Sonic Jam

''Sonic Jam'' received mostly positive reviews. It holds an average score of 77% at [[GameRankings]], based on an aggregate of four reviews.

''Sonic Jam'' received mostly positive reviews. It holds an average score of 77% at [[GameRankings]], based on an aggregate of four reviews.

The 3D environment, "Sonic World", received generally positive reviews. Lee Nutter of ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' said that it featured "some of the most astounding graphics witnessed on the Saturn", rivaling those of ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. He praised the lack of [[Clipping (computer graphics)|clipping]] or glitching, and commended the 3D engine as "truly remarkable".{{sfn|Nutter|1997|p=68}} [[Glenn Rubenstein]] from [[GameSpot]], however, was not impressed, feeling it did not look as smooth as ''Super Mario 64'' or ''[[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]]''. Rubenstein praised the unlockable content, in particular the ability to view Japanese versions of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' cartoons and adverts. ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' described the 3D world as innovative and fun, but too small to serve as anything more than a preview. The lead reviewer called it "the best Game Select screen ever created" and emphasized that no one should buy the compilation for the 3D world alone.

The 3D environment, "Sonic World", received generally positive reviews. Lee Nutter of ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' said that it featured "some of the most astounding graphics witnessed on the Saturn", rivaling those of ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. He praised the lack of [[Clipping (computer graphics)|clipping]] or glitching, and commended the 3D engine as "truly remarkable".{{sfn|Nutter|1997|p=68}} [[Glenn Rubenstein]] from ''[[GameSpot]]'', however, was not impressed, feeling it did not look as smooth as ''Super Mario 64'' or ''[[Crash Bandicoot (video game)|Crash Bandicoot]]''. Rubenstein praised the unlockable content, in particular the ability to view Japanese versions of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' cartoons and adverts. ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' described the 3D world as innovative and fun, but too small to serve as anything more than a preview. The lead reviewer called it "the best Game Select screen ever created" and emphasized that no one should buy the compilation for the 3D world alone.

''[[GameRevolution]]'' found the 3D graphics of the interactive museum impressive but the setup mundane. They commended the inclusion of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' commercials. Colin Williamson of [[AllGame]] said the 3D presentation was "gorgeous", but felt the overall experience was not as fun compared to ''Super Mario 64'' and ''Crash Bandicoot''. Special K from ''[[GamePro]]'' felt ''Sonic Jam'' served as a "great permanent record" of the original ''Sonic'' games.{{sfn|Special K|1997|p=153}} Steve O'Learly from ''[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]'' praised the detailed graphics of "Sonic World", saying that it showed the Saturn did perform well if programmed correctly, although he thought that it did not appear as polished as ''Super Mario 64''.{{sfn|O'Leary|1997|p=73}}

''[[GameRevolution]]'' found the 3D graphics of the interactive museum impressive but the setup mundane. They commended the inclusion of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' commercials. Colin Williamson of ''[[AllGame]]'' said the 3D presentation was "gorgeous", but felt the overall experience was not as fun compared to ''Super Mario 64'' and ''Crash Bandicoot''. Special K from ''[[GamePro]]'' felt ''Sonic Jam'' served as a "great permanent record" of the original ''Sonic'' games.{{sfn|Special K|1997|p=153}} Steve O'Learly from ''[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]'' praised the detailed graphics of "Sonic World", saying that it showed the Saturn did perform well if programmed correctly, although he thought that it did not appear as polished as ''Super Mario 64''.{{sfn|O'Leary|1997|p=73}}

Reviewers largely praised the inclusion of the four ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' Genesis/Mega Drive games. Nutter acknowledged that the compilation "may not be everyone's cup of tea" and recommended that ''Sonic Jam'' was not worth purchasing if the player already owned the included games, although he praised its value for money.{{sfn|Nutter|1997|p=69}} Rubenstein criticized the lack of ''[[Sonic CD]]'' or ''[[Sonic Spinball]]'', stating that "Sega could have made a far more complete Sonic collection". He summarized that ''Sonic Jam'' was not a definitive ''Sonic'' experience, asserting that it had only been six years since the original ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' was released and "perhaps most of us aren't quite nostalgic about it yet". Game Revolution's reviewer echoed that the compilation was merely a "solid set of games that we've seen before", saying that the game was not recommended if the consumer was "tired of rehashes", but "well worth thirty or forty bucks." The ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' team described the games as old and outdated, but still fun. Although Williamson noted that there was a lot of exploring for the player to do in ''Sonic Jam'', he expressed skepticism that the majority of the game was from "yesterday" and there were not enough new innovations. O'Learly praised the faithful and accurate replication of the original games, though he felt they were "dated".{{sfn|O'Leary|1997|p=72}} By contrast, Ed Lomas of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' considered it "amazing how well the games have aged". In a 2014 retrospective, the staff of ''[[GamesRadar]]'' praised ''Sonic Jam'''s "loving" presentation, noting "this was back before classic ''Sonic'' games appeared on every device known to man".{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-saturn-games-all-time/|title=Best Saturn games of all time|work=GamesRadar|date=6 March 2014|access-date=20 November 2016}}

Reviewers largely praised the inclusion of the four ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' Genesis/Mega Drive games. Nutter acknowledged that the compilation "may not be everyone's cup of tea" and recommended that ''Sonic Jam'' was not worth purchasing if the player already owned the included games, although he praised its value for money.{{sfn|Nutter|1997|p=69}} Rubenstein criticized the lack of ''[[Sonic CD]]'' or ''[[Sonic Spinball]]'', stating that "Sega could have made a far more complete Sonic collection". He summarized that ''Sonic Jam'' was not a definitive ''Sonic'' experience, asserting that it had only been six years since the original ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' was released and "perhaps most of us aren't quite nostalgic about it yet". Game Revolution's reviewer echoed that the compilation was merely a "solid set of games that we've seen before", saying that the game was not recommended if the consumer was "tired of rehashes", but "well worth thirty or forty bucks." The ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' team described the games as old and outdated, but still fun. Although Williamson noted that there was a lot of exploring for the player to do in ''Sonic Jam'', he expressed skepticism that the majority of the game was from "yesterday" and there were not enough new innovations. O'Learly praised the faithful and accurate replication of the original games, though he felt they were "dated".{{sfn|O'Leary|1997|p=72}} By contrast, Ed Lomas of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' considered it "amazing how well the games have aged". In a 2014 retrospective, the staff of ''[[GamesRadar]]'' praised ''Sonic Jam'''s "loving" presentation, noting "this was back before classic ''Sonic'' games appeared on every device known to man".{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-saturn-games-all-time/|title=Best Saturn games of all time|work=GamesRadar|date=6 March 2014|access-date=20 November 2016}}