Genesis' last great year?

[16bitter]

I'd say 1995, a year that goes, or at least went at the time, greatly overlooked as far as the great software released that really pushed the hardware and was arguably of classic caliber.

Comix Zone
Ristar
The Adventures of Batman and Robin
VectorMan
Beyond Oasis (I still want to play this)
Earthworm Jim 2
World Series Baseball 95 (love this game)

There might not have been a large number of titles released, but overall there were some that were very memorable and pushed the Genny to new heights graphically. Sega's murder of the Genesis the next year was depressing, marking one of the quickest deaths of a generation since the crash -- cart format didn't help, but Sega just handed the generation over before its time.

On that same note, does anybody wonder what the Nomad's point was? Why release this handheld ostensibly to keep the Genesis going for who knows how many more years, only to kill the standard less than a year later? Huh? Just goes to show how badly Sega was being run back then.

[GeckoYamori]

You forgot Sonic & Knuckles and Alien Soldier

Overall 1995 was one of the very best years.

[16bitter]

Sonic & Knuckles came out over here in 94, but I assume it saw release in Sweden in 95? Did you guys get Alien Soldier on Mega Drive? I thought Sega withheld it in the West.

[GeckoYamori]

Yeah, Alien Soldier was released in Europe but not America. Sonic & Knuckles says Copyright 1995 so I assumed that's when it was released.

[16bitter]

You guys got Alien Soldier...

Meh. I'm jealous. The game would be over $100 if I tried to get it on eBay.

[GeckoYamori]

We have a tendency of getting great games during the end of a console's lifespan while you don't. Other examples are Mr. Gimmick for NES and Shenmue 2 for DC.

[16bitter]

I've studied Europe's game business a little bit, and much like historical sites I've noticed that your consoles get more respect later in life than ours do. They last longer, whereas this market is on to the next thing so quckly that the idea of the last generation having any merit is anathema. Which sucks.

It's probably a symptom of our overall culture.

[Melf]

We have a tendency of getting great games during the end of a console's lifespan while you don't. Other examples are Mr. Gimmick for NES and Shenmue 2 for DC.


You guys also got the superior DC version of Head Hunter. I still can't believe SOA passed on it.

[j_factor]

I'd say 1995 was indeed the last great year. Your list is way shorter than it needs to be though:

The Ooze
Skeleton Krew
X-Men 2
Light Crusader
Exo-Squad
Road Rash 3
Bubba n' Stix
Asterix and the Power of the Gods
Doom Troopers
Scooby-Doo Mystery
Zoop
Micro Machines T.E./'96
Premier Manager
Toy Story (well some people really liked it)
Mortal Kombat 3 / Ultimate (ditto)
Street Racer (ditto)
Plus most 32x games, and some stuff for Sega CD.

1996 really didn't have much in comparison:

Vectorman 2
Premier Manager '97
Micro Machines Military Edition
College Slam
Sonic 3D Blast
Nightmare Circus
Izzy's Quest (bleh)
Daze Before Christmas (I think it was '96?)

1997 had like, three worthwhile games (VF, Coach K, Lost World).

[tim333]

Haha, I said to myself "1995" before even clicking on this..

[Vicman]

Coach K came out in 1995. I know because I was playing it in the spring before I graduated highschool in 1995. IMO that game was a classic. I played it for years afterwards and still plug it in every now and then. :D

http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/genesis/data/586112.html
http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&SQL=GIH|||||7529

[16bitter]

What's Light Crusader like?

[crazyjoedavola]

I'm actually playing through Light Crusader now. It's similar to Landstalker in that it's played in that pseudo 3D style which makes for some good looking graphics, but precise jumping can be frustrating sometimes. It's probably heavier on the puzzle solving than combat which is fine by me because I like games that make me use the ol' noggin. If you're into this kind of game, I'd say definitely pick it up. I haven't played a Treasure game I didn't like.

[j_factor]

Coach K came out in 1995. I know because I was playing it in the spring before I graduated highschool in 1995. IMO that game was a classic. I played it for years afterwards and still plug it in every now and then. :D

http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/genesis/data/586112.html
http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&SQL=GIH|||||7529

Uh, that's weird. IGN and Gamestats both list its release date as June 1, 1997.

[Genesis Knight]

Light Crusader is well worth the $5 you'll shell out for it. Long game, incredible graphics and sound, solid gameplay = highly underrated.

[Vicman]

IGN messes up all the time. I'm constantly emailing them to add or correct stuff in their database. Stick with All Game Guide for accuracy.

As proof here's a picture of the main title:

http://www.consoleclassix.com/info_img/Coach_K_College_Basketball_gen_ScreenShot1.jpg