Last update: 07/20/07

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   Unlike its predecessor Sonic Jam, Mega Collection is thin in the extras department, but includes a broader scope of games than is the norm for such packages - every blessed Sonic title ever released for the Mega Drive is accounted for and the emulation is impeccable. For troglodytes who by some miraculous feat of social evasion have managed to not play any Sonic games in their entire lives, Mega Collection offers plenty of bang for the buck. For the rest of the civilized world, however, there ain't much of anything new to see.

   The package includes 11 proper titles (14 if you include the Sonic & Knuckles "lock-on" features) including a few with no apparent ties to the series:

• Sonic the Hedgehog -- Playable at the outset. Both revisions of Sonic 1 have been generously included plus a new bug fix version. For more info, skip over to the Sonic 1 page.
  • Revision 2: The default version, originally only released in Japan. It includes some graphical polish such as scrolling clouds and ripple effects.
  • Revision 1: The original version of the game and the only one released in the West. To play it, access the info screen and press:
    ZZZZ.
  • Revision 3: This new revision fixes the notorious spike bug. To play it, access the info screen and press:
    Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z .
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2 -- Playable at the outset. For a detailed synopsis, refer to the Sonic 2 page.
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 -- Playable at the outset. Refer to the Sonic 3 page for more words and pretty pictures.
• Sonic & Knuckles -- Playable at the outset, but the various "lock-on" modes must be unlocked invididually. For more detailed info, Spin Dash over to the Sonic & Knuckles page.
• Blue Spheres -- Sonic & Knuckles locked-on with Sonic 1. To play it, load Sonic 1 and Sonic 3D Blast 20 times each. If you have Phantasy Star Online Episode I&II or Sonic Adventure DX save data on your memory card, Blue Spheres will be unlocked automatically.
• Knuckles in Sonic 2 -- Sonic & Knuckles locked-on with Sonic 2. To play it, load Sonic 2 and Sonic Spinball 20 times each.
• Sonic 3 & Knuckles -- Sonic & Knuckles locked-on with Sonic 3. To play it, load Sonic 3 and S&K 20 times each.
• Sonic 3D Blast -- Aka Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island, playable at the outset. For a detailed synopsis (with pictures!), refer to the Sonic 3D page.
• Sonic Spinball -- Playable at the outset. For the full 101 course, spring merrily over to the Spinball page.
• Dr. Eggman no Mean Bean Machine -- Aka Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, aka Puyo Puyo, playable at the outset. For more info, refer to the Mean Bean page.
• Flicky -- The MD port of Sega's popular 1984 coin-op bearing the same title. While Flicky herself has fallen out of the limelight since the early 90's, she and her brethren continue to play prominent roles in Sonic's ongoing adventures. To unlock the game, load Mean Bean Machine 30 times. If you have Sonic Adventure 2 Battle save data on your memory card, Flicky will be unlocked automatically. (This version of the game was originally distributed through Sega's Mega Modem service in Japan. The cartridge version was only released in the US and Europe.)
• Ristar the Shooting Star -- Cult favorite Ristar sprung forth from the ashes of an early Sonic concept featuring a rabbit with long prehensile ears. The evil king Greedy has seized control of the solar system, and the terrified residents send out a desperate call for help. The plea is answered by Ristar, child of the legendary shooting star Oort. To unlock the game, load all 11 titles on the disc 20 times each.
• The Ooze -- One of the last Genesis titles released and a baffling inclusion to Sonic Mega Collection. Dr. D Caine, a peon researcher at a medical lab, uncovers his company's plot to infect the people with a deadly virus. Company goons quickly silence the hapless doctor and inject him with the disease in question. He transforms into a gooey mass of green sludge, and is now out to get revenge and put a stop to the company's evil plot. Players control the viscous blob through a series of tedious overhead mazes. Caine attacks by spitting and punching with his slimy mass. As he takes damage, his mass decreases but it can be refilled by absorbing enemies. To unlock The Ooze, access the options menu and press: LRZLRZ.
• Comix Zone -- Another baffling inclusion from the defunct Sega Technical Institute. Sketch Turner, comic book artist extraordinaire, is zapped into his own creation when his studio is struck by lightning. His own drawings are out to kill him so they can escape to the real world. Players assume the role of Sketch in a side scrolling beat-em-up that takes place across a series of comic book style action panels. To unlock the game, access the manual menu and press:
  Z Z Z L R Z.

   Other features on the disc include digital instruction manuals for each game, a cover art gallery of all the Archie Sonic comics to date, the Sonic CD opening and ending cinemas (featuring the US version theme song, Sonic Boom), a series of lousy movie clips (mainly ads for then-current Sonic titles such as Sonic Adventure 2 Battle and Sonic Advance 2), and a staff roll.