Ahoy to all fans of playing games on their Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. After the recent string of Nintendo retro flavor, we feel it’s only fair to show classic Sega hardware some love. So, with that train of thought, here we are today, ranking the 10 finest Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games ever.
Sure, this is a subjective list, and we’ll always pick our favorites, but then again, that’s always our M.O. In fairness, our lists generally have a nice mix of games ranging from uber-popular to quite a few hidden gems.
Which Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Games Are the Best Of All Time?
Today’s selection of fantastic Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games is no different than the one about the best Sega Saturn games. The goal is to have an inclusive list of console titles as possible, and it has to be enjoyable. After all, what’s the point of playing games that aren’t fun, right? Anyway, we’ll toss plenty of high-profile and some quite underrated games into the curation.
Before we begin, we’d like to make one thing clear. To give the lesser-known entries a spot on our list of Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games, we’re cutting out Sonic games. Let’s face it, everyone who’s fond of Sega from back in the day is aware of their blue blur mascot. His games are already awesome. Well, let’s see which other game offerings on this unique retro console from Sega make the cut.
10. Contra Hard Corps – The Debut Of A Contra Game On Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Was Gamechaning
Right then, let’s not waste any more time and kick things off with a banger of a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game, Contra: Hard Corps. What’s significant about Contra: Hard Corps is that it’s the first entry from the Contra franchise on a Sega console. The game also boasts several innovative features over its previous entries, like 4 distinct playable characters and branching storylines.
Also, Contra: Hard Corps is one of those visually stylish games from the 16-bit era consoles that have early iterations of full cutscenes. The gameplay is the standard 2D side-scrolling fare, and players kill enemies and then move along until the boss fights. Contra: Hard Corps brings a lot of cool traversal options, including slides that make the player invincible in its animation duration.
Contra: Hard Corps is a treat for retro gamers, especially if you love games on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The alien sci-fi enemies invading the earth and us, as the protagonist driving them back, is a trope we’ll never tire of. Don’t believe us? Check out our fantastic collection of PS4 Space games to see what the common denominator is. Spoiler alert! It’s Aliens!
9. Phantasy Star IV – The Definitive JRPG On Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Is Magnificent
You’ve probably aware that the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive severely lacks games in the JRPG category. Well, we’re here to tell you that it’s true, sure, but it’s not like there aren’t any. Case-in-point, Phantasy Star IV is one of those timeless classics that can easily hold its own against the best PS1 JRPGS. Phantasy Star IV is actually a send-off for the earlier iteration of the franchise before its relaunch.
Anyway, what Phantasy Star IV offers is a unique storyline with grandiose themes. The players see a sinister plot unravel to reveal the true enemy of darkness and how its cosmic influence is impacting the planet. Phantasy Star IV highly encourages exploration, as players will need a fair bit of grinding to level up. Thankfully, the combat encounters in Phantasy Star IV are super fun and something to look forward to.
The gorgeous art style of Phantasy Star IV, especially in the game’s manga panels, is spectacular. Also, there are tons of secret combos to discover in this Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game. You don’t necessarily need to grind away for the strongest magical techniques (spells). Instead, players can easily combine magical techniques to create a powerful attack chain that feels utterly satisfying to pull off.
8. Castlevania: Bloodlines – The Fun Vampire Game Still Holds Up Pretty Well
Moving along our list of excellent Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games, we’ve got a no-brainer really, Castlevania: Bloodlines. This entry does enough with the story and gameplay that it stands apart from other top-tier vampire games. Castlevania: Bloodlines, as the name implies, puts players in the shoes of two new heroes, John Morris and Eric Lecarde. John is the bearer of the Belmont lineage, by the way.
Castlevania: Bloodlines puts a twist to the narrative by introducing a descendant of Dracula, Elizabeth, who is trying to resurrect the Prince of Darkness. Anyway, with two characters to choose from, and each one’s playstyle feels special. It’s the same formula from the previous 2D Castlevania games at the time. Players will need to explore every inch of the environment and every level to unlock upgrades.
Castlevania: Bloodlines brings a faster pace of the game to the forefront, with an emphasis on precision. If you fumble during platforming or screw up the dodge timing, it’s game over. However, to balance this, the game also introduces new attack angles and weapons for players to strike at enemies. Overall, Castlevania: Bloodlines easily stacks against top-tier games ones on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.
7. Streets Of Rage II – The Side-Scrolling Beat’em Up Brawler is Tons of Fun, Even Today
Keeping it going within the 2D realm, we’ve got another exciting side-scroller game, Streets Of Rage II. What can we say about this gem that’s not already been said before? Perhaps that, out of all the beat’em up brawlers, Streets Of Rage II has staying power, hence why it’s such an iconic and unforgettable game. Everything from the soundtracks to the character’s clothing and even the level design screams the 90s.
Streets Of Rage II strikes the right balance of accessibility and skill-based gameplay combos, with fun animations to boot. You’ll put in the hours to experience the gratification of pulling off long chain attacks and throwing around enemies left and right. Oh, and it’ll be a great injustice if we don’t mention the screen-clearing supers, the star moves of each of the protagonists, Axel, Eddie, Blaze, and Max.
Players will love Streets Of Rage II because the game’s fun to play, especially if you’re with friends. There’s nothing like beating the living daylights out of thugs with a buddy or two to join you in the action. On that note, if you’re a fan of co-op gameplay, then definitely take a gander at our favorite split-screen co-op games. Streets Of Rage II is one of the most fun beat’em up games on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.
6. Desert Strike: Return To The Gulf – Shooting Down Targets From A Helicopter Feels Incredibly Satisfying
To cap off the first half of our list of groovy Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games, we’re going with a unique pick. Desert Strike: Return To Gulf is one of the most addictive shooters out there. Not because it’s got a frantic pace to the gameplay, no, but rather the strategic layers that pepper the level design. Desert Strike: Return To Gulf puts players in control of a military helicopter, and you blow things up.
Desert Strike: Return To Gulf provides plenty of targets for players to shoot at and the ammunition to do it with. However, the game also limits players by fuel, protective armor, and fewer special heavy missiles. Players must navigate the helicopter into enemy territory and destroy their vehicles, like armored cars and tanks. Enemies will fire at the helicopter to drive them away, so it’s a game of cat-and-mouse.
Desert Strike: Return To Gulf will require lots of nifty aerial maneuvering to avoid enemy fire. Naturally, this means that the fuel consumption of the helicopter will be a vital factor in the gameplay. Players can pick up fuel cans to consistently maintain the helicopter’s flight, and armor is restored by reducing friendlies. Desert Strike: Return To Gulf is one of the most unique shooting games on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.
5. Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker – The Funky Vibes and Sound Effects Bring A Delightful Charm
Oh, this next game on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive is awesome and a personal favorite of ours. Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker puts players into the shoes of the King Of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. Players go about in a side-scrolling brawling action, gracefully flinging away thugs with star-shooting kicks. The goal is to find children that are kidnapped by the big baddy, Mr. Big, and rescue them.
Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker has a wholesome vibe, and it’s right in line with games for kids on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Players will see the power of music on full display as Michael’s fighting style incorporates his breakdancing. A particularly favorite moment in the game is when Michael and his enemies move in sync in a dance-off. Every one of his enemies falls after the performance as Miachel takes a bow.
Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker isn’t a one-trick pony either; it’s got a bonkers game mechanic that’ll raise a few eyebrows. Take the meteor shard that falls in each stage. If players catch it, time stops for a few seconds, and Michael transforms into a mech. If that’s not enough, how about he throws his hat, and it instantly eliminates all enemies it hits, kind of like Kung Lao from Mortal Kombat?
4. Shadow Dancer: The Secret Of Shinobi – One Of The Greatest 2D Action Games Ever
Oh wow, this next one’s awesome! We love video games, and we love ninjas; combining the two together is a surefire way to grab our attention! That’s exactly what the game Shadow Dancer: The Secret Of Shinobi does brilliantly on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Players get to see how the ninja fights, complete with his melee sword, throwing stars, ninjutsu, and of course, the loyal canine Yamato.
Yep, players can sic the ninja dog at enemies to hold them down, while the Shinobi can finish them off. This adds a layer of intricacy to the simple hack-and-slash style of gameplay. Shadow Dancer: The Secret Of Shinobi is one of the most fun action platforming games on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The movement and traversal and even the sound design are so stellar that you can’t help but marvel at the game.
Shadow Dancer: The Secret Of Shinobi has lots of secret levels after every mission. Performing well in them grants bonuses like extra life or ninjutsu slots. Players can shoot shurikens to damage far-away enemies, and the boss fights are some of the very best that will make players think carefully about how to proceed. Also, doggo is hella cute, like in our favorite games with an animal protagonist.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters – The Most Entertaining Fighting Games Ever
We’re entering the upper echelon of Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters deserves a spot. This game takes us back to the good old days. Not only is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters a fighting game but it’s got a retro 2-D side-scrolling style campaign as well. It’s a shell of a good time; sorry, not sorry!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters is also infamous for its portrayal of April O’Neil. She’s not a damsel in distress at all but a badass brawler who will smash anyone and everyone in her way. Also, the stages in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters have this nifty little shifting phase if players do a slam attack. The screen shakes, and players descend or ascend to a different section.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters is one of the more unique adventure games because it’s got turtle clones. Yep, each of the turtles has a counterpart that players will fight in the story mode. Also, there’s Casey Jones, who’s always a fan favorite, and the boss fights are a lot tougher than players think. Few games are better on Sega Genesis/Mega Drive than Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters.
2. Sunset Riders – Our Runner-Up Choice for the Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Games Soars Above the Competition
When it comes to side-scrolling shooters, there are plenty of excellent choices; however, none can deliver thrills like Sunset Riders. The Western setting and the presentation of the game are eye-catching. Each player character in the game has a very rad design. Unfortunately, there are only 2 characters instead of 4 on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version, Billy Cool and Cormano. Still, the game’s a ton of fun.
The players move horizontally, shooting at all enemies that appear. The game requires players to dodge enemy fire and the dreadful buffalo stampede or the pesky eagle that can’t be hurt. Other than standard jumping and dodging, can perform slides to take cover. Sunset Riders has a catchy soundtrack that you can’t help but mutter long after you’ve stopped playing the game.
Each level has power-ups that players receive from rescuing the hostages. The shooting is a lot of fun, as Billy Cool can dual-wield revolvers, while Cormano has a double-barrel shotgun. Both characters’ shooting pattern is different and makes for a dynamic shootout battle with enemies. Sunset Riders is a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game with enormous replay value and timeless appeal.
1. Comix Zone – Hands Down the Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Game Of All Time
Welp, this is it, our final entry on the list of epic Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games. This is a game that’s very near and dear to our hearts because it calls out to our other big passion, comic books. Comix Zone is the game in question, and its plot is about as absurd as it gets. Get this, the protagonist is a guy who gets pulled into a comic he’s working on, and he must face the dangers he’s drawn to find a way to escape.
The game combines 2D action-platforming elements but with a twist. In Comix Zone, players will come across multiple paths during each level on different occasions. Each one has its own puzzles, enemies, and level layout. Comix Zone’s got a ton of cool power-ups like a throwing knife, an electric rat that zaps enemies, and our personal favorite, The Superman fist, which instantly kills all enemies.
Comix Zone ticks all the boxes and eclipses all other games to top our list of awesomesauce Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games.
Final Thoughts On the Greatest Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Games Of All Time
Well, that’s another retro gaming list; this one about the Sega Genesis/ Mega Drive games concludes. Sure, we’re admitting and not hiding that we’re probably missing plenty of other excellent games. Let us know if you like to see a follow-up list. That way, we can add more games that couldn’t make it today.
Anyway, we hope that you all have fond memories of at least some of the games on here. We know we sure do. We point you toward our piece about top-tier Game Gear games if you’re looking for more retro gaming goodness. Well, that’s it for today; let us know your thoughts on our picks in the comments below, and suggest your own best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games. Until next time, take care, and happy gaming!
