10. 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.

9. 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.

8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist (MD)

At the close of the '80s, the Turtles were everywhere, including the arcades thanks to Konami's excellent belt-scrolling brawler. Clearly aware that it was on to a good thing, Konami quickly commissioned a sequel (Turtles in Time) which was ported to the SNES not long afterwards. Because Konami was relatively late to the party when it came to supporting Sega's hardware, Mega Drive fans had to wait a little longer for their Turtles game, but it was well worth it. The Hyperstone Heist might feel like a 'greatest hits' which pulls in elements from previously-released Turtles outings, but it's bright, addictive and a blast to play, especially with a second person.

7. 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.

6. The Revenge of Shinobi (MD)

A very early entry in the Mega Drive library, The Revenge of Shinobi (Super Shinobi in Japan) was one of the first games to really show what the console was capable of. Boasting visuals that massively improve over its arcade forerunner, Revenge of Shinobi combines tight control with excellent level design and inventive enemies, but for many players, the most memorable aspect of the entire game is Yuzo Koshiro's incredible soundtrack. It's worth noting that early versions of the game included Spider-Man and Batman as foes, as well as Godzilla. These were removed from subsequent versions, as was the late Sonny Chiba's likeness on the title screen. Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (Super Shinobi II in Japan) is also well worth checking out, but Revenge is arguably the better game.

5. Phantasy Star IV (MD)

Phantasy Star began life on the 8-bit Master System, but would find global fame on the Mega Drive with three excellent sequels. Phantasy Star IV, released towards the end of the console’s life, is the zenith of the series and offers up a rip-roaring JRPG quest that mixes fantasy elements with sci-fi tropes to amazing effect. Boasting many hours of gameplay, fantastic visuals and a storyline that will keep you glued to your seat, this is one of the best role-playing romps of the 16-bit era.

4. Castlevania: Bloodlines (MD)

Konami was late to the party when it came to supporting the Mega Drive, but when it did eventually turn up, it did so in style. Castlevania: Bloodlines (Vampire Killer in Japan, and Castlevania: The New Generation in Europe) is a visual and technical showcase that abandons the laid-back atmosphere of the SNES title Super Castlevania IV and instead adopts a more intense, over-the-top approach; there’s plenty of cartoon gore (some of which was censored for the European version) but the main hook is the tight control, challenging gameplay and wide range of environments. While many other Castlevania titles focus on Dracula’s titular fortress, Bloodlines takes a whistle-stop tour of Europe, starting in Romania before moving to Greece, France, Italy, Germany and eventually England. Original copies of the game are quite expensive these days, but thankfully Castlevania: Bloodlines is available on the Mega Drive Mini, and on the Castlevania Anniversary Collection on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam and Nintendo Switch.

3. Gunstar Heroes (MD)

Formed by a group of ex-Konami staffers, Treasure cut its teeth on Sega hardware, and Gunstar Heroes remains one of the studio’s most acclaimed releases. Even today, the sheer volume of visual effects the game hurls at the player is awe-inspiring; the run-and-gun action is peerless and each level looks and feels totally different. The inventiveness on display is truly stunning, making Gunstar Heroes one of the highlights of the Mega Drive’s library – both in terms of enjoyment and technical prowess. If you don't have access to the original hardware, then you can check it out on the Nintendo 3DS (with fancy 3D effects) and on the Sega Mega Drive Mini micro-console.

2. Streets of Rage 2 (MD)

Considered to be one of the greatest belt-scrolling brawlers of all time, Streets of Rage 2 (Bare Knuckle 2 in Japan) is regularly mentioned when people discuss must-have Mega Drive titles. It improves on its already impressive forerunner by adding more moves, locations and characters, while the visuals represent a massive leap forward, with huge, well-animated sprites and gorgeous backgrounds. The soundtrack – jointly composed by Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima – is equally legendary, and serves as a fine example of what the console’s oft-maligned audio hardware can do when in the right hands. The third Streets of Rage title is decent but perhaps not quite as well-loved, while the recent fourth outing serves as the perfect example of how to update a 16-bit series for the modern era.

1. 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.

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.