Sonic Gems Collection

Sonic Gems Collection is a 2005 compilation of Sega video games, primarily those in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is the successor to the 2002 compilation Sonic Mega Collection; while Mega Collection focused on the more notable Sonic games released on Sega Genesis, Gems Collection focuses on more obscure games from a wider variety of platforms, featuring the titles Sonic CD (1993), Sonic the Fighters (1996), and Sonic R (1997). Alongside these games, the compilation inlcudes six Sonic games for the Game Gear, as well as bonus unlockable content, such as promotional images, videos, demos, original music, and several non-Sonic games for the Genesis, although some of these titles were omitted in the Western localization. Developer Sonic Team conceived the compilation to introduce younger players to older Sonic games. One game they wished to include, SegaSonic the Hedgehog (1993), was excluded due to emulation difficulties. Sega released Gems Collection for the GameCube and PlayStation 2 in August 2005. Reviews were mixed or average; critics were divided over whether the package would satisfy players. They preferred Sonic CD and Vectorman, but found Sonic the Fighters and Sonic R mediocre, and disliked the Game Gear games. Some were disappointed by the absence of the Streets of Rage games in the international version and other Sonic games like SegaSonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles' Chaotix and Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure.