VGC Top Ten: Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Games
by Stephen Kelley, posted on 18 August 2010 / 11,113 Views
Background:
Last year VGChartz ran a series of articles that ranked the top ten games for a number of modern systems including the 360, Wii, and PS3. The voting was handled by the staff and a small “reader’s choice” section was added with the reader’s opinions. A year has come and gone, and tastes change, so we decided to see what kind of games you guys wanted listed in a top ten this time, except we are handling things differently this time. Not only will the list be compiled entirely by you, the fans, but we will go through a large number of game systems all the way back to the 1970’s with the Atari 2600 to modern day. We hope to do these over a few weeks, so stay tuned for your favorite systems! Since our readers are a diverse group be prepared for some surprises!
Method:
Our voting was carried out on the forums, where we asked patrons to list their top 5 Sega Master System games in order, and numerical values were placed on the places. After compiling all the totals, this is the list that we came up with.
History Lesson:
Sega had made headway into a few countries like parts of Europe and South America with its Sega Master System, but wanted a bigger piece of the pie, Nintendo’s cash pie that is. As the 16 bit era emerged Nintendo decided to take a little break and scope out the competition, a trend we usually still see to this day. This allowed Sega to release the Mega Drive to directly compete with another 16 bit system, the TuboGrafx-16 or PC engine as it was called in Japan. Sega took to a new way to market the system and drifted away from the kid friendly “hey parents your kids might like this” kind of marketing that ruled video game print and TV advertisements and shifted to a more adult approach. As the Super Famicom (SNES) finally entered the market around a year after the U.S. release of the Mega Drive (or Genesis as it was dubbed there) the marketing shifted to point out Nintendo’s shortfalls with catchy slogans like “Sega Does what Nintendon’t.” The Mega Drive/Genesis was pretty much stalemated with Nintendo through the entire fourth Generation, and remained Sega’s most popular and successful system. Attachments and other attempts to hold onto the market share kept this system alive until 1995, and in some areas much longer.
Now let’s look at some games!
10. Streets of Rage
As we found out with the previous Master System list, VGChartz readers are all about scrolling beat ‘em up games. What better game to showcase the genre than the very first Streets of Rage game. The story follows a once peaceful city as it is plunged into utter chaos by an evil crime syndicate. The group soon assimilates itself into the local government and uses the resources of that power to run even more heinous crimes. Three former police officers decide that they are sick of working for any government that preys on its citizens and become street vigilantes. One notable feature to this game, and the later series is its acclaimed music, which sounded more like actual dance club music than most other video game tunes.
9. Sonic & Knuckles
Our first of probably many Sonic games that will undoubtedly comprise this list, Sonic & Knuckles was different than its predecessors. Not only was it a direct sequel to Sonic 3 storyline-wise, but it featured two storylines that played out slightly different. This was due to the fact that, as the name of the game suggests, you can control both Sonic and his would be nemesis Knuckles to stop Dr. Eggman. This cartridge also carried a great bonus called “lock-on technology” a feature that allowed the player to attach Sonic & Knuckles to another game like Sonic 3, and end up with a new game. This technology was later used in other games, but was utilized the best here.
8. Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Some of you who have not played this gem may be scoffing at the inclusion of a licensed game, but worry not; this is one of the seemingly few licensed games that were actually good. Sega actually seemed to produce a lot of those as games like Jurassic Park and Aladdin were all really awesome on the Genesis/Mega Drive. The story follows a dark tone that at the time was uncommon for anything Disney related. Minnie Mouse, Mickey’s significant other, was walking around when she was captured by an evil witch named Mizrabel. Mizrabel wants to steal Minnie's Youth and has locked her in a tower. It is up to Mickey to plough through said castle and save her. Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse was a game that helped solidify Sega’s reputation and success before the unstoppable juggernaut that was Sonic The Hedgehog was released to the masses.
7. Streets of Rage 2
Oh hey another Streets of Rage game! Streets of Rage 2, as one would expect, plays a lot like the original despite some balancing and refinement. The main change is the way special attacks are handled. The new special attacks are most personalized, and give more strategy to the player as you have to sacrifice a bit of life in order to use it. This was just one way the game tried to make the characters varied, another was having one of the original main characters kidnapped at the beginning of the game, and allowing his rollerblading younger brother take his spot. This added more originality to the characters as before they were very similar gameplay-wise.
6. Shining Force 2
While Shining Force 2 is actually the fifth game in the illustrious “Shining” series, it is definitely one of, if not the most, popular entries in the series. While not specifically tied to the original Shining Force game that was released a few years earlier, Shining Force 2 kept most of the gameplay from its forefather. The game was changed to remove the chapter system, add free roaming to the gameplay, and the ability to go back to previous areas. This made the game not only longer, but more gameplay driven.
5. Sonic the Hedgehog
The Mega Drive/Genesis was already out nearly two years before the system's flagship title and Sega’s eventual mascot was ever revealed. The story follows a peace loving hedgehog who is shocked to find that a mad scientist is capturing all of the world’s animals to build his evil city and carry out all manner of evil deeds. Sonic has the ability to run faster than any animal around, a skill that gives him a fighting chance to save his friends. With an exciting and different premise like that Sega had money in the bank.
4. Gunstar Heroes
While Gunstar Heroes received two very different storylines depending on what part of the world you live in, one thing stands out: the game is very fun, and somewhat atypical from most scrolling shooters. The game has become a fan favorite, and helped solidify the company Treasure as one of the premiere game development studios in the world. A unique weapon customization mode keeps the game fun and very challenging as you can equip and upgrade a ton of different weapons to suit your needs.
3. Sonic 3
Three is a fitting number for our number three game on the list. We had many folks vote for Sonic 3, especially if one had the game Sonic & Knuckles, as the re-done version of this game Sonic 3 & Knuckles is apparently VERY popular on VGChartz. The game is notable for its customization allowing for one to play solo as either Sonic or Tails, as a team with Tails controlled by A.I. or a two player co-op game. The game also featured huge game environments almost three times the size of any other Sonic game until then. Many fans are especially happy with this game as it introduced Knuckles, a dark anti-hero character that won the fans over.
2. Phantasy Star 4
Fans of the Phantasy Star series were in full force when voting was set up for this list, as it came in second amongst all the possible Master System/Genesis games. It contains all of the popular trappings of the previous games, including turn-based battles, overhead exploration, and magic. Phantasy Star 4 is the final game in the Algol storyline, and is considered the last game in the main series. The story takes place over one thousand years after the events depicted in Phantasy Star II, and tells the story of a group of bounty hunters forced to become unwitting saviors of the universe. What game could be more popular…
1. Sonic 2
By a massive landslide Sonic 2 has taken the crown as the most popular Sega Mega Drive/Genesis game amongst VGChartz members. Sonic and his new buddy Miles "Tails" Prower have discovered that Dr. Eggman is at it again, this time attempting to finish a huge orbiting space station called the Death Egg. Selling over 6 million units, not only is the game very popular, but it is also one of the most successful games on the system.
And there you have it! Join us this weekend for yet another list!!
In the meantime check out a few older lists in this series:
VGC Top Ten: Atari 2600 Games
VGC Top Ten: NES Games
VGC Top Ten: Sega Master System Games
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