My Top 25 Mega Drive Games

Onto our first list for a Sega console: the Mega Drive. Or, if you’re American or Canadian, the Genesis. I’ll be calling it the Mega Drive throughout though, as that’s what it always was to us in the UK, as well as in its homeland of Japan. (In South Korea, it was the Super Gam*Boy and later the Super Aladdin Boy, for some reason.)

I’ve mentioned it more than once, but we were a Nintendo household. That’s how it was in those days: you played Nintendo, or you played Sega. It was like supporting a football team, only important. However, we did go and play Sega machines over at friends’ houses. That was allowed (and vice versa, of course). While I played the Master System once or twice, by the time I was getting genuinely interested in games, everyone had upgraded to the Mega Drive.

Released in Japan as early as 1988, in North America in 1989 and most of the rest of the world in 1990, the Mega Drive predated the SNES as the major step into the 16-Bit Era, the fourth generation of console gaming. The PC Engine, aka the TurboGrafx-16, came out even earlier, but it never made much of a splash in the West, and I never saw one of those outside of a catalogue. The Mega Drive was the cool option. It looked sleek, all in black, with an ergonomic controller. The games, advertisements and characters all shouted how cool Sega was compared to the competitors.

I am not, nor have I ever been, cool, and Nintendo was more down my street. After all, Sega didn’t have Mario. It had the sporty stuff, which has never been my thing. Yet it really did sell itself as the grown-up option, and there seemed something almost illicit about playing on it, away from my parents. The Mega Drive had the fast games, the violent games, the grown-up games (or so it seemed to my young eyes).

While the Mega Drive wasn’t a massive success in its native Japan, it was a huge deal in the West. (Oddly enough, the reverse was true of its successor, the Saturn.) Pulling together a list of 25 favourites was more challenging than it was for the Nintendo consoles thanks purely to having spent less time on it, but once I dived in, I reminded myself of some incredible gaming experiences. Other games I played for the first time fairly recently, largely thanks to a local gaming bar that hosts a Mega Drive Mini/Genesis Mini and Mini 2, which are both stacked with games. Once they dropped out of the console business, Sega also had a nice habit of putting out compilation discs of their Mega Drive games for other manufacturers.

I thought about including Mega-CD/Sega CD games on the same list, as this was an add-on rather than a separate console and some CD games are included on the Mega Drive Mini 2. In the end, I decided to do a separate list for them, although as a number of games were released on both cart and CD, it's a bit arbitrary which ones end up on that list. I won't do one for the 32X add-on though, that’s out of my experience.

25) The Ooze (1995)

I distinctly remember this game being previewed on GamesMaster on Channel 4 back in the day. Funny the things that stick with you. I remember thinking it looked extremely cool. When I finally played it many years later, outside the cosy confines of the 1990s, I instead considered it very of its time but entertaining. You play as Daniel Caine, a scientist who has been turned into a gelatinous puddle of slime with a human-ish head after exposure to toxic chemicals (this happened a lot in the nineties). You slop about somewhat puzzly top-down levels, facing monsters and avoiding drains, with the ability to fling bits of slime at enemies to take them out. Failing to recover this, or getting hit by enemies, reduces the size of your puddle, until you get too small and die. On the other hand, growing too big makes you harder to manoeuvre and an easier target. It’s a pretty fun little game with a nice level of challenge to it.

Availability: The Ooze is on the Mega Drive Mini 2.

24) Jurassic Park: Rampage Edition (1994)

There were a lot of Jurassic Park games in the nineties and most of them weren't much good. In all honesty I probably like the two Mega Drive games more than they deserve. They're flawed platformers with some clunky controls, but on the other hand, the concept is irresistable. You play as either the great Dr. Alan Grant or a Velociraptor, which alone sells it for me. The gameplay and aims vary considerably depending on who you pick, with Grant using humane stun grenades and tranquiliser darts because he's the man, while the raptor naturally rips people and dinosaurs up with abandon. Or at least she would, if there was any real gore allowed. The first Jurassic Park game on the system is decent, but the Rampage Edition adds more actions, a faster pace and the option for Grant to ride a dinosaur. No contest, really.

Availability: Limited Run Games released the Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection in 2023, which includes both Mega Drive/Genesis JP games, along with the NES, SNES and Game Boy games. Unfortunately the digital download version is now delisted, but there was a physical release for Switch, PS4 and PS5, and XBox Series X/S. The Switch version is still in stock directly from Limited Run.

23) Columns (1990)

Sega’s console port of their arcade version of the Unix computer game, Columns was Sega’s answer to Tetris. It isn't as good, but there’s some old-fashioned tile-matching fun to be had here. There was actually a Super Famicom port right at the end of that console’s life, but Columns feels indelibly a Sega game to me. I enjoy a bit of Columns, although the Game Gear version is a little better.

Availability: Naturally it’s on the Mega Drive Mini 1, and it’s also available through the Nintendo Classics service on Switch Online (the Expansion Pack subscription tier is required for Mega Drive/Genesis games). Annoyingly, the Sega Genesis Classics series, which was available for download on all major platforms, was delisted at the end of 2024; however, the physical release Switch, PS4/5, and XBox One, Sega Mega Drive & Genesis Classics Collection, and for PC, the Sega Genesis Classic Collection: Gold Edition (Sega Mega Drive Classics: Gold Edition in the PAL region) includes Columns.

22) Alisia Dragoon (1992)

An odd collaboration between Studio Gainax and Game Arts, Alisia Dragoon is a cracking science-fantasy romp in which you control the eponymous warrior-sorceress across eight action-platform levels. Alisia can wield bolts of lightning and is accompanied by four monstrous beasts, any one of which can be called upon to help her battle her enemies. This might make her sound rather overpowered, but the constant influx of attackers, the need to recharge her powers as they deplete, and the beasts having their own life bars and levelling make this quite the challenge.

Availability: Alisia Dragoon is on the Mega Drive Mini 1 and the Nintendo Classics Expansion Pack service through Switch Online.

21) Truxton/Tatsujin (1989)

The Mega Drive enjoyed an array of scrolling shooters, which made the most of the system’s impressive processing speeds. Truxton is one of many great vertical arcade shmups from Toaplan, squeezed onto the Mega Drive yet retaining most of the original’s speed, impressive graphics and fantastic soundtrack. It’s an absolutely relentless game with some huge enemies that take some getting past. I like the Gradius-esque power-up system and the three super-bombs, which add a nice tactical element as you don’t want to waste them.

Availability: The Mega Drive version was republished by Retro-Bit in 2020, so it isn’t impossible to get a physical copy, and is also on the MD Mini 2. The arcade version is easier to come by, having been ported to Windows and available through both Steam and GOG, and also on Antstream Arcade. It’s also included on the Sega Astro City Mini V mini-console, and on the Toaplan Arcade 1 cart for Evercade. There’s even a mobile version for Android and iOS, under the name Truxton Classic, although I wouldn’t call that a great way to play it.

20) Atomic Runner (1992)

A console port of the 1988 arcade game Atomic Runner Chelnov, this is an auto-running platformer shooter about a man given superhuman powers after a nuclear meltdown. Except the Western versions changed the storyline completely, even though they still called him the Atomic Runner. He definitely runs, though, and guns, and has lots of funs. There’s actually a surprising amount of movement possible once you’ve got the hang of the controls, but you can never actually stop running.

Availability: The console port is on the Mega Drive Mini 2, while the arcade original is included on the Evercade cartridge Windjammers, Karnov & Friends.

19) Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (1990)

Disney developed a great relationship with Sega during the nineties, with this being made by Sega themselves as the start of the Illusion series, which is still crackling along, on and off, today. The graphics are exceptionally good for a 1990 game, and it’s an all-round very playable platformer. The usual technique of jumping on enemies heads to defeat them or bounce to a higher point is present, and you can also chuck apples at them (no sword, unlike Aladdin). One of the best things about this game is that it can be quite challenging in parts, but there’s also an extra easy mode with shorter levels and no bosses – perfect for younger kids who will no doubt be keen to play a Mickey Mouse adventure. I know I was.

Availability: Thanks to Sega’s happy relationship with Disney, the original Castle of Illusion was included on the Mega Drive Mini 1, along with sequel World of Illusion. There’s also a 2013 remake, which reimagines the game as a 2.5D platformer, still available for download via Steam and the XBox Store.

18) Vectorman (1995)

Vectorman was Sega's equivalent of Nintendo's Donkey Kong Country: a platformer that gave their ageing 16-bit console a boost by showing off some fancy pre-rendered graphics. Playing more like a souped-up Mega Man, Vectorman is a fun run-and-gun game with large, elaborate levels, smooth movement and a steep challenge. The graphics have maybe aged better than DKC'sby leaning into the artificiality of the whole set-up, on an Earth left to a race of robots, and the moody, techno score adds to the glorious nineties-ness of it. Vectorman 2 is a decent sequel, but the first game is the better of the two.

Availability: Vectorman is on the Mega Drive Mini 1 and the Nintendo Classics Expansion Pack through Switch Online. It's also included on Sega Mega Drive & Genesis Classics, along with the sequel, for Switch, PS4/5, and XBox One, and Sega Genesis Classic Collection: Gold Edition for PC.

17) Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (1992)

You’ll notice there’s not a lot of Sonic content on this list. I’m not really the biggest fan of the Sonic games. I always feel like I’m missing half the level by charging through, and the rings health system is kind of annoying. But there’s no arguing that Sonic 2 is a cracking game. The levels are cleverly designed to balance high-speed running and exploration, the 3D special stages are a great addition, and Tails is cuter than Sonic. I’ll never love Sonic the way Sega diehards do, but this is a bloody good game.

Availability: Spoilt for choice. Sonic 2 has been a mainstay of Sega compilations over the years, most recently appearing on Sega Mega Drive & Genesis Classics for Switch, PS4 & 5, and XBox One and Sega Genesis Classic Collection: Gold Edition for PC; and remastered in Sonic Origins for those consoles, plus XBox Series S/X and PC via Steam. It’s naturally included on the Mega Drive Mini 1, and is available through Nintendo Classics Expansion Pack on Switch Online. The mobile phone remake for Android and iOS, released in 2013, remains available. It’s free-to-play with ads or purchasable without, and has a number of additional features over the original game.

16) Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers (1994)

An exceptional one-on-one fighter, as well all know. While the SNES exclusive port of Street Fighter II Turbo will probably always be my favourite iteration of Street Fighter II, Super SF2 is an especially strong update on the Mega Drive, standing over the SNES version with its increased processing power and superior voice work. Probably the best thing about Super Street Fighter II is that it gave us Cammy, finally presenting a second female fighter alongside Chun-Li.

Availability: A port of the arcade original is on the Street Fight 30th Anniversary Collection for Switch, PS4 & 5, Xbox One and PC via Steam. The Switch version also includes the variant Super Street Fighter II: The Tournament Battle, allowing up to eight players to take part in a sudden death tournament.

15) Streets of Rage (1991)

Also known by its Japanese name, Bare Knuckle, Streets of Rage is the archetypal Sega beat-em-up. Playing as Axel Stone, Adam Hunter or Blaze Fielding, vigilantes fighting hoodlums employed by the equally improbably-named Mr. X, you punch, smash and stab your way through Wood Oak City with occasional violent police support. In reality, eating roast chickens off the street would kill you almost as quickly as the repeated crowbars to the torso, but in the gaming world, this is a great way to vent some aggression. Trivia fact: Streets of Rage takes place in the same world as the platfomer Cyber Police ESWAT, albeit earlier in history.

Availability: Both Streets of Rage and Streets of Rage II are on the Nintendo Classics Expansion Pack through Switch Online, and all three games in the original series are included in Sega Mega Drive & Genesis Classics and Sega Genesis Classic Collection: Gold Edition.

14) Streets of Rage II (1992)

Streets of Rage is great, but Streets of Rage II is better. More characters, more moves, better graphics, and an exceptional soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro. The inclusion of new, more elaborate special attacks brings it more in line with fantasy-based beat-em-ups, and the game definitely gets weirder than its predecessor, but it's still a clear development of the first Streets' excellent gameplay. One of the best, if not the best, scrolling brawlers of all time.

Availability: Streets II is on the Mega Drive Mini 1, as well as the aforementioned Sega Mega Drive Classics physical releases and Switch Online.

13) Castlevania: Bloodlines/The New Generation (1994)

Konami weren’t allowed to port their Castlevania games to Sega systems thanks to their contract with Nintendo, so they created a wholly new game to take advantage of the Mega Drive’s faster processor. It’s a gripping, action-packed take on the series, with John Morris, the son of Quincy Morris from the Dracula novel, and his spear-wielding ally Eric Lecarde, travelling WWI Europe in an attempt to stop the resurrection of Dracula. Strong graphics, fantastic music from Michiru Yamane and just the right level of horrible violence makes this a winner. Of course, it was bowdlerised in the UK, with all the blood removed, even from the title; hence the alternative name Castlevania: The New Generation. The censors were scared of everything in the nineties.

Availability: It’s on the Mega Drive Mini and Nintendo Classics/Switch Online. It's also part of the Castlevania Anniversary Collection for Switch, PS4, Windows via Steam, and XBox One.

12) Shinobi III: Revenge of the Ninja Master (1993)

Just to sow confusion into the mix, Shinobi III is The Super Shinobi II in Japan, because these things should never be straightforward. Anyway, this is easily the best Shinobi game I’ve had the pleasure of playing, and commonly considered one of the best, if not the best, in the series. This is doubtless due to Sega’s commitment to getting the game right for its initial release, scrapping and rebuilding an earlier version in favour of a new game with better graphics and gameplay. Pinnacle ninja hack-and-slash platforming with our hero, Joe Musashi.

Availability: Ported to all manner of platforms and compilations over the years, Shinobi III is currently available through the Nintendo Classics Expansion Pack on Switch Online. It’s also part of the Sega Genesis Classics physical releases and the Mega Drive Mini 1.

11) MUSHA Aleste (1990)

Part of the Aleste series of shooters, this is Musha Aleste: Fullmetal Fighter Ellinor in Japan, while in North America it was released as MUSHA: Metallic Uniframe Super Hybrid Armor. With that silliness out the way, this is a fast-paced, busy vertically scrolling shooter with a ton of character. Flying a great big mech and shooting at baddies is fun anyway, but the unique traditional Japanese aesthetic and the punchy music really add something to this. It’s a challenging game, but not offensively so. Great fun.

Availability: MUSHA is part of the Nintendo Classics Expansion Pack service through Switch Online; which is nice, because it wasn’t released in the UK and Europe back in the day, and it’s only on the Asian versions of the Mega Drive Mini 1.

10) Pulseman (1995)

A rare non-Nintendo game from pre-Pokémon Game Freak, Pulseman (sometimes known by its working title, Spark) is a fun, fast-paced platformer starring a half-human, half-digital hero whose backstory almost sounds like a messed-up version of Mega Man’s. The gameplay is somewhere between Mega Man and Sonic, with Pulseman able to zap his foes with electricity, as well as transform into an electrical charge. In this form, he can blast across the screen like a ricocheting lightning bolt and travel along electrical wiring. Graphically appealing and fun to play, even if it is easy to charge straight into an enemy when you’re zipping about the place.

Availability: It’s on the Nintendo Classics Expansion Package through Switch Online.

9) Puyo Puyo 2/Puyo Puyo Tsu (1994)

Puyo Puyo is pretty great, but Puyo Puyo 2 is far better. It’s a pacier, more inventive game, with the ability to not only throw garbage blobs at your opponent but also offset and throw back the ones they play against you. Add in multiple gameplay modes and a steep difficulty curve in the single player mode, and you’ve got a tremendously fun and compelling falling-block puzzler. While this was ported to almost every platform of the time, barely any of these releases made it out of Japan back in the day, so there are no localisations with new characters swapped in; it’s Sorcery Saga characters all the way through, and is all the better for it.

Availability: Puyo Puyo Tsu is on the Mega Drive Mini 1, but only the Asian models. The Mega Drive version can be played on the Switch via the Nintendo Classics Expansion Pack through Switch Online, with the arcade original available as Sega Ages Puyo Puyo 2 in the Switch eShop.

8) Disney’s Aladdin (1993)

Aladdin marked the first time Disney got directly involved with one of the licensed games, and it shows. The graphics and sound design match with the movie perfectly, with the artwork in particular standing out. That would be pretty worthless without a decent game to attach to, but fortunately Aladdin is an absolutely cracking platformer with expansive levels. Just like Mickey, Aladdin chucks apples at his enemies, but he also slashes them up with a scimitar. This was the last game David Perry and his team did for Virgin before founding Shiny and making Earthworm Jim, and there’s a hint of that game’s humour and design here. This is a completely different game from the SNES Aladdin, although oddly enough it was the Sega game that was ported to the NES, Game Boy and Game Boy Color.

Availability: Disney's Aladdin for Mega Drive is available to play on Antstream. The Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King collection for the Switch, PS4, XBox One and PC via Steam includes both the original Mega Drive Aladdin and the new “Final Cut” version which adds a few new sections and upgrades the graphics and collision detection, plus an early demo version. The Game Boy version’s in there as well, for what it’s worth. The expanded Disney Classic Games Collection or the add-on The Jungle Book and More pack (whether you’re buying from scratch or downloading the expansion) also includes Capcom’s Aladdin for the SNES.

7) Earthworm Jim (1994)

Yes, the EWJ games were on my SNES list as well, but they’re big enough favourites of mine to make it to both. I know childhood nostalgia is a big factor with these, but I still really love playing them, and I think they’ve aged better than most of the cool/weird/zany platformers of the 90s. The Mega Drive version of Earthworm Jim is better than the SNES one (I’m ignoring the fairly dreadful handheld ports). While the graphics aren’t quite as good, the sound is superior, and there’s a whole extra level, the charming “Intestinal Distress.” The Mega-CD got its own release the following year labelled as the Special Edition, which had another extra level and some further graphics and sound improvements, but I don’t think any of it adds a great deal to the experience.

Availability: The Mega Drive version is on the MD Mini 1 and is also the version on the Nintendo Classics/Switch Online service and Interplay Collection 1 for the Blaze Evercade. It's also available on Antstream. Steam and Gog.com host the MS-DOS version, which has somewhat different graphics and lacks “Intestinal Distress,” and has poor controls and dreadful slow-down. Gameloft released a top-down remake in 2010 under the title Earthworm Jim HD which cut some levels (including the best one, “Who Turned Out the Lights?”) but added a multiplayer mode with new levels. This is no longer available to buy on any of its original platforms but worth mentioning in case you wanted to go look for it elsewhere.

6) Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2 (1994)

The direct sequel to Rocket Knight Adventures, this was just called Sparkster in most regions, which is a touch confusing even before you take into account the entirely separate SNES game called Sparkster, which was a different Rocket Knight sequel released at the same time. Anyway, this game is a solid sequel to the first Rocket Knight game, with our heroic opossum warrior battling an army of evil reptiles and some hench mechs. The controls are somewhat easier in this game, with the rocket charging up automatically so there’s no delay in using it to attack or blast yourself across the stage, but the six long levels are tougher overall than in the first game. A cracking platformer, albeit not on a par with the first game.

Availability: It’s part of the Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked compilation for Switch, PS4 & PS5, and PC via Steam.

5) Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow (1995)

Another Disney title, this one from the twilight days of the console. Originally called Donald in Maui Mallard, the name was tweaked in time for the American release so it would sound cooler, but make no mistake, this is a Donald Duck game. In multiple layers of fictionality, Donald plays detective Maui Mallard, who takes on the ninja identity Cold Shadow to save a tropical island from imminent doom. It’s an absolutely cracking platformer with brilliant, detailed graphics and large, exploratory stages. Switching between the detective and ninja guises, complete with their own abilities, adds an extra level of variety to the gameplay. There were multiple, slightly different regional versions of the game and several ports, including for SNES and, later in North America, the Game Boy, but the PAL Mega Drive version is the original.

Availability: The PC port, based on the somewhat revised Sega Channel version, was rereleased in 2019 and is still available through GOG and Steam.

4) Ristar (1995)

An undersung platformer from future members of the Sonic Team, Ristar has something of the look and feel of Sonic but, to me at least, a more appealing gameplay style. Playing as a living star with extendable arms, you stretch, swing, climb and throw your way through the levels, picking up speed but never the breakneck pace of Sonic. All this with some truly gorgeous late 16-bit graphics. It took me a moment to get in the swing of this game but I found it great fun when I did. It’s not too much of a stretch to call it one of the best platformers on the system.

Availability: Ristar is on the Mega Drive Mini 2, the Nintendo Classics/Switch Online service and the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Classics physical releases. It’s sadly no longer available on Steam; here’s hoping it will be relisted in the future.

3) Earthworm Jim 2 (1995)

The sequel to Earthworm Jim was developed for the Mega Drive first and was ported to the SNES, although in the event they came out on the same day. The SNES version is the better one this time, due to better graphics and a weapon toggle, but to be honest there’s very little between them. EWJ2 follows the original but adds more variation to the gameplay, mixing up the run-and-gun platforming with all manner of strange levels. Some, like “Puppy Love” (basically a version of the old Game & Watch game Fire) and the vertical level “Inflated Head,” are great fun. The isometric balloon-bumping level “Flying King” is an absolute chore, but otherwise this game is great fun and more accessible than its predecessor.

Availability: The Sega version is on the Mega Drive Mini 2 and Antstream. The version on Nintendo Classics on the Switch is the SNES version. This is also the version included in Interplay Collection 2 for the Evercade, but as noted there’s not much difference between the Sega and Nintendo versions. Meanwhile, the flawed DOS port is available for PC through Steam and GOG.com.

2) Rocket Knight Adventures (1993)

The Mega Drive, in particular, was swarming with animal mascot platformers in the nineties (not that the SNES was immune). Most of them were desperately trying to be the next Sonic and most of them were pretty forgettable. One that wasn’t was Rocket Knight Adventures. This is an absolutely brilliant platformer that has the speed of Sonic without sacrificing any exploration of its large, elaborate levels. Sparkster the opossum packs a bunch of moves, kitted out with a combination sword/blaster and a rocket pack. Our ‘possum pal battles an evil pig empire in a mediaeval-styled sci-fi world, alternating between careful progress and ricocheting everywhere. One of the best platformers of the mid-90s and far too often overlooked.

Availability: Along with the Mega Drive sequel and the SNES game, it’s part of the Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked compilation for Switch, PS4 and PS5, and PC via Steam.

1) Gunstar Heroes (1993)

You can rely on Treasure to deliver an exceptional action game, and their first ever game (well, first released) is one of their very best. Gunstar Heroes is a run-and-gun platformer with an absolutely furious pace, a perfect balance of fun and difficulty, and a moreish gameplay. The ability to choose between various weapons at the beginning of the adventure and tackle the stages in any order allows you to customise your experience and challenge nicely, as well enjoy combining weaponry in unusual ways. Plus, you can chuck baddies into each other when you get too close to use your guns. The graphics are gorgeous, with gigantic boss after gigantic boos – a Treasure staple – made possible by clever use of multiple overlaid sprites and the Mega Drive's scaling and rotating capabilities. Relentless fun.

Availability: Gunstar Heroes was re-released on XBox 360 and is still available on the Xbox Store, as well being included in the Nintendo Classics Expansion Pack through Switch Online. It's included in the Mega Drive & Genesis Classics collection on Switch, PS4 and PS5, and XBox One and Sega Genesis Classic Collection: Gold Edition for PC.