SEGA Genesis Classics

About

"SEGA Genesis Classics offers a vast collection of 50+ Mega Drive & Genesis games, including classics like Sonic and Streets of Rage 2. Modern features such as save points, rewind, and customizable controls enhance the retro experience. Compete online, earn achievements, and experience the largest collection of retro classics on console."

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 200 reviews

gameplay3 positive mentions

stability6 negative mentions

The collection features a great selection of classic Sega Genesis games, including many beloved titles that evoke nostalgia.
The rewind and save state features enhance gameplay, making it easier to enjoy challenging retro games without frustration.
The user interface, designed like a nostalgic living room, adds charm and immersion to the experience of playing these classic games.

Many players experience input lag, particularly with fast-paced games like Sonic, making them difficult to enjoy.
Some notable titles, such as Sonic 3 and Ecco the Dolphin, are missing from the collection, which disappoints fans of those games.
The interface can be clunky and confusing, making it difficult to navigate and adjust settings while playing.

graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The graphics are a faithful 1:1 representation of the original games, with options to enhance or modify them using various filters and settings, allowing players to relive the nostalgic experience of classic titles. While some users note that the graphics can appear outdated, the ability to adjust visual settings and maintain the retro aesthetic adds to the charm. Overall, the graphics serve as a nostalgic reminder of the '90s gaming era, despite some inconvenience in accessing emulation settings.
- “The graphics are 1:1 with the original, and you can enhance them if you like using filters. You also have the chance to save states for each game (up to 3), so you can save the game at any time and continue from that point; the beauty of playing old games on a modern console.”
- “They could have just presented the games in their original graphics, but once again, they offered more than they had to!”
- “We can finally relive these games in their intended '90s visual aesthetic (heck, there's even a little virtual CRT you can play them on!).”
- “He said it's very 'nostalgic.' The graphics, as expected, are terrible, but that doesn't seem to matter when you're seeing something straight from your childhood once again.”
- “It is not aesthetically pleasing and once you are in a game, you need to back out to go to emulation settings.”
- “This is very inconvenient when you want to change graphic options or modify controller settings.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game is generally poor, with many users reporting significant bugs, including issues with saving and loading games, input latency, and sound emulation. Some titles are unplayable due to frequent freezes, particularly noted in Sonic 2, and the online multiplayer experience is also plagued by instability. Overall, these technical problems detract from the enjoyment of the game.
- “Some titles work, some are unplayable and buggy.”
- “The ability to save and load is buggy.”
- “The game sometimes freezes, especially in Sonic 2.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The gameplay offers a nostalgic experience with a variety of options that cater to both Genesis fans and newcomers, featuring an engaging menu set in a 90's bedroom. While the overall gameplay is enjoyable and fluid on modern systems, some users have reported occasional lag. The collection of games maintains the simple yet captivating storylines and mechanics characteristic of classic titles.
- “Whether you’re a Genesis fan or not, the amount of gameplay options should keep any gamer busy for a while.”
- “The menu is the first cool thing to see: a 90's kids' bedroom, where you can look at the Genesis 50 game collection, TV settings, Genesis settings, audio settings, network gameplay, leaderboards, a real-time clock, and appropriate outdoor sound effects reflecting the time of day.”
- “The quality that existed in those old video games was a simple but very involving storyline, and gameplay that was easy and fun.”
- “Some lagging during gameplay.”
- “At any rate, every game on the disc is awesome, but my PlayStation 4 Pro on my 65-inch 4K HDR TV has no problem sustaining fluid 60fps or choppy 30 frames per second gameplay.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The music in Sonic 3 has been criticized for its intermittent cutouts, which detracts from the overall experience. However, Sega addressed these issues in the recent release of Sonic Origins by replacing the problematic tracks, improving the audio quality for players.
- “The music in the game is incredibly immersive and enhances the overall experience.”
- “The soundtrack is a perfect blend of nostalgia and modernity, making it enjoyable for both new players and veterans.”
- “The variety of tracks keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, with each level having its own unique theme.”
- “I also noticed that the music sometimes is intermittent, and when it randomly cuts out, it constantly disrupts the experience.”
- “I know Sonic 3 has had issues with the music, and Sega eventually remedied that by replacing the music when they made Sonic Origins, which came out this year.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization of the game is notably superior on the newer version, delivering better overall performance compared to the PS4.
- “The superior version offers better overall performance than on the PS4.”
- “The optimization in this game is impressive, making for a smoother experience.”
- “I noticed significant improvements in load times and frame rates after the update.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
300%
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, particularly due to customizable settings that enhance the experience and nostalgia for classic titles. The ability to revisit and enjoy these games in a polished format adds significant value for long-time fans.
- “I spent way too much time playing with these settings, and for someone who grew up playing Genesis in their childhood, these settings bring a lot of replay value. It's really neat to me to be able to see these games cleaned up.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices, making it hard to find motivation for a second playthrough.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to dive back in; the side quests feel repetitive and uninspired.”
- “While the initial experience is enjoyable, the lack of varied outcomes or branching paths severely limits replayability.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the story aspect of older video games for their simple yet engaging narratives, which complemented easy and enjoyable gameplay.
- “The quality that existed in those old video games was a simple but very involving storyline, and gameplay that was easy and fun.”