Product Description

Take a trip back in time with the character that redefined video games in Sonic Mega Collection for the GameCube. Sonic Mega Collection is packed with seven classic Sonic games, each presented in its original blistering-fast form. Trace the blue blur's roots in the first three Sonic the Hedgehog games, originally hits on the Sega Megadrive, and expand the experience with Sonic & Knuckles' lock-on technology. Then mix things up with Sonic Spinball, Sonic 3-D Blast and Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. And if you need a break from the action, head over to the Extras section and check out movies, illustrations and comics featuring Sega's signature character.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10261 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Atari
• Released on: 2003-03-07
• Rating: To Be Announced
• Platform: GameCube

Amazon.co.uk Review
Sonic the Hedgehog is a character familiar to just about everyone who knows anything about video games. Sonic Mega Collection is a compendium of seven of the hog's 16-bit outings--including the landmark original--converted for play on Nintendo's GameCube.

As with all retro collections of this sort, Sonic Mega Collection caters not only for new and curious gamers but also for hardcore fans. Features such as artwork folders and commercials, for example, will appease the latter group, while the games included here will satisfy the retro longings of all. To be precise, full versions of the following are immediately playable: Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2, and 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic Spinball, Sonic 3D and Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Collection. And that's just for starters; continued play unlocks other Sonic-related games, such as Flicky and Ristar.

Value for money, then, isn't in question. All that remains to be debated is whether or not these titles continue to entertain in the 21st century. Generally, they do. The few duds in this collection (the overbaked Sonic 3, for instance) are far outweighed by the ever-enjoyable likes of the original Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. While Sonic's importance today is far less significant than it was, Sonic Mega Collection is a timely reminder of the excellent qualities of the series. --Johnny Cornelius

Customer Reviews

Possibly the best gamecube game(s) to date
After owning the majority of these games on the Megadrive (with the exception of Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine and Sonic Spinball) I was overjoyed that they would be coming out on the Gamecube.

First off, this has a 60Hz mode which allows you to play these classsics in their intended format without massive black borders and a slightly lower framerate (which the Megadrive had in spades). Games available at the start include Sonic 1, 2 and 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3D, Sonic Spinball and Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. There are plenty of other games to unlock; Sonic 1 & Knuckles (opening the blue sphere mini-game), Sonic 2 & Knuckles, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, the rather old Flicky, and finally Ristar.

... they can be completed fairly easily but the sense of nostalgia is so great you won't even care (that is, of course, if you've played them before). My only major gripe with this is that if you're hell bent on using the D-Pad to control the movement, it a bit awkward with it being stuck so far out the way. It feels quite un-natural and it doesn't help further with the D-Pad being so small. You can use the 3D stick which is actually quite good, but I suppose it's whatever you're used to.

Oh, and another thing, the cheats still work for all the games (but remember that the A and B buttons are the wrong way round on the controller (B is A, A is B and X is C). Also included is lots of bonus stuff from illustrations and comic covers to movies of upcoming games and even the Sonic CD intro and ending sequences. But you won't spend much time looking at these.

Overall then, this is an essential buy. If you don't like Sonic then this is quite possibly a nightmare so I'd look at something else. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle was disappointing with only a handful of good levels (although these were poor at best). Sonic Mega Collection is worth every penny and I would recommend this to any Sonic fan.

Is the Sonic Mega Collection really Mega?
Sega were onto a winner when they first created the Supersonic hedgehog with attitude. Simply known as Sonic, he has appeared on almost every Sega console, since 1990. Now he's back for his second journey on the Gamecube.

The title says it all really, a collection of sonic titles, and other sonic extras all bundled onto a single gamecube disc. These include Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 2, Sonic Spinball and Dr. Robotniks Lean Bean Machine. In total there are seven individual games. These games, aside from Dr. Robotniks Mean Bean Machine which is a puzzler, all consist of a neat platforming adventure in which you collect as many gold rings as possible, while trying to get from beginning to end in the quickest time possible. Sounds simple, but it's great fun.

The conversion to the Gamecube could have been much better however. The game could have included several more of the sonic titles, such as Sonic CD, but unfortunately, Sega didn't decide to include this, whatever the reason.

The graphics haven't been improved to the slightest, but this could be a bad or a good thing. If you are a hardcore Sonic fan, you'd want everything in it's original form. If you were new to Sonic, you'd wonder how the game is so bland compared to other titles on the system. I'd wished they had at least perfected the animation in the game, spruced up the graphics, and included extra levels. If they have added the levels, I've yet to see them.

Aside from the main games, there is a host of Sonic extras. These include original art that featured in the Sonic comics, adverts for some Sonic games, even the introduction and ending for the missing game, Sonic CD. These are a neat little touch to the game, and also what makes this an essential buy for any Sonic fan.

However, when you complete a Sonic game, you always feel you've accomplished a lot, even if the ending is a bit cheesy, and in this there are six endings to look forward to.

This won't appeal to the masses, as most of us own most of the Sega games, but if you don't, go ahead and catch up on the best years of Sega's life.

Blast From The Past!
There are no games better in my opinion, than the Sonic adventures on the Sega Megadrive.
This blue hegdehog makes his Gamecube return, with 7 of his classic adventures from the days of Sega. Relive Sonic 1,2,3. Sonic and Knuckles, Sonic Spin ball, and Fickles Island all on one disk.Also pay Dr. Robotniks " Mean Bean Machine", which is really fun and competative, especially in two player mode. There is no better way to relive the past than with these 7 games at one great and affordable price.
Not only do you get to play Sonic in his fast blurry form, but also you can look over comic strips in the bonus section, and also unlock more games, like Rye-Star, and other fantasitc games which you will have to unlock to find out.
There is nothing else to say about this amazing game, apart from you won't be disapointed if you buy it.