Genesis REVIEWS Report: 50-41
In this report of the top 50-41 Genesis games according to Retro Sanctuary, I have reviewed two games, and both are considered part of important Sega franchises. With the first Shinobi game released on the console and the first TRPG Shining game, this is enough to raise the pedigree of these 10 games. Furthermore, there are some important, critically acclaimed games such as Flashback and Populous, as well as the usual mix of platformers that range from the good to the mundane.
Please enjoy:-
50- Dynamite Heady (1994):
- Genre: Platformer.
- Publisher: Sega; Developer: Treasure.
49- Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure (1993):
- Genre: Platformer.
- Publisher: Konami; Developer: Konami.
48- The Revenge of Shinobi (1989):
- Genre: Action.
- Publisher: Sega; Developer: Sega.
Now, I join those who criticize Shadow Dancer, because The Revenge of Shinobi is a good game that should have had a better sequel. The Revenge of Shinobi probably set the standards for the Action genre in its day. In both its gameplay and its presentation, the game was surely an achievement by Sega.
Even though the game doesn't inspire that reaction in these modern times, it is still solid as an Action game despite being over 25 years old.
47- Ranger X (1993):
- Genre: Run & Gun.
- Publisher: Sega; Developer: GAU Entertainment.
This is another solid example of a Genesis Run & Gun game with chunky graphics and a killer soundtrack. Exactly the type of games that I found to be a bit too hard and tough to enjoy. As such, I didn't review the game at the time. Yet, later in the series, I played and greatly enjoyed Gunstar Heroes, which is probably the best game in the genre on the Genesis, so I probably made a mistake in skipping this game.
46- Vectorman (1995):
- Genre: Platformer.
- Publisher: Sega; Developer: BlueSky Software.
I should have known better than to expect anything from this game. Probably only gaining attention due to its revolutionary polygonal graphics, it is a boring and slow-paced Platformer that is sub-par at best. In a way, the fact that I chose to play this game rather than Tiny Toon Adventures is a testament to the game's original advertisement premise still resonating decades later. However, just as it was a misdirection then, it is a misdirection now.
45- Micro Machines '96 (1995):
- Genre: Racing.
- Publisher: Codemasters; Developer: Supersonic Software.
Probably one of the best racing games on the console, Micro Machines is the rare game that was much better on the Genesis, and in Europe than in the rest of the world. Released inside a special J-Cart, it allowed for 4-player multiplayer off the bat without a need for a special adapter. With an expanded release in Europe, it was probably a multi-player fixture in many households for years.
44- Flink (1994):
- Genre: Platformer.
- Publisher: Psygnosis, Vic Tokai; Developer: Psygnosis.
First developed for the Amiga CD32, a port of the game was made for both the Sega Genesis and its CD add-on. Other than improved graphics, the platforming gameplay across all versions is similarly slow and laborious, especially when compared to the best 16-bit platformers of the time. With no unique ideas of its own, I didn't hesitate to drop it.
43- Shining Force (1992):
- Genre: TRPG.
- Publisher: Sega; Developer: Climax Entertainment, Sonic Software Planning.
The Shining Force series is generally considered Sega's counterpart to Nintendo's own SRPG series, Fire Emblem. For as long as the two games existed together, the Shining Force series actually had more of a Western presence.
Unfortunately,
the series was one of the many victims of Sega's exit from the console
market. However, its games can still be enjoyed today. While the series
initially started as an unfortunate dungeon-crawling game. It changed
gears into a TRPG with the second game, and it was an excellent start
to the series.
This first TRPG Shining Force
game is an excellent start to the series. It easily became one of
Sega's best exclusive games and one of their winning IPs. At least,
that is the case critically if not commercially.
Any fan of the
genre would enjoy this game, and yet be sad at playing it. Sad that the
series is now dead, and its once rivalry with Fire Emblem is of the same fate as Sega's with Nintendo.
42- Flashback (1994):
- Genre: Cinematic Platformer.
- Publisher: Interplay Productions; Developer: Delphine Software International.
Flashback is one of the most famous "Cinematic Platformers" of the early 90s; a genre that originated with the first Prince of Persia. As such, it isn't surprising to learn that it was ported to nearly every console of that era. Unfortunately, I reviewed the game on the SNES when I should have waited and reviewed it for the Genesis, which is considered the best version of the game according to its creator.
41- Populous & Populous II (1989-1991):
- Genre: God Game.
- Publisher: Electronic Arts; Developer: Bullfrog Productions.
Similar to Flashback, Populous was another majorly successful game that was ported to every console that could handle it. As the originator of the God Game genre, it is also considered one of the most influential games of all time and the game that kick-started designer Peter Molyneux's career. However, as you could guess from the simulation nature of the genre, home consoles were not the best home for the game, and PCs were generally much better for this kind of game.
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.
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