Sega Genesis Reviews

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!” …

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 …

Retro Review: Sonic Hellfire Saga – A Genesis of Nostalgia and Innovation Sonic Hellfire Saga is not just another ROM hack; it’s a love letter to the golden era of Sega Genesis, intricately woven with the threads of nostalgia, innovation, and sheer dedication. Released after a half-decade of passionate work, the game has redefined what it means to pay homage to the classic Sonic the Hedgehog series. This in-depth review …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

I remember renting this game briefly once or twice. For being released in 1990 I can not get over how beautiful this game was. Well done! Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse: A Genesis Gem Retro Review Once upon a time in the golden era of 16-bit gaming, a little game featuring a globally adored mouse took the Sega Genesis by storm. “Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse,” released in …

Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety for Sega Genesis – A Web-Slinging Co-op Experience “Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety” for the Sega Genesis is a title that often swings into the conversations of retro gaming enthusiasts, especially those fond of the superhero genre. Teaming up with my Australian Discord friend, Hyrule13, we dove into this side-scrolling beat ’em up adventure, which is a sequel to the earlier “Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage.” Classic Comic Book …

Retro Review: Splatterhouse 3 – A Hauntingly Beautiful Brawl When you dive into the library of the Sega Genesis, few games stand out for their audacity and graphic content as much as Splatterhouse 3. Released in 1993, this game broke the mold with its combination of intense action, horror themes, and a storyline that was more mature and complex than what many gamers were accustomed to at the time. Developer and …

Retro Review: Batman: The Video Game (Sega Genesis) In the pantheon of comic book video games, few have stood the test of time quite like “Batman: The Video Game” for the Sega Genesis. Developed by Sunsoft and released in 1990, this title was not just a product of its era but a shining example of what a licensed game could and should be. Let’s delve deep into Gotham’s pixelated past …

Episode Red: This Fan-Made Mega Man Remake Shines on the Genesis Within the pantheon of classic platforming franchises, Capcom’s Mega Man series stands as a paragon of 8-bit gaming. While Mega Man saw many stellar sequels on the NES, the Blue Bomber arguably reached his 16-bit peak with Mega Man 7 on the SNES. But what if the Genesis got its own exclusive Mega Man entry? Enter the fan project …

Retro Review: Mega Man: The Wily Wars – A 16-bit Trilogy Reimagined “Mega Man: The Wily Wars,” also known as “Rockman Mega World” in Japan, is a compilation and a reimagining of the first three games in the Mega Man series, rebuilt from the ground up for the Sega Genesis. Released in 1994, this title was Capcom’s foray into the 16-bit era, bringing the Blue Bomber to a platform dominated …

Contra: Hard Corps – A Retro Review of a Genesis Gem Certain titles stand as monuments to the era they were born in. Contra: Hard Corps, released for the Sega Genesis in 1994, is one such title. Developed by Konami, a company known for their proficiency in the realm of action games, Contra: Hard Corps was a tour de force of run-and-gun gameplay that pushed the Genesis to its limits. …

Retro Review: Streets of Rage 3 for Sega Genesis Streets of Rage 3, released in 1994 for the Sega Genesis, stands as a pinnacle of the beat ’em up genre, carrying forward the legacy of its predecessors with significant enhancements in gameplay, graphics, and particularly its electrifying soundtrack. Developed by Sega’s in-house team, Sega AM7, this title not only pushed the technical capabilities of the Genesis but also tried to …

We reviewed this game back in 2010, if you wish to read the old review. Death Duel: A Sega Genesis Cult Classic Revisited The Sega Genesis, remembered by many as the darker, cooler sibling in the early nineties console wars, had a knack for attracting games that pushed boundaries. While Nintendo carried the family-friendly banner, Sega opened its doors to publishers that were willing to test the limits of violence, …

Death Duel is a tactical side-scrolling first-person shooter. Platform – Sega Genesis Release Date – October 1, 1992 The game consists of different time-limited rounds against a single enemy. Before each game, the player can spend Pheelae (money) on repairs and determine what weapons to take into battle. Each opponent has specific weaknesses and they can hide behind walls on the battlefield. To take them out, Jade needs to choose …

Who could ever forget this game? “This city was once a happy peaceful place… until one day, a powerful secret criminal organization took over. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqjJjTwdzq0 (Playthrough video above) Screenshots and related images Audio files Boss Theme Ending Ending (2) Ending (3) Game Over Level Complete Stage 1 Stage 1 (Static Remix) Stage 2 – Inner City Stage 3 Stage 3 (2) Stage 3 (2) Stage 4 Stage 4 (2) Stage …