Sega

Sonic is a little blue streak in a world of dead forests, burning streets and monsters that look delighted to see him. The momentum is familiar. The enormous scythe coming his way is considerably less familiar. Hellfire Saga takes the feel of Sonic 3 & Knuckles and throws it into a gothic action game. Castlevania and Ghosts ’n Goblins are obvious neighbours, but this is more than Green Hill with red grass.… Read more

Some games take a while to explain. Crazy Taxi is not one of them. You drive a taxi. You pick up passengers. You drive as fast and as recklessly as humanly possible. And somehow, more than twenty-five years later, it's still ridiculously fun. Originally released in arcades before making its way to the Sega Dreamcast, Crazy Taxi is one of those games that perfectly represents Sega during that era. Fast. Loud. Colorful.… Read more

During the 16-bit era, Disney games gave Sega owners several memorable platformers. World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck belongs beside Castle of Illusion, QuackShot, and Aladdin as an example of a licensed game with care behind it. Developed and published by Sega, it builds an adventure around a magic show gone wrong: Mickey and Donald discover a mysterious box, climb inside, and find themselves trapped in a fantastical world.… Read more

The Sega CD is often remembered for full-motion video, but Shining Force CD shows how much stronger its traditional games could be. This tactical RPG rebuilds two Game Gear adventures and adds content made for the CD release. Sega’s official game overview identifies it as a remake of two handheld installments. The result is a generous, battle-focused Shining Force package. Its defining change is the removal of most traditional exploration—a choice that… Read more

A 30-Year Battle with One of the First Great Fantasy Strategy Games Introduction In the early 1990s, when most players were still enjoying straightforward platformers and action games, Dark Wizard for the Sega CD emerged as one of the earliest large-scale strategy and fantasy epics ever released on a home console. Combining an expansive world map, deep tactical gameplay, and a rich storyline with memorable characters, it stood apart from anything else… Read more

Altered Beast: A Timeless Sega Genesis Classic That Defined an Era Introduction In the golden age of 16-bit gaming, few titles embodied Sega’s bold push into the home console market quite like Altered Beast. Originally released as an arcade cabinet in 1988, it stormed onto the Sega Genesis in 1989 as a launch title, instantly becoming a symbol of the system’s identity. The opening command — “Rise from your grave!” — is… Read more

Retro Review: Spider-Man: Web of Fire for the Sega 32X Spider-Man: Web of Fire, released for the Sega 32X in 1996, stands as one of the last titles for this ill-fated add-on to the Sega Genesis. Developed by BlueSky Software, the game attempted to leverage the enhanced graphical capabilities of the 32X to deliver a more immersive Spider-Man experience. Despite the developers' efforts and the anticipation surrounding the game, my personal experience… Read more

Introduction to a Cult Classic "Keio Flying Squadron" emerged on the Sega CD in 1993 to the delight of gamers looking for a fresh, vibrant take on the shoot 'em up genre. At a time when the gaming market was saturated with titles, this game managed to stand out with its stunning anime-style graphics, captivating music, and a storyline that was as charming as it was quirky. Developed by Victor Entertainment, a… Read more

Popful Mail: A Delightful and Overlooked Gem on the Sega CD As a fan of Working Designs, known for their excellent localization of Lunar: The Silver Star Story, I was thrilled to discover Popful Mail, a charming action-platformer developed by Falcom and published by Working Designs for the Sega CD in 1994. Despite being overshadowed by other high-profile releases of its time, Popful Mail is an amazing game that deserves recognition for its… Read more

A Retro Review of Chuck Rock for the Sega CD: A Prehistoric Platformer Past Its Prime Introduction Released in 1991 for the Sega Genesis and later ported to the Sega CD in 1993, Chuck Rock is a side-scrolling platformer developed by Core Design and published by Virgin Games. The game follows the adventures of a prehistoric caveman named Chuck, who must rescue his wife, Ophelia, from the clutches of a rival caveman named Gary Gritter. Gameplay Chuck… Read more

** I had to mute so many portions of this game because of copyright issues.** Hook for the Sega CD: A Retro Review The Sega CD, known for its ambition to bring the power of CD-ROM to the gaming industry, hosted a variety of titles that sought to exploit its enhanced audio and visual capabilities. Among these games was "Hook," a title based on the 1991 film directed by Steven Spielberg. The… Read more

Keio Flying Squadron 2: A Retro Review for the Sega Saturn Many Sega Saturn titles have garnered cult followings and are lauded for their unique contributions to gaming, but not all games hit the mark for every player. "Keio Flying Squadron 2" (Kyuukyoku Tiger II Plus in Japan) is one such title that, despite its charm and technical achievements, left players with mixed feelings, particularly concerning its controls and gameplay mechanics. Developer… Read more

I failed to pick the harder difficulty level, and the game cut off without letting me play the final few levels. So that's that. I do not want to play through a 2nd time, perhaps I will revisit this one later in life. Demolition Man on Sega CD: A Retro Review The Sega CD, an ambitious add-on to the Sega Genesis, sought to revolutionize the gaming industry with its CD-ROM capabilities in… Read more

Retro Review: "Wolfchild" on the Sega CD – A Howling Adventure in Gaming History As a dedicated retro gamer, I have a deep appreciation for the classics and the not-so-classic titles that defined the early days of gaming. One such title that often goes overlooked is "Wolfchild," developed by Core Design and released for the Sega CD in the early 1990s. My journey with "Wolfchild" began much later than most; it wasn't… Read more

Retro Review: Sonic the Hedgehog Megamix – A Sega Genesis Triumph "Sonic the Hedgehog Megamix" is not just a game; it's a homage to the golden age of 16-bit gaming, a symphony of speed and nostalgia that resonates with every jump and spin-dash. As a ROM hack of the iconic Sega Genesis title, it takes players on a familiar yet fresh journey through the world of Sonic, showcasing the extraordinary talents of… Read more

Retro Review: Global Gladiators – The Sega Genesis Classic that Championed Environmentalism In the year 1992, nestled beneath the Christmas tree, lay a gift from my parents that I hadn't asked for—Global Gladiators for the Sega Genesis. Little did I know, this game would become a significant part of my childhood, its graphics etched into my memory, even though I wouldn’t conquer its challenges until many years later. Developer's Vision and Technical… Read more

Retro Review: Parodius – A Delightfully Punishing Trip Through Konami's Madhouse When Konami unleashed "Parodius" upon the Sega Saturn, it gifted the shoot 'em up (shmup) community with a title that would become notorious not just for its off-the-wall humor, but for its brutal difficulty. This is a game that lures you in with its cheeky charm and vibrant sprite work, only to unleash a bullet hell that would test the mettle… Read more

Retro Review: Robo Aleste - Mechanical Majesty As the Sega CD spun to life, heralding the arrival of "Robo Aleste," it promised a journey to an era where the line between man and machine blurred amidst the backdrop of feudal Japan. This shoot 'em up title, developed by Compile, was a spectacle of technical prowess that demonstrated the Sega CD's capabilities. It was a game that made an indelible mark, despite stumbling… Read more

Retro Review: Golden Axe: The Duel - A Mixed Bag of Steel and Silence When you boot up "Golden Axe: The Duel" on the Sega Saturn, it's like stepping through a portal to an era where arcade fighters reigned supreme. This 1995 title aimed to carry the legacy of its side-scrolling predecessors into the burgeoning realm of one-on-one fighters. While it reached for the stars visually, it stumbled in an area that's… Read more

Sol-Feace – A Solid Sega CD Shmup with Slick Style   When the Sega CD launched in 1992, players were still figuring out whether the pricey add-on would become the next big leap in console gaming or fade into a niche experiment. Sega promised cutting-edge audio, animated cutscenes, and larger, more ambitious experiences than the cartridge-based Sega Genesis could handle on its own. Among the titles chosen to showcase the new format… Read more

I played through for the first time. Gunstar Heroes – A Genesis Gem Sparkling with Action Platform: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive Developer: Treasure Release Date: September 9, 1993 "Gunstar Heroes" burst onto the Sega Genesis like a comet, delivering an explosive experience that has since become a benchmark for run-and-gun shooters. Developed by Treasure, a team formed by former Konami developers, this game was not just a debut title for the… Read more

Valis III for Sega Genesis: A Mixed Port with Limited Appeal Valis III, originally a hallmark of the TurboGrafx-CD's library, made its way to the Sega Genesis with the promise of bringing its action-packed adventure to a wider audience. This port, however, comes with a fair share of caveats, and my experience with it has been less than satisfactory. Porting Challenges The transition from the TurboGrafx-CD to the cartridge-based Sega Genesis is… Read more

MUSHA: Metallic Uniframe Super Hybrid Armor for Sega Genesis - A 1990 Visual Marvel In the pantheon of Sega Genesis titles, MUSHA (Metallic Uniframe Super Hybrid Armor) holds a special place, especially for those who were savvy enough to experience it upon release or who have since been guided to its glory by fellow retro enthusiasts. Recommended to me by David Medina, a fellow retro game guru on Facebook, MUSHA stands out… Read more

What an amazing playthrough. Rocket Knight Adventures (1993) - A Genesis Classic In the realm of 16-bit platformers, few games can match the charm, challenge, and sheer awesomeness of Rocket Knight Adventures. Released in 1993 for the Sega Genesis, this Konami masterpiece tells the tale of Sparkster, a brave opossum knight on a quest to save his kingdom from the evil King Zygmunt. I never had the chance to play Rocket Knight… Read more

This was a fun Sonic 2 hack to play through. Kirby is naturally over powered. Kirby Superstar 2 Genesis Hack Review (2016) - A Sonic Spin on Kirby's Powers In the world of fan-made content, few things are as intriguing as seeing a beloved character reimagined in an entirely different gaming universe. The 2016 Genesis hack known as Kirby Superstar 2 brings everyone's favorite pink puffball into the fast-paced world of Sonic… Read more