ‘90s rave would be ashamed of. Personal contempt for this bastardisation of a classic reaches beyond words yet should still prove reason enough for genuine SEGA fans to avoid Golden Axe.

From a female gamer perspective the collection offers a token blonde babe (OutRun) who beats her boyfriend whenever he crashes at high speed and flips their Ferrari, and there’s Golden Axe’s Tyris Flare, the kickass Amazonian who possesses magical abilities that would make Penn & Teller blush, but other than that the pickings are not just slim but almost nonexistent.

No real effort has been made for the sake of the hearing impaired throughout the compilation but, in many instances, it’s unnecessary as any dialogue appears in text form (remember that this was in the days before digitized speech was considered the norm).

What should have been a pleasant stroll down gaming memory lane turned in to a parade through hell for this particular reviewer. SEGA provided us with some great moments during our childhoods, but, sadly, all we’re now left with is this dire Classics Collection, which should be left to fester for evermore. Take the advice offered here and invest in Capcom Classic Collection instead.

Review by Colin and Charlotte

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