ega’s re-release of the mascot’s 1999 Dreamcast launch title with enhanced graphics, sound, and a boatload of extra features doesn’t make up for the fact that Sonic Adventure was certainly not his most shining moment in an otherwise noble career.

This director’s cut offers six playable characters, GBA connectivity for Chao raising on the go, the all-new Mission mode with 60 mini-missions, and unlockable versions of the hefty Sonic Game Gear library on a pretty little platter for gamers to lap up.

My problem is that the pumped-up graphics look pretty mediocre at best; the soundtrack still includes those hair-metal rock/ballad interludes; the plot is stinky like doggie poo; and the game mechanics are bland and simplistic – like the worst of the Genesis era. Don’t call me a hater, I just really want to see the blue hero evolve.

The included Game Gear library is the only redeeming factor for this title. Most of the bounty is unlocked as special prizes during regular play of Sonic Adventure. Trust me, all the favorites are included, and some still hold their nostalgia value; unlike the main event in this release, Sonic Adventure.  

JUSTIN LEEPER   4.5 Does Sonic look like a cow? Then why is Sega trying to milk him like one? This game seriously has 10 minutes of cutscenes and wandering for every minute of real gameplay. And the gameplay isn’t even any good to begin with – though it’s better than the camera, music, and level design. I like a few of the Game Gear games, but most were lame when they came out originally, and continue to be. This should’ve been titled Sonic SuX.