Best Mega Drive / Genesis Games
Image: Time Extension

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. 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.

49. Ghouls 'n Ghosts (MD)

Coded by a young Yuji Naka – who would later have a hand in birthing Sonic the Hedgehog – this conversion of Capcom's seminal arcade title, like Strider, served as a solid indication of how powerful the Mega Drive truly was back in its early years. While there are visual differences between this and the coin-op original, the core gameplay and feel are incredible faithful, and it's fair to surmise that this version is the one that many fans grew up playing. It's a shame that Sega fans didn't get more from this series; the sequel, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, was developed by Capcom exclusively for the SNES.

48. 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.

47. 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.

46. 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.

45. 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.

44. 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.

43. 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.

42. Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole (MD)

While the SNES was positively drowning in amazing RPGs back in the ‘90s, there was a viewpoint shared by some which felt that Sega’s 16-bit console was sorely lacking in this particular department. Presumably, those same people hadn’t noticed the amazing Landstalker, an isometric action RPG from the same team that co-produced the Shining series with Camelot Software Planning, Climax Entertainment. The perspective meant that the developers could incorporate platforming elements into the gameplay, which makes Landstalker feel very different from other examples of the genre. Combat and puzzle-solving also play a part, while the sumptuous visuals really help the game stand out. A PSP remake was in development at one point, but sadly never saw the light of day. Climax Entertainment sadly shut down around 2014.

41. Crusader of Centy (MD)

Lazy comparisons at the time of release wrote this off as a Zelda clone, but Crusader of Centy (Soleil in Europe, Shin Souseiki Ragnacënty in Japan) is very much its own thing. While it looks and plays similarly to Zelda: A Link to the Past, Crusader of Centy introduces animal helpers who can aid the player character in a wide variety of ways. Throw in a cool cameo appearance from none other than Sonic the Hedgehog and you’ve got a charming action RPG that absolutely deserves your attention, even today.

40. Dynamite Headdy (MD)

This manically-paced and stunningly inventive platformer proves that there’s more to Treasure than run-and-gun blasters. Like all of the company’s games, Dynamite Headdy is a technical showcase and really pushes the host hardware to its limits. However, it’s the core gameplay hook – Headdy’s interchangeable heads – which really sticks in the memory with this one. 17 different heads on available in the game, giving the gameplay a truly unique flavour. Another nice touch is that the levels you’re playing through are all set on a theatre stage, and you often catch glimpses of this fact in the backgrounds.

39. Warsong (MD)

Known as Langrisser in Japan, Warsong is a turn-based tactical RPG along the same lines as Fire Emblem and Shining Force, with some key differences. Your generals are the most powerful units on the map, but they have their own troops who can be controlled individually. When these troops succeed in battle, it earns experience for that particular general, and the game's cast of characters have several 'upgrade paths' they can follow which change their appearance, skills and available troop types. Hours of deep and involving gameplay await, along with stellar art from Satoshi Urushihara and brilliant music by Noriyuki Iwadare, Isao Mizoguchi and Hiroshi Fujioka. Several sequels followed – none of which were localised at the time of release – but it's possible to experience the first two Mega Drive entries on modern hardware thanks to a recent remake.

38. 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.

37. Beyond Oasis (MD)

As one of the console’s later releases, Beyond Oasis (The Story of Thor: A Successor of the Light in Japan and Europe) stands out as a technically stunning action RPG. Developed by Yuzo Koshiro’s studio Ancient, the game showcases large, detailed sprites and beautiful locations. The gameplay is of a high standard, too, with various locations to explore and puzzles to solve. While comparisons can be drawn with the Zelda series – and people certainly did so at the time of release – Beyond Oasis places a much stronger emphasis on combat and its world is arguably more alluring and detailed than Hyrule in Zelda: A Link to the Past. A Saturn sequel followed in 1996 under the title The Legend of Oasis (also known as The Story of Thor 2), but, despite the prettier graphics, it’s perhaps not as polished as this title.

36. 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.

35. James Pond 2: Codename: RoboCod (MD)

The first James Pond was an underwater adventure that gained a sizeable audience on home computers before it was ported to the Mega Drive, but it's the character’s second outing that has gone down in history as a solid gold classic. Hailed as ‘better than Sonic’ by many publications at the time of release, RoboCod certainly has its own unique take on the plaforming genre. It’s packed with British humour, enjoyable action and appealing visuals, and the fact that it has been reissued on pretty much every console since tells you everything you need to know about how highly it is regarded. A third outing – which also came to Sega’s 16-bit system – didn’t quite reach the same heights, but the character is long overdue a resurrection if you ask us.

34. 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.

33. Alien Soldier (MD)

If Gunstar Heroes was Treasure showing what it could do on the Mega Drive, Alien Soldier is the studio taking things to the next level in every respect. One of the most technically stunning games ever released on the Mega Drive, this epic run-and-gun title is best described as one long boss rush, with short levels in between. Seen by many as the perfect swansong for the Mega Drive – the ‘hardcore gamer’ console – Alien Soldier is breathtaking in its scope, but hardly the most welcoming of action games for genre newcomers. It was only released physically in Japan and Europe back in 1995 (the North American release was limited to the company’s ‘Sega Channel’ service) so expect to pay high prices if you’re hankering for the original cartridge.

32. Strider (MD)

Originally released in arcades by Capcom and reprogrammed under licence by Sega itself, Strider is an arcade platformer that never seems to run out of fresh ideas. Its agile protagonist feels athletic and exciting to control, while the ever-changing locations – which include snowy Russia, a floating battleship, the depths of the Amazon rainforest and even the moon – fuel you with the desire to find out what’s up next. This Mega Drive port is amazingly close to the coin-op original and even improves on it in some ways; the main sprite is arguably better-looking here. It’s a shame that some things are missing (the voice samples in between levels, for example), but it seems unfair to pick fault when you consider this was a home port of a cutting-edge arcade machine, released just over a year after the coin-op made its debut.

31. Rocket Knight Adventures (MD)

One of Konami’s early hits on Sega’s 16-bit hardware, Rocket Knight Adventures places you in the metal suit of Sparkster, an opossum who sets out to free his land from the tyranny of an evil army of pigs. Konami’s technical skill is evident from the outset, with the game hurling all kinds of carnage around the screen, while the steampunk-style design has a timeless appeal. Despite two sequels – one for the Mega Drive and one for the SNES – Rocket Knight is a series that has fallen out of favour in recent years. A 2009 reboot by UK-based Climax didn’t really set the world on fire, and it seems that Sparkster is destined to remain in the realm of largely ignored ‘90s animal mascots. Still, at least he had this amazing adventure, right?