Introduction Super Mario All-Stars was developed and published by Nintendo, released for the SNES in 1993 as a compilation remastering Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3 with redrawn 16-bit graphics and re-arranged audio. Beyond the visual overhaul, the collection added a save-file system…
Introduction Kirby Super Star was developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo, released for the SNES in 1996 as a compilation of eight distinct sub-games built around Kirby’s signature Copy Ability. Rather than one continuous adventure, the game let players choose from varied experiences ranging from the sprawling platforming of Spring Breeze and Dyna…
Introduction The Humans was developed by Imagitec Design and published by GameTek for the Genesis in 1992, following its original release on the Amiga earlier that same year through Mirage Technologies. The game is a puzzle-platformer set in prehistoric times, tasking players with guiding a tribe of cavemen through environmental puzzles using cooperative teamwork mechanics,…
Introduction Shanghai II: Dragon’s Eye was developed and published by Activision, originally released for home computers in 1990 before reaching the Genesis in 1991 through a Japan-exclusive port by Home Data and a separate North American port by Activision itself in 1994, as the sequel to the original 1986 Shanghai. The game is built around…
Introduction Marble Madness was originally developed by Atari Games and released as an arcade game in 1984, before being ported to the Genesis by Electronic Arts, reaching North America and Europe in November 1991 with reprogramming work handled by Michael Schwartz; a separate Japanese release, ported directly by Tengen, Atari’s home-console division, stayed closer to…
Introduction Scooby-Doo Mystery was developed by Illusions Gaming Company and published by Acclaim Entertainment in partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive, released for the Genesis in September 1995 as a licensed adaptation of the classic Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! animated series. Unlike the more action-oriented platformers typical of licensed Genesis games, Scooby-Doo Mystery leaned into a…
Introduction Valis: The Fantasm Soldier was originally developed and published by Telenet Japan for Japanese home computers in 1986, before reaching the Genesis in 1991 through a port handled by Riot in Japan and Renovation in North America. The game follows Yuko Asou, an ordinary schoolgirl chosen to wield the legendary Valis sword and defend…
Introduction Ariel the Little Mermaid was developed by BlueSky Software and published by Sega, released for the Genesis in 1992 as a licensed adaptation of Disney’s 1989 animated film. Players control Ariel swimming through a series of underwater side-scrolling stages loosely based on scenes from the movie, using an air-bubble attack to fend off sea…
Introduction Mega Man X3 was developed by Minakuchi Engineering and published by Capcom, released for the SNES in Japan in December 1995 as the third entry in the Mega Man X sub-series. The game expanded on its predecessors’ formula by introducing a second playable character, Zero, who could be controlled for a limited portion of…
Introduction Kirby’s Dream Land 3 was developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo, released for the SNES in Japan in March 1997 as one of the console’s final major first-party releases, arriving well into the Nintendo 64 era. The game returned to Kirby’s original Dream Land setting with a distinctly softer, pastel, crayon-drawn art…
Introduction Another World, released in North America as Out of This World, was designed by Éric Chahi and published by Delphine Software International, originally released for the Amiga and other home computers in November 1991 before reaching the Genesis in 1993. The game follows physicist Lester Knight Chaykin, transported to a hostile alien world after…
Introduction Ecco the Dolphin was developed by Novotrade, designed by Ed Annunziata, and published by Sega, released for the Genesis in 1992 as an unusually atmospheric action-adventure game starring a bottlenose dolphin rather than a typical human or animal-mascot protagonist. Players guide Ecco through underwater environments after his pod is mysteriously swept away by a…