Top imports - Mega Drive

[Dire 51]

Several of the MD games I own never made it to the states, so these are the ones I've chosen to list here as my picks:

Alien Soldier - Fantastic run-n-gun from Treasure with some of the best graphics I've ever seen on the MD. The bosses are downright huge - and if you like boss fights, there's a lot of them in this.

Megapanel - Addictive puzzle game from Namco. Think of a reverse Tetris crossed with those stupid "sliding panel" puzzles that always used to frustrate the hell out of me.

Darwin 4081 - It may just seem like your average overhead shmups on the surface, but the ability to have your squid (that's what I call the ship, anyway) evolve with different forms of DNA is fairly unique - so what if it's just another power-up gimmick?

Mamono Hunter Yohko: Makai Kara no Tenkosei - The one sidescroller based on the Devil Hunter Yohko anime series, and imo it's quite good - a lot like the Valis games in a lot of respects.

[WiseSalesman]

Alien Soldier - Fantastic run-n-gun from Treasure with some of the best graphics I've ever seen on the MD. The bosses are downright huge - and if you like boss fights, there's a lot of them in this.


Geez....talk about expensive. That's one of the most expensive megadrive imports I've ever seen (at one point, I was trying to purchase every game developed by treasure). It's also damn hard. I have yet to get past level 2 (i'm playing the emulated version).

[Dire 51]

And I guarantee I only paid a fraction of the price you usually see for it. I really lucked out that time - and my copy's in near mint condition (and it's the Japanese one, not European)!

[GaijinPunch]

I just played through Twinkle Tale -- a great game. Like Kikikaikai with better weapons, and a shooter stage. :)

Gunstar Heroes
Vampire Killer
Super Fantasy Zone
etc. etc.

[maxlords]

Agreed...Alien Soldier is the shiznit! I bought a Euro one for $100 and I don't regret it...pristine mint! I've gotten to level 24 or 25 so far....and I've only done that once while totally in the groove :)

Other good ones:

Gleylancer - My favorite horiz shmup and favorite import....just beautiful! Classic 16 bit, but kind spendy, averaging $100-150!

Eliminate Down - Another spendy horiz shmup....VERY VERY VERY VERY difficult! I saw level 3.....once! lol

Langrisser II - Heavy jap, but if you've played Warsong, it's easy enough, and there's an emulation patch (but I own the original anyway). Great great strategy series!

[bargora]

I bought Zero Wing just for the Engrish. It's not a great game, but at this point it's a piece of history.

[Bighab]

Ones I enjoy:
Langrisser 2: Great strategy title from a great series. As Maxlords said plays very similar to Warsong
Vixen 357: Masaya strategy game. Its a sequel to the PC Engine game X-Serd. I love my Mech games :-D
The Hybrid Front: Dark and gloomy futuristc hex-based strategy game. Very rare too.
King Colossus: Action/Rpg that reminds me of Zelda. Easy to play.

I also love the better box art most Megadrive game get. lately I have been getting the Jpn version of some of the Genesis games I have.

[Dire 51]

It's too bad that Golden Axe III didn't have great cover art.

[Li Wang]

Bare Knuckle 3 - Sega screwed the US version up worse than any other game in history.

[Saturn Sensei]

Micro Machines Miltary is a lot of fun.

[Bighab]

Micro Machines Miltary is a lot of fun.

Is it a racing game or strategy game?

[Saturn Sensei]

Is it a racing game or strategy game?

Racing. Just military themed.

[ArnoldRimmer83]

I haven't actually played too many Genesis imports. Of the ones I've tried Alien Soldier is indeed pretty decent, but too damn expensive. I doubt I'll ever get a copy. Also the overhead shooter Dangerous Seed by Namco was pretty fun, though admittedly inferior to Phelios and Burning Force.

[maxlords]

I haven't actually played too many Genesis imports. Of the ones I've tried Alien Soldier is indeed pretty decent, but too damn expensive. I doubt I'll ever get a copy. Also the overhead shooter Dangerous Seed by Namco was pretty fun, though admittedly inferior to Phelios and Burning Force.

You liked Burning Force? I kinda thought Space Harrier clone for that one. I did really like Phelios though!

[Dire 51]

I love Burning Force. Sure, it's almost just like SH on the surface, but there's enough about it that's different, which is why I like it.

[MattyXB]

Landstalker - the japanese version is much harder then the PAL version. So I think maybe too harder then the NTSC version. I have see it in the one level (house) where the witch change you in a dog. This level is too easy in the PAL version, and you wonder why is not more. In Japan it is so hard. And you see in one scene a woman in the bath. In the PAL release it was cutted out. :o :D
So as fan from this game, buy the japanese version, its easy to play without understanding the text as Action Adventure, and there some differents in the game. :)

[ArnoldRimmer83]

I haven't actually played too many Genesis imports. Of the ones I've tried Alien Soldier is indeed pretty decent, but too damn expensive. I doubt I'll ever get a copy. Also the overhead shooter Dangerous Seed by Namco was pretty fun, though admittedly inferior to Phelios and Burning Force.

You liked Burning Force? I kinda thought Space Harrier clone for that one. I did really like Phelios though!

Yep. It's one of my favorite Genesis games actually. I still remember playing a demo of it at Sears many many years ago and thinking how awsome it was. As Dire said, it's similar to Space Harrier, but there are enough differences to make it a great game in it's own right.

[AB Positive]

Landstalker - the japanese version is much harder then the PAL version. So I think maybe too harder then the NTSC version. I have see it in the one level (house) where the witch change you in a dog. This level is too easy in the PAL version, and you wonder why is not more. In Japan it is so hard. And you see in one scene a woman in the bath. In the PAL release it was cutted out. :o :D
So as fan from this game, buy the japanese version, its easy to play without understanding the text as Action Adventure, and there some differents in the game. :)

I'm having a hard enough time with the US version thank you, however I'll probably check it out at some point.

-AG

[Mr-Monday]

There's sooo many Japanese only MD games that are great:-

Slap Fight (arcade plus new version with better grfx)
Pengo (ditto)
Panorama Cotton (Say no more)
Yu Yu Hashuko (Treasure's 4 player beat 'em up)
New Zealand Story
Phantasy Star (yes, number one).

[maxlords]

There's sooo many Japanese only MD games that are great:-

Slap Fight (arcade plus new version with better grfx)
Pengo (ditto)
Panorama Cotton (Say no more)
Yu Yu Hashuko (Treasure's 4 player beat 'em up)
New Zealand Story
Phantasy Star (yes, number one).

Actually, everyone I've talked to that has it says Panorama Cotton sucks. I've been looking EVERYWHERE for Slap Fight though! It's one of the few import shooters I REALLY want that I can't find! I refuse to play the emulators either.

[GaijinPunch]

Slap Fight is around, but not that often. It's very expensive, but from what I've played of it, it's not all that (at least to me).

Panorama Cotton is nice -- it's better than the DC version that's for sure A definite MD gem IMHO.

New Zealand story I'm not so big on, but there are some other great games for the system. Unfortunately, there are lots of duds.

As for the emulators... playing on the Xbox isn't so bad. I play almost NO MD games on my Xbox, but I rip my SCDs to MP3 and put my Turbo Duo in the closet. Saves me space, and I don't have to dig out the CD everytime I want to play it. :)

I know what you mean though... I like playing the originals too, but I live in a damn shoe box.

[ArnoldRimmer83]

Another good Genesis import is Codemaster's Psycho Pinball. It's not a Japanese import though, it's a European one. It's probably the best pinball game on the Genesis. Shame there wasn't a US release.

[Saturn Sensei]

I've been looking EVERYWHERE for Slap Fight though! It's one of the few import shooters I REALLY want that I can't find! I refuse to play the emulators either.

www.videogameimports.com has it in stock. It is 126 pounds though. That is like $190!!! VGI always has everything.

It is Tengen though. Is there a European version?

[Bighab]

There's sooo many Japanese only MD games that are great:-

Slap Fight (arcade plus new version with better grfx)
Pengo (ditto)
Panorama Cotton (Say no more)
Yu Yu Hashuko (Treasure's 4 player beat 'em up)
New Zealand Story
Phantasy Star (yes, number one).

Is Phantasy Star any good? I see it all the time on Yahoo Japan.

[GaijinPunch]

It's the exact same as the Japanese SMS version, which is like the ENglish version, but with 100x better sound (FM).
It's worth getting if you're a fan of the series. The PS2 remake comes out at the end of the month!!!!

[maxlords]

Augh I'm praying they translate that Stateside! I saw some clips of the new PS2 PS and it looks AMAZING!

[anagrama]

I've been looking EVERYWHERE for Slap Fight though! It's one of the few import shooters I REALLY want that I can't find! I refuse to play the emulators either.

www.videogameimports.com has it in stock. It is 126 pounds though. That is like $190!!! VGI always has everything.

It is Tengen though. Is there a European version?

Nope.

[anagrama]

Alien Soldier - Fantastic run-n-gun from Treasure with some of the best graphics I've ever seen on the MD. The bosses are downright huge - and if you like boss fights, there's a lot of them in this.


Geez....talk about expensive. That's one of the most expensive megadrive imports I've ever seen (at one point, I was trying to purchase every game developed by treasure). It's also damn hard. I have yet to get past level 2 (i'm playing the emulated version).

The Euro version is substantially cheaper than the Japanese game, though still expensive. Expect to pay around £40-£60 ($60-$90)

[GaijinPunch]

I don't think Sega is planning to bring any of the 3D Ages games to the states... especially considering they're not selling so hot, despite the killer price tag. As Geelw stated, maybe someone else will license them.

I did beat Phantasy Star last night. It was nice, but I'd personally have rather paid for a full game, and had some cut scene animations and whatnot.

All in all, it's worth every freaking yen of 2500 yen. Can't wait for the next two!

[digitalpress]

Wow, all these replies, and no one mentioned my favorite Mega Drive "exclusive" (non-Genny title): Rockman Mega World! Since there were no Mega Man games on the Genesis, you need this one. It's the equivalent of Super Mario All-Stars on SNES, containing the first three NES games "updated" somewhat for the 16-bit console. Very solid. The game was available in somewhat buggy form on the Sega Channel, and you can also find this on the UK Mega Drive as "Mega Man: The Wily Wars".

[anagrama]

you can also find this on the UK Mega Drive as "Mega Man: The Wily Wars".

Which is again, one of the rarest PAL titles. Expect to part with at least £40 ($60), usually substantially more.

[maxlords]

Wow, all these replies, and no one mentioned my favorite Mega Drive "exclusive" (non-Genny title): Rockman Mega World! Since there were no Mega Man games on the Genesis, you need this one. It's the equivalent of Super Mario All-Stars on SNES, containing the first three NES games "updated" somewhat for the 16-bit console. Very solid. The game was available in somewhat buggy form on the Sega Channel, and you can also find this on the UK Mega Drive as "Mega Man: The Wily Wars".

I have the UK one myself...can't believe I forgot to mention it! Doh! The only problems with it are the following:

1. Mega Man has a TINY lag when you first start to move him. If you hesitate a lot in it, you're screwed :D

2. The elecbeam trick doesn't work in Mega Man 1, and it's VERY VERY VERY hard to beat the Rock Monster or evil Mega Man. I'm stuck on evil Mega Man myself.


Good points:

MM: Wily Wars has an internal save battery with multiple save slots, an extra exclusive level set in NO other Mega Man game or collection), upgraded music and graphics. I paid $100 US for my mint complete UK copy, and I have a convertor that plays it :D

[Dire 51]

I'd like to get that one myself.

[HaggarCodyGuy123]

Am I the only one who likes Wonder Boy 6 Monster World 4 (the one with the girl) and Pulseman?

[maxlords]

Am I the only one who likes Wonder Boy 6 Monster World 4 (the one with the girl) and Pulseman?

Heh. I can't AFFORD Wonderboy in Monsterworld IV! Damn game goes for a good $80ish every time I've looked for it. I've been wanting to play it, but I always figured that the Wonderboy games are semi-text intensive, and that WBMWIV would be a hassle to play in Japanese. Am I wrong?

As for Pulseman...not familiar with it. I've seen it, but that's it.

[Azazel]

Am I the only one who likes Wonder Boy 6 Monster World 4 (the one with the girl) and Pulseman?

Heh. I can't AFFORD Wonderboy in Monsterworld IV! Damn game goes for a good $80ish every time I've looked for it. I've been wanting to play it, but I always figured that the Wonderboy games are semi-text intensive, and that WBMWIV would be a hassle to play in Japanese. Am I wrong?

As for Pulseman...not familiar with it. I've seen it, but that's it.

Never tried but there is a fan translation for it.

As in a *gasp* ROM? Or a faq like the ones good ol Kabuki did for the Far East of Eden games?

[Kid Fenris]

Pulseman is a decent platformer that's half Mega Man and half Sonic. Seriously. I can't figure out why Sega didn't bring it over here under the title of "Sonic the Hedgehog 2199" or something.

Monster World IV is probably my favorite of the whole Wonder Boy/Monster World kingdom. It's kind of slow at the start, but it's quite fun, and it has a certain charm to it that its predecessors possessed only in small amounts.

And yes, it has some RPG-like elements that require reading. You can't enter the first tower until you have a certain crystal, and you can't get the crystal until you explore the tunnels under your home village, and you don't even know about the crystal until you talk to the villagers. It's that sort of thing.

[Ed Oscuro]

Hmm, I must've missed this topic. Couple somewhat random game titles to throw out, here:

Rent a Hero (Sega, 1994 I believe)
Contra the Hard Corps and Comix Zone (Contra's mostly the same as the US version besides the three hits, and I believe Comix Zone is exactly the same but I'd like to get a copy anyway)
Panorama Cotton is nice, but not as easy to look at or play as Space Harrier.

I just found out that I haven't listed Gunstar Heroes on my collection page all this time... :O

[Iron Draggon]

Unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of playing very many MD imports yet, but of the few that I have played, Fire Mustang is by far the best. It's a sidescrolling WWII shooter in which you pilot an American P-51 Mustang against alternating waves of German and Japanese forces. God only knows why this game never made it to the US, unless it's supposed to be some sort of revenge for Hiroshima & Nagasaki or something. We can't have too many Americans playing games where they get to blow up the Japanese, you know. Anyhow, it's one of the best 16BIT shooters ever made, IMO.

[Bighab]

Unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of playing very many MD imports yet, but of the few that I have played, Fire Mustang is by far the best. It's a sidescrolling WWII shooter in which you pilot an American P-51 Mustang against alternating waves of German and Japanese forces. God only knows why this game never made it to the US, unless it's supposed to be some sort of revenge for Hiroshima & Nagasaki or something. We can't have too many Americans playing games where they get to blow up the Japanese, you know. Anyhow, it's one of the best 16BIT shooters ever made, IMO.

I could be wrong but I am pretty sure the game you described was released for the Genesis under the name of Fire Shark.

[Dire 51]

Nope.

Fire Shark - http://www.genesiscollective.com/ShowPage.php?GameLink=467

Fire Mustang - http://www.genesiscollective.com/ShowPage.php?GameLink=826

Among other things, Fire Shark is by Toaplan and is a vertical shmup, and Fire Mustang is by Taito and is a horizontal shmup.