Sega Vintage Collection 2 announced, includes Sonic & Gunstar Heroes

• by McKinley Noble
• May 12, 2009 00:00 AM PST

Sega's Vintage Collection 2, a selection of retro Genesis titles from Sega's old-school video game acrhive, has just been announced for future release on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. Seven games will be available for download this summer, including Gunstar Heroes, Comix Zone and Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Sega's Vintage Collections are aimed squarely at lovers of retro video games, and several more titles are getting the downloadable makeover this summer. A press release from Sega recently confirmed that no less than seven games from the Genesis years are headed to Xbox Live this summer: Gunstar Heroes, Altered Beast, Shinobi (the arcade version), Comix Zone (one of my favorites), Phantasy Star 2 (ditto), Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and later on this summer, Sonic and Knuckles. Finally, Sonic games that didn't suck!

Phantasy Star II: Killing off the hot magical chick since 1989.

Given that current Genesis titles on XBLA are 400 points, I wouldn't expect Sega to be charging too much for the collection, although I'm bummed that Sonic and Knuckles isn't hitting the market at the same time. Also, I'm curious why the PlayStation Network only got access to Gunstar Heroes. Maybe Sony's exorbitant developer fees for downloadable content has something to do with it, but I can only guess. I don't know if the same retarded hefty "PlayStation Network Bandwidth Fee" applies to DLC for existing games, or download-only titles.

Anyway, check out Sega's full press release below to get the skinny on the announced titles (no prices yet):

Gunstar Heroes (XBLA & PSN) - The classic side scrolling shooter from the SEGA Genesis returns to captivate fans new and old with its non-stop action and cooperative play.

Altered Beast (XBLA) - "Rise from your Grave" as the original Genesis launch game is reborn and comes to a new generation of gamers. Battle hordes of undead warriors and monsters as you return to battle in order to save Zeus' daughter Athena.

Shinobi (arcade) (XBLA) - Battle your way through the "Ring of Five" as you save hostages with your ninja abilities.

Comix Zone (XBLA) - The game features an innovative art style that transports players directly into the panels of a comic as they fight their way to save a world from destruction as Sketch Turner. Everything from the speech bubble text, level design, and the revolutionary graphics scream COMIX!

Phantasy Star 2 (XBLA) - SEGA's classic RPG which expanded on the success of the first with its epic storyline and battle system.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (XBLA) - The game that introduced Knuckles the Echidna comes to a new generation of gamers as Sonic explores Angel Island and discovers the true power of the Master Emerald. Speed through each level at lightning speeds as either Sonic or Tails as you foil Dr. Eggman's in his new Death Egg station.

And Coming late Summer 2009!

Sonic and Knuckles (XBLA) - Picking up where Sonic the Hedgehog 3 left off, players can now play as Knuckles for the first time. In addition, if players already have Sonic the Hedgehog 3 or Sonic 2 in their library, they will be able to access the lock-on bonus content for each game for the very first time since the days of the SEGA GENESIS! This allows for gamers to play Sonic 2 & 3 as Knuckles!

THE VERDICT by McKinley Noble Hell, I'd buy the collection for Phantasy Star II by itself. Plus, I can never sneeze at Achievements to support my pathetic Gamerscore.

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