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10 bucket list Sega Mega Drive games you must play
Chart the genesis of a gaming legend with the console’s essential titles here.
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While Nintendo's NES and SNES laid the foundations of gaming for many veteran players, Sega's 16-bit Genesis – or Mega Drive, if you live outside of North America – provided a more than suitable alternative if Mario and Link didn't float your boat.
Packed with conversions of Sega's arcade smash hits and blessed with hordes of intense shooters on account of its (for the time) zippy processor, the console successfully challenged Nintendo's dominance in the US, thanks in part to the emergence of Sonic the Hedgehog, a worthy rival to Nintendo's mascot Mario.
Given that the Mega Drive's 30th birthday is next year (it launched in Japan in 1988), many of you reading this might not even have been born during the 16-bit era. With that in mind, here are 10 essential Sega classics you really need to experience before your days on this earth are over.
Gunstar Heroes
This incredible run-and-gun shooter marked the debut of Japanese studio Treasure, formed by a group of ex-Konami staffers. Treasure's choice of hardware was an odd one, given the state of the Japanese games market – the Sega Mega Drive was a distant third behind the Nintendo Super Famicom (AKA SNES) and NEC PC Engine (AKA TurboGrafx-16) – but the 16-bit console's faster processor gave the team the power it needed to create a stunning spectacle for action-platformer fans.
Gunstar Heroes features massive explosions, loads of sprites and some amazing multi-stage bosses, as well as a superb two-player mode. It remains one of Treasure's most beloved releases, and was recently ported to the Nintendo 3DS as part of Sega's 3D Classics series, making it easier than ever to experience this seminal '90s title.
Streets of Rage 2
Back in the early '90s the side-scrolling fighter was one of the most popular game types, thanks to the excellent groundwork laid down by the likes of Double Dragon and Final Fight. However, it would be Sega that arguably created the zenith of the genre with Streets of Rage 2.
A massive improvement not only on the 1991 original but pretty much any side-scrolling brawler that had gone before, this massive title boasted four unique characters, loads of varied levels and an all-important two-player cooperative mode.
The colourful, screen-filling visuals still look amazing even by today's standards, while Yuzo Koshiro's pumping dance soundtrack will have you tapping your toes within minutes. Like Gunstar Heroes, this was recently remastered for the Nintendo 3DS and is a must-have download if you happen to own the popular portable.
MUSHA Aleste
Defunct Japanese codehouse Compile were famous for creating many classic game series – such as Puyo Puyo and Zanac – but their Aleste franchise is perhaps one of the most well-regarded.
Early instalments appeared on the MSX home computer, but this 16-bit entry really pushed the envelope in terms of action and presentation. Astonishingly for a 1990 release, it features highly detailed and colourful visuals inspired by Japanese history, while the rocking soundtrack provides the perfect accompaniment for the on-screen carnage.
The Japanese version is tricky to find these days for a reasonable price, as is the North American release, but the effort is certainly worth it; this is one of the finest vertically-scrolling shooters of the '90s.
Castlevania: The New Generations / Bloodlines
Konami were firm supporters of Nintendo in the '80s and early '90s, but they relaxed this stance when Sega's 16-bit console began to gain traction in the west. As a result, we saw series such as Tiny Toons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Contra appear on the Mega Drive, alongside an all-new Castlevania entry.
Famed for its tight gameplay, gothic presentation, amazing music and stern challenge, the series is right at home on Sega's system, with The New Generation ranking as one of the best 16-bit instalments in the lineage.
While the Mega Drive sound hardware is perhaps less elegant than that of the SNES, the music featured in this outing is some of the best ever written for the series – which as any fan will tell you is high praise indeed.
Thunder Force IV
Technosoft's Thunder Force series began life on home computers but it arguably found its niche on Sega's 16-bit powerhouse. While the third entry – released in 1990 and recently remastered for the 3DS in Japan – is an excellent shooter, this sequel ramps everything up to the next level.
The visuals are some of the best on the console and the challenge has been dialled up as well – which is quite something when you consider that Thunder Force III can hardly be considered a walk in the park. Add in some amazing tunes, levels which are so big they scroll vertically as well as horizontally and a wide range of weapon types to master, and you've got one of the best blasters ever produced.
Herzog Zwei
Many titles attempt to lay claim to inventing the concept of 'Real Time Strategy', and while the inception of this popular genre is tricky to pin down comprehensively, Technosoft's 1989 release is in with a pretty good shout. It places you in the cockpit of a robot which can transform into a plane, with the objective being the destruction of your rival's base.
The catch is that you can only damage their robot and units directly – to destroy their HQ you'll need to build your own troops and vehicles. These can be used to gain control of outposts on the battlefield, from which you can pick up newly-constructed units and airlift them into action. Herzog Zwei hasn't been bettered since, although the recent PC title AirMech pays tribute to it.
Devil Crash
Pinball games rarely get the pulse racing for anyone who isn't already a fan, but this demonically-themed release is the exception. While the rules of pinball remain – you have to use flippers to keep the ball in play and getting the best score is your ultimate objective – Devil Crash presents the player with a massive table packed with monsters, ghouls and shape-shifting beasts.
Not only that, the table itself is many screens tall and has bonus rooms which contain fearsome boss battles. Devil Crash nails the physics of pinball perfectly, and the gothic aesthetic and moody music really add to the experience.
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
While the Mega Drive has more than its fair share of amazing arcade and action titles, the common perception is that it isn't as well served when it comes to the RPG genre – and compared to the SNES, this is perhaps true.
However, there are still some amazing role-playing releases on the system, such as Landstalker, Story of Thor and Shining in the Darkness, but it is Phantasy Star IV that takes the crown.
Blessed with an epic storyline, likeable characters, superb battle system and excellent visuals, it's regarded by fans as the best entry in the Phantasy Star lineage and promises many hours of entertainment for serious RPG aficionados.
Shining Force II
Nintendo's Fire Emblem has gained a reputation for being the go-to turn-based strategy series these days, but during the 16-bit era Sega had an suitable reply in the form of Shining Force.
Based on the RPG Shining in the Darkness, this grid-based tactical classic saw two instalments on the Mega Drive, the second of which is still astonishingly playable even by today's standards.
You marshall a massive army of unique characters, each of which is capable of levelling up to gain new skills. The bold, cartoon-like graphics may have lost a little of their lustre in the past few decades, but the gameplay is still as fresh and challenging as it ever was.
Sonic the Hedgehog II
We couldn't really compile a list of definitive Mega Drive games without including one of Sonic's adventures, and the second offering is widely regarded as his zenith – not just on the Mega Drive, but overall.
The manic speed of the groundbreaking original is retained, complimented by the inclusion of a second character which opens up co-op potential if you fancy playing with a pal. The eye-catching visuals and infectious tunes make this one of the most appealing 16-bit games of all time; hopefully the forthcoming Sonic Mania will imitate this classic release rather than plumbing the depths charted by the Blue Blur's lamentable 3D escapades.
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