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SEGA Genesis/Megadrive are widely considered to be a perfect home consoles of 16-bit era along with their rivalry such as Super Nintendo Entertainment System which is a important example of being a greatest console wars competitors of gaming industries. It was very best known for their numerous of arcade title hits that been ported to SEGA's 16-bit home system like Altered Beast, Golden Axe, NBA Jam, Street Fighter 2: Special Champion Edition, Mortal Kombat, and Outrun while sharing with their groundbreaking console-only titles such as Gunstar Heroes, Shinobi 3, Thunder Force IV, Columns, Street of Rage, and of course Sonic the Hedgehog are among being listed as the greatest game of all time.
Despite SEGA Genesis/Megadrive had gain popularity for its system quality and has numerous of game libraries, I wanted to focus on some of the forgotten titles that didn't get much credit they deserved due to poor sales and not many people have heard the game before, but it is a good reason to have these kinds of obscure games that are worth picking up for your collection. I'm going to list some of the hidden gems titles that are actually decent to play for its playability, quality visuals, and great soundtrack that the game has to offer.
So without go further do, here is my top 5 Hidden Gems SEGA Genesis/Megadrive Games.
5 - Zero Tolerance
In the year between 1992 and 93, we all know those commercially successful titles that originally came out on the PC hardwares such as Wolfenstein 3d and Doom were widely considered to be a huge pioneer of the First Person Shooter genres had inspired several of video game developers to make their own FPS games with Wolf 3D or Doom alike approach style like Blake Stone: Alien of Gold, Rise of the Triad, Alien Trilogy, Powerslave, and of course Duke Nukem 3D.
There is a FPS game released in 1994 that no one had heard of it before was the Zero Tolerance for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive which was developed by Technopop who previously did worked on their early title such as The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin for SEGA's 16-bit hardware, while it was published by Accolade who was known for its infamous Bubsy franchise.
Don't let the publisher logo fooled you because this game is actually pretty decent for the 16-bit console system as it is one of the first game that never bought it at the PC hardware.
You take control of some playable soldier to take all down those aliens while aiming to beat the whole 40 levels of single player campaign.
The game is somewhat similar to early PC shooters like Wolf 3d as it plays on the first-person perspective. Instead of collecting keys to gain access at the new areas and proceed to the exit like normally from Wolf 3d, your goal is to kill all of the enemies on a level before proceeding to the exit, which is either a staircase or elevator leading down to the next level. I find the idea of the game's objective is pretty unique for its FPS genres as it adds a new elements of gameplay style.
Speaking of gameplay, I really liked the choice of weapons which had worked effectively against some types of enemies, the level design is quite simple and straightforward which makes the game less complicated to play, and the game's challenge is quite positive overall despite the game's difficulty is making harder to beat but really adds the fun factor of the game itself.
What makes the game even enjoyable was ability to use Link Cable support that allows you to play 2-player mode with your friends through couch co-op which I finding it very innovative at the time right before Sony did a similar approach with their PS1's Link Cable for some compatible multiplayer titles.
The graphics in the game is acceptable for the 16-bit hardware with useful layouts such as bottom map screen, top-screen weapon slots, and sides health and ammo percentages while in-game design is rather looking impressive for its level environments and 2D enemy's sprites. The gameplay had played decently regarding with SEGA's 3-button game controller had handled well for its combat playability and movement control which is absolutely spot on.
I considered Zero Tolerance is a criminally underrated FPS game that didn't get a sequel as they already cancelled the development due to lack the success of the original game, so if you're into with the classic FPS game then give this game a go.
4 - Red Zone
There is a FPS game released in 1994 that no one had heard of it before was the Zero Tolerance for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive which was developed by Technopop who previously did worked on their early title such as The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin for SEGA's 16-bit hardware, while it was published by Accolade who was known for its infamous Bubsy franchise.
Don't let the publisher logo fooled you because this game is actually pretty decent for the 16-bit console system as it is one of the first game that never bought it at the PC hardware.
You take control of some playable soldier to take all down those aliens while aiming to beat the whole 40 levels of single player campaign.
The game is somewhat similar to early PC shooters like Wolf 3d as it plays on the first-person perspective. Instead of collecting keys to gain access at the new areas and proceed to the exit like normally from Wolf 3d, your goal is to kill all of the enemies on a level before proceeding to the exit, which is either a staircase or elevator leading down to the next level. I find the idea of the game's objective is pretty unique for its FPS genres as it adds a new elements of gameplay style.
Speaking of gameplay, I really liked the choice of weapons which had worked effectively against some types of enemies, the level design is quite simple and straightforward which makes the game less complicated to play, and the game's challenge is quite positive overall despite the game's difficulty is making harder to beat but really adds the fun factor of the game itself.
What makes the game even enjoyable was ability to use Link Cable support that allows you to play 2-player mode with your friends through couch co-op which I finding it very innovative at the time right before Sony did a similar approach with their PS1's Link Cable for some compatible multiplayer titles.
The graphics in the game is acceptable for the 16-bit hardware with useful layouts such as bottom map screen, top-screen weapon slots, and sides health and ammo percentages while in-game design is rather looking impressive for its level environments and 2D enemy's sprites. The gameplay had played decently regarding with SEGA's 3-button game controller had handled well for its combat playability and movement control which is absolutely spot on.
I considered Zero Tolerance is a criminally underrated FPS game that didn't get a sequel as they already cancelled the development due to lack the success of the original game, so if you're into with the classic FPS game then give this game a go.
4 - Red Zone
I was familiar with the game like Red Zone which is a top-down shooter title for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive. It was developed by Zyrinx which is a same team that did worked on their titles such as Sub-Terrania for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive and Scorcher for SEGA Saturn. The game was originally titled as Hardwired as they trying to get SEGA to publish the game, but unfortunately it never actually happen instead the Time Warner Interactive had to took over the rights to publish the game as it been re-titled as Red Zone at the final release in 1994.
Its one of the game that uses the numerous of graphical technologies that were not prevalent at the time on the SEGA Genesis/Megadrive which allows developers team to push the game into hardware limits. It featured rotation background for textures, 3D Vector graphics for its sprites and objects, Realtime Zoom and FMV Compression which does not requires the use of console add-ons making it the most technically impressive title that Zyrinx had ever produced.
I was blown away with the opening presentation of the game with kick ass FMV opening intros and animation sequences of characters which is very good to see how the developers can able to fit straight in the game's cartridges regarding with the cart's MB limitation.
The game is kinda like the EA's top-down shooter Urban Strike for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive as it plays on top-down perspective where you take control of overhead helicopter to take down those enemy in order to reach at the enemy's bases while other levels is more like the on-foot segment where you get to choose these three playable characters as your main objective is to plant self-destruct at the enemy's bases.
The top-down gameplay is quite playable as it takes while to get used with the helicopter controls at the overhead stages while the combat gameplay is pretty responsive for most part of the game with great selection of weapons for both gameplay segments. The graphics for most part is super impressive to see how SEGA's 16-bit hardware can able to manage the whole environment of technologies as you can see the overhead perspective in on-foot stage has magnificent level design which utilises the 3D environments of building stages and has realistic look of character's sprite animation while most of the vector objects and special effects in helicopter segments are looking spectacular for most part.
The game really has intense electronic soundtrack was composed by Jesper Kyd who previously had worked on his music on some titles such as Amok, AWS Pro-Soccer Moves, Sub-Terrania, Adventures of Batman and Robin, and Scorcher while he still continuing to work his music on later best known video game series such as Hitman and Assassin's Creed as most of the soundtrack on this game is sounds absolutely wicked for most of the in-game levels meaning it's gets you pumped up ready for the epic action.
Despite some positive aspects, the game might not be suitable for everyone to play this regarding with the game's difficulty is somewhat pretty unforgiving to play, yes I know its painfully hard, but if you can get a hands on with this type of action-packed game then be fully prepared for the bigger challenge.
3 - Mega SWIV
Its one of the game that uses the numerous of graphical technologies that were not prevalent at the time on the SEGA Genesis/Megadrive which allows developers team to push the game into hardware limits. It featured rotation background for textures, 3D Vector graphics for its sprites and objects, Realtime Zoom and FMV Compression which does not requires the use of console add-ons making it the most technically impressive title that Zyrinx had ever produced.
I was blown away with the opening presentation of the game with kick ass FMV opening intros and animation sequences of characters which is very good to see how the developers can able to fit straight in the game's cartridges regarding with the cart's MB limitation.
The game is kinda like the EA's top-down shooter Urban Strike for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive as it plays on top-down perspective where you take control of overhead helicopter to take down those enemy in order to reach at the enemy's bases while other levels is more like the on-foot segment where you get to choose these three playable characters as your main objective is to plant self-destruct at the enemy's bases.
The top-down gameplay is quite playable as it takes while to get used with the helicopter controls at the overhead stages while the combat gameplay is pretty responsive for most part of the game with great selection of weapons for both gameplay segments. The graphics for most part is super impressive to see how SEGA's 16-bit hardware can able to manage the whole environment of technologies as you can see the overhead perspective in on-foot stage has magnificent level design which utilises the 3D environments of building stages and has realistic look of character's sprite animation while most of the vector objects and special effects in helicopter segments are looking spectacular for most part.
The game really has intense electronic soundtrack was composed by Jesper Kyd who previously had worked on his music on some titles such as Amok, AWS Pro-Soccer Moves, Sub-Terrania, Adventures of Batman and Robin, and Scorcher while he still continuing to work his music on later best known video game series such as Hitman and Assassin's Creed as most of the soundtrack on this game is sounds absolutely wicked for most of the in-game levels meaning it's gets you pumped up ready for the epic action.
Despite some positive aspects, the game might not be suitable for everyone to play this regarding with the game's difficulty is somewhat pretty unforgiving to play, yes I know its painfully hard, but if you can get a hands on with this type of action-packed game then be fully prepared for the bigger challenge.
3 - Mega SWIV
One of the game that I remember back then when my cousin bought it from the rental store which is Mega SWIV (A.K.A Super SWIV for SNES), a vertical scrolling shooter created by SCi Games which is a extended port of the 1992 SNES title's Super SWIV. It is a third title of the SWIV series following 1988's Silkworm and 1991's SWIV for Home Computers.
Its kinda odd to see that SEGA Genesis/Megadrive version of the game is being exclusively to European releases in 1994 meaning that it never got released at US release, so unlike the SNES version was also been released in the US are being re-titled as Firepower 2000.
The game's plot involves a secret underground race on an island in the Atlantic Ocean which has stolen top military vehicles and equipment from around the world which allowing them to built powerful war machines to destroy the nation, so your goal is to infiltrate their base and destroy them before its too late.
You get to choose between these two playable vehicles such as helicopter which will not be blocked by obstacles, while Jeep has ability to shoot in different direction. It has nine different kinds of weapons that you get to use it for in-game action such as flame, plasma, laser, and other special weapons which comes in useful.
It plays on vertical scroll perspective as you take control of what playable vehicle you're playing are required to shoot down enemies and avoid enemy's projectiles.
Unfortunately most critics finding this version aren't faithful as the SNES counterpart, so the SEGA Genesis/Megadrive version had missing Jeep's ability to jump over the obstacles was present on the SNES version and it also criticised the game for its missing 16-colour palette and the Enemy's A.I weren't recreated faithfully, causing Mega SWIV to become an easier game.
Despite the flaws, I don't think this version are just bad as everyone think because I find this game is still fun to play regarding this version of the game did get some bad reputation from critic's point of view.
The game still had a similar vibes to the original SNES version for its gameplay style and presentation settings as the game is still somewhat playable for the whole levels with unique weapons to choose from and it has interesting gameplay mechanics on both playable vehicles which adds the new elements of the shoot em ups genres and you can also play 2-player co-op with your friends through the entire level which makes the game fun to play. The graphics in this version is not as bad for most part as I really liked the looks of sprite animation of vehicles and the use of special effects in the game, but I find the whole environment is quite muddy for its textures based level design and it was bit zoomed-in too close at the level bases compared with the SNES version has better looking environments and it was zoomed-back away from level bases.
So far, Mega SWIV is an acceptable vertical scroll shooter that may be worth for pick up and play, so the SEGA console owners might able to still give this game a second chance.
2 - Mega Turrican
Turrican series was originated in Home Computer gaming of early 90's which was developed by Rainbow Arts for the Commodore 64 while the Amiga port was developed by Factor 5. The first and second Turrican game was well received at the release especially with Amiga as being a superior to all Home Computers version. While the series had becoming quite popular on the Home Computer release, the third title was in development for the Amiga version by Factor 5, but unfortunately they never able to finish the Amiga demo instead they transferred to other teams such as Kaiko/Neon Studios had to took over the Amiga development in 1993, while Factor 5 been working on SEGA Genesis/Megadrive version re-titled as Mega Turrican in 1994.
Mega Turrican is a Run N Gun game for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive created by Factor 5 and it was sequel to previous two titles of the series.
The story involves dark forces under the Machine command are starting to assemble again allowing to destroys dozens of planets and enslaves hundreds of mankind. As Bren McGuire (A.K.A Turrican) receiving a message from young girl pleads him to save her planet, he sets off his mission to defeat a dark forces of the Machine.
Just like the previous installment, it plays on 2D perspective where you play as Turrican has to complete numerous of large levels involves searching for secrets to pick up items and enemies to shoot. There are different types of power-ups that makes your weapon stronger such as multiple spread gun that shoots wide-orange bullets, laser that shoots powerful green plasma, and rebound that fires shots directly up and down that travel along floors and ceilings. He has ability to use wheel-mode allows him to roll around while planting small bombs and using his rope allows him to swing around in the stage.
So far, the style of gameplay has unique upgradable weapons, great platforming stages, and cool boss battle that adds up the fun factor of the game. The graphics in the game is pretty look fantastic for the SEGA's 16-bit hardware which heavily utilised with the use of parallax effects for its background scrolling animation and it has rich looking environments with well textured stages, and whomping special effects. Turrican series are also known for having a best soundtrack in every stages as it was composed by Chris Huelsbeck did a spectacular job of making perfect soundtrack that fits well to the series.
While I've enjoyed this type of Run N Gun classics, this is definitely must play for not just the fans of the series, but the fans of the genres will be amazed how awesome this game plays.
1 - Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure
I remember watching this show when I was a kid back then. Tiny Toon Adventures is a early 90's slapstick cartoon show created by Warner Bros Animation and Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment.
It sort of like a miniature version of Looney Tunes series which retains a same slapstick style and it also uses the parodies and references of the current events of the early 1990s and Hollywood culture.
It had becoming one of the most memorable animated show that made the series so popular at the times. It has lovable wacky characters, sense of humour and personality, funny jokes, slapstick moments, musicals and great storylines. The success of the show had spawned with merchandises, spin-offs, films and of course video games.
Konami had shares with their great licensing titles based on films and shows like TMNT: The Arcade Game, The Simpsons Arcade, and X-Men Arcade, but I was expecting to see any of Tiny Toon Adventures games turned out to be just great as what Konami had did with their previous licensed titles. At the start, I wasn't impressed with the game like Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Bust Loose! on SNES due to awkward controls, wonky camera system, and cheap level design which I felt regretted that I should have been brought a better Tiny Toon game than this, so I decided to pick up a game called Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive.
It's definitely a huge step up in the right direction because I actually liked this game a lot better over a Buster Bust Loose! on SNES.
It's a 2D platformer game developed by Konami where you get to play as Buster Bunny has his mission to trace down and defeat Montana Max, who has stolen and hidden some treasure and rescue Babs Bunny and several of his friends have been brainwashed by these foes such as Roderick Rat and Gene Splicer.
You will have overworld map screen which is similar to Nintendo's Super Mario World which lets you explore around the map and select any of levels to choose from, so your goal is to complete all the stages as possible including all the hiddens and boss stage. In the in-game stages, Buster has his ability to dash and run, jump on enemies, wall jump, and use special. Each of the levels has different sets of locations such as grasslands, forrest, cave, lava and more. You get to collect items in the stage like carrot for adding score points, heart to increase health, Buster head to add your lives, and Diamond to make you invulnerable for a short time. You can also discover a hidden levels by finding the green flightless bird named Gogo Dodo will allow you to enter a portal which leads to the unlockable secret levels.
I've enjoyed this game quite a lot because it has great playability for its stable control scheme, well made level design that made the game easier to navigate, the boss battle is quite entertaining to play, and has nice replay values that is worth for playing again. I also liked the cartoony style graphics in the game are also fits right for the Tiny Toon universe making it more colourful and wacky for its characters, stages and presentation.
It's definitely an underappreciated 2D platformer title for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive library that the fans of the genres will soon able to appreciate this quality platformer game that is worth picking it up, so I was lucky I got this for £6 in full complete boxed game.
Honorable mentions:
Granada
Gaires
Arcus Odyssey
Alien Soldier
Crue Ball
Dragon's Fury
Ranger X
Disney's Quackshot
Chiki Chiki Boys
Dynamite Headdy
MERCS
If you like my recent blog, please hit like and comment below for further questions.
This is Zeeshan Mirza's Blog and I'll see you next time, happy blogging everyone.
The game's plot involves a secret underground race on an island in the Atlantic Ocean which has stolen top military vehicles and equipment from around the world which allowing them to built powerful war machines to destroy the nation, so your goal is to infiltrate their base and destroy them before its too late.
You get to choose between these two playable vehicles such as helicopter which will not be blocked by obstacles, while Jeep has ability to shoot in different direction. It has nine different kinds of weapons that you get to use it for in-game action such as flame, plasma, laser, and other special weapons which comes in useful.
It plays on vertical scroll perspective as you take control of what playable vehicle you're playing are required to shoot down enemies and avoid enemy's projectiles.
Unfortunately most critics finding this version aren't faithful as the SNES counterpart, so the SEGA Genesis/Megadrive version had missing Jeep's ability to jump over the obstacles was present on the SNES version and it also criticised the game for its missing 16-colour palette and the Enemy's A.I weren't recreated faithfully, causing Mega SWIV to become an easier game.
Despite the flaws, I don't think this version are just bad as everyone think because I find this game is still fun to play regarding this version of the game did get some bad reputation from critic's point of view.
The game still had a similar vibes to the original SNES version for its gameplay style and presentation settings as the game is still somewhat playable for the whole levels with unique weapons to choose from and it has interesting gameplay mechanics on both playable vehicles which adds the new elements of the shoot em ups genres and you can also play 2-player co-op with your friends through the entire level which makes the game fun to play. The graphics in this version is not as bad for most part as I really liked the looks of sprite animation of vehicles and the use of special effects in the game, but I find the whole environment is quite muddy for its textures based level design and it was bit zoomed-in too close at the level bases compared with the SNES version has better looking environments and it was zoomed-back away from level bases.
So far, Mega SWIV is an acceptable vertical scroll shooter that may be worth for pick up and play, so the SEGA console owners might able to still give this game a second chance.
2 - Mega Turrican
Turrican series was originated in Home Computer gaming of early 90's which was developed by Rainbow Arts for the Commodore 64 while the Amiga port was developed by Factor 5. The first and second Turrican game was well received at the release especially with Amiga as being a superior to all Home Computers version. While the series had becoming quite popular on the Home Computer release, the third title was in development for the Amiga version by Factor 5, but unfortunately they never able to finish the Amiga demo instead they transferred to other teams such as Kaiko/Neon Studios had to took over the Amiga development in 1993, while Factor 5 been working on SEGA Genesis/Megadrive version re-titled as Mega Turrican in 1994.
Mega Turrican is a Run N Gun game for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive created by Factor 5 and it was sequel to previous two titles of the series.
The story involves dark forces under the Machine command are starting to assemble again allowing to destroys dozens of planets and enslaves hundreds of mankind. As Bren McGuire (A.K.A Turrican) receiving a message from young girl pleads him to save her planet, he sets off his mission to defeat a dark forces of the Machine.
Just like the previous installment, it plays on 2D perspective where you play as Turrican has to complete numerous of large levels involves searching for secrets to pick up items and enemies to shoot. There are different types of power-ups that makes your weapon stronger such as multiple spread gun that shoots wide-orange bullets, laser that shoots powerful green plasma, and rebound that fires shots directly up and down that travel along floors and ceilings. He has ability to use wheel-mode allows him to roll around while planting small bombs and using his rope allows him to swing around in the stage.
So far, the style of gameplay has unique upgradable weapons, great platforming stages, and cool boss battle that adds up the fun factor of the game. The graphics in the game is pretty look fantastic for the SEGA's 16-bit hardware which heavily utilised with the use of parallax effects for its background scrolling animation and it has rich looking environments with well textured stages, and whomping special effects. Turrican series are also known for having a best soundtrack in every stages as it was composed by Chris Huelsbeck did a spectacular job of making perfect soundtrack that fits well to the series.
While I've enjoyed this type of Run N Gun classics, this is definitely must play for not just the fans of the series, but the fans of the genres will be amazed how awesome this game plays.
1 - Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure
I remember watching this show when I was a kid back then. Tiny Toon Adventures is a early 90's slapstick cartoon show created by Warner Bros Animation and Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment.
It sort of like a miniature version of Looney Tunes series which retains a same slapstick style and it also uses the parodies and references of the current events of the early 1990s and Hollywood culture.
It had becoming one of the most memorable animated show that made the series so popular at the times. It has lovable wacky characters, sense of humour and personality, funny jokes, slapstick moments, musicals and great storylines. The success of the show had spawned with merchandises, spin-offs, films and of course video games.
Konami had shares with their great licensing titles based on films and shows like TMNT: The Arcade Game, The Simpsons Arcade, and X-Men Arcade, but I was expecting to see any of Tiny Toon Adventures games turned out to be just great as what Konami had did with their previous licensed titles. At the start, I wasn't impressed with the game like Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Bust Loose! on SNES due to awkward controls, wonky camera system, and cheap level design which I felt regretted that I should have been brought a better Tiny Toon game than this, so I decided to pick up a game called Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive.
It's definitely a huge step up in the right direction because I actually liked this game a lot better over a Buster Bust Loose! on SNES.
It's a 2D platformer game developed by Konami where you get to play as Buster Bunny has his mission to trace down and defeat Montana Max, who has stolen and hidden some treasure and rescue Babs Bunny and several of his friends have been brainwashed by these foes such as Roderick Rat and Gene Splicer.
You will have overworld map screen which is similar to Nintendo's Super Mario World which lets you explore around the map and select any of levels to choose from, so your goal is to complete all the stages as possible including all the hiddens and boss stage. In the in-game stages, Buster has his ability to dash and run, jump on enemies, wall jump, and use special. Each of the levels has different sets of locations such as grasslands, forrest, cave, lava and more. You get to collect items in the stage like carrot for adding score points, heart to increase health, Buster head to add your lives, and Diamond to make you invulnerable for a short time. You can also discover a hidden levels by finding the green flightless bird named Gogo Dodo will allow you to enter a portal which leads to the unlockable secret levels.
I've enjoyed this game quite a lot because it has great playability for its stable control scheme, well made level design that made the game easier to navigate, the boss battle is quite entertaining to play, and has nice replay values that is worth for playing again. I also liked the cartoony style graphics in the game are also fits right for the Tiny Toon universe making it more colourful and wacky for its characters, stages and presentation.
It's definitely an underappreciated 2D platformer title for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive library that the fans of the genres will soon able to appreciate this quality platformer game that is worth picking it up, so I was lucky I got this for £6 in full complete boxed game.
Honorable mentions:
Granada
Gaires
Arcus Odyssey
Alien Soldier
Crue Ball
Dragon's Fury
Ranger X
Disney's Quackshot
Chiki Chiki Boys
Dynamite Headdy
MERCS
If you like my recent blog, please hit like and comment below for further questions.
This is Zeeshan Mirza's Blog and I'll see you next time, happy blogging everyone.
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