Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Xbox, PS2)

Herald rating: * * *

Sonic the Hedgehog is to video games what Mickey Mouse is to cartoons - one of those classic characters who live on long after the franchise he starred in has been put to sleep. The Mega Collection collates the best of Sonic's exploits to present them to a new generation. You will probably find kids take to the games now with as much enthusiasm as they did 10 years ago.

Included are 17 one or two-player games from the classic Sonic the Hedgehog to Sonic & Knuckles and six Sega Game Gear games.

These titles are largely timeless, and as addictive now as they were in the mid-90s. Sonic is always on the run, bouncing off the walls, flying skyward to collect golden rules. His energy will leave you breathless.

Software emulation allows Sonic's games to be played on the Xbox and PlayStation 2 consoles exactly as they were on Sega's now-extinct games platforms. I'm sure Sega could have remastered the series for the more advanced graphic engines of today's consoles but that would defeat the purpose. The retro feel of the graphics and crazy computer-generated music that characterised the Sonic games add to the experience.

However, some of the games have aged better than others. My old favourite Sonic Drift looks horrible now, while Sonic 3D Blast and Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine will keep you interested for about five minutes.

The main attractions are the three instalments of Sonic the Hedgehog, and they will occupy most of your attention.

Playing the games in chronological order shows you the evolution of the series that kept Sega's coffers full throughout much of the 90s.

* $80