Retro gaming has boomed in popularity during recent years. Players around the world are starting to rediscover just how well-crafted and exciting games from the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s continue to be, despite the giant advancements in technology and gaming since their release. It's proof that well-made games are truly timeless.
After SEGA's final console, the Dreamcast, the gaming giant began re-releasing its game library on other consoles, and now players can snag excellent classic SEGA titles on the Xbox game store for anywhere between $4 - $10, making it a cheap way to explore the world of retro gaming.
Sonic CD (SEGA CD)
SEGA's biggest console was the Genesis/Mega Drive. In fact, it proved to be so popular that SEGA did everything it could to enhance and extend its lifespan. The first extension came in the form of SEGA CD - a disk drive component that would allow the console to play longer games with much better sound capabilities and even enhanced video quality.
One of SEGA CD's best games was Sonic CD, the third game in the beloved Sonic franchise. Sonic CD was praised for its challenging levels, length, and its unique time travel twist, which allows Sonic to travel to levels set in the past, present, and future.
Crazy Taxi (Dreamcast)
The Dreamcast was known for some wild games, and one of the craziest was Crazy Taxi. In the game, players are tasked with operating a taxi that needs to get riders to their destinations on time... however, this isn't just any taxi ride. In order to get the passengers there on time, gamers need to race around the city, make shortcuts through pedestrian-filled parks, and drive full-speed off ramps, leaping over obstacles. Adding to the mayhem is the excellent (and so very 90s) soundtrack featuring The Offspring and Bad Religion.
Nights into Dreams (Saturn)
Fans were angry when they learned that SEGA's newest console, the Saturn, wouldn't launch with a Sonic game. After all, it was the franchise that made SEGA famous. However, Sonic Team (the group responsible for the Sonic games) was hard at work on another unique title called Nights into Dreams.
The game allowed players to fly through colorful levels, collecting gems and gliding through rings. It was certainly a departure from the Sonic games, but critics praised its unique qualities and smooth flying controls, instantly turning it into the must-play title for the Saturn.
Altered Beast (Genesis/Mega Drive)
Altered Beast was a hit arcade game that also served as the launch title for the SEGA's Genesis/Mega Drive console. It's a side-scrolling beat-'em-up that lets players take control of a character who can transform into different animals like wolves, lions, bears, and more. The premise is that he was chosen by the Greek God Zeus to rescue Athena from the underworld.
Upon release, the game was a massive hit and players loved the ability to morph into powerful creatures - which also helped make Altered Beast a unique and stand-out title compared to the multitude of other beat-'em-ups that were being released at the time.
Shinobi (Master System)
Originally launched in arcades, Shinobi made its way to SEGA's Master System console in 1988. The game centers around ninja warrior Joe Musashi who must stop a criminal organization from kidnapping members of his clan. The game was popular because it told a great story and had a variety of weapon choices, like throwing stars and swords, which helped the game feel fresh and varied. Throughout the 90s and early 2000s, the Shinobi series continued adding new games, ultimately releasing 12 in total.
Sonic Adventure 1 & 2 (Dreamcast)
After hearing fans complain about the Saturn's lack of Sonic games, SEGA knew they needed to bring their blue hedgehog back in a big way for their next console. Sonic Adventure became one of the launch titles for the Dreamcast in the US and Europe and was met with rave reviews.
Finally, Sonic had been transported into a fully-3D platformer with CD-quality music and excellent graphics (for 1999 standards). Sonic Adventure is still considered one of the best games for the Dreamcast and its 2001 sequel, Sonic Adventure 2, received even more praise and accolades.
SEGA Genesis Collection
In 2018, SEGA released a console edition of their popular SEGA Genesis Classics collection, which is a compilation of SEGA's best games from the Genesis/Mega Drive. From popular hits like Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage to forgotten wonders like Ecco the Dolphin and Phantasy Star, the collection is an absolute treasure trove for fans of the 16-bit era.
Best of all, the collection added modern features to make the games better, including online multiplayer and the ability to save games (which was a feature that only select games had in the early 90s).
Aladdin & Lion King (Genesis/Mega Drive)
Two of the biggest hits for the Genesis/Mega Drive were Disney's Aladdin and The Lion King. Both were sidescrolling platformers where gamers got to play as their favorite characters, like Aladdin and Simba, and navigate their way through levels based on the movies.
The games were surprisingly challenging, making them popular with both adults and kids, and the cartoon-like graphics helped Aladdin and The Lion King feel like they truly were scenes from the movies. After decades of fans asking for a rerelease, Disney finally bundled the two games and released them for consoles in 2019.
Ikaruga (Dreamcast)
Ikaruga is a top-down shoot-'em-up that was originally released for the Dreamcast in Japan only. Soon after its release, it developed a cult following in the West. Players heard about the game's rave reviews and enthusiasts began paying high prices to get imported copies.
Before long, Ikaruga became known as one of the best Dreamcast games ever that, sadly, not many gamers had the chance to play. Luckily, in more recent years Ikaruga has been ported to various consoles like the Nintendo Switch and Xbox, allowing players to finally experience one of the most lauded shoot-'em-ups of all time.
SoulCalibur (Dreamcast)
SoulCalibur is regularly hailed as the best Dreamcast game ever made. On the surface, it was a fighting game, but what hooked gamers was that it went so much deeper. Each character had their own unique weapons and special movies, adding an exciting new layer of depth to an already crowded genre.
Plus, at the time of release, the graphics were absolutely astonishing. The crisp lines and bright colors helped amplify the character's outfits and their massively oversized and powerful weapons. The Xbox version has even been enhanced to HD quality, making the game look stunning over 20 years after its initial release.