
Released in Japan on October 29th 1988 - that's 35 years ago today - the Sega Mega Drive (or Genesis, if you're in North America) is arguably the company's most beloved home console – it's certainly the most commercially successful, having shifted a respectable 30.75 million units worldwide.
The first true 16-bit home console, the Mega Drive boasts a library that is absolutely packed full of fast-paced arcade and sports titles, as well as a wide range of platformers, RPGs and fighting games.
Below, you'll find a selection of what we feel are the best games the console has to offer. These are ranked via user votes, so if you don't agree with the running order, make sure you cast your vote!
50. Rainbow Islands Extra (MD)
An enhanced port of Taito’s 1987 arcade smash hit, Rainbow Islands Extra was sadly denied a western release back in the day and is now quite an expensive purchase on Japanese import. It’s worth tracking down, however; it’s a fantastic facsimile of the coin-op boasting faithful visuals, sound and controls. The ‘extra’ in the title refers to the fact that this conversion includes ‘Rainbow Islands Extra Version’, which is a modified version of the original coin-op with new enemy and boss placement. You can choose to play the original game or the ‘extra’ version from the title screen.
49. Steel Empire (MD)
The Mega Drive is home to a lot of shmups, some of which are better than others. What makes Steel Empire really stand out from its contemporaries is the brilliant steampunk setting; clearly inspired by the likes of Studio Ghibli’s Laputa: Castle in the Sky, the game’s visuals are packed with airships, industrial villages and shattered fortresses. This unique aesthetic really helps the game stand out from the crowd, but it’s the appealing gameplay that makes it all stick together; there’s a reason that Steel Empire has gone on to become something of a cult classic, and has been reissued on both Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 3DS. While the Japanese Mega Drive version is expensive on the second-hand market, the western versions are a lot cheaper and easier to find.
48. Magical Hat no Buttobi Tābo! Daibōken (MD)
Based on a Japanese anime series, this cartoon platformer is a sequel of sorts to the excellent Psycho Fox on the Master System. The lead character is capable of flapping his large trousers while in mid-air so he can glide over large gaps, and his ability to stomp on the top of enemies gives the game a very 'Super Mario' feel. However, you can also punch enemies and hurl an egg-shaped ally at them. Other items allow you to benefit from time-limited powers, such as the ability to turn into a massive gorilla mech which is handy for tackling end-of-level bosses. Because the anime was totally unknown outside of Japan, there was little point in paying for the licence to be used in the west, so Sega took the game and replaced all of the backgrounds and characters, creating Decap Attack. Both versions are worth a look, but the Japanese original has bags of charm and is relatively cheap on the secondary market.
47. John Madden Football '93 (MD)
While all of the John Madden Football games on the Mega Drive are worth a look, this particular entry is perhaps the best starting point if you’re a newcomer, as it builds on the amazing work seen in the previous titles to offer a more rounded gameplay experience. One of Madden’s greatest strengths is its multiplayer appeal, and that’s certainly true here – this is one of the best two-player titles on the console, even if you have no interest whatsoever in the sport of American Football. The simplicity of the controls – combined with the wide selection of available plays and the scope for strategy and skill – make for the perfect social video game, especially if you like trash-talking your opponent when you pull off the perfect move against the run of the game. The lack of a proper NFL licence is the only downer, but this doesn't impact the gameplay.
46. NHL '94 (MD)
The NHL series – also known as EA Hockey in some parts of the world – ranks alongside Madden and FIFA when it comes to essential 16-bit sports series. This sequel is regarded by many fans as the apex of the franchise on the Mega Drive; it builds on the amazing multiplayer experience offered by earlier entries with new animations, abilities and the opportunity to save your records. Considered by some to be one of the best sports video games ever produced, NHL '94 is a must-have if you’re looking for two-player action on your Mega Drive.
45. ESWAT: City Under Siege (MD)
Like Shadow Dancer, ESWAT is one of those odd Mega Drive titles which is based on an arcade machine but totally changes the visuals, gameplay and level design to come up with an entirely new game that has very little to do with its namesake. Also like Shadow Dancer, the Mega Drive version of ESWAT is arguably a superior game when compared to its coin-op sibling; the sense of progression is better (you start as a lowly cop and only earn your Robocop-style suit in level 3) while the stage design benefits from the fact that this is clearly aimed at a home console audience, rather than the arcade crowd which is expected to pump plenty of coins in to keep playing. The visuals are dark and moody but come with plenty of detail, while the soundtrack offers some of the best music from the console's early library. If you like Shinobi-style action platformers, then this is a must.
44. Alisia Dragoon (MD)
Developed by Game Arts (Silpheed, Lunar), Alisia Dragoon distinguished itself in 1992 by offering sumptuous, anime-style graphics (thanks to the involvement of Japanese animation studio Gainax) and an engaging female protagonist. It’s an action platformer at heart – and a fairly traditional one at that – but the inclusion of four monsters that aid the player makes it stand apart. Sadly, when Alisia Dragoon was localised by Sega for its western release, the anime artwork on the packaging was replaced by standard-issue western fantasy art and much of the Japanese charm was lost. As you might expect, the Japanese version of the game commands high prices today, but if you’re not looking to drop a large helping of cash, then you’ll be pleased to know the game is included on the Mega Drive Mini.
43. ToeJam & Earl (MD)
These days, the term ‘rogue-like' is bandied about with true abandon, but back in 1991, the genre was far less famous. It’s amazing to think, then, that Sega was bold enough to publish a title like ToeJam & Earl, which was produced by an external development team and was as oddball as they come. The titular characters are a pair of rapping aliens who crash-land on Earth and must explore randomly-generated levels and rebuild their spacecraft. The game’s two-player mode really opens things up and adds longevity, and the fact that ToeJam & Earl can only defend themselves with tomatoes makes the game stand out as surprisingly non-violent. ToeJam & Earl is unlike any other game on the Mega Drive, and well worth a look, even today.
42. FIFA 95 (MD)
Long before FIFA became the microtransaction-filled monster that it is today, it was a surprisingly refreshing isometric kickaround that solidified the Mega Drive’s reputation as the best console for sports games. This sequel – the first to have a year included in its title, fact fans – is a big improvement over the original, retaining the gloriously fast gameplay while adding in some welcome extras. FIFA would of course move into the realm of 3D with FIFA 96 on the PlayStation and Saturn (and it’s important to note that a 3D version also appeared on the ill-fated 3DO), but there’s something undeniably comforting about a FIFA which has a fixed, isometric perspective.
41. Road Rash (MD)
The Mega Drive isn't exactly swimming in amazing racing games, but Road Rash stands out because it not only offers plenty of high-speed fun but also the ability to clobber your rivals when they get too close. The undulating roads add to the sense of immersion, and while it's often a better strategy to avoid combat and simply finish as well as possible, the temptation to take down your opponents adds a welcome wrinkle to proceedings. The Mega Drive sequel is also worth a look, as is the 3DO version. Strangely, Road Rash is one of those franchises which was massively popular at one point in time but has struggled to remain relevant as the decades have passed by.
40. Ranger X (MD)
When the SNES began to really hit its stride with titles like Cybernator and Contra III, Sega hit back with games like Ranger X (Ex-Ranza in Japan), a mech-heavy action platformer developed by GAU Entertainment (later know as Nextech). One of those rare titles which is capable of combining impressive technical achievements with solid, captivating gameplay, Ranger X can be somewhat intimidating at first, but rewards your dedication with exciting gameplay and some of the best visuals seen on the Mega Drive. It also makes excellent use of the Mega Drive’s 6-button control pad, if you have one to hand.
39. Zero Wing (MD)
It’s somewhat cruel that this classic Toaplan shmup is now best known for siring the ‘All your base’ meme, because behind the amusing ‘Engrish’ translation (only seen in the European version of the game, as Zero Wing didn’t get a North American release back in the day) there lies a fantastic example of the genre. Toaplan’s trademark visuals and sound are present and correct, and the ability to grab onto enemies and use them in battle gives the game a unique hook. Zero Wing was recently reissued by Retro-Bit, and you’ll be pleased to learn that it includes the infamous intro sequence.
38. Golden Axe (MD)
While early releases such as Altered Beast and Space Harrier II showed that the Mega Drive was more than up to the task of bringing Sega’s coin-ops home, Golden Axe was perhaps the first port to really show what was possible on the system. Not only is it a near-arcade-perfect replication of the Conan-like arcade original, it includes an entire extra level at the end, as well as a tougher final boss. You can also fight against another player in the competitive duel mode. A Mega Drive exclusive sequel arrived soon afterwards but it’s rather disappointing as it largely recycles the first game with new visuals, while 1993’s Golden Axe III tries some fresh ideas but ultimately feels a little half-baked. The ‘true’ successor to Golden Axe is the arcade-only Revenge of Death Adder, which was recently included on Sega’s Astro City Mini console.