Sonic Classic Collection (DS) Review

Here is a test to see if this game is right for you: say to yourself, “I really, REALLY want to play the old Sonic games on my DS.”

If you laughed or just felt a little awkward, then this game is not for you.  If you couldn’t help but read it in an apathetic monotone, then this game is not for you.  If, after reading, you added a “Yeah!” with your fist raised high, you’ve probably already picked this game up.

After simply turning it on, you’ll notice that it is completely no-frills.  You select a language (every time you boot it up), you pick a game, and you play.  You could look at some unnecessary stock illustrations of classic Sonic, or watch the credits, but if you’re hoping for bonus movies or unlockable games, you’re better off with Sonic Mega Collection or Ultimate Genesis Collection.

[EDIT: I stand corrected, GameFAQs claims that you can unlock the Game Gear games Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic Chaos, and Sonic Blast by beating the main games with all Chaos Emeralds, though honestly, having Sonic Blast is not a feature you'd want to brag about.]

[RETRACTION: In a personal attempt to unlock said Game Gear games, I can confirm that the above is, in fact, false.  There are no Game Gear games, just the four Genesis titles.]

To the collection’s defense, it does have the prime selection of games.  The cartridge contains Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Knuckles In Sonic 2, and Sonic 3 & Knuckles.  Essentially, the four biggest games with Sonic & Knuckles Lock-On (except for the lock on mini-game Blue Sphere).  The price, $30, is at least comparable to what you would pay to get the games separately on Virtual Console.  Sonic 1 and 2 now have a save function that will allow you to restart at the beginning of the act you save in with score, lives, and emeralds intact.  Gameplay is always on the top screen with menus and a control guide on the bottom; there is no option to swap them.

There are a handful of problems that make the DS collection underwhelming in the face of its console cousins.  First and foremost, there is no multiplayer.  But it’s not a matter of being able to start multiplayer and unable to control the second player.  No, the developers physically removed all options to select multiplayer, and in doing so, also removed option screens.  Further, in the most backwards design decision I’ve ever seen, the DS’s start button is not utilized.  If you want to pause the game, you will need to tap a pause graphic in the lower corner of the touch screen.

I understand that a DS and a Genesis do not output at the same pixel-to-pixel resolution.  Some games combat this by fiddling with, or completely rebuilding the engine to make it work, a la Super Mario Advance.  Classic Collection’s solution to this difference may be more true to the original screen ratio, but is done quite inelegantly: the screen is shrunk by removing a single line of pixels every few lines on the screen.  Though it really doesn’t effect gameplay, the missing pixels can cause bizarre graphical inaccuracies and flashes with certain sprites and repeated background patterns.  Graphical slowdown hasn’t been eliminated, and the DS will chug when trying to process some movement-heavy sections the game, but it’s not bad enough to be a game-breaker.

My biggest disappointment with the game is the audio quality.  The background music and effects sound blurred and scratchy, which is becomes very apparent with a pair of quality headphones.  In response, I performed a brief experiment.  I plugged a pair of headphones into my TV and loaded up Sonic 1 on the Genesis (Model II) and then on Sonic Mega Collection through the Wii (both with stereo composite cables).  Mega Collection on Wii offered astounding sound clarity with stereo music.  The Genesis offered serviceable but mono output.  The DS was comparable to the Genesis, but still noticeably scratchy.

Again, I want to state that this collection is only for those who really want to play the classic Genesis Sonic games on their DS.  The ports themselves are not of the highest quality, but the games are still functionally identical and still fun.  Just be aware that nearly every other collection before this game looks better, sounds clearer, costs about the same or less, and offers more features.