16-bits – Sega Megadrive (Genesis)
While “8-bits” may have changed my life forever, a particular 16-bit console blew my mind. The first time I saw Sonic The Hedgehog on a Sega Megadrive, I was lost for words and have never been the same since. I enjoy this console so much I have collected over 150 game cartridges over time. Here are some of my favourite games on the system:
Sonic The Hedgehog – Released in 1991 by SEGA
A fast-paced game with a blue hedgehog (Sonic) and his efforts at preventing the evil Dr. Robotnik from mechanizing the world. The coluorful graphics, catchy theme tunes, and challenging levels makes this probebly my favourite game ever.
Road Rash 2 – Released in 1992 by Electronia Arts (EA)
Road Rash 2 is a fast motorcycle road racing game with the added danger of on-bike fighting. Your opponents will use fists, side kicks, chains and crowbars to try to slow you down or knock you off, and you must stay on the road. With all this going on you will still have to dodge the cars and policemen on bikes and finish in the top 3 for prize money. You can return the violence against your opponents if you wish:)
Lemmings – Released in 1992 by Psygnosis
Lemmings are the cute but clueless little people who are known for committing suicide by running off cliffs, down holes and into fires. You have the chance to save them by giving selected Lemmings a special ability, and by using combinations of these abilities you can safely guide the Lemmings through the level..
World Cup 94 – Released in 1994 by US Gold
Similar to Sensible Soccer, it offers in my opinion much better game speed and controls. You also have the ability to accurately perform set piece plays and curl the ball when shooting for goal. Possibly not the greatest soccer game for the MegaDrive, but definately my favourite.
NBA Jam – Released in 1992 by Sculptured Software/Midway/Acclaim
Probebly the best known arcade basketball sim that still is great to play even today. Even though this version is different slightly to the arcade version (less players, less graphics/sound effects) it still permitted up to 4 people to play at the one time (with the appropriate adapters of course). Even with those fantastic dunks, the game playability still makes it one of the best basketball sims ever.
Mutant League Football – Released in 1993 by Electronic Arts
This is a futuristic depictions of American Football and I still laugh when I play this today. You can kill the referre, blow up players and break their bones while still having to make a touchdown. Great two player fun.
The Punisher – Released in 1994 by Marvel Games
The Punisher is a former Vietnam veteran whose family was murdered in a random and senseless killing. He now devotes his time soley to killing any criminal he comes across. This is one of my favorite 2D slug-em games and I still play this today. You can pick up items like baseball bats, knives and guns to assist him and you can restore health by breaking objects and consuming food.
Castlevania – Bloodlines – Released in 1994 by Konami
You can play one of two vampire hunters as they battle a mysterious countess who is intent on reviving Count Dracula. Many ghouls, bats and undead to destory in your quest. Another fun 2D beat-em up style game.
Prince of Persia – Released in 1993 by Br0derbund/Domark
This is possibly one of the most intuitive platform games of its time. You play as a young Arabian hero, you must rescue the sultan’s daughter from a forced marriage as she is your true love. The vizer whom she is to marry is aware that you are going to attempt to save her and he imprisioned you inside the deepest dungeon in the palace. You will need to escape, fight guides, dodge traps and solve puzzles before your final encounter with Vizer. Great game still today.
Desert Strike – Released in 1992 by Granite Bay/Electronic Arts
You are an apache helicopter pilot who is required to engage in campaigns centred around the Gulf war of the early 1990’s. You will need to become an expert at air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, and have the ability to control the helicopter during tight situations. It is played from a top-down 2D perspective rather than a cockpit view style of game and is a whole lot of fun to play.
RBI Baseball 93 – Released in 1993 by Atari/Tengen
An arcade-style baseball game rather than a sim that is fun to play and even better when you have a friend to play against. It has all of the typical baseball options like pitch selection, batting stroke, steal bases and also offers manual or automatic fielding options.
Aladdin – Released in 1993 by Capcom/Disney Software/Virgin Games
Probebly my pick for Disney platform games, you play as Aladdin, who discovers a magical lamp that leads him on all sorts of adventures. Based around the Disney movie, you will need to complete tasks and puzzles to successfully complete this platformer.
Pebble Beach Golf Links – Released in 1994 by T&E Games
A truly fantastic golfing sim that has a highly detailed course and some excellent background tunes as well. Animation tends to be a tiny bit on the jerky side, and it has the same course-building lag time problem as many of the earlier golf games, but it offers many options that Leaderboard did not have. This is for mine the all-time best Megadrive golf sim.
Shining Force 2 – Released in 1984 by Sonic/Climax/Sega
This is where RPGs like Vandal Hearts and Final Fantasy Tactics got their ideas. The first game in the series was great but this is the best RPG on the Megadrive. Based on an entirely new story in which the Shining Force team reunites to deal with a revived King Zeon, the Evil of All Ages. Lots of gameplay hours, heaps of enemies, allies and weapons.
Gauntlet 4 – Released in 1993 by Atari/Tengen
Take your pick of four different warriors – barbarian, valkyrie, elf, and sorcerer – and go toe-to-toe with hordes of evil uglies in the ultimate coin-op dungeon crawler. Bring your friends over and waste a few hours on this classic.
Wimbledon Championship Tennis – Released in 1993 by Sega Sports
A great single-or-multiplayer tennis game that is the best available on the Megadrive. The graphics are very good, the animation is smooth, and the sound and gameplay are just perfect for a tennis game. The number of hours I’ve spent playing this..