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Tuesday Feb 10, 2009
Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection Shipping This Week
Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection is making its way to retailers now! There’s been a lot of excitement and discussion about this title here in the blog as well as around the web. Look for it soon at a retailer near you. From the official press release: SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system has shipped to retailers across North America. This compilation features the entire series of Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, Phantasy Star and Shining Force, as well as other classic titles from SEGA’s 16-bit Genesis, 8-bit Master System and 1980’s arcade era games library. Developed by Backbone Entertainment, Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection contains over 40 classic SEGA games in one package; making it the largest collection of SEGA first party games ever released. The game features local multiplayer as well as bonus content which includes nine unlockable games, video interviews from the creators of these classic SEGA titles, and fun facts that you may not have known about the games. Featured games include Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2 and 3, Golden Axe, Columns, Ecco the Dolphin, Shinobi III, and Space Harrier. Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection can output these classic games in 720p with higher resolution graphics for HD televisions, bringing a visually stunning gameplay experience, and breathing new life into these classics.” Also today, we released the Official Player’s Guide to the game, which is available in PDF format. Next, I wanted to address a question that’s been coming up in the comments lately with regard to this game, and that’s Knuckles. Here’s the scoop from the Producer of the game, Ethan Einhorn. “We’re excited to bring SEGA fans nearly 50 classic games on Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection. We understand that some people have expressed disappointment that the title does not support the ‘Lock-On’ technology featured in the original “Sonic & Knuckles” cartridge, and wanted to provide an explanation for this. Tight development timelines are a production reality, and in this instance, we had to choose between allotting engineering hours, localization, test resources, and front-end (menu) adjustment to support ‘Lock-On’, or dropping several titles from the collection altogether. Specifically, we would have had to drop all of the bonus games from the disc, as they all required unique emulation solutions. Faced with an either/or scenario, we chose to retain our title lineup in its entirety. We hope that everybody enjoys the abundance of content this value-priced collection provides.” I hope that clears up any confusion, even if it wasn’t the answer you were hoping for. To celebrate the release of the game, we’ve been taking a look back to some of the games we remember best. If you haven’t read them yet, here are some handy links for you. Shining Force I & II: The Legacy of Tactical Awesomeness Dear Streets of Rage — I Love You Retro Champion: Unlockable Content for Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection Retro Champion: Achievements and Trophies for Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection
Posted by Kellie in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection on 5:58:41PM Feb 10, 2009
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Comment # 1
Patch Knuckles in Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 and Knuckles in this collection? Will Knuckles in Sonic 3 and Sonic 3 and Knuckles appear in a future Sega Sonic Collection?
Jonny
Posted by Jonny Modlin on February 10th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Comment # 2
Oh, how cute! =^.^= You and Edward answered the “Sonic 3 & Knuckles” question at the same time!
I’m bummed Backbone couldn’t do it, but thanks for remembering the question, Kellie. That was nice of you. 
Posted by Deco Bryl on February 10th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Comment # 3
And has been posted in the other thread, putting S3&K in as a seperate ROM and loading it that way would have been trivial, seeing as this is basically an emulation collection that’s been upscaled – and I speak as a coder. Utterly shameful.
Posted by Overlord on February 11th, 2009 at 1:34 am
Comment # 4
So basically what he’s saying is, it was either the 7 arcade games/2 Master System
games, or the three lock-on’s. “Tight development times”? “Unique emulation solutions”?
Everyone here is going to have to pardon my French here when I say, that that is the most pathetic excuse I’ve ever heard in my life; a petty excuse for not trying.
All I’m hearing is that this collection was rushed in order to “meet demand”, and that “Backbone Entertainment” (formerly Digital Eclipse) decided to not even bother
trying. Why couldn’t they put the lock-on games on a second disc along with more
Genesis, AND Master System, AND arcade titles?! I can’t speak for anyone else, but I
personally would have been willing to pay more for a such a collection (if it were to come to
that) if it meant also getting the lock-on games…all if Sega had been willing to give
Backbone more development time. Back to the second disc issue, another solution would
have been to put the lock-on’s on the first disc, and the 9 other games on the second disc,
along with the aforementioned additional titles.
In conclusion, if Sega decides to release another collection sometime down the road, (i.e.,
without releasing a free DLC patch for this one) I may just decide not to buy it if it doesn’t
include those “lock-on” games. I’m actually beginning to wonder if Sega even cares about
it’s legacy anymore, but that’s another story…
Posted by David on February 12th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Comment # 5
I find it impressive Sega hits so close to the perfect mark but then some sort of decision is made that causes perfection to miss its mark. Let’s face it – this is 1st Quarter, the quarter historically slow for game sales. Delaying the game a month or two to the more popular April would have increased sales AND allowed for the lock-on to be deployed. But the game is gold, the copies are on shelves, and it can’t be changed.
Except for DLC. Sega, achieve perfection with this particular anthology and release DLC that bridges together Sonic 2, Sonic 3, and Sonic & Knuckles. It may cost a little more in development time, but you’re likely to see a reciprocal increase in disc sales. Oh, and don’t charge for this DLC.
And when you make Sonic’s Ultimate Anything – please, please, please put Sonic 1, 2, 3, K, CD, 3D Blast and ALL other Sonic titles on one disc. I promise it will sell for ages like a Smash Bros title. Don’t hold it so close to the chest.
Posted by Tugs on February 12th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Comment # 6
i hope they can put the lock-on games of knuckles in sonic 2, sonic 3 and knuckles and blue spheres as downloadable content patch.
Posted by Jonny Modlin on February 12th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Comment # 7
I know that basically every other comment has said the same thing, but they SERIOUSLY better release a DLC patch soon after release. The sonic games are by far the best on the disk, and not including the lock-on features really means that we’re only getting half of them! I really don’t hold out much hope for DLC unfortunately, but it would make the game a hell of a lot more popular if they did decide to. It wouldn’t take long either, especially now the pressure of ‘timelines and production’ is off…
Posted by Jakku on February 13th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Comment # 8
I was really excited about this game but without the Lock-on games, it really is a huge, humongous disappointment. This is terrible! I would have paid $50 for this thing with the real Genesis Sonic Collection on it (that includes Lock-on games) but without them, I am not even willing to spend $30 on this. Sonic 3 & Knuckles is my favorite game of all time and I think that there is no way on earth this collection can be called Sonic’s “Ultimate” Genesis Collection when even Sonic Jam had the Lock-on games! If they released a patch that added the lock-on games, I would buy this in an instant. I appreciate the effort of Backbone games but this is an instance where Sega had it almost perfect and then dropped the ball in the end.
Posted by Narles on February 13th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Comment # 9
Bah that is going to stop me from getting this altogether….
the sega for you….
Posted by Seon on February 13th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Comment # 10
One of the key reasons that I bought this game was me thinking it had the Lock On feature. There is NO excuse for not having this feature.
Posted by Bobby on February 14th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Comment # 11
It’s been said multiple times, but the lack of the iconic “lock on” feature for Sonic and Knuckles was extremely disappointing, while there are many fine games on this collection, I bought the game solely to enjoy a revamped Sonic 3 & Knuckles, it did not even occur to me at the time of purchase that such masterpiece would be left out of an “ultimate genesis collection” thus you can imagine my disappointment. I strongly urge sega on behalf of the sonic fans whom hold dear the memories of the good sonic games, that this “lock on” feature be patched in, in the near future.
Posted by Chris Bachmann on February 14th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Comment # 12
While it’s disappointing that the lock-on feature wasn’t included (can’t see why not, either – the “locked on” games are simply combined ROM images and will play in any emulator with no special modification), people complaining about missing Sonic 3 & Knuckles are forgetting that all you’re missing is the ability to play as Knuckles through Sonic 3 and Tails through Sonic & Knuckles, and Hyper Sonic/Knuckles. All the zones are playable in Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles.
Posted by CNash on February 15th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Comment # 13
@CNash: Its not just that, you could also play as knucles in sonic 2, there was a save feature added in S&K (not that that matters anymore as there is the built in save state thing in SUGC). There was a different sound set for S&K and there were more bonus stages available. Knuckles had slightly different levels and bosses and there were different endings available. On top of this, the lock on fixed several bugs in both games and if S&K and Sonic 3 were locked together, the whole story became playable, with the true ending. Essentially, not including the lock on split the best ever sonic game (Sonic 3 & Knuckles) into two lesser parts. Its not just the gameplay thats lacking in SUGC, its the principal that backbone has not included sonic’s greatest game in ‘Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection’. Finally, it means that the Blue sphere game is not included and the main reason people are confused about the lack of lock on is that it would take 5 seconds to implement, and provide people with 3 extra games; it doesn’t make sense why they didn’t…
Posted by Jakku on February 16th, 2009 at 1:18 am
Comment # 14
Lovely, but I wish there had been more Master System games on it, like Psycho Fox and the Wonder Boy titles, most noticeably Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap,
Posted by Fredrik on February 17th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Comment # 15
Segaaaaa… the fans are speaking, you’d better listen… I just got this collection as a Valentines day gift, and yes despite the fact that the lock-on games are missing, it’s still a very hefty collection of great games. I’m actually playing Phantasy Star 1 for the first time finally in 20 years and loving every minute of it.
Seeing the lock-on games as DLC would be a no-brainer. Heck I’d even pay for them if the price was right ($5 or below plz, but free is even nicer
). And Sega could even make some more coin on top of that by adding more games to the collection as DLC, like the Toe Jam & Earl series, Gunstar Heroes, or even more imports such as Alien Soldier and Pulseman. Sega would be MAD-STUPID for not doing something so simple that could pull in good revenue…
Posted by Johnny on February 17th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Comment # 16
Hey sega, I think I speak for everyone here when I say that you would be raking in the cash by taking advantage of playstation store and xbox live marketplace and updating this collection with additional mega drive games that we would happily pay for.
Games like earthworm jim, micro machines and even the great movie licenses like lion king and Jurassic park….
Sega – the mega drive / genesis was your golden era and the time is now right for you to make a fortune selling mega drive games again as DLC fir this collection.
Posted by Dan Farrell on February 23rd, 2009 at 4:49 am
Comment # 17
I’d rather they didn’t include Sonic 3 or Sonic & Knuckles and replaced it with Sonic 3 & Knuckles – I’ve never seen the point of playing them without the Lock-On. I can also add myself to the long list of people that were going to buy this until I realised they omitted the Lock-On games, lazy developers = low numbers of games sold. Pathetic explanation too.
Posted by Dane on February 24th, 2009 at 3:47 am
Comment # 18
Sega I hope you guys read this you can’t call a game Sonics Ulitmate Genesis Collection without putting in all the sonic classics you should have called this game genesis classics or something because slapping sonic on without the lock on games it is not Sonics Ultimate Collection but a bunch of genesis throw backs I was extremely mad when i bought the came and I found the lock on games werent on there that was a big slap in the face to buy “Sonics” collection without those games being on their
Posted by Joseph on February 26th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Comment # 19
I have the game but I’m very disappointed there is no lock-on. I mean come on. I would not mind even if they removed some of the games eg bonanza bros, super thunder blade and even one of the versions of altred beast because the lock-on is essential. If this is not fixed by download soon (which i really hope it is), I can see many sega fans turning their backs on them. And if that meant axing a few inferior titles at launch, they should have done it. PS-The joy of beating dr robotnik at MBM is still priceless!! XD
Posted by Kee on April 16th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Comment # 20
How come Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection is only for PS3 and 360? How come no Wii love? Make this for the Wii, now!
Posted by Eric on July 18th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Comment # 21
I feel the same as others after trying to find a menu to enable the lock-on somehow thinking it would be in there.
Sadly it is not.
On another note Sonic games are getting less and less “Sonic-y” these days and worse and worse. I wish they could make a new Sonic game which even came close to being as playable as the old ones.
Posted by Robin Wilson on August 15th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Comment # 22
It is a shame that Sonic 3 and Knuckles wasn’t added, they could have removed the useless interviews, that would have saved up space and time. At this time there’s been no sign of any DLC for this pack, surely DLC should have come out by now?
If a second pack like this is released, then please, ditch the useless interviews and put on more games, and add real achivements/trophy’s to be unlocked, ones that aren’t just a case of some simple task, but to actually play a game all the way through.
And most of all, if you’re going to go Sonic, then all Sonic games from those days, there’s no excuse not to. Interviews are useless wastes of space on a pack like this, just fill the pack games, listen to the costumer.
Better profits that way.
Posted by Reina on August 20th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Comment # 23
personally I’m glad ice read this it’s made me 110% sure I won’t bother getting this crap “sonics” collection what sales idiot slapped that on the box on fact it should be called streets of rage collection as there the only complete sets. saga once again missing the point and becoming another failing. not another good move is it!?
who cares about interviews we can get on the net to see that crap and to be fair who though we will ignore the obvouse sales point and put in arcade crap I know I don’t really care about that either and there you have it lots of room. now time scales wouldn’t it make sense when making the whole thing “sonics” collection wouldn’t you be doing those parts first so infact that all should of been done to start with and then decide to sacrafice what was left over.
I’ll also add with the ps3 it’s a blueray disk enough said.
you might shift a couple of units like your other crappy products with crappy music but messing with classics and missing the point just shows you why you lose alot of sales.
if I did decide to get this game it will be when like all sega games go to about £10 or less which I feel is soon I don’t ever see sega doing dlc because have you ever seen them listen to us NO
:sarcasam: on your next one can you call it sonic and mario classics and include interviews stating some crap excuse why you sucked in sales and nintedos mario is still going (even they have a 2d mario bros for the wii).
well enough said I read the comment comment above about trophies / gamescore I didn’t know they made them so pointless.
here’s an idea it’s cheap ask the bloody customer what they want first as were bloody buying it don’t give us your tat slap a name on it just to make buck or two.
to make up for a big mess you better give your nice paying customers free downloads for this game as they have paid enough and took in that crap excuse.
have a nice day
your number 1 fan
Posted by shay on December 12th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Comment # 24
I’m amazed that the Sonic 1/2/3 + Sonic & Knuckles lock on feature wasn’t included:
- It isn’t an issue with space – individual Genesis cartridges were 16 megabits (2 megabytes) maximum – Creating and storing a ROM of the combined Sonic & Knuckles locked with the other Sonic games would have been trivial.
- It isn’t an issue with emulation compatbility – The Xbox Live Arcade version of Sonic & Knuckles can lock on with the other Genesis Sonic titles without causing any emulation problems.
What I would suggest would be to release an update containing a memory patch for the game over Xbox Live/Playstation Network. It can either contain the ROMs for the locked on games and add them to the game menu, or a piece of code to combine the ROMs into a single game in memory, before loading it into the emulator, which I’m assuming the XBL Arcade version of Sonic & Knuckles is doing at the moment. I may be wrong, but seeing as some functional version of the code is already available on at least one platform, translating it into a patch for the current game on the same platform should be trivial, then porting it to another platform should be almost as easy.
I realise that there may be no direct monetary gain to be made by Sega by doing this, this is a small amount of development time and effort in order to keep current customers happy and buying their products.
Posted by Richard Hodgson on January 13th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Comment # 25
Guys, there are 40 Genesis games on this. FORTY. PLUS some arcade and MS games, and you’re complaining about not being able to play a Knuckles and do a few bonus stages? The whole “Sonics’” thing was clearly just to make sure it sells (the PAL version doesn’t have Sonic on the cover, go figure).
I got about 50 games for $28. I’m happy, lock on stuff or no lock on stuff. Yes, they could have and should have done it, but it’s not a big deal. You can get the lock-on stuff in other compilations if you really want it that badly.
Posted by Andreas on December 28th, 2010 at 4:11 am
Comment # 26
In retrospect, excluding Sonic 3 & Knuckles (lock-on version) was a foolish decision. It showed a lack of foresight and understanding of what fans want. Sonic 3 & Knuckles is considered the quintessential Genesis game, and perhaps the greatest Sega game to be released. It was not just a lock-on gimmick but changed the game’s story and gameplay significantly. If the game were included, this series would have sold more, as I worked in a game retail store and know what my customers wanted from this release. We all could have done without the unlockable games. And honestly as a former programmer, there is no reason to have had difficulty implementing this. There are just endless solutions that could have solved this debacle, but the wrong choice was made.
Posted by Linsey on April 10th, 2013 at 12:26 pm