Target XBLA: Is the Sega Vintage Collection worth it?

by: Cyril - posted: 6/10/2009 9:30:00 PM

Disappointed by the crummy selection on Virtual Console lately?  Then may I suggest the Xbox Live Arcade.  This week Microsoft has uploaded six different Sega classics, including everything from Gunstar Heroes to Altered Beast to Phantasy Star 2.  We've known that this group of games was coming, Sega issued a press release back in May.  But even then, it was a nice surprise to turn on my Xbox 360 and see them all in a row waiting for me.  Each of these six games retails for 400 points (or $5).  Better yet, some of them now feature full Xbox Live support, plus 12 achievements each.  It's a good group of games, but with Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection already out (and going for dirt cheap) are these games really worth it?  Join me as I tackle that question by adding a short capsule review to all six of these Sega classics.

ALTERED BEAST (Sega Genesis): It's a 2D beat-em-up that pits you against the forces of the undead ... or something like that.  In truth, this is a game where you (slowly) walk to the right punching whatever gets close to you.  This wasn't a must-own game when it was a pack-in for the Genesis and it's certainly not any better now.  In fact, playing through the game again reminds me that the developers just sort of gave up half way through making this piece of garbage.  While four of the levels allow you to change into different animals (bears, dragons, etc.), the fifth and final level just repeats an animal.  Maybe if they only had four animals to transform into they should have left the levels at four.  VERDICT: Do not buy this game!

COMIX ZONE (Sega Genesis): This game is hideously difficult and has one of the lamest lead characters Sega has ever created (and talking about a company that made Billy Hatcher, that's really saying something), but for some odd reason I love Comix Zone.  In a lot of ways this comic book-influenced 2D action game feels like an advanced version of Altered Beast.  But don't be fooled, in this game you have a lot more moves, better levels and worthwhile power-ups to pick up along the way.  What's more, it also has an art style that doesn't look as dated as other fifteen year old action games.  You're better off picking up Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, but if you only want this game then you could do a lot worse.  VERDICT: Buy this game!

GUNSTAR HEROES (Sega Genesis): In the 1990s, Gunstar Heroes was the very best argument for why you should buy a Genesis over the Super NES.  This is a fast-paced Control-like action game where you (and a friend) take on what feels like dozens of bosses.  The game's graphics and art style is unmatched and Gunstar Heroes remains one of the very best 2D action games.  Even after all this time, Gunstar Heroes offers some of the most imaginative level designs found in a Contra-esque action game (the board game is a high water mark as far as I'm concerned).  However, the best reason to get this game is for the two player online support.  And you don't even have to feel bad about buying this instead of a compilation disc, because Gunstar Heroes never made it in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection.  VERDICT: Buy this game!

PHANTASY STAR II (Sega Genesis): This classic role-playing game is a genuine classic; one of the best 16-bit games ever made.  However, no matter how good this game is, there's zero reason for you to buy this $5 game over the Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection.  Not only does the compilation disc feature Phantasy Star II, but it also features Phantasy Star III and IV.  And, in the first time in the United States, Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection also features the original 8-bit Phantasy Star.  That's all four Phantasy Star games for a few dollars more, there's no reason for you to buy this.  VERDICT: Buy Sonic's Collection instead!

SHINOBI (Arcade): While games like Gunstar Heroes and Comix Zone are Sega Genesis ports, this Shinobi port is actually from the arcades.  This is not a bad 2D action game, but I wouldn't say that it's worth the same price as, say, Phantasy Star II.  This is a short, albeit fun, romp through simplistic levels fighting repeating bad guys.  There's nothing wrong with that, but it won't be getting much play after the virgin run.  On Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection this is a bonus game, so it's weird to see this as a full-priced arcade game.  Even though, ironically, it IS the only Sega "arcade game" being released this week on the Xbox Live Arcade.  VERDICT: Don't buy this game!

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 (Sega Genesis): Some people like Sonic 2 the best, for whatever reason I am a big fan of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.  This port offers a lengthy (for a 2D platformer) action game full of cool power-ups and crazy level designs.  This is Sonic at his best; adding enough new stuff to make it feel like a brand new game, but never compromising what made Sonic so much fun in the first place.  But with so many Sonic games in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, this Sonic 3 release is a real head scratcher.  This is still a great game, but if you like Sonic the Hedgehog, then you might as well pay a few bucks more and buy the full collection.  VERDICT: Buy Sonic's Collection instead!