The Sega Mega Drive, or Sega Genesis as known in North America, became the first 16-bit console to launch and to a huge fanfare.
It launched first in Japan in 1988, before North America in 1989 and then Europe in 1990.
The only reason it was called Genesis in the North America is because the co-founder of Sega, David Rosen, simply didn’t like the name ‘Mega Drive’, although it launched as the Mega Drive a year later in Europe.
Factual information aside, the Mega Drive sparked a whole and complete new revolution in the console games market.
Home computers such as the Atari ST and Amiga ran 16-bit games and launched earlier, but everyone wanted to attach a console to a TV, grab some game consoles and have fun.
The Mega Drive was considered one of the biggest requested Christmas items for kids at that time, I was one, although my Christmas stocking fell short that year, and had to wait until the SNES launch for my personal 16-bit home experience.
That said, I had friends who did have a Mega Drive and remember playing Altered Beast for many a straight hour into the night during sleepovers.
Taking over from the Sega Master System, the Mega Drive was able to completely dominate the console market for some time with incredibly addictive gaming titles from top game publishers.
Although many different genres of games exist on the Mega Drive, it really was the platform genre that stood out head and shoulders.
Having finally managed to get my hands on a Mega Drive, albeit almost 10 years after launch, this collection allowed me to get back into some of those Mega Drive platform games I know and loved and was surprised how some of the games more than 30 years old look today.
Here are the best Mega Drive / Genesis platform games, tried, tested, and rated.
Fantastic Dizzy

Fantastic Dizzy Mega Drive / Genesis Review
Rating
The ongoing franchise of Dizzy is absolutely huge.
Almost every console or system has a Dizzy title in the collection somewhere.
There perhaps isn’t a more sprightful opening sequence in gaming history than that of Fantastic Dizzy on the Mega Drive.
Daisy has been captured by the evil wizard, and of course only the legendary Dizzy is brave enough to go rescue her.
The player starts in Dizzy’s home collecting a key, an apple and two stars of which there are 250 to find and collect.
This opening sequence acts like a tutorial showing what to collect and how to collect it, which is a nice touch for newcomers, and big kids who need reminders.
Dizzy is quite small onscreen, although he is an egg, I guess.
It’s a fun spritely game that probably appealed more towards a younger audience, but any platformer fan will find the game fun.
The controls are straight forward and easy to master, although perhaps the inventory section would have been better to be controlled by the Select button rather than a main play button, but that’s a small criticism.
Dizzy is easy enough to navigate on screen but stay clear of the inventory button that can be frustrating when easily pressed trying to run from a spider or jump a snail.
The weather changing as Dizzy scrolls through the forests is a really simple but effective touch.
Fantastic Dizzy on the Mega Drive probably isn’t in the top 3 Dizzy games of all time, but it’s a great playable fun platformer for a lazy evening.
James Pond 2: Robocod

James Pond 2: Robocod Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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The ever bouncing James Pond is an ever loving hero in this absolute classic of a game.
James Pond 2: Robocod is a better game than the original version on the Mega Drive, and many had in their collection.
It’s sometimes a bit of a challenge to work out what on earth is going on some of the time, but that’s all part of the crazy creative fun that is James Pond titles.
Starting out in the Artic of all places and straight to a toy shop to collect small toys and avoid the weirdly dynamic huge walking toys that everyone hopes isn’t in their Christmas stocking.
It somehow manages to dodge the trademark of Mario’s classic hit a brick to release a bonus, which is replicated here in very similar fashion.
The gameplay stands out more so than the graphics.
The background can clash with the foreground characters and objects to collect a little too much making the screen a little uncomfortable at times, and the time it takes to hand crawl along the ceiling just a little too long.
Whether its flying duck cards or boxing gloves, you’ll never know what’s going to come across next, just like a crazy filled ZX Spectrum game that seemed to be full of anything creative the developer dreamed of that night.
James Pond 2 is a great fun platformer to revisit.
Earthworm Jim 2

Earthworm Jim 2 Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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Who would have thought a cartoon worm could make such a warrior hero.
The second inclination and adventure in the Earthworm Jim saga is better than the original, but marginally.
We see our hero Jim in baren wasteland collecting bonuses, lifting pigs and dodging falling grannies.
Yes, you read that right.
The game starts quite abruptly without much of an introduction sequence, and armed with a whip, gun, bubble gum and a lot of guile, Earthworm Jim is off to save the day (again).
The graphics, even for a Mega Drive are good enough on gameplay, but a bit lacking during the opening and game start.
Controlling Jim is pretty straight forward, and the controls are easy to manage.
Whoever come up with the avoiding flying grannies whilst sitting in a stair life in a random house in the middle of the forest has a very unique sense of creative imagination.
Earthworm Jim 2 is a fun little game to get back in to. It doesn’t throw out the same excitement as it did back in the day but those fond of the game will be able to relive good memories.
Dynamite Headdy

Dynamite Headdy Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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In terms of a Mega Drive platformer, Dynamite Headdy is literally all over the place.
From outrunning a giant catching robot in the first scene to taking on an oversized cat, as almost an end of level boss in the next.
Before you know it, you’re in some kind of toy land, and entering buildings to fit mini soldiers.
And so it goes on.
What makes Dynamite Headdy stand out is the uniqueness of the game.
Such a game would have struggled on an 8-bit console, but this fun platformer aimed at a younger audience is still fun to play even today – especially when you throw out Dynamite Headdy’s head as a weapon.
The controls are very easy to get on with, although the game can feel a little repetitive at times, and when many characters are on screen it’s challenging to know who is an enemy and who is a background character that will mind you no business.
It’s a sprightly filled game that if it were part of your collection as a kid, it may be time to give this little hidden gem another whirl.
Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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No Mega Drive platform list of games would be complete without the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog.
The Sega character that went up against the popularity of the Mario Brothers in the 1990s and did a very good job of it too.
As a kid in the 90s you were either a NES or SNES fan with a passion for Mario, or a Mega Drive fan with a passion for Sonic the Hedgehog.
You either liked one or the other, a bit like liking either Blur or Oasis back in the day.
Although there were a few Sonic the Hedgehog titles released on the Mega Drive in the 1980s and 1990s such as Sonic 1, Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 there were other titles such as Sonic Pinball, for this list though we are sticking with the original classic.
Sonic was cleverly chosen as the character to go up against Nintendo.
In a moment of brilliance, Sega defined and era and the purple porcupine has hardly left our consoles and screens since.
The best part about the game is it didn’t achieve its success because it was pushed by Sega, it achieved its success because it is an utterly amazing, creative, fun, fast platformer game.
The controls are exquisite, its as sprightful a game as you’ll find anywhere. The action is fast and fun, and with collecting coins to keep a live going after being hit by an enemy, it made the gameplay last and last.
Many an hour was spent by millions of kids around the Globe on Sonic the Hedgehog, and even playing today over 30 years later its easy to see why.
Disney’s Aladdin

Disney’s Aladdin Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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I will start this review of Disney’s Aladdin on the Mega Drive by openly stating it is one of the best retro games of all time.
So many popular character games are often rushed and made on tight budgets relying on the character to sell the game and make a good profit.
The developers didn’t quite see the memo on this and knocked this one out of the park.
The graphics and gameplay are superb and so well thought out in contract to the Disney film. So many small but effective touches give this game such an all-around appeal.
When the SNES version launched it looks more advanced version, but the upgrade lacks all the value which makes the Mega Drive version of Aladdin such a hit.
The controls are slick and smooth considering the range of motion and movements Aladdin can make. Whether throwing collected apples, soaring into the sky on a snake or sliding down a clothesline to safety, all controls are so easy to master.
The display is exquisite.
The buildings, characters and animation almost make you believe you’re playing within the real film. No detail spared here.
Aladdin on the Mega Drive is a truly amazing game, and if this wasn’t part of your Mega Drive / Genesis collection back in the day you need to seek out a copy somewhere and give this is a play.
You won’t be disappointed.
Ghouls and Ghosts

Ghouls and Ghosts Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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What kid didn’t spend a pretty penny down the arcade on Saturday mornings playing Ghouls and Ghosts, the sequel to Ghosts ‘n Goblins.
The arcade version was tough but fair, and despite its continuous need to pump in as many coins as you had to get past the first level, there was always something gratifying about it.
Fast forward to the late 1980s and Ghouls and Ghosts launched by Capcom on the Mega Drive and Genesis.
Not only did it launch, but this 16-bit version has done the arcade version very proud indeed.
Gamers play as Sir Arthur on his quest through all manner of graveyard characters on his search to rescue Princess Prin-Prin from Lucifer.
The game starts with Sir Arthur, in a graveyard, in full suit of armour armed with throwing knives ready to throw in the direction of an unsuspecting ghoul from a grave or bird from the trees.
Take a hit and poor Arthur has to fight on in his under pants. Get hit again and lose a life.
Ghouls and Ghosts has so much action going on at once its sometimes hard to keep an eye on everything, hence why this is a pretty tough game to master.
The controls are great, and the gameplay is fast and furious on the Mega Drive and Genesis.
I have always wondered why though so many mystery bonus chests have some kind of Dracula magician popping out with a wheel of doom ready to catch you unawares.
A great game, true to the arcade and a joy to play.
World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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There were many Disney based games released in the 1990s.
Some were good, some not so good.
There is a surprisingly good number of Disney games released for the Mega Drive and Genesis.
Probably due to the cartoon quality graphics the 16-bit Mega Drive brought to the home gaming industry back in the day.
The game starts with a rather casual story of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck performing magic tricks whilst Donald steps into a magic box and disappears. Mickey is close behind to rescue his friend, but they have released they can’t escape without solving puzzles and clues first.
The cute opening scene sees Mickey Mouse in a dark forest whilst the caterpillar from Alice In Wonderland slowly climbs up upon a leaf for a good view. A nice little touch.
Instead of firing or hitting the various number of nasties that come on screen to attack, Mickey instead waves a magic wand over the enemy and turns them in to flowers or butterflies.
Aww how sweet.
The graphics are good and in keeping with Disney. The controls are simple, as you would expect from such a game, and the game is very easy to play. A little too easy, but then again, the target audience for World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse would have been around 5 to 8 years old perhaps.
Even the jumps to high levels in the trees are automatically controlled by the logs and catapults ready to send you up there.
A nice simple easy game and a good reminder of how amazing Disney was back in the day growing up (and still is!).
Altered Beast

Altered Beast Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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Altered Beast was always considered to be the cool game growing up in the 1990s.
All the cool kids had Altered Beast, and they loved bragging about it.
It became one of the most iconic games on the Mega Drive and owned by millions of players around the world.
Playing the game now, although it has a massive reputation, it does feel a little lack lustre, even by Mega Drive and Genesis 16-bit standards.
There isn’t much of an intro or story line. The opening text clashes with the background, the gameplay is a touch lacking in places but the transformation into the beast is kind of cool. Perhaps that was the touch that meant everyone rallied around the game.
Controlling the beast is relatively easy, and gameplay good although a little slow.
I haven’t played many ports of Altered Beast, so can only assume the Mega Drive and Genesis version was not perhaps the best incarnation of the series, but due to its iconic statue on the world of Mega Drive gaming, and is still considered a true platforming classic, I have tentatively added it to the list.
Maybe I expected more, or maybe perhaps the game could have delivered a bit more.
McDonald’s Treasureland Adventure

McDonald’s Treasureland Adventure Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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A pretty ingenious marketing idea by the executives of McDonald’s.
I never had the game growing up, it was one added to my collection years later out of nostalgia.
I first thought this may have been a freebie, but no it is a proper game developed for the Mega Drive and Genesis around Ronald McDonald (bring him back!).
The game starts with Ronald McDonald walking in the Magical Forest (well it would have to be magical) and finds a piece of paper which is a torn off piece of a treasure map.
With map in hand, he wanders off for an adventure of a lifetime – perhaps a Big Mac with strawberry milkshake at the end too!
As platformers go, this is a really solid game!
It’s fun, at the right speed, gameplay is great, the graphics have some really good quality sprights as well as changing weather backgrounds.
It’s a shame this platformer was probably overlooked by many as simply a kid’s game to promote the burger chain, but McDonald’s Treasureland Adventure really is a great little game.
The only slight let down are the controls which can feel a little clumsy with the combinations needed, but practise will make perfect here.
If you’re a platform game lover and have never thought to give this one a go, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Suggested Reading: Best SNES Platform Games, Tried and Tested!
Ristar

Ristar Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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Ristar is one of those unique titles that would have had a good fan base back in the day.
Greedy, the tyrant, has captured all the population as slaves and a distress call is made. It’s picked up by the unassuming star, Ristar, in a galaxy far away.
Yes, ok a little creative imagination is needed here.
That said, Ristar dutifully rushes down to the planet in order to stop the tyrant Greedy and save the day.
Ristar is a touchy feely type of hero, and doesn’t have ammunition or even a weapon, but takes out enemies with an outstretched grab.
Perhaps aimed at a younger audience.
The graphics are pretty decent. Some really nice foreground and background touches, and the whole game feels very well put together.
The controls are easy to get along with. Ristar uses his hands 80% of the time whether grabbing enemies, climbing or swinging.
The game is a little on the slow side, and reminds me of a slow Sonic the Hedgehog.
It can be frustrating to navigate certain points though, which slows the game down.
I’m not overly surprised there wasn’t a sequel or franchise made of Ristar, but I’m sure it’ll be a nostalgia trip for anyone who once owned and loved the game growing up.
Alien 3

Alien 3 Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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Many games have sequels and prequels.
Some better than the original whilst some, often, are worse.
Acclaim did a good job with this adventurous and recognisable platformer.
Armed with flame flower, ammo and the odd grenade, the aim of this fun platformer is to destroy as many frantically moving aliens as you can whilst releasing many of those onboard from a web type substance sticking them to the wall.
The game development feels a little rushed at times. The graphics when jumping appear poorly designed and thought out, and with a little more design time we could have seen a more polished and all-round game.
What is fun is how fast the gameplay is when playing.
Aliens appear out of nowhere, fast, and invariably learning where some of them are through repeated gameplay is needed to get anywhere far in the game.
The controls are straight forward too.
Without the Alien brand name supporting this platformer it may not have done as well as it did in terms of number of sales or popularity, but it is a fast filled action paced platformer – if that is your kind of thing.
Mega Turrican

Mega Turrican Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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As futuristic platformers on the Mega Drive and Genesis go, they don’t come much more futuristic than Mega Turrican.
Terror is sweeping through the Universe as the Machine is out to destroy all planets and enslave all inhabitants.
Bren, the hero, sets out for the ultimate challenge to bring down the Machine and its destructive ways.
The intro sequence is well developed and entices players well to the game.
Mega Turrican is incredibly sprightful, almost too much in a way the background can somehow distract from the foreground at times.
The gameplay though is really fun and well developed. Enough action and speed to keep a player interested, not too easy but not hard enough to warrant the game being put back in its case never to see the light of day again.
The controls are a dream, although the positioning of the ammo against various enemies can be a little challenging at times.
This really is a hidden gem of a platformer that has almost everything.
Alisia Dragoon

Alisia Dragoon Mega Drive / Genesis Review
Rating
The medieval female warrior, Alisia Dragoon, is a game many overlooked on the Mega Drive and Genesis when it released in 1992 by Game Arts.
More evil is unleashed, this time from a silver star falling from the sky (for the second time).
Alisia Dragoon, with her side kick flying dragon, is out to save the day, find the silver star and stop its destructive dark intent.
The introduction sequence of the game is a nice touch, but from the start this game is as frantic and chaotic as they come!
One single weapon press sees a cascade of multi sprightly fire whizz across the screen. Every bombardment of enemies are sent down on mass.
As a player you do often wonder whether you’re really playing the game with skill or just sheer randomly throwing everything at everything being sent at you.
My first try of playing for a while I was given the rating of ‘Worm Master’, whatever that means – although with only a 64% shoot down rate, I am guessing that isn’t guru level.
To enjoy Alisia Dragoon it needs to be mastered. Not just picked up and put down as it will get many players nowhere.
Learning the pattern of the enemy flight paths and strengths and weaknesses are an almost must to make it past the first level, where I fear many players never achieved.
I wonder how many times this was played just once and left to rot on a shelf or put up for sale on eBay, where a little more time and patience could have rewarded the player with the delights the developers intended.
Flashback: The Quest for Identity

Flashback: The Quest for Identity Mega Drive / Genesis Review
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Flashback: The Quest for Identity not only has one of the most intriguing game titles, but the introduction sequence before the game starts is one of the better ones seen on the Mega Drive.
It explains the game very well in a short, well put together, animation sequence.
The intro explains how a man has escaped on a flying bike, being chased by nasties in a spaceship.
The hero’s bike lands on a planet, where the nasties shoot at it and leave the hero for dead.
The start of the game sees the hero coming too after miraculously escaping the crash and explosion, and now has to navigate the various platform terrain and robots.
The game starts off so well but is a little let down with the overall controls.
Trying to run, jump and shoot are incredibly difficult. Practice is the key to getting the sequence just right.
It’s a shame as the graphics are good, and the gameplay looks decent but I fear the lack of good controls probably saw this game relegated to the sale sticker category.
For those who prefer a slower paced type platformer which relies on intricacy rather than sheer ammunition force, this may be the very game for you.