SEGA Genesis Classics is the latest in a long line of 16-bit game compilations from Sega. That said, it’s the first such title for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and includes many features never before seen in a Sega console collection – including online co-op! With 50 games (17 co-op), this is a great value for classic gaming fans. But the online multiplayer is a real letdown.
The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of Sega Genesis Classics are based on a Steam collection called Sega Mega Drive and Genesis Classics. The console versions include 53 games, whereas the Steam version comes with 59. Missing on console – for no apparent reason – are Ecco the Dolphin, Ecco Jr., Ecco: The Tides of Time, Eternal Champions, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, and Sonic CD. The missing Sonic games are at least available to buy as backwards compatible Xbox 360 titles on Xbox One, but there’s currently no way to get them on PlayStation 4. Still, 53 classic games for $30 is nothing to sneeze at. Of those titles, an impressive 17 support 2-player local and online co-op.
Here are quick impressions of each game or series:
Alien Storm: A sci-fi beat ‘em up that also includes rail shooter and shoot ‘em up stages. The gameplay variety is impressive. Altered Beast: Originally the US pack-in for the Sega Genesis, this one is an action-platformer with large characters, memorable voice samples, and fairly rigid gameplay. “Rise from your gwave!” Bio-Hazard Battle: A side-scrolling shmup featuring weird organic ships and enemies. Sort of a precursor to Panzer Dragoon. If one player dies, he or she can’t continue until the other gets a game over, annoyingly. Bonanza Bros.: A split-screen heist game that’s probably too clunky for modern players to enjoy. Crack Down: This top-down split-screen game plays very rigidly and has nothing to do with Microsoft’s Crackdown series. Gain Ground: A top-down action game made up of single-screen levels, this one is surprisingly fun. Golden Axe I-III: Sega’s fantasy beat ‘em up series. The first is an arcade port and the sequels were console exclusives. Golden Axe III features 4 playable characters, multiple paths and endings, and some of the best visuals on the Genesis. Gunstar Heroes: Treasure’s run-and-gun shooter still impresses after all these years, with stellar graphics, loads of variety, personality, and an interesting weapon combination system.The selection of games is only one part of what makes a classic games collection worth picking up. A good collection also needs a well-designed interface and strong emulation. Thankfully, the Sega Genesis Classics collection really hits the mark on both fronts.
The collection’s 3D front end consists of a bedroom filled with Sega memorabilia, a console and TV, and a shelf full of Genesis games. From there, you can adjust a variety of settings, browse the games library, visit the games menu, and hop into online multiplayer. The interface looks great and is fairly easy to navigate.
The extras menu lacks any historical/museum content like you’d find in Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection. But it does have optional single-player challenges for 20 of the included games. The only rewards for completing them all are Achievements/Trophies, but completionists should enjoy them. Separate from the Challenges, many of the games in this collection get their own fun Achievements/Trophies too.
The actual emulation in Sega Genesis Classics is very impressive to my eyes and ears. You can play games on the front-end room’s virtual television, at full height with selectable borders, or stretched to fit the full widescreen display. Further options include scanlines, multiple antialiasing styles, and more. All games support multiple save states and instant rewinding functions as well, making the occasionally unfairly difficult games of yesteryear much more completable. Oddly, the collection only provides two control configurations, but they should fit most players’ needs.
The one unimpressive aspect of Sega Genesis Classics is its online play. Things look good at first, with matchmaking helping you find any open game rather than separate matchmaking for each game. Games can be filtered out of matchmaking too. The host player can navigate the front-end, save and load states, and change games without booting the second player. The second player has a brief window to confirm game changes, and only multiplayer games appear on the shelf during online multiplayer.
What’s wrong with online multiplayer then? Why, the netcode. Without hyperbole, Sega Genesis Classics has the worst netcode of any game I’ve played in this console generation. Whether playing with someone near or far, the game is unplayably laggy for both players. I would hope for Sega to fix the netcode in an update, but the long-released PC version’s netcode is just as bad as the console versions. The developers at d3t limited seem totally incapable of writing proper netcode, which is a real shame.
Even though Sega Genesis Classics has the worst imaginable netcode, I still heartily recommend it to classic gaming fans. Every other aspect of the collection is top notch, and you can still have plenty of fun with local co-op – just as many of us did on the original Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.
The Co-Optimus Co-Op Review of SEGA Genesis Classics is based on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game. Codes were provided by the publisher for review purposes.