Part of Sega’s Vintage Collection, Gunstar Heroes is a port of Treasure’s classic 1993 shooter, which is still revered as one of the finest games to ever grace the Genesis/Mega Drive.

So, as far as ports go, how does it hold up in 2009?

LOVED
If It Ain’t Broke: As far as side-scrolling shooters go, Gunstar Heroes is almost perfect. So Sega were smart to leave the game well enough alone, the only changes being some new display options (the adjustment ones welcome, the graphics filter less so) and, in a welcome move, the addition of online co-op.

Analogue-Friendly: Some retro games – like Bionic Commando: Rearmed – were woeful on 360 thanks to its terrible d-pad. Gunstar Heroes, you’ll be happy to know, doesn’t suffer from this, as control via the analogue stick is smooth and responsive.

HATED
Premature Evacuation: It’s a little unfair to knock a fault with the original game when reviewing a port, but I’m going to vent anyways: Gunstar Heroes’ biggest problem is that it’s too damn short. The customisable weaponry and co-op adds a bit of replay value to the game, but with only four missions, you’ll be done just as you were getting into the swing of things.

Gunstar Heroes was my favourite game on the Mega Drive. And, thanks to this slick and (mostly) faithful port, it’s now one of my favourite downloadable games this generation. The best part: it’s cheap, cheaper even than the recent Virtual Console port that didn’t include as many features. Treasure fans – or anyone looking to kill a few hours with some mindless, vintage carnage – should definitely look into it.

Gunstar Heroes was developed by Treasure, and originally released in 1993. Reviewed version published by Sega, and released on June 10 (XBLA) and June 11 (PSN). Retails for 400 MS Points on Xbox 360, $US5 on PlayStation Store. Played Xbox 360 version to completion, tested online co-op.

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Bratwurst, from the Sega-16 forums, has made his own copy. With a box, box art, a manual (in authentic, faded black & white) and, most amazing of all, he’s made his own working Genesis cartridge.

These aren’t the first custom productions he’s knocked up – there are also copies of Monster World IV and Pulseman out there somewhere – but it’s definitely the most impressive. Because it’s Alien Soldier.

Alien Soldier Finally Sees US Cart Release [GameSetWatch]

Last year, Blaze produced a third-party, handheld Genesis (or Mega Drive, for our PAL readers). It was gimped. Now, though, they’re releasing a proper Genesis, and it looks much better.

How much better? As you can see, it’s a proper console. It comes with a knock-off of the superior, later-model Genesis control pads, perfect for Street Fighter. There are 15 games included inside the system, including Sonic & Knuckles, Altered Beast, Alex Kidd and Golden Axe. Best of all, it even has a cartridge slot which will play original Gen/MD games from all regions.

The “Blaze” take on the system is currently going for £38 at British retailer Play, which runs to around USD$53.

Sega Mega Drive Console With 15 Games (Megadrive) [Play, via CVG]

While it might be slightly humorous that the Daily Mail seems to think the Mega Drive is a current gen console, that isn’t even the kicker. The kicker is the headline directly below:

Babies are being beaten to death, but the Met can spare 20 officers to raid homes…

Geez! Oh, so many contrasts, so many.

You Can Win A SEGA Mega Drive! [UK:R]

I didn’t get my Sega Genesis until 1994, picking it up at a MediaPlay in Roswell, Georgia, mainly because it was bundled with the excellent game based on Disney’s The Lion King. That system is still very much alive to this day, holding a special place in my heart as the first game console I purchased for myself as an “adult”, sparking the realisation that I could spend a massive percentage of my income on video games and still afford cheap frozen food, a practice I continue to this very day. Thanks a lot, Sega Genesis, and happy birthday!

Insert Credit dug up details on the “new” EA Genesis titles, which happen to be based on the mobile device releases and are being ported by Tectoy devs. Those games are just four of the 86 titles that will come pre-installed on the budget console, including classics like Shinobi III and Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle. There are even some new titles of hazy origin. Everything old is new again… or vice versa.

News: Four “new” EA games on Genesis/Mega Drive [Insert Credit]

Master System 3 (131 jogos) [Tectoy via Insert Credit]

Sonic’s Birthday [Sega Nerds]

Mega Drive vira portátil com 20 jogos [G1, thanks Arthur!]