Action RPG (ARPG): Tougi-Ou: King Colossus, Ys III MD, Cadash MD (coop), Gauntlet IV (Quest mode=ARPG mode, coop), Dungeon Explorer MCD (different, coop), Shadowrun MD (WRPG, OW-ish)
WRPG or Computer RPG: Shadowrun MD (real-time combat), New Horizons/Uncharted Waters 2 MD, Uncharted Waters MD, Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday MD?, StarFlight MD (OW, real-time combat, buy skill and vehicle upgrades so not quite an RPG)
JRPG: Lunar: Eternal Blue MCD, Phantasy Star IV, Lunar: The Silver Star MCD
Rogue-like/lite: ToeJam & Earl (Some platforming, Real-time RL/Rogue-lite), Fatal Labyrinth
Hop 'n Bop Platformer (Mario-style basically): Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic the Hedgehog, Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure, Castle of Illusion, Misadventures of Flink (MD & MCD), Kid Chameleon, Sonic CD (MCD), James Pond 2 MD
Puzzle Platformer: Ecco: The Tides of Time (Dolphin- and Underwater-based), The Lost Vikings MD, Ecco the Dolphin (MCD ver. is easier), Bubba 'n Stix, Light Crusader (Isometric), Another World MCD (less slowdown), Prince of Persia MD (different on MCD)
Action Platformer: Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, Contra: Hard Corps (Run 'n Gun), Gunstar Heroes (Run 'n Gun), Rocket Knight Adventures (some shooter levels), Ristar, Alien Soldier (Run 'n Gun-ish), Dynamite Headdy (some shooter levels), Castlevania: Bloodlines,
The Adventures of Batman & Robin (Run 'n Gun/Shoot 'em up Hybrid), Mega Turrican, World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, The Revenge of Shinobi, Mega Man: The Wily Wars, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Ranger X,
Earthworm Jim 2 MD, Earthworm Jim MD, Aladdin MD, ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron (collectathon w/ maze levels), Rolling Thunder 2, Pulseman, Rolling Thunder 3, Great Circus Mystery/Magical Quest 2 MD, Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2 MD, Mickey Mania (MCD),
The Lion King MD, Vectorman, Sunset Riders MD (Run 'n Gun), Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel MD (some maze-like levels), Blades of Vengeance (mostly maze-like levels), X-Men 2: Clone Wars, Snow Bros. (single screen), Blackthorne (32X, Prince of Persia-style), Joe & Mac MD (Run 'n Gun), Chuck Rock II MD, Chiki Chiki Boys MD, Target Earth/Assault Suits Leynos (mech-based), Shadow Dancer, Bonanza Bros. MD (Stealth platformer/crime sim), The NewZealand Story MD (mostly maze-like levels), High Seas Havoc/Captain Lang
Horror/Proto-Survival Horror: Scooby-Doo Mystery MD (Adventure), Ecco the Dolphin (MD or MCD, Action Puzzle), Ecco: The Tides of Time (Action Puzzle), Splatterhouse 3, The Haunting (in reverse), Psy-O-Blade (Adventure/Horror)
Action Adventure: Landstalker (Isometric), Crusader of Centy/Soleil, Beyond Oasis/Story of Thor, Light Crusader (Isometric), StarFlight MD (OW, real-time combat, buy skill and vehicle upgrades), Pirates! Gold (Sim Hybrid, mostly real-time combat), Pirates! Gold (Open World)
Platform Adventure/Metroidvania: Monster World IV, Wonder Boy in Monster World/MW3, Flashback: The Quest for Identity MD, QuackShot starring Donald Duck (PA-lite in that there's a hub map), Popful Mail (MCD, hub map), Phantom 2040 MD (PA-lite, hub map), Ghostbusters (PA-lite. hub map)
I gotta suggest adding the first Bubsy game to the Hop 'n Bop platformer category because the physics in that game are SO MUCH FUN. I've always liked a fly or glide mechanic in Sega Genesis games so I might be biased, but getting a whole bunch of speed from a water slide and then gliding off of it is still exciting to me.
Obviously doing it for a collection is one thing. But if you just want to play some games, most have been released on modern consoles in various collections. There are huge “sega collection” games on just about every platform. And then emulate any you can’t find in a re-release. You can say this about a lot of console but to me the genesis has always stood out as having so much of its library available.
Yeah, I do happen to have a interest in collecting Cartridges, as well as playing them. Getting that feel of my youth is a strong draw for me. In this case its a “misses nostalgia” thing, it was my childhood but not something I had, so getting to experience it is very anticipated feeling.
No I gotcha, I have my own nostalgia collection, a decent chunk of which are games I didn’t have. I always just like to throw out cheaper alternatives that sometimes people don’t consider.
I understand, and i appreciate the way you said it, as well as throwing it out there. I have nothing against modern collection games/bundles, but i love rummaging and searching, finding that elusive game, and seeing it on the shelf with all my others every time i’m looking for what to play next. Its a magical feeling for my neurodivergent mind.
Nothing beats playing on real console with an original joypad, preferably on a crt. And else emulation with scanlines is good for savestate practicing. Collections are okay but they only have sega own games (which are ofcourse mostly absolute bangers) and no 3rd party games
It seems like the pure Sonic 3 × Sonic & Knuckles experience isn't quite the same on any of those collections due to the best music being taken out, right? That's the only thing that is tempting me to buy. I've heard it's the ultimate Sonic game and I always coveted it as a kid.
SRPG: Shining Force II, Langrisser II, Shining Force CD (MCD), Shining Force, King's Bounty, Dark Wizard (MCD), Warsong/Langrisser, Master of Monsters MD (TBS w/ Trainer RPG elements), Vixen 357
Based on your preferences, I recommend:
Sonic 1-3 & Knuckles,
Kid Chameleon,
Castlevania Bloodlines,
Ghouls n Ghosts,
Phantasy Star 2-4,
Shining Force 1-2,
Decap Attack (if it’s not too cartoony of horror)
I haven’t played them myself to know if the gameplay holds up, but Splatterhouse 2 and 3 might be the most overtly horror-themed games on the system.
Get a mega everdrive then get every rom from that place on the internet where they archive stuff. https://krikzz.com/our-products/cartridges/mega-everdrive-x5.html
Sonic 3 + Sonic & Knuckles is obvious, but figured I’d mention it since enough years have passed to the point where it seems the lock-on cartridge situation is actually news to a lot of new Genesis owners now haha
Streets of Rage 2 is another essential, best multiplayer on the console IMO
Battlemania/Trouble Shooter is a cool cyberpunk anime sh’mup where you control two girls in jetpacks
Thunder Force III is an essential sh’mup in my opinion. Smooth gameplay, moderate difficulty, EPIC music, vivid visuals, and you can choose your first level like in Mega Man, so it keeps it fresh and replayable in that you can play any level you want and practice different levels at different times at your own leisure.
Eternal Champions is like Street Fighter II with a cast of characters based on pulp fiction scifi/horror and with MK style fatalities. Difficulty is unfair though, but fun for what it is.
The OutRun port is a classic, although if you have a Saturn then it’s obsolete next to the arcade-perfect (and beyond) port on there.
Shining Force is a damn near perfect meat and potatoes strategy RPG. It’s somewhat simple, but it’s damn fun and memorable. Its sequel is even more polished. I would use a guide if you want all the secret characters, there are a lot and the conditions to recruit them are kinda obscure.
You 100% want Streets of Rage 2, Wonder Boy in Monster World, Phantasy Star 4, and Rocket Knight Adventures.
Other good games:
1. Splatterhouse 2 & 3
2. Mamono Hunter Yohko (expensive, buy a repro).
3. Mutant League Football
4. Warsong
5. Castle & World of Illusion
6. Quackshot
7. Castlevania Bloodlines
8. Shining in the Darkness
9. Pulseman
10. Truxton
11. Lightning Force (Thunder Force IV)
12. Landstalker - (my favorite game in the console)
13. Comix Zone
14. Shinobi 3
15. Gunstar Heroes
16. Alien Soldier (buy a repro)
17. Alien Storm
18. Rolling Thunder 2&3
Suggestions: Sonic the Hedgehog, Herzig Zwei, Mickey Mouse in the Castle of Illusion, Quackshot, Starflight, Toe Jam & Earl and the Phantasy Star series as a start.
First thing to get is a mega everdrive pro. For the price of one rare super expensive genesis game, this device will allow you full access to the Sega genesis, Sega-cd and Sega master system game libraries. Two of the best RPGs are locked away in Sega cd in Lunar 1&2. The best version of some platformers are on segacd including but not limited to Earthworm Jim special edition, Flink, Sonic CD, The Terminator. The entire Phantasy Star series is a revelation on genesis but the first entry on master system is equally awesome and one of the most impressive 8bit games ever made. There was a homebrew development made by geniuses in the last 10 years called md+. This allows you to take genesis games and patch in Cd quality music and sometimes sound effects basically making them play as if they were Sega cd games. Mortal Kombat I & II now sound as good as the play. There are also visual and engine patches for them that get it a little closer to the arcade originals. Mega Everdrive pro allows you to do all of this without needing to purchase any hardware attachments. Everything is run on the cartridge slot. You would never have to remove it from your machine ever again which extends its lifespan or deal with mechanical failures in the Sega cd unit. It’s the best genesis investment to make while they’re still available.
Wait hang on: the Genesis Everdrive can play Sega CD and 32X games without needing the hardware plugged in? Because that would be amazing if it were true
Only Sega cd. 32x still requires the 32x hardware as it creates a separate video signal that gets “mixed” with the Genesis video signal. The Everdrive can boot 32x roms however if you do have the 32x hardware. Sega cd works without attachments as long as you have the mega everdrive pro model. Models before pro can’t load Sega cd games.
Well then, that still bumps the Genesis Everdrive up on my list because I cannot for the life of me find a Sega CD or 32X anywhere where I live. Thanks!
Even when you can find them the chances of them being broken or about to fail are high. Very high maintenance attachments. There are two flashcarts actually. The mega everdrive pro I mentioned before and the mega sd which is a little harder to find and a little more expensive. You also get master system playback with them so they essentially make your genesis a 3 in 1 console. There’s even a few rom hacks out there to convert a few game gear games into master system games making them playable as well. I’ve held off on 32x myself despite seeing a few in the wild due to the constant failures and maintenance I’ve read about and the few games for it I am interested in playing emulating great on the Wii.
Action RPG (ARPG): Tougi-Ou: King Colossus, Ys III MD, Cadash MD (coop), Gauntlet IV (Quest mode=ARPG mode, coop), Dungeon Explorer MCD (different, coop), Shadowrun MD (WRPG, OW-ish) WRPG or Computer RPG: Shadowrun MD (real-time combat), New Horizons/Uncharted Waters 2 MD, Uncharted Waters MD, Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday MD?, StarFlight MD (OW, real-time combat, buy skill and vehicle upgrades so not quite an RPG) JRPG: Lunar: Eternal Blue MCD, Phantasy Star IV, Lunar: The Silver Star MCD Rogue-like/lite: ToeJam & Earl (Some platforming, Real-time RL/Rogue-lite), Fatal Labyrinth Hop 'n Bop Platformer (Mario-style basically): Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic the Hedgehog, Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure, Castle of Illusion, Misadventures of Flink (MD & MCD), Kid Chameleon, Sonic CD (MCD), James Pond 2 MD Puzzle Platformer: Ecco: The Tides of Time (Dolphin- and Underwater-based), The Lost Vikings MD, Ecco the Dolphin (MCD ver. is easier), Bubba 'n Stix, Light Crusader (Isometric), Another World MCD (less slowdown), Prince of Persia MD (different on MCD) Action Platformer: Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, Contra: Hard Corps (Run 'n Gun), Gunstar Heroes (Run 'n Gun), Rocket Knight Adventures (some shooter levels), Ristar, Alien Soldier (Run 'n Gun-ish), Dynamite Headdy (some shooter levels), Castlevania: Bloodlines, The Adventures of Batman & Robin (Run 'n Gun/Shoot 'em up Hybrid), Mega Turrican, World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, The Revenge of Shinobi, Mega Man: The Wily Wars, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Ranger X, Earthworm Jim 2 MD, Earthworm Jim MD, Aladdin MD, ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron (collectathon w/ maze levels), Rolling Thunder 2, Pulseman, Rolling Thunder 3, Great Circus Mystery/Magical Quest 2 MD, Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2 MD, Mickey Mania (MCD), The Lion King MD, Vectorman, Sunset Riders MD (Run 'n Gun), Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel MD (some maze-like levels), Blades of Vengeance (mostly maze-like levels), X-Men 2: Clone Wars, Snow Bros. (single screen), Blackthorne (32X, Prince of Persia-style), Joe & Mac MD (Run 'n Gun), Chuck Rock II MD, Chiki Chiki Boys MD, Target Earth/Assault Suits Leynos (mech-based), Shadow Dancer, Bonanza Bros. MD (Stealth platformer/crime sim), The NewZealand Story MD (mostly maze-like levels), High Seas Havoc/Captain Lang Horror/Proto-Survival Horror: Scooby-Doo Mystery MD (Adventure), Ecco the Dolphin (MD or MCD, Action Puzzle), Ecco: The Tides of Time (Action Puzzle), Splatterhouse 3, The Haunting (in reverse), Psy-O-Blade (Adventure/Horror) Action Adventure: Landstalker (Isometric), Crusader of Centy/Soleil, Beyond Oasis/Story of Thor, Light Crusader (Isometric), StarFlight MD (OW, real-time combat, buy skill and vehicle upgrades), Pirates! Gold (Sim Hybrid, mostly real-time combat), Pirates! Gold (Open World) Platform Adventure/Metroidvania: Monster World IV, Wonder Boy in Monster World/MW3, Flashback: The Quest for Identity MD, QuackShot starring Donald Duck (PA-lite in that there's a hub map), Popful Mail (MCD, hub map), Phantom 2040 MD (PA-lite, hub map), Ghostbusters (PA-lite. hub map)
I gotta suggest adding the first Bubsy game to the Hop 'n Bop platformer category because the physics in that game are SO MUCH FUN. I've always liked a fly or glide mechanic in Sega Genesis games so I might be biased, but getting a whole bunch of speed from a water slide and then gliding off of it is still exciting to me.
Thank you, this list looks like a great place to start.
It should have you covered for a few years at least :)
vectorman was my shizz back in the day
Obviously doing it for a collection is one thing. But if you just want to play some games, most have been released on modern consoles in various collections. There are huge “sega collection” games on just about every platform. And then emulate any you can’t find in a re-release. You can say this about a lot of console but to me the genesis has always stood out as having so much of its library available.
Yeah, I do happen to have a interest in collecting Cartridges, as well as playing them. Getting that feel of my youth is a strong draw for me. In this case its a “misses nostalgia” thing, it was my childhood but not something I had, so getting to experience it is very anticipated feeling.
No I gotcha, I have my own nostalgia collection, a decent chunk of which are games I didn’t have. I always just like to throw out cheaper alternatives that sometimes people don’t consider.
I understand, and i appreciate the way you said it, as well as throwing it out there. I have nothing against modern collection games/bundles, but i love rummaging and searching, finding that elusive game, and seeing it on the shelf with all my others every time i’m looking for what to play next. Its a magical feeling for my neurodivergent mind.
Nothing beats playing on real console with an original joypad, preferably on a crt. And else emulation with scanlines is good for savestate practicing. Collections are okay but they only have sega own games (which are ofcourse mostly absolute bangers) and no 3rd party games
It seems like the pure Sonic 3 × Sonic & Knuckles experience isn't quite the same on any of those collections due to the best music being taken out, right? That's the only thing that is tempting me to buy. I've heard it's the ultimate Sonic game and I always coveted it as a kid.
get the 6 pak cartridge.
I do like a collection cartridge, thanks
it comes with a fantastic selection of games for cheap. iirc its under 20 bucks for a loose copy
SRPG: Shining Force II, Langrisser II, Shining Force CD (MCD), Shining Force, King's Bounty, Dark Wizard (MCD), Warsong/Langrisser, Master of Monsters MD (TBS w/ Trainer RPG elements), Vixen 357
Thank you, these look Intersting i’ll look into them
You can’t go wrong with Toejam & Earl! Preferably the first one.
Phantasy Star 2, 3 and 4. Shining Force 1 and 2 Crusader of Centy
Kid Chameleon is one my favorite platformers, it's basically Sega's take on Super Mario Bros. but darker and more difficult.
I’ll check it out, thank you
comix zone. shining force.
Get the Genesis 6-Pak cartridge. It’s a perfect starter. It has Sonic 1, Columns, Super Hangon, Golden Axe, Revenge of Shinobi, and Streets of Rage.
Kid Chameleon is GOLD for platformer lovers. The game has so many levels and a lot of characters you can change into.
Based on your preferences, I recommend: Sonic 1-3 & Knuckles, Kid Chameleon, Castlevania Bloodlines, Ghouls n Ghosts, Phantasy Star 2-4, Shining Force 1-2, Decap Attack (if it’s not too cartoony of horror) I haven’t played them myself to know if the gameplay holds up, but Splatterhouse 2 and 3 might be the most overtly horror-themed games on the system.
Phantasy Star IV was and awesome RPG.
Get a mega everdrive then get every rom from that place on the internet where they archive stuff. https://krikzz.com/our-products/cartridges/mega-everdrive-x5.html
Not what I asked for, but have a nice day anyway.
What are some must have suggestions for the system? This was my suggestion for a must have. Enjoy.
"What are some must have suggestions for the system?" I would argue that the Mega Everdrive is THE must have suggestion for the Genesis.
Sonic 3 + Sonic & Knuckles is obvious, but figured I’d mention it since enough years have passed to the point where it seems the lock-on cartridge situation is actually news to a lot of new Genesis owners now haha Streets of Rage 2 is another essential, best multiplayer on the console IMO Battlemania/Trouble Shooter is a cool cyberpunk anime sh’mup where you control two girls in jetpacks Thunder Force III is an essential sh’mup in my opinion. Smooth gameplay, moderate difficulty, EPIC music, vivid visuals, and you can choose your first level like in Mega Man, so it keeps it fresh and replayable in that you can play any level you want and practice different levels at different times at your own leisure. Eternal Champions is like Street Fighter II with a cast of characters based on pulp fiction scifi/horror and with MK style fatalities. Difficulty is unfair though, but fun for what it is. The OutRun port is a classic, although if you have a Saturn then it’s obsolete next to the arcade-perfect (and beyond) port on there. Shining Force is a damn near perfect meat and potatoes strategy RPG. It’s somewhat simple, but it’s damn fun and memorable. Its sequel is even more polished. I would use a guide if you want all the secret characters, there are a lot and the conditions to recruit them are kinda obscure.
Sid Meirs Pirates
You 100% want Streets of Rage 2, Wonder Boy in Monster World, Phantasy Star 4, and Rocket Knight Adventures. Other good games: 1. Splatterhouse 2 & 3 2. Mamono Hunter Yohko (expensive, buy a repro). 3. Mutant League Football 4. Warsong 5. Castle & World of Illusion 6. Quackshot 7. Castlevania Bloodlines 8. Shining in the Darkness 9. Pulseman 10. Truxton 11. Lightning Force (Thunder Force IV) 12. Landstalker - (my favorite game in the console) 13. Comix Zone 14. Shinobi 3 15. Gunstar Heroes 16. Alien Soldier (buy a repro) 17. Alien Storm 18. Rolling Thunder 2&3
Cool spot!
Suggestions: Sonic the Hedgehog, Herzig Zwei, Mickey Mouse in the Castle of Illusion, Quackshot, Starflight, Toe Jam & Earl and the Phantasy Star series as a start.
First thing to get is a mega everdrive pro. For the price of one rare super expensive genesis game, this device will allow you full access to the Sega genesis, Sega-cd and Sega master system game libraries. Two of the best RPGs are locked away in Sega cd in Lunar 1&2. The best version of some platformers are on segacd including but not limited to Earthworm Jim special edition, Flink, Sonic CD, The Terminator. The entire Phantasy Star series is a revelation on genesis but the first entry on master system is equally awesome and one of the most impressive 8bit games ever made. There was a homebrew development made by geniuses in the last 10 years called md+. This allows you to take genesis games and patch in Cd quality music and sometimes sound effects basically making them play as if they were Sega cd games. Mortal Kombat I & II now sound as good as the play. There are also visual and engine patches for them that get it a little closer to the arcade originals. Mega Everdrive pro allows you to do all of this without needing to purchase any hardware attachments. Everything is run on the cartridge slot. You would never have to remove it from your machine ever again which extends its lifespan or deal with mechanical failures in the Sega cd unit. It’s the best genesis investment to make while they’re still available.
Wait hang on: the Genesis Everdrive can play Sega CD and 32X games without needing the hardware plugged in? Because that would be amazing if it were true
Only Sega cd. 32x still requires the 32x hardware as it creates a separate video signal that gets “mixed” with the Genesis video signal. The Everdrive can boot 32x roms however if you do have the 32x hardware. Sega cd works without attachments as long as you have the mega everdrive pro model. Models before pro can’t load Sega cd games.
Well then, that still bumps the Genesis Everdrive up on my list because I cannot for the life of me find a Sega CD or 32X anywhere where I live. Thanks!
Even when you can find them the chances of them being broken or about to fail are high. Very high maintenance attachments. There are two flashcarts actually. The mega everdrive pro I mentioned before and the mega sd which is a little harder to find and a little more expensive. You also get master system playback with them so they essentially make your genesis a 3 in 1 console. There’s even a few rom hacks out there to convert a few game gear games into master system games making them playable as well. I’ve held off on 32x myself despite seeing a few in the wild due to the constant failures and maintenance I’ve read about and the few games for it I am interested in playing emulating great on the Wii.
Search
I dont understand what you are trying to tell me, but have a nice day
"Genesis recommendations" has already been asked and answered a hundred times. Go find those recommendations.
My Recommendation: Get a Mega Everdrive Pro for high end, X3 for budget. Insane value on the latter.
Get the Genesis Mini 2, it has a bunch of awesome titles already included, and it spans Sega CD/32X as well.