Sonic Gems Collection

by Sega Of America, Inc.

Product Features

• Three main titles
• Six additional Game Gear titles:
• Two extra unlockable titles
• Players can also unlock classic Game Gear Sonic games like Sonic Spinball, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Sonic - Triple Trouble, Sonic Drift 2, Tails' Skypatrol and Tails' Adventures

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009SQFGQ
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 3, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,827 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

A second collection of classic Sonic The Hedgehog games, with nine total games (and some secret games) which include Sonic CD, Sonic R, Sonic the Fighters and more. Also included is a Museum Mode of Sonic history.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Obscure Hedgehog, August 17, 2005

By 

Michael Kerner "Michael Kerner" (Brooklyn, New York U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Sonic Gems Collection (Video Game)

For Sonic The Hedgehog, he has been one of the most enduring video game icons of all time. Since his debut in the 1990's, he has been recognized with being so fast, he hasn't been stopped. A few years ago, Sega conjured up the Sonic Mega Collection for the Nintendo Gamecube, which was arguably the most definitive nostalgic reflection from the blue speed demon and his Genesis days. While there were some that were upset that some games were overshadowed, the Playstation 2 & Xbox had improved versions of the Mega Collection which maintained to be more definitve than before. Yet, there still was somthings that were not there for die hard owners like the overshadowing of Sonic CD. Now, the classics keep on ringing.

Sonic Gems Collection is more like a supplement to the critical Sonic Mega Collection for Gamecube owners. The compilation is mainly consisted of some lesser known greats Sonic had been featured in. The main games are really the diamonds in the rough. Sonic CD, the cult classic from the Sega CD days, has been reissued here and remastered graciously well as the main diamond for die hard Sonic fans. The other ones also please very nicely including Sonic The Fighters, a cult classic video arcade fighting game that was released overseas from the Saturn era, but now has made its U.S. debut right here. This is a pure delight for anybody who is into classics like Street Fighter II, and Mortal Kombat days. The other game, the only one of 2 Saturn games for the U.S. Sonic R is also featured. This mad dash racing game is really fun and great to play from the mastered P.C. version a few years ago. It is a pure fan pleaser for die hard fans of the Mario Kart era, and a great challenge for all who want to be in a mad dash for the chaos gold.

While the main games are showcased well, the compilation of games from Sega's handheld Game Gear era are fair, but could've been a little more that should've been desired. The list includes greats like Sonic Triple Trouble, Sonic Spinball, and Sonic 2 to name a few. Unfortunately, there were a few omissions here that should've been showcased that were featured from the Playstation 2 & Xbox Sonic Mega Collection Plus editions: the original Game Gear version of Sonic The Hedgehog, and the well-compiled and mad dashing 1993 Sonic Chaos games, instead of lesser games like Tails Adventures and the Mario Kart knockoff Sonic Drift 2. There also a few greats that also are worth unlocking here, the cult-classic Genesis Vectorman series which was just a pure exciting smash as one the last greats from the 16-bit era.

Despite a small amount of flaws, Sonic Gems collection is a pure delight for die hard Sonic fans. There are just some great challenging games here, but more could've been added to be as definitive as before. This is great for anybody who played the Genesis era games from before in the Mega Collection for Gamecube, PS2 and Xbox. The hedgehog still keeps on rolling out and not stopping for rings.

Graphics: B+

Sound: A-

Control: A-

Price: B

Game Gear Collection: C 1/2+

Sonic R, Sonic CD and Sonic The Fighters: B+

Fun & Enjoyment: B

Overall: B 1/2-

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Think of this as Sonic Mega Collection part 2., January 22, 2006

By 

J. Parmelee (Spring Lake, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Sonic Gems Collection (Video Game)

I received this as a birthday present last September and I must say I am very impressed with the amount of fun Ive had playing this game.Sonic CD(old Sega CD game) is back in all it's glory as well as Sonic R(from the Sega Saturn) and the obscure yet totally addictive Sonic Fighters from the arcades.Of these 3, Sonic CD is my favorite but the 6 Game Gear games are a nice bonus as well. While Im not to nuts about the Tails titles or the Game Gear version of Sonic Spinball I'm glad they decided to put the Game Gear version of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 on here and the Game Gear exclusive Triple Trouble on here.Sonic 2 is probably my favorite of the Game Gear games that I've played as it's a little different than the Genesis ones as it brings some new twists like hang gliding and riding in a cart.The music and graphics are bright and upbeat and all of the end bosses are fun to beat.Triple Trouble is a tad like Sonic The Hedgehog 3 and most of the levels are fun and enjoyable all the graphics and music could have been improved a little bit. My favorite games on this Game Cube disc are going to go in this order according to the ones I like the best:
1. Sonic CD (A+)
2. Sonic The Hedgehog 2(A)
3. Sonic The Fighters(A)
4.Sonic Triple Trouble(A-)
5.Sonic R(B+)
6.Sonic Spinball((B)
7.Sonic Drift 2(B-)
8.Tails' Sky Patrol(C+)
9.Tails Adventures(C)
Overall this is a good collection but I recommend you buy Sonic Mega Collection first.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A few "gems" of the Sonic the Hedgehog game library, October 3, 2005

By 

Silent Bob - See all my reviews

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Sonic Gems Collection (Video Game)

I got this game a few weeks ago. I heard about it from one of my friends, and when I heard that it included Sonic CD, I decided right then and there that I had to have this game. So now, here I am, with Sonic Gems Collection in the palm of my hand. If I have to give it a full letter grade, it would be a C. It didn't live up to all of my expectations, but I'm glad I own it.

There are a total of 9 games (plus two unlockables, Vectorman 1 & 2) but I will only discuss the main three and Vectorman. Let's first start with Sonic CD.

The story of Sonic CD is simple: Sonic must save the cute Amy Rose and a whole 'nother planet from the iron grip of Dr. Eggman (a.k.a. Dr. Robotnik). Eggman's created a new robot: the villainous Metal Sonic (the coolest enemy in Sonic history, as far as I'm concerned). The goal is to guide Sonic through 7 Zones, picking up rings, beating Eggman and his robots, and scoring big points. Seems pretty simple, right? But there's a catch: to fully conquer this game, you need to collect the seven Time Stones. That's where my first complaint comes in. Getting the Time Stones was an aggravating experience. The Special Stages were nice-looking and all (for Sega CD graphics, that is), but the goal of hitting poorly placed UFO's that dodge your every attack is really hard to achieve. It's better to work on Time Attack and unlock the good ending. At first, I thought this game was too short. But when you throw in the unique time traveling gimmick, which allows you to go into the past and future of each Zone, the game can be a little longer and more fun (though not quite as fun and exciting as Sonic 3 & Knuckles, which can be found in Sonic Mega Collection, which I also own). The game even has a great soundtrack; I love "Sonic Boom". All in all, a fair game (and the race against Metal Sonic was awesome!).

Sonic the Fighters...when I first played this game, I didn't like it that much. I thought, "Sonic was never meant to be a fighting game." But now, I'm growing to like it. It's a good game to play every once in a while, and the good thing is that it's not too addictive. The final battle against Metal Sonic is hard, but awesome. Challenge a fellow rival for more fun.

Sonic R...this is the best, and only, Sonic racing game I've really taken the time to play and enjoy. The controls are simplistic, nothing complicated. You can choose from four characters in the beginning, and gradually unlock other characters. Like Sonic CD, this game has a good soundtrack. My personal favorite is the main theme of Sonic R.

Vectorman...one of the best games for the Sega Genesis is now availible on this Gems Collection. I'm not going to bore anyone with the storyline, as it's the typical "save the earth" deal. But it's fun, and plays sort of like the Mega Man games (though nowhere near as hard, unless you decide to set this game to the highest difficulty rating). Vectorman 2 is more of the same.

There are a bundle of other Sonic the Hedgehog games on this disc, so it's well worth your money to buy this game: it's at a darn good price. I'd recommend this to aspiring Sonic the Hedgehog fans and Sonic the Hedgehog veterans like myself. Just be patient while playing these games, as I stress with all the games I've reviewed.