How did Ultimeate Mega Drive collection warrant 98%?

[retrojc]

How much work would be needed for online co-op on a title containing 40 odd games?

Considering many of these are already out on xbox live arcade, not so much.

If they weren't once one game has been coded to connect with online multiplayer, not much work. It's as simple as tricking the game into thinking player 2 is connected physically, but actually over the internet. Of course, this would of added time to dev build.

[Antiriad2097]

modern day gaming is centered around an online experience

... for some people.

[retrojc]

modern day gaming is centered around an online experience

... for some people.

Yes, but for most major companies it is, and for me at the very least.

[nakamura]

modern day gaming is centered around an online experience

... for some people.

Yes, but for most major companies it is, and for me at the very least.

Then clearly the collection is not aimed at you.

For anyone else that just wants to enjoy a collection of mostly classic games that still play brilliantly today, it is a stunning collection.

[crusto]

Well worth its score if you ask me, Its choc full of quality.

[kiwimike]

Really?


Some of the games on there may be some of the best the Mega Drive has, some of these game on here are near 100%

Yeah, your own remarks here are probably a good enough reason for it to score highly. 98% is of course subjective, but all you need to know are the are heaps of games on the compilation, and the vast majority are brilliant games from the day that scored highly in their own right, including many genres (even some great RPGs) that will keep you entertained for months. And at the price represents outstanding value.
Yeah it's missing some 'extras', but doesn't bother me as I'd only look at them once. I bought the 360 version and love it. If I was rating it I'd rate it in the 90s. If you enjoy retro games and Sega classics, IMO there's little to dislike.

[retrojc]

Then clearly the collection is not aimed at you.

For anyone else that just wants to enjoy a collection of mostly classic games that still play brilliantly today, it is a stunning collection.

So, if a game which is titled Ultimate Mega Drive Collection isn't for me, then what is in the gaming world? I'm a huge fan of the MD, so you couldn't be more wrong there. I haven't once said I even dislike the game.

Some of the games on there may be some of the best the Mega Drive has, some of these game on here are near 100%

Yeah, your own remarks here are probably a good enough reason for it to score highly. 98% is of course subjective, but all you need to know are the are heaps of games on the compilation, and the vast majority are brilliant games from the day that scored highly in their own right, including many genres (even some great RPGs) that will keep you entertained for months. And at the price represents outstanding value.
Yeah it's missing some 'extras', but doesn't bother me as I'd only look at them once. I bought the 360 version and love it. If I was rating it I'd rate it in the 90s. If you enjoy retro games and Sega classics, IMO there's little to dislike.

Just because some of the games in the compilation were once near perfect, today they are not. Not to the vast majority anyway. Do I really want to be sitting down going through Shining Force again... Just seems the reviewer is over reaching, clutching at straws to bring the score up. I mean, front cover of a game that is now an Xbox 360 classic, good promotion.

Price is irrelevant, though you're right in what you say. As said earlier, I do really like the game. Ask anyone on my friends list and they'll tell you I'm chasing Chiptunes stupid amount of achievements. But, I can't chase his high scores, and that is another reason why it's just somewhat lame.

I'd stick by 85%. A great game, but with no online leader boards, co-op play or PAL artwork it just seems these games were thrown together in a classic "One size fits all". I'd of been happy with 1/2 the amount of games with leader boards and online co-op play.

[kiwimike]

Then clearly the collection is not aimed at you.

For anyone else that just wants to enjoy a collection of mostly classic games that still play brilliantly today, it is a stunning collection.

So, if a game which is titled Ultimate Mega Drive Collection isn't for me, then what is in the gaming world? I'm a huge fan of the MD, so you couldn't be more wrong there. I haven't once said I even dislike the game.

Some of the games on there may be some of the best the Mega Drive has, some of these game on here are near 100%

Yeah, your own remarks here are probably a good enough reason for it to score highly. 98% is of course subjective, but all you need to know are the are heaps of games on the compilation, and the vast majority are brilliant games from the day that scored highly in their own right, including many genres (even some great RPGs) that will keep you entertained for months. And at the price represents outstanding value.
Yeah it's missing some 'extras', but doesn't bother me as I'd only look at them once. I bought the 360 version and love it. If I was rating it I'd rate it in the 90s. If you enjoy retro games and Sega classics, IMO there's little to dislike.

Just because some of the games in the compilation were once near perfect, today they are not. Not to the vast majority anyway. Do I really want to be sitting down going through Shining Force again... Just seems the reviewer is over reaching, clutching at straws to bring the score up. I mean, front cover of a game that is now an Xbox 360 classic, good promotion.

Price is irrelevant, though you're right in what you say. As said earlier, I do really like the game. Ask anyone on my friends list and they'll tell you I'm chasing Chiptunes stupid amount of achievements. But, I can't chase his high scores, and that is another reason why it's just somewhat lame.

I'd stick by 85%. A great game, but with no online leader boards, co-op play or PAL artwork it just seems these games were thrown together in a classic "One size fits all". I'd of been happy with 1/2 the amount of games with leader boards and online co-op play.

For sure, you rate it 85%. I rate it in the 90s. How can anyone be right or wrong, it's personal opinion. So's the review. Personally I prefer more games, less of the 'extras.' Again personal opinion. But how can the games have been 'once near perfect, but today they are not?' You get what you pay for. If you're an older gamer, looking for top notch emulations of the MD games...it does what it says on the tin.
Personally, I'm enjoying Shining force again! Love the battles. Again, personal opinion, everyones different...just like reviews. You only have to google reviews of any game to find varying opinions of anything-some are extreme as well. But for what it's worth, I rate this collection in the '90s as well. A kid who was born in the new era and is all about the graphics (probably wouldn't be reading RG anyway )would probably think it's a load of old rubbish.

[kiwimike]

TBH, I'm not overly sure what the issue is here. The OP likes the compilation. Most posting here like the compilation. The main point seems to be an arguement in regard to the percentage rating. Why? If you see a range of reviews of the same game, all favourable, is one more 'correct' than another simply because a review goes closest to your own 'personal' score rating?
Take Spy Hunter, the old classic. I hate it! I have always thought it was a pile of overrated crap! Does that make me right and someone who likes the game wrong? If I reviewed it for a mag and gave it the 40% odd that I would be likely to, does that make me wrong when most would rate it possibly 80%+?
Still...I think this arguement about 'how could game 'x' get this score when it clearly was better/worse' has gone on since game mags started reviewing, and will remain contentious.
Back on this mag and games specifically- It's a retro game compilation pack-a damn good one-being reviewed in a retro game magazine. Odds are it's going to get a better score than a review in a mag that covers current game mainly, IMO.

[kiwimike]

modern day gaming is centered around an online experience

... for some people.

...Not me! I'm not online, although I may as some stage. My gaming is based around relaxing after work, on a rainy weekend day, and any multiplayer gaming I prefer to play with people invited around for a gaming night.

[lanky316]

Can't believe the score they gave it, far too low. A host of classic games worth high into the 90s alone along with some hidden gems. Some little mini interviews as extras and a few arcade/SMS games as extras as well. All that for a tenner (albeit more expensive on launch I'm sure) and you can't give it 100%? I demand the reviewers head

[pyroxian]

...It's as simple as tricking the game into thinking player 2 is connected physically, but actually over the internet. Of course, this would of added time to dev build.

Hohoho - that's not a very simple thing at all How do you synchronise the emulation across both machines? And then how do you cope with lag? Even on a fast internet connection, you're still going to get around a 16ms ping time, which is about 1 frame of lag if you're running the game at 60fps.

[Darran@Retro Gamer]

Did any compilations have online play when it came out? Pretty sure they didn't. At the time it was the best possible compilation around so it got the best score. Simples.

The best maybe however you're saying that this compilation is one of the best games of all time - that is just not true. Clearly the reviewer only compared it to other compilations and not with the games available on shelves/arcade; modern day gaming is centered around an online experience, and this game did not cater to that. Without online co-op it's in no way a 98% game. I guess this is just a conflict of opinions. to me its 85%. With online play, leaderboards, pal artwork then yes it would be worth 98%, and one of the best games of all time.

Oh, and Namco Museum came out in 2008, and has online play. Though, it isn't the best compilation in my opinion, but very enjoyable.

So basically what you're saying is - I'm wrong because I've not judged it by the criteria that you've judged it upon.
I think it's one of the best retro compilations I've ever played and you don't.

Really can't see how this is now on two pages, especially when it's an argument that's 3 years too late.

[SJ_Sathanas]

No doubt Darren's already spent the fat wdge of cash and gotten bored of the women and the drugs that he recieved in lieu of a favourable review by now anyways......

[kiwimike]

Did any compilations have online play when it came out? Pretty sure they didn't. At the time it was the best possible compilation around so it got the best score. Simples.

The best maybe however you're saying that this compilation is one of the best games of all time - that is just not true. Clearly the reviewer only compared it to other compilations and not with the games available on shelves/arcade; modern day gaming is centered around an online experience, and this game did not cater to that. Without online co-op it's in no way a 98% game. I guess this is just a conflict of opinions. to me its 85%. With online play, leaderboards, pal artwork then yes it would be worth 98%, and one of the best games of all time.

Oh, and Namco Museum came out in 2008, and has online play. Though, it isn't the best compilation in my opinion, but very enjoyable.

So basically what you're saying is - I'm wrong because I've not judged it by the criteria that you've judged it upon.
I think it's one of the best retro compilations I've ever played and you don't.

Really can't see how this is now on two pages, especially when it's an argument that's 3 years too late.

...I think I would've rated it about 95%...so you are WAY out of order. How dare you, give your honest opinion on a games compilation that the vast majority of the readers would find top notch? Why didn't you do it the 'Amazon way' and leave it to customer reviews (which generally don't work either due to either someone involved with the game giving it a '5' while someone grumpy at the fact it took an extra day to be delivered will take it out on the game review and give it '1').
How do you sleep at night?!

Seriously though, the only way to stop the debates like this is to take out ratings completely, and simply give thumbs up or down. And then you'd get people complaining you weren't specific enough.
That said, I like a good arguement, so bring it on!