If SoR and the JPN Sonic CD soundtrack are that important to you guys, just import the game. I already plan on doing so, assuming it will play just fine on my US GC.
That aside, I'm still super stoked for Sonic Championship, mainly because I have wanted to play it since it came out in Japan, but I never had the chance. There are also tons of other collector type aspects to this game such as "hundreds of pieces of artwork, several movies, and remixes of classic Sonic tunes to discover," to quote GameSpy. Sounds like it will be more of the Sonic Jam "sequel" than SMC was.
Looks like I don't have to worry about whether or not a PS2 version is released here, since I'll be importing.
For the first time ever.
Am I the only person who is excited at the prospect of getting Vectorman over SOR? I swear I must be.
The Sonic CD soundtrack doesn't worry me, in fact, I could care less if CD was on there or not. Sonic R, Championship and Vectorman have now completely and utterly sold me on Gems collection.
Instead of the SOR trilogy, we get Vectorman. That didn't exactly bother me, as whether it was SOR or Vectorman we could expect good quality bonus games to go along with the rest of this collection. I somehow felt it couldn't make up for the lack SOR titles but it was nothing major. No, that's nothing compared with the biggest blow to this collection by the far, the Japanese Sonic CD soundtrack not being included.
All because Sega were having licensing issues that kept them from including the soundtrack. Meh.
I guess my only other option is importing.
*Crosses fingers* Europe and Japan are getting PS2 versions... that means we're still in the same boat as Japan. Why would they jump ship now? Everyone loves Streets of Rage, I don't give a flying pig about Vectorman, that game can go suck a lemon for all I care. I need SoR and Cosmic Eternity or I'll be chipping my PS2 and importing.
If the European version doesn't have the proper Sonic CD soundtrack or the Bare Knuckle/Streets of Rage games then I'm importing.
...Wait, will the Japanese versions have the Vectorman games?
They might; in fact, I kinda would like them to, since I like Vectorman, just not over Streets of Rage.
Incidentally, would there be any OTHER JPN-only GC games worth mentioning? I'm not importing unless I can see a good deal of titles worth it.
I can't think of anything, unless you're really dying for a copy of Comix Zone or The Ooze on Gamecube... 
Speaking of imports (and I think I asked this question already, so sorry if I sound pushy), but does anyone know a way to get around GC regions?
Action Replay?
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Am I the only person who is excited at the prospect of getting Vectorman over SOR? I swear I must be.
Well Gyser...i'm kinda with you no this one. I never played any Vectorman game, but wanted to. Then again the SoR series is more than a barrel of fun. So I guess my feeling are abit one-sided; I've played the SoRs and not the Vectomans...too bad we couldn't have both series on it. 
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If SoR and the JPN Sonic CD soundtrack are that important to you guys, just import the game.
Thing is, I WANTED to support SoA. I WANTED to throw some money at them and say "Hey, great job guys. I finally don't feel bad supporting you anymore."
🙁
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Speaking of imports (and I think I asked this question already, so sorry if I sound pushy), but does anyone know a way to get around GC regions?
I hear Freeloader gets recommended a lot (especially in the wake of this most distressing news).
Over-reacting? Let's put it this way, we could get a game that we already own and have the same soundtrack we've always had, or get a version that has better unlockables and have a NEW soundtrack for that game we already own, making it all much sweeter. Savvy?
At this point in time, I'm not surprised at all that SoA isn't listening...
Silly Mega. It's that kind of attitude that makes SoA think they're not idiots for doing this.
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Silly Mega. It's that kind of attitude that makes SoA think they're not idiots for doing this.
No you're silly for not realizing that a soundtrack isn't a big deal. This game is for playing not listening too. Besides, I'd rather buy I a game i can actually understand!
I'm sorry that I forgot that only what's important to MegaSonic matters. Sorry everyone for this ridiculous sham of a life I've been living.
I hope Mega can enlighten you all like he has me.
Any other great questions of the universe you might have the answer to?
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I'd rather buy I a game i can actually understand!
If that's referring to the japanese Sonic CD soundtrack you obviously haven't even heard it since the music has no lyrics, so I don't even know why you're commenting.
Let me put it like this, Mega. If you don't already own Sonic CD, the US version is okay. If you DO own it, then the big, central title of the collection has nothing you've not seen before, while other versions of the game have a soundtrack that, chances are, you've not played the game with. A soundtrack that, according to an awful lot of us, is a heckuva lot better than the US one. Couple this with the fact that there's absolutely no Japanese in the JPN version, and I see no reason why we, who don't want to buy the EXACT SAME thing but get something different, shouldn't import. Other than price, but, still.
Another thing to consider: we've never gotten this soundtrack in the US. Ever. This was their big chance to let us experience it. They screwed it up. Why should we pay them to screw up?
Besides, Streets of Rage > Vectorman. That's another major factor you seem to miss.
No. WHat I mean is that if I get the JPN gems collection that I may not be able to understand everything.
Doubtful. The Japanese version of the Fighters was mostly English anyway (that I could tell). CD WAS all English. R probably won't have much in Japanese either. SoR WOULD, but most of it's pretty disposable if you just look up the English translations; the only one that matters is in the first game, and even then it's only a "Yes" and "No" question, for which answering wrong only sends you back two levels. As for Bonanza Bros.? No clue how that'd impact playability.
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Hey something just hit me. *ouch* If the JPN Sdtrk has never come out outside of Japan(unless you literally meant the US hasn't had it ever, but other places have) how have you heard it? I know it's a dumb question, I was just wondering. Internet maybe...?
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unless you literally meant the US hasn't had it ever, but other places have
Which I did.
As for Bonanza Bros., you won't have to worry about that title either. The game basically has nothing to do with dialogue, besides the opening scene where your mission is given to you.
After that, just straight up action. Armed with a peashooter, you rob, steal, cause all kinds of chaos, all the while evading capture by the police, SWAT members, and guard dogs. However, everything is done in a cartoon fashion, as to not stir up controversy, you can't even kill enemies anyway, only stun them for a few seconds. Gets very annoying over time, though. This title barely takes itself seriously, that's where all the humor comes from, such as hiding with a lampshade on your head. These games aren't very plot heavy, they aren't RPGs with plenty of text.
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Hey something just hit me. *ouch* If the JPN Sdtrk has never come out outside of Japan(unless you literally meant the US hasn't had it ever, but other places have) how have you heard it? I know it's a dumb question, I was just wondering. Internet maybe...?
Mega CD (aka Sega CD)
Japan: Japanese soundtrack
Europe: Japanese soundtrack
North America: American soundtrack
PC
Japan: American soundtrack
North America: American soundtrack
Europe: American soundtrack
The "Past" level themese are the same in both soundtracks, they were made to match up with the original Japanese tracks so they feel out of place in the American soundtrack editions.
Sonic Jam featured hi-res opening and ending animations from Sonic CD in the "Movie Theatre" section, which had the Japanese intro and ending songs playing along with them. It also featured an unreleased animated short that featured some of the Japanese Metallic Madness music.
Numerous Sonic games have featured remixes of the Japanese Sonic CD soundtrack (check here for details). The most notable examples are the BGM to Green Hills Zone from the Game Gear and Master System version of Sonic 2, which is a remix of CD's intro (although since it was released a year before there's a possibility that it's the other way around, but that doesn't seem as likely) and the "Sonic into Dreams.." game from Christmas NiGHTS, which features the CD final boss music.
Although many of the people who've had the opportunity to listen to both soundtracks have done so through downloading MP3s.
Being as Europe had the original soundtrack, I hope we get the Japanese one as well, I can only hope...
Seriously, 3 Streets of Rage games for 1 Vectorman game? I know Western gamers usually get hard done by, but this is kinda ridiculous.
Three Streets of Rage games AND Bonanza Brothers for two Vectorman games, actually.
That's just as bad...o.o
Granted, I think Vectorman games are cool, but in no way do they compensate for the awesomeness that is Streets of Rage.
Again I note the hypocritical irony that Sega of Japan is pushing for Sonic to be an all ages, teen affair, with Shadow; yet America wants it for kiddy-widdies by making Gems an E.
I mean, hell, Gems is just a cheap appetiser before Shadow, surely there shouldn't be any rating worries of using Streets of Rage to help boost Sonic interest before dark and grim Shadow the gun-toating-Hedgehog comes out.
It's just stupid decisions in a stupid office.
That said, these are the same SoA who allowed for the Sonic CD soundtrack to be changed (Batman, too), completely messed up Bare Knuckles 3 (and Ristar, I'm informed), refused Shenmue 2, insisted on the whole Robotnik stupidity so long that there are still people who think "Eggman" is the worst addition to the next gen games (I hate those people. If you prefer Robotnik, fine, but ignorance makes me snarl), then you have the Sonic Xtreme fiasco (admitedly SoJ were just as at fault for denying the NiGHTS engine)... putting 3rd party characters into SoA games to boost sales...
Seriously, how the hell do the American branch of Sega survive with these ridiculous marketting decisions through the years?!
Ahh ok I see now. Thank you VCP and Shadow Hog. In that case...i'm hopping on the bandwagon too. I'm pissed. SoA what are you all doing? 
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Seriously, 3 Streets of Rage games for 1 Vectorman game? I know Western gamers usually get hard done by, but this is kinda ridiculous.
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Three Streets of Rage games AND Bonanza Brothers for two Vectorman games, actually.
Wait, back up a little. Whoever said that?
Sega of America said that the Bare Knuckle/Streets of Rage games won't make it into the American version. That's it.
Nobody ever said that Bonanza Brothers won't be in the American version or that Vectorman and Vectorman 2 won't be in the Japanese version.
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Again I note the hypocritical irony that Sega of Japan is pushing for Sonic to be an all ages, teen affair, with Shadow; yet America wants it for kiddy-widdies by making Gems an E.
I think that Shadow probably has more influence from Sega's American division than Japanese, making the situation even more absurd.
I still can't get my head around whatever these legal reasons for not releasing the Japanese Sonic CD soundtrack in North America might be. The Japanese "Past" stage music should still be there (as it has been in every Sonic CD release) - wouldn't they come under all the legally copyrighty mumbo-jumbo? Or are they safe because they've already had a previous North American release?
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Hey something just hit me. *ouch* If the JPN Sdtrk has never come out outside of Japan(unless you literally meant the US hasn't had it ever, but other places have) how have you heard it? I know it's a dumb question, I was just wondering. Internet maybe...?
Sonic and Knuckles collection had every JPN track, which all pretty much rocked....but I still prefer Sonic Boom to You Can DO Anything and Cosmic Eternity. I also am importing since Action Replay has a built in Freeloader. Yup Sonic and Knuckles collection changed my mind. 
Doesn't S&K Collection have the completely RUINED versions of Ice Cap and Launch Base? I've never played, but heard the replacement songs and gagged.
The music in the actual Sonic & Knuckles Collection game itself is a very poor representation of the original, and the new tracks leave a lot to be desired.
I'm not sure how the bonus "sound test" mode featuring a selection from a wide range of Sonic games, which MegaSonic was referring to, fares though.
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Besides, I'd rather buy I a game i can actually understand!
Perhaps they will have the option to switch between text language like they do in SA1 & SA2?
By the way, thanks to ShadowHog for that link to the combo deal at Play-Asia. I'll probably end up getting that.
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Actually, the JPN Sonic CD tracks are hidden in the disk itself. What you do is go to sound recorder or Windows Media Player and under the D drive click under sonic screensaver and select sound.
96 kbps quality make me go 😮.
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That said, these are the same SoA who allowed for the Sonic CD soundtrack to be changed (Batman, too),
Wait... what did they do to Batman?
Does anyone have MP3s of the Sonic & Knuckles Collection music available? I'd be interested to hear how bad it apparently is...
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Nobody ever said that Bonanza Brothers won't be in the American version or that Vectorman and Vectorman 2 won't be in the Japanese version.
GameSpot just did.
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Alas, anyone who cheered when word out of Japan revealed that the Japanese version of Gems Collection would feature all three installments of Streets of Rage, Sega's classic side-scrolling beat-'em-up from the 16-bit era, and Bonanza Brothers, an action game that cast you as one of two investigators who set out to clean up Badville by stopping counterfeiters and cheating casino operators, will be in for a letdown. Sonic Gems Collection will sadly not feature those games. Instead, you'll find 1995's Vectorman and its sequel, 1996's Vectorman 2.
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Alas, anyone who cheered when word out of Japan revealed that the Japanese version of Gems Collection would feature all three installments of Streets of Rage, Sega's classic side-scrolling beat-'em-up from the 16-bit era, and Bonanza Brothers, an action game that cast you as one of two investigators who set out to clean up Badville by stopping counterfeiters and cheating casino operators, will be in for a letdown. Sonic Gems Collection will sadly not feature those games. Instead, you'll find 1995's Vectorman and its sequel, 1996's Vectorman 2.
0_0 -_- O_O Yea so...atleast I don't fell bad about getting left out in the hidden games department. So Sega i'm not as pissed...wait. I don't get this. ._.
It means the SOR trilogy won't be included in the US release (which we already knew), as well as Bonanza Bros, while we just get two Vectorman games. Meh.
Frankly, both Vectorman games are enjoyable in their own rights, they just can't compete with SOR, not to mention they're getting Bonanza Bros too. Meaning we only get two currently announced unlockables, while the Japanese release gets four.
Which makes me think, are we going to get two other extra games for replacements, or just these two? Possibly, still is a disappointment we aren't getting SOR anyway.
The BGM and sound effects from Sonic 1 -3&K and Sonic CD are all on the disk for the Sonic and Knuckles Collection so you can use them for the Sonic Screensaver which also comes on the CD. They're not that hard to find, you just look through a couple folders.
Unfortunately they're crap quality and stupidly all the music that was 'redone' in S3&K is missing.
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Does anyone have MP3s of the Sonic & Knuckles Collection music available? I'd be interested to hear how bad it apparently is...
The BGM for the game itsself was completely done in MIDI.
www.sonichq.org You can download some in like 2 seconds.
I'd never even heard of Vectorman before it was announced for this, and to be honest it doesn't look that interesting. Certainly not a suitable replacement for Streets of Rage, at any rate. I'd much prefer for something like the three Ecco games to be put on instead, or at least something familiar like Alex Kidd or Landstalker or Altered Beast or Columns. None of these bonus titles have anything to do Sonic at any rate, but games that are automatically associated with early 90s Sega would be alright.
I just hope we get news of what the deal for the European version is soon.
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Doesn't S&K Collection have the completely RUINED versions of Ice Cap and Launch Base? I've never played, but heard the replacement songs and gagged.
Lets not forget the Carnival night zone and ending theme remakes. Ive always wondered why did they change the music in the first place?
I think it was because of the vocal samples in the tunes, or something.
I very much like the tunes for the Sonic and Knuckles collection for the PC...I like both the original and the updated version...don't ask why...
If anyone's interested, the Japanese site lists all the games for the collection, as well as 6 mystery spaces. I guess time will tell what they turn out to be.
Aye, I noticed that. Seems to have GameFAQs in an uproar, but I think it's just Vectorman.
Speaking of GameFAQs, you will not believe how many people over there insist that Ecco should be on this collection. It's almost frightening.
That's stupid.
Kid Chameleon is where it's at.
