Just arrived here - opinions, etc. please

[Roussimoff]

Hello everyone. Great site, very informative. My wife and I are long time fans and collectors of many things, Genesis games being one of them. The collection is coming along nicely, we only really started picking up games recently at GoodWill stores and the like. We have several systems including Game Gears and a Nomad. (Also loads of cords and controllers, but who doesn't, eh?) I'm looking forward to checking out either or both of those handheld systems, those are the systems I wanted 20+ years ago! Finding this site and seeing some of the imagery instantly reminded me of how I used to love Altered Beast, Streets of Rage, ("A smashing assortment of socks and belts" lol) and this very visceral game called 'Atomic Runner' which we used to play for hours into the night while blasted out of our gourds! (Am I allowed to say that here, or?)

I'd love some reccommendations as to which games to be looking for, as well as everyone's opinions regarding those two systems. (GeneSlim and something else...??:daze:)

Glad to be here and I look forward to the wealth of information and to some great swaps.

Thanks and regards,

A.G.

[Christuserloeser]

The model 1 Genesis with "High Definition Graphics" logo is the best variant out there so I would recommend that one.

Mega Drive / Genesis games I'd recommend:

Starter Pack / Essentials



Castle of Illusion
Quackshot
World of Illusion
Revenge of Shinobi
Streets of Rage 1+2
Wonder Boy in Monster World
Shining Force
Phantasy Star 4

6-Pak has quite a few of the must-haves on 1 cart (Golden Axe + Shinobi + Streets of Rage + Sonic 1 + Columns)

A flash cart is also recommended: NeoMyth 3-in-1 ($149, has USB + Sega Master System / Mark 3 support) or Tototek MD-Pro ($39, requires a parallel COM port) offer the best value for money ratio.

Something to consider when you're starting collecting Genesis games is that collecting cart-only is much cheaper than collecting complete in box, plus you're saving a lot of room which might be important if you're not a home owner.
On the other hand, collecting complete in box is definitely an option - unlike with NES or SNES.


Shmups


It would indeed be easier to list the bad games. Here are the good ones anyway:

Horizontal:
Aero Blasters aka Air Buster (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Air+Buster)
Arrow Flash (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Arrow+Flash)
Battle Mania aka Trouble Shooter (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Trouble+Shooter)
Battle Mania 2 (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Battle+Mania+2)
Crying aka Bio-Hazard Battle (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Bio-Hazard+Battle)
Darius II aka Sagaia (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Darius)
Eliminate Down (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Eliminate+Down)
Forgotten Worlds (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Forgotten+Worlds)
Gaiares (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Gaiares)
Gleylancer (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Gleylancer)
Gynoug (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Gynoug)
Hellfire (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Hellfire)
Insector X (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Insector+X)
Koutetsu Teikoku aka Battle Wings aka Steel Empire (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Steel+Empire)
Sol-Deace (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Sol-Deace)
Super Fantasy Zone (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Super+Fantasy+Zone )
Thunder Force 3 (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Thunder+Force+3)
Thunder Force 4 (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Thunder+Force+4)
Whip Rush 2222 AD (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Whip+Rush)
Wonder Boy 3: Monster Lair (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Monster+Lair)
Zero Wing (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Zero+Wing)


Vertical:
Dangerous Seed (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Dangerous+Seed)
Elemental Master (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Elemental+Master)
Fire Shark (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Fire+Shark)
Granada (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Granada)
Musha Aleste (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Musha)
Phelios (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Phelios)
Raiden Trad (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Raiden)
Slap Fight MD (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Slap+Fight)
Truxton (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Truxton)
Twinkle Tale (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Twinkle+Tale)
Twin Cobra (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Twin+Cobra)
Twin Hawk (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Twin+Hawk)
Undead Line (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Undeadline)
Vapor Trail (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Vapor+Trail)
Verytex (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mega+drive+Verytex)


Imports


The following games would be what I would consider the best Japanese exclusives. All of them are perfectly playable without any knowledge of Japanese. And all of them are better than 90% of the garbage they actually did release in the US and EU:

Action
Bare Knuckle III
Golden Axe III
Pengo
Pulseman
Sailor Moon
Rockman Megaworld / Mega Man: The Wily Wars
Alien Soldier
New Zealand Story
Mega Panel
Puyo Puyo & Puyo Puyo 2
Snow Bros.
Yu Yu Hakusho
High School Soccer feat. Kunio Kun
Magical Taruruuto-Kun
Magical Hat
Gouketsuji Ichizoku / Power Instinct
Devil Hunter Yohko
Rainbow Islands Extra
Dodgeball Danpei
Double Dragon 2
Dragon Ball Z
Wani Wani World
Dahna - Megami Tanjou



Shmups
Battle Mania 2
Gleylancer
Super Fantasy Zone
Panorama Cotton
Dangerous Seed
Darwin 4081
Undeadline
Slap Fight MD
Eliminate Down
Twinkle Tale
Twin Hawk / Daisenpu
Wonderboy in Monsterlair
Verytex
Zero Wing



Unplayable if you don't know Japanese: RPGs
Monster World IV
King Colossus
Langrisser 2
Phantasy Star 1
Surging Aura
Maten Densetsu
Dragon Slayer 1 & 2
Fushigi no Umi no Nadia
Rent-A-Hero
Vixen 357
Dyna Bros 1 & 2
Hybrid Front
Bahamut Senki
Blue Almanac / Star Odyssey
Lord Monarch



- Some of these have been translated into English by Neo Demiforce (Monsterworld IV) and MIJET (Langrisser 2, King Colossus) so I'd recommend a flash cart like the Neo Myth 3-in-1 or Tototek's MD-Pro if you want to enjoy them on real hardware.

Phantasy Star 1 would be playable via the Power Base Converter, it's really just the Master System game in a Mega Drive cartridge case.

[Alianger]

Good lists by Christuserloeser, I'd add Rocket Knight Adventures and Micro Machines '96 to the essentials.
Speaking of being stoned, Toejam & Earl 2 is pretty much the perfect game for those occasions.

Some Game Gear recommendations:
Aleste GG
Choplifter 3
Factory Panic
GG Shinobi 1-2
Gunstar Heroes
Head Buster
Kishin Douji Zenki
Lunar: Walking School
Ninku 2
Popils
Power Rangers: The Movie
Power Strike 2
Puzzle & Action: Ichidant-R
Ristar
Shining Force series (3 games)
Sonic Triple Trouble
Star Wars: Super Return of the Jedi
Sylvan Tale
Woody Pop
Yu Yu Hakusho 2

[Hiarcs]

Hello everyone. Great site, very informative. My wife and I are long time fans and collectors of many things, Genesis games being one of them. The collection is coming along nicely, we only really started picking up games recently at GoodWill stores and the like. We have several systems including Game Gears and a Nomad. (Also loads of cords and controllers, but who doesn't, eh?) I'm looking forward to checking out either or both of those handheld systems, those are the systems I wanted 20+ years ago! Finding this site and seeing some of the imagery instantly reminded me of how I used to love Altered Beast, Streets of Rage, ("A smashing assortment of socks and belts" lol) and this very visceral game called 'Atomic Runner' which we used to play for hours into the night while blasted out of our gourds! (Am I allowed to say that here, or?)

I'd love some reccommendations as to which games to be looking for, as well as everyone's opinions regarding those two systems. (GeneSlim and something else...??:daze:)

Glad to be here and I look forward to the wealth of information and to some great swaps.

Thanks and regards,

A.G.

Get this list as a rule;

Originally Posted by Christuserloeser
Castle of Illusion
Quackshot
World of Illusion
Revenge of Shinobi
Streets of Rage 1+2
Wonder Boy in Monster World
Shining Force
Phantasy Star 4

TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS!

[Jesse813]

Hello everyone. Great site, very informative. My wife and I are long time fans and collectors of many things, Genesis games being one of them. The collection is coming along nicely, we only really started picking up games recently at GoodWill stores and the like. We have several systems including Game Gears and a Nomad. (Also loads of cords and controllers, but who doesn't, eh?) I'm looking forward to checking out either or both of those handheld systems, those are the systems I wanted 20+ years ago! Finding this site and seeing some of the imagery instantly reminded me of how I used to love Altered Beast, Streets of Rage, ("A smashing assortment of socks and belts" lol) and this very visceral game called 'Atomic Runner' which we used to play for hours into the night while blasted out of our gourds! (Am I allowed to say that here, or?)

I'd love some reccommendations as to which games to be looking for, as well as everyone's opinions regarding those two systems. (GeneSlim and something else...??:daze:)

Glad to be here and I look forward to the wealth of information and to some great swaps.

Thanks and regards,

A.G.

Here are some Genesis gamForgotten Worldses worth buying:

Aladdin
Bio Hazard Battle
Bonanza Brothers
Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Comix Zone
Cool Spot
Decap Attack
Dynamite Headdy
Earthworm Jim
Forgotten Worlds
Golden Axe
Great Circus Mystery Starring Mickey & Minnie
Haunting Starring Polterguy
James Pond II
James Pond 3
Kid Chameleon
Lemmings
Master of Monsters
Phantasy Star IV
Puggsy
Quackshot
Revenge of Shinobi
Rocket Knight Adventures
Strider
ToeJam & Earl
ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron
Wiz 'N' Liz
Wonder Boy in Monster World
World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck

[tz101]

Did nobody mention Ecco - Tides of Time, Toy Story, Vectorman 1 and 2, and Castlevania Bloodlines? That's a crime...

[promking]

Streets of rage?? 1 and 2?
Pirates Gold

[Hiarcs]

Did nobody mention Ecco - Tides of Time, Toy Story, Vectorman 1 and 2, and Castlevania Bloodlines? That's a crime...

Agreed with Ecco, nice game, not to mention the Sega CD version which is truly unique

[Bramsworth]

The Sega CD versions of Ecco weren't as good as the Genesis ones. Mainly the FM synthesis helped seperate the Genesis one enough that it's its own unique experience. The Sega CD Ecco's just feel a bit too out of place with their music.

If you're looking for a good 2 player game then like suggested above definitely get Toejam and Earl 2. Best two player game on the system, I have lots of memories with it. It has a lot of haters, which I'll never understand. Maybe having someone else to play with is what you need to appreciate it better :)

[kool kitty89]

Sonic 1, 2, and Ecco tend to be super common and cheap, so good starters. Look around local thrift stores and see what catches your eye, if anything. Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles are great (especially together), but tend to be a bit more sought after. Online they tend to go for $6-10 shipped, cart only on average. (you could shop around though)

If you like any kind of sports games, there are a few which have stood the test of time to some extent and can still be pretty fun and unique. NBA Jam and some of the NHL games might be worth looking at.

As I say with anyone new, unless you're completely averted to it, I'd definitely try out emulation too (Fusion is excellent), if nothing else than to get an idea of games you like or dislike, or to play Sega CD games too. (the discs can be played right on the PC)
That and online reviews, including youtube, that and gameplay samples.

[The Coop]

These are all for the Genesis...


Adventures of Batman and Robin (Run 'N Gun)
Alisia Dragoon (Action Platformer)
Alien Soldier (Run 'N Gun) *
Air Buster (Shmup)
Arcus Odyssey (Action RPG)
Atomic Runner (Run 'N Gun)
Battletech (Action Strategy)
Beyond Oasis (Action RPG)
Batman (Action Platformer)
Bio-Hazard Battle (Shmup)
Blaster Master 2 (Action Platformer)
Bubsy (Platformer)
Castlevania: Bloodlines (Action Platformer)
Contra: Hard Corps (Run 'N Gun)
Cool Spot (Platformer)
Comix Zone (Action)
Desert Strike (Action Strategy)
Dragon's Fury (Pinball)
Dune: The Battle for Arrakis (Real-Time Strategy)
Earnest Evens (Action)
Earthworm Jim (Action)
Earthworm Jim 2 (Action)
Ecco the Dolphin (Action Puzzler)
Ecco: The Tides of Time (Action Puzzler)
El Viento (Action)
Elemental Master (Shmup)
Eliminate Down (Shmup) *
Fire Shark (Shmup)
Forgotten Worlds (Shmup)
Gaiares (Shmup)
Gargoyles (Action Platformer)
Gauntlet IV (Action)
Ghouls 'N Ghosts (Action Platfomer)
Gley Lancer (Shmup) *
Gods (Action)
Golden Axe (Hack 'N Slash)
Golden Axe 2 (Hack 'N Slash)
Granada (Shmup)
Gunstar Heroes (Run 'N Gun)
Hellfire (Shmup)
Herzog Zwei (Real-Time Strategy Shmup)
The Immortal (Action Puzzler)
Jungle Strike (Action Strategy)
Kid Chameleon (Platformer)
Landstalker (Action RPG)
Light Crusader (Action RPG)
The Lion King (Action Platformer)
M.U.S.H.A. (Shmup)
Master of Monsters (Turn-Based Strategy)
Mazin Saga (Action Fighter)
Mega Turrican (Action Platformer)
Mercs (Run 'N Gun)
Midnight Resistance (Run 'N Gun)
Monster World IV * (Action Platformer RPG)
Mystic Defender (Action Platformer)
Outlander (Action Driver)
Phantasy Star II (RPG)
Phantasy Star III (RPG)
Phantasy Star IV 9RPG)
Phelios (Shmup)
Populous (God Game)
Puggsy (Action Puzzler)
Pulseman (Action Platformer) *
Raiden Trad (Action)
Ranger-X (Action)
Red Zone (Action)
The Revenge of Shinobi (Action Platformer)
Ristar (Platformer)
Robocop vs The Terminator (Action)
Rocket Knight Adventures (Action Platformer)
Sagaia (Shmup)
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi (Action Platformer)
Shining Force (Turn-Based Strategy RPG)
Shining Force (Turn-Based Strategy RPG)
Shining in the Darkness (Dungeon Crawling RPG)
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (Action Platformer)
Skeleton Krew (Action)
Sol-Deace (Shmup)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Platformer)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Platformer)
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Platformer)
Sonic and Knuckles (Platformer)
Sonic 3D Blast (Platformer-ish)
Sprakster (Action Platformer)
Splatterhouse 2 (Action)
Splatterhouse 3 (Action)
Spot Goes to Hollywood (Platformer)
Star Control (Action RPG)
Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition (Fighter)
Streets of Rage (Beat'em Up)
Streets of Rage 2 (Beat'em Up)
Streets of Rage 3 (Beat'em Up)
Steel Empire (Shmup)
Strider (Action Platformer)
Subterrania (Shmup)
Super Fantasy Zone (Shmup) *
Sword of Vermillion (Action RPG)
Target Earth (Action)
Task Force Harrier (Shmup)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist (Hack 'N Slash)
Thunder Force II (Shmup)
Thunder Force III (Shmup)
Thunder Force IV * (aka Lightening Force in the US) (Shmup)
Tinhead (Platformer)
ToeJam and Earl (Action)
ToeJam and Earl: Panic of Funkotron (Action Platformer)
Traysia (RPG)
Turrican (Action Platformer)
Twin Cobra (Shmup)
Twin Hawk (Shmup) *
Undead Line (Shmup) *
Urban Strike (Action Strategy)
Valis III (Action Platformer)
Vapor Trail (Shmup)
Vectorman (Action Platformer)
Vectorman 2 (Action Platformer)
Verytex (Shmup) *
Viewpoint (Shmup)
Warsong (Turn-Based Strategy)
Whip Rush (Shmup)
Wings of Wor (Shmup)
Wonder Boy in Monster World (Action RPG)
Zero Wing (PAL version) (Shmup)
Zombies Ate My Neighbors (Action)


* = Japanese Import






Some are expensive, some are dirt cheap. But all are worth getting in my opinion. Try emulating the expensive ones (like Gley Lancer and Alien Soldier) to see if they tickle your fancy before potentially buying them.

[Smii]

Try emulating the expensive ones (like Gley Lancer and Alien Soldier) to see if they tickle your fancy before potentially buying them.

This is good advice. Not just for imports, but for games in general. Before I went insane and started collecting everything that said Sega on it, I found emulators really useful for discovering new good things to buy. (Of course, if you find a cart that's cheap enough and interests you at all it's probably advisable to get it anyway - might not be there later ;) )

Also, like Christuser said you're best off trying to find an original Model 1, then you could also look into mods & stuff later on for imports. The Nomad's a lot better than most people say, btw - it does do your eyes in a bit after a few hours, but I've still spent ages playing on mine!

Welcome to here, anyway. :)

[Mr Smith]

Ignore the long lists and buy Ecco the Dolphin - there's a good chap.

[The Coop]

But long lists lead to healthy gaming libraries, and healthy gaming libraries lead to happy gamers. Sore wallets, but happy gamers.


I read that in a fortune cookie.

[Jesse813]

sounds like a good fortune cookie :)

[Loggo]

These are my recommendations:

Sonic The Hedgehog/2/3/Knuckles
Shining Force / II
Phantasy Star IV
Gunstar Heroes
Shinobi III
Street Fighter 2: SCE
Herzog Zwei
Streets of Rage 2
Ristar
Contra: Hard Corps
Thunder Force IV
Ecco: The Tides of Time
Dynamite Headdy
Rocket Knight Adventures
Alien Soldier
LandStalker
Vectorman
Story of Thor
Comix Zone
Ranger-X
M.U.S.H.A.
Mega Turrican
Castlevania: Bloodlines
Sub-Terrania

[Roussimoff]

Awesome and always appreciated! :) Anyone have an opinion as to WHICH portable Genny to buy? We have a Nomad, but the old girl is lost in storage at the time, and I'm jonesing like Ryan Seacrest at a co*k party.

I'd hate to buy ALL of the recent handhelds, there must be one that is superior to the rest...

Whatever the hell they are called... 'Geneclit' or 'Segaplop' or whatever...you know the machines I'm referring to here..

Thanks!

A.R.

[QuickSciFi]

Welcome roussimof. Here are some games I recommend, but most of them have already been suggested anyways. I'll still post them to reiterate how awesome they are:

Disney's Aladdin
Disney's The Lion King
Disney's The Jungle Book
ToeJam & Earl - Panic in Funkotron
Vectorman 1 & 2
Thunderforce II, III and "IV".
Landstalker - RPG
Beyond Oasis - RPG
Light Crusader - RPG
Chiki Chiki Boys
Syd of Valis
Comix Zone
Dynamite Headdy
Earthworm Jim
Forgotten Worlds
Gunstar Heroes
Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure
Ren & Stimpy Show, The - Stimpy's Invention
Revenge of Shinobi, The
Road Rash I, II, III
Robocop Vs. The Terminator
Rocket Knight Adventures
Skitchin
Space Harrier II
Spider-Man/X-Men - Arcade's Revenge
Strider
Truxton
X-Men

[Christuserloeser]

I'd hate to buy ALL of the recent handhelds, there must be one that is superior to the rest...

I'd say that all things considered, and not counting the Nomad, the Gopher is worth a look: It uses the same emulation as all the other handhelds (with all its flaws in graphics, sound and overall compatibility), but allows you to feed it with any MD/G game via SD-Card.

Its main flaw aside of the terrible emulation (which plagues RetroGen and GenMobile as well) is that it does not support SRAM so you're limited to games with either passwords or action.

And sound is horrible no matter how you look at it (or listen to it, actually)...

All in all I'd stick with the Nomad. It's single only flaw is its screen... and its battery life ...and its size.

Still, if all you wanna do is play while relaxing in your garden, Nomad and an AC adapter + extension cord is the way to go.