That whole no-frills setup of showing yourself playing the games on a CRT with a tasteful spotlight on the controller-that’s one of the most simple yet innovative (and cost efficient!) things I’ve seen a game channel do. Bravo 👏🏼
Thank you! That was exactly the idea with it. It does usually take quite bit of tinkering given how fussy CRTs are to film, but I enjoy it and have gotten it to look better in my newer videos :)
@@dr.decker3623 I remember when the local pawn shop had shelves chock full of old tube TV's for dirt cheap cause flat screens were all the rage. It took me two months to track down a 20'' tube TV when I got back into retro gaming last summer.
Rocket Knight definitely fits as a #1 contender. It was actually treasure's last game at Konami before they formed their own company and made Gunstar Heroes. Great list! (My #1 is alien soldier, tho!)
It's true that some people who would go on to join Treasure worked on Rocket Knight, but it wasn't entirely done by them. Still, I'm guessing your point is that's part of the reason why it's awesome (which I totally agree with!).
@@RetroBirdGaming yeah, definitely a big part of its outstanding quality! And yeah, technically speaking RKA wasn't 100% by treasure devs, but I definitely get the same frantic, always-something-new feel from the design I get from gunstar and headdy!
Sonic 1, Castlevania bloodlines, streets of rage, Aladdin, contra hard corps, ....hmmm I love Tazmania too... let me ponder this nhl 94....this will be editied alot
Haha. Take your time. Aladdin is a solid choice. Always a fun one to play through. Glad to see you mention NHL 94 as well. I almost put that on my list.
Absolutely fantastic list, one of the few Genesis lists on RU-vid that doesn't contain any head scratching duds. Also giving Earthworm Jim the respect it deserves! ❤️
As much as people tend to complain about SEGA Genesis re-releases on modern platforms, we at least now have cheap, easy access to the best games in the console's library. I wish the same could be said for the Saturn or Dreamcast... Great video, though definitely bummed Phantasy Star IV didn't make the cut!
That is a great point. If Genesis games weren't so widely available the prices would probably be much higher for original carts. It would be nice if Sega re-released their Saturn and Dreamcast games just as often but most frustrating for me is their catalog of arcade games they ignore. We'll have to see how that Astro City Mini turns out.
Ghouls and Ghosts is cool but gameplay is stupidly difficult to the point of ruining the game. Even with the rewind feature it doesn’t make it much better. Golden Axe is classic, 3rd one seems to be the favourite so far.
I was always impressed by the text in Shining Force and it wasn't until I eventually learned how these systems worked that I finally understood why - it doesn't use a basic tile renderer and a fixed-width font. It renders the text in software from a variable-width font. It's a subtle thing but given how much the game relies on reading it makes a big impact.
Solid List. A game no one has mentioned yet is Beyond Oasis. It's in the running for my favorite genesis game. My only real gripe is that it's too short. However, if you try to 100% the game it will add a few hours to your game play time. Also, Toe Jam and Earl is a game I never get tired of playing and would be in my top 10. The random generated level layouts add a lot of replay value and the game is even more fun when played with a second player. I always appreciated the way they utilized the split screen element when players wanted to venture away from each other - I never understood why this option wasn't incorporated into other 2 player games (like Zombie's Ate My Neighbors, which is just frustrating when playing with a 2nd player). Also, my nostalgia factor for TJ&E is through the roof. The game just oozes early 90's pop culture.
Toe Jam and Earl is TOTALLY the 90s and I love it for that. Beyond Oasis actually crossed my mind when I was making this list (along with Landstalker which I always think of the two together). I figured somebody would mention it and sure enough you did! I'm not sure what I prefer between the Zombies ate My Neighbors camera and ToeJam camera for co-op. I kind of like how in Zombies it forces the both of you to co-operate more, but on the other hand ToeJam is nice for letting you go your separate ways (though I wish the camera transition was a little quicker). I guess I'm happy with both styles!
Fantastic list buddy, Rocket knight is a super solid #1 pick. I always liked Castle of Illusion, The Punisher, and Aladdin. But either way great list man. Keep up the solid work Love your channel
Glad to hear that you're enjoying the channel. Really appreciate it :) Castle of Illusion is always a fun little game to run through. It's got those early Genesis days vibes in all the best ways.
As a super nintendo kid I was surprised by the quality of the games on the genesis, specially from konami. Contra hardcoprs is my favorite and the best run and gun game of all time in my opinion.
Konami, Capcom, Treasure, Sunsoft to a lesser extent, Blizzard, even Sega themselves. Sega has US and European divisions that made good games too as well as Japan. Even EA made good games and not just sport titles either.
@@adamdenardis5438 I agree. Really an awesome system, I wouldn't say that the library is better than the library from the snes, but they are definetely closer than expected. And really there is no reason to enjoy one and not the other.
Yeah hard corps is far better than gunstar, and on equal ground w alien wars. Tough to say which is better. I think alien wars is more grande, but hard corps play style is maybe a bit better.
Awesome list! All greats. Kind of a toss up between Shadow Dancer and Shinobi III for me, both great Shinobi games. A couple of others that I like that are missing from your list are Ghostbusters and Castle of Illusion.
What's nice about Ghostbusters is that it was a popular license that actually had a good game made for it. Shadow Dancer is a nice pick as well. The one-hit deaths turn some people off but that game is solid. It's pretty sweet that 3 good Shinobi games came out for the console.
You did a perfect list... I think the only other one I'd say is TMNT Hyperstone Heist but as the cream of the crop for the best of (the most) accessible genres/games, you did perfect!
So you're the one who stole my toothbrush. Damn you! (angrily shakes fists) Nice list overall. 5 out of the 10 games mentioned are also on my top 10 so we have a similar mindset. Nice fly over shot of the games at the end. :)
Cool to hear our lists have so many similarities and glad you liked the shot of all the games at the end. You'll get your toothbrush back once you've played Thunder Force IV. That's the deal :)
Yes, Ristar probably would be in a top 20 video! Glad to hear that you're a fellow lover of Rocket Knight! I feel like most of the people who have actually played through it acknowledge it's a great game :)
Golden Axe Wonder Boy Toe Jam and Earl NHL 94 Zany Golf Mickey Mouse: Castle of Illusion Ghouls n Ghosts General Chaos Road Rash 2 Moonwalker So many good games!
Fantastically solid list of top 10 Genesis games. I would have liked to see Strider make the list. The gameplay and graphics of this masterpiece still amaze me to this day.
RKA is such a well made game. I've never played Bloodlines but being strictly a Sega guy up till the GameCube back in the day there are a lot of IPs I've not played till recently, like Zelda as well. I'm not a fan of Contra or games that are too difficult, I just don't have the patience, I'm running low on pads as it is. I'd probably swap a few of yours for Chiki Chiki Boys, Robocop Vs Terminator, Alien Storm and Micro Machines. A top 10 is pretty tough! Great video by the way, often these top x game videos have a feeling that you can't argue with it and that those are the top games full stop, but your videos are always open minded and easy going. Great to watch mate.
"Open Minded and Easy Going". Thank you. That compliment means so much because that's exactly what I go for. My mindset has always been that I welcome people having all kinds of different preferences when it comes to gaming because it's such a personal thing. I just love that everyone who watches has such passion for games and that's what matters the most to me. Thank you for watching. I'm glad to have you as a part of the channel.
I used to feel that way about Contra Hard Corps as well, howsoever if you play the Japanese version with a health bar, set to 10 lives and 4 continues and you'll discover how great it is.
Great list. I can’t imagine anyone would take issue with it. My guilty pleasure, way back in the day, was Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf. I played the Hell out of that game. The sequels never matched it. Another B-level title that’s better than it looks: Soldiers of Fortune. I know I know, not a classic by any stretch, but that game had great sound effects and solid art direction.
I enjoyed Jungle Strike quite a bit with more level variety and vehicles. But the sequels after that fell off for me. I could play Desert and Jungle Strike all day. I always wanted to play Soldiers of Fortune, it got a nice spread in Nintendo Power which made me curious about it. Guess I'll try it tonight.
Mega Turrican, Sunset Riders, Mazan Saga Mutant Fighter, Gaiares, Fire Shark, Midnight Resistance, TMNT THH, Phelios...just to name a few. Try Gunner's Heaven for the Japanese PS1. It has a Gunstar Heroes vibe.
Thanks for the top ten. It's interesting to see other ppls views. Though I have noticed that most lists tend to leave out EA and code master games like Desert Strike, Road Rash, Madden and Micro Machines. These were some of my favourite at the time (though nothing beats Streets of Rage and Thunder Force 4). I would love to see modern day remakes of these
I need to get on Lightening Force so I can keep my toothbrush! Great list. You picked my favorite Sonic and Shinobi. I'd have to think hard on how to rearrange the list order and include Aladdin, Ghouls n Ghosts, Hyperstone Heist and Beyond Oasis and like you and NES ADDICT say, I'd also have a hard time leaving NHL94 out. Any chance you're thinking about an 11 - 20 video?
Hey, found your channel a couple days ago and really enjoy your videos. 😊 So happy you included Shining Force II, it's one of my favorite games on the Mega Drive/ Genesis. 🙌
Hard to argue against your list. I am fond of Arcus Odyssey, Alisia Dragoon, Aladdin, Truxton, and Beyond Oasis as well and would try to include them either in the top 10 or as honorable mentions
Excellent #1. I didn't play a lot of Genesis games, but Rocket Knight Adventure - just as yourself - is the one I come back to and think about every now and then.
Nice list RB. I've loved the Genesis since getting my Altered Beast bundle in 89. Here are some of my picks. The NHL Hockey series is the best. -(They are all great, not just 94.) Streets of Rage 2 Golden Axe Road Rash 2 MUSHA NBA Live 95 ...Keep up the good stuff RB.
Glad you liked it! And yes, the entire NHL series is great on Genesis. I really like '93 in particular. MUSHA has some of my favorite music on the system and is always fun to play through as well. I actually don't own the cartridge for Road Rash 2 but it's on my Genesis Mini so I just play it there.
Not the best games, but I liked Populous, Kid Chameleon, Shadow Dancer, Haunting, Afterburner 2 Desert Strike, and the Phantasy Star series, Shining in the Darkness, and Toejam and Earl. I love the Nes but this was something different. I appreciate that.
I can't believe how much I agree with your list! For instance, agreed with Sonic 2 over 3, Shinobi 3 over Revenge, Shining Force 2 over 1, etc. All great and calculated choices. The only thing I would change is Rocket Knight Adventures. It's great, but not #1 for me. Aladdin would definitely get a slot in the top 10 on my personal list as well.
Some of my favourites: Sonic 2, Streets of Rage 2, Road Rash, Mickey Mouse: Castle of Illusion, Street Fighter II, Jungle Strike, Aladdin, NHL Hockey, Eco the Dolphin, NBA Jam, FIFA International Soccer.
Phantasy Star 4, Shining Force 2, Shadowrun, Gaiares, Shinobi 3, Warsong, Sonic 2, Dynamite Headdy, Gunstar Heroes, and Rocket Knight Adventures. Just what popped into my head as I considered it, and no particular order.
Cant go wrong with your list, Solid. many of your top ten would be in my top ten. I would throw Road Rash 2 in there somewhere, Vector man and maybe kid chameleon. My favorite shmup on the Genesis was Phelious. 😁✌
My favorite Genesis game so far has to be The Adventures of Batman and Robin. There's so much action on screen, so many enemies, awesome graphics, plays like a run and gun with cool up close combat animations too, you get to choose from Batman or Robin and it's 2 player.
I would walk 20 minutes to Blockbuster Video to hire Streets of Rage 2 for the weekend. Such a brilliant game. I have so much nostalgia for that gaming period. I loved the MegaDrive.
Like your way of showing game video footage on real CRT TV. Your ending video music really make me think of 80s and early 90s show on TV every time. I started to sing before your video ends. Haha
Sports games seem to get left off these lists. The NHL 94, Tecmo Super Bowl, Madden 92 where the ambulance runs guys over (ha!), and NBA Jam TE are super fun games, especially in couch co-op.
@@mrmojorisin8752 Oh fer sure! Hockey on the NES has 2 great games, Blades and Hockey. I play one with my nostalgia buds, and the other with the kids. I'm a big fatty so when I play with the kids I make my team all fatties. hah!
Man! My new favorite video of yours just because you referenced Surf Ninjas! Haha. I think this may be one of your best videos yet and I agree 💯 with this whole list.
Haha! Yes! I actually started watching it with my wife last night because the reference put me in the mood for it. We still gotta finish it tonight. I don't know how good of a movie it is, but it's very 90s and I love it for that. Plus, it constantly references a Game Gear so how can you go wrong? I also thought it was funny how Shinobi is the game that made me reference that movie and that's the game the kid talks about in the movie.
Hello from France 🤘😉 i will add golden Axe 2.... Thunderforce 3..... Wonderboy in monsterland ... Quackshot.... Batman.... kid chameleon ...And of course Gynoug (or maybe called wings of wor)👍🏻👍🏻
Very solid list. Decided to rack my brain and try to remember my own top 10. 1. Phantasy Star II (Setting/Story and Music top tier) 2. Phantasy Star IV 3. Landstalker 4. Sonic 2 5. Forgotten Worlds 6. Streets of Rage 1 7. Shinobi III 8. Sword of Vermillion 9. Kid Chamelon 10.Toejam and Earl
Upon collecting for the Genesis, getting Rocket Knight Adventures was one of the games that made me glad I was going on the hunt for the good games in the Genesis library. The controls are super responsive with great level design and very good looking detailed stylized sprites. And the MUSIC! The music on that first stage is one of my all time favorite video game tracks! I think it's my favorite Genesis game as well.
I keep seeing people putting Shining Force 2 in their top tens, but my personal preference has always been Shining Force 1? The major issue I had with SF2 is the ridiculous AI since it would send every monster at you at once. This made things both easier and harder since you could just bait the monsters and knock them off one at a time.
I like the way you edited the video and the joystick shot playing realtime the games. I give to you a list with other games: - Zombies ate my Neighbors - UMK3 - Rock Roll Racing - Ghouls N Ghosts - NBA JAM - Demolition Man - Sunsetriders - Robocop Vs Terminator - X-men 2 - Adventures Batman & Robin - The Punisher - Boogerman - Wrestlemania The Arcade Game
Holy crap, your list is practically the same as mine but not in the same order from 10 to 1. I would swap out earthworm Jim for Phantasy Star 4, Sonic 2 for Sonic 3&K, Streets of Rage 2 for Streets of Rage 3, and lighting force for Beyond Oasis. P.S I liked your lighting and shot choices in your video.
although those are among my favourites, my favourite shmup is an underdog, Bio Hazard Battle ... it just looks and sounds so amazing and the gameplay is on par with any Gradius.
You're one of, if not my FAVORITE youtuber. I always enjoy the content you release. And a big plus for me is that it's "family friendly", and I don't need to worry about any surprises for my little one to see/hear. 👍☺️👍
@@RetroBirdGaming That's light-years ahead and in my opinion, more acceptable that some of these tubers. 👍 Keep up the great work, my son and I love watching your content! (He's a banana lover too, which is why I think he enjoys it so much 😆)
my #1 is Ecco the Dolphin for sure. one of the greatest games ever made and is so unique. Bonanza Bros. is another amazing game that is extremely fun to play with someone else but also fun solo
For my romset, I tried to add the Japanese or European name to either the Title or Sub-title so that future me didn't think I was missing games. But for *_Beyond Oasis,_* I used the French name as the sub-title because I thought it sounded cooler: *_The Legend of Thor_* :P
Really cool list! Half of mine are the same, but I have to put two Sonic games on the list. From 10 to 1: Castle of Illusion, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Sonic 1, Streets of Rage 2, Sonic 2, Gunstar Heroes, Shinobi III, Castlevania: Bloodlines, Phantasy Star IV, Mega Man: The Wily Wars.
I would have included Phantasy Star 4 as well as Phantasy Star 2, Sonic 3&K over Sonic 2, Landstalker (most underrated Genesis game?), Beyond Oasis, Flashback, and I also would have to include a personal favourite and often forgotten metrovania style adventure game: Wonder Boy in Monster World.
Wow! I've never had a list align so close with my own tastes! All amazing games, most of which take advantage of what Genesis did best - push a lot of sprites really fast, creating action spectacles that the two competing consoles couldn't quite match. The Genesis was always my arcade-style action system of choice, while the SNES was my RPG system. The only change I'd make to this list other than some position switching, is replace Shining Force 2 (which is a great game mind you) with the early shmup gem that's MUSHA. What's funny is that I never played it until much later, using an emulator. I remember the box sitting for $19.99 at my local Software Etc and me always being curious about it, but never taking the plunge. I hadn't yet developed a taste for shmups, the name sounded stupid and it looked too "Japanese" to me. Playing "Lightening Force" a bit later is what activated my appreciation for shmups, but when I wanted to get MUSHA, Software Etc had replaced it on the shelf with some shitty new Sega of America game (Chakan, I believe). Anyway, keep spreading the gospel of Sega! Nintendo gets all the glory these days, but Genesis was an amazing system with its own unique feel and library of great games.
Congratulations for being one of the few youtubers to actually know how to play well Shinobi III, haha! :-D Whenever I see a video on this game, they "more often than not" don't know how to dash and slash with the sword, how to jump-kick, etc ...
That's a very good list. Me, I'd change out Thunder Force 4 for Truxton as I enjoyed it more. But I also seem to like vertical scrolling shmups more, too. And a personal Sega favorite of mine is Space Harrier. So simple, yet so much fun.
I definitely agree with sonic 2 as the best in the series. It's a timeless game. Other games on my list were Alladin, zombies ate my neighbors, and of course mortal kombat.
The dude approves of some Tennessee 🤠 ! Btw: I remember playing around trying to get a debug to work on Sonic 2 (never worked) but I did get the oil rig level music to play throughout the game ... It was so long ago . I do remember up c down c left c right c hold a and start for Sonic 1 though
If Nintendo or anyone never owning a Genesis/MD console should definitely use this as a great reference of must have/play games when considering gaming on the Genesis. Honorable mentions: Herzog Zwei, Comix Zone, M.U.S.H.A., Aladdin, Dynamite Headdy, Vectorman, Quackshot, Crusader of Centy, Sonic 3, Mega Turrican, Beyond Oasis, Mystic Defender, World of Illusion, Blades of Vengeance, X-Men 2, Golden Axe II, ESWAT, Alisia Dragoon, Rolling Thunder II, Ex-Mutants, Phantom 2049, Marvel Land, McDonalds Treasure Land Adv., Truxton, Grind Stormer, Landstalker, Shadowrun, Light Crusader, Alien Storm, TMNT Hyperstone Heist, Gaiares…whew, Top 100 perhaps?!
Awesome list. My list in no particular order: Arrow flash Sonic 3 (without knuckles) Streets if Rage 2 Phantasy Star 4 Shinobi 3 Lightening Force Elemental Master Contra Castlevania
You picked a lot of the same ones as I did. And Elemental Master, another game from Technosoft with amazing music. I also like Sonic 3 played by itself, only because it makes it quicker to play through the entire game in one sitting. Since you're so into shoot 'em ups, I gotta ask: what would your top 5 for the Genesis be?
@@RetroBirdGaming That's a tough question. I own most o them on the Genesis. But If I had to pick I would say 1) Arrow flash (I love that you ship transforms and you can set the "bomb" attack to charge OR stock) 2) Lightening Force 3) Elemental Master 4) Raiden Trad (It was the first Shmup I ever played) 5) Grind Stormer Those are the ones I find myself replaying most often.
Rolling Thunder 2 and 3 are in my top 10 Genesis games👍 Ive recently bought both games off ebay. I didnt know they existed on the Genesis back in the 90's when i loved the arcade original.
Phantasy star 3 & 4 Sorcerer's kingdom contra traysia landstalker sonic 1 & 2 el viento rocket knight adventures no specific order love others just keeping it to 10
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (Counts as one big game with the lock-on) Streets of Rage 2 ToeJam and Earl Ristar Dragon's Fury Burning Force Haunting: Starring Polterguy Mega Bomberman Comix Zone Shining Force That isn't putting them on any kind of tier, these are just the games I go back to the most.
So I got a genesis from a flea market a few months ago, I ordered UMK3 for it on eBay that same day, It arrives and I pop it into the genesis, and the game that comes up is Earthworm Jim 2… anywho my top ten list is Earthworm Jim 2, Mortal Kombat II, Battletoads, Sonic 1&2 (first two games I ever played), Maximum Carnage, TMNT Hiperstone Heist, Justice League Task Force, Splatterhouse and Shining Force.
Pretty good list. I'd add Phantasy Star IV. So many didn't play it because it was late release and $90. No reason not to play it now though and it's possibly the best 16-bit RPG. I wouldn't blame anyone for adding EA's NHL or Sega's Sports Talk Football. Personal fav of mine is Wonderboy in Monster World but I get why it wouldn't be top ten for most, like Rocket Knight it's way more popular now than it was at the time. I rarely see Gunstar Heroes as a #1 on these lists and it easily could be. It was easily the Genesis title that blew me away the most when it was released, I had no idea what I was in for.
A very solid list, RetroBird. Every game on it is a classic and definitely worth playing. Of course, my list is going to be different: 1. Sonic 3 & Knuckles 2. Rocket Knight Adventures 3. Gunstar Heroes 4. Phantasy Star IV 5. Ghouls N' Ghosts 6. Road Rash II 7. Thunder Force IV 8. Castlevania: The New Generation 9. Landstalker 10. Battletoads
Golden Axe 3 is still my favorite Sege Genesis game. I still can't understand why it wasn't released in the US when the Genesis was peaking in popularity in 1993. The AI was so much smarter, you could take different paths, more diverse enemies, aside from the lame magic, the game was perfect in ever way.
Fantastic list! My list would be a little different but thats because i mostly played coop games. 1. SOR 2/3 2. NHL 94 3. Aladdin 4. Contra 5. Gunstar Heroes 6. World of illusion 7. Micro Machines 3 8. Mortal Kombat 3 9. Castle of illusion 10. Quackshot
My top 10 Genesis games would be... 10: Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure 9: Dynamite Heady 8: Aladdin 7: G-LOC: Air Combat 6: Ninja Turtles: Hyper Stone Heist 5: Castlevania Bloodlines 4: Quack Shot 3: Rocket Knight Adventures 2: Streets of Rage 2 1: Sonic 3 + Knuckles Didn't get into RPGs until the PS2 era. One of these days I have to go back and play the Shining Force and Phantasy Star games.
Hello, i see many tops Genesis games in my life but i think, it's the first time in my life...i have nothing to say. Your top is perfect, this games are the perfection of Sega 16 bits area... Dude, thanks for your amazing taste. I agree 100000000%.
Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Super Street Fighter 2, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Sonic 2, Nba Jam Te, Tecmo Super Bowl, Castlevania Bloodlines, Tmnt Hyperstone Heist, Xmen, and Xmen 2; random order.
