Sega earlier this year released a classic collection of Genesis titles for current generation consoles. It was a collection that featured some of the hottest Genesis titles from back in the day, including some Sonic games that hadn’t been released previously, as well as some really forgotten classics like Golden Axe. For those of us who lived and breathed the golden olden days of Sega, it was a dream come true to revisit them on current generation consoles.
Now, last week we had a new collection of games dropped on our desk that was built in the same vein as the Genesis collection but individualized for the Nintendo Switch. They were released under the moniker of Sega Ages. While the future titles look to reach further back beyond just the Genesis, the first two titles released were from the Genesis/Mega Drive days. The first two titles to hit were Sonic the Hedgehog, a title that we’ve seen before in other iterations, and Lightening Force, a Technosoft developed title that is a brutal shooter. Each title is priced for $7.99 a piece and features some unique attributes to make them more than just emulated games.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic is what you would expect from the game. While it’s playing off the Mega Drive version of the game (no big difference in gameplay design than the Genesis version), you’re going to get the same initial game you have always come to love with Sonic the Hedgehog. Outside of the original mode, this release includes a Ring Keep Mode, which is something new to me, as well as a Challenge Mode.
The Ring Keep Mode’s only difference, when compared to the Original Mode, is that you start out with 10 rings when you begin a new game or a new life. I guess it is to help you with the game so you don’t die immediately, but regardless it is basically the same gameplay design overall. I think maybe it was designed for younger players that don’t quite get the concept of Sonic’s speed, or Sonic’s ultimate goal. To be quite fair, I have a few young kids at home that would probably benefit from a booster of coins at the beginning. If Sega is wanting to capture a new audience and make the Sonic name last for a while, this is certainly going to help. For us seasoned veterans of the series, it’s unnecessary and it doesn’t add much to the process, but I get why it exists.
The other mode to crow about is the Challenge Mode. The Challenge Mode is broken into two pieces: Time Attack and Mega Play. The Time Attack is just what you think it might be, a time attack. Getting through the Green Zone (first level) in the quickest amount of time is the goal for this one. What’s neat about this mode is that there are world rankings. Currently, the top ranking sits at 19 seconds. What’s even better about this mode is that the rankings come equipped with video proof of how the individual did it. I’m not sure I’ve personally seen anything that shows video accompanied accomplishments for a highly ranked player, but it adds some cool factor and charm to it all. In fact, and this is rare, it makes me want to try hard to beat that time. It’s good motivation to try the challenge at the very least.
The other mode in the Challenge Mode is called Mega Play. Mega Play is a Dark Souls-esque version of Sonic the Hedgehog, if you can imagine that in your head. You have limited time and limited lives (one) to complete stages. It’s brutal. If you enjoy that torture/challenge, then have at it. It’s a neat addition to an old game.
Moving on…
Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar
So, I have to laugh a bit at this game. Back in the day, when I was wayyyy younger, before the beard, I played the hell out of this series. Lightening Force was one of the first shooter games that I owned for my system and it was always provided an intense battle that certainly created good adrenaline and motivation to get through some complicated levels. The game essentially threw a large amount of creative enemies at you, included power-ups for your ship (classic arcade — 1943 sorta stuff), and then capped each level off with a boss that had particular weak points. It was a hard game that really tested your patience, but at the same time a pretty game that threw creative chaos at you. The latter made for some good gameplay.
This time around, the game is still the same. My patience is still the same. The difference is that I completely suck at this game now. I’m not sure where my gameplay skills were lost in translation as I have gotten older, but wow Lightening Force is a real challenge. The fact that you get limited continues on a game that is unforgiving really reinforces how positively worn my skills have become as I approach an elderly gaming state. Anyway, Lightening Force is a challenge, which might be the biggest selling point to the game for a younger gaming audience. Nostalgia will be the driving reason for capturing us old people.
The other selling point to LF is the Kids Mode of the game, which is where I now spend most of my time after shedding tiny tears after dying over and over and over again. It’s an easier version of the game that throws less enemies at you, while also giving you plenty of power-ups to use. Much like the Ring Mode in Sonic, it really is catering to a younger audience of up and coming gamers. It’s a good move to throw this in there, as well as a pleasant departure from getting constantly killed in the original mode.
Much like Sonic, the game features a rank mode, so enjoy that competition.
Other Thoughts and Stuff
One of the nicer features of both games is that you can use a ‘save’ mode to stop in the middle of the game. This isn’t something that was available in the original titles, but it’s available here. For example, if you have to go mow the grass, fix dinner, or work on different reviews (because the holiday season is hell), you can save your game in mid-game, and come back to it at a later time. It’s the same concept of pretty much every PC gaming experience, and it’s nice to have when you need it. The cartridge format back in the day probably prevented this from being a regular thing, but I’m happy they included it with this one.
Now, the white elephant in the room here is that if you own the Genesis Collection, then why do you need a $7.99 game? That’s a good question and only you can answer that, if the extra modes aren’t enough to warrant the purchase. For me, I like having old games on multiple platforms. I can’t tell you how many versions of Namco Museum I have at my disposal in my office (it’s sad), but I enjoy them all the time. Now, back to the games at hand, I’m especially looking forward to the Sega Ages version of Phantasy Star, a game I cannot find on its own legally. I’m looking forward to that release, as it makes sense, and feel like it would do well on the Nintendo Switch. It’s one of the best RPGs in video game history and it still works well. Heck, it might give Sega enough motivation to make a Phantasy Star V. You know, not the online version of the series. An ACTUAL Phantasy Star V.
Anyway, I have a soft spot for older games. I do appreciate the Sega Ages titles right now, and look forward to more in the future. I also think that if they start creating more additional modes to these older titles, then the series will be an easy sell. Right now, the modes are decent, especially for younger gamers out there, so they add some value to the titles, but they need a bit more to them, though, to really sell everyone on them.
