Topic: Top Five Genesis/Megadrive Games and Why

So, even though most of us can agree that the SNES was a superior console to the Genesis/Megadrive, Sega's best console also featured some really awesome software in its own right. So I want to know what your top 5 games on that console were and why.

So, for my part:

5) Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Leaving Sonic out of a top five Genesis games list for me would be like leaving Mario out of a top five SNES games list: simply unthinkable. Sonic was Sega's answer to Mario, and while the first game was fun, it was the second installment that set my heart racing. Small additions, like drop-in multiplayer with Tails and the introduction of the famed Spin Dash, make this one clearly superior to the original. This game has many of my all-time favorite Sonic levels and music. I know I have the Chemical Zone music permanently branded on my brain, and most of the game's tracks are instantly recognizable to me.

4) Phantasy Star II
While the Genesis suffered a lack of compelling RPGs, especially in comparison to the JRPG titan that was the SNES, the Phantasy Star games still brought challenging and compelling RPG experiences to Sega's machine. This one is my personal favorite, with a dark story that kills off a major character half-way through at least 7 years before FFVII famously did the same thing. Phantasy Star IV is more polished and probably my second favorite game, but nothing tops the classic second game, in my book.

3) Ristar
A colorful, joyful platformer with a ton of variety in terms of its levels, bosses, and even the way in which you manipulate your character. Instead of jumping on your enemies, you grab and headbutt them! You play a creature that looks like a starfish with arms and legs as you travel from world to world in order to combat an evil space pirate bent on galactic domination. Ristar is an elastic little guy and much of the game is spent using his stretchable arms to shoot across levels and between worlds like a rubber band.

2) Rocket Knight Adventures
One of the best side-scrolling platformers I've ever played, this game about an opossum with a jetpack and a sword rescuing a princess is, for me, the definitive action-platform experience on the system, and in my opinion the only superior platformer in that generation was Nintendo's baby, Super Mario World. It has most of the qualities that made Ristar such a gem, but also throws in flying sequences and superior combat.

1) Toejam and Earl
Although it has never gotten much significant press, this little rouge-like gem is probably the most memorable and replayable game on the system. The sprites and artwork in general are colorful and gorgeous, the game is full of inventive and crazy items/weapons, and due to its rouge-like nature, no two gameplay experiences are ever the same. This game is fun single-player, but it really comes to life when you're cooperatively with someone else. Two players can help one-another when one of them is low on health, can strategize about how to effectively deal with enemies on particularly brutal levels (often I would use Toejam as a decoy to draw away moles, dentists, and other enemies to get the player controlling Earl out of a tight spot), and can even hinder each-other when opening the wrong present (few multi-player experiences are as infuriating as your friend accidently opening a Randomizer after you stockpile a number of Icarus Wings). Single-player or multi-player, though, I think this was definitely one of the best games available on either console.

Other notable titles:
Contra: Hard Corps
Castlevania: Bloodlines
Comix Zone
Road Rash II
Streets of Rage II
Gunstar Heroes
Splatterhouse 3

I really wish Castlevania would be released again. :/

I see what you did there...

This thread will now be taken over by the Mega MAB Sega top 1000 hall of fame list... Enjoy

#1000 - Beast Wrestler

#999 - 688 Attack Sub

#998 - Alisia Dragoon

#997 - Andre Agassi

#996 - Barkley Shut Up & Jam!

#995 - Barkley Shut Up & Jam! 2

5) Streets of Rage 2
Best music and some of
the best beatem up gameplay
around

4)Toejam and Earl
Original and Fun

3)Phantasy Star 4
One of the Best in the
Series outside of 2

2) Shining Force 2
Addicting Strategy RPG

Pushed system to its limits...one of the best boss battles ever
1) Gunstar Heroes

1. Shinobi III Return of The Ninja Master - Who doesn't love Shinobi?
2. Eternal Champions - One of the best fighters ever made. Just too bad Sega didn't continue the series.
3. Toe Jam and Earl 2 - Some awesome fun to be had with a friend.
4. Ranger X - A giant transforming robot in a super fun game.
5. Sonic The Hedgehog 3 - Great time with a Michael Jackson soundtrack.

Super Mario World
Super Metroid
Chrono-Trigger
Star Fox
Legend of Zelda Link to the Past
Those are my favorite Genesis games.

5. the Lion King - I could barely get passed the first level in this one, but the movie was a favorite of mine as a kid (and even now), so I spent quite a bit of time with this one.

4. Primal Rage - The only things that I remember about this, was that it was a fighting game with dinosaurs, you could eat people, and there was this monkey that had a fart attack. That's all I need to remember to conclude that it was awesome.

3. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - This is the only one on the list I never actually played on a Genesis (first played on a PS2 collection), but it was another awesome adventure that gave me nostalgia for my top two spots.

2. Sonic & Knuckles - It improved on everything I loved about number one on my list, knuckles was a cool character, and the cart lock on feature was cool, but it didn't come first.

1. Sonic the Hedgehog 2: Sonic & Tails - This was my introduction to Genesis, and I'd play it all the time at my cousin's house. Finally beat it years later on one of those Sonic collections for PS2.

Your avatar/profile pic fits that post perfectly

My top 5:

5. Castle of Illusion
4. Kid Chameleon
3. Streets of Rage 2
2. Gunstar Heroes
1. Sonic 3 & Knuckles

I remember Nintendo Power telling about a game called Genesis...

Sadly I have negligent in playing a lot of Genesis, but I wish I could give a serious answer.
So I'll just list what I think I played most (aside from the Sonics, which are pretty obvious).
Lightening Force/Thunder Force IV
Zero Wing
Gunstar Heroes
Sorcerer's Kingdom
Columns

I will need to take a shower after posting in a Genesis thread to get the stank off.

5) Alien Soldier
4) Beyond Oasis
3) Contra Hard Corps
2) Castlevania: Bloodlines
1) Streets of Rage 2

watch it! i know where you post at

Alright! I can see nobody really knows what a good game is especially these hopeless, easy gamed SNESSY boys... It's about time the MAB schooled some fools eager to learn what they have missed out on after being subdued by the hallways of boredom that was Nintendo systems

CHAKAN

RED ZONE

SUB-TERRANIA

JAMES BOND

REN & STIMPY

ROBOCOP vs TERMINATOR