![Best Sega Games](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/qvx32lnls45vyrmjw5vb/best-sega-games.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
This feature was originally published on Nov. 17, 2016.
When the Sega Genesis launched in 1988, it was a 16-bit visual feast, with a bright color palette that juxtaposed sharply with the Nintendo Entertainment System’s 8-bit graphics. In response, Nintendo released its own 16-bit console, the Super Nintendo, in 1990. This kicked off the “Console Wars,” which pitted the two most high-profile video game companies against one another in a bid for the same audience.
With its electric-blue hedgehog and aggressive marketing to teenage boys, Sega positioned itself as the youthful, cooler alternative to Nintendo’s stodgy traditionalism. And, at least in the United States, the plan worked, with the Sega Genesis outselling the SNES at a rate of two to one for several years.
Of course, we know how the story ends. A series of bad business decisions forced Sega to stop making consoles in 2001 after the Dreamcast lost millions of dollars. And we now live in a bizarro world where the best way to play Genesis games is on the Nintendo Switch, via its online subscription service.
Let’s go back to a time before all that. Here are the 100 best Sega Genesis video games—the RPGs, shooters, beat ‘em ups, and arcade ports with style and substance to spare.
100. Alisia Dragoon
![best sega genesis alisia dragoon](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ghak8trmucyfvuo9gbnd/best-sega-genesis-alisia-dragoon.png?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
99. Out Run
![best sega genesis out run](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/uurvnhg8djrbp4qh7c59/best-sega-genesis-out-run.png)
98. Zero Wing
![best sega genesis zero wing](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/kuiaklalwni2yilve7x5/best-sega-genesis-zero-wing.png)
97. Magical Hat Taruruuto-Kun
View this video on YouTube
Developed by Game Freak, the same studio that would go on to make Pokemon. This played like it should've been called "My First Adventure Game."
96. Zero Tolerance
![best sega genesis zero tolerance](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/mju2mrdp7qc7nt9sfxq7/best-sega-genesis-zero-tolerance.png)
95. Altered Beast
![best sega genesis altered beast](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/mhjfx0r4nbtzbjmbwrsn/best-sega-genesis-altered-beast.png)
94. Starflight
View this video on YouTube
This 1985 sci-fi classic managed to find new life six years later on the Genesis. Bonus: The game can still be played after the story ends, which wasn't possible in the other versions.
93. Wings of Wor
![best sega genesis wings of wor](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ajv6ls5xl0k2sq3bw4j9/best-sega-genesis-wings-of-wor.png)
92. Mazin Saga: Mutant Fighter
![best sega genesis mazin mutant fighter](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/mpnxklbkmv4ukkjoz3et/best-sega-genesis-mazin-mutant-fighter.png)
91. Mega Bomberman
![best sega genesis mega bomberman](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ku22jwjolfst5qvaudqj/best-sega-genesis-mega-bomberman.png)
90. Monster World IV
![best sega genesis mega monster world iv](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/mj4vdq0h3chwhqyza0ll/best-sega-genesis-mega-monster-world-iv.png)
89. Jungle Strike
![best sega genesis jungle strike](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/initiougt6jeh4ezd1qz/best-sega-genesis-jungle-strike.png)
88. Gain Ground
![best sega genesis gain ground](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/cchfxaxbhpeqzqux4bkq/best-sega-genesis-gain-ground.png)
87. Atomic Runner
![best sega genesis atomic runner](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/rkxuhsg5bgprbzlahkrk/best-sega-genesis-atomic-runner.png)
86. Eliminate Down
![best sega genesis eliminate down](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/tmcoexaumhe3m7pulhac/best-sega-genesis-eliminate-down.png)
85. Rolling Thunder 2
![rolling thunder 2](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/l0lfltmlmjxiwbv7mfzv/rolling-thunder-2.jpg)
84. Crusader of Centy
![best sega genesis crusader of centy](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/dhrdnc7zctz5agox0sfk/best-sega-genesis-crusader-of-centy.png)
83. Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs
![best sega genesis lakers celtics playoffs](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/bzygig5v1kytoayw2sq7/best-sega-genesis-lakers-celtics-playoffs.png)
82. Mega Man: The Wily Wars
![best sega genesis mega man wily wars](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/rkwyu67q5bnnumhvg3et/best-sega-genesis-mega-man-wily-wars.png)
81. Ghostbusters
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It's Ghostbusters! except that it's the super-deformed kind and they ate gyoza and Peking duck as health items.
80. Air Buster
![best sega genesis mega air buster](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/efy9lq5aktqwxqbfz5pk/best-sega-genesis-mega-air-buster.png)
79. El Viento
![best sega genesis el viento](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ekgc1nekkthcljaezwyl/best-sega-genesis-el-viento.png)
78. Splatterhouse 3
![best sega splatterhouse 3](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/z22ibmii61bquizup9e1/best-sega-splatterhouse-3.png)
77. Twinkle Tale
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Twinkle Tale took the run 'n gun shooter gameplay most associated with Rambo inspired settings and gave it a fantasy theme.
76. Alien Soldier
![best sega genesis alien soldier](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/mkl8wdsk6owuktrynh88/best-sega-genesis-alien-soldier.png)
75. Crack Down
![best sega genesis crack down](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/mpsko6bqdurau5pkcljf/best-sega-genesis-crack-down.png)
74. Kid Chameleon
![best sega genesis kid chameleon](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/mbi4ivuscona8jvgj2w1/best-sega-genesis-kid-chameleon.png)
73. Batman
![best sega genesis batman](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/gulu9pdrapq6gz0bmutn/best-sega-genesis-batman.png)
72. Steel Empire
![best sega genesis steel empire](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/srvfqlhzrf9gyuxvelrm/best-sega-genesis-steel-empire.png)
71. True Lies
![best sega genesis true lies](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/yyyqi3uspqrdbvqj92r7/best-sega-genesis-true-lies.png)
70. QuackShot
![best sega genesis quackshot](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/tagf5xpid452bxb2bmw5/best-sega-genesis-quackshot.png)
69. Light Crusader
![best sega genesis light crusader](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ampxzxk094kzqxibszxr/best-sega-genesis-light-crusader.png)
68. TMNT: The Hyperstone Heist
![best sega genesis tmnt hyperstone heist](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/fwrx7oajqozxiijrtm6y/best-sega-genesis-tmnt-hyperstone-heist.png)
67. Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf
![best sega genesis desert strike](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/vv7fjrlzs5luiehcqdil/best-sega-genesis-desert-strike.png)
66. Lightning Force
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There's something impressive about how overly produced this sequel to Thunder Force III was. It came with levels that were three screens tall and a difficulty where I didn't feel guilty for beating it with 99 lives.
65. General Chaos
![best sega genesis general chaos](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/xghzpiykpcchm6u5gmqu/best-sega-genesis-general-chaos.png)
64. Dynamite Headdy
![best sega genesis dynamit headdy](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/tcoj3hz5t56pvnkc4mlo/best-sega-genesis-dynamit-headdy.png)
63. Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
![best sega genesis shadow dancer](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/acnyylt9vevgnkrmcqp3/best-sega-genesis-shadow-dancer.png)
62. Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
![best sega genesis alexx kid](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/zqrbi7pisj4nuq7tpeet/best-sega-genesis-alexx-kid.png)
61. Valis III
![best sega genesis valis iii](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/gc4ekokl7uhgj0ra6fye/best-sega-genesis-valis-iii.png)
60. Uchuu Senkan Gomora
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Doesn't look like a remarkable side scrolling shooter at first; the reason why this is worth checking out is the two player cooperative gameplay. One player pilots the ship and main gun while the other player controls the movable turret.
59. Syndicate
![best sega genesis syndicate](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/pkptc0nucemvrntqefoq/best-sega-genesis-syndicate.png)
58. Rocket Knight Adventures
![best sega rocket knight adventures](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/wex0t8seiwgh4c5npscd/best-sega-rocket-knight-adventures.png)
57. Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
![best sega genesis castle illusion mickey mouse](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/b6lwnthd3wr8focyptww/best-sega-genesis-castle-illusion-mickey-mouse.png)
56. Panorama Cotton
![best sega genesis panorama cotton](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/sximkjpwx8smelf35rmz/best-sega-genesis-panorama-cotton.png)
55. ToeJam & Earl
![best sega genesis toejam earl](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/fbx1ermqd3xo4kp53kbz/best-sega-genesis-toejam-earl.png)
54. Columns
![best sega genesis columns](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/fnnqg025rjwsr9u6fw7h/best-sega-genesis-columns.png)
53. Bio-Hazard Battle
![best sega genesis bio hazard battle](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/phgwx0udn50j68rblgio/best-sega-genesis-bio-hazard-battle.png)
52. Golden Axe
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This classic weapon-based beat 'em up would have ranked higher if it kept the arcade game's ending, where the characters jumped out of the arcade cabinet and ran through the city.
51. Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
![best sega genesis dr robotniks](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/w8eezrtya6lpxztu8rwf/best-sega-genesis-dr-robotniks.png)
50. Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
![best sega genesis michael jackson moonwalker](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ntdreynlocoknetknkji/best-sega-genesis-michael-jackson-moonwalker.png)
49. Golden Axe II
![best sega genesis golden axe ii](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/v2fvfd7otj135yftdiwh/best-sega-genesis-golden-axe-ii.png)
48. Granada
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Another solid Wolf Team project with Motoi Sakuraba on music duty. This one features the tiniest tank on the list.
47. Castlevania: Bloodlines
![best sega genesis castlevania](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/q7j5bi0xo9en1oowmdcq/best-sega-genesis-castlevania.png)
46. The Adventures of Batman & Robin
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Worth checking out just for the special effects, but stay for the Jesper Kyd (Assassin's Creed, Hitman) soundtrack.
45. Wonder Boy in Monster World
![best sega genesis wonder boy monster world](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/vfnyegfnakb5qjzhgvae/best-sega-genesis-wonder-boy-monster-world.png)
44. Ecco The Dolphin
![best sega genesis ecco the dolphin](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ghz9dvhg0xncnmhujpfq/best-sega-genesis-ecco-the-dolphin.png)
43. Mutant League Football
![best sega genesis mutant league football](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/bnhj5jo1fybx6fb9rgah/best-sega-genesis-mutant-league-football.png)
42. Warsong
![best sega genesis warsong](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/pbzz01k4l4vbgrjasjw7/best-sega-genesis-warsong.png)
41. Pulseman
![best sega genesis pulseman](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ryusysvmdbrodmu2oyxz/best-sega-genesis-pulseman.png)
40. Vectorman
![best sega genesis vectorman](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/bqlrarahg3yvmfkjd5tt/best-sega-genesis-vectorman.png)
39. Road Rash 2
![best sega genesis road rash ii](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/cupani8fx6lcd4vwzrdo/best-sega-genesis-road-rash-ii.png)
38. Flashback: The Quest for Identity
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Flashback echoes the fluid character animations of Karateka and Prince of Persia, except we now have a terrific sci-fi setting and more importantly, a protagonist with a gun.
37. Earthworm Jim
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Not only was Earthworm Jim the game that put Shiny Entertainment on the map, it was also their first game. It helped that designer David Perry came into the project with a ton of experience from working with licensed properties like Disney's Aladdin, 7up's Cool Spot, and McDonald's Global Gladiators.
36. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
![best sega genesis ultimatge mortal kombat 3](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/igzwsex2zv3yetdot89g/best-sega-genesis-ultimatge-mortal-kombat-3.png)
35. Comix Zone
![best sega genesis comix zone](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ktsqmizkmryda8ogms8q/best-sega-genesis-comix-zone.png)
34. Strider
![best sega genesis strider](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/qafvoxyierhevd2ktnyy/best-sega-genesis-strider.png)
33. Sonic The Hedgehog
![best sega genesis sonic hedgehog](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/xoqgxdgg5niu6ynrjqtt/best-sega-genesis-sonic-hedgehog.png)
32. Ys III: Wanderers From Ys
![best sega genesis ys 111 wanderers from ys](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/lgnfk6fafrh5mxxpfe5k/best-sega-genesis-ys-111-wanderers-from-ys.png)
31. Ristar
![best sega genesis ristar](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/dgft2n1ftqcd6pf0n2p8/best-sega-genesis-ristar.png)
30. Earthworm Jim 2
![best sega genesis earthworm jim 2](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/l3zpmyd9ndslkosfv8nn/best-sega-genesis-earthworm-jim-2.png)
29. Disney's Aladdin
![best sega genesis disneys aladdin](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/cet3a3fxw5nbqm4lsujd/best-sega-genesis-disneys-aladdin.png)
28. Dune II: Battle for Arrakis
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Play this, and you can see where Command & Conquer got many of their ideas from.
27. Ghouls 'n Ghosts
![best sega genesis ghouls n ghosts](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ka5bbfwengo7nutueptu/best-sega-genesis-ghouls-n-ghosts.png)
26. Pirates Gold!
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Good pirate games are rare. Thankfully this Sid Meier classic might be all you need, especially when you can play as a pirate, privateer, or a pirate hunter.
25. Sonic & Knuckles
![best sega genesis sonic knuckles](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/qrqs3rsqknju32j4sq9w/best-sega-genesis-sonic-knuckles.png)
24. Out of This World
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Feels like it was cut from the same cloth as Flashback, although Out of This World is notably more cinematic. This game was also cited as an influence to Heavy Rain.
23. Landstalker: The Treasure of King Nole
![best sega genesis landstalker](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/xrk7glvgsrnipq4uurtx/best-sega-genesis-landstalker.png)
22. Shadowrun
![best sega genesis shadowrun](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/qterte1tn8lvlsa18kzn/best-sega-genesis-shadowrun.png)
21. Herzog Zwei
![best sega genesis herzog zwei](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/vuaveymqpdeaaaunx47x/best-sega-genesis-herzog-zwei.png)
20. Gaiares
![best sega genesis gaiares](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/mpg0iy0hhfawhkr3cpqy/best-sega-genesis-gaiares.png)
19. Shining Force
![best sega genesis shining force](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/sezuvagd9t3jkgvyxfke/best-sega-genesis-shining-force.png)
18. M.U.S.H.A.
![best sega genesis musha](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/i4lzmb7qehxgbj8yfwxh/best-sega-genesis-musha.png)
17. Sonic The Hedgehog 3
![best sega genesis sonic hedgehog 3](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/wdlnajaagtschv3wnbk7/best-sega-genesis-sonic-hedgehog-3.png)
16. NHL '94
![best sega genesis nhl 94](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/pdheo101mfoziryijh4l/best-sega-genesis-nhl-94.png)
15. Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
![best sega genesis shinobi iii](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/c6bxtoonrir5cybdoh2x/best-sega-genesis-shinobi-iii.png)
14. Thunder Force III
![best sega genesis thunder force iii](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/grbuhf5spdml00myxkzv/best-sega-genesis-thunder-force-iii.png)
13. Streets of Rage
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Sega never really had a noteworthy beat 'em up game prior to Streets of Rage. It was one of Team Shinobi's projects after the critically acclaimed Revenge of Shinobi and both games share the same aesthetic qualities. Music composer Yuzo Koshiro did an exemplary job ripping off Black Box's Dreamland album.
12. Beyond Oasis
![best sega genesis beyond oasis](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/lkjhqs7muldv0shnmuhz/best-sega-genesis-beyond-oasis.png)
11. Madden NFL '94
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To think there was a time when the Madden franchise didn't have the NFL license. This was the first game to have the license, camera rotations during punts, a full regular season and Madden '94 gave birth to the "It's in the game!" slogan.
10. Target Earth
![best sega genesis target earth](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/x5hmlu1wzpx8cdxhkwrn/best-sega-genesis-target-earth.png)
9. Ranger X
![best sega genesis ranger x](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/xuskynrgnk4a25gwdrpm/best-sega-genesis-ranger-x.png)
8. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
![best sega genesis sonic hedgehog 2](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/z0eid2eiknaqhlms5vmk/best-sega-genesis-sonic-hedgehog-2.png)
7. Phantasy Star II
![best sega genesis phantasy starr ii](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/gt4wnodtdg3dremajblf/best-sega-genesis-phantasy-starr-ii.png)
6. Revenge of Shinobi
![best sega genesis revenge of shinobi](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/qrreo73dkubndkc1pao1/best-sega-genesis-revenge-of-shinobi.png)
5. Contra: Hard Corps
![best sega genesis contra hard corps](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ersp4h9gfqp6vhvcj2ui/best-sega-genesis-contra-hard-corps.png)
4. Streets of Rage 2
![best sega genesis streets of rage 2](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/nak1ubhm38duunobqqc1/best-sega-genesis-streets-of-rage-2.png)
3. Shining Force II
![best sega genesis shining force 2](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/kgvitp6hutgcwnnbwkfs/best-sega-genesis-shining-force-2.png)
2. Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
![best sega genesis phantasy star iv](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/mds5v9pknzbsd9qz0euo/best-sega-genesis-phantasy-star-iv.png)
1. Gunstar Heroes
![best sega genesis gunstar heroes](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/cn6kfap7rydb78rlmpe0/best-sega-genesis-gunstar-heroes.png)