10. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (MD)

Everyone has their favourite Sonic game, and while the original had an amazing impact on millions of players and finally gave Sega its very own Mario rival, the second is unquestionably a superior outing. The addition of the spin dash makes the gameplay more exciting and engaging, while the visuals and sound are refined in all the right ways. The inclusion of a sidekick might have garnered a few groans at the time of release, but Tails opens up the game’s two-player mode, which adds further to its appeal and longevity. Some might argue that Sonic & Knuckles is the better game, but for us, Sonic 2 hits the sweet spot.

9. 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.

8. Thunder Force IV (MD)

Thunder Force is another of those franchises which didn’t begin life on the Mega Drive, but has become almost synonymous with it. Thunder Force II kicked things off, but it would be the third and fourth instalments that really pushed the console to its limits. Thunder Force IV is arguably the highlight of the three games on Sega’s 16-bit system; its visuals are so incredible that the screen has to scroll up and down to fully showcase them, while the range of weaponry on offer means there’s a tactic for any given situation. Throw in some imaginative stages and a stern (but fair) challenge, and you’ve got one of the best blasters of this period – and the rocking soundtrack is fantastic, too. You can play it as part of the Sega Ages range of Switch.

7. 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.

6. 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.

5. Xeno Crisis (MD)

Released in 2019, Xeno Crisis is a Smash TV-style shooter where you must work your way through an alien-infested base saving hostages and fragging anything even remotely hostile. Developer Bitmap Bureau does an excellent job of pushing the hardware to its absolute limit both visually and sonically, while the two-player mode keeps things interesting. Xeno Crisis was also released on modern systems like the Switch and PS4, as well as the Neo Geo AES and Neo-Geo CD.

4. 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.

3. 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.

2. 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.

1. 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.

When did the Sega Genesis launch?

The Mega Drive was launched in Japan on October 29th, 1988. It would arrive in North America on August 14th, 1989 and in Europe in September 1990.

Can you play Sega Mega Drive games on a Sega Genesis?

No, not without using an adapter or modifying your console. Japanese Mega Drive cartridges are physically different from North American and European ones, and will not fit in the cartridge slot of a Western console. Furthermore, later titles included a region-locking system.

What is the best-selling Sega Genesis game of all time?

The best-selling Sega Genesis title is Sonic the Hedgehog, which was bundled with the console in North America and Europe. As a result, it sold 15 million copies.

What is the longest Sega Genesis game?

Clocking in at 55 hours to complete on average (according to HowLongToBeat), Might and Magic 2 is the longest Sega Genesis game.

How many games were on the Sega Genesis?

There are 1,016 video games on Genesis. Homebrew titles continue to be released even to this day.