Sega Genesis Games: What do you recommend?

[Seacliff]

So I got a Sega Genesis, the only games I have for it is Sonic 1, 3, and Sonic and Knuckles. I'm also planning to get Sonic 2 sometime soon.

While this is not a bad library, it certainly is very limiting. I'm sure there are several Genesis fans on this forums, I'm interested on what you guys like to play on it! Though this thread is technically an easy way for me to spot out accurate opinions on different games, think of this as the Genesis Discussion Thread.

Oh, and if you can think up of RPGs besides Shinning Force or Phantasy Star, then bonus points for you. (Talk about them if you want, I just know about them)

 

[Heretic86]

Both Phantasy Star 2 and 4, but avoid 3, it was poo, the other two set many standards we still use today.  Those are the ones I am most familiar with, so not too sure what else to recommend for the Genesis.  Yeah, I know you said "other than" Phantasy Star series, but I am at a loss.

 

[Hudell]

One game I loved in the Genesis was Beyond Oasis. It's so pretty.

 

[Jarrad]

I don't know of many RPGs on Genesis that are worth it. Aladdin is a top notch platformer though, I loved it to death when I was younger

 

[Scythuz]

Fun fact, over here in the UK it's called a Sega Megadrive (which sounds way cooler I reckon )

A few good games I can think of from the top of my head are: Gunstar Heroes (Or anything else made by Treasure for that matter), Rocket Knight, Castlevania Bloodlines, Shinobi 3, Afterburner, Zero Wing (All your base are belong to us!), Golden Axe.... if you're after rpgs there's the Shining Force series.  

 

[Indinera]

From what I can remember... Obviously Phantasy Star 2-4 and Shining Force 1-2.

Then Thunder Force 3-4 and El Viento.

Alysia Dragoon, Landstalker and Shining in the Darkness are also pretty cool.

 

[Heretic86]

Try searching youtube for Top 10 Sega Genesis / Megadrive videos.  There are tons of these types of vids up there.  Variations would include something like "obscure gems" or "underrated games", or "top 10 sega rpg games", etc.

 

[Seacliff]

Try searching youtube for Top 10 Sega Genesis / Megadrive videos.  There are tons of these types of vids up there.  Variations would include something like "obscure gems" or "underrated games", or "top 10 sega rpg games", etc.

I'll look into that.

Thanks for the recommendations, guys. This really helps out a lot.

 

[reno385]

I second Aladdin and Gunstar Heroes, those were two of my favorite Genesis games. I'll also recommend Contra Hard Corps and Biohazard Battle if you like 2D scrolling shooters.

The only other Genesis RPG I know of is The Faery Tale Adventure. I've never played it although I've watched pieces of a Let's Play. It looks all right, I dunno if it's my thing but I hear it got fairly good reviews when it came out. I think it was also well-known for having a huge game world as well.

 

[Knighteriius]

Fun fact, over here in the UK it's called a Sega Megadrive (which sounds way cooler I reckon )

A few good games I can think of from the top of my head are: Gunstar Heroes (Or anything else made by Treasure for that matter), Rocket Knight, Castlevania Bloodlines, Shinobi 3, Afterburner, Zero Wing (All your base are belong to us!), Golden Axe.... if you're after rpgs there's the Shining Force series.  

Yeah I think that's what it was called when I was growing up.

Ad for good games, try Rocket Knight Adventures~

 

[Nirwanda]

I started to make a list here...but it quickly became too damn long, so let me try a shorter one...

- Many people dismiss Aero the Acrobat 2 because of it's crappy first game, but the sequel far surpassed the predecessor. It had a lot more variety, some gorgeous sprite work and a kickass soundtrack. There was also a spin off of the series called Zero: The Kamikaze Squirrel, it was better then the first game, but it's just not as good as the second one.

Spoiler

- I second whomever recommended you to play Treasure games. Alien Soldier and Gunstar Heroes are two extremely fast paced and fun shooters. While Gunstar is basically a mini Metal Slug with a weapon development twist, Alien Soldier seems to be a game straight out of an arcade machine, both in its playstyle and impressive (for the time) graphics.

Alien Soldier

Spoiler

Gunstar Heroes

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- Another World was an incredibly cinematic game that just doesn't seem to have come from the 16-bit era. You really have to see this one!

Spoiler

- Batman Returns is an impressive (and impressively hard) platformer/beat 'em up that truly does justice to the franchise: it's dark and gloomy but loads of fun.

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- The Battlemania games (you can find the first one in english as Trouble Shooter) are an extremely fun sidescrolling shooter series where you control two characters at once.

Spoiler

- Battletoads had a -little known- genesis port. In case you didn't know (shame on you!) Battletoads is a parody of the TMNT, with one of the most masochisticly old-school difficulties you'll ever see. There's also a Battletoads and Double Dragon crossover game that is pretty good.

Spoiler

- Beavis and Butthead are the main characters of a hard and fun sidescrolling adventure game, that, much like the show, is more clever than it seems.

Spoiler

- Chakan: Forever Man is another brutally punishing difficult game with the added gimmick of the main character being immortal. There was also a potion combining system...but that requires you LIVING long enough to gather more than one potion.
 

Spoiler

I went through an alphabetical list -hence the order in which they're listed- and picked (some) of my favourites, but I soon realized how long it was going to get. Not to mention expensive, if you're planning to buy many of these cartridges. Though, if you're interested I wouldn't mind at all to continue, as I haven't even scratched the surface, I truly am was a Genesis kid™.

BTW, Enjoy your games.

 

[Kaiju Master]

you gotta try sonic spinball, that is always a fun one

 

[hiromu656]

Like previously said, get Shinobi 3 for sure. I highly recommend Streets of Rage as well, and its even better if you have a second controller and someone to play it with. Its soundtrack is incredible especially for its time and its really fun (Golden Axe is another great co-op game). I also recommend Vectorman and Comix Zone, two fantastic (and unique) sidescrollers. One that I recently tried on an emulator however is a game called Landstalker (It's the dev team behind Alundra so I had to check it out), its a fun game similar in design to the Zelda games with more RPG elements.

 

[Ralpf]

I don't know of many RPGs on Genesis that are worth it. Aladdin is a top notch platformer though, I loved it to death when I was younger

I second that.

I had an SNES, so I don't know a lot of Genesis games beyond what has been mentioned already, but recommend Comix Zone.

 

[Chaos Avian]

If you're looking for non RPGs then I easily recommend Comix Zone, Ristar and the Vectorman games. Check out The Ooze as well. Kid Chameleon might be worth your time as well, it's like Mario but with as many power ups as Kirby, faster pace but not Sonic speed and is quite a gem of a platformer. The popular mentions have already been said.

 

[FleetingInfinity]

I can't believe no one mentioned Altered Beast.   Sure it was cheesy even at the time, but that was a fun little side-scroller.   Definitely worth picking up and playing through.  Especially if you have someone to play it with you.  It's fun and funny, even though it doesn't intend to be the latter.

Zombies Ate My Neighbors is a fun little game, too.  You run around fighting zombies, aliens, and other creatures with water guns and silverware.  While trying to protect your neighbors who just stand around waiting to be eaten.

What I'm most disappointed about everyone else not mentioning though?  Shadowrun!  How can you not mention Shadowrun?  If you've had a chance to play Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun on the Genesis is one of the games that owes its roots to.  It's an amazing RPG game.  If you've never played any Shadowrun before, you definitely should play it.

Beyond that of course are the games that other people mentioned.   The Streets of Rage games, Battletoads, Double Dragons, Battletoads vs Double Dragons (Definitely pick that one up and play with someone else.)   Golden Axe, Golden Axe II (Another awesome one to play co-op).  Beyond Oasis was a cool little game, love the poison scene.

Of course you already mentioned and as others mentioned, the Shining Force games.  Both I and II.   Phantasy Star II - IV were great games as well.  Even though they're pretty much a given, I'll still give my ringing endorsement of all of them as well.

 

[Nirwanda]

I can't believe no one mentioned Altered Beast.   Sure it was cheesy even at the time, but that was a fun little side-scroller.   Definitely worth picking up and playing through.  Especially if you have someone to play it with you.  It's fun and funny, even though it doesn't intend to be the latter.

Zombies Ate My Neighbors is a fun little game, too.  You run around fighting zombies, aliens, and other creatures with water guns and silverware.  While trying to protect your neighbors who just stand around waiting to be eaten.

What I'm most disappointed about everyone else not mentioning though?  Shadowrun!  How can you not mention Shadowrun?  If you've had a chance to play Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun on the Genesis is one of the games that owes its roots to.  It's an amazing RPG game.  If you've never played any Shadowrun before, you definitely should play it.

I thought Shadow of the Beast was kind of boring, ZAmN, on the other hand, is awesome.

Fun fact 1: My avatar is a Shadowrun character.

Fun fact 2: I'm the biggest idiot on the site for forgetting to mention it: This game gets my wholehearted endorsement. Be forewarned, though: just like Phantasy Star 2, this game is more than a little grindy.

 

[AriesFireTiger]

I'll try to recommend some that I don't think have been mentioned yet
Barkley Shut Up and Jam

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Ghouls 'N Ghosts
The Lost Vikings
Mega Bomberman
Phelios
Raiden Trad
Rock n' Roll Racing
Strider
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Hyperstone Heist
Ys III - Wanderers from Ys


And I'll reinforce what has been said before, get Gunstar Heroes because it is AWESOME!!!

 

[Imploded Tomato]

"Sword of Vermilion" was a good action based RPG.

 

[Marrend]

Mortal Kombat, maybe? As in, the original one? Depends on how much you like fighting games. I almost have to suggest Dark Castle for the Genesis, as that was one of the games I grew up with. Though, I didn't play it on a Genesis. I played in on a Commodore 64. But that's beside the point!


Also, because I'm such a huge Might and Magic freak, I am absolutely required to suggest King's Bounty, the precursor to the Heroes of Might and Magic series.