Sega Classics Collection
From Sega Of America, Inc.
SEGA Ages: Classics Collection features enhanced versions of Fantasy Zone, Golden Axe, Monaco GP, Tant R/Bonanza, Alien Syndrome, Columns, Outrun, V.R. (Virtual Racing), and Space Harrier. Each one of the ten games put on the Sega Classics Collection disc began its life several years ago as one-off budget games produced and published by an off-shoot company of Sega's: 3D Ages. The idea of the 3D Ages project was to delve into Sega's backlog of classic games and revive them in more contemporary 3D engines and designs at a budget price. Games like After Burner II, Alien Syndrome, Golden Axe and other Sega brands were given additional life as new developments on the PlayStation 2.
Amazon Sales Rank: #13803 in Video Games Brand: Sega Of America, Inc. Model: P2SEGA 010086630749 Released on: 2005-03-23 ESRB Rating: Everyone Platform: PlayStation2 Number of items: 1 Dimensions: .53" h x 5.75" w x 7.75" l, .35 pounds
Be warned: these are not the games you remember At first glance, this Sega Classics Collection appears to be a great buy for it's price. The packaging states that classic Sega games from yesteryear such as Golden Axe, Alien Syndrome, Space Harrier, Outrun, Columns, Fantasy Zone, Virtua Racing, Monaco GP, Tant R, and Bonanza Bros are here, but these games hardly resemble the classic favorites from Sega's heydays. Maybe that's because the games are supposedly "remastered" with different graphics, sound, and music; and none of it is for the better at all. The graphics on all of the games look like polygonal messes, the music is atrocious, there's way too many load screens, and plenty of more gripes that are too many to mention here. Space Harrier isn't challenging here, Golden Axe is annoying with some just plain bad hit detection, and the racing games are almost uncontrolable. If you have fond memories of the aforementioned games, avoid this at all costs, and others who may be looking to pick this up, be warned: these are not the classic games the way you remember them. Sega usually has a good history track with classic game compilations (the various Smash Pack volumes for example), and why they would try something like this now is just mind boggling. Avoid at all costs. Horrible Wannabe Arcade Collection... These games are REMAKES of arcade games. The remakes are WORSE than the original, especially Golden Axe! The only decent game is Space Harrier and Out Run. Overall DON'T buy this game. I recommend Capcom Classics Collection, Midway Arcade Treasures 1, then Namco 50th Anniversary Collection. Dear SEGA: Why not make a collection of true original Sega arcade hits. Game like Altered Beast, Shinobi, After Burner, Metal Slug, Zaxxon, Frogger, Choplifter, Planet Harrier, Golden Axe, etc.... Alex the Kidd, Phantasy Stars from Sega consoles. The fun brawler similar to Kung-Fu Master from the Sega Master System. A mixed bag... Yes, unlike similar compilations by Midway, Taito, etc, most of these games are remakes, and a bit challenging (I couldn't get used to the "new" Golden Axe, for starters). However, both Virtua Racing and OutRun seem to have made it relatively unchanged (though there must have been licensing issues over OR, since the familiar Ferrari has been replaced by a larger car that looks out of place, IMO), as did Space Harrier, so that's a redeeming factor. My take? If you like the new and different, it's worth picking up, but if you're looking for actual arcade ports, better try some other compilation.
