I remember playing Sonic Mega Collection? and, while I was overdosing on nostalgia and loving every minute of it, there were a few things I wished SEGA had included in the compilation.  Most prominent among these was Sonic CD?.  Well, dreams really do come true.  Later this summer SEGA will be releasing Sonic Gems Collection?, and among several other classics in this bargain-priced compilation, will be the legendary platformer Sonic CD.

For those of you who missed out, Sonic CD was arguably the best of the original side-scrolling Sonic games.  Not only did it introduce Sonic's admirer Amy Rose and his nemesis Metal Sonic, but it also gave us a fantastic looking world involving time-travel, all while holding onto classic hedgehog action.  However, this is not the only game I wanted in the first GameCube compilation.  Sonic R? is another classic title that deserves its own place on a little silver disc, and now it has it.  Think of it as Mario Kart without the race karts.  In this 3D racer, players can step into the shoes of Sonic or take their pick from a number of both his friends and enemies to enter in wild races on a multitude of unique, Sonic-esque circuits.

Several other rare titles will also be included.  Sonic the Fighters?, an arcade title in the vein of Virtua Fighter, pits Sonic all-stars in hand to hand combat.  Game Gear versions of Sonic Spinball? and Sonic the Hedgehog 2? will also make an appearance.  Other Game Gear classics include Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble?, Sonic Drift 2?, and the two exceptionally rare titles Tails' Skypatrol? and Tails Adventures?.  And of course SEGA has promised several unlockable titles that gamers will have to reveal for themselves.

If you are a Sonic fan or just a gamer who loves nostalgia (I know I am) this is one compilation you can't afford to miss.  Sonic CD is practically worth the purchase price alone.  But with at least a dozen other rare and classic titles included there is hardly any reason why you wouldn't want to give this one its own little spot on your game shelf.