Jennifer Diane Reitz presents her
Otaku World Otaku World

Quick Guide to
The 10 Best Older Games For the
Sega Genesis and Sega CD


This is a compressed quick list of the very best achievements previously created for this game platform. Included is a fast review of the reasons for coveting the software in question. Some titles may be hard to acquire, or out of print. All games on this list should be considered to be well above average, even exceptional. All are worthy acquisitions. Not listed in order of importance.
TITLE: Sonic The Hedgehog (1,2,3, Sonic & Knuckles for Genesis, Sonic CD; all titles!)
PUBLISHER: Sega
REVIEW: Anything Sonic seems inevitably wonderful, all the games are classics!
TITLE: Earthworm Jim (All Titles) for Genesis and Sega CD
PUBLISHER: Shiny Entertainment / Playmates
REVIEW: Earthworm Jim is solid gold. Perfection in platforming, Instant classic.
TITLE: Toe Jam and Earl (original and sequel 'Panic On Funkotron') for Genesis
PUBLISHER: Sega
REVIEW: Brilliant 1 or 2 player entertainment. Absolute classics, marvelous.
TITLE: Gunstar Heroes, Dynamite Headdy for Genesis
PUBLISHER: Sega / Treasure
REVIEW: Under promoted masterpieces of rapture. Brilliant beyond compare.
TITLE: Vectorman for Genesis
PUBLISHER: Blue Sky
REVIEW: Mind crushingly incredible programming. Stunning platform action. Astounding!
TITLE: Ristar for Genesis
PUBLISHER: Sega
REVIEW: What the creator of Sonic wanted to do originally. Stunning, achingly beautiful.
TITLE: Shining Force (all versions- Genesis, Game Gear, CD)
PUBLISHER: Sega / Team Sonic
REVIEW: Strategy battle RPG brilliance. Seminal and magnificent.
TITLE: Rocket Knight Adventures for Genesis
PUBLISHER: Konami
REVIEW: Beautiful, wondrous platform romp. Stunning effects and superior gameplay.
TITLE: Lunar 1 & 2, and Popful Mail for Sega CD
PUBLISHER: Working Designs
REVIEW: If you have a CD, you will likely own these. If not GET THEM! little is greater. Supreme.
TITLE: Snatcher for Sega CD
PUBLISHER: Konami
REVIEW: Adult and amazing. Brilliant RPG. Enter 'KONAMI' as name in JORDAN to uncensor.
Honorable Mentions: Games not in my top ten, but almost as good, the cream of the remaining crop, very worth acquisition! Good to Excellent, and worth your money:

Ecco The Dolphin (all versions, Genesis and CD),
Buster's Hidden Treasure (Genesis),
Keio Flying Squadron (Sega CD),
McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure (Genesis),
Landstalker (Genesis), Wonder Boy In Monster World (Genesis),
FIFA International Soccer (All Versions, Genesis and CD),
Sorcerer's Kingdom (Genesis),
Sewer Shark (CD), Beyond Oasis (Genesis),
Magical Taruto (Japanese import cart for Mega Drive, requires an adaptor to play on Genesis),
Crusader Of Centy (Genesis),
Mega Bomberman (Genesis),
Rolo To The Rescue (Genesis),
Jungle Strike (and its sequels - Genesis),
Mickey Mania (Sega CD),
Castle Of Illusion (Genesis),
Sonic Spinball (Genesis),
Ecco Jr. (Genesis),
Battletech (Genesis),
Kid Chameleon (Genesis),
Cool Spot (Genesis),
Silpheed (CD),
Bouncers (CD),
General Chaos (Genesis),
Ranger X (Genesis),
Phantasy Star 2 and 4 (Genesis),
Panic (CD),
Chiki Chiki Boys (Genesis),
Syd Of Valis (Genesis).

Reviewed by Jennifer Diane Reitz, Oct. 23, 1995

Jennifer Diane Reitz is a Game Designer and Computer Artist, and one of the founders of Happy Puppy. She is the creator of numerous games and software products, including Boppin' , Shark Chums, Elsewhere, and many others. She has worked for such companies as Activision, Sculptured Software, Epyx, SRI, and Electronic Arts, and founded Accursed Toys. She has been active in the computer gaming industry since it's earliest days. She considers games to be works of artistic merit and achievement, and views computer entertainment as the most important media of our era.