What's the Frequency, Kenneth? Vol. 1

[Melf]

Sometimes, things happen that leave you totally puzzled, confused without a clue. Since this also seems to happen quite often in the world of video games, we figured it was worth discussing. Hence the birth of a new feature series! What's the Frequency, Kenneth? is a new editorial series by Sega-16 EIC Ken Horowitz that examines the bewildering decisions made in the wonderful world of 16-bit gaming, past and present. A lot of the events of the Genesis era are still felt today, and they still influence the decisions made by the House that Sonic Built. Check out the first installment and then head over to our forums and chat about it!

[Baloo]

Agreed! I want to see Knuckles' Chaotix re-released already!

[j_factor]

What does this have to do with R.E.M.?

[Joe Redifer]

They really need to release an arcade-only compilation with about 50-100 games on it. They could even include the Genesis versions of said arcade games (but not in lieu of the coin-ops). The problem is, nobody knows how to program an emulator. The sound on the arcade games in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection is messed up beyond belief. It's pathetic. The people who authored those emulators should feel shame. They need to get the guys behind MAME to do it. And then adapt the control so it is comfortable to play!

Speaking of awful emulation, I always find it funny how Sonic's tummy sticks out in FRONT of the title banner in Sonic 1's title screen... but only when awful, incompetent emulation is used.

[BaronSFel001]

They really need to release an arcade-only compilation with about 50-100 games on it. They could even include the Genesis versions of said arcade games (but not in lieu of the coin-ops).

One name: Steve Snake. They hired him before (for the PC Smash Packs), no reason they cannot do so again since until very recently his Sega 16-bit emulator was the most spot-on. That would cover CD and 32X more accurately than almost anyone, problem solved. And I wholeheartedly agree: Sega's biggest legacy is in the arcades, and Sega Ages aside, it is long overdue time to bring that legacy back to the forefront.

Well, I suppose this collection can be forgiven for coming out on PC for those of us who did not experience the previous collections due to not owning a PS2 or 7th generation console. What cannot be forgiven is that for all the emphasis on making sure every little Sonic game is covered (for the fifth time already), there is still no Chaotix and no Saturn version of Sonic 3D. Eternal Champions beckons (both cart and CD), but it is nice to see ToeJam & Earl. It can be done: Turbo CD has been on Virtual Console for years (how much harder can Sega CD be, except maybe for the BIOS?), and Sega missed an opportunity when they aborted their Saturn emulation project.

But emulation is still a weak point for Sega. After playing Sonic Mega Collection, that is all the reason I needed to completely avoid Virtual Console. For those of us who have done so up to this point, this might be worth it with titles like Alien Soldier, Crack Down, and Monster Lair. On the other hand, Sega knows the games included are outstanding classics, and one really cannot go wrong with re-re-re-rereleasing them, but those most disappointed are the fans for Sega's apparent lack of effort.

[The Jackal]

The emulation in the GameCube Mega Collection was actually quite good, it was the PS2 version that wasn't. Digital Eclipse seems to port the same emulator each time; all the sound problems I've heard on my PS2 copy of Sega Mega Drive Collection's Sonic 1 are present on the XBLA version of Sonic 1. They could of easily sorted out these sound issues on the 360, but no they couldn't be bothered.

[St Louie Bee]

I've always wondered why Sega seems to hate its fanbase so much...

[Mega Drive]

Another point is that Sega is probably less concerned with its fanbase than it is with the potential consumers for products like these collections - and many times there is a difference. Sonic is a character known almost universally, even for those that started gaming in the last console generations. But how many happen to know Eternal Champions? One thing that I notice frequently in a number of gamer's forums is that they are frequently prone to forget that videogame is, mostly, a market, and profit is the objective for all companies in it.
I didn't check the numbers and so I could be mistaken - I would be grateful if someone pointed it out if it is the case - but in the last generation it was released for Playstation 2 two Capcom collections of classic hits, and I'm prone to suspect that they didn't sell as well as the "Sonic" or the "Megaman" collections.
Anyway, as an eventual retro gamer that still owns a "Mega Drive", I agree that there is a vast number of games that could be put in a collection. And I also add that these collections could include a bigger number of games than they normally do, plus any interesting extra material.

[shinobimusashi]

Nice rant Ken. I would absolutely love a Sega Arcade compilation packed with games, or even a nice Master System compilation.

[M4R14NO94]

I fully support the Sega CD + 32X and arcade compilations ideas.

And probably get M2 to do it. Their work on the Sega Ages compilations has been top-notch.

Joe: If you want BAD emulation (the Sega Smash Packs don't count), look no further than the emulation of Vectorman on the Sonic Gems Collection (on the PS2 version, at least. Don't know how it is on the GC version), and compare it to that on the Sega Genesis Collection.

[villahed94]

Nice one Ken.I´d had liked they had introduced Sega CD support. Apparently not. And they still lack some great games such as Thunder Force 4, World of Illusion, or Rocket Knight Adventures.

[Zebbe]

Alien Soldier, Gunstar Heroes, Landstalker and Light Crusader make up for the re-hash.

Also, there should be a comma between "Frequency" and "Kenneth" in the headline, I think.

[The Jackal]

Just read the article, very good read.

As long as the Genesis collections sell, SEGA won't be releasing anything else anytime soon.

[Cornholio857]

Nice one Ken.I´d had liked they had introduced Sega CD support. Apparently not. And they still lack some great games such as Thunder Force 4, World of Illusion, or Rocket Knight Adventures.

Sega won't ever release those games on a compilation disc because they don't own the rights to them. World of Illusion I'm not sure about though.

I also agree with a Sega Arcade collection. It sucks how Sega teases us with Arcade games on their Genesis compilation discs yet can't release a stand alone collection of all their great arcade titles. Another game that's never been re-released is Knuckles' Chaotix. I'd love to see that game along with more 32X and Sega CD titles re-released.

[djshok]

It really makes me wonder just how hard would it be for Sega to get distribution rights for some of the copyrighted games. It could be that it just wouldn't be worthwhile due to costs or whatever, but I'm wondering whether they even tried or considered contacting the copyright owners.