Sega does what Nintendon’t was a marketing campaign that set the console wars of the 90s ablaze. Sega started stealing market share from Nintendo when they released the Sega Genesis.   The Genesis hit the market a few years before the Super Nintendo.

That gave Sega an edge because the Genesis was the first console widely available with 16-bit graphics. The Sega library had better sports games and more mature, edgier games. Mortal Kombat had blood on the Genesis version, while Nintendo decided to remove it.

Sega had strong third-party titles, leading to a more diverse game library. Let’s check out ten of the best Sega Genesis games of all time.

 

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic sped onto the scene and became a household name in the same vein as Mario. Sonic the Hedgehog had a lot of personality, shown in idle animations and several other animations in the game. It gave more depth to the character than just being another emotionless character you controlled.

Iconic levels with legendary music made the presentation mind-blowing. You were flying at the speed of sound, but the movement felt tight and precise. Sonic 2 is the highest-selling game on the Genesis, with over 6 million copies sold. Being the top seller should tell you all you need to know.

 

Streets of Rage 2

Streets of Rage 2 might be the best beat ’em up of all time, and its home was on the Genesis. It was what a sequel should be: nothing but big improvements across the board. It had more characters, improved combat, memorable stages, and a musical soundtrack that many consider a masterpiece.

The animations were fluid and snappy, with some of the most beautiful 16-bit graphics to grace the Genesis. Streets of Rage 2 is considered the gold standard in side-scrolling beat ’em ups. It’s a classic that’s still fun to jump in and play today

Vectorman pulled you in during the boot-up screen. The visuals were stunning, sporting pre-rendered 3D sprites. This made the game look more polished and modern.

It is easily the most graphically impressive game on the Genesis. The impressive audio design featured some of the best audio on the Genesis sound chip. Each stage introduced new gameplay mechanics, keeping the player interested.

Vectorman‘s combination of innovation, style, and substance makes it one of the best games ever released on the Genesis.

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NBA Jam

The game responsible for having every kid in the 90s yelling Boomshakalaka!

NBA Jam revolutionized the sports gaming genre with its over-the-top gameplay. Unlike traditional basketball games, NBA Jam featured exaggerated physics and high-flying dunks. Shooting well made the ball catch fire, and it would burn the net as well.

Nothing felt better than shattering a backboard while dunking on a friend who picked Reggie Miller. The game being simple meant you had to be more strategic to earn your buckets. NBA Jam‘s fast-paced gameplay, fun multiplayer, and humor made this game become an all-time great.

Aladdin

Did the Super Nintendo have Aladdin? Yes, but it was slightly different and not as good of a game as the Genesis version. Aladdin just might be one of the best, if not the best, licensed games of all time.

Virgin Games worked with Disney animators to create hand-drawn sprite animations using a process called Digicel, which gave the game a stunning, cartoon-like quality. The platforming and action sequences played well. Aladdin wasn’t just a great Genesis game; it was a shining example of how to adapt a beloved animated movie into a great game.

 

Phantasy Star IV

Phantasy Star IV was the last game in the original series, and it went out with a bang. The game offered a sci-fi rich, interconnected story that spanned generations and tied together the events of the previous Phantasy Star games.

The cutscenes were done in comic book style panels with detailed illustrations. The turn-based battles were fast-paced and had intuitive features like macro commands that allowed players to execute pre-set strategies. The game was packed with lore that rewarded longtime fans, but it was still accessible to newcomers. Sega created one of the most polished and memorable RPG experiences of the 16-bit era.

X-Men 2: Clone Wars

X-Men on the Genesis had way too many flaws and a limited roster, but it was fun if you were into the franchise. X-Men 2 fixes all those problems with better gameplay and an expanded roster.

Each character felt unique, and you weren’t limited to using your powers like the first game. The level designs are great and emphasize vertical movement. Like in the first game, there is a steep difficulty curve that can limit the accessibility of newcomers, but it’s filled with plenty of love letters to longtime fans. Thanks to great animation and exciting gameplay, X-Men 2 is one of the best action games on Sega Genesis.

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Kid Chameleon

Kid Chameleon is one of the best hidden gems in all of gaming.

The visuals and music give you that sweet 90s vibe. The main character is wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses. The game is huge, containing over 100 levels that branch into multiple paths, and has a transforming mechanic that turns your character into all kinds of things. Each transformation comes with unique powers. You could be a knight, hoverboard rider, samurai, and more.

Kid Chameleon is notorious for being tough but fair, appealing to players who love a challenge.

Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage

Released during the height of Spider-Man’s popularity in the 90s, the game was among the first to feature Venom as a playable character.

Players could alternate between Spider-Man and Venom, each with unique abilities, and they both played very differently. You could get assists that showed up as cameos from other Marvel heroes. It stayed faithful to the source material of Maximum Carnage, with cutscenes directly inspired by the comic panels. It all came in a red cartridge with incredible box art.

Golden Axe II

As a sequel to one of the most beloved games on the Sega Genesis, it cemented the franchise’s reputation as a cornerstone of the beat ’em up genre. Golden Axe II didn’t drastically reinvent the first game’s formula, but it polished and expanded on it by having new enemies, bosses, and levels.

The combat mechanics got a lot of work put into it. The difficulty is higher than in the first game, giving fans of the series a tougher challenge. Golden Axe II shows that sometimes less is more. Refinement and a few new features went a long way.