Best Game Gear Emulator Games: Tried and Rated in 2024

It may come as a surprise that the Game Gear launched only a year after the Gameboy.

Just a few months after the green background wonder handheld console launched, the first full color handheld console came out on to the market.

The Game Gear featured a full sprite screen, and eventually over 360 games were available for this early handheld console.

Its timing though against the very dominant Game Boy couldn’t have been worse.

Gameboy went on to sell 118 million units, whereas the Game Gear managed less than 10% of this total with just 10 million units sold.

The Game Gear is probably a system you knew one or two people having back in the day, compared to a Gameboy in which everyone seemed to have.

The Gameboy’s success being the main problem, as it meant many gamers had only just bought a handheld console and a whole bunch of games just the year prior.

This wasn’t to say the Game Gear wasn’t fun to play, or that it didn’t have great games, as it did to both statements.

Perhaps waiting another year to launch to let the Gameboy fad disappear would have seen a bigger fanfare at launch, but despite that it was still manufactured for a following 6 years after launch before being discontinued.

What we are left with is an important legacy in the handheld console games market, a cheap retro device on the second hand market today and a whole bunch of unique and exciting games many gamers can discover for the first time now, 30 years later.

For those looking for retro Game Gear emulator games to play today, we have put together the very best that play as good today as they did back in the 1990s.

Whether playing on a handheld such as the RG351P, or through RetroPie on a Raspberry Pi, all the games below have been personally tried and tested by us for compatibility, game play, controls, graphics and ultimate fun!

Here are the best emulator Game Gear games, tried, tested, and rated.

FIFA International Soccer

Although the Game Gear is the earliest launched console FIFA can be found on, it wasn’t the first.

The 16-bit version on the Mega Drive had that honor in 1993, which was subsequently followed by the 8-bit Game Gear port in 1994.

Many of us have played FIFA on various ports. The PS3 version is where things really took off in the world of playable soccer games, giving you the sense that you’re almost on the pitch, but could an 8-bit handheld version almost 30 years old give any sense of the realism to the game we know and love?

Well FIFA International on the Game Gear won’t make you feel like you’re part of the game, nor will any player bear any resemblance to the actual player in the squad, but it’s surprisingly quite decent to play.

The graphics are nice, and pretty good for such an early color handheld console.

There are some inadequacies of course.

The first is that the ball doesn’t fluidly stay at the players feet, which makes dribbling and controlling particularly tough.

Second, is running at a diagonal angle, which makes it seem like the player isn’t actually moving.

The opposition can catch you way too easily too.

Despite those niggles, it provides an isometric view – rather than the traditional 2D view that was popular in the mid-nineties – and is actually a good playable port.

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

Any game starring Mickey Mouse is sure to grab attention from the media and magazines.

Even on such an early 8-bit device, some games welcomed players with short animated intro sequences which can be a really nice touch.

Castle of Illusion does just that.

The story begins with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse blissfully happy in Vera City until the evil witch Mizabel, unhappy and jealous with Minnie’s beauty and contentment, takes her away leaving poor old Mickey set on a challenging and difficult mission to rescue her and find the seven gems of the rainbow.

I say ‘difficult’ very tongue in cheek here.

It isn’t exactly the easiest game ever played, and certainly has a few twists, but isn’t the hardest game ever made.

Considering the target audience for this title was probably 7 and under, it stands to reason really.

The graphics unfortunately are nothing to write home about, and in all honestly even on the Game Gear look a little rushed.

A lot more detail and attention could have been added, but that said the obstacles are quite creative and the controls easy enough to get along with.

Lose enough lives in the castle and you’ll see Mickey thrown outside the castle doors lost in his mission.

It’s a fun quirky port that will probably appeal to gamers who played this during their youth and want to have a nostalgic moment.

That said, it is actually a good platformer in its own right with some decent gameplay and difficulties thrown in for good measure.

Sonic the Hedgehog

No Sega console is complete without the loveable hedgehog, Sonic.

Sega hit a home run on the most challenging of tasks of trying to go head to head with the dominance of the character Mario, the brainchild of the Nintendo brand.

Sonic really did capture the imagination of so many youngsters, and really it was the creation of Sonic back in the 1990s that saw a playground divide between Nintendo fans (NES, SNES and handheld Gameboy) and Sega fans (Master System, Mega Drive and handheld Game Gear).

Launched in 1991, just a year after the Game Gear hit the shelves, it never actually tried to recreate the Master System version because the Game Gear version was created first.

The Master System version was created after, and the Mega Drive version much later than that, although the Master System version was released commercially first – hence why some people get confused as to which version of Sonic was the original.

The game starts as all the classic Sonic games start, on Green Hill.

And of course the aim is to get Sonic to the end of the level, collecting gold coins (which are used to protect a life and a second chance) whilst dodging various enemies such as lobsters, and traversing the hills, swings, ledges and springboards.

Sonic the Hedgehog on the Game Gear is really playable.

The graphics are very well done on this 8-bit, the speed especially when Sonic curls up into a ball and hits a downward slope at speed is amazing.

The controls are great and visually it’s really appealing.

This is the Sonic game where it all began.

This should be played for nostalgic reasons, plus it was the start of the Sonic journey but ultimately it should be played because it’s a great game and a great port on this handheld.

Top marks!

Mortal Kombat

The game that started the revolt of parents against gaming forever.

Sure there were games beforehand that didn’t really help teenager causes with playing video games (as they used to be called back in the day) such as Barbarian, but reality is when Mortal Kombat went mainstream – the bloody version of course – it sent parents up in arms.

No game before had become so popular, so mainstream and in and out of every news story and media coverage for what felt like ages back in the 1990s.

Whether playing as Scorpion, Sub Zero or Raiden amongst others, the one on one fight gameplay wasn’t unique as a game genre, but the way Mortal Kombat certainly turned heads.

It eventually became a movie franchise of course, and a much better movie than the awful Street Fighter!

Most retro players are familiar with Mortal Kombat through the SNES (or Famicom in Asia) of course but Mortal Kombat on a handheld 8-bit, could it really deliver anything close to the punch the 16-bit SNES did on the world?

I can’t believe they managed to pack so much powerful graphics and gameplay into an 8-bit!

It feels as if it’s a slightly sluggish 16-bit game, but the graphics here are amazing.

Full credit to the developers.

As a player you have the option to choose from 6 characters before seeing the roster of opponents standing in your way to face the ultimate boss, Shang Tsung.

The gameplay is pretty decent too.

It can’t rival the power of the SNES, and it can be slightly sluggish at times with some much graphical power fitted into such a small machine, with a small screen, but it’s certainly very playable.

For such an early edition, and handheld port, it stands out as one of the best games on the Game Gear.

Ax Battler: Legend of Golden Axe

The story starts with the King being told that the legendary Golden Axe has been stolen, and the King sends an urgent summons to the only person that can rescue the Golden Axe, and save the city – Ax Battler!

What a cool name.

I’m now so tempted to change my name now to Axe Battler!! (exclamation marks included).

This quirky mainly top down Game Gear RPG had a legion of fans back in the day.

One fun twist to the game is during battle where the top down (think Zelda on the Game Boy) view disappears and instead a more linear platformer type view is given.

This is a real cool element that is seldom seen in any RPG type game, and adds to the overall gameplay immensely.

Watch out for the bats though in the caves, those things are just annoying.

During the top down RPG gameplay Ax Battler can talk to other characters in the game, check inventory items and also search around the vicinity.

I never played the game back in the day, and although I have already mentioned it, the fact this RPG extends to both standard RPG type gameplay and also platformer type (think Ghouls and Goblins) you’ll see how genius a thought this was, especially on a handheld device over 30 years old now.

The graphics are very good for an 8-bit hand held, gameplay awesome and controls are a dream.

This is one of my new favorite Game Gear games, and a must for any retro Game Gear collection!

Shining Force 2: The Sword of Hajya

After the sacrifice of the King, all the evil doers of the kingdom need to take complete control is The Sword of Hajya.

Their plan is to trap the Cyrus Army and take siege of the castle.

When in reality all Prince Nick wants to do with the Cyprus Army is rescue the hand turned to stone and conquer Iom.

With me so far?

If you want a quick start to Shining Force 2: The Sword of Hajya, you’re going to be sorely disappointed.

But despite the lack of quick start, it goes heavily into the storyline to immerse the player within which is great for RPG enthusiasts.

Shining Force 2 is another top down RPG game, and it does a great job.

The game finally starts when Chapter 1 begins and the enemy attacks the castle where your character and others left behind have to defend it.

You will certainly need to read the instructions on how to battle on this Game Gear RPG.

There is no introduction fight sequence to get you started, it’s straight in there fighting with the rest of the Cyprus Army against the enemy of Iom.

The gameplay is very detailed, storyline absorbing and characters are defined well – although there are MANY characters to follow.

It didn’t go unnoticed the first time around, and RPG fans should seriously consider this one as part of their 8-bit Game Gear handheld collection.

Shinobi

From the very outset, Shinobi on the Game Gear looks like a game to be reckoned with.

The game starts after the very short sword slashing intro where the player chooses where to start. Choices are the Highway, Valley, Woodland or Harbour.

 Each area has its own unique gameplay.

For example the Highway sees Shinobi jumping across moving trucks, cars and vehicles along a busy highway whilst being chased down by all sorts of enemies as he attempts to rescue Pink from the ‘Building’.

The Woodland area is more of a vertical platformer, seeing Shinobi darting from branch to branch, traversing across broken ground and avoiding all manner of foes.

All the player doesn’t move particularly fast, the gameplay can feel quite frantic at times.

The graphics are good and well thought through, although there can be so much going on at any one time that the background and foreground can blur into one.

The controls are easy enough to get along with, and the gameplay is decent although it can feel a little frustrating at times.

Shinobi on the Game Gear is certainly not an easy game.

It will test your dexterity.

But, considering the way the developers have created such unique gameplay in four areas of town, it means each time you play it can almost feel like a different game.

Pit your wits against Shinobi and you could easily find an entire afternoon has flown by whilst you’re still trying to work out how to get from tree to tree in the Woodlands.

Space Harrier

I never played Space Harrier the first time around on the Game Gear.

I was a strictly Atari ST version fan, and still have fond memories playing it today.

So, I was very much looking forward to throwing in the Space Harrier cartridge and seeing how the game looked and felt on an 8-bit handheld rather than a 16-bit monitor.

This Space Harrier Game Gear review is going to be a little bittersweet.

One one hand it could never compare to my beloved Atari St version, not even close, it has so many what I would call ‘failings’ – but on the other hand, standalone, it’s actually a decent Game Gear game.

Ignoring the fact it plays slower than the 16-bit (naturally), and objects have a distorted background to them due to the checkered floor to give the idea of perspective, it plays quite well.

It manages to capture a lot of elements the main full version arcade or 16-bit version does, including the end of the first level fire breathing dragon.

The graphics are spritely and forgiving the 8-bit for the way they handled the borders of the objects against the chess pattern floor, they are very good, albeit a bit cartoonish compared to the arcade port.

Is it my favorite Space Harrier port – no.

Did I need to play Space Harrier on the Game Gear to satisfy curiosity – yes.

Would I do it again – yes.

All in all it’s a decent slimline port of a classic game, and one that Space Harrier fans need to try out for themselves. 

Just set your expectations a little lower than usual.

Wonder Boy

Wonder Boy rather strangely was a huge hit back in the day.

The diaper wearing boy wandering through the jungle throwing rock axes, jumping stones and collecting apples became quite the firm favorite on a number of different ports.

The Master System had a very successful port of the game, but less is said about the 8-bit Game Gear port.

It’s a real quirky fun game, albeit with a little limited appeal after a while.

That said, it seems to change every time it’s played. 

Whether Wonder Boy is on foot, on a skateboard or being whisked into the clouds by what looks like Lady Wonder Boy, there is always something like a snake to avoid, a rock to jump or even springs to catch with a perfectly timed bounce.

The controls are adequate although throwing and running with the same button can be a little off putting.

The gameplay is quite enticing, and it could be easy to waste an hour or two trying to beach your last section score.

The graphics are spritely and cutesy. Wonder Boy was probably aimed at a 10 year old and younger market.

It’s not the hardest game you’ll find, but it isn’t the easiest either.

Fans of the Master System version will appreciate this handheld 8-bit alternative.

Suggested Reading: Best Game Boy Games, tried and tested!

Road Rash

Road Rash almost feels as if it’s the older, more reckless and crazy brother to Super Hang On.

Instead of taking to a series of incredibly familiar locations worldwide, climbing onboard a bike and racing against others – it takes road rage to a whole new level.

For those not familiar with Road Rash let me explain.

You climb onboard a bike, take to incredibly familiar locations worldwide – and then get to kick and punch your opponents mid race whilst avoiding the law!

The crashes are more spectacular too.

Now, I have a particular sweet spot for Road Rash on the 3DO. It was amazing to play back in the day where gameplay was tough, and 300ft crash landings were brutal.

Could the Game Gears handheld version compete in any way to the superior might of the 3DO?

Well no, but it does the handheld console some justice.

Road Rash on the Game Gear feels like playing Super Hang On at times, except for the swift kicks to other players.

Controls are decent, and the bike holds well to the course and only slips in extreme circumstances around the tightest bends. 

Punching and kicking whilst driving is pretty straight forward too.

The graphics aren’t too bad either on the small screen and quite impressive at times, especially when the law catches up to you whilst traversing around the Redwoods.

Road Rage on the Game Gear is never going to win when deciding on this port or the 3DO, but it will most definitely be one of my go to games when the Game Gear makes an appearance for an evening.

Streets of Rage 2

Streets of Rage is an absolute classic of game. 

Ask any gamer from the 1990s and they’ll reel off stories of standing in an arcade, on some rainy day by the coast, smashing the button to oblivion on Streets of Rage 2.

Streets of Rage 2 is set one year after the end of Streets of Rage.

Violence once again befalls the town and it’s up to Axel, Blaze or Skate to clean up the mean streets and let law and order resume its course – until Streets of Rage 3 that is.

It’s a classic on the arcade, as well as the Mega Drive, but the Game Gear is a slightly different beast.

The controls are pretty decent for a handheld, but the characters are a little small.

It was the developers aim to catch as much of the original dynamics and styles as possible, but on a reduced screen, you may need to squint a little to see who or what you are fighting.

Unfortunately the rendering between the characters and background is a little off, and clashes whilst playing.

Don’t let these minor inconveniences put you off though. It plays true to the Streets of Rage style. 

For me personally, I was always a Final Fight fan, particularly on the Atari St, and favoured this group of fighting platform fanatics more than the Streets of Ragers, but this outing on the Game Gear was fun.

The end of first level boss, Jake, is a little tough nut to crack but, as a hint, a few flying high kicks should fend him off to get to level 2!

NBA Jam

NBA Jam broke many records when it was released.

An arcade classic, and it completely dominated play on the SNES (Famicom in Japan) when it launched.

Sports games, including basketball games, were nothing new. 

Their roots can be traced right back to the Atari 2600, but NBA Jam was something different.

Something special.

Firstly the players. Small bodies and large heads and looking surprisingly like their real life basketball player counterpart.

Secondly the speed. NBA Jam wasn’t a slow methodical true to earth basketball game, oh no, it’s an adrenalin filled super combo, flying through the air and in your face turbo boost of a game.

Playing this for the first time on the Game Gear, which was released in 1994 across USA, Europe and Japan was a real eye opener.

The default lands upon Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson for Phoenix

Gone are the large heads. Probably a limitation due to the 8-bit restriction and screen size, but the crazy wild slam dunks, behind the back passes and opportunities to score easily from within your own half were all still intact.

The controls though are a little jerky. Navigating around the course can be tricky at times and definitely needs time to master for those with the patience.

The graphics are certainly good enough.

They can’t compare, of course, to the arcade or even the 16-bit SNES. The players do not look like the real life doppelganger they are meant to, but still this is an 8-bit handheld from way back in the early 1990s, so we need to be a bit lenient here.

For those big fans of NBA Jam on all ports, this is a must for the collection.