The best game realesed for the genesis in 1994

[GEN ESIS GAMER]

I think that the best game in 1994 is streets of rage 3, but that is just my opinoin.:)

[Mr Smith]

Why 1994?

[GEN ESIS GAMER]

Because sales in 1994 were down so I wondered what game people thought was the best game in 1994.

[j_factor]

Phantasy Star IV, definitely.

1994 was possibly the system's best year game-wise.

[Joe Redifer]

Was 1994 the introduction of the cardboard boxes? The world would suck without them!

[Rusty Venture]

1994 was the one-two punch of "Sonic 3" and "Sonic & Knuckles".

Cosmic harmony was reached the first time those two games were combined (again).

[Mr Smith]

I always felt Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles were overrated and sewed the seeds for the decline of the series. As for the best 1994 game, I'm going to go with Ecco: Tides of Time.

[108 Stars]

Shining Force II.

[Demonic Weasel]

Shining Force II.

For once you have spoken the truth.

[Rusty Venture]

I always felt Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles were overrated and sewed the seeds for the decline of the series.

I thought it was kinda epic in it's scope, something Sonic has yet to attain again. I still hate those later mechanical levels that take damn near your 10 minutes to finish them (each).


His fall from grace happened when he didn't have his own (actual) game on the Saturn (3D Blast doesn't count).

[megabomberman]

sonic 3 and knuckles reached a level that platformers had never and have never since attained, shear perfection, beautiful graphics, loads of levels and an added save system that no other platformer i can think of has, Beautiful level design and the added bonus of different characters and two sets of emeralds to collect to extend replyability quite simply on of the greatest games ever made!

[Black_Tiger]

Genesis: Shining Force II
Sega-CD: Lunar EB
32X: Doom
SMS: Dynamite Headdy
Japanese Megadrive: Phantasy Star




Was 1994 the introduction of the cardboard boxes? The world would suck without them!

It looks like it was the year that Sega finally perfected game packaging.

[nineallday00]

castlevania: bloodlines

[Hidden_Darkness]

I can't pick just one game so im going to have to say sonic 3, castlevania bloodlines, dynamite headdy. as for the japanese side im going to have to also go with pulseman.

[Alianger]

Sonic & Knuckles for me but it's really hard to pick one for that year.
I do think that Sonic 3 is a bit overrated though, with its subpar music and slow paced, exploration type level design that doesn't really go well with Sonics speedy nature.

[Rusty Venture]

Hydrocity was still pretty fun to speed through. Grab that Bubble Shield and there isn't a care in the world for that level.

Carnival Night Zone kinda drags though.

[Vyse of Arcadia]

I can't decide. On the RPG front, you have both Phantasy Star IV and Shining Force II. Then there were Sonic 3 AND Sonic and Knuckles. And as if there weren't enough good games to play, there was Ecco the Dolphin: Tides of Time.

Honestly, as much as I love S3&K and Ecco, I'm going to have to go with SFII. It was my first RPG, and it opened the door to the wonderful world of roleplaying. Which included Phantasy Star IV, so I'm kinda killing two birds with but a single stone.

[Arjak]

I do think that Sonic 3 is a bit overrated though, with its subpar music and slow paced, exploration type level design that doesn't really go well with Sonics speedy nature.

SUBPAR MUSIC!?:wtf:

IMHO, Sonic 3 & Knuckles had some of the best Sonic music ever!

[Joe Redifer]

There are a few tunes in Sonic 3 and Knuckles (especially Knuckles) that sound a bit too twangy, like a US-made game does. Of course the Hill Top Zone in Sonic 2 is especially bad (and twangy).

[Vyse of Arcadia]

There are a few tunes in Sonic 3 and Knuckles (especially Knuckles) that sound a bit too twangy, like a US-made game does. Of course the Hill Top Zone in Sonic 2 is especially bad (and twangy).
My friends and I used to make fun of that zone. Something about how the "trumpet" sounds like a dying animal.

On the whole, though, I though the music in Sonic 3 was the best out of the Genesis Sonics. Sonic and Knuckles not so much. In fact, I hate to say it, but Sonic 2, despite numerous memorable tunes, had the worst out of the main Genesis Sonics. (Of course, if we want to include spinoffs, either Mean Bean Machine or Spinball easily has the worst music.)

[Rusty Venture]

"Hydrocity", "Marble Garden", and "Ice Cap" are three of the best Sonic tracks ever.

I even like "Launch Base" music.


The end credits music in S3 is better than S&K.

[Joe Redifer]

Michael Jackson did a great job with the music in Sonic 3. Rumor also has it that he programmed the game himself as well and had homo-sex with Yuji Naka in the back closet.

[UniqueUnit]

I'm going to have to go with the rest of the crowd: Sonic (3) and Knuckles. Really, it was a great climax and one heck of a way to end an era for Sonic. Three unique characters, zones with a little bit of everything, and beautiful graphics and great sound in each zone. It was like... epic, man.

Heck, even the advertising for the game was excellent. I still think that the S&K logo and the "Joining Forces" slogan is still pretty effective even today.

[Mr Smith]

Sonic 3 & Knuckles are good when combined but as single games they are somewhat lacking. The change of gameplay style from speed to adventure really did sew the seeds for the decline of the series with the focus seeming to shift to the story as opposed to the gameplay (which is ok if the game is good, but crap if the outcome is Sonic Adventure 2). Marble Garden Zone is the most contemptible level from the early Sonic games with Hydrocity a close second. Sonic 3 is stupidly easy with rings conveniently placed just before and after the "difficult" sections. Carnival Night Zone is poor man's Casino Night and that barrel trap of hate and doom is loathsome. Sonic and Knuckles is the better of the two games, however, Death Egg Zone really pisses me off. There are also too many bosses which you don't properly fight: Carnival Night 1, Lava Reef 2 and Death Egg Zone 2 spring to mind and I hate the fact that the awesome final boss from Sonic 3 is skipped when you attach it to Sonic & Knuckles.

[Alianger]

SUBPAR MUSIC!?:wtf:

IMHO, Sonic 3 & Knuckles had some of the best Sonic music ever!

I do agree about the & Knuckles part :) The S3 soundtrack had some pretty generic songs like Marble Garden (It bores me) and Hydrocity (one of them at least), and those Carnival Zone songs are just annoying. It's pretty cool that they had different mixes for each level.. but the style of some tracks make me think of american talk shows.

[Elusive]

Sonic 3's soundtrack is OK, I guess. A shame it's attached to such a slow, buggy game that should have been released as part of Sonic & Knuckles in the first place (thus justifying the damned save function).

To add to the thread, however: Ristar. I think Comix Zone was released early 1995, though, so that gets an honorary mention. :p

edit: There's no mention at all of MJ in the Sonic 3 credits (unless it's under a pseudonym, of course), so I'm still doubtful he had any real involvement in the development of the game besides being sent a letter like 'please produce a tune to use for a carnivaly, casino-y Zone thank you love SEGA'. Love how Jun Senoue and Howard Drossin are in there :)

[highlandcattle]

I never played Sonic 3 is it as slow as sonic 1, maybe I should hunt down a copy!

[Joe Redifer]

If you live in a European country, Sonic 3 should be noticeably faster than Sonic 1. Sonic 1 was not optimized for PAL, but from what I read parts 2 and 3 were.

[Black_Tiger]

There's no mention at all of MJ in the Sonic 3 credits (unless it's under a pseudonym, of course), so I'm still doubtful he had any real involvement in the development of the game besides being sent a letter like 'please produce a tune to use for a carnivaly, casino-y Zone thank you love SEGA'. Love how Jun Senoue and Howard Drossin are in there :)

There's still no doubt that if Yuji Naki and MJ ever got near each other, they definitely had homo-sex in the back closet.

[Ash]

It's funny you should pick that year... the year my confidence in the system was starting to sink. By the time Sonic & Knuckles came out, I was sick of Sonic...... I can't think of any games in 1994 that were worth anything. I actually spent 1994 catching up on the games I missed, like Art of Fighting, Splatterhouse II & III & Lightning Force.

[system]

Off the top of my head, these were great/fantastic (I won't choose a single title):

Phantasy Star IV
Lightening Force (edit: apparently, this is not a 94 release, shame on me)
Shining Force II
Sonic 3 & Knuckles (even though it was a letdown from previous Sonic games, the level design is somewhat boring and the music is bland)

Technically, Snatcher should be there as well, though I didn't discover that one 'til much later so I'm keeping it off the list.


If you live in a European country, Sonic 3 should be noticeably faster than Sonic 1. Sonic 1 was not optimized for PAL, but from what I read parts 2 and 3 were.
Bah, all Europeans who're serious about their Mega Drive-gaming have modified their units with 50/60hz switches - PAL slowdown no more! :P

[Zebbe]

Bah, all Europeans who're serious about their Mega Drive-gaming have modified their units with 50/60hz switches - PAL slowdown no more! :P

QFT :cool:. Btw, Lightening Force was released in early 1993, at least its European equivalent.

[GelmiR]

The Pirates Of Dark Water for me. Though there were plenty of nice games
released after 1994 I think.

[knicksfan89]

lightening force was released in america in 92. BTW the best game of 94 of which there were many was the sonic series. From what you were saying the sonic 3 and sonic and knuckles were both underrated games

[B - Mark]

In my opinion the best game released for Genesis in 1994 is Phantasy Star IV.

The best game of the series and the Grand Finale.

My honored mentions:
- Streets of Rage 3
- Sonic 3
- Sonic and Knuckles
- Castlevania Bloodlines
- Contra Hard Corps
- Megaman: The Wily Wars

[DigitalSpace]

Castlevania Bloodlines.

[GEN ESIS GAMER]

To me sonic 3 is amazing but I just love the streets of rage series so to me it's Streets of rage 3

[David J.]

Oh this is a toughie...

[Hidden_Darkness]

I would also like to add this game to my post from page 1 of the thread, megaman: the wily wars. It felt like playing a whole new game compared to the nes versions because of the overhaul the games received and with the added unlockable extra game. Although it did seem to be alot more difficult then the original versions of the games.

[Rusty Venture]

The music was off in "Wily Wars"...plus it was harder than the NES version (unless you played the harder version).

[Hidden_Darkness]

I think I might be one of the only people that does but I liked the music in wily wars. I thought so that the 3 megaman games were harder on the sega then they were on nes, I was able to beat the megaman games fairly easily on the nes but had a much harder time with the sega version. the controls seem alittle bit off in wily wars, but still decent to play.

[Blaze]

Sonic 3 & Sonic & Knuckles

[Vehemont]

Hmm.... no one has stated BOOGERMAN yet?!?!?!?! But I digress, I am surprised no one has stated Earthworm Jim.

[RiseFromYourGrave]

I don't know about best, but my personal favorite is a mix between Streets of Rage 3 and Sonic & Knuckles. S&K was a great game to itself (really great music in the latter levels), but what that cart could do was amazing. Still a blast to go through either of those games today.

Honorable mentions go to Beyond Oasis and Shinning Force II.

[TwistedReality]

Sonic 3 and Sonic and Knuckles, definetly.

[Vehemont]

Well, I am going to have to say Phantasy Star IV, I recently got it because I see Zebbe talking about the phantasy star games on the Genesis Rpg's vs. SNES Rpg thread. It is just an awesome Rpg. I just got PSIII but I am waiting until after I beat PSIV first.:p

[Alianger]

It's more fun to read about PS3 on the Phantasy Star pages than it is to actually play the game.

[Zebbe]

Well, I am going to have to say Phantasy Star IV, I recently got it because I see Zebbe talking about the phantasy star games on the Genesis Rpg's vs. SNES Rpg thread. It is just an awesome Rpg. I just got PSIII but I am waiting until after I beat PSIV first.:p

Yeah, do that. PSIII actually takes place a few years after PSIV.

[Elusive]

I'm stuck right at the beginning of Phantasy Star. Where the hell is the compass?

[Zebbe]

In Odin's cave.

[Joe Redifer]

Yeah!

[Dartagnan1083]

Yeah, do that. PSIII actually takes place a few years after PSIV.

That makes no sense at all.
it takes place on a world-ship that fled the algo system at the end of PSII.

Wren's presence in PSIV is due to his presence in PSIII, as IV was intended to bring the series full circle with references to each game. . .it's not the same android.
The ending of IV contradicts there ever being another Dark Falz in Algo again.

[Zebbe]

Yeah, it sort of contradicts, but the Dark Force in PSIII was sealed when PSIV's events took place. Then when he died he probably didn't know his boss was dead too and that he shouldn't return in 1000 years.. Strange.. Anyway, you can find some reference to PSIII in PSIV in a crashed spaceship on Motavia.

[Joe Redifer]

I was always under the impression that part 3 took place a few years before part 4. It makes logical sense to me.

[Dartagnan1083]

*SPOILERS*

Dark Force is an extension of the Profound Darkness.
Cut off the head of the Snake, the rest of the body should follow.

While I understand that the Falz minions can possibly continue to exist,
But I still don't get how PSIII takes place a few years after, as opposed to an undetermined amount prior.

[Black_Tiger]

Other than linking the life line of Dark Forces, I don't see why it matters when PSIII takes place in relation to PSIV. Even if a game pretends to tie up a story line thread, all it takes is the proposition of money for that conclusion to be over written.

But not only is the story of PSIII segregated to a ship in outer space, the game spans a few family generations and is non-linear with different outcomes.

So to those who thought that it takes place a few years before or after PSIV, do you mean the beginning of the first scenario or one of the multiple endings (which shouldn't all take place at the exact same time)? ;)

[Aarzak]

Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles. By '94 the SNES was starting to turn the tide against the Genesis, right???

[Rusty Venture]

Some might say it was later 1994 into 1995. I remember it still going strong the first half of '94 but the last half things were winding down a bit.


"Donkey Kong Country" will be the game people will say helped overtake the Genesis (as it probably was) however that doesn't negate that (IMO) DKC was the same old platformer we had seen before but with a "fancy" set of "32-bit like"* graphics. :bull:



* Saying that DKC had 32-bit like graphics was Big N's way of trying to stay relevant in the 32-bit market as their "magnum opus" the N64 :::cough::: wouldn't show up for another two years.

[Vyse of Arcadia]

Unfortunately, it worked better than Sega's first attempt to stay relevant in the 32-bit market. The 32X's lifespan can be likened to that of a fish flopping on the floor of a boat.

Damn those shallow consumers and their inability to see that DKC was the most derivative and boring platformer ever.

[Rusty Venture]

And they made two sequels for it.


I don't know what would make a worse purchase, a by-the-numbers platformer or a "add-on" with mostly half-cooked games.

[spiggysparks]

I'm extremely suprised my favorite game of all time hasn't been mentioned: Earthworm Jim!!!!

Sonic 3 and Knuckles didn't give me the same entertainment Sonic 2 did, so I can't put it anywhere near EWJ.

Pure gaming bliss is the Sega CD version though.

[Mr Smith]

I have always found Earthworm Jim to be a little overrated. It's good, however, it's not really an epic in the way some of those mentioned earlier in the thread are.

[Vehemont]

^ I have to agree 100%.

[spiggysparks]

Really, the "best game" released in 1994 will be in conjunction with whatever genre you like best.

A platformer fan will obv pick Sonic 3/K; rpg fan picks PSIV; action fan should pick EWJ.

There isn't a best game for everyone because of different tastes.

[Vyse of Arcadia]

rpg fan picks PSIV
Or Shining Force II. Let's not forget that.

[Mr Smith]

Really, the "best game" released in 1994 will be in conjunction with whatever genre you like best.

A platformer fan will obv pick Sonic 3/K; rpg fan picks PSIV; action fan should pick EWJ.

I picked Ecco 2, so what am I? :?

[spiggysparks]

I picked Ecco 2, so what am I? :?

Someone who enjoys massive amounts of frustration? Damn that game took me forever to get through. Good stuff though.

The point is, it's not really a topic that can be argued, because those who love rpgs will never believe Sonic 3/K is the best game, and someone who loves platformers will never believe Phantasy Star IV (or Shining Force 2:) ) was the best game released in this year.

[Vehemont]

Well if you picked Ecco 2 you are an adventure fan I guess.

[j_factor]

I picked Phantasy Star IV but I'm not really a big RPG fan. In general I prefer both action games and platformers to RPGs. It's just that PS4 was an exceedingly great game.

[Silver28]

For me it's gotta be: Soliel (Crusader of Centy)

I loved that game!

[Drixxel]

I'm inclined to say Mega Turrican, although there are a number of good'uns from '94 that make it difficult to pin down one. I've probably played Mega Turrican the most of any '94 title, however, so there she be.

[j_factor]

Is it just me, or is the box and manual for Mega Turrican somewhat rare? I've been trying to track down a complete copy for years, and haven't been able to.

[David J.]

I got a manual for Mega Turrican in rather good shape.

[Drixxel]

..and I have a box in mint condition, but no manual. Pooling the forum's resources, there's at least one complete copy in existence..!

[Alianger]

Make that two!

[108 Stars]

Too sad that Mega Turrican had already been finished in 1993 but some licensing-problems made it impossible for the game to be released then. You have no idea what a cult Turrican is in Germany for gamers. It´s even bigger than, say, Contra here. Had it come earlier it might have helped the MD more against the SNES than a year later.

[megabomberman]

Too sad that Mega Turrican had already been finished in 1993 but some licensing-problems made it impossible for the game to be released then. You have no idea what a cult Turrican is in Germany for gamers. It´s even bigger than, say, Contra here. Had it come earlier it might have helped the MD more against the SNES than a year later.

It is a fantastic game, some games are underrated and I rate this game, first time I've heard of its big popularity though.

[Henry Spencer]

Streets Of Rage 3. Best in the series, if I may be so bold. ;)

[108 Stars]

It is a fantastic game, some games are underrated and I rate this game, first time I've heard of its big popularity though.

It´s popularity here comes from three factors:

-Factor 5, creators of Turrican, were a German company; the only German developer with great titles at the time. So there is quite a bit of pride in "our own" prduct involved.

-Since it was from Germany, it was also released on the most popular plattforms around here; namely the Amiga and the C64. Consoles were regarded as only for little kids here back then

-the Turrican-games were really awesome action-titles for their time; Factor 5 just knew their stuff and pushed the Turrican games very far in technical aspects.
However, the ports by other companies were somewhat disappointing.

[Blaze]

sonic 3 and knuckles reached a level that platformers had never and have never since attained, shear perfection, beautiful graphics, loads of levels and an added save system that no other platformer i can think of has, Beautiful level design and the added bonus of different characters and two sets of emeralds to collect to extend replyability quite simply on of the greatest games ever made!



It was out of this dimension. It made u feel as if u were really part of the adventure. And it also seemed to last a life time

[Myrkwood]

Sonic 3 & Knuckles (the two locked on) is probably my favourite platformer of all time. It's just a truely amazing game. I loves it so much. Also Ecco 2 was a great game. Either one of those two are my favourite 1994 megadrive game I can think of.

[Vehemont]

Wow, this thread seems really old now. You know GEN ESIS GAMER hasn't been here for awhile. I actually kind of forgot about him until I seen this thread was revived. And you know...I still want to know what in the hell a GEN ESIS GAMER is.

[VinnyT]

He died after the 3 year celebration party, when he simply vanished, into a woodchipper.

[Gentlegamer]

He died after the 3 year celebration party, when he simply vanished, into a woodchipper.http://blog.chosun.com/web_file/blog/463/25463/5/fargo_woodchipper_1-ixflower.jpg

[TmEE]

Best game in 1994 is Sonic3(+S&K). There's some others but I don't remember them.

[Mr Smith]

He died after the 3 year celebration party, when he simply vanished, into a woodchipper.
I eagerly await your Sega-16 four year celebration party thread.

Did anybody here sign up to GEN ESIS GAMER's message board (which I assume has gone now)?

[Vehemont]

I didn't even know he had a message board. I guess I never really payed much attention to what he was saying. Oh and Fargo is an awesome movie.

[megabomberman]

I'd say the poor guy left because he was just getting so much abuse and just couldn't take it anymore....

[Genesis Knight]

I don't blame him. All anyone ever did was comment on that damn space in his name.

[Mel]

Sonic & knuckles 3

[Zebbe]

I didn't know Sonic & Knuckles had two sequels, not even one!

[VinnyT]

http://blog.chosun.com/web_file/blog/463/25463/5/fargo_woodchipper_1-ixflower.jpg
That's EXACTLY what I was thinking of when I typed it.

He just wouldn't shut up, just like Steve Buscemi!

[Baleog]

Sonic 3 & Knuckles for sure! Though since discovering Dynamite Headdy (albeit in Wii form) at a friend’s house, I may have a new fave!

Underrated: Sparkster.