30. Mega Bomberman (MD)

Based on Hudson's PC Engine title Bomberman '94, Mega Bomberman was ported by Westone (of Wonder Boy fame) and supports the console's multitap accessory so four players can get involved with the destructive action. While both the SNES and PC Engine received multiple versions of Bomberman, this is the only entry on the Mega Drive, so it's an easy recommendation in that regard. The bright visuals are a perfect match for the system, and the game's obvious multiplayer appeal means it's worth digging out for social occasions. Keeping with the Sega theme, the excellent Saturn Bomberman would follow a few years later on the Sega Saturn.

29. Virtua Racing (MD)

How do you fit a state-of-the-art 3D graphics arcade machine onto a console which was built around 2D games? Well, you can’t really, but Sega gave it a good go with this port. The coin-op Virtua Racing might look crude now, but back in the early ‘90s it was a tantalising glimpse of the future, and the fact that Sega even attempted to bring it to the Mega Drive is amazing in itself. However, the 16-bit console had some help thanks to the addition of the ‘Sega Virtua Processor’ (SVP) chip, a 3D accelerator not unlike the Super FX chip seen in the SNES game, Star Fox. The result is a game that is still a long way from matching the arcade version, but something that was jaw-dropping for 1994 standards. What really matters is that Sega managed to include the coin-op’s hugely enjoyable gameplay. Coincidentally, you can check out the arcade version as part of the Sega Ages range on Switch.

28. Yu Yu Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen (MD)

Fresh from its success with Gunstar Heroes, Treasure would produce this hectic fighting game based on the famous anime and manga series, Yu Yu Hakusho. Up to four players can take part (with a multitap, of course) with the objective being the utter destruction of all opponents. Like Guardian Heroes – a game Treasure would develop for the Mega Drive’s successor, the Saturn – Yu Yu Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen allows players to leap between planes of movement. It also supports the console’s optional 6-button controller. Sadly, Yu Yu Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen was never released outside of Japan, although it did get a Brazilian release in 1999.

27. Gynoug (MD)

It's fair to say that Gynoug (Wings of Wor in North America) stood out upon release thanks to its nightmarish visuals rather than its gameplay, but it would be unfair to assume that it's not worth a look. Sure, those visuals are truly incredible – a horrific fusion of flesh and technology in some places – but they're also some of the most impressive on the Mega Drive, which is quite something when you take into account how early this was released. Thankfully, Gynoug backs up its unique presentation with some brilliant shmup action, along with a suitably rousing soundtrack. One of the most interesting examples of the genre you'll find anywhere, and one that is now thankfully available on digital stores, too.

26. 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.

25. Desert Strike: Return To The Gulf (MD)

Released at a time when the Gulf War was still very fresh in people's memories, Desert Strike garnered plenty of attention for its seemingly controversial setting, but in reality, it's a fantastic isometric blaster which offers a decent challenge and some stunning visuals. While it's a stern test for your reactions, Desert Strike also offers plenty of scope for repeat play thanks to its large levels and hidden secrets. Sequels such as Jungle Strike and Urban Strike build on the concept, but the original is perhaps the 'purest' take on the concept.

24. 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.

23. Wonder Boy in Monster World (MD)

While series fans generally agree that this Mega Drive outing (which shouldn’t be confused with console stablemate Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair, which is a scrolling shooter) isn’t quite as inventive and revolutionary as Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap on the Master System, it’s still one of the high points of the series. Granted, the monster transformations which made the 8-bit entry so unique are gone, but in their place, there’s a much stronger story, notably improved visuals and audio and a lengthy experience that keeps throwing new surprises in your direction. Interestingly, developer Westone also released the game on the PC Engine CD, but without the Wonder Boy branding, which Sega owns. That version is called The Dynastic Hero.

22. 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.

21. Gley Lancer (MD)

One of the many Mega Drive shmups that today commands astonishing prices on the secondary market, Gley Lancer is a horizontal blaster with a unique weapons system, striking visuals (including anime-style cutscenes which look so good you’d think this was a Mega CD game) and an excellent soundtrack. It was denied a release outside of Japan back in the day, a fact which no doubt contributes to its high resale value, but thankfully it was recently re-issued by Colombus Circle, a Japanese company that specialises in resurrecting old and unreleased video games. The price of this reprint is steadily rising in value, too, so if you fancy checking it out you might want to pull the trigger sooner rather than later. Mercifully, it's also available as a digital download.

20. Devil Crash MD (MD)

Pinball games are very much a fixed concept, but Devil Crash MD – known in the west as Dragon’s Fury – tries its hardest to bend the rules. For starters, the table you’re playing on is packed with demonic imagery, from shambling monks to fire-breathing dragons. This satanic theme runs through the entire game, and even extends to various ‘side tables’ which serve as bonus areas where you can increase your points score. The glorious soundtrack rounds off what is a true classic of the genre, and one which recently inspired the equally excellent Demon’s Tilt on modern consoles.

19. MUSHA (MD)

Part of Compile’s legendary Aleste series, MUSHA – which, according to the North American version, stands for “Metallic Uniframe Super Hybrid Armor” but in fact means ‘Warrior’ in Japanese – is a fantastic blaster that is made all the more remarkable when you consider that it was released in 1990, making it one of the Mega Drive’s earliest shmups. Despite this, it contains some of the most impressive visual effects seen on the system – stage two's ravine being a good example, with the floor literally falling away beneath your ship, opening up layers of stunning parallax scrolling. The gameplay is just as engaging, with a firm challenge and plenty of variety, while the pumping soundtrack does an excellent job of complementing the on-screen carnage.

18. Comix Zone (MD)

Developed in the west by Sega Technical Institute, Comix Zone is one of the most inventive fighting games you’ll ever play. As the title hints, the action takes place entirely on the page of a comic book, with the player character literally punching and kicking their way through the borders which separate each panel and moving around the page to progress. Sega was so pleased with itself for coming up with the idea it even patented the concept of a “video game system for creating a simulated comic book game". Comix Zone has a few rough edges, for sure, but it’s such a unique experience that you should definitely seek it out if you’re looking for the best the Mega Drive can offer.

17. Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi (MD)

Often overlooked in favour of series stablemates Revenge of Shinobi and Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, Shadow Dancer is a more colourful and hyperactive take on the series. While it takes its name from the 1989 arcade machine, Shadow Dancer on the Mega Drive is actually an entirely different outing with new sprites, levels and music. ‘One hit’ kills make their return after the life bar of Revenge of Shinobi, which gives Shadow Dancer a tighter, more tense feel, while the levels are packed with bright enemies and unusual bosses. While Yuzo Koshiro wasn’t involved with the game’s music – his soundtrack to the first title is the stuff of legend – it still has some stand-out tracks which stick in your head for hours after you’ve finished playing. This game offers the tight, playable arcade action Sega built its reputation on, and is highly recommended.

16. Monster World IV (MD)

It’s puzzling that Sega didn’t feel confident enough to release Monster World IV in the west back in 1994, given that the Wonder Boy series had been commercially successful across its Master System, Mega Drive and Game Gear platforms. Whatever the reason for the reluctance, western players missed out on one of the best platform RPGs of the 16-bit era; Monster World IV – which has a female rather than male protagonist – is a sprawling Metroidvania-style adventure with colourful visuals and captivating gameplay. It would be 2012 before Sega localised the game – it got a release on digital platforms – and it was more recently included on the Sega Mega Drive Mini. A full remake arrived in 2021 on modern systems.

15. 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.

14. Shining in the Darkness (MD)

While FTL’s 1987 home computer hit Dungeon Master didn’t come up with the idea of a first-person RPG, it certainly did a lot to popularise the approach, and when Sega announced it was working on a thematically similar game, there was much excitement in the air. Ultimately, Shining in the Darkness isn’t really a close match for Dungeon Master. FTL’s game takes place in real-time, while Sega’s game is a turn-based affair with random encounters and the like. Still, it’s incredibly successful at adapting the Final Fantasy-style JRPG style to a first-person adventure and showcases lovely visuals and a decent storyline. A fantastic Saturn sequel – entitled Shining the Holy Ark – would follow in 1997.

13. Contra: Hard Corps (MD)

Alongside Castlevania: Bloodlines and Rocket Knight Adventures, Contra: Hard Corps stands as one of Konami’s greatest achievements on the Mega Drive. Like Bloodlines, it’s very much Contra turned up to the absolute maximum level of insanity; while the visuals and audio can’t quite match the SNES Contra III, the intensity of the on-screen action and sheer craziness of the levels means that this is perhaps a more hair-raising ride for fans of run-and-gun games. Contra: Hard Corps was the last game to be localised in Europe under the ‘Probotector’ name, and that version of the game features robots as the protagonists. All regional variants of the game are extremely expensive these days, but thankfully, the game is available as part of the Contra: Anniversary Collection for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows, and it was also included on the Mega Drive Mini – so you don’t need to sell a kidney to play it legally.

12. Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (MD)

Capcom enjoyed early success adapting Disney’s famous properties to the world of video games, but for many, it’s this Sega-made effort that really sticks in the memory. Castle of Illusion is a platforming masterpiece; gorgeously presented, supremely playable and instantly accessible, it still ranks as one of the Mega Drive’s finest examples of the genre – which is quite something when you consider it was released so early in the system’s lifespan. The fact that it was remade in 2013 speaks volumes of how highly it is still regarded by gamers all over the world. The game was repackaged alongside Quackshot for the Sega Saturn, but this double-pack sadly never made it to the west.

11. Shining Force II: Ancient Sealing (MD)

Nintendo’s Fire Emblem series may get all of the column inches today, but back in the early ‘90s that franchise was still totally exclusive to Japan and it was Sega’s Shining Force that led the way when it came to turn-based tactical RPGs. The original Shining Force was spun out of Shining in the Darkness and boasts hours of gameplay, upgradeable characters and excellent presentation. However, the second game just about edges it when it comes to sheer quality; it offers the player more freedom to explore the world but retains pretty much everything that made the original so compelling. The Shining Force series would also come to the Mega CD and Game Gear, and the third entry would later come to the Sega Saturn.