6 Sega Games You Forgot Were Awesome

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Okay, so Sega doesn’t make consoles anymore, but they still make awesome games! Everyone always jumps to Sonic the Hedgehog when you mention Sega, and yeah, that’s a classic. But they’ve got so many other great titles like Yakuza and Crazy Taxi. Honestly, though, there are a bunch of hidden gems in Sega’s history that don’t get enough love. I’ve put together a little list of six games I think deserve more attention, but Sega’s made hundreds over the years, so this is just scratching the surface. Let me know what forgotten Sega games you love!

Here are six great forgotten Sega games.

6) Hang-On

During the 1980s, Sega became well-known for creating excellent arcade racing games. While Out Run is often the most remembered, Hang-On and its follow-up, Super Hang-On, were also fantastic motorcycle racing games that proved very successful in arcades for Sega.

This game was a pioneer, being among the first arcade titles to feature 16-bit graphics, which was a significant achievement for the company. It was followed by one excellent sequel, though a later version for the Saturn console didn’t fare as well. Sadly, the series hasn’t seen many new releases since, but fans can still enjoy Super Hang-On today as it’s included in the Yakuza games on modern consoles.

5) Quackshot

I actually prefer calling Quackshot by its original Japanese title, I Love Donald Duck: The Treasure of King Garuzia. No matter what you call it, though, this game transforms Donald Duck into a treasure hunter – a bit like Indiana Jones – who’s on a mission to rescue his nephews and find a lost treasure.

Compared to most games based on kids’ cartoons from the 1990s, this game was surprisingly easy to pick up and play. While it didn’t break any new ground in the platformer genre, it was still one of the better-looking games on the Genesis, and it offered a friendly experience for younger players.

4) Ristar

Ristar was Sega’s effort to create another popular platforming mascot, similar to Sonic the Hedgehog. While Sonic was already a hit by 1995, Sega hoped to have another beloved character. However, Ristar was released so late in the Genesis console’s life that many players never tried it.

It’s unfortunate that Ristar never got a follow-up game, because it was a really good platformer. Sega has re-released the original game several times over the years, and even included Ristar as a cameo character in games like Shenmue and Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing. However, it’s definitely time for a brand new Ristar adventure.

3) Shinobi

Despite having over a dozen games released throughout the years, the Shinobi series often flies under the radar. Fortunately, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, released in 2025, reminded players what this series has to offer. However, it’s important to remember just how good the original Shinobi games were.

This image comes from The Revenge of Shinobi, the third game in a beloved series that quickly became a classic. The original game, released in 1987, was known for its advanced artificial intelligence, and Revenge improved on that with stunning gameplay and graphics. If you enjoyed Art of Vengeance, you should definitely try the earlier Shinobi games.

2) Sega Soccer Slam

Released in 2002, Sega Soccer Slam arrived during the golden age of arcade sports games. While there were many good choices for players, Sega Soccer Slam stands out as one of the best arcade soccer games ever made. Its over-the-top characters and chaotic gameplay were a perfect fit for the time, and would be a refreshing change of pace in today’s world of realistic sports games.

While not quite as polished as classics like NBA Street Volume 2, especially with fewer game modes, Sega Soccer Slam was a unique arcade soccer game, setting it apart from titles like FIFA Street and RedCard. Though it hasn’t reached the same legendary status as other arcade sports games from that time, Sega Soccer Slam deserves a modern sequel – players could really use a fresh alternative to EA FC.

1) Skies of Arcadia

Skies of Arcadia has a fantastic story idea: you’re an air pirate trying to save the world from a powerful, evil empire. Honestly, just the concept of playing an air pirate is enough to get me excited! Plus, the game benefited from having developers who previously worked on Panzer Dragoon, which meant the airship exploration was bound to be amazing.

The game Skies of Arcadia excels in almost every way, combining exciting exploration with a fantastic story, memorable characters, and a well-designed combat system. Despite its popularity, fans haven’t seen a re-release or a sequel. Sega has expressed interest in revisiting the series, but hasn’t taken any concrete steps to make it happen.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-14 00:12