Definitely Shining Force 2. 1 is more linear, and while It plays very similar it kind of stinks you lack freedom to roam around the world wherever you want.
Vectorman is a great platformer.
this post was submitted on 23 Oct 2026
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Definitely Toejam and Earl. After the Sonic games those were the ones that we played most often on Genesis. First one is frustrating but entertaining and you will learn to hate cupid and hula dancers. The second one has kids mode where you can't die so you can play with all the ways you can die before you challenge it in normal mode.
General Chaos!
I think Suidoken fits here? Heard a lot of good press about it and I’ve enjoyed the little I’ve played so far. Originally a PS1 game but the ROM I have is for a Sega system, Wikipedia says it was Sega Saturn.
dreamcast had the best versions of: spider-man, and star wars episode 1 jedi power battles
Some additions to your list above. BTW I list Streets of Rage too, because you have Golden Axe and Comix Zone listed. Those aren't fighting games. Some games are better on SNES, like Zombies Ate My Neighbors, so I don't recommend it here.
Genesis / Mega Drive - Must Haves:
- Streets of Rage 1+2+3
- Thunder Force 3+4 (4 is also known as Lightening Force)
- Shinobi 3 - Return of the Ninja Master
- Dragon's Fury (also known as Devil's Crash) + Dragon's Revenge
- Gunstar Heroes
- Alien Soldier
Genesis / Mega Drive RPG / Adventure:
- Shining in the Darkness
- Wonder Boy in Monster Lair
Genesis / Mega Drive - More:
- Aladdin
- Adventures of Batman & Robin
- Mega Turrican
- Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
- Splatterhouse 2+3
- Virtua Racing
- World of Illusion Starring Mickey MOuse and Donald Duck
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - The Hyperstone Heist
THE AVENGERS
Sega CD:
Snatcher, The Terminator, Flashback (best version), Rise of the Dragon (best version), The Adventures of Willy Beamish, Dracula Unleashed
Loved altered beast in the arcade
If you're going to play Ys then I'd recommend the TurboGrafx CD version over the Master System version.
As for Sega games, Wonder Boy in Monster World is really good. Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap is also good, although the remake from a few years ago is pretty much a top-to-bottom improvement so I'd go for that version.
Starflight for the Genesis would be another recommendation.
I've gotta vouch for Sega Marine Fishing. Might be the best fishing game I've ever played.
shadow run is the rom I still download and play. it used the actual shadow run rules. if they had let you choose starting race, equipment, and skills instead of just 3 classes it would be massive.