Pads & Panels

Best Video Games of 2011 – Honorable Mentions

 

Pads & Panels will soon be counting down its Top 10 Video Games of 2011, but before we get to that point, we’d like to pay mind to 10 other games that stood out as top contenders for the year. They were all part of our discussion and all deserve some recognition for their achievements in gaming, even if they didn’t quite make the cut of the illustrious Top 10. All 10 of these titles were games that earned our attention and respect in one way or another in 2011, the list of them effectively serving as our 11-20 choices, presented here in no particular order. (more…)

Title: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Platform: iPhone

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Sega

Rating:

Review by: Thomas Braaksma

Sonic the Hedgehog is a one of the most beloved characters in the history of gaming. So naturally it’s a pleasure to see Sonic the Hedgehog 2 re-released in the App store for iPhone. The game translates beautifully when used at full screen (make sure to go to the options menu and switch this), though despite the beauty of playing this classic again, there are some faults. The gameplay can get frustrating due to the slippery directional pad. The unnatural flow of controls will have the gamer correcting finger placement, taking him out of the experience. Though the idea of translating classic games to the iPhone format is great, developers need to work on the gameplay more before passing their babies off to eager fans. In the mean time Sonic the Hedgehog 2 simply suffices, and helps pass the time. (more…)

Title: Sonic Classic Collection

Platform: DS

ESRB: E

Publisher: Sega

Developer: The Creative Assembly

Rating:

Review by: Eric Stuckart

Despite being available on just about every major console, the original four Sonic the Hedgehog games have yet to be released properly on a handheld. Sure, there was the much maligned Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis on Game Boy Advance, but that was so riddled with bugs and other problems that it was pointless. That being said, the Sonic Classic Collection does a good job of bringing the series to the Nintendo DS. Taking the original four games from Sega Genesis (Sonic 1, 2, 3, and Sonic & Knuckles), the ports are pretty good, even if there are some slight flaws here and there. Most of these flaws are basically ticks in the pixels, but that could merely just be the emulation of the original ROMS, which remain untouched here. The collection also features the Lock-On modes, in which Sonic 2 and 3 can be played with Knuckles, without having to be unlocked first, like in past versions. For what it’s worth, this is a good collection for the on-the-go gamer needing a Sonic fix. (more…)

Title: Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing

Platform: 360 (PS3, Wii, PC, DS)

ESRB: E

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Sumo Digital

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing is a name that could be shortened. That’s one of the few problems it has, though. The cart racing game culls from a lesser-known stable of Sega characters, but ultimately bests the competition with a game that is the best in the cart racing genre of this generation, even beating out the latest installment of the gold standard, Mario Kart Wii. The game pulls its racers and its environments from series like Sonic the Hedgehog, Samba de Amigo, Super Monkey Ball, Jet Set Radio, The House of the Dead and Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg, so its cast, its vehicles and its tracks are quite varied. Its controls are simple, making it accessible, but its power ups and the more difficult tracks, as well as options like toggling catch-up, bring it to life for more competitive gamers online. But its power-ups are derivative of Mario Kart, simply placed in Sega skins, its speed boosts unfortunately tied to drifting, and its bonus modes horribly stunted to a few simple tracks. Still, the Sega Miles program keeps it addictive, it looks good, and for my money it’s the best cart racer of this generation, but it’s not quite Double Dash. (more…)