Was Sonic Jam the best Sonic compilation so far?

[TrekkiesUnite118]

I use Sonic Mega Collection, and after playing Sonic Jam, I realized Sega screwed the port up royally. It isn't emulation, but the muffled sound gets sort of unnerving after a while. Either way, I've moved on to Genesis Plus using the Homebrew Channel, so screw both of those. I'd rather have the comfort of either an actual Mega Drive or a really well made emulator over a decent port done during Sega's downfall years.

If anything I thought the sound was cleaner on the Saturn port. The only things that really bothered me were the new slowdown in 1 player Sonic 2, the wrong invincibility music in Sonic 2, and the fact the music is now PCM instead of true FM synthesis so it doesn't fade in and out like it does on the Genesis.

However since I have both for both systems I'd be glad to try and do some recordings for comparison.

[jerry coeurl]

I think Sonic Jam is the definitive Sonic compilation, yes. The small sound differences don't bother me at all really, the 3D world is pretty nifty (along with the commercials, etc., that you can access within), and I just really love being able to play these games with the Saturn controller, which is easily the best controller I have ever used.

Oh, and it's cool that Sonic has the option of Spin Dashing in the first game. That's a nice touch.

[retrospiel]

If anything I thought the sound was cleaner on the Saturn port.

Cleaner than what ? On a real Mega Drive / Genesis model 1 the sound is much cleaner than in Sonic Jam on Saturn.

Tiido mentioned that for Sonic Jam they recorded a model 2 which is why it turned out rather muffled. And the ADPCM compression used to fit the music on a single CD further degrades the sound quality.

[gamegenie]

My bad lol. I think it is best one but back when it first came out I wondered why Sega did a straight port rather redo the games from the groundup to take full advantage of the Saturn's power, like Nintendo had done with SMB AllStars.

they added the moving clouds, and the spindash to Sonic 1. That wasn't in the Genesis version.

For most Super Mario Bros needed the enchancements since it was just a 8-bit game with no background.

Not much extra needed to make an already excellent better than Super Mario, Sonic game better.

[The Jackal]

they added the moving clouds, and the spindash to Sonic 1. That wasn't in the Genesis version.

For most Super Mario Bros needed the enchancements since it was just a 8-bit game with no background.

Not much extra needed to make an already excellent better than Super Mario, Sonic game better.

There was moving clouds in the Mega Drive version of Sonic 1 - not in the Western releases, but in the Japanese exclusive re-issue.

[retrospiel]

Actually it wasn't a re-issue, it was the final release version. SOA and SOE released a prototype version (and gained a couple of days at the expense of final adjustments and bug fixing).

I heard the Japanese re-issue you are referring to fixed something in regards to the spikes ?

[The Jackal]

Actually it wasn't a re-issue, it was the final release version. SOA and SOE released a prototype version (and gained a couple of days at the expense of final adjustments and bug fixing).

I heard the Japanese re-issue you are referring to fixed something in regards to the spikes ?

Yeah, it did. It fixed the "spike bug";if you get hit and jumped on a spike when you were "flashing", you would be killed. This version fixed it by now allowing you to walk on the spikes whilst in the invincible flashing state.

If I remember right, they also added new sprites to Labyrinth Zone as well (a splash animation I think...).

[retrospiel]

via http://info.sonicretro.org/Sonic_the...odGen_Versions

Sonic the Hedgehog (W) (REV 00) [!] - The standard first release of Sonic 1.
// =US/EU release

Sonic the Hedgehog (W) (REV 01) [!] - Japanese-only version of Sonic 1, with graphical enhancements.
// =regular original Japanese version

Sonic the Hedgehog (W) (REV XB) - Release with graphical enhancements and with the spike-bug fixed.
// = official ROM hack from Sonic Mega Collection, in many ways similar to the modifications to the game featured in Sonic Jam

[The Jackal]

I always was baffled by all the different versions of Sonic 1 in SMC; NOW it all makes sense!

So my cart of Sonic 1 JAP is the version with the graphical enchancements? Great! Now, I just need to get a box+manual for it...

Thanks anyway for correcting me Chris!

[gamegenie]

Sonic Classic Collection on DS is another compilation that's like the Mega collection, not as great as the Sonic Jam collection since that's the only compilation I seen that has the spindash on Sonic 1.

[The Jackal]

Sonic Genesis on the GBA had spin dash (it's a RUUBBBISSHH port of Sonic 1].

[gamegenie]

yeah and its not a compilation either, just a poorly done s1 port.

[The Jackal]

Yeah, true, but I was just saying there was another version of Sonic 1 out "there" that had the spin dash in it.

[Da_Shocker]

they added the moving clouds, and the spindash to Sonic 1. That wasn't in the Genesis version.

For most Super Mario Bros needed the enchancements since it was just a 8-bit game with no background.

Not much extra needed to make an already excellent better than Super Mario, Sonic game better.

Don't think so small you can ALAWYS improve stuff.

-Get rid of that nasty slowdown
-61 colors to 32,768 colors
-Tails and Knuckles in Sonic 1
-2 player Sonic 1
-2 player competitive play in Sonic 1
-Music with real instruments instead of FM tunes

[Baloo]

Don't think so small you can ALAWYS improve stuff.

-Get rid of that nasty slowdown
-61 colors to 32,768 colors
-Tails and Knuckles in Sonic 1
-2 player Sonic 1
-2 player competitive play in Sonic 1
-Music with real instruments instead of FM tunes

Yeah, but game nuances aside, SEGA threw a hell of a lot more fluffy extras in Sonic Jam that would've otherwise have never been seen than Nintendo did for Super Mario All-Stars.

All-Stars got the games upgraded graphically and includes save features + one unreleased game (That plays like a level hack). Some physics changed.

Sonic Jam gets all 4 Sonic games with all Genesis functionality (Lock-On!), new difficulty modes, Spin Dash and rolling clouds in Sonic 1, a 3D World, pictures, videos, and a save feature. On the flip side the sound is changed and doesn't sound as good as the original Genesis games.

I'd say they're about even.