Rare Replay vs. Sega Genesis Classics

 On August 29, 2020, I finally got the final achievement in Sega Genesis Classics.

On September 5, 2020, I completed every challenge in every Snapshot set. Including the other six that are mixed games line ups.

Hello everyone I'm Jack Red, I figured to do another compilation comparison blog. This time, I put Rare Replay up against Sega Genesis Classics. Both do have advantages over each other making this interesting. End of the day, this is strictly my opinion which game compilation wins. I will say this will not be an easy decision to make.

1. Selection of games

Of course, we need to talk about the games. There's a couple possible ways to view this. Quantity vs. quality or one compilation represents one platform against another compilation that represents many platforms. Rare Replay has thirty games while it could differ on the number of games for Sega Genesis Classics.

Console versions don't have Ecco series, Eternal Champions and Sonic 3 & Knuckles. I felt the line up is more solid in Sega Genesis Classics because even the ones not as great. You are still likely going to be playing it for awhile. I can't say the same for the worst among Rare Replay. Also, we need to talk about game genres.

Both of them have beat em ups, shooters not the same types though and platformers. I think this is where the decision becomes difficult. You are either more into 3D games than 2D ones. You could be more into RPGs, there's virtually none in Rare Replay. Sega Genesis Classics is filled with many RPG classics. Even just comparing they're shooter games is difficult.

Obviously, you could be heavily around one or both consoles especially during your child hood. Personally, Sega Genesis was a major inspiration on me growing up. In fact, a large amount of games within Sega Genesis Classics are games from my past. Sega Genesis Classics has more platformers as well as beat em up games in comparison too.

Both do bring in some of their essential franchises. Even if we limit ourselves to those games. I honestly have to say Sega is very strong here. You already know about Sonic series. There's also Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, Shinobi, Phantasy Star and Shining series. Especially in PC version since it has Sonic 3 & Knuckles included.

Oh wait, I'm not done yet you get to see the covers of games in Rare Replay. But in Sega Genesis Classics' second emulator in my case has a reaction of a 90's kid's room. All the games or what you do own appears on a shelf. Now you actually can look at it like an actual collection. Those things alone were enough reason for Sega to win here.

Not only that, you can play the games through a retro television as well. Which likely will bring back nostalgia for those who grew up with the console. To be fair, Rare does have a similar enough option to make your screen look like one as well. There's just something about watching a game start up on a digital TV you just can't compete with.

I should mention Rare Replay is exclusive to Xbox One. You still need to play nine games separately from the compilation. This isn't a problem for Sega Genesis Classics. Also, Sega got their compilation on many platforms. Which means you have more ways of owning it in comparison. Right now it isn't an issue but later on in life you'll see how frustrating to get Rare Replay.

Winner: Sega Genesis Classics

2. Challenges

Both compilations have challenges for these games. Not every game has them though. Rare Replay has Snapshot Challenges from ZX Spectrum games up to Battletoads Arcade. Five challenges per a game is quite nice. Sega Genesis Classics has twenty challenges. In comparison, Rare Replay has more challenges with some actually being challenging to complete.

Yes, both compilations have a screen to see each challenge within the games. Rare also has six extra Snapshot Challenges that mixed up these challenges for an unique experience. Which is something Sega doesn't do. Keep in mind, codes will not work during challenges. Also completing these challenges in Rare Replay gives you a stamp unless you done one of the extra six Snapshot challenges.

In that case, you'll win five stamps instead. All of them have the Rare logo as well, nice touch guys. I just felt no disrespect towards Sega that Rare put more effort into making challenges. Also, more games have challenges in comparison as well. Which made this decision much easier than expected. I will say this both have some great challenges.

I should mention, there isn't many achievements in Sega Genesis Classics that involves the challenges. A huge amount of achievements in Rare Replay does involve the challenges. In that regard, Rare Play is giving you more reason to do the challenges. You also go up the ranks by collecting these stamps too. All thirty games has up to ten stamps you can get from.

Update: I completed every challenge in both compilations officially.

Winner: Rare Replay

3. Extra contents

Rare Replay has videos you can unlock to learn about the making of a few games or listen to particular songs or learn about canceled games like Kameo 2. Sadly, Sega Genesis Classics doesn't have stuff like that. What it does have is still huge enough to talk about. In PC version, you have VR support just imaging playing Genesis games in VR is mind blowing especially in mirror mode.

Although both compilations have save states/load states feature as well as rewind. Sega Genesis Classics also has the forward feature. In some of those games in particular areas that's going to help grinding for extra lifes. Honestly, this may seem like a small thing. There are times when things gets out of control you need some help to survive, forward feature could help out

Sega Genesis Classics also has quick save/quick load options too. Which means you can save your process or load up your save even faster than usual. Now that's very helpful during difficult boss fights. You know the ones that can take a while for many reasons, you can't seem to rush. This alone is a huge reason to buy Sega Genesis Classics over Rare Replay.

You also get two emulators to choose from. Not only that, more options for the controls. You can use a keyboard or a controller. Both games do have the rewind feature which was a little late to the party in PC version. You can't change some Rare Replay games' controls. Not only all of that, Sega Genesis Classics also has easier access to rom hacks. You can make easier versions of games, faster leveling in RPG games or different characters in SOR series.

I noticed Rare Replay has a limit of rewinding about 11 seconds while there's no limit both directions in Sega Genesis Classics. Also, you probably knew about the other lock-on games for Sonic 3 right? Knuckles in Sonic 2 and Blue Sphere can be added free of charge as mods. You also can play Knuckles in Sonic 1 as well as both halves of Sonic 3 separately.

Also, Sega Genesis Classics on Steam doesn't require money to play online in comparison to Rare Replay requiring gold. Which you do need real money to buy. They recently discontinued a year so the newest highest is three months being around twenty five bucks. Honestly, that in itself plus Sega Genesis Classics has remote play that's even easier to have friends off my friend's list to play with me.

This feature alone is difficult to beat. You can use rom hacks for absolutely free too. This also makes beating every game a stronger possibility. Sorry Rare fans, a few games like Battletoads NES needs more to help. I felt Rare Replay using games from six platforms is a tough sell to beat. But you just can't compete with Sega's exclusives here.

Winner: Sega Genesis Classics

4. Opening cut scene

I figured since both games have an opening cut scene that represents their game companies well. Why not talk about them here. Sega Genesis Classics originally didn't have an opening until the console versions came out. I still prefer Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection's opening way more. Now look at Rare Replay's wow.

They went out of their way to represent all those franchise a few times here. We see a lot of Rare characters singing with references included. Both have a great song playing. I felt this also comes down to personal taste. Either you're more of a Nintendo, Rare or Mircosoft person or Sega person. Honestly, if it weren't for Sega I likely wouldn't become a gamer in the first place.

Rare showcases every game very well while Sega used some of the franchises we Sega fans still love to this day. Basically, both companies were playing to their strengths well here. I would say Rare Replay has a more impressive animation style. But I prefer some of the usage of graphics in Sega Genesis Classics just a little bit more.

Winner: Sega Genesis Classics

5. Unlockables vs. Cheat codes

Not every game within Rare Replay has cheat codes. More of them do have unlockables. In comparison, Sega doesn't have as much unlockables but a ridiculous amount of cheat codes. Again this likely come down to personal taste. Either you loving unlocking new stuff or using codes to do some crazy stuff.

Rare will make you work for some of those unlockables. Not many games within Sega Genesis Classics doesn't have anything extra. I will say in Jet Force Gemini, unlocking rainbow blood was surprisingly awesome effect on the game itself. A couple Sega games do have a level select code to allow you to play other levels.

Basically, you are either a gamer that prefers the hard work paying off or being a slacker by cheating the games themselves. Ultimately the decision is yours. Personally, using cheat codes was a huge thing for me growing up. I would say not many games today use em much. In Sega's case, you are more likely to play through more games.

Winner: Sega Genesis Classics

6. Music

It's no secret both these compilations have some of the greatest soundtracks ever. Even the worst games have some great songs for the most part. Obviously, this will likely come down to personal taste. Probably the third time in this I said that. But majority of their soundtracks are vastly different. Rare was more kid friendly focus, you get a lot of light heart songs.

On the flip side, Sega has a more edgy Rock side. There's more mature games included as well. Ultimate Play the Games made all the ZX Spectrum games. Rare following during it's closing then got backed up by Nintendo. Around early 2000's, Microsoft bought Rare. Sega used to make game consoles many years ago.

They made a lot of these Genesis games while a couple of them got made by other companies. Rare Replay is more a look back on it's past to move forward into the future while Sega representing their strongest game console. In a way, both are recreating eras for newer players to get introduce to their work.

Despite, Sega Genesis console had an alright sound chip. You can't deny there's a lot of great songs from it. Which makes it more impressive especially when it's tricky to port Genesis games without screwing it up. Obviously, N64 to higher have higher audio quality in comparison. I would say more variety of music was being played in Sega Genesis Classics.

Winner: Sega Genesis Classics

5-1 Sega Genesis Classics to me is the better game compilation. Although having more games doesn't usual translate to a better game compilation. Majority of them are truly amazing games for their games. Not to say, Rare themselves didn't make great games especially during SNES & N64 eras. The exclusives on PC version of Sega Genesis with more versions on different platforms making getting a copy much easier.

Sure, Rare Replay went the distance with the challenges. But music variety wise, Sega really brought it here. There's virtually songs everyone can enjoy here. Plenty of cheat codes to go around with the use of rom hacks to spice things up. It also increases beating the games in comparison. Honestly, I highly recommend owning both compilations but Sega Genesis Classics hands down the better overall package here.

Winner: Sega Genesis Classics