20 Awesome Alternative Games for the Sega Megadrive/Genesis
In its heyday the Sega Megadrive had more than 900 cartridge based games available to be played. If you managed to collect all of these you have my eternal respect and do indeed deserve a gold star. Only the most dedicated of collectors have even managed to get close to acquiring so many games, but what about the rest of us?
Thankfully in these modern times it’s slightly easier to gain access to the megadrive games catalogue in the form of ROMs and emulators. This then presents you with the opposite problem; I have so many games to play now, so how do I avoid wasting my time trying out mediocre titles such as Steel Talons and Virtua Fighter, and concentrate solely on those awesome games that are going to blow me away every time I boot them up?
Yes, we all know the obvious candidates for the top Megadrive games list such as the Sonic games and Gunstar Heroes, but what about those lesser known games? Those hidden gems that somehow passed you by when they were originally released.
Here I present to you, 20 of the best alternative games available for the Sega Megadrive. While most of these titles weren’t overlooked in their day, they didn’t exactly set the world alight either. Some of them may even have earned respectable (perhaps even amazing) reviews but they didn’t stay on the radar for long. These titles helped to make the Megadrive the great console that it was but they did it in the background by keeping the back catalogue of games solid and reliable. Best of all, they are still enjoyable today.
- Alien 3
- Another World/Out Of This World
- Cannon Fodder
- Championship Pro-Am
- Crusader of Centy
- Cyborg Justice
- Dr Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
- Gauntlet 4
- General Chaos
- Haunting Starring Polterguy
- Herzog Zwei
- Mega-Lo-Mania
- Mutant League Hockey
- Pirates! Gold
- Sensible Soccer
- The Simpsons: Bart Vs The Space Mutants
- Speedball 2 – Brutal Deluxe
- Star Control
- Starflight
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Tutrtles – The Hyperstone Heist
Bonus Game – European Club Soccer
Alien 3
Average rating – 89%
Adapted from the extremely disappointing film of the same name, this platform shooter sees you taking control of a skin headed Ripley as she runs, jumps and blasts her way around the levels searching for prisoners to free.
Thankfully this game takes just as much inspiration from Aliens as it does from Alien 3, meaning there are lots of weapons available and lots of xenomorphs scurrying around to use them on. Those creepy facehuggers even make an appearance from time to time.
With a difficulty level that is still challenging now, even though your once adolescent reflexes have now been honed, and a playability system that is very simple to understand, you’ll find this title a very easy game to just pick up and it will keep you entertained for hours.
Another World/Out Of This World
Average rating – 87%
Vector based graphics and animation really help to set Another World (entitled Out Of This World in the US) apart from the competition. Simply booting this game up and watching the intro will have you hooked. The game begins with a cinematic intro which was generally unheard of at the time of release. From there the game seamlessly begins, literally throwing you in at the deep end and continuing from there.
Another title that’s difficult to master, you’ll be thankful for the instant save/load state functionality of the emulator which all but eliminates the frustration that this game suffered from back in the day. As rewarding as it is hard you’ll find Another World difficult to put down until you have completed it.
Cannon Fodder
Average rating – 93%
Ok, so this game did score pretty highly when it was first released but it is so polished and stands up so well, even today, that I couldn’t resist giving it a mention.
The point and click gameplay style of this game manages to incorporate the perfect mixture of action and strategy, with even a little humour thrown in. The control method, while unorthodox for the Megadrive, is easy to adapt to, but suits the gameplay perfectly at the same time.
Back in the day it was this game’s originality that really made it stand out. Today there are still very few games that compare to it so that originality remains a major feature. Cheer as you finally manage to complete that irritatingly tough level. Curse your luck for not noticing that explosive trap at the side of the path. Laugh with evil satisfaction as you repeatedly riddle your enemy with bullets, watching him bounce across the screen in blood spewing agony. Cannon Fodder has enough about it to keep you hooked from start to finish.
Championship Pro-Am
Average rating – 72%
I am puzzled as to why Championship Pro-Am has been given such a title, as it fails to describe in any way what the game actually entails. Perhaps that’s why it went under the radar for so many people back when it was first released.
Anyway, Championship Pro-Am gave Megadrive owners the chance to race radio controlled cars around a number of circuits while at the same time allowing you to knock the computer opponents off the road with weapons that were picked up during the race. Some might call it a Mario Kart clone before Mario Kart was even released.
What makes this game unique to other racers on the Megadrive is the isometric perspective that each course is presented in. Even today this is a rarely seen view in the racing genre so it’s nice to see that Championship Pro-Am has aged slightly better than some other racers available. This game was fun when it was released and is still fun today.
Crusader of Centy
Average rating – 93%
Going by the name of Soleil in Europe (goodness knows why as neither name seems to make much sense) Crusader of Centy is Sega’s answer to Nintendo’s Zelda. However, to cheapen Crusader of Centy by calling it a Zelda clone is to spit in the face of this awesome action/rpg game.
Crusader of Centy is a fantastic game in it’s own right, with a vast world to explore, head scratching puzzles to solve and a wide array of enemies to defeat. Yes, the art style and gameplay are both similar to Zelda, but what’s wrong with that? The subtle differences that Centy possesses give it the necessary uniqueness and depth that warrants many hours of your time.
Cyborg Justice
Average rating – 89%
What could be more fun than a bunch of robots… Sorry, cyborgs… slugging it out and bashing ten bells out of each other? The answer is, Cyborg Justice! The reason being, Cyborg Justice doesn’t simply consist of the above, but it does so using numerous different moves and attacks. To add to this you can customise your cyborg with different body parts and weapons, you can even rip off your enemy’s body parts and use them for yourself.
A scrolling beat-em-up in the same ilk as Streets Of Rage or Final Fight, Cyborg Justice adds more to the mixer with it’s wide array of options as well as it’s many different gaming modes. With every different configuration of your cyborg, different moves and attacks are available to you. Just when you think you’ve mastered all the moves, you suddenly find yourself hurling your opponent across the screen, or yanking their arm off and using it as a club. In a very unique and satisfying feature, you can also kick your enemy while they’re sprawling around on the floor. Awesome fun for any beat-em-up fan!
Dr Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
Average rating – 90%
Ever heard of Puyo Puyo? Probably not, but just in case you care, the exhaustingly titled Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine (let’s call it DRMBM from now on shall we?) is Puyo Puyo but rebranded for the US and European markets.
A puzzle game similar to the likes of Columns or Tetris, DRMBM is at it’s best in two player mode. The game sees the player guide pairs of coloured beans down the screen attempting to join like colours together to make them disappear and earn points. However, the real aim of the game is to defeat your opponent by creating massive chains of coloured beans which in turn create a chain reaction of disappearing beans, and thus sending them onto your opponents screen. If that sounds a bit complicated don’t worry, when you play the game you’ll find it easy to get into and addictive as hell!
Gauntlet 4
Average rating – 94%
A pixel perfect conversion of the arcade Gauntlet 4 on the Megadrive has to be seen to be believed! Billed as the original dungeon crawler, you take control of one of 4 characters exploring the maze of levels (of which there are over 100) killing all manner of evil abominations and searching frantically for the exit to the next level.
Like many games on the Megadrive the awesomeness of this game really becomes apparent when you get your friends involved. Gauntlet 4 features full 4 player cooperative play! Take control of each character and use your tactics and cunning to make your way through the game.
As well as all of this, the game features a ton of options including a number of other game modes to experience. As you play Gauntlet 4 you will realise why it was so highly rated back when it was released. With a level of playability and presentation unheard of back in the day, Gauntlet 4 will keep you and your buddies entertained for hours!
General Chaos
Average rating – 71%
General Chaos possesses a type of gameplay that I have not seen on any system before or since. The general premise is that you take control of a group of soldiers, each with different skills/weapons, and face them off against another team of soldiers.
This title took some criticism when it was originally released due to an over complicated control system. To be fair it does take a bit of time to get used to (in case you’re struggling here’s a link to the instruction manual) but once you have perfected it you’ll realise you have discovered a classic.
Fun with one player and awesome with two players, but it’s with four players where General Chaos really excels. Using strategy, cunning and good old fashioned guts you can be assured of the glory and respect that you so sorely crave.
Haunting Starring Polterguy
Average rating – 86%
Another title that earns its place on this list primarily for its originality, Haunting’s theme revolves around you scaring the living crap out of a poor unfortunate family, with the aim of forcing them to flee their property.
You begin the game in the underworld building up your energies in the form of Ecto power. Once you have acquired enough you are transported to the real world where the real fun begins. Using spells and possessing household objects you proceed to scare each member of the family from room to room until they can stand it no more and flee the house.
With stunning graphics viewed from an isometric perspective, and a wicked sense of humour, there are always new experiences to be had in this game, no matter how far you progress through it.
Herzog Zwei
Average rating – 82%
Herzog what? I hear you say. It would be true to say that this title was not the most well known of games when it was first released, however that hasn’t stopped it from becoming somewhat of a cult classic in the retro gaming scene, becoming a common feature on many lists similar to this.
Herzog Zwei is a strategy game with a depth of gameplay beyond it’s time. The player is placed in control of a transforming robot who is tasked with both defending their base and conquering their opponents. To this end you will need to build and command legions of drones and assign them with one of a number of orders available. Should you send a division of tanks off to attack your opponent’s main base? Perhaps you should build some stationary gun turrets to defend your outpost?
There are numerous strategic options in this game. You can play against an AI opponent or get one of your friends involved for a bit of two player action. One thing is for sure, the battle won’t be easy, but you will enjoy yourself whichever way it turns out.
Mega-Lo-Mania
Average rating – 94%
In Mega-Lo-Mania we have another title that was very highly rated back in the day. Indeed, it is one of the most highly rated games of it’s generation and the most highly rated strategy game. In these more modern times, however, it does seem that this title has faded into obscurity.
In the game you take on the role of a god type being and pit your strategic skills against 3 other similar beings. Your aim is to conquer every island in the game by commanding your human-like minions to forage for resources, invent and build new weapons and destroy your opposition’s army and buildings. In a tactical changing twist you are able to form alliances with your enemies (provided they agree) so that you can gang up on your common foes. Be warned, however, there is every chance your new companion will betray you when your usefulness has been exhausted.
Mega-Lo-Mania feels as fresh today as it did when it was released. In later levels the difficulty of this game did become very tiresome, however with the added luxury of save/load states in emulators today, you may be encouraged to revisit this classic title.
Mutant League Hockey
Average rating – 59%
Ask any avid Megadrive fan and they will confirm to you that they have played, and more than likely enjoyed, numerous iterations of the EA Hockey series. The issue here is that the different versions vary very little from each other, so if you’ve played one you’ve generally played them all.
Mutant League Hockey adds a new dimension to this slightly tired genre by throwing mindless violence into the mix. In this game being through on goal doesn’t necessarily result in scoring as it is likely the player will need to negotiate a deadly hazard or two before success is assured. Hazards of note include holes and mines. If a fight breaks out you can expect to be confronted with any manner of weapons from a simple hockey stick all the way up to axes and chainsaws. And if you’re concerned about the referee intervening don’t worry, just bribe, or better yet, kill him.
With many added features such as these, Mutant League Hockey manages to extend the enjoyment of this sport, ensuring fun and violence for hours to come.
Pirates! Gold
Average rating – 83%
Ok, so Pirates! Gold is not going to win any awards when it comes to the Street Fighter style one on one fighting sections. To be honest, you might say that these labourious melee screens drag the game down somewhat. It’s in the depth of strategic gameplay that Pirates! Gold wins over it’s critics.
Kit out your fleet with weapons and supplies. Battle with other ships that randomly cross your path. Plunder the ports of your enemies by bombarding them with cannon fire. There are so many avenues to explore in this game that you’ll find that each gaming session presents you with a new experience.
Playing Pirates! Gold you really get a feeling of what true buccaneers of the age went through on the high seas. This coupled with the fact that there are very few games of this like out there make this a game not to be missed.
Sensible Soccer
Average rating – 85%
In Sensible Soccer you truly do have an entertaining game that has ridden the wave of time like it was a pro surfer. The graphics are pretty simple, but that doesn’t matter. What you have here is awesome addictive gameplay, pure and simple.
The beauty of this title is the exaggerated physics that it employs when compared to any other soccer game. Beat the keeper with a screamer that curls like it was being pulled by gravity. Leap 20 yards to connect with a game defining diving header. The score may end up being 13-11, but you know you’ve had fantastic fun playing it.
The Simpsons: Bart Vs The Space Mutants
Average rating – 70%
When it comes to The Simpsons and video games, their history has been chequered to say the least. Indeed, Bart Vs The Space Mutants was not particularly well received back in 1992, but in my opinion it has managed to stand the test of time.
If you are going to progress in this game, you will need to have some knowledge of The Simpsons. With this knowledge the game may seem hard but without it, you may find the game impossible. On the first level alone knowing that Bart likes to crank call Moe the bartender may help you to realise that the payphone outside Moe’s Tavern is more significant than just scenery.
That said, discovering the many ways with which this game ties in with the TV series is very rewarding. The TV show may not be as fresh as it used to be, but dusting off the cobwebs on this title will reveal a multitude of memories from the classic episodes.
Speedball 2 – Brutal Deluxe
Average rating – 91%
The future is violence. Well, that’s if the developers of Speedball 2 have anything to say about it. But it seems that along with the violence comes a whole lot of fun at the same time.
Speedball 2 repeats the gameplay of its predecessor, but ramps up the sound and graphics and sets you in the role as player manager of the team, Brutal Deluxe. Buy and sell players, train your team and compete in leagues and tournaments in a bid to become the undisputed Speedball champion.
Fast paced and fun, as well as being challenging and addictive, Speedball 2 encompasses everything you are looking for in a sports simulation.
Star Control
Average rating – 83%
In Star Control you have at your fingertips the perfect combination of tactics and good old fashioned destruction. You take command of one of two galactic factions in a bid to conquer the other by taking over their star bases and destroying their mines and colonies.
The tactical side of the game isn’t exactly graphically stimulating but it adds another level to an already strategically based game. Depending on the game mode you select you will be in command of a number of very different ships, some weak and some powerful. The tactics come when you need to decide which ship you want to face off against your enemy in a one versus one arena.
Use your weaker ships strength to get the upper hand on your more powerful enemies weaknesses (if that makes any sense). In an added twist the battles tides can be completely turned on their heads if your near victorious enemy strays too close to a planet and gets sucked in by the gravity. There are so many different scenarios in this game it will keep you coming back time, after time, after time.
Starflight
Average rating – 94%
The Megadrive’s answer to Star Trek (before a Star Trek game was actually released on the system, that is) Starflight puts you in command of a galaxy spanning star ship. Your aim provisionally is to scavenge yuor local star systems for minerals and resources in order to enhance your vessel. From there the galaxys the limit as you will then have the fuel and technology you need to venture further from your home planet and embrace the true plot of the game; to discover why all the stars in the galaxy seem to be collapsing and save your own planet from certain destruction.
Explore new worlds, meet and communicate with newly discovered intelligent life forms. Chart new routes to worm holes that lead to distant star systems and engage in battle with beings that won’t be reasoned with. There is so much to do in this game it’s difficult to know what to do or where to go first.
Thankfully, in order to simplify things a little EA have novelised the main storyline within the instruction manual which you can download here. The story assists in guiding you through a number of activities and encounters and helps with some of the issues and puzzles that may otherwise have you stumped.
As already mentioned there are more things to do and explore in this game than any other Megadrive game I have encountered. The in depth instruction manual is invaluable for progressing through the game and also helps to add to the immersion as well. A whole lot of fun on offer here for hours at a time.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – The Hyperstone Heist
Average rating – 83%
Who remembers the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game? If you do,then you’ll be treading on familiar ground with this game. The Hyperstone Heist is based on the coin-op version, matching in graphics and gameplay, but with an altogether different plot.
While the plot is pretty different to the arcade it is not necessarily that relevant. All you need to know is that you’re in for the same button mashing, shell shocking experience that you received when you played the arcade.
It’s slightly disappointing to see that you can only play with a maximum of two players here instead of the arcade’s four, but this is still lots of fun and you won’t be putting this one down until you have completed it… or until the constant button mashing has destroyed your controller. Whichever comes first.
Bonus Game – European Club Soccer
Average rating – 69%
Ok, so this may be a case of nostalgia clouding my judgement (which is why I have included it as a bonus) but I couldn’t resist adding European Club Soccer to this list.
It has to be said that during the golden age of the Megadrive, European Club Soccer was not the best soccer game available on the system, and to be honest it still isn’t. What it does possess however, is undeniable charm in its many flaws. The control system is unbelievably frustrating in that you are constantly losing control of the ball if you turn too sharply, but this only encourages you to concentrate more. The collision detection is consistently woeful, but this doesn’t matter after you’ve managed to nut in your first headed goal despite the fact that your player was nowhere near the ball.
Yes, you could write a book about the number of glitches in this game, but I think it is worth mentioning that while writing this article I felt the urge to boot up European Club Soccer and have a quick play on it. Did I enjoy myself? Hell, yes!
