The mid-nineties console wars between the Sega Genesis and SNES were fierce and heated. Back in the day, Nintendo and Sega couldn’t be caught porting the same game to their consoles, which then created two different games that both had the same name, but were very different when it came to gameplay and graphics.
Apart from the duplicate titles and differences in performance, the Sega Genesis and SNES also had games that were exclusive to their own systems. On the Sega Genesis, there were a handful of exclusive games that undoubtedly made SNES users bitter and jealous.
Shining Force: The Legacy Of Great Intention
The fantasy game Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention is a Sega Genesis title that follows a young hero named Max who needs to prevent an ancient evil dragon from being resurrected. The game employs a classic turn-based gameplay that needs players to carefully select and position their characters on the battlefield.
The game was never released for the SNES, but it was remade for the Game Boy Advance under the title Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon. Many gaming fans consider it a classic title that has set the bar for modern tactical RPGs due to its engaging storyline and highly-strategic gameplay.
Crusader Of Centy
Developed by Atlus, Crusader of Centy is a notable action-adventure game on the Sega Genesis. It follows the journey of Corona, a 14-year-old boy who has to take up his father’s mantle and use his sword to eliminate monsters that threaten to obliterate all humans.
The game’s interesting fantasy setting where humans and beasts live in harmony is seamlessly combined with immersive visuals and music. However, the game isn’t at all easy, and gamers who pick it up need to think strategically as well as be keen on exploring its environment to beat the game.
ToeJam & Earl
The 1991 Sega Genesis game ToeJam & Earl has developed a cult following due to its unique, humorous, and sarcastic take on the 80s and 90s urban culture, as well as its iconic titular characters who happen to be alien rappers. The game features procedurally generated levels that players need to explore in order to find helpful items and spaceship parts.
A big reason why the game is still popular today despite being released on an older console is its humor and enjoyable two-player cooperative mode. It’s a classic 90s game that can be played on modern hardware, as it has been ported to the Nintendo Switch.
Castlevania: Bloodlines
Avid fans of the Castlevania franchise consider the Sega Genesis title Castlevania: Bloodlines the best entry in the series. Developed and published by Konami, the game follows two vampire hunters, Eric Lecarde and John Morris who are on a mission from preventing a powerful vampire from awakening Dracula.
Just like the other games in the series, Castlevania: Bloodlines also has the same thrilling and fast-paced side-scrolling platforming action that will satisfy fans of the genre. Surely, SNES users were envious of Sega Genesis users, since Castlevania: Bloodlines was an exclusive game, unlike other games in the series.
McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure
There was a time when food chains partnered with game studios and released interesting titles. McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure is a platformer game for the Sega Genesis that starred the company’s mascot, Ronald McDonald. The game sees Ronald save his friends from an evil mastermind named Captain Crook.
Primary featuring platforming mechanics, McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure has a fast-paced side-scrolling gameplay that’s quite challenging but amusing. The game was also praised for its superb music and visuals that fit well with its narrative.
Kid Chameleon
The platformer title Kid Chameleon has fun mechanics where the gamer can choose from a variety of masks that gives them various powers and abilities. The Sega Genesis exclusive has a dedicated fan base due to its innovative gameplay and fun platforming mechanics.
Kid Chameleon also has balanced platforming and combat gameplay, which makes it an accessible but challenging game. It’s well-loved by gamers due to its gameplay which was considered fresh at the time, as well as due to its vividly drawn and charming visuals.
Mega Bomberman
Perhaps one of the oldest video game franchises is Bomberman. The series’ 1994 entry for the Sega genesis features the same beloved top-down gameplay where gamers need to use bombs to clear blocks, as well as trap and kill enemies.
Gamers are given the option to use animal power-ups in order to quickly get through the game’s levels. The game can be played solo or with up to 4 players, and players can expect a smooth multiplayer experience and high replay-ability, two aspects that the franchise is known for.
MUSHA
MUSHA is a Sega Genesis game about the titular mecha vehicle that needs to traverse a post-apocalyptic world, defeating giant bosses and mobs of evil enemies in the process. The game was a Japan-exclusive title, although other territories were able to obtain it as an unofficial ROM.
Apart from the game’s incredible high-quality visuals and seamless animation, MUSHA has achieved cult status due to its challenging gameplay. Modern gamers who want to see how difficult MUSHA is can play the iconic side-scrolling on the Nintendo Switch as it is included in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
Shining Force 2
The second entry in the Shining Force series has wowed many fans of the retro games, although its story is not at all related to its predecessor. In the tactical RPG, gamers control the leader of the Shining Force, Bowie. The game has a sprawling story that introduces a variety of characters that have their own backstories, weapons, and abilities.
It’s a game that requires gamers to be strategic and plan ahead, especially since the terrain plays a huge part on how each game goes. Apart from being a Sega Genesis exclusive, the game was also only released in Japan, which surely made SNES users jealous. However, the game was later made available worldwide as an unofficial ROM.
Rocket Knight Adventures
Rocket Knight Adventures is a side-scrolling platformer that was offered by the popular game development studio Konami. In the game, players assume control of an opossum knight named Sparkster, who needs to save their kingdom from Devligus Devotindos, a malicious pig emperor.
The game has a couple of fun features, such as Sparkster’s Rocket Pack which allowed them to reach new areas, as well as s avoid enemies. The game had plenty of entertaining levels to keep Sega Genesis users happy. Its impressive graphics, excellent controls, and engrossing narrative were incredibly fun — so much so that the franchise received another entry as well as a spin-off.
Source:gamerant.com