Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection Transforms Genesis Classics Into HD (Update: Phantasy Star!)

We called it, Sega is planning another collection of Sega Genesis game. But, there are plenty of Sega Genesis compilations already and a library of ROMs to download via the Virtual Console. So, why should you care about a Sega Genesis collection on the PlayStation 3 / Xbox 360? Because Sega is polishing the graphics with a filter. The games reproduced, with help from Backbone Entertainment, can be displayed in 720p. Here’s a quick comparison of the visuals with Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis)

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Xbox 360)

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection)

The visuals in Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection look on par with the Xbox Live Arcade version and this makes sense since Backbone Entertainment developed Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Xbox 360.

When the PlayStation 3 / Xbox 360 disc ships it will have over 40 first party Sega games including:

Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Columns
Alien Storm
Ecco the Dolphin
Shinobi III
Space Harrier
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 3
… and “bonus” content from the Master System and Sega’s 1980 arcade era games. It’s not clear if the 40+ number factors in any Master System games or there are going to be 40+ Sega Genesis games on the disc. I’m hoping the Phantasy Star and/or the Shining Force games get upgraded graphics, but I won’t hold my breath for them.

Update: Jarrod thanks for pointing out a longer list of confirmed games. In addition to these Sega will have unlockable arcade games and developer interviews (!) with the original creators. There are RPGs in here like Phantasy Star II, III, and IV too. Sega has some new artwork for Phantasy Star II lying around it would be great if Sega used it for Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection, but that might be asking for too much at this point.

Here’s what you can expect:

Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Alien Storm
Altered Beast
Beyond Oasis
Bonanza Bros.
Columns
Comix Zone
Decap Attack starring Chuck D. Head
Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine (aka Puyo Pop Sonic)
Dynamite Headdy
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco II: The Tides of Time
E-SWAT
Fatal Labyrinth
Flicky
Gain Ground
Golden Axe I
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Kid Chameleon
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
Ristar
Shining in the Darkness
Shining Force
Shining Force 2
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic and Knuckles
Sonic Spinball
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 3
Super Thunder Blade
Vectorman
Vectorman 2

Images courtesy of Sega.