ARROW FLASH

This was the first time I saw and played a Japanese cartridge. I never knew there were Anime themed games until then.

I had played shoot-em-ups before. But I had never played one where your ship could turn into a bad ass Mecha. Talk about going balls-out on this one.

It has to be the first time I saw parallax backgrounds. In space. That first level will kick your ass.

PLAYERS: 1

THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN AND ROBIN

Another clear example of Sega’s bad-assery. Just like Streets of Rage 2: the music, the music, the music.

These bangers might not be appropriate for the club. But take these into the gym and you’ll come out looking like vintage Arnold. Don’t be fooled, this is a run-and-gun.

PLAYERS: 1 – 2

ALADDIN

Kid friendly, but this game was lit nonetheless. This game really flexed it’s pixel art.

That alone makes me favorite it over the SNES version.

Even though that version was directed by the creator of Resident Evil.

This game also played faster compared to the SNES version as well.

PLAYERS: 1

BIOHAZARD BATTLE

A solid shoot-em-up where you try to defend an Earth overrun by giant alien insects.

The music also takes center stage here.

This soundtrack had a bit of an echo to it. But those sci-fi tunes resonated over the TV speakers.

Real connoisseurs threw this one on the model one Genesis.

PLAYERS: 1 – 2

COMBAT CARS

Top-down driving that is fast, fast, fast. This game featured a unique roster of drivers.

Plus, each car had a gimmick: some shot rockets while other boosted compared to others.

Another soundtrack full of bangers.

PLAYERS: 1 – 2

GREENDOG

This one is a bit weird to explain. Here goes: (Probably white) surfer dude gets cursed by the Mayans.

The only way to lift the curse is to skateboard and Frisbee your way across the Caribbean.

I never knew you could skate in ancient Mayan Pyramids.

My man has to be high as all the power ups are burgers, fries, and Soda.

PLAYERS: 1

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2

The game that changed my life, no joke. This was the beginning of the sensual nerd odyssey.

Bigger and badder than the original. A flagship title for the console. A clear flex as Sega actually packaged their games in plastic hard covers. Plus, they gave you posters which showed off their gaming line.

PLAYERS: 1 – 2

STREETS OF RAGE 2

A god damn classic. This one was a clear example of what SEGA was. Big graphics, great music, excellent fun.

I dare anybody to name me a better beat-em’ up than Streets of Rage 2. You could throw these bangers on at the club and no one would believe this is a game soundtrack.

PLAYERS: 1 – 2

TMNT HYPERSTONE HEIST

I love TMNT. As a child of the 90s (shit I’m old) I believed that every console deserved a TMNT title.

This was basically a dirty port of Turtles in Time, however, it had the exclusive never-before-seen Ninja Castle (holy shit). It does feature a dark palette, but this is just as rock solid as Turtles in Time.

Plus, those Konami covers had all characters looking like they were coked out of their minds.

PLAYERS: 1 – 2

VECTORMAN

This one came in late into the game. Another title where the gameplay was just as great as the music.

One cool trick that was used to make the tracks sound more club-like was to basically play some of the music on a delay. That gave it that extra crunch that flexed the soundtrack.

PLAYERS: 1

ZOMBIES ATE MY NEIGHBORS

Zombies on the Genesis? Hell yeah. Horror and Sci-Fi Easter eggs? Hell yeah. Too difficult for 8-year-old-me? Fuck yeah.

This is one of those must play Co-op games for the Genesis. Great music. Great style. Lots of fun.

PLAYERS: 1 – 2