Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection will feature the best first-party games from SEGA’s respected 16-bit Mega Drive years, as well as bonus content from its 8-bit Master System and 1980s arcade era games library.

Take a trip down memory lane as you peruse the screens from the classic arcade game, Altered Beast that first appeared back in the late 1980s.

You are brought back to life by Zeus, the legendary King of all Greek gods and set forth on a mission to save his daughter, Athena. She is kidnapped by Neff, the wicked God of the Underworld and you must battle your way through dangerous enemies standing in your path in order to get to Neff and save Athena. To survive the gauntlet of mythological foes, you must hunt down the three-headed wolves that inhabit each stage and collect the Spirit Balls that they release. The Spirit Balls increase your strength and allow you to transform into a variety of forms including a Werewolf, Weredragon, Werebear, Weretiger, and the ultimate form, the Golden Werewolf. Each creature possesses powerful attacks that are required to bring an end to Neff and save the princess!

Developed by Backbone Entertainment, Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection contains over 40 celebrated SEGA classics in one package; making it the largest collection of SEGA first party games ever offered. Featured games include; Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2 and 3, Columns, Alien Storm, Ecco the Dolphin, Space Harrier, and cult classic, Streets of Rage 1, 2 and 3. The games in the collection have been reproduced with the utmost detail and accuracy to commend their originals. In addition, Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection can output the games in 720p with higher resolution graphics for HD televisions, bringing a new visual richness to these classic titles.

Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection, known in europe as SEGA Mega Drive Ultimate Collection, for X360 and PS3 is scheduled for worldwide release in early 2009.