Genesis does… just about every platform these days, and the Nintendo Switch is no exception. There’s actually a surprisingly robust selection of games from SEGA’s 16-bit console available, including some licensed fare and lesser-known titles you wouldn’t necessarily expect. I’ve decided to dive into this matter in our usual manner to see exactly what goodies can be found. Note that I’m not including the Nintendo Switch Online Genesis app, because that would make things too easy. I am, however, including compilations. Only one game from each, just to be fair, and I’m counting SEGA AGES as a compilation with all the rules applied. At any rate, we’ve got ten of our favorites here in no particular order, and as usual we’ve also added five more we’d like to see. Let’s get mega!
Aladdin – Disney Classic Games Collection ($29.49)
One of the best-selling Genesis games of all-time, Aladdin had about as much magic up its sleeve as the Genie did with its stunning visuals. This platformer was made by many of the same people who would go on to create Earthworm Jim, and it shows. You don’t even have to decide which 16-bit Aladdin you like better, because the collection it comes in also includes the Super NES game. Still a looker as far as this era of games goes.
SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ($7.99)
It wouldn’t do to have a list like this without the world’s most famous hedgehog, and I’ve decided to pick the SEGA AGES version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to represent him. Sure, you can play it in the Genesis Classics collection, or the Nintendo Switch Online app, or in Sonic Origins. But I think this one plays the best and has the most interesting extra features of the bunch. Whatever route you choose, this is one Genesis/Mega Drive game you should play if you somehow haven’t.
Gaiares ($15.00)
The SEGA Genesis played host to a wide range of excellent shoot ’em ups, making this one genre where it had a clear and considerable advantage over the Super NES. Gaiares was a relatively early one, but don’t let that lull you into thinking it isn’t one of the best. Great graphics, great music, and a cool mechanic that lets you borrow power from your enemies by throwing your ship’s satellite at them. Telenet did some great work on the platform, and this is a great introduction into those offerings.
Rocket Knight Adventures – Rocket Knight Adventures Re-Sparked ($29.99)
Konami came to SEGA’s platform a little late, and in many cases it felt like it was just spinning up seconds of the games it had done on the Super NES. Rocket Knight Adventures was one of the bigger exceptions. A fully original IP that debuted on SEGA’s platform first, Rocket Knight Adventures showed that Konami could make the Genesis sing just as well as any other platform. An absurdly charming yet challenging action game, and well-worth picking up this collection for.
TMNT: The Hyperstone Heist – TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection ($39.99)
Sure, it would have been nice if the Genesis had seen a wholly-original TMNT beat ’em up to call its own, but this fascinating greatest hits-style mash-up of bits from the two arcade games and the third NES game is plenty of fun on its own. Indeed, some people like this game best out of the TMNT brawlers. I’m not sure I would go that far, but I think it’s a worthy title for the franchise and one of the best games in its genre on the SEGA Genesis. Hey, this collection sure shows up a lot in these lists!
Mega Turrican – Turrican Flashback ($29.99)
While Turrican was probably at its most famous on home computers, the console ports are generally a pretty good time too. Mega Turrican is a fascinating case, as it served as the basis for the Amiga Turrican 3. It’s a bit more linear than some of its predecessors, but the excellent action and interesting mechanics make this one to play. I suspect many folks in North America in particular might have missed this game. If that’s the case for you, grab this set and start studying up on some of Europe’s finest home-grown run-and-guns.
Shining Force 2 – SEGA Genesis Classics ($29.99)
The SEGA Genesis Classics collection on Switch suffers from some input lag that makes it a less than ideal way to play action games. For RPGs, however, it isn’t really much of an issue. And that’s a good thing, because this list could use something a bit more contemplative. While I love Phantasy Star IV to death, I’ve decided to give the nod to Shining Force 2. It builds on the already excellent first game to create one of the best turn-based strategy RPGs of all-time. And hey, since you’re buying this collection for this game, you might as well play the other cool RPGs on it too.
Gleylancer ($6.99)
This horizontal shoot ’em up was passed over for localization back in the day, lending it that special “forbidden fruit” status among hardcore fans of the console. Well, it’s readily available now for a reasonable price and unsurprisingly, it’s pretty good. Maybe not the be all and end all of the genre on the console, but it’s a lot of fun to play thanks to its distinctive mechanics and strong presentation. Ratalaika has done a nice job with bringing this game to the Switch, even if its wrapper is a more than a little no-nonsense.
Castlevania: Bloodlines – Castlevania Anniversary Collection ($19.99)
I’m trying not to let Konami and Capcom dominate these lists too much, but what can you do? They made great games and have a lot of good collections on modern platforms. Castlevania: Bloodlines, found in the Castlevania Anniversary Collection, marked the debut of the series on SEGA’s hardware, and it did so with style. Great hardware-pushing visuals, an amazing soundtrack, responsive gameplay, a tough-but-fair difficulty curve, and two very different characters highlight this cool action game. Whip it good!
Monster World IV – Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection ($49.99)
The Monster World series brought Wonder Boy from would-be Mario competitor to a true action-adventure pioneer, and it all culminated in this game. Despite the name of the collection, there’s no Wonder Boy here. A courageous girl named Asha takes the role of the hero instead, and the result is a beautiful, highly entertaining adventure with a relatively gentle level of difficulty that nevertheless feels fully rewarding to complete. This collection is relatively expensive as these things go, but you’ll not only get this game but tons of other fun ones too.
And… 5 Genesis/Mega Drive Games We’d Like to See on Switch
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Let’s start with a moderately possible request. Before Sonic sped into the Genesis scene, the king of platforming on the system was none other than Mickey Mouse. Castle of Illusion certainly doesn’t move at the blistering pace of some SEGA platformers, but it more than makes up with it through its clever and well-designed levels. The mechanics are as straightforward as they could be, but it never feels like the game is having trouble finding ideas to apply them to. Disney, SEGA, work it out.
NHL ’94
And now one that is slightly less possible. Obviously NHL 94 as-is isn’t going to happen due to all of the players included that wouldn’t be part of the NHLPA license anymore. But I’m willing to accept an edited one with fake player names, because the Switch desperately needs a great hockey game and there aren’t many greater than this. I’m not done yelling at Electronic Arts to care more about its retro catalogue, but I’ll put a pin in it here. NHL 94, please.
Atomic Runner
Back around to a fully possible pick, Data East’s Atomic Runner is a fantastic action game where you play as an auto-running atomic-powered destroyer. There really isn’t anything else on the console that plays quite like this, and while its diminutive main character might lead you to underestimate this game, I promise the action is as hot as you’ll find on SEGA’s 16-bit machine. Paon owns the rights to this one now, and it would be nice to see this and its other Data East titles brought to the Switch at some point.
Road Rash II
I said I wasn’t done with Electronic Arts, and this is what I meant. Unlike many other EA games on the console, there’s no external licensing issues to deal with if the company wanted to put Road Rash II out there again. It’s iconic of the system, and it’s a shame it isn’t more widely available. It boggles my mind that Electronic Arts has almost never gotten in on the retro game re-release scene, because it was easily one of the biggest names of the 16-bit era and has plenty to offer. Road Rash II, and indeed the entire Road Rash series, is ripe for a comeback and I’d certainly be thrilled if the Switch was part of that.
Shadowrun
Developed by BlueSky Software, published by SEGA, licensed by FASA. Is this doable? I hope so! But I suppose since this is a wishlist it doesn’t really need to be realistic, does it? Anyway, Shadowrun is a very cool RPG that does its own thing to excellent effect. It’s a rather open affair, allowing you to make your own way through its cyberpunk world. You have a goal: to avenge your brother’s death. How you go about that is up to you, and there are three very different branches to the storyline depending on your actions. The Shadowrun trilogy we already have on Switch features some story connections to this game, which make it all the more enticing to get this one on the platform.
And that’s the list, friends. Are there any Genesis games you enjoy on the Switch? Any you would like to see? Feel free to sound off down in the comments and let us know what you’re thinking! It’s always interesting to hear the opinions of others on this kind of thing. As always, thanks for reading!