Genesis Gems?

[aryoshi]

So when I generally go to look at a top-10/25/50/etc list of Genesis games, I tend to go with an open mind ready for titles I've never heard of before. But unfortunately, almost everytime I go to look, they're all the predictible titles like Road Rash, the Sonic games, Mortal Kombat, Ristar, Gunstar Heroes, yaddi ya. I already have/want most of those games, but I'm looking for something unique, something not many have heard about but that I could find fairly easily. Thank you kindly for any help you may have to offer!

[CelticJobber]

This website has a great list of lesser-known but good Genesis games:

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-best-sega-genesis-games-hidden-gem

[BricatSegaFan]

So when I generally go to look at a top-10/25/50/etc list of Genesis games, I tend to go with an open mind ready for titles I've never heard of before. But unfortunately, almost everytime I go to look, they're all the predictible titles like Road Rash, the Sonic games, Mortal Kombat, Ristar, Gunstar Heroes, yaddi ya. I already have/want most of those games, but I'm looking for something unique, something not many have heard about but that I could find fairly easily. Thank you kindly for any help you may have to offer!

Thunderforce 4, whip rush, steel empire, wings of wor, verytex however I just realized those are all shmups lol

[MachineGex]

I love the Micro Machines games on Genesis. Those games are so much fun!

[Wraith Storm]

The Racketboy list CelticJobber linked to has a ton of great stuff on it.

It would really help to know what genres you like, but here are some of my favorites with video links.

Elemental Master (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o0-qoRfcOc) - This is a unique fantasy/walking shoot em up. I love the game and it's AWESOME Technosoft soundtrack!

Wings of Wor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa9X2GJmeL8) - Another fantasy themed shoot em up with a fantastic Noriyuki Iwadare sound track. Its a dark, moody shooter and sports some awesome Genesis special effects.

Two Crude Dudes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69ByemDqPxQ) - A fun arcade port with a great Hitoshi Sakimoto soundtrack.

Gauntlet IV (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WKKH6OAyS8) - Actually a port of the original Gauntlet with a bunch of other modes thrown in. Its a fantastic game and has arguably one of the greatest Genesis osts of all time.

Scooby Doo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CeMG-VHaXc) - An awesome point and click adventure game. It's a real gem in the Genesis library.

Shadow Blasters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMsJxPNGQic) - This is an often overlooked gem. It a very unique side scrolling/ platformer/ shooter hybrid. It also has some light RPG elements where after you kill enemies they might drop a crown. Collect different colored crowns to enhance your different stats. Its a kick ass game with a kick ass soundtrack by Kim Songdong.

Outrun 2019 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96TNVE13z9c) - I just assumed it was going to be a generic sequel but I couldn't have been more wrong. Its worthy of the Outrun name. It has a catchy soundtrack, its a blast to play and has some nice scaling and graphical trickery for the overpasses and such.

These are just a few games that I love that are perhaps overlooked by most. I hope this list helps.

[retroman]

Some people dont like it, but I always liked DJ Boy.

[Tron 2.0]

Crusader of Centy
Gleylancer
Mega Man Wily Wars
Hergzog Zwei
Arcus Odyssey
Trouble Shooter

At least a few that come to mind for me.

[Masamune]

If you like platformers, have a look at Chiki Chiki Boys. A severely underrated game.

[recorderdude]

Some people dont like it, but I always liked DJ Boy.

I'm a big fan of quirky games that try something different like DJ boy does, despite its early look and weakness compared to other releases of the time. Kaneko releases weren't half bad overall. Treco's probably the worst licensed dev on the genesis besides Realtec, though.

As far as the obscure games I REALLY love...

Devilish: The Next Possession - A strange breakout/pinball quest mashup and a prettified sequel/1.5 game to the Game Gear original. Fairly fun if not flawed, and the music by Sakimoto is GODLY. Easily his best work on the genesis. "Clock Tower" and "Prairie" are my personal favorite tunes, but here's all of em.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqJQxWgOjJo

GAMEPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xXB9XRBWco

Dashin' Desperadoes - Hey, remember sonic rivals? Ever wonder what would happen if it was GOOD? You'd have Dashin Desperadoes by Data East. The goal of each level is to get to the girl before your rival in a footrace over terrain filled to the brim with traps armed with bombs and a tumble-spindash, and while the computer is a cheating bastard in the single player mode, few games can surpass the mario-party levels of fun you'll have hating your best friend for that last cheap shot.

Seriously, though, it's hard to tell if this game's ripping off sonic or sonic ended up ripping off this game. Perhaps a little of both :P

GAMEPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSyq_OBcNeE

Trampoline Terror - Now here's one that doesn't get NEAR enough love. Imagine if Bomberman and Metal Gear got thrown in a blender. The result would be Trampoline Terror, a strategy topdown platformer released early in the Genesis' life. Simple music but REALLY nice melodies. Pretty common regardless of its obscurity, so if you ever see an incredibly bland white cart with this label on it (which is the game's actual label, as with the rest of the Toy Soldiers/Dreamworks games) pick it up.

GAMEPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqdGh6dJO1w

My fave level tune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbOGRxXQ5eE

Mega Turrican - The turrican series is every retro game thrown into a blender. ALL OF THEM. Its greatest influences are obviously metroid and contra, but there's much, much more to it than that. Mega is considered by many to be the best of the entire series, and the prices it demand reflect it pretty well. With one of the best soundtracks to grace the 16-bit era and gameplay that sitll holds up, Mega Turrican is definitely worth playing and owning if you can find a cheap copy.

(Stay away from plain Genesis Turrican, though. Accolade/Ballistic ported it and MAIMED it in every concievable way. Universal soldier is a little better but since it's turrican 2 with a movie license slapped over it, it doesn't feel as good)

GAMEPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fQdYo4LSbY

Robocop Vs The Terminator - A slightly lesser known quality licensed game on many platforms (though the Genesis one was first and undeniably the best), This game took the ludicrous blood from mortal kombat and put it in a contra-style run n gun. While it's far slower paced and more exploration based than contra, it's the only game based on Robocop OR the Terminator that you'll legitimately enjoy.

GAMEPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjCLr4qxePE

Rolling Thunder 2/3 - A different type of animal in the run and gun genre that focuses more on stealth than lead unloading, forcing you to watch your bullets and avoid enemy fire. 3 is way more forgiving than 2 as well as considerably harder to find, but both are great games filled with action, cheese and some of the best engrish the 90s had to offer.

"ILL MAKE YOUR FUTURE OVER"

Sure you will, Namekian with a monocle. Sure you will.

RT2 Gameplay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8twf5Ug7o8
RT3 Gameplay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVFDvZp86ic

Midnight Resistance - Think Contra meets Geometry Wars. Pretty fun and cheesy contra clone that, besides being one-player only, has no glaring faults. Also, music programmed by sakimoto makes this version the best port of the arcade original.

GAMEPLAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0raazFIkOg

Last one...

McDonalds Treasure Land Adventure - There isn't a game in the world hurt by its license more in the world than McDonalds TreasureLand Adventure. Made by TREASURE, the second you start killing Lawn Gnomes and Furbies from a time before furbies were even a thing you realize the game has NOTHING to do with mcdonalds besides shoehorning ronald and co into the story. The levels are varied in traditional TREASURE style and go through a million games' concepts in about forty-five minutes...assuming you're playing on "easy". Treasureland adventure is pathetically easy by default, and without a doubt Treasure's easiest game. However, turn that difficulty up to hard and you've got that TREASURE challenge right back.

The standard gameplay is sort of like a beta for one of TREASURE's other games (and one I'd mention if the genesis collections and rereleases hadn't been making it more well known), Dynamite Headdy: You can shoot what's in front of you, and you've got the grappling of headdy with your clown-scarf. While you can't attack in eight directions like headdy, Ronald is perfectly tailored for the game he's in control-wise.

Music is probably the best I've ever heard in a licensed game (I know ducktales' moon theme is amazing, but listen to MCDONALDS ON THE MOON: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KLi0XqR_QE).

One thing I can say about TreasureLand adventure above all else: Through it's cornily super-cutey saccharine nature, you just feel GOOD while playing it because it feels like an adventure and never does the same thing twice. Sure, you can stop and criticize the absolutely ridiculous story inbetween cutscenes and laugh immaturely as ronald feeds people his "magical jewels", but eventually you'll shut yourself up and end your playthrough with a goofy grin on your face as you see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khEoIACTFNI&t=8m03s

McDs TLA is pretty bad in the replay department besides its difficulty switches unlocking a few tiny level portions on normal/expert playthroughs, and the constantly-changing gameplay soup ends up being both the game's greatest strength and greatest weakness (though the same can be said for pretty much any TREASURE title). Despite this, TreasureLand Adventure is a game anyone who's into SEGA gaming must play through in full at least one time. Emulators are okay, but seeing the glow of a real CRT and holding a real controller throughout can't be beat. Even though I've got way rarer games, this one is the TREASURE of my collection. HAH! GET IT? heh...eh...

Anyways, go play it. I'm not showing you gameplay because spoiling a second of it is equal to fifty years in gamer purgatory. PLAY IT.

[Polygon]

Some awesome suggestions already, some which I'll have to reiterate because I love them so much. I'm going to add a couple:

The Adventures Of Batman & Robin
Alien Storm
Chase H.Q. II
Captain America & The Avengers
Gaiares
Ghostbusters
The Immortal
Mega Man: The Wiley Wars
Musha
Raiden Trad
Robocop Vs. The Terminator
Rock & Roll Racing
Skitchin'
Steel Empire
The Thunder Force Series

I'm sure I could list more as I have a list of games to check out that's pretty long, but these are ones I'd suggest that I've played.

[Ryudo]

Ranger X
Wonderboy in Monster World
Gaiares
Final Zone
Chakan
Mazin Saga: Mutant Fighter
Pulesman
Alien Soldier
Gunstar Heroes

[FoxNtd]

Assault Suit Leynos. :)

[IHatedSega]

Genesis is an essential console if you love shoot em ups.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34FOH1ZdGZI


Id want to bring up the Genesis's addons, but I havent been able to play as many of those games as Id like. I liked Popful Mail, but man its hard. DOOM on 32X is good with muted sound. Android Assault is good. Robo Aleste is like MUSHA but I like MUSHA more. Keio Flying Squadron is an ok game, but I cant get far in it. Lords of Thunder I liked a lot, but the Turbo CD version has better graphics and stuff. I hear good things about Vay and Dark Wizard. Samurai Shodown and Fatal Fury Special have SCD ports. Panic! is a weird game where you push buttons and different stuff happens, you have to save the world from a computer virus. Road Avenger is a favorite of Joes.

[j_factor]

Alien 3 - "Rescue" a number of people in each maze-like level (like the original Shinobi), while fending off Aliens with a variety of weapons, and then find your way to the exit. Challenging and lots of fun.

Bubba n' Stix - A platformer with very heavy emphasis on puzzle-solving. This game is basically one "how do I get past that?" moment after another. If you like that sort of thing, it's great.

El Viento - A fast-paced action game with a 1920s sort of vibe.

Fatal Rewind - If you like brutally hard action games, this is for you. The title refers to a nifty frustration-reducing feature: When you die, you are shown a replay (which you can also fast forward), and you can jump in and start playing at any time. That way you don't have to re-do the whole level from the beginning, and you can start over from right where you messed up. In the later levels, you basically have to perfect your run through the level to make it to the end.

Hellfire - One of the system's lesser-known shooters. The graphics are very plain, but the gameplay will keep you hooked.

The Humans - If you like Lemmings, you'll also like this. It's very similar.

Risk - Yep, the board game. A surprisingly great conversion.

Soldiers of Fortune - The best overhead run and gun I've played. Either play two-player or use an AI partner -- and the AI is great. Awesome soundtrack, and great level design. Cyberpunk theme.

TechnoClash - Kind of similar to Gauntlet, but with a futuristic "technology meets magic" theme.

Universal Soldier - To me this is the best version of Turrican 2.

Zoom - This game doesn't seem very well-liked, but I found it addictive. It's similar to Pepper II, but with a series of levels.

[Tron 2.0]

I liked Popful Mail, but man its hard.
The reason for that is,when wd brought the game to the u.s they up it's difficulty.If you didn't know the japanese version of the game is suppose to be easier.

[IHatedSega]

The reason for that is,when wd brought the game to the u.s they up it's difficulty.If you didn't know the japanese version of the game is suppose to be easier.

Yeah I know, but thats on the PC Engine CD :/ Its called ぽっぷるメイル Poppuru Meiru, so hunt that version down. OOOOH, wikipedia says theres a Super Famicom version, Ill try that one out right now. :D

[Tron 2.0]

Yeah I know, but thats on the PC Engine CD :/ Its called ぽっぷるメイル Poppuru Meiru, so hunt that version down. OOOOH, wikipedia says theres a Super Famicom version, Ill try that one out right now. :D
PCE version i never like how that one played since it's a port of the PC88 popful mail.

[IHatedSega]

PCE version i never like how that one played since it's a port of the PC88 popful mail.

I wonder which version is easier to find. XD

Been playing the SF version for 15 minutes and Im at the point in the game that took like 2 hours to get to in the Sega CD version, this isnt just due to dying 5 times, but also not needing to grind for money to buy a shield and not watching cutscenes.

[Edmond Dantes]

Dude... it's the Genesis. Just grab a game, and chances are 50/50 it'll be at least palatable, if not outright good.

Anyway, just throwing off every Genesis game I love, some you may have heard of, some you may not have, and some will make you say "huh?"

So here goes:

Contra Hard Corps
Scooby Doo Mystery
Pirates Gold
Zero Wing
Steel Empire
Thunder Force II, III and IV (IV is called Lightening Force in the USA)
Bio-Hazard Battle
Valis I and III (II is Turbo CD exclusive in the US, but the Genesis got a pseudo-remake called Syd of Valis)
Aero the Acrobat
Earthworm Jim (has an extra level not in the SNES version)
Sol-Deace
The Fairy Tale Adventure
Might and Magic: Gates to Another World
Landstalker
Crusader of Centy
Warsong (Langrisser)
Shining Force I and II
Shining in the Darkness
Shinobi III
TMNT Tournament Fighters (you can play as April O'neal in this version)
Ghouls n' Ghosts

Ahh! Brain overload.

EDIT: Can't believe I forgot to mention: Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure.

[ccovell]

These deserve a lot more attention:

Wani Wani World (go play it now!)

Trampoline Terror

Magical Taruruuto-Kun

High Seas Havoc

Puggsy

Gain Ground

[retroguy]

I second Tiny Toon Adventures and would also suggest:

Clue
Beavis and Butthead
Taz in Escape From Mars
AHH! Real Monsters
Marko (AKA Marko's Magic Football)
Animaniacs
X-Men
Ms. Pac-Man (my favorite rendition of that game by far)

[crazyjackcsa]

Subterrania is a great space shooting game that didn't get any love. I wouldn't really call it a shooter though.

Zero Tolerance is an interesting first person shooter.

[brainerdrainer]

If you're into bizarre pinball try Dragon's Fury and Dragon's Revenge. I can't get enough of those games

[brainerdrainer]

and Castlevania Bloodlines rules too!

[Wraith Storm]

I second Tiny Toon Adventures and would also suggest:

Clue
Beavis and Butthead
Taz in Escape From Mars
AHH! Real Monsters
Marko (AKA Marko's Magic Football)
Animaniacs
X-Men
Ms. Pac-Man (my favorite rendition of that game by far)

I have to agree with Beavis and Butthead. My friends and I used to talk about how we wish they had a Beavis and Butthead RPG. While the Genesis version wasn't quite an RPG it was as close as we were going to get and much better than the SNES version. It plays out like a side scrolling point and click adventure game.

It's not perfect and has its share of problems but certainly worth checking out!

[-^Cro§Bow^-]

I got two I didn't see mentioned..(Maybe they were..my eyes aren't that great anymore).

Ristar - Slow paced platformer designed by the same team that did Sonic.

Wiz n Liz - Faster than Sonic gameplay that provides a great twitch play session!

Both of these games also have some amazing graphics for the Genesis and excellent soundtracks.

[cholkavich]

These are all games that warrant some sort of play IMO, Im sure I have missed quite a few good ones but I tried to go through and pick the stuff that usually gets passed over as well as some popular gems


Alien 3
Beavis and Butt-Head (different from the SNES version)
Chase HQ II
Crusader of Centy
Decap Attack
Demolition Man
Dinosaurs For Hire
Dragons Fury (though if you can, pick up Devils Crush for MD instead)
Fatal Rewind
Forgotten Worlds
Gain Ground
Gargoyles
General Chaos
Ghostbusters
Granada
Haunting Staring Harry Polterguy
Insector X
Judge Dredd
Kings Bounty
Landstalker
McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure
Mega Bomberman
Mega Turrican
Mercs
Micro Machines
Midnight Resistance
Ms. Pac-Man
Mutant League Football
Mutant League Hockey
OutRun 2019
PGA Tour Golf III
Phantom 2040
Phelios
Quackshot Starring Donald Duck
Rambo III
Robocop vs Terminator (different from SNES version)
Shadowrun (different from the SNES version)
Skitchin'
Soldiers of Fortune
Splatterhouse 2
Splatterhouse 3
Steel Empire
Steel Talons
Sunset Riders (different than the SNES version)
Taz in Escape From Mars
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist
The Adventures of Batman & Robin
The Death and Return of Superman
The Pirates of Dark Water
The Punisher
The Ren & Stimpy Show Presents: Stimpy's Invention
Thunder Force II
Thunder Force III
Tinhead
Tiny Toon Adventures: ACME All-Stars
Toki: Going Ape Spit
Toxic Crusaders
Turrican
Virtua Racing
Warsong
Wings of War
World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck
Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Zero Tolerance

[Atarileaf]

I'm a huge fan of retro arcade ports so I would add the original Outrun, Frogger, Flicky, and Space Invaders 91 as all excellent choices. Also Championship Pro Am is a fantastic Genesis port of the NES original.

[Collector_Gaming]

No love for tazmania? No blah blah blah yakkity smackity?

Mazin Saga Mutant Fighter... actually a really cool game!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYdnP10TIj8

I got this in a deal with a sega genesis and glad i got it!

[aryoshi]

Wow! I really thank you all for the fast replies, definitely got some fantastic taste here, I'm very happy to be a part of this community knowing that. I feel good taste is becoming obscure!

It was a little surprising to me, in some ways at least, that I didn't (at least that I think I saw anyway) see anyone mention the Spiderman games, Maximum Carnage and Separation Anxiety. I do have Separation Anxiety and have a CIB Maximum Carnage on the way, I've always liked those, as well as just about every other superhero game on the Genesis (save for the couple that we do know very well suck), though I suppose I can see how they might not make it on someone's favorite list.

Really have quite a few games to look out for, some of those I'd already put my sights on. I'm glad to know I know exactly where to go when I have a question like this.

[T]

I loved this thread. thank you to everyone who contributed.

I have started a similar thread about SNES here

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?166142-Super-Nintendo-Gems&p=1950512#post1950512

Any imput would be appreciated

[Edmond Dantes]

Just once, I'd like to see a topic called "Genesis Gems" where someone is selling crystallized Genesis carts or something.

[GhostDog]

Genesis/Mega Drive, what a beast of a system with so many great games which had most of the worthy titles making it to North America. I'd say the biggest game for me that didn't make it to North America was Alien Soldier but other than that I believe North America got most of the worthy games unlike Saturn and perhaps Dreamcast where I felt the need to buy imports to get the most out of the systems. Here's a good list of the top Genesis/Mega Drive games:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/916377-genesis/61260047

[tom]

Eswat, saw it being played in a gaming shop, next day I bought a Maga Drive and Eswat and Alien Storm, love both.

[goldenband]

Two games that haven't been mentioned, but which I enjoyed thoroughly, are Jewel Master and Light Crusader. Jewel Master is an action-platformer with gameplay reminiscent of a high-quality NES title, but with an interesting magic/weapon system that offers a great twist. Light Crusader is an isometric puzzle-platformer-action-RPG that has a bad reputation for some reason, but I loved it, though the difficulty curve is wildly uneven. Both games have top-shelf music, if that's important to you.

Most games published by Renovation are at least interesting, and some are bona fide classics like Gain Ground and Granada, both of which I highly recommend. Gain Ground, especially, is one of my absolute favorites on the Genesis; there's a good review of the game here (www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-8QKrWDiII).

Faery Tale Adventure was also mentioned. Not everyone will like it, but I thought FTA was terrific. Someone called it "the Skyrim of the 1980s", and while that may be a stretch I really liked the game's vast open spaces and non-linear gameplay. Wandering around the game world feels like wandering around a world, not just hitting a series of predetermined plot points as in most JRPGs.

[recorderdude]

The main reason people harp on light crusader is because it's TREASURE's black sheep; It's not super fast-moving, filled with zany designs or anything like that. It's not a bad game, it's just a really strange game for TREASURE of all people to make.

[Aussie2B]

Everybody needs to play Monster World IV. Such a fantastic, charming game with heart and soul in every little detail. Easily the best obscure game on Genesis/Mega Drive that I've played, if not my favorite period, even when counting mainstream favorites. Sure, it only came out in Japan originally, but it's available digitally, in English, for Wii, 360, and PS3 now, so there's no excuse to not give it a try.

[calgon]

Dynamite Heady

[GhostDog]

Guys, stop posting. Here is all the Genesis/Mega Drive you can possibly need. End thread:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/916377-genesis/61260047

[miaandjohnrule]

Read the OP. He wants gems that aren't on top 25/50/100 lists.

[GhostDog]

Read the OP. He wants gems that aren't on top 25/50/100 lists.

There are plenty of games on there that are unpredictable as well as the more established ones. It's a pretty solid list and as a SEGA fan I approve of it. I think most worthy Genesis/Mega Drive game made it onto that list. Perhaps also add:

Eswat
Mega Turrican
Robocop vs Terminator
Zero Tolerance
Trouble Shooter
Sagaia
Rolling Thunder 2 and 3
Midnight Resistance
Granada
Sol-Deace
Arrow Flash
Soldiers of Fortune

[Leo_A]

I mostly see just the obvious selections in that top 100 list. And they missed plenty of those at that like Desert Strike.

[GhostDog]

I mostly see just the obvious selections in that top 100 list. And they missed plenty of those at that like Desert Strike.

From that list and the ones I've suggested I think that's almost all of the games worth playing for the system.

[Leo_A]

That guys top 100 that you linked is missing many good games.

[Tron 2.0]

Zero Tolerance

Really :p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGNICLVOqYM

[GhostDog]

That guys top 100 that you linked is missing many good games.

Like what? The list along with the titles I mentioned and many a handful of others, but many?

[GhostDog]

Really :p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGNICLVOqYM

Yeah not the greatest game but there aren't many first person shooters for the system so...

[PreZZ]

Maximum Carnage. I really like the genesis version, it never gets mentionned, my favorite brawler on genesis with final fight CD and Streets of rage 2.

[Leo_A]

Like what? The list along with the titles I mentioned and many a handful of others, but many?

That guy's GameFaqs top 100 list missed the first several games I checked. Super Monaco GP and Desert Strike. Both legitimate and popular classics whose absence is glaring.

I didn't grab a Genesis/MegaDrive rarity guide and do an in-depth examination of the list with my own taste. But when your first two choices that many a gamer would agree with me on aren't there when you check, I don't feel hasty in calling it out.

[Drixxel]

The vast majority of interesting, overlooked and easily obtainable Genesis games have already been mentioned, but here are a few more titles to add to this enormous list of recommendations. This console has such a cool library.

Burning Force - An enjoyable into-the-screen shooter with extremely smooth performance. While it's lacking in excitement and art direction compared to Space Harrier, it's well worth a play.

Combat Cars - I have a soft spot for overhead racing games and Combat Cars is pretty good. Driving controls are touchy, but I've had some fun with this one and it can be had for very cheap.

Exile - The action and platforming feel a little sloppy, but Exile's a curious & entertaining RPG sidescroller with a consistently bungled translation. Much more attainable than Genesis Cadash.

Generations Lost - This is pretty much a faster paced, more fluidly controlling take on the Flashback style. Neat game, but quite short.

Lotus II RECS - As pseudo-3D racing games go on the console, Lotus II RECS has to be my favourite. There's an effective sense of speed, control feels super smooth, and the music, while slightly cheesy, is pretty awesome in a Eurobeat way.

[Cambot]

I gotta agree with Crusader of Centy - if you can find one at a reasonable price. I've had a complete-in-box copy from a thrift store for years and recently heard it was "rare." So I was flabbergasted when I looked it up on eBay.

Also, when I scanned the UPC on the back with my smartphone to look it up - it wasn't found. It came up with "Contact." Another but more recent Atlus game for DS. They reuse their codes!

[zakthedodo]

Tinhead
Minnesota Fats: Pool Legend
Pulseman ( but only released in Japan and very pricey nowadays )
Battletech

[zakthedodo]

No love for tazmania? No blah blah blah yakkity smackity?

Mazin Saga Mutant Fighter... actually a really cool game!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYdnP10TIj8

I got this in a deal with a sega genesis and glad i got it!




Fun game....most reviews rip on the boss battles but I didn't find the controls "Broken".
Funny as I has no idea it was based on the U.S. versions known as Grandizer and Tranzor Z cartoons I used to watch as a kid.

[WCP]

Instead of arguing about that guys top 100 list, why don't we work together and figure out our collective top 100 list. I think it would be an interesting project. We could probably just have tons of people submit their top 40 Genesis games, and from that info we can cull a top 100.

Then I think we will have a much better idea of what are the highest ranked games, that we should probably check out, that we have never played.


By the way, my vote is for Granada in regards to an obscure Genny game that most wouldn't have ranked super high, although I haven't looked at that dudes list, so don't know if it's in his top 20 or something..

[Aussie2B]

FYI, that list on GameFAQs isn't one guy's personal Top 100. That list is the product of years of GameFAQs members posting their Top 10 lists, with each game ranked at #1 on a personal list getting 10 points, each ranked at #2 getting 9 points, and so on, and then the overall list is made just by listing games in order of how many points they've received. If a game you like is missing, it's not because of one guy's lack of experience or something, but rather because a whole ton of people chose to not vote for it or not vote enough for it to even crack the #100 spot. I'm sure there are good games that are technically at #101 and so on, but they didn't make the cut.

[WCP]

FYI, that list on GameFAQs isn't one guy's personal Top 100. That list is the product of years of GameFAQs members posting their Top 10 lists, with each game ranked at #1 on a personal list getting 10 points, each ranked at #2 getting 9 points, and so on, and then the overall list is made just by listing games in order of how many points they've received. If a game you like is missing, it's not because of one guy's lack of experience or something, but rather because a whole ton of people chose to not vote for it or not vote enough for it to even crack the #100 spot. I'm sure there are good games that are technically at #101 and so on, but they didn't make the cut.

Oh snap.


I'll have to check out the list. I thought it was one guy's specific list.

[GhostDog]

I'd personally take the Genesis/Mega Drive library over SNES/Super Famicom's any day!

[Player_01]

Pig Skin Football - Kind of primitive but still fun as hell. Think along the lines of Mutant league only side scrolling with barbarians

Haunting : Starring Polterguy - Someone else mentioned this. Great and unique game. You play a Ghost with the goal of scarring occupants from a home. I think you could possess over like 400 objects.

Shadowrun - Different than the SNES version. I like the atmosphere and top down view as well as the grid/hacking/decker sections. Great if you like cyberpunk stuff.

Sonic Spinball - People either love or hate this game and I never really see anyone talk about it. Very easy to find and I had loads of fun playing it. Might not be obscure due to being Sonic but often overlooked.

[yanclae]

Dr. Robotnik's mean bean machine.+-

[Little Miss Gloom]

Beyond Oasis
Fatal Labyrinth
Chakan: The Forever Man
Landstalker
Shining in the Darkness

[MetalFRO]

Two games that haven't been mentioned, but which I enjoyed thoroughly, are Jewel Master and Light Crusader. Jewel Master is an action-platformer with gameplay reminiscent of a high-quality NES title, but with an interesting magic/weapon system that offers a great twist. Light Crusader is an isometric puzzle-platformer-action-RPG that has a bad reputation for some reason, but I loved it, though the difficulty curve is wildly uneven. Both games have top-shelf music, if that's important to you.

Most games published by Renovation are at least interesting, and some are bona fide classics like Gain Ground and Granada, both of which I highly recommend. Gain Ground, especially, is one of my absolute favorites on the Genesis; there's a good review of the game here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-8QKrWDiII).

Faery Tale Adventure was also mentioned. Not everyone will like it, but I thought FTA was terrific. Someone called it "the Skyrim of the 1980s", and while that may be a stretch I really liked the game's vast open spaces and non-linear gameplay. Wandering around the game world feels like wandering around a world, not just hitting a series of predetermined plot points as in most JRPGs.

You beat me to it with Jewel Master. I think that game gets unfairly labeled as "bland" by some, but I think the gem combination system keeps things interesting, even if the environments and enemies are a bit nondescript. Along the same lines is Mystic Defender. It's not a "hidden" gem, because it's fairly well known, but I'm surprised how many people just haven't played it, or don't know about it.

[Dire 51]

Mystic Defender
I'm glad someone finally mentioned it. On that note, has anyone mentioned Valis III? Excellent game, probably the closest thing you'll find to Castlevania III on the Genesis, just minus the branching paths, one character and adding anime cinemas. The TGCD version is *technically* better, due to having more content, full voice acting and a redbook audio soundtrack, but on the downside it's much, much harder. The Genesis version is easier, but not so easy that it's a walk in the park.