RAD Retro Reviews VCR: Sonic Gems Collection Review (Part 1)

[NuttyNut90]

@godust316

Man what a sh*tty comment.

Sonic Spinball was obscure, but not bad.

Sonic R sucked.

Sonic is the 2nd best Sonic game.

Don't recommending buying it.

Game Gear Sonic games where hard as f*ck.

[ludwigish]

Sonic The Fighters=Sonic Warriors.

I guess we never did have to wait for it.(Listen to the Japanese Sonic CD Game Over to know what I'm talking about,).

[XBlackMoonRisingX015]

They should have thrown Sonic Jam in there

[SamusTheHedgehog]

Your review is void when you said Tails Skypatrol is good

[thenastyseganerd247]

@SamusTheHedgehog true very true

[moviereviews4life]

Is there any news yet on a Knuckles Chaotix release on Wii or DS or 3DS

[ashpikachu360]

This pwns mega collection PLUS i have it it kinda sux

[keybladeninja2010]

wrong about sonic the fighters, I could get any one of my friends and we could play it for hours, maybe days.

[funmike1987]

Tails adventure was a us release cuz i used to have a cartrage for it. They left out sonnic 1 for the game gear and also sonnic chayoss.

[thenastyseganerd247]

@funmike1987 the 2 gg games are on sonic mega collection plus

[reservoirdog666]

Sonic R is my "really bad game but i like it anyway" game. I blame the soundtrack lol.

[Monacomaverick]

Sonic R on Gems Collection is actually the PC version. The Saturn version wasn't quite finished when it was released, and if you play them both you will see what I mean. Sonic CD is also the PC version if I'm not mistaken. I love Gems because they finally ported Sonic the Fighters.

Omitting Knuckles Chaotix could be because all 32X games used both the Genesis and 32X hardware in tandem, which might have made porting it hard.

[sonicsteve01]

sonic r is also the home of the dreaded tails doll curse

[grzegorzarellano]

see this right here a v atz.net remove spaces

[thatsmokerwasme]

tails doll thats why (well atleast me ) haunted me a s a kid

[zyriuz2]

what is wrong with sonic r ? i dont know for console but for pc (wich i own a copy of) it fuckin rukes, they should make sonicR 2, with the same graphichs and feeling as sonic unleashed, at least the running part on the day levels ^.^

[Toribot]

@zyriuz2 The Sonic Riders series is basically the successor to Sonic R.

[zyriuz2]

@Toribot I guess, but I miss the simplicity with just having sonic and the others running to be honest ^.^ even though I think sonic riders is kickass, but thats only cuz I pwn my friends in the multiplayer in sonic riders ;)

[Ryanmiller70]

I actually liked spinball. It was the first Sonic game I ever played on the Genesis and it's my third favorite Sonic game.

[DJman601]

I'm a hardcore Sonic fan...YAY FOR MEEE!!!!!

[DestinyHeroFlamer]

I haven't played very much sonic games (the only other one I've played is the Virtual Console version of Sonic 2) so do you think I should get this or Sonic mega collection?

[PearlJammer07]

I am going to have to get this game. It is a cheaper route than getting a Sega CD or some of the games included on this compilation. Why have you not put out a video in a while? Did your computer and camera break? Are you busy with work?

[brycezimmer]

Is the Intro Vidoe of Sonic Boom Sonic CD On Gems Collection Because i have Mega Collection and tried to play the two vidoes for Sonic CD but they wont play cause my game is messed up so i wanted to know if the intro and ending on the Gems collection.

[Monacomaverick]

This is by far my favorite game on the Gamecube. Sonic CD with no slowdown in s-video, Sonic the Fighters for the first time on a console, and the finished PC version of Sonic R. Not only that, but both Vectorman games are included. Half of the Game Gear games really suck, but it is still awesome!!

[superdannimann]

All/Most of these games have a theme, METAL SONIC.

Sonic CD - Boss

Sonic Fighters - Boss

Sonic R - Unlockable

And I'm not sure about the rest.

[ADAMTHEKILLJOY]

I liked sonic R but I got nightmares about that tails doll

[halfpipe1011]

Sonic cd= 2d to 3d

sonic the fighters= E rated street figher

Sonic r= OH GOD, TAILSDOLL

sonic and tails 2= eh...

Tails adventure= tails is bean?

sonic triple trouble= bouncing on trees?

sonic spinball= for those lazy people who hate goin out

sonic drift 2= Why the hell is sonic in a car

tails's sky patrol= a great big claustrafuck

vectorman 1 and 2= beter than sonic r

[KMoney4680]

the bigist complaint was it didnot have sonics 1 threw 3&knucles

[luigipizza23]

Judging by this review, I'd say its mediocre

[CrossingCappy]

why you hate in on sonic!!! sonic r is the best game there!!!

[NuttyNut90]

@CrossingCappy

Sonic R had god awful controls and a horrible soundtrack. Go play a good 3D Sonic Game, like Sonic Adventure..

And he is not hating on Sonic, he is saying his opinions.

[onesogreat77]

they say micheal jackson had sumthing to do wit the first sonic game sound track/music

[megamarsonic]

Not only the music, but Sonic himself. Michael Jackson's belted leather boots were the inspiration for Sonic's shoes (although the color was inspired by Santa Claus).

[CMKGraphics]

Sonic 3, not 1

[Oneupgamer]

interesting fact the version of sonic R in the sonic gems collection is the pc version but the box says that it,s the sega saturn version

[Jigsaw765]

I just want the game to play as the tails doll on sonic r ...and do the curse...

[zebure]

just bought this collection , did wait quite long becouse of i really didnt wanna buy this collection for 1 really good game.

[Xaragon64DS]

I did enjoy Sonic R, the first full 3D Sonic game, fun for an hour, good adition on the compilation. Knuckles Chaotix should have been included. I do like the NTSC soundtrack for Sonic CD, but it should have had both soundtracks. It didn't have Sonic 1 (GG) or the Mastersystem versions of any of the 8-bit games. I don't really care for Vectorman or Streets of Rage.

[Joey19990]

What about sonic Jam? That was the first complete sonic compilation for the Saturn...

[luigipizza23]

Dont forget Sonic Compliation for Genesis that had Sonic 1, 2 and robotnik mean bean machine

[TheComrade123]

Why on Earth did they leave out Knuckle's Chaotix?

[TheMachinimanator]

@TheComrade123

probably thought it wasn't worth it.

[willthehedgehog100]

sonic r is better than sonic shuffle sonic spinball i love it

[tkwtube01]

I bet they couldn't emulate 32X properly! They used the PC versions of Sonic CD and Sonic R, and it appears they completely reprogrammed Sonic The Fighters. Game Gear and Genesis had already been emulated, so it wasn't a problem for those consoles.

[4567jackthkiller]

@TheComrade123 i know what the hell >:o

[VitaminDarknut]

I think my favorite sonic game is the first one on Master System...I played it by means of Sonic DX and also on the Wii Virtual Console. That game is easily the best Sonic game. They should have put that on the Gems Collection. That along with Knuckles Chaotix (I never played it, but still) could possibly give the compilation some more merit.

[GamingShadow01]

what was wrong with Sonic 3

[ilovemyfamilyg83]

This collection really could've been the shit had they done everything right. the first problem is that they only included the american version of the soundtrack(which is great btw)and complete left out the japanese version of the soundtrack. what the hell for?. two, the emulation of the GG games is not that great. the pictureQ is fine but the sound is terribly low. also theres no way to get rid of those annoying black bars surrounding the GG games during gameplay at all. continued...

[ilovemyfamilyg83]

Third problem is that not all sonic GG games are included but only some and the only way to get the others on the Gamecube format is to buy Sonic DX and unlock them. great way to make people spend even more money and even more time trying to unlock them just to play them. pretty stupid.

[ilovemyfamilyg83]

The forth and final problem is the omissions of Streets of Rage 1, 2, & 3, all because of a hike in the ESRB rating. give me a break. those Streets of Rage game are classics and for them to remove them just to keep a "E" rating just to please a few parents is ridiculous. still a good collection but ruined by bad judgment of what people would think of the games included on it and not including the japanese version of the Sonic CD soundtrack. theres no way to get the japanese soundtrack in the US.

[hellspit2003]

i think they should of included sonic 3d blast for sega saturn. it had a different and better soundtrack then the genesis one.

[ifedthehorse]

It's not should of / could of / would of

It's should've / could've / would've

I get to pick people up on this every 28 seconds on YouTube, It's a fun hobby in these dark times.

[autosaver]

And no one likes people like you?

[Monacomaverick]

@hellspit2003 And wayyyyy better special stages: )

[backyardbomb98]

Where can I get this game for the PS2???

[sigmahunter06]

I think its only on the gamecube.

[crazyguy34]

only japan sorry we didnt get this game in the us

[hellspit2003]

very odd that they dident realese it for ps2 here in the u.s

[backyardbomb98]

Is there a version for the PS2 that looks normal???

[sonicchriz]

can some one show me to unlock bare knukle

[Rhodosfan]

good review ty :)

[Dag0nauta]

it is funny how i get the ps2 jap version most for the unlockables game rather the sonic games...

bare knuckles (street of rage) 1-2-3

vectorman 1-2

[SonicDeeHedgehog]

I just ordered this! :)

[aleckermit]

I've got Sonic Adventure DX, Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, Sonic Heroes, Sonic Mega Collection, and Sonic Gems Collection for the Gamecube.

Best collection of Sonic games ever made! The Wii Sonics suck ass(although Unleashed was pretty good when not playing as a wolf...)

[acuidad]

The ONLY things I found woth playing on the Gems Collection was Sonic CD (obviously, but it wouldn't hurt them to provide the Jap. version, which imo has a better soundtrack), Vectorman 1 & 2, Sonic 2 (GG), and Sonic Triple Trouble. Everything else is just garbage, especially those shitty Tails Games. So in short, this isn't much of a gems collection. Hell - it wouldn't hurt them to include Knuckles Chaotix (albeit not a Sonic game). That was worth playing more than most of the shit on here.

[Yasmar89]

I don't think Sonic CD was the last great 2D Sonic scroller. Sonic 3 and Knuckles was pretty awesome!

[eatkeniii]

I actaully Prefer Sonic 3 and Knuckes to Sonic CD

[TheMoogleMaster]

I disagree!

[eatkeniii]

WTF Sonic Spinball Ruled. But the GG version sucked

[CCowell125]

It's all down to what you enjoy from your games. I myself don't enjoy Sonic Spinball, but I can see how others might enjoy it, it's just not for me.

Also, the Game Gear wasn't that bad. The problem is (like all handhelds of it's time), looks like crap on a big tv screen.

[eatkeniii]

I didnt say the GG sucked i said the GG version of Spinball did. I had a GG and loved it and like you said i pretty much had to take a AC adaptor or a buttload of batteries anywhere i went with it.

[YoungHenry101]

u know your intro song? sonic boom? well thats one of my favorite songs ever!

[n00berania]

If you really like it, watch Part 2 of this review.

[YoungHenry101]

why?

[n00berania]

It's got Sonic's 'Sonic Boom' music video!

[YoungHenry101]

k, i will later.

[CanadaIsAPileOfShit]

dude sonic spinball is a cool game

[TheCartoonLoon]

i remember first playing sonic the fighters in the arcade in sega world when i was like 10or somthing, the only game i played while i was there, so as soon as i heared this gamee was out i had to have it, well that and sonic cd was on it

[topsyandpip56]

Wow, they have only just got Saturn emulation going on PC's, and it was in Sonic R in 2005!

[ItalianStallion773]

this game is worth it for Sonic CD

everything else SUCKS and you know it

[edward18517]

I thought Sonic R was good, at least better than Riders was.

[kennydies31]

FINALLY! someone who actually likes sonic R!

[liveFinalFantasy]

I do too. It's pretty fun and challenging when you go about unlocking the secret characters.

I'm actually not too big a fan of Sonic CD. It's more fun than Sonic 1, but making "good futures" in all the zones and beating all the special stages were way too hard for me. Those special stages were HARD!

[whymustishit]

I liked it too......got it for like 10 bucks at blockbuster vid store back in the day

[Klybethepenguin]

@kennydies31 SONIC R RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PotatoeBatteryGlad0s]

@kennydies31 Sonic R kicks flying ass. It is the main reason i want sonic gems collection

[Shiningfan]

I would've really liked if they could've put in SEGASonic the Hedgehog, I've always wanted to play that one. For me the main reason why I wanted to get the Gems Collection was Sonic the Fighters, that along with SEGASonic are probably some of the most rare Sonic games out there and very few people have played them.

[PurePwnage20]

HOW IS SONIC SPINBALL CRAP well it is a lil bit cos EVERY EMERALDS BLUE anyway its alright

[rodrigopacheco12]

they need to mix mega collection plus and gems collection together and put it on xbox live and psn

[superdeat]

hell yea

[shadetail]

Sonic the Fighters actually has very unique character movesets. The system has actually been changed quite a lot from its Fighting Vipers counterpart as well. Its a pretty unique game. I'm interested that you didn't mention hyper mode since its really on of the major aspects to the game.

[Krystallwolvelt]

The emulation on Game Gear games are ok tails adventure is ok. Also back when I owned a master system in early 90's I used to play and complete sonic 1 & 2 which were homeconsole version of the gamegear.

Sonic Drift was just pointless.

Sonic R Beaten it in 20 minutes I'm suprised I can still beat this game.

Sonic CD was incredible it was worth my 20 pounds for real the gameplay the music and some anime kick ass classic anime scenes really got me so hyped up.

[CloudAerisSephiroth]

that was a superb review. i'm interested in picking up the game as there are a few games on there i've really wanted to play for over a decade - CD, triple trouble, fighters - and chaotix is one i know a lot about but have never played, and am pissed about its abscence. you missed segasonic - i played that in the trocadero in london and it was excellent and would also have improved this comp. anyway, i love your cool, eloquent reviewing style and will be watching more of your work. peace

[sphereballs]

I can think of a hundred things that would have made this compilation better:

- Knuckles' Chaotix

- Sonic 3D (Saturn)

- Sonic Jam

- both soundtracks in Sonic CD

- more megadrive games

- the mastersystem games (instead of the blown up gamegear versions which were already in Sonic Adventure DX)

- 60hz option for PAL version

This compilation is definitely a missed opportunity. The only game that fleshes out this compilation is Sonic CD and that version feels like it's been up the dog's arse

[Looktisme]

NiGHTS shouldve been an unlockable game too. Or Burning Rangers. Not sure if it's possible to emulate Saturn on a Gamecube though.

[sphereballs]

Agreed... NiGHTS and Sonic CD are perfect examples of good games that were doomed by the unpopularity of their respective systems. This compilation would have been a great opportunity to give NiGHTS a new lease of life.

[XYoshimitsuX]

Why the fuck would they have Sonic Jam?

That's like putting a box inside a box.

[sphereballs]

I just think it would have been much cooler than those crappy 5 min demos they put in the museum. The games on Jam have different levels of difficulty I understand plus there's that's small "Sonic World" thing. It's not much but if they were throw in the MegaDrive/Genesis games it should have been a fully playable Sonic Jam.

I'm only saying this because Sonic Gems is really thin in content

[aerocheder]

sonic the fighters better in the arcade i played it in a different country i think sega should make another compilation with all the dreamcast and saturn sonic games and a couple of the very obscrure genesis games

[kyuubinaruto]

sonic r is the best game on gems. the music is awesome too. this coming from a super hardcore sonic fan

[aerocheder]

maybe not the best but people say its worse than it is

[Krystallwolvelt]

the music is great but the gameplay is just a joke it was just 5 race easy race tracks and thats the game completed.

[Sawtje2]

I don't like Gems collection that much. I personaly think Sonic CD was very boring, Sonic the fighters was too hard and the rest was just.. awful. I only liked Sonic R, which is a fine game.

[ifhgsfj]

If they only put on Sonic Jam, SegaSonic Arcade and Knuckles Chaotix......

[AlbertWisker]

wow you don't like sonic r? i think the graphics are awesome and the gameplay is sweet.

[aerocheder]

you might have liked sonic the fighters in the arcade and it was hard to come by i mean i played it in a different country but never saaw it in the us

[aerocheder]

you might have liked sonic the fighters in the arcade and it was hard to come by i mean i played it in a different country but never saaw it in the us

[silverin594]

Nice review! however, i only have Sonic R for the PC but i'm gonna get Sonic Gems for the Wii (Gamecube). I kinda liked Sonic R..

[firebolt4765]

Sonic the Fighters, Sonic CD, and Tails Adventures were my favorites. Sonic R sucked; the only thing good about was the soundtrack (and racing as Super Sonic)

[davidyugioh]

Nice review on the sonic gems collection

[FatalNFelony07]

I wanted this game when it came out but soon forgot about it. This time iam am phocused on getting it and I will be back to write my opion on it

[Fransinn]

yay! I love the sonic boom theme!

[sfg39391011]

I love this game! My favorite is Sonic R. Sonic CD is great too though.

[mchaosg]

SegaSonic The Arcade, wasn't included... Only because it was played on a trackball controller... I would of cared less but oh well.

[squirm13]

Great review as always.

[heardofrvb]

Also what sucks about it is that the Streets of Rage trilogy is removed from European and American versions.

[Sawtje2]

Btw, why did you said Sonic R sucks?

Ik rather choose Sonic CD that sucks =o. Sonic CD is really boring, sonic the fighters is pretty cool and sonic r is just..

a masterpiece. But it's just your opinion, and i respect that.

Nice video btw =)

[Sawtje2]

I like all games on gems collection :) exept sonic cd, that's kinda boring

[SonicDaxter89]

Nice review.

[Sawtje2]

Wait...

He said 'Sonic 2' isn't that the one where Tails appeared for the first?

[VIRGILE124]

yes i am pretty sure thats his appearance

[Bamdude89]

Great review. I might plan on getting it if I get a Gamecube or Wii.

[reservoirdog666]

i hate how you need to play the game gear games several times or for several hours to unlock the extras and stuff. playing sonic spinball for a whole hour is a serious test in patience. as for the absence of SOR 1-3 i feel sick with anger when i think about it. otherwise great game though

[nibelung34343]

sega are you hearing em PLEASE MAKE A NIGHTS COMPILIATION AND A PANZER DRAGON COMPILATION

[JAGJustAGamer]

LOL. It's worth noting that Jazz Jackrabbit was a pretty similar game to Sega CD... only it had a rabbit with a gun....and yes, jazz had a 3d special stage.. who ripped off who?

[kchrules]

I like Sonic CD usa sound track better

[synthem]

i love sonic spinball!! (for the genesis/mega drive at least)

...but a great review anyway, thanks for the entertainment.

[THRASHERHEAD]

i thought sonic spinball was pretty cool

[Lopunny1121]

Cool review, You should see Sonikdude review is pretty

[alvieao2]

It's funny no one really mentioned that along with the Streets of Rage trilogy, Bonanza Bros. was also on the Japanese version of Sonic Gems Collection.

[myuusmeow]

I'm _so_ sad my disk was scratched. I'd do anything for Sonic R.

[Disthron]

I really liked sonic 2 for the Game Gear, I think it's the same version that is on the Master System. At least when I played it, after so many years it seemed the same.

[Thomasgraversen]

thank you! another great review from alphanerdddd

[sigmahunter06]

yo alphanerd, check out my special episode aboutt the state fair of texas, it has a sonic r song at the end lol

[IceHedge]

I've been looking forward to your next video, and having one about the blue blur made it worth the wait!

Honestly I thought Sonic R was just as awesome as Mario 64 when it was first released, and it's still on my Top 5.

Informative review as always!

[FREAKFANATIC]

Maybe I'll buy it just for Sonic CD, as for the other sonic games, nothing but diversion.

[heardofrvb]

How do you unlock the 2 Vectorman games?

[alvieao2]

Two ways to unlock Vectorman 1: You either having a save file of Sonic Heroes or Sonic Mega Collection on your memory card. Or play Sonic Gems Collection for at least 5 hours. For Vectorman 2, play Gems Collection for 7 hours and play Vectorman 1 once.

[ZombieToaster]

If you like the japanese version of the soundtrack so much more. Then why do you have the american themesong playing thru the whole review :P

[SonikDude]

SONIC R FTW

[zaciroth]

I had triple trouble. It actually was really good. It was the best story besides the adventure games. And playing as either three heroes was good. It would 100% be worth a try for fans :)

[zaciroth]

good reviews. Yes sonic cd and the first adventure game are hands down the best sonic games ever made!

[Dizzydennis]

I really like Sonic the Fighters. What would have made this game better is if Knuckles' Chaotix and SegaSonic the Hedgehog

[bobbyfish1029]

SONIC R IS THE BEST GAME! and they have a great sound track

[stafax]

Sonic Gems Collection is only on GC in north america, but sonic mega collection is on all 3. I own that one.

[REsonic]

Its for PS2 and GC in Japan and Europe. It was a Gamecube exclusive in America.

[mariomania94]

lol i played all these games on the actual consoles but i never got to play sonic gems i think i might pick it up at my next stop at gamestop.

[mariomania94]

thank you! Awesome review!

[alvieao2]

As much as I enjoyed Sonic Gems, I believe Sega made their biggest mistake by removing Streets of Rage 1-3 from the Japanese version. Had Sega left the Streets of Rage trilogy intact like in the Japanese version, the game would have received an E10+ rating instead. And gamers would not have to resort to downloading all three SOR games on the Wii Virtual Console. What's done is done.

[alvieao2]

Thank you for posting the long awaited review. I happen to have Sonic Gems Collection for the GameCube. Vectorman 1 & 2 are very good Genesis platformers, but Sega shouldn't have removed the Streets of Rage trilogy in the first place.

[RCoehrs]

Although I respect your Videos. I feel you cannot base your review a complilation on the games it does not have, Although the Knuckles comment does kinda fit.

[AlteredEgo5x]

Great review, but I thought at first, and still think that sonic R is a great game, I know I'm not the only one out there. I am not even a huge sonic fan and I think it is great, and you should of given it a little more credit, but otherwise great work.

[stafax]

I remember Sonic The Fighters at my local Showbiz Pizza/Chuck E Cheese. Cept I think it was called Sonic Championship.

Also, I would like to get this compilation, but GC games have been pretty pricey lately, and I hardly have my GC hooked up that often, so that makes me steer away from purchasing this.

[psmgamer]

A long wait but worth it.

[sdphost]

Finally, long awaited.

Keep up the reviews.