Game:

Sonic Gems Collection (2005)

Duration: 10:59

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Original Air Date: October 12th, 2009

Sonic Gems Collection... there's a number of misleading things about this game. I love how Sega included Sonic CD and Sonic R in this compilation, claiming them to be the Sega CD and Sega Saturn games... but anyone who has owned either system can tell you easily that they are NOT ports of those versions. If anything, they're ports of the PC games, or ports clearly superior to either of the originals. Now that you know that, you can expect a "better" Sonic CD and Sonic R.

You know what else grinds my gears? The U.S. and European versions come with two hidden games: Vectorman and Vectorman 2. They're cool games... except the Japanese version also comes with Bonanza Bros. and all the Bare Knuckle (Streets of Rage) games. The excuse later was that they wanted to keep the game rated for everyone, but then how do they explain the exclusion of Bonanza Bros.? Also, this game comes with several Game Gear Sonic titles, but is missing one of my favorites, Sonic Chaos... the missing GG Sonic games are in Sonic Mega Collection Plus, though the games are said to oddly run at 50Hz even in the U.S. "Sonic the Hedgehog" is also based off of the final Japanese revision.

*Ahem*

But, if you don't have the time or patience to get a Game Gear and you don't care about all those things, then you get a nice collection of Sonic games with cool extras. It's one of the only ways to play Sonic the Fighters and one of the only ways to play a few Game Gear games on the big screen, even Tails' Sky Patrol (even if it's kinda lame). Playing them full screen though makes them very difficult to play and in some cases, rather ugly. This collection contains a lot of the more obscure Sonic games but used the "major 3" as a way to sell the game. It's more for hardcore Sonic fans.

Sonic Drift 2: This is an excellent racing game by GG standards, easily one of the best. The game has a nice roster of playable characters (each with their own stats and special abilities), the graphics are very good, the music is decent, and the computer is tough. There's no Sonic Drift 1 in this compilation, but you're not missing much honestly. This is clearly the superior of the two.

Tails' Sky Patrol: TSP is perhaps one of the most unusual games within the whole "Sonic" universe, if you want to put this game in such a place. Tails goes it alone in this game which is like one big obstacle course and deals with Tails avoiding enemies and dangers while doing aerial stunts and shooting and breaking things with his gold ring (so it feels like it has mild shooter elements).

Some witch is unleashing goofy baddies and Tails has to stop her. The graphics are pretty good and the music is okay. Tails can grab hold of various elements throughout levels to help or harm him and can grab several power-ups too. He's always flying in this game and needs to keep up his strength by grabbing candy. The game is typically considered kiddy due to its overall tone, but the game's difficulty is deceptively steep, so it's quite the opposite. This game is different for sure... it's not bad, but it's not great either.

Tails Adventures: This is easily one of the best games on Game Gear, and Sonic doesn't even lead it. I was lucky enough to score this for the original Game Gear for under $5 in a pawn shop and it's one of the highlights of my GG collection, as it's also one of the most uncommon U.S. GG titles. What is it? It's sort of an ARPG, and ahead of its time, or at least an idea that wouldn't really be approached in the Sonic Universe till much later.

Tails is relaxing on what can be considered his own island when a group of scientifically crafty birds sets fire to the place he calls home, which causes Tails to go after them to save the island. Tails can get various gadgets that act as his equipment and get items to boost his health and flying ability. Getting hit causes Tails to lose set amounts of rings based on the attack and rings act like "HP" in this game. He has a set limit that grows as he finds Chaos Emeralds. The music is great, the graphics are beautiful for a GG title (just look at how vibrant Tails is) and the game is great.

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