Sega Smash Pack

The Sega Smash Pack is a game package that includes three classic games from SEGA's golden era, ranging from side-scrolling adventure games to arcade-style beat 'em ups. If you're a fan of 16-bit games for the late-1980s and early-1990s, you'll have a blast returning to these memorable gems. With some games retaining their original source code and others being remade from the ground up, this handheld compilation does its best to pack as much excitement as its console counterparts. While it's great fun to jump back into these three retro titles, there are a few unfortunate technical problems that hold the collection back.

Main Game Features

• Enjoy three classic SEGA titles
• Mixture of pinball, beat 'em up, and adventure genres
• Features iconic characters like Sonic the Hedgehog

Story

There are three games to choose from in the Sega Smash Pack, each with its own cast of characters, atmosphere, and worlds to explore. As is common with games from the 16-bit era, storytelling is pretty minimal and mostly used as an avenue to contain the gameplay. In the first game, Ecco The Dolphin, players control a bottlenose dolphin who relaxes in the ocean with his friends. When a sudden waterspout sucks up all his friends, Ecco must explore the rest of the sea to rescue them. Even though the premise is pretty silly and the story is mostly there to set the stage, it's still the most complex narrative you'll find in the Sega Smash Pack.

The other two games are more straightforward in their storytelling, offering arcade-style action without many frills. In Golden Axe, you must gear up as one of three characters to take down an evil villain known as the Death Adder as you rampage through the fantasy world of Yuria. In Sonic Spinball, Sonic and Tails attack Doctor Robotnik's volcano fortress in order to free the enslaved citizens of the planet Mobius. Especially in the case of Sonic Spinball, these latter two games are all about gameplay, so it makes sense that the storytelling is thin.

Gameplay

While the music and sound effects of these original games are somewhat butchered by the limited resources of the original hardware, the compilation is saved thanks to its great variety of gameplay genres. In one collection, you have an inventive, sprawling adventure game with Ecco the Dolphin, an exciting beat 'em up with Golden Axe, and an infinitely replayable virtual pinball title with Sonic Spinball. Both Golden Axe and Sonic Spinball are great for replayability and make sense for this portable package, as they have high levels of difficulty but simple and addictive gameplay.

In Golden Axe, there are three characters to choose from, each with a different weapon and magic ability. The extra modes help add some bonus fun, but it's disappointing that there are no options for cooperative multiplayer, as this is how the game was intended to be played. Sonic Spinball also has some unfortunate technical issues, including stuttering and laggy gameplay, which can make it frustrating at times. However, those who appreciate the quirky nature of Ecco the Dolphin will find a great recreation of the classic Sega Genesis title.

Conclusion

The Sega Smash Pack may not be the most polished collection of retro SEGA games, but there's enough here to please fans looking for some nostalgia. Some general technical issues cause occasional annoyances and the music can sound underwhelming at times, but the core gameplay in all three titles is still commendable.

Pros

• All three games are classics
• Lots of replayability
• Good mixture of game genres

Cons

• Audio and music is lackluster
• Some games are rather difficult
• No multiplayer functionality