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SEGA Genesis Classics review

January 28, 2019

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SEGA Genesis Classics

SEGA Genesis Classics is a collection of some of the best games on Sega’s 16-bit console from the late 80s and 90s. I still remember when I got my Sega Genesis back in Christmas of 1989. I was so excited to be the only one at my school to have Sega’s brand new 16-bit console.

It was a huge step up from the 8-bit NES and I have a lot of found gaming memories with my friends and the time we spent playing Sega Genesis games. At that time, Sega and Nintendo battled it out for supremacy and as a result both companies put out some phenomenal games that pushed the hardware to the limits.

SEGA Genesis Classics allows you to relieve all those found memories of the games you grew up with. And, for those who never owned a Sega Genesis or are too young to remember—it’s a perfect way to experience them for the first time.

SEGA Genesis Classics Details

Platforms: Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4

Developers: Sega, D3T Limited

Publisher: Sega

Genre: Compilation

Modes: Single-player, multiplayer

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

SEGA Genesis Classics

Over 50 classic Genesis games in one package

SEGA Genesis Classics is a compilation of quite arguably the best games to grace Sega’s mighty 16-bit console. It’s a perfect blend of games that helped make the Genesis a house hold name early on. Games such as Altered Beast, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage and Phantasy Star II are included.

And, some of the AAA titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Ristar, and Gunstar Heroes, which were released later on the console’s life are part of the compilation. The Genesis was well known for its wide variety of sports games and strangely enough there isn’t a single one included in SEGA Genesis Classics. Another puzzling omission is the third game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series.

Regardless, SEGA Genesis Classics has games that will please just about everyone from just about every genre. Here is a complete list of the games that comes in the compilation.

Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle	Light Crusader
Alien Soldier	Phantasy Star II
Alien Storm	Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Altered Beast	Phantasy Star IV: The end of the Millennium
Beyond Oasis	Ristar
Bio-Hazard Battle	Shadow Dancer
Bonanza Bros.	Shining in the Darkness
Columns	Shinning Force
Columns III	Shinning Force II
Comix Zone	Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Crack Down	Sonic the Hedgehog
Decap Attack	Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine	Sonic 3D Blast
Dynamite Headdy	Sonic Spinball
ESwat: City Under Siege	Space Harrier II
Fatal Labryinth	Streets of Rage
Flicky	Streets of Rage II
Gain Ground	Streets of Rage 3
Galaxy Force II	Super Thunder Blade
Golden Axe	Sword of Vermilion
Golden Axe II	The Revenge of Shinobi
Golden Axe III	ToeJam & Earl
Gunstar Heroes	ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron
Kid Chameleon	Vectorman & Vectorman 2
Landstalker	Virtua Fighter 2

Welcome back to the 1990s

Instead of just presenting you with a menu of the games, SEGA Genesis Classics takes you to a typical room of a teenage boy in the 1990s. On the wall are posters of Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, Shinobi, Altered Beast, Sonic the Hedgehog and Comix Zone.

In the centre of the room is an “old school” CRT TV. It has a built in VCR and is sitting on a sleek looking wood stand. The Sega Genesis console and controllers are sitting nicely below. The TV is where you will play your games. The Sega Genesis it self allows you to change the settings on how the games will look. I always opt for the scanlines to give the games that authentic CRT 90s look.

SEGA Genesis Classics

To the left, by the desk, is where you start online multiplayer matching. There is even an extras menu which features various feats and challenges to complete. For example, one of the feats is to get 500 rings in Sonic the Hedgehog. On the other hand, one of the challenges is to beat the two minotaurs without using a continue in Golden Axe III. All-in-all these add extra replay value to the already packed content that you get.

To the right, and beside the bed, is a book shelf with all the Genesis games in the SEGA Genesis Classics compilation. You simply choose which game you want and then put it into the Genesis under the TV and start playing.

SEGA Genesis Classics

Rewind and save whenever you want

Games back in the 80s and 90s were not as accessible as the games of today. That meant that you spent quite a lot of your time dying and starting over again. When I mean starting over, I mean all the way back at the beginning. To say it was frustrating is an understatement.

Sega realized this and SEGA Genesis Classics has a few neat features that make these retro games a bit easier and more accessible for everyone to enjoy. For starters, there is a rewind feature in all of the games you play. That means if you make a mistake like falling off a cliff, all you have to do his hit a button and rewind. This is also useful when fighting against enemies and bosses that are difficult.

Another feature that I really liked, which is included in SEGA Genesis Classics is the ability to save your game anytime and anywhere. Back when these retro games were in their prime, quite often saving in games was rare. Usually you were given three continues and that was it. Now you never have to worry about saving and makes it super easy for those short gaming bursts of 10-15 minutes.

SEGA Genesis Classics

SEGA Genesis Classics is a great way to relive the games you grew up with or for the first time

SEGA Genesis Classics is one of if not the best way to play some of the best games on the Sega Genesis. While there are a few key notable Genesis titles missing, there are more than enough games to easily make you forget. I really like how you can customize the look and feel of these retro Genesis games. Additionally, the ability to save and rewind whenever you want is a godsend for some of the more difficult and less forgiving games in this compilation.

If you are a fan of the Sega Genesis and are looking to play some of its best games, the SEGA Genesis Classics is a near perfect way of doing so. Alternatively, if you’ve had an interest in these classic games from the late 80s and 90s and own a Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 4—I highly recommend checking SEGA Genesis Classics.

+ Some of the best games Sega’s 16-bit console had to offer in one package
+ Value priced
+ Games look and feel exactly like they did in the Genesis glory days
+ Save and rewind anytime and anywhere you want

– Even with the ability to save and rewind anytime you want games can be frustrating
– Can be hard to find players to play with online
– Some notable games are missing in the collection