Introduction Dynamite Headdy was developed by Treasure and published by Sega, released for the Genesis in 1994 as a puzzle-platformer starring a living puppet named Headdy who can detach and launch his own head as both a weapon and a tool. Different interchangeable heads grant different abilities, from a hammer head for smashing obstacles to…
Introduction Vectorman 2 was developed by BlueSky Software and published by Sega, released for the Genesis in 1996 as a direct sequel to the original Vectorman, once again casting players as an Orbot enforcer made of interlocking spherical parts fighting a rebellion of malfunctioning robots. The sequel expands on the first game’s run-and-gun platforming with…
Introduction Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master was developed and published by Sega, released for the Genesis in 1993 as the third mainline entry in the Shinobi series, continuing ninja Joe Musashi’s fight against the Neo Zeed crime syndicate. Building on the acrobatic platforming of The Revenge of Shinobi, the game adds new moves…
Introduction Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose! was developed and published by Konami, released for the SNES in 1993 as a platformer starring Buster Bunny navigating cartoon-logic stages based on the Tiny Toon Adventures animated series. Each level reimagines a different Looney Tunes-style scenario, from raiding Elmyra’s toy-filled bedroom to escaping a horror-movie parody mansion,…
Introduction Demon’s Crest was developed and published by Capcom, released for the SNES in 1994 as a spin-off of the Ghosts ‘n Goblins series starring the gargoyle Firebrand, previously a recurring enemy in that franchise. Players explore a nonlinear world map searching for six elemental Crests that grant new powers and transformations, from a heavier…
Introduction ActRaiser was developed by Quintet and published by Enix, released for the SNES in 1990 as one of the console’s earliest showcase titles, splitting its gameplay between two distinct modes. In its action stages, players control a knight possessed by a benevolent god, fighting through side-scrolling levels against demonic forces in classic platformer combat….
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…