Cheap Genesis Games

[Acid King]

I recently received a Genesis as a gift and I'm wondering what's good and cheap, like less than $25. It's been about 10 years since I owned one and holy shit have prices gone up. I'm looking specifically for platformers, beat 'em ups, and stg/run and guns. I'm going to check out the local retro game shop on Saturday, but I figured I'd put the question to the forum before I sink any money in to it.

[louisg]

Prices from checking eBay:

Alien Storm is an oft-overlooked beat 'em up that's usually about $5.
Thunderforce III appears to be about $25
Ristar is $12. That game is a fantastic platformer.
It looks like Lightening Force is about $20 (that's Thunderforce IV. Yes, it's misspelled )
Mercs is a great port of the arcade run 'n gun, plus a really great original mode with all new levels and strategies, and is around $5
The Genesis 6-pak has Streets of Range and Sonic 1, and is probably pretty cheap
Granada is about $10. It's a really good free-roam top view tank shooter
Midnight Resistance is about $15
Bio Hazard Battle is a good R-Type style shooter and is about $20 with box it looks like
Valis 3 is cheap! I expected it to be expensive, but it's about $10-$15. It's a good Castlevania type side-scroller.
Atomic Runner is about $10. It's a unique auto-running side-view shooter. I like it a lot, but opinions vary.
The European printing of Super Fantasy Zone is about $20 it looks like. It's not bad, and runs fine on a US Genesis.
Soldiers of Fortune is great and is about $10. It's a top view run n gun that has a lot of depth and replayability. Here's my review of the Amiga version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXEMMX-CyLo .. the Genesis one is fairly close.
Strider is about $15. I think the Genesis one has some occasionally weird collision detection and animation slop, but otherwise a good port.
Ghouls n Ghosts is also about that much. It's a solid port of the frustratingly hard arcade game.

Yeah, prices really have gone up! I was gonna recommend Alicia Dragoon because I remembered it being $5, and now it's $40. Crazy. Same with Sol Deace and Fire Shark.

[BIL]

I'm not too up on Genesis prices (Fire Shark was going to be my STG rec too - certainly the best bang/buck ratio on the JP side). But from louis's list Mercs is definitely one I'd suggest. Lack of co-op is a bit disappointing but the original mode is incredible. Arcade-tough, army-themed single sitting action RPG.

I love Atomic Runner and Granada too, but both are a bit idiosyncratic. Maybe give them a try in emulation first. For the amount of content both offer those are great prices, though.

[sojtrash]

retro stores tend to charge premium prices...I'd get whatever you see within reason

games I've seen under $25 (at some point)

Rocket Knight
Streets of Rage 1-3
Strider
Shinobi III
Revenge of Shinobi
Shadow Dancer
Dragon's Fury

[louisg]

I love Atomic Runner and Granada too, but both are a bit idiosyncratic. Maybe give them a try in emulation first. For the amount of content both offer those are great prices, though.

Yeah, those are kind of love-it-or-hate-it. Wolf Team and Data East both make games that are often acquired tastes. Oh, I did a review of Granada too heheheh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYhqeUJ ... RL-H3jv3mw

Shinobi III
...
Shadow Dancer
Dragon's Fury

Holy cow, how could I forget Shadow Dancer and Shinobi III? Shadow Dancer is sure to be not that pricey, and is my favorite of that series (with Shinobi III having great production values, awesome set pieces, and fun bosses where Shadow Dancer is a more stripped bare Rolling Thunder kind of experience). Dragon's Fury is good, but the US Genesis release has a bug where the ball has a good chance of going down the drain even if that drain is latched. It hits the drain and instead of bouncing off, it flings your ball down the drain even faster than it was going before

[jugemscloud]

fatal rewind - quality little run and gun in the vein of turrican pretty cheap as well

[BrianC]

Jewel Master and Mystic Defender are dirt cheap and worth picking up.

Yeah, prices really have gone up! I was gonna recommend Alicia Dragoon because I remembered it being $5, and now it's $40. Crazy. Same with Sol Deace and Fire Shark.

I don't remember seeing too many places with Alicia Dragoon for 5 dollars. I remember seeing cart only ones for around 25 dollars even 5 or 10 years ago. Looking on ebay and Amazon, some cart only Fire Sharks are still under 25 and some complete or with the box are still under 40.

I know Vapor Trail was one that was cheap (and could still be found for cheap if lucky), but is fairly rare and recently went up. I think with that one it was only a matter of time since it now seems to be seen as something of a sleeper hit or hidden gem.

Castle of Illusion is an oddity. I usually see cart only ones around 15-20, but I often see complete or boxed ones for 23-30 dollars.

[PAPER/ARTILLERY]

I just bought a Genesis yesterday so this thread has come at the perfect time! Definitely gonna pick up a few of these suggestions.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Mercs is seriously awesome. Get it. Original Mode is marred only by a naff final boss.

Will definitely check out some of these run & gun recommendations though, need to expand my MD library.

[louisg]

Jewel Master and Mystic Defender are dirt cheap and worth picking up.

I don't remember seeing too many places with Alicia Dragoon for 5 dollars. I remember seeing cart only ones for around 25 dollars even 5 or 10 years ago. Looking on ebay and Amazon, some cart only Fire Sharks are still under 25 and some complete or with the box are still under 40.

Really? I got mine a couple years ago in box and it was maybe $10. Hmmmm I think I got it at a comic book store though and not off of eBay. Stores and forums often have better deals.

[BrianC]

Jewel Master and Mystic Defender are dirt cheap and worth picking up.

I don't remember seeing too many places with Alicia Dragoon for 5 dollars. I remember seeing cart only ones for around 25 dollars even 5 or 10 years ago. Looking on ebay and Amazon, some cart only Fire Sharks are still under 25 and some complete or with the box are still under 40.

Really? I got mine a couple years ago in box and it was maybe $10. Hmmmm I think I got it at a comic book store though and not off of eBay. Stores and forums often have better deals.

I could be remembering wrong. I know the loose one I got at a convention was more than 5, though less than 25. This was back in 2010, though.

[Acid King]

Thanks for the recs, guys. I put a fair amount of time in to Chelnov in MAME so I'll definitely be on the lookout for Atomic Runner. I'll have to pick up Ristar at some point too, likewise the Shinobis. Mercs and Soldiers of Fortune look good as well. How are the Genesis ports of Forgotten Worlds and E-Swat? Both look pretty cheap too.

retro stores tend to charge premium prices...I'd get whatever you see within reason

I've yet to check this shop out yet so I don't know how their prices are, but since there is a comic shop and a record store right around the corner I won't have a hard time walking away if I don't see any good deals.

[Ed Oscuro]

Atomic runner is a nice upgrade in most every respect - or at least one can look at it as a faithful graphical remake. Just make sure you check out the control options - I don't know why, but there are people out there who try very hard to deny that the most natural mapping is the one with A mapped to fire left (turning you left if you aren't already looking left), B to jump, and C to turn / fire right. Makes control very quick and natural.

[stryc9]

Subterrania is good if you like Thrust type gameplay, I got mine CIB for $15 not long ago from Ebay.

I haven't seen Comix Zone mentioned yet I don't think, that's another one I think goes quite cheaply as the US version.

Try before you buy with Jewel Master, plenty of people here seem to like it but I'm afraid I'm not one of them. Frickin' awesome tunage though, almost worth it just for the soundtrack if you can get it cheap enough.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I don't know about prices/rarity, but Rocket Knight Adventures is one of my faves (and reasons why 16-bit consoles' near-absence in my country was particulary lamentable).
Outlander is worth emulating "just for the experience", but I'm not sure I'd like to own a cart.
ToeJam & Earl - I don't really know, not having played co-op, but I want to, one of these days.
Granada and Final Zone are somewhat compromised on Genny, not so much on Sharp X68k.
Herzog Zwei used to be cheap as most kids wouldn't have a clue how to play it... or so I read.
I believe some folks on here would recommend Blades of Vengeance and Gauntlet IV (multiplayer). Rob seemed extremely fond of Kid Chameleon.
Is Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe good on MD? Then what about Sensible Soccer?

[EmperorIng]

[cheap]
Platformers:

Marvel Land

Excellent Namco platformer; cutesy but difficult! The warp points make this game a little crazy, because you are practically warped around EVERYWHERE.

Chiki Chiki Boys

Capcom platformer; that means it's great. Colorful levels, great control, and a fun shop system that rewards not dying.

Shooters:

Thunder Force II
Bio Hazard Battle
Phelios
Forgotten Worlds

All four are good shooters. Of the three, I like TF2 the most. Bio Hazard Battle has some sick graphics. Forgotten Worlds is classic Capcom, and a fun and imaginative shooter.

Run and Gun:

Rolling Thunder 2
Rolling Thunder 3 [the better of the 2]
Mystic Defender

The only "expensive" Genesis games I've encountered are Castlevania Bloodlines and Contra Hard Corps. If you can find them cheap, then it is worth it.

[BrianC]

I found E-Swat to be very good, from what I played. There was talk about it elsewhere on the forum and it was mostly positive. It's different from the arcade and many people like it better.

The Genesis 6-pak is still pretty cheap. It has Sonic 1, Revenge of Shinobi, Columns, Streets of Rage, Golden Axe, and Super Hang On. Revenge of Shinobi is the later version, but Super Hang On is actually the earlier version without the changed billboards.

[sojtrash]

Holy cow, how could I forget Shadow Dancer and Shinobi III? Shadow Dancer is sure to be not that pricey, and is my favorite of that series (with Shinobi III having great production values, awesome set pieces, and fun bosses where Shadow Dancer is a more stripped bare Rolling Thunder kind of experience). Dragon's Fury is good, but the US Genesis release has a bug where the ball has a good chance of going down the drain even if that drain is latched. It hits the drain and instead of bouncing off, it flings your ball down the drain even faster than it was going before

yeeaaahhh

can't do this on those fancy new ps3 ninja gaidens

[Bloodreign]

I could be remembering wrong. I know the loose one I got at a convention was more than 5, though less than 25. This was back in 2010, though.

My copy of Alisia Dragoon is a loose cart, got it at a Play N Trade a couple years ago for $7.99. Almost passed it by, but got curious and tried it via emulation that night, went back and snagged it the very next day before someone else could.

[louisg]

I could be remembering wrong. I know the loose one I got at a convention was more than 5, though less than 25. This was back in 2010, though.

My copy of Alisia Dragoon is a loose cart, got it at a Play N Trade a couple years ago for $7.99. Almost passed it by, but got curious and tried it via emulation that night, went back and snagged it the very next day before someone else could.

It's good stuff! I still haven't beaten it. Maybe I should go back to it now that I've been on a Game Arts kick I've been playing a bit of Sega CD Silpheed, and just ordered a copy of Firehawk: Thexder 2 which I'm very excited about.

[Shatterhand]

Firehawk: Thexder 2 for what system?


Subterrania is pretty cool. It takes a while to get the grips with it, but when you do it, the game is a lot of fun.

Speedball 2 from what I remember was a very solid port. Xenon 2 in the other hand managed to be even worse than the shitty original.

Sensible Soccer plays a bit different from the Amiga version... Sensible World of Soccer actually begun as a port of the Mega-Drive version... the ball is glued to the feet of the players, and the ball feels a bit different. Also players have more stats if I remember correctlly.

It's still a good game, it just feels different from the amiga original.

[louisg]

Firehawk: Thexder 2 for what system?

PC DOS. I've got my MT-32 ready to rock! I wish I had an MSX or PC-88, but, eh, I've got enough old computer clutter. Especially now: I recently acquired an Atari 600XL, Atari ST, and just resurrected my folks' old Apple ][e.

Subterrania is pretty cool. It takes a while to get the grips with it, but when you do it, the game is a lot of fun.

Speedball 2 from what I remember was a very solid port. Xenon 2 in the other hand managed to be even worse than the shitty original.

I second those. Good stuff.

And don't forget Lotus 2! That one is a solid port. The Domark F1 game is also a really good port (and probably the best indy car game on 16-bit systems), though the US edition has no battery save, so good luck doing a campaign game. But check it out, it's amazing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrMMfjsYez0

I'd also recommend Road Rash 2. I wrote a breakdown of it here, which hopefully will give you a feel for what the game's pros and cons are: http://www.extentofthejam.com/RoadRashAnalysis/

[Shatterhand]

Domark's F1 may be the best "sprite-based psuedo 3D" racing game ever. That game is FREAKING AWESOME.

As the original game, Vroom, also was on Amiga. F1 is basically Vroom with the F1 license glued on it.

[KindGrind]

I keep going back to my trusty Truxton cart myself, but I don't really now if it's cheap these days.

I was shocked to see the prices on Grindstormer when I looked a few days ago... Used to be very cheap...

I second Shiboni 3 and Rocket Knight. I know it's outside the price range, but Gunstar Heroes is worth passing on 4-5 cheapo games to buy.

[louisg]

Domark's F1 may be the best "sprite-based psuedo 3D" racing game ever. That game is FREAKING AWESOME.

As the original game, Vroom, also was on Amiga. F1 is basically Vroom with the F1 license glued on it.

Yep! Vroom is excellent too. I think they have different tracks, if I remember right. Domark also made Kawasaki Super Bike with the same engine, but I think F1 is better.

[Captain]

Cheap Genesis Games

I lol'd.

[Shatterhand]

I have some non-original Genesis games I am trying to get rid of (Streets of Rage, Rolo to the Rescue, Columns 3) , and I am also selling a Fifa 97 original from Brazil. I also have a Japanese Super Hydlide I am selling pretty cheap too.

Trouble is I am im Brazil, so I'd bet the shipment would be too expensive to be worthy.

[Skykid]

Cheap Genesis Games

I lol'd.

Edit: Oh fuck it I don't want to get into it. I must be getting old.

[Shatterhand]

I want to vouch for games developed by Vectordean. I think they were some really underrated developers and made some games I truly love, and I owned all of the for the Mega-Drive back at the day at one point or another.

James Pond is a very original arcade adventure game that I find to be greatly enjoyable. The original Amiga version is better in many ways, but the Mega-Drive one is good enough.
James Pond 2: Codename Robocod is IMO one of the best Platform games I ever played. Extremely cute, spot-on playability and brilliant level design. The Mega-Drive version is IMO the best version of all that I've played (The game was originally an Amiga game and it was ported for dozens of systems, there are even PS2 and NDS versions of this).
The Aquatic Games is one of the most enjoyable olympic games I ever played. Yes, there are events that are just brutal button-mashing (or joystick waggle in the original Amiga version), but some events are a lot of fun to play.
James Pond 3: Operation Starfish is IMO the weakest game with James Pond (And the only one made originally for the Mega-Drive), but it's still a lot of fun.
Rolo to the Rescue gotta be the most cute platform game ever, it's a game I deeply adore, with an ingenious level design and the whole atmosphere of the game is so high up on the cutesy level that's hard not fall in love with the game even if you only enjoy Stallone and Chuck Norris films.