Video game compilation
A video game compilation is a type of product bundling in which different video games are available for purchase as a special collection.[1] They are often stored on the same physical media or digital package, making use of menu interfaces that allow players to select the game they want to play.[2] They are a form of video game preservation.
History
[edit]The concept of video game compilations dates back to the 1980s and early 1990s, when publishers began bundling multiple games onto single cartridges or discs. Early examples include:
- Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt/World Class Track Meet for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
- Codemasters' unlicensed Quattro series for NES and Sega systems
- Action 52 (1991), an infamous NES cartridge featuring 52 games, noted for its poor quality [3]
During the 1990s, compilations became increasingly popular on PCs and home consoles. Titles like Microsoft Arcade (1993), Atari 2600 Action Pack (1995), and Namco Museum for the PlayStation offered accessible ways to revisit retro classics. In arcades, Capcom’s Three Wonders (1991) bundled three games in one cabinet.
In the 2010s and 2020s, compilations experienced a resurgence due to the growing popularity of retro gaming. Newer examples include:
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection
- Irem Collection
- Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
Types
[edit]Arcade and Retro Collections
[edit]These focus on emulated versions of arcade and console classics. Examples include:
Franchise Collections
[edit]These compile entries from a single series or publisher:
- Super Mario All-Stars (1993) for the SNES, featuring remakes of NES Mario titles with enhanced graphics and sound [4]
- Mega Man: The Wily Wars (1994) for the Sega Genesis, featuring remakes of the first three Mega Man games and a new bonus stage [5]
Minigame Compilations
[edit]These consist of smaller, themed games bundled together:
- Mario Party series
- Wii Sports
- Deca Sports
Enhanced Anthologies
[edit]Modern compilations often include historical content, interviews, rewind features, or concept art:
- Rare Replay (2015) for Xbox One, featuring 30 titles across multiple generations with extra content [6]
- Tetris Forever (2024) — collections that double as interactive documentaries [7]
- Atari Vault (2016), offering dozens of arcade titles with enhanced features and museum-like presentation [8]
Preservation
[edit]Game compilations play a vital role in video game preservation. They:
- Provide access to titles no longer available on modern systems
- Include archival material, developer interviews, and commentary (e.g., Rare Replay, Digital Eclipse anthologies)
- Support historical analysis by maintaining original versions alongside remastered ones
Organizations like the Video Game History Foundation and studios such as Digital Eclipse are key in developing compilations that act as playable museums.
Compilations by Publisher
[edit]Nintendo
[edit]- Super Mario All-Stars
- Game & Watch Gallery series
- NES Classic Series for Game Boy Advance
Sega
[edit]- Mega Man: The Wily Wars (licensed from Capcom)
- Sega Genesis Classics
- Sonic Mega Collection
Capcom
[edit]- Capcom Classics Collection
- Mega Man Legacy Collection series
- Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
Atari
[edit]Bandai Namco
[edit]- Namco Museum series
- Pac-Man Museum
Reception
[edit]Reception to video game compilations has varied widely depending on the quality of emulation, content selection, and added features.
- Rare Replay was praised for its historical value and bonus content. It holds a score of 84/100 on Metacritic. [9]
- Atari Vault received generally favorable reviews for bringing back arcade classics with modern usability. [10]
- Action 52 is often cited as one of the worst compilations ever released, due to poor gameplay and bugs. [11]
Notable Examples
[edit]| Title | Platforms | Year | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario All-Stars | SNES, Wii | 1993 | Remakes of four NES Mario games; enhanced visuals; included The Lost Levels |
| Mega Man: The Wily Wars | Sega Genesis | 1994 | Remakes of MM1–3; bonus stage "Wily Tower" |
| Rare Replay | Xbox One | 2015 | 30 games, emulated platforms, behind-the-scenes content |
| Atari Vault | PC | 2016 | Emulated arcade classics; save states; historical material |
| Tetris Forever | Multi-platform | 2024 | Interactive historical showcase of Tetris variants |
See also
[edit]Further reading
[edit]- "The Best Retro Game Compilations" – IGN Features (2023)
- "Digital Eclipse and the Art of Game Preservation" – Gamasutra (2022)
- "The History of Mario All-Stars" – Nintendo Life
- Reddit threads: r/retrogaming, r/gamepreservation
References
[edit]- ^ Stuart, Keith (12 July 2022). "Classics and cash-ins: the unsung brilliance of video game compilations". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Stewart, Marcus (11 November 2022). "Preservation Through Play – How Digital Eclipse's Gold Master Series Brings Video Game History To Life". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 5 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "The 10 Worst Video Game Compilations of All Time". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Super Mario All-Stars retrospective". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Mega Man: The Wily Wars". Retro Gamer. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Rare Replay review". The Verge. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Digital Eclipse Unveils Tetris Forever". Digital Trends. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Atari Vault Brings Back Arcade Classics". Polygon. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Rare Replay for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Review: Atari Vault". Polygon. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "The 10 Worst Video Game Compilations of All Time". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 18 June 2025.