Sega was a major player in the arcade industry during the ’80s, but they had difficulties breaking into the home console market. The Master System faced numerous challenges, yet through sheer marketing, it managed to make a significant impact in the North American market with the Sega Genesis in 1989.

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In my household growing up, Nintendo was the dominant console. Surprisingly, during my school days, we didn’t have intense debates about which console was better between the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. I’m not sure why. It just wasn’t a major topic at my school. Additionally, I spent a lot of time playing on my cousin’s Genesis right next door.

Over the past few decades, I’ve developed a fondness for Sega’s classic console, partly due to the distinctive tones of its FM Synth sound chip. The Genesis, more than any other console, leaves its mark on the games. There’s an almost palpable Genesis feel that can even seep into games that were ported from other platforms. There’s nothing quite like it, and the following games illustrate this.

Before we begin, it should be noted that this list excludes Sega CD and Sega 32X games, as I believe they are separate entities. I also don’t think any of them would make this list, anyway. I’m only including games that were released in North America for simplicity’s sake. I won’t be doing honorable mentions as it would take too long, but make no mistake that the Genesis has a vast library worth exploring beyond these ten games.

Screenshot by Destructoid

10. Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar (1992)

The Genesis offered an excellent selection of scrolling shoot-’em-ups, and there are several others that could have easily been included here. Some might argue for M.U.S.H.A. or Truxton. I could have also gone with a deeper cut to Gley Lancer or Eliminate Down. However, I feel Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar (better known as Thunder Force IV in its original form) is the most quintessential Genesis game with its energetic FM Synth soundtrack and heavy use of detailed animations.

This game comes with a price, however, that might divide opinion among some players: periods of significant slowdown. Whether a steady frame rate is a worthwhile trade-off for its ambition depends on personal perspective. But for me, its stylishness is well worth it.

Screenshot by Destructoid

9. Jungle Strike (1993)

You can feel free to insert your favorite game from the Strike series here, and many people swear by Desert Strike, but for me, it’s Jungle Strike. I think that’s mainly because it’s not just about sand all the time. The first level even takes place in an oddly sparse Washington, D.C.

The Strike games are known for their all-action gameplay, as most of the action takes place inside the cockpit of a helicopter. However, charging into combat quickly leads to getting your wings clipped. Instead, you have to search for and manage resources, carefully pick away at enemy defenses, and find the most efficient way to complete your objectives. For me, it’s one of my favorite relaxation games, and I believe this is largely due to the sparse soundtrack and the droning of the helicopter that helps calm my nerves.

The Strike games also appeared on other platforms, but playing them on anything other than the Genesis just doesn’t feel right.

Screenshot by Destructoid

8. Contra: Hard Corps (1994)

Although Konami didn’t support the Genesis as strongly as it did the PC-Engine and SNES, the games it brought to the system were remarkable. Contra: Hard Corps is one of its standout titles.

As much as I love the clean and rigid gameplay of the original (NES version), Contra: Hard Corps starts with a bang and doesn’t let up. Its outrageous excess is evident from the character selection screen, which features a sunglasses-wearing werewolf with a chaingun arm. Each level builds on this with crazy elements like a battle while driving down a highway or riding on a missile. With its over-the-top attitude, it’s a very Genesis take on the series.

It’s also a very challenging game. While the Japanese version was more laid-back – even featuring a life bar instead of the one-hit kill system typical of the series – the North American version gave you a limited number of lives and it was a tall order to reach the end, even for series veterans.

Screenshot by Destructoid

7. Gunstar Heroes (1993)

The Genesis was the platform where legendary developer Treasure made its mark, and they did so with aplomb in Gunstar Heroes. And, like many of Treasure’s games, it’s difficult to accurately describe in the context of other games.

It’s a run-and-gun game – the easy part to describe – but it also incorporates throws and kicks, as well as a detailed life gauge. You can pick up two weapons, and while you can switch between them, the true strategy lies in combining their effects. Each level offers a different gameplay experience, and the boss battles are abundant.

It’s also a blast to play with a friend. The weapon combination system allows partners to strategize on what each will carry. It’s not as demanding as other games in the genre, so while it’s not an easy game by any means, it can accommodate players with a range of experience and familiarity.

Image via MobyGames

6. Shining Force 2 (1993)

The Genesis wasn’t known for its RPGs, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t have any worthwhile ones. After all, the Phantasy Star series had its heyday on the console. However, the one that stands out above the rest and isn’t even a traditional JRPG is Shining Force 2. It may not be as deep as Tactics Ogre, but the way it combines traditional world exploration gives the game a sense of added comfort.

While very similar to the original Shining Force (except for the plot), the sequel improves in several aspects, such as better enemy AI and an improved UI. It’s not a significant upgrade considering the original was already a great game, but aside from a slightly slower pace, Shining Force 2 does enough to elevate it even further.

Image via MobyGames

5. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992)

I’m not the biggest Sonic fan by any means, but I was around when he became a household name. As a kid at the time, I can tell you that he was one of the coolest characters around. I played a lot of the first two games on my cousin’s Genesis, and I still have a soft spot for the SatAM cartoon.

And without a doubt, I still really love Sonic the Hedgehog 2. While the first game was a solid introduction, it wasn’t until the sequel that Sega truly harnessed Sonic’s potential. There’s more emphasis on high-speed traversal and less on careful platforming and waiting for safe moments to jump. The addition of Tails also means you can play as someone other than the pesky hedgehog, but the Sonic/Tails mode was often used to shut up complaining siblings who were begging for a turn. It was tough being the second player, but it was part of the experience.

What makes Sonic the Hedgehog 2 endure for me is the interplay between the music and the gameplay. I truly don’t think I would love Chemical Plant Zone half as much without Masato Nakamura’s compositions.

Screenshot by Destructoid

4. Castlevania: Bloodlines (1994)

The title of my favorite game in the Castlevania series has long been held by the NES original, and I didn’t think anything would come close to touching it. However, Castlevania: Bloodlines surprised me when I first played it a few years ago.

I’ve already mentioned Konami’s small but excellent contributions to the Genesis, and Bloodlines is the pinnacle of that. Like Hard Corps, it resembles the original but has that Genesis edge. There’s a bit of a ’90s comic book grunge to it. It also takes the action out of Wallachia and brings it to 1917 Europe, adding more variety to the levels.

The limited continues is a rather frustrating inclusion. Unlike Contra: Hard Corps, reaching the end is a bit more achievable, even if it’s more difficult than it should be. I would also argue that the soundtrack isn’t quite up to the series’ standards at the time, but songs like Stage 4’s “Iron Blue Intentions” still stand out.

Screenshot by Destructoid

3. Streets of Rage (1991)

Streets of Rage is probably the most frequently played game on my Genesis’ (technically the 32X’s) cartridge slot. While Nintendo thought they had a home run with the SNES port of Final Fight, Streets of Rage proved that you could still create an incredible beat-’em-up without Mike Haggar.

While Streets of Rage follows the Final Fight formula to a remarkable degree, it streamlines things to create a more console-focused experience. The combat is just as solid and impactful, but while the levels have the same gritty feel, Streets of Rage really sells its atmosphere with its neon-infused after-hours look.

It helps that Yuzo Koshiro composed one of the best 16-bit soundtracks for it, and it complements the gameplay perfectly. For me, the soundtrack is just as integral to the overall experience as the fighting itself. On top of that, Streets of Rage features the best elevator level in the genre and includes a special attack that summons a police car to clear the area with overwhelming force. You simply can’t beat these vibes.

Image via MobyGames

2. Streets of Rage 2 (1992)

This was a difficult choice. But while I personally prefer to play the original Streets of Rage, that’s mostly a matter of personal preference. Streets of Rage 2 is a better beat-’em-up overall, even with its less interesting elevator levels and the absence of Constable Howitzer.

However, it’s a bigger and better (in most ways) game. Not only did Yuzo Koshiro provide a brand new soundtrack, his sister, Ayano Koshiro, was involved in the design. It has more diverse characters with different playstyles (sorry, Adam), more variety in enemies, and much more detailed graphics.

Whether you prefer Streets of Rage or its sequel depends on your priorities and preferences, but you shouldn’t miss either of them.

Screenshot by Destructoid

1. Rocket Knight Adventures (1993)

While most of the standout games from Konami’s contributions to the Genesis catalog were based on existing franchises, it’s Rocket Knight Adventures that stands out as the best. Directed and designed by the director of Contra: Hard Corps and Contra III: The Alien Wars, this little platformer starring a jet-powered, armor-clad opossum seems rather unassuming. But beneath the surface lies one of the most innovative games of the era.

Like Contra: Hard Corps, each level changes the gameplay with new situations. It starts off rather conventionally with a grassy field and a burning castle, but then there are harrowing minecart rides, an area where you judge your movements based on the reflection you cast on a caustic lake, and a horizontal shoot-’em-up sequence through a steampunk industrial city.

It’s the tight design in Rocket Knight Adventures that makes it the best the Genesis has to offer. Level after level, it keeps surprising and evolving, but never in a way that would alienate the player. Stages like the airship that requires you to take a detour around the exterior of the craft show a depth of thought that few other games of the era can match. It’s sometimes overlooked but should never be missed.