In 1989, Sega launched the Genesis (known as the Mega Drive everywhere else), quickly becoming a major competitor to Nintendo and capturing a large share of the home console market. This launch dramatically intensified the rivalry between the two companies, and with good reason. The Genesis boasted impressive games, vibrant 16-bit graphics, and generally outperformed other consoles available at the time. Over its lifespan, more than 875 officially licensed games were released for the Genesis, and we’ve reviewed them all to select the ten best, judging them on playability, industry influence, and initial reception.
10) Altered Beast
Originally released in arcades in 1988 to positive reviews, Altered Beast quickly became a standout title when it came to the Sega Genesis in 1989. The game tells the story of a Roman soldier brought back to life by Zeus to save Athena from the villain Neff. As players collect power-ups, their character transforms into powerful mythical creatures – a unique and popular feature for its time in the beat-’em-up genre. Altered Beast was even packaged with the Genesis when it first launched in North America, introducing the game to a large audience and ensuring its lasting popularity.
9) ToeJam & Earl
Released in 1991 for the Sega Genesis, ToeJam & Earl is a unique and highly enjoyable game. You play as one of two alien rappers who have crash-landed on Earth, and your goal is to collect the pieces of their spaceship. The game features levels that are different each time you play, and it’s packed with references to popular culture from the early 90s, all set to a fantastic soundtrack. Many consider it one of the first roguelike RPGs, thanks to its random elements. Even today, ToeJam & Earl remains a blast to play, especially with a friend in cooperative mode.
8) Phantasy Star IV
Released in 1993, Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium was the final Phantasy Star game for the Genesis. The role-playing game follows Alys and Chaz, two hunters, and their companions as they work to save the entire solar system from a looming disaster. While not initially a major success, Phantasy Star IV is now celebrated for its groundbreaking gameplay and compelling story, often considered one of the best in the genre. It’s been re-released on several platforms, and fans even created a sequel called Phantasy Star IV: A New Age that’s available online.
7) Mortal Kombat 2
Originally an arcade hit, Mortal Kombat 2 quickly made its way to home consoles. While versions were released for most major systems, the 1994 Genesis port is widely considered the best. A major improvement over the first game and other ports was that players didn’t need to enter a code to unlock the game’s blood and finishing moves. This version solidified the Genesis as a key platform for the Mortal Kombat franchise, and the game is often hailed as the peak of the classic series – and one of the greatest fighting games of all time.
6) Earthworm Jim
The original Earthworm Jim game launched in 1994 on the Sega Genesis and other consoles. It’s a quirky run-and-gun platformer where you play as the titular hero, and uniquely, you use Jim’s own body as a whip alongside his gun for attacks. The game was a big hit on the Genesis and led to several sequels. A remake even appeared on mobile phones in 2009, meaning many players still enjoy this funny and action-packed game today.
5) Contra: Hard Corps
Released in 1994 for the Sega Genesis, Contra: Hard Corps is the first game in the series made for a Sega system. It takes place five years after Contra III: The Alien Wars and follows a new team, Hard Corps, as they try to stop a rogue colonel from building weapons. A standout feature of the game is its branching story, meaning your choices can lead to different endings. Contra: Hard Corps was a hit and led to several sequels. Interestingly, it’s now considered a spin-off within the larger Contra series. It’s remained popular over the years, with re-releases in 2019 and 2021, proving there’s still a dedicated fanbase.
4) Gunstar Heroes
Released in 1993, Gunstar Heroes is a fast-paced action game featuring two heroes, the Gunstars, who battle an evil empire. Players control these characters as they shoot and perform acrobatic moves. A unique feature of the game is its weapon system: four different weapons can be combined to create a variety of attacks. Gunstar Heroes was a critical success, praised for its design, gameplay, action, and visuals. It’s often seen as a defining game of the 16-bit era and is still considered by many to be one of the greatest run-and-gun games ever made.
3) Golden Axe
I first played Golden Axe way back when it hit arcades, but it was clearly made with consoles like the Genesis in mind too – it came out on Genesis in 1989, and honestly, that’s the best version. They even added stuff to the Genesis port – a whole extra level, a duel mode, and a new ending! Even putting that aside, the arcade game is legendary, and it kicked off a bunch of sequels. But a lot of us still remember the original and how awesome it was to play, kind of like Altered Beast – both games were led by the same designer, Makoto Uchida.
2) Streets of Rage 2
Many fans consider Streets of Rage 2 to be the high point of the Streets of Rage series, and it’s easy to understand why. It built on the original with new characters, better graphics, improved level design, and more responsive controls. The game was a critical success when it launched and is frequently ranked among the best beat-’em-ups ever made. The original Genesis version remains the most popular, though it was later updated with 3D visuals for the Nintendo 3DS in 2015. Sega also released versions for the Game Gear and arcade machines, but most players still prefer the Genesis edition.
1) Sonic the Hedgehog 3
It was no surprise a Sonic game would be at the top of this list, but the question was which one? After playing all six Sonic games on the Sega Genesis, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 clearly stood out as the best in the series, and the best game on the console overall. While it played similarly to the first two games, it introduced the character Knuckles and allowed players to control both Sonic and Tails. It also expanded the game’s story and was a huge commercial success. What was really innovative at the time was the ability to connect the Sonic & Knuckles cartridge with Sonic 3 to create one enormous game. Ultimately, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a strong contender for the greatest game on the Genesis, making the choice pretty straightforward.
What’s your all-time favorite Sega Genesis game? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-03 22:16