Whether you’re finally looking to start a retro collection or just now turning your focus to Sega Genesis games, it’s good to have somewhere to start. After all, North America had almost 900 licensed titles released.
So, we came up with the following list to give you a quick rundown on the Sega Genesis games you should pursue when starting a retro game collection for the system. They’re not in any particular order. Instead, we focused on titles that are obtainable, important to either the system or their genre, and poised to be a collector’s item. Some of them are even fun.
As always, let us know what you think and don’t forget to check out our online game shop to add to your collection!
1. Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
If you managed to get all the way through the controversial Phantasy Star III, you may have had second thoughts about getting Phantasy Star IV. This game is better in every single way, with a more cohesive story that hearkens back more directly to the original title as well as vastly improved gameplay mechanics.
As far as adding this one to your collection, you should be prepared to pay a fair amount. Around a million copies were published, but it’s still not the most common title. Unlike some retro games bought to expand a collection, this is one of the Sega Genesis games that still hold up to this day, so you can pop it in and have a great time.
2. Streets of Rage 2
In a weird twist, there seems to be some online backlash against calling Streets of Rage 2 one of the all-time greats on the system. Some say that the gameplay, graphics, and story of this beat ’em up are world-class for the era, but some modern takes are not as friendly.
Personally, I had a lot of fun smashing criminals across the cityscapes and enjoying the edgy music from the 90s. This game was popular in its day, and there are plenty of cartridges out there to collect for a fair price.
3. Shining Force II
Shining Force II is a tactical RPG, which was a bit refreshing for the genre at the time. The combat was fun and the game as a whole wasn’t afraid to be silly at times. I appreciated the character skill progression that turned your characters into much more powerful versions after hitting level 20. Still, the game can feel pretty slow in its original format.
This is another game that belongs in your collection because of its current and potential value. Loose copies of the game aren’t terribly expensive (as of this writing, obviously). If you’re an RPG fan, you’ll appreciate it as an important part of the genre.
4. Rocket Knight Adventures
You’re a possum named Sparkster. You have a rocket pack, a sword, and armor. There’s hundreds of enemies between you and your goal waiting to be walloped. On paper, Rocket Knight Adventures has all the makings of a horrible fever dream unique platformer.
The gameplay was certainly a lot of fun since you had to use the jet pack to reach all sorts of areas while taking out your foes. While it doesn’t rank high in terms of scarcity, you’ll enjoy having this popular and nostalgic game on your shelf.
5. Disney’s Aladdin
Another platformer, Disney’s Aladdin, took advantage of the film’s popularity to bolster sales, but it was destined for success either way. The graphics, fighting, and music were all high points for this game, and it put you in the shoes of your favorite street rat.
Selling an estimated 4 million copies throughout its run, it’s safe to say that you won’t have much trouble coming across one of these games. This is another one that you can pop into your Sega Genesis for a fun few hours and put it back into your collection knowing that you won’t have spent a fortune to get it.
6. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
I keep asking myself whether or not I actually have to justify this game’s spot on the list. To say it’s iconic is a bit of an understatement, right? Sonic the Hedgehog 2 improves on several aspects of the original side-scrolling platformer. The level designs were enjoyable and unique, and the music was absolutely fantastic. In fact, if you played it before, I bet you can still hear the music that plays in the Chemical Plant Zone.
You can add this one to your collection for cheap since it’s one of the best-selling games for the entire system. If you’ve never had the pleasure of zooming across the map or turning into Super Sonic, I highly recommend giving it a shot.
7. Road Rash II
This game is a love letter to everyone who has ever felt the boiling rage of just barely coming in second place in a racing game. Rather than just trying to be the first one to cross the finish line, the player character would smash their fellow motorcycle riders with a swift kick or the swing of a chain.
Road Rash II also lets you save up money to buy different bikes and boosts, or pay off fines. With its incredibly fun gameplay, two-player mode, and replayability, this title promises many hours of entertainment. Combined with its affordability and widespread availability, you’ll want this cartridge.
8. John Madden Football ’93
When John Madden Football ‘93 was released, it came with a ton of improvements from the last release year, including smoother gameplay, a wider assortment of Maddenisms (BOOM!), and the ability to finally throw a challenge flag on a bad call.
This entry solidified the popularity of football sports games on home consoles. As a result of selling over 1 million copies, the series gained enough renown to get official licenses from the NFL and NFLPA, allowing real teams and players to appear in the next release. This game is one of the least expensive on this list, so you could pick it up instead of ordering another avocado toast.
9. Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Take up the role of Joe Musashi once more (yes, that’s really his name) and go all John Wick on Neo Zeed one more time. Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master continues the series and, in the minds of fans, brings it back to its roots.
Once you get used to timing your jumps and the fighting mechanics, you’ll get to sit back and hear one of the all-time great soundtracks of any game on the Sega Genesis. This one is sitting in the middle of the pack in terms of price of cartridges on this list, and it’s also available. Take an afternoon to tear down a criminal syndicate in the coolest way possible.
10. NHL ‘94
By the year this was released, sports leagues got the memo that officially licensed video games were the wave of the future. When NHL ‘94 launched, it had real teams and players for the first time. Other important additions include being able to launch a “one-timer” and having control over the goalie position.
If you’re a hockey fan, then you may notice some familiar organ songs for each team as well. This game got rave reviews on the Sega Genesis and developed a bit of a legendary status that lasts to this day. It also sold over a million copies, so you’ll have no trouble finding one to buy.
Don’t Forget the 6-Pak
The famous 6-Pak includes Columns, Golden Axe, Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, Super Hang-On, and The Revenge of Shinobi. Not only is it a good investment in terms of sheer bang for your buck, but every single title on it is a winner.
With these 10 Sega Genesis games in hand, your retro collection for the system will be off to a good start. If you’re looking to get a good base for another system, check out our list of 10 must-have NES games for your collection!