Genesis REVIEWS Report: 100-91

As expected from any Top 100 list, the games that start the list are not the best, although many would argue that Madden NFL '95 and FIFA '95 are some of the best sport games on the Genesis. None would argue that the rest of this list are some of the best games on the console, even if Super Hang-On is a competent port of a legendary arcade game.

 

With that being said, here is a quick report on each game on this list.

Please enjoy:-

100- Zero Wing (1991): Japan/Europe Only

• Genre: Shmup
• Publisher: Toaplan/Namco; Developer: Toaplan.

This is the game that originated the "all your base are belong to us" meme, which may just ensure its legacy survives much longer than its gameplay would otherwise merit, as good as that gameplay is. After all, there are many good shmups on the Genesis, but that badly translated line speaks for a generation of games.

Its worth noting that the game was a highly competent port of a moderately successful arcade game. 

99- Madden NFL '95 (1994): 

• Genre: Sports
• Publisher: EA; Developer: High Score Productions.

Considered the best of EA's American Football 16-bit games, Madden NFL '95'still had to compete with Sega's own developed NFL game, the aptly named NFL '95. While both were considered worthy rivals, EA showcased its ability to navigate around the technical expertise of the Japanese companies by officially getting the NFLPA license and cornering the casual market; a strategy that would work wonders for them later when they kill Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer series.

 

98- Decap Attack (1991):

• Genre: Platformer.
• Publisher: Sega; Developer: Vic Tokai.

Right off the bat, the game makes a terrible impression. It starts with one of the loudest and most obnoxious sound effects I heard in video games. It only follows that up with more obnoxiousness in what seems an attempt to comment on B-Horror movies, just like Zombies Ate My Neighbor.

When the game actually starts, it does manage to be interesting for a bit, but it could never shake off the bad first impression it had on me, until I formed an even worse impression. Decap Attack is more than a game that fails to be a B-Movie-inspired Platformer; it is a game that fails some basic gameplay principles.

97- Cool Spot (1996):

• Genre: Platformer.
• Publisher: Virgin Games; Developer: Virgin Games.

The early gaming period was weird in the making licensed video games not only for popular shows and cartoons, but also soda drinks from reason Enter Cool Spot, a platformer by one of the minds behind Earthworm Jim that stars the US mascot of 7-UP. Unlike many other licensed games, this one was rather competent in its platforming action, even if it is ultimately a forgettable experience today.

96- Adventures of Batman and Robin (1996):

• Genre: Run & Gun.
• Publisher: Sega; Developer: Clockwork Tortoise.

This game is one of those licensed games that had a different version on each console while being licensed to be developed at the same time. While the SNES version was an Action-Platformer, the Genesis version opted to focus on Batman's projectiles and was developed as a Run & Gun. An infamously difficult game, The Adventures of Batman & Robin was not as loved on the Genesis as on the SNES despite the brilliant source material and graphics.

95- Mega Twins [Chiki Chiki Boys] (1990):

• Genre: Platformer.
• Publisher: Sega; Developer: Visco.

Here is a platformer whose entire claim to fame was its cooperative game mode on the arcade, ported to home consoles WITHOUT the 2-player mode. As such, you have a basic, rather short, platformer without the one thing that defined it. I can't understand how this game features in a top 100 Genesis games list.

94- Haunting: Starring Polterguy (1993):

• Genre: Action-Puzzler.
• Publisher: EA; Developer: EA.

Poltergeists are a class of ghosts that cause mischief around the house, turning off the lights, making some weird noises, and sometimes moving the furniture. In this game, the Poltergeist (or should I say Polterguy) is much nastier.

As Polterguy, you are tasked with scaring an admittedly unpleasant-looking family away from the house. In a unique twist, this doesn't involve thematically inappropriate platformer levels, but actually using your ghost powers to possess their house, and scare the living daylights out of them.

I confess that Haunting does well only because of its unique premise. The visual gags, while fun, wouldn't be able to carry an entire game. Instead, we are offered a punishing and boring dungeon sequence for the privilege of activating those gags.

However, there were literally no games like it then, and very little now. It's because of that, and because of the really well-done animation by EA, that I feel this title is actually somewhat OK. 

93- FIFA Soccer '95 (1994):

• Genre: Sport.
• Publisher: EA; Developer: Extended Play Productions.

Not to upset anyone, Retro Sanctuary puts both American Football and real Football games close to each other in the list. At this time, EA's FIFA series was yet to become the juggernaut that it is today, and very few people would argue that it was the best football game either on the Genesis or the 16-bit consoles of the time.

92- Super Hang-On (1989):

• Genre: Arcade Racing.
• Publisher: Sega; Developer: Sega.

As one of the greatest arcade games of all time, any version of Super Hang-On would be a lot of fun. While the Genesis could not perform as well as the arcades, it did add some customization options to add depth to the game. Yet, no matter how much Sega tried, they couldn't capture either the smooth graphical power of the arcade cabinets, or more importantly, the tactile feeling of sitting on a motorcycle and driving around.

Those were the days.

91- Bubble and Squeak (1993):

• Genre: Puzzle-Platformer.
• Publisher: Audiogenic Software; Developer: Audiogenic Software.

Bubble and Squeak is not the awful English dish made of leftover vegetables; it is one of the lesser-known Genesis platformers, and one that is actually pretty unique. At its core, B&S is actually one giant escort mission, one that introduces a puzzle element to the game.

If B&S was a better-designed game, its gameplay could have carried it to classic standards. However, it is one of those forgettable games that didn't bother to differentiate themselves from the pack.

This is one of those games that had smart ideas, but it couldn't be bothered to be special. 

This report is a consolidated review of the top 100 list by Retro Sanctuary. It features the reviews I made for the list, but also has a brief paragraph about each game in the list that I didn't review. For games without an official review, the opinions I express are purely based on general research about the game and its reception at the time.