Looking to recall your memory in 90s with the best Sega Genesis games? It was about 20 over years since Sega Genesis games hit the world. People who born in the 70s and 80s should have played most of the popular Sega Genesis game with Sega Genesis, Mega Drive, Sega Dreamcast, Sega Saturn, or Sega CD. The Sega Genesis three-button or six-button controller is not something unfamiliar to anyone who loves SEGA because it is the essential controller for anyone to control the game. As a SEGA enthusiast, you must have used to open the controller with screwdriver and use ink eraser or alcohol to clean up the circuit board, buttons, and D-pad. Don’t you know this will give you a better effect to control the game?
Well, that was about 2 decades ago and Sega games aren’t cheap back then. Most of the normal family can only afford a few games. Today, you can play any Sega Genesis games that you missed in the past on a PC, Mac, Android, Windows phone, or iOS devices such as the iPhone and iPad as long as you download the Sega Genesis emulator. Let’s check out the top 10 best Sega Genesis games in the late 80s and 90s.
Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the HedgeHog 2
With over 15 million sold, the Sonic the Hedgehog is the best selling Sega games of all time. There are reasons why it was the best selling. The blue color character is known as Sonic and Sonic is able to run at high speed through levels. There are springs, high falls, slopes, and many other obstacles to go through. Collect as much as gold rings as you can and you will be rewarded with an extra life for 100 rings. Sonic has to swim while you arriving at the sea level. You must hold a minimum of 1 ring otherwise Sonic will lose a life if he hit something. Download this game and you can go through Green Hill, Marble, Spring Yard, Labyrinth, Star Light, and Scrap Brain again.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the newer version and Sonic has a new friend named Miles Tails Prower. The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has a total number of 7 stages and every stages will make you feel excited. There is also Sonic the Hedgehog 3 available.
Golden Axe
Golden Axe has only three characters for you to select and each of them has their own super power. The first is a male barbarian, Ax Battler, who has a long sword. He is good in fighting and has an average power. Another is a battle axe-wielding dwarf, Gilius Thunderhead. His attack power is the highest among another two but his Thunder power is the weakest. The last character is a sexy lady Tyris Flare who has a longsword. She has the greatest power. The sky turn dark and she is able to call a dragon out. There are also Golden Axe 2 and Golden Axe 3 available.
Street Fighter II: The World Warrior
This is one of the best Sega Genesis games that will make your Sega Genesis or Mega Drive console burn. This game has no limit as long as you have your friends be your opponent. With only 12 characters, the Street Fighter II basically bring you tour around the world. Those prominent characters are Ryu, E.Honda, Blanka, Guile, Barlog, Vega, Ken, Chun Li, Zangief, Dhalsim, Sagat, and Mr. Bison. Get ready? Hadoken~
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
The spirit of Ninja will undeniably makes you feel “Hark!” The Shinobi III is definitely one of the best action game to be played especially on Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The previous version The Revenge of Shinobi is already a well-known SEGA action game but the Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master is even better with more challenging stages. There are a total number of 7 rounds to be passed and each round is getting harder and harder. Speed, mid-air dashkick, scale wall jumping, and a powerful running slash are everything you need.
ToeJam & Earl
ToeJam & Earl is considered as “The easiest Sega Genesis game and also the hardest Sega Genesis game” by Ken, the founder of appcakefans.com. Why? This is because the game only features two characters – the titular ToeJam and the fatty Earl. It looks like nothing in the beginning stage because ToeJam and Earl just keep walking. On the other hand, the hardest part is to keep walking and finding the pieces of the wrecked spacecraft meanwhile they have to avoid all the obstacles. ToeJam walks faster but his lifespan is shorter. Jammin’! and LA LA LA LA are what you will always hear from the alien rappers.
Streets of Rage
Speaking about the best action games, Streets of Rage is a must to be mentioned here. Just like Golden Axe, there are 3 characters – Adam, Axel, and Blaze. It requires only 3 buttons to play this game – A, B, and C. It is ideal to use A as power, B for Speed, and C for Jump. You can also try out Streets of Rage 2 and Streets of Rage 3 if you love to fight with furious iron fist!
Altered Beast
All you need in Altered Beast is “Power Up!” This game is set in Ancient Greece. You will be the centurion who needs to rescue the daughter of Zeus, Athena. Start the game by walking as a man and then you can turn into beasts by collecting power-ups. A complete 3 power-ups will turn you into a werewolf. You have to repeat the game again if you miss a power-up.
Contra: Hard Corps
You are not a real gamer until you conquer the hardest Sega Genesis game – Contra: Hard Corps. There are a lot of enemies and bullets are flying around. You will be shot easily if you didn’t concentrate the game for a second. Overall, this is the best run and run-style game. Thanks to Konami who released this game in 1994, you can still shoot-‘em-up in 2014. Alternatively, you can also try on the Contra III: The Alien Wars.
Gunstar Heroes
Most of the Android and iPhone games available today are those keep running. Gunstar Heroes is one running game too but it has more fun compared to the Subway Surfers. Gunstar Heroes is a side scrolling shooter. You can select any weapons from four options or combine any of them to form an extra 10 weapons. On the other hand, you can try Gunstar Heroes: Treasure Box Collection if you would like to play it on a Sony PlayStation 2 emulator.
Beyond Oasis (The Story of Thor: Hikari wo Tsugu Mono in Japan)
Player will control the role of Prince Ali and go through all barriers in the maps. Prince Ali health becoming weaker when he travel, thus, player has to collect special items to restre his health as well as magic. Special weapons are also needed to defeat strong enemies. Player starts the game with only a knife but it can be used to perform special attacks with unlimited usage. Swords, bombs, and crossbows are a few other items you will come across in Beyond Oasis.
Other than the top 10 best Sega Genesis games, you can also try to play: Sonic & Knuckles, Ecco the Dolphin, Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millenium, Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, Shining Force II, Castlevania: Bloodlines, Rocket Knight Adventures, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, Comix Zone, X-Men 2: Clone Wars, Double Dragon, The Lion King, Shadowrun, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, NBA Jam TE, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist, Battletoads, Aladdin, Mortal Kombat 2, and Earthworm Jim.