Golden Axe III

Golden Axe III

Introduction Sega released Golden Axe III for the Mega Drive in Japan in 1993, while players in North America received it through the Sega Channel service. The Prince of Darkness, Damud Hellstrike, has stolen the Golden Axe and placed a curse on the land’s heroes, and a new group of warriors sets out to stop…

Wonder Boy in Monster Land

Wonder Boy in Monster Land

Introduction Wonder Boy in Monster Land was developed by Westone and released by Sega in arcades in 1987, with the Master System version following in 1988. Many years after the first Wonder Boy, a fire-breathing MEKA dragon has invaded the peaceful Wonder Land and filled it with monsters, and the hero returns, now armed with…

Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat

Introduction Mortal Kombat arrived in arcades in 1992 from Midway, and Acclaim brought it to the Genesis in 1993 with a huge marketing campaign. Seven fighters – Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, Kano, Raiden, Scorpion and Sub-Zero – enter a tournament run by the sorcerer Shang Tsung, with the four-armed Goro as the champion…

Mortal Kombat II

Mortal Kombat II

Introduction Mortal Kombat II hit arcades in 1993, and Acclaim brought it to the Genesis and other home systems in 1994. The tournament moves to Outworld, where the emperor Shao Kahn has given Shang Tsung another chance to defeat Earth’s warriors. The roster grew to twelve playable fighters, with newcomers including Kitana, Mileena, Jax, Kung…

Phantasy Star II

Phantasy Star II

Introduction Sega released Phantasy Star II for the Mega Drive in 1989, with the Genesis version arriving in North America the same year. Set about a thousand years after the first game, the Algol star system is managed by Mother Brain, a vast computer that controls the climate and supplies of the colonies. When the…

Sonic & Knuckles

Sonic & Knuckles

Introduction Sega released Sonic & Knuckles for the Mega Drive and Genesis in 1994, completing the story that began in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. After discovering that Dr. Robotnik is after the Master Emerald, the source of Angel Island’s power, Sonic continues his chase while Knuckles finally becomes playable in his own campaign. Knuckles can…

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Introduction Sega released Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for the Mega Drive and Genesis in 1994. After the Death Egg crashes onto the floating Angel Island, Dr. Robotnik tricks the island’s guardian, Knuckles the Echidna, into believing that Sonic and Tails are the real threat. This is Knuckles’ first appearance, and he repeatedly ambushes the heroes…

Phantasy Star

Phantasy Star

Introduction Sega released Phantasy Star for the Master System in Japan in 1987 and in the west the following year, and it went on to become one of the most influential console role-playing games of the decade. Set in the Algol star system, it follows Alis Landale, who swears revenge after her brother is killed…