Sega Genesis Newb Needs Help!

[Sir_Snooze]

I just picked up a Sega Genesis - I've never owned one in my life - and now I have to find games for it. I know to pick up the classics - the Sonic series et al., but I was wondering if anyone can give me some suggestions as to off-beat, cult-classic kind of Genesis games. I love sidescrollers in particular, but I'm game to try anything. Note that I don't own a 32X (who does?), so those games are out.

Any suggestions?

[DusK]

Shinobi 3
Pulseman
Ristar
Comix Zone
Dynamite Headdy
Earthworm Jim 1 and 2
Gunstar Heroes
Toejam and Earl 2
Xmen 2: The Clone Wars
Vectorman 1 and 2

Those are some good side scrollers. Some others I recommend:

Beyond Oasis
Ecco 1 and 2
Flashback
Golden Axe 1, 2, and 3
Streets of Rage 1, 2 and 3
Landstalker
Phantasy Star 4
Red Zone
Sub-Terrania

[The Coop]

WARNING!

A HUGE GAME LIST
GENESIS RECOMMENDATIONS
IS APPROACHING FAST.

Adventures of Batman and Robin (Run 'N Gun)
Alisia Dragoon (Action Platformer)
Alien Soldier (Run 'N Gun) *
Air Buster ( Shmup)
Arcus Odyssey (Action RPG)
Atomic Runner (Run 'N Gun)
Battletech (Action Strategy)
Beyond Oasis (Action RPG)
Batman (Action Platformer)
Bio-Hazard Battle (Shmup)
Blaster Master 2 (Action Platformer)
Bubsy (Platformer)
Castlevania: Bloodlines (Action Platformer)
Contra: Hard Corps (Run 'N Gun)
Cool Spot (Platformer)
Comix Zone (Action)
Desert Strike (Action Strategy)
Dragon's Fury (Pinball)
Dune: The Battle for Arrakis (Real-Time Strategy)
Earnest Evens (Action)
Earthworm Jim (Action)
Earthworm Jim 2 (Action)
Ecco the Dolphin (Action Puzzler)
Ecco: The Tides of Time (Action Puzzler)
El Viento (Action)
Elemental Master (Shmup)
Eliminate Down (Shmup) *
Fire Shark (Shmup)
Forgotten Worlds (Shmup)
Gaiares (Shmup)
Gargoyles (Action Platformer)
Gauntlet IV (Action)
Ghouls 'N Ghosts (Action Platfomer)
Gley Lancer (Shmup) *
Gods (Action)
Golden Axe (Hack 'N Slash)
Golden Axe 2 (Hack 'N Slash)
Granada (Shmup)
Gunstar Heroes (Run 'N Gun)
Hellfire (Shmup)
Herzog Zwei (Real-Time Strategy Shmup)
The Immortal (Action Puzzler)
Jungle Strike (Action Strategy)
Kid Chameleon (Platformer)
Landstalker (Action RPG)
Light Crusader (Action RPG)
The Lion King (Action Platformer)
M.U.S.H.A. (Shmup)
Master of Monsters (Turn-Based Strategy)
Mazin Saga (Action Fighter)
Mega Turrican (Action Platformer)
Mercs (Run 'N Gun)
Midnight Resistance (Run 'N Gun)
Monster World IV * (Action Platformer RPG)
Mystic Defender (Action Platformer)
Outlander (Action Driver)
Phantasy Star II (RPG)
Phantasy Star III (RPG)
Phantasy Star IV 9RPG)
Phelios (Shmup)
Populous (God Game)
Puggsy (Action Puzzler)
Pulseman (Action Platformer) *
Raiden Trad (Action)
Ranger-X (Action)
Red Zone (Action)
The Revenge of Shinobi (Action Platformer)
Ristar (Platformer)
Robocop vs The Terminator (Action)
Rocket Knight Adventures (Action Platformer)
Sagaia (Shmup)
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi (Action Platformer)
Shining Force (Turn-Based Strategy RPG)
Shining Force (Turn-Based Strategy RPG)
Shining in the Darkness (Dungeon Crawling RPG)
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (Action Platformer)
Skeleton Krew (Action)
Sol-Deace (Shmup)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Platformer)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Platformer)
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Platformer)
Sonic and Knuckles (Platformer)
Sonic 3D Blast (Action)
Spot Goes To Hollywood (Isometric Platformer)
Sprakster (Action Platformer)
Splatterhouse 2 (Action)
Splatterhouse 3 (Action)
Spot Goes to Hollywood (Platformer)
Star Control (Action RPG)
Streets of Rage (Beat'em Up)
Streets of Rage 2 (Beat'em Up)
Streets of Rage 3 (Beat'em Up)
Steel Empire (Shmup)
Strider (Action Platformer)
Subterrania (Shmup)
Super Fantasy Zone (Shmup) *
Sword of Vermillion (Action RPG)
Target Earth (Action)
Task Force Harrier (Shmup)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist (Hack 'N Slash)
Thunder Force II (Shmup)
Thunder Force III (Shmup)
Thunder Force IV * (aka Lightening Force in the US) (Shmup)
Tinhead (Platformer)
ToeJam and Earl (Action)
ToeJam and Earl: Panic of Funkotron (Action Platformer)
Traysia (RPG)
Turrican (Action Platformer)
Twin Cobra (Shmup)
Twin Hawk (Shmup) *
Undead Line (Shmup) *
Urban Strike (Action Strategy)
Valis III (Action Platformer)
Vapor Trail (Shmup)
Vectorman (Action Platformer)
Vectorman 2 (Action Platformer)
Verytex (Shmup) *
Viewpoint (Shmup)
Warsong (Turn-Based Strategy)
Whip Rush (Shmup)
Wings of Wor (Shmup)
Wonder Boy in Monster World (Action RPG)
Zero Wing (PAL version for the "All your base" goodness) (Shmup)
Zombies Ate My Neighbors (Action)

* = Japanese import

[Meteo Xavier]

Should the list include titles that could conceivably be found?

[The Coop]

Genesis games are easily found. Maybe not easily afforded for some titles, but even the tougher to find ones like Eliminate Down and Gley Lancer show up on eBay pretty regularly.

[Inimitable]

I can't believe anyone would recommend ToeJam and Earl 2 over the original.

That is simply mind boggling.

[OverCoat]

TJ&E 2 is still great though - the music being the strong point

also yes The Coop that is a fantastic list

and I have about half of it, plus a bunch that aren't on there, but not good enough to mention

you need California Games, Zool, and NBA Jam on there though. How could you forget NBA Jam T.E.? I am disappoint

[The Coop]

I can't believe anyone would recommend ToeJam and Earl 2 over the original.

That is simply mind boggling.

Some people just prefer the more platforming-only style of the sequel.



OverCoat- I've never played Zool, or the Genesis version of California Games (played the hell out of the Lynx version though). I'll look into Zool, but the reviews for the Genesis California Games weren't very favorable, so I avoided it.

As for NBA Jam TE, I found it to be pretty lacking as a single player game (a rather unreliable CPU partner namely). It's not a bad game, and I do own it. But it's just a lot more fun with a friend, and I have a hard time recommending it when my main focus is on the single player aspect of a given game (if it's not a particularly fun one player game, I tend not to recommend it to people). But that's just my take on it.

[Fishy]

Both the TJ&E's are utterly awesome but they really are different genres; tough to compare them. I still lean towards the first one as long as I have a friend to play it with.

[Sir_Snooze]

Sweet! Thanks a lot, everybody, and especially The Coop - that's a huge list. I know my neighbourhood used gaming store had a copy of Comix Zone and the Adventures of Batman and Robin - I gotta check those out. That's quite the list; I'll give it my best shot to find as many of those games on the cheap as I can. On the cheap being operative, because...well...I'm cheap.

*saves thread to computer*

It really sucks that I missed out totally on the Genesis as a kid - my folks were all Nintendo stuff.

[GeckoYamori]

You can always use the Wii VC service to get some games at a more reasonable price. Obscure gems like Alien Soldier and Pulseman do make it onto the library occasionally. Pulseman was Japan-exclusive, and I've seen the PAL Alien Soldier go for around $90.

[LuketheXjesse]

It really sucks that I missed out totally on the Genesis as a kid - my folks were all Nintendo stuff.

Yeah, I was in this position too, although I've recently acquired a used Sega Genesis and 5 games, so I've started collecting games.

[Vilecat]

Streeeeeeeeeets of Raaaaaaage 2!!!!!!!!!!!

[Schwaltzvald]

Quite a number of those games are also found on the Ultimate Sega Genesis collection on the 360/ps3...

My old genesis is missing a cable to hook up to the tv so no go for me on that system :sad:

And I'm too lazy to find it again in the abyss that is my attic...

[BardicKnowledge]

Coop, no Crusader of Centy on your list makes me sad.

[The Coop]

Coop, no Crusader of Centy on your list makes me sad.

I've wanted that game for years, but every time I have cash, it's either nowhere to be found, or it's cart-only (I prefer my games complete). Then as soon as I'm broke, they pop up.

It's like some monetary game of Whack-A-Mole :lol:

[Schwaltzvald]

I've wanted that game for years, but every time I have cash, it's either nowhere to be found, or it's cart-only (I prefer my games complete). Then as soon as I'm broke, they pop up.

It's like some monetary game of Whack-A-Mole :lol:

HERE YOU GO (http://www.amazon.com/Crusader-Centy-Sega-Genesis/dp/B002DVYLN6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1254755222&sr=8-1) brand spanking new with case and booklet going for just above $40. Have at it~!

[Sir_Snooze]

My old genesis is missing a cable to hook up to the tv so no go for me on that system :sad:

And I'm too lazy to find it again in the abyss that is my attic...

I'm using a third-party thing - it works just fine. The patents on all the Genesis, NES and SNES consoles and accessories are long dead - I've had no problems playing about 8 hours of both Sonics with third-party power and component cables. The attic I can't help you with, though - I live in a teeny apartment, so everything's nearby. Kinda handy...but still...

I'm also a bit of a collector - I have played a lot of Genesis games on the Wii, but:

a) My Wii isn't here and I can't afford another one; and
b) It's just not the same as pluggin' in the cart, pressing that magic black button and using that Genesis controller.

Still, not gonna lie - I'm lovin' finally having an honest-to-God Genesis. It more or less pushes my 'must-own' consoles to completion - I'm still missing an Atari 2600 and the Intelli/Colecovision, but at this point I've more or less given up on ever finding those...

[theshaggyfreak]

Most of my used consoles were picked up via Craigslist. It's amazing what you can find out there on the cheap. I got a couple Genesis for about $10-$15 each that way. One came with the Master System adapter. Since becoming somewhat of a collector myself, I found that garage sales can be a great place to find things as well. I got my 32X practically new in the box that way. Not that I really wanted a 32x for games, though, since those are mostly crap.

[Sir_Snooze]

Since becoming somewhat of a collector myself, I found that garage sales can be a great place to find things as well. I got my 32X practically new in the box that way.

You did destroy the 32X, I hope, for the good of humanity.

I'm a bit adverse to buying online, simply because when I start I have a funny feeling I won't stop - so I just don't. Sweet deals on the Genesis, esp. with the Master System connexion. I'm kind of looking for a Master System, too - not especially, but if I find one...eh, what the heck.

Garage sales are pretty awesome - I picked up an N64 lot with crapola, Jet Force Gemini, Gex 64, (another) Goldeneye and Super Mario 64 and 4 controllers with 2 Rumble Paks for like $40 Canadian. Probably my best deal purchase ever.

[Strike911]

Rocket Knight Adventures! Genesis exclusive!

Do yourself a favor... seriously. I bought the game for 6 bucks a few years ago. you could probably find it cheaper somewhere else!

[theshaggyfreak]

You did destroy the 32X, I hope, for the good of humanity.

I'm a bit adverse to buying online, simply because when I start I have a funny feeling I won't stop - so I just don't. Sweet deals on the Genesis, esp. with the Master System connexion. I'm kind of looking for a Master System, too - not especially, but if I find one...eh, what the heck.

Garage sales are pretty awesome - I picked up an N64 lot with crapola, Jet Force Gemini, Gex 64, (another) Goldeneye and Super Mario 64 and 4 controllers with 2 Rumble Paks for like $40 Canadian. Probably my best deal purchase ever.

Oh, the 32X just sits there. Occasionally I bring it out to play Doom. When I got the 32X, someone stuffed 3 games in the box with it.

I picked up my N64 from some rich family whose son went to college. $25 for the consoles, 2 controllers and 5 games in the boxes.

[Kinslayer]

I ain't gonna lie, good luck finding an Atari 2600 that works, the miniaturized system has all kinds of problems, my recommendation, look for either an original Atari, or an Atari 7800 Master System, the 7800 plays all of the old games and also has some of the bigger titles released just before the NES came out.

I have a working 2600, but the damn UHF/VHF adapter burned out...

[The Coop]

You did destroy the 32X, I hope, for the good of humanity.

Why would he do that, when the likes of Shadow Squadron, Kolibri, Knuckles Chaotix, After Burner Complete, Space Harrier, Virtua Racing Deluxe and Zaxxon's Motherbase 2000 are on it?

[theshaggyfreak]

I ain't gonna lie, good luck finding an Atari 2600 that works, the miniaturized system has all kinds of problems, my recommendation, look for either an original Atari, or an Atari 7800 Master System, the 7800 plays all of the old games and also has some of the bigger titles released just before the NES came out.

I have a working 2600, but the damn UHF/VHF adapter burned out...

I have my 2600 still from my childhood and it works just fine. They're not too difficult to fix it they're not working. Also, you don't need one of those UHF/VHF adapters. You can hook it up straight to the coax connecting on the back of your TV. All you need is to get a little adapter from Radio Shack or the like.

[Sir_Snooze]

Oh, the 32X just sits there. Occasionally I bring it out to play Doom. When I got the 32X, someone stuffed 3 games in the box with it.

I picked up my N64 from some rich family whose son went to college. $25 for the consoles, 2 controllers and 5 games in the boxes.

Oh, Doom. Great game - is the 32X version the one with the really bad versions of the Doom music (which is awesome, by the way)?

Solid on the N64! I got one for Christmas as a tyke, and she still works wonderously. And I'm glad for that, too.

I've never played on a 32X, but what I've seen of it is weird. Metal hooks to latch into your Genesis? I'm not putting that in there, not even to play Afterburner or Knuckles Chaotix. I also thought there were like 40 games for the thing. Of course, you could also get the Sega CD...eww...

[LuketheXjesse]

Speaking of the 32x, that's probably the only Genesis console I wouldn't get. Well, that and the Master System. Everything else at least had its place. Sega CD had the Lunar games, Genesis had a shitload of awesome, Saturn had Nights and Panzer Dragoon, and Dreamcast also had a shitload of awesome.

But 32x? Nope. 'cept maybe Virtua Fighter.

[The Coop]

I've never played on a 32X, but what I've seen of it is weird. Metal hooks to latch into your Genesis? I'm not putting that in there, not even to play Afterburner or Knuckles Chaotix. I also thought there were like 40 games for the thing. Of course, you could also get the Sega CD...eww...

There are no hooks for the 32X. The two metal plates are there to hold the Genesis flaps open, and not let them snag on anything when you remove the 32X. They also line up with the metal squares on the 32X. What they do beyond holding open the cart port is up in the air. Either way, those metal plate don't dig into anything on or in the Genesis. They're only attached to the flaps.

And the Sega CD was a fine little system. It just got drowned in FMV shovelware and cart ports that added little above CD music. However, there are games that were good. Such as...

AH-3 Thunderstrike (Flying)
Android Assault (Shmup)
Annet Futatabi (Action) *
Battlecorps (Action)
Dark Wizard (Turn-Based Strategy)
Dungeon Explorer II (Action)
Earnest Evans (Action) *
Earthworm Jim: Special Edition (Action Platformer)
Eternal Champions: Challenge From the Dark Side (Fighting)
Final Fight CD (Beat'em Up)
Flink (Action Platformer/Puzzle)
Lords of Thunder (Shmup)
Lunar: The Silver Star (RPG)
Lunar: Eternal Blue (RPG)
Popful Mail (Action RPG)
Robo Aleste (Shmup)
Shining Force CD (Turn-Based Strategy RPG)
Sonic CD (Platformer)
Soul Star (3D Action/Shmup)
Stellar Fire (Solely for the soundtrack) (3D Action)
The Terminator (Action)
Vay (RPG)

[theshaggyfreak]

Sega CDs can be difficult to find in decent condition AND at a good price. I've yet to acquire one myself. Almost got a JVC X`eye for really cheap but I found out that it didn't work.

[The Coop]

Sega CDs can be difficult to find in decent condition AND at a good price. I've yet to acquire one myself.

This is true. However, you can still play the discs on your PC with emulators like Gens and Kega Fusion, as you search for a Sega CD unit.

[Cecilff2]

General Chaos was pretty fun with 2 players either co-op or competitive.(And I'm surprised its not on your list, Coop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aUBiCAm_H4

[Brycepops]

This is true. However, you can still play the discs on your PC with emulators like Gens and Kega Fusion, as you search for a Sega CD unit.

This. Kega gave me the chance to play Eye of the Beholder one more ;-;

[José the Bronx Rican]

Streeeeeeeeeets of Raaaaaaage 2!!!!!!!!!!!

Marry me. :tomatoface:

In all seriousness, I'm still playing it. Some of you here have seen me on it, and will probably see it again at MAGfest. 45 minute game, Max, one credit, one man, finished, score turned over, 9 men remaining.

[OverCoat]

I ain't gonna lie, good luck finding an Atari 2600 that works, the miniaturized system has all kinds of problems, my recommendation, look for either an original Atari, or an Atari 7800 Master System, the 7800 plays all of the old games and also has some of the bigger titles released just before the NES came out.

I have a working 2600, but the damn UHF/VHF adapter burned out...

You could always do what I do and play your 2600 games on the Colecovision, a much superior system.

I was lucky enough to find a Colecovision recently, with the Atari 2600 expansion module, and lots of games. Plus it was only a little over $20 for the whole thing. Also it works.

brb playing superior version of Mr. Do.

[Sir_Snooze]

There are no hooks for the 32X. The two metal plates are there to hold the Genesis flaps open, and not let them snag on anything when you remove the 32X. They also line up with the metal squares on the 32X. What they do beyond holding open the cart port is up in the air. Either way, those metal plate don't dig into anything on or in the Genesis. They're only attached to the flaps.



Oh - mea culpa. I thought it like dug into the underside of the thing. Still, it didn't last long, and it was a bad idea with the Saturn so close behind its heels. FMV set us back years...what a failure. I tried an emulated copy of Night Trap and I thought it was just dumb.

Streets of Rage I emu'd and loved.

[The Coop]

Oh - mea culpa. I thought it like dug into the underside of the thing. Still, it didn't last long, and it was a bad idea with the Saturn so close behind its heels. FMV set us back years...what a failure. I tried an emulated copy of Night Trap and I thought it was just dumb.

Nope. No digging. They just hold open the cartridge port flaps, and they won't scratch up your Genesis or anything. I've had my 32X for years, and it hasn't left a single mark on my old model 1 Genesis... and I've hooked up and unhooked that 32X a lot.

You might be thinking of the Sega CD plates that attach to the bottom of the Genesis. You put a metal plate under there, and it attaches with a screw, and a few tabs that slide into place (it's an RF shield... which now that I think about it, might be what those metal tabs are for the 32X). But even that won't do any damage really unless you handle the plate clumsily.


And yeah, putting out the 32X was a rather poor move on Sega's part. But the little mushroom system did get some fun games during its brief lifespan, so it wasn't a total loss... especially if you picked it up for $30 new (with Doom) when stores were trying to get rid of them.

[Sir_Snooze]

Thanks again, everybody! I picked up Comix Zone and Kid Chameleon - two EPIC games. Comix Zone especially - WOW. Did I ever miss out as a kid...