Best Sega games for a first-timer?

[Natsuyasumi]

For Genesis: Gun Star Heroes, Shinobi 3, Ristar, Contra Hard Corps, Phantasy Star 4

For Saturn: X-men vs Street Fighter, Panzer Dragoon Saga

For Dreamcast: SEAMAN

 

[Yurokashi]

Thank you SO MUCH for all of your suggestions!! I decided to try out Skies of Arcadia last night and it's really great so far. The graphics actually surprised me a lot, faarr better than I expected. Looking forward to testing out all of these! Much love to you all and I hope your days/lives are going well <3

 

[Additional Damage]

And nobody mentioned DUNE

Dune (USA) SEGA CD ISO Download – RGT Repository

Dune (USA) SEGA CD ISO. A Adventure, Strategy game released on 1993 by Cryo Interactive, Virgin Interactive

retrogametalk.com

Dune II: The Battle for Arrakis (USA, Europe) Sega Genesis ROM – RGT Repository

Dune II: The Battle for Arrakis (USA, Europe) Sega Genesis ROM. A Strategy game released on 1993 by Virgin Interactive, Westwood Studios

retrogametalk.com

 

[Hypogastrium]

Rent A Hero No.1

I've never played the original Genesis game, but this is supposed to be a remake into 3D form. It felt similar in feeling to Shenmue and I like the theme of being more of a normal everyday kind of character, where although Yakuza is also similar to Shenmue it's more inclined toward criminality. But I do like Yakuza 3 in kind of balancing that aspect with it being my favorite in that series. Judgment was alright, but felt like it dialed back the side activities too much.

IllBleed

Although difficult to understand the gameplay and I've never gotten past the first attraction, I really like the style and feeling that this one evokes.

18 Wheeler: Pro American Trucker

Fun game with that cool 2000s SEGA attitude. This game is kind of built onto by a series that isn't by SEGA, but very similar called Big Mutha Truckers.

Haunting: Starring Polterguy

Always liked the style of this game and pretty simple to get into.

 

[diet_orange]

REVENGE OF FUCKING SHINOBI!

Shinobi III: Return Of The Ninja Master is also equally great, love that you can run now. Really makes you feel like you're a ninja

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I grew up as a staunch and highly annoying PlayStation fanboy and elitist. Had a PS2, PS3 and PS4, but moved to PC a few years ago (shitty laptop). After dipping my toes a bit in Nintendo systems like the SNES, GBA, DS and 3DS, I decided it would be fun to try out the Sega systems and their collection of games. I've played a bit (like 3mins) of the original Sonic games. I know of Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Phatasy Star Online and Shenmue, but not so much others.

I'm cool with any recs, regardless of year of release or type of game (except puzzle games... I suck at those...). For a bit of an idea for recommendations, I'm mainly into JRPGs, FPS and 3rd person action-adventure games, but again, anything is good :D (except puzzle games PLEASE NOT PUZZLE GAMES lmao)

(I apologize in advance for how long this response is. I tried to break up the text blocks using images. Hope it helps!)

SEGA stuff is fun! The company has a long and storied history of games, both first and third party, that are quirky and enjoyable! Every system they made has a wildly different vibe from one another, so there’s tons of variety, and you’re bound to find something you’ll love eventually! While SEGA themselves do a poor job at marketing and preserving their legacy to be exciting for a younger generation, that doesn’t mean we as fans can’t do it ourselves!

I highly recommend the PicoDrive emulator as a starting point. SEGA had, for its first several systems, a standard hardware set that they kept building on. What that means is that PicoDrive can emulate SG-1000, SEGA Mark III, Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, Game Gear, SEGA CD/Mega CD, and 32X.

I’ll now recommend a game for each of those systems.

SG-1000: Girls Garden and Black Onyx
SEGA Mark III: Fantasy Zone and Kenseiden
Master System: Phantasy Star and Sonic The Hedgehog (8-bit)
Mega Drive: Phantasy Star IV: End of the Millennium and Sonic 3
SEGA CD: Robo Aleste and Snatcher
SEGA 32X: AfterBurner Complete and Virtua Fighter

The Saturn is best emulated via Mednafen, so I’ve heard. When you can, if you can, experiment with Panzer Dragoon Saga and SEGA Rally.

Dreamcast seems to be the thing you’re most knowledgeable of emulating, so I can be more lax. All the titles you listed are awesome, and should make for good times! Shenmue in particular, if you accept that it’s more of a life simulator with a time management element rather than a modern-style open world game, will give you a great journey you won’t soon forget. Plus, it has an arcade for you to experiment with playing Hang On and Space Harrier, which is why I didn’t recommend any arcade games!

That said, for your Dreamcast journey, I have to recommend SEGA Marine Fishing, for its incredible vibes and the fact you can FISH UP A WHOLE ASS SHARK and SeaMan, because it can be another longer game that’s a unique pet sim where the pet can have intellectual conversations with you!

On top of all these that I just said, I have a number of games on SEGA systems that I just have to throw out there as amazing must plays. These are in all sorts of genres and they’re not necessarily in order, so have at it!

- Shinobi 3
- Daytona USA
- PowerSlave/Exhumed
- Virtua Tennis (any entry)
- Virtua Fighter 2, 3, 4, 5 (the whole series is a banger
- Shining Force (the whole series. All of them are goated)
- NiGHTS Into Dreams
- Cristmas NiGHTS
- Panzer Dragoon (every game is awesome)
- Sonic Adventure 1&2
- House of the Dead (every. single. one.)
- Virtual On (both entries)
- Ristar
- VectorMan (both games are pretty good)
- Castle of Illusion (both the 8 and 16 bit games are awesome platformers. No joke.)
- Galaxy Force
- Outrun
- Outrun 2
- Power Drift
- Crazy Taxi
- Crazy Taxi 3
- Arabian Fight
- Golden Axe
- Golden Axe 2
- Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder
- Fighters Megamix
- Comix Zone
- Sakura Wars (all games. Need English patches though. Worth it.)
- Astal
- Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
- Tempo
- Sonic CD
- Yakuza (ALL OF THEM. EVERY LAST ONE!)
- etc., etc., etc…

Seriously, I can go on and on forever. SEGA is not a bastion of guaranteed quality, no, but their run as a game maker has been home to TONS of SEGA games that are amazing.

 

[Turbo Kid]

Late to the party, but these are my pics. Rather than list a billion titles developed or published by Sega I'll just go with some high quality and beginner friendly ones:

Space Channel 5
Streets of Rage 2
Valkyria Chronicles
Rez
Skies of Arcadia: Legends
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
Sonic X Shadow Generations
Three Dirty Dwarves
Jet Set Radio Future
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (The Wonder Boy series is deeply tied to Sega)
Shinobi Art of Vengeance
Yakuza Like a Dragon

 

[Yurokashi]

(I apologize in advance for how long this response is. I tried to break up the text blocks using images. Hope it helps!)
View attachment 124636
SEGA stuff is fun! The company has a long and storied history of games, both first and third party, that are quirky and enjoyable! Every system they made has a wildly different vibe from one another, so there’s tons of variety, and you’re bound to find something you’ll love eventually! While SEGA themselves do a poor job at marketing and preserving their legacy to be exciting for a younger generation, that doesn’t mean we as fans can’t do it ourselves!
View attachment 124626
I highly recommend the PicoDrive emulator as a starting point. SEGA had, for its first several systems, a standard hardware set that they kept building on. What that means is that PicoDrive can emulate SG-1000, SEGA Mark III, Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, Game Gear, SEGA CD/Mega CD, and 32X.

I’ll now recommend a game for each of those systems.

SG-1000: Girls Garden and Black Onyx
SEGA Mark III: Fantasy Zone and Kenseiden
Master System: Phantasy Star and Sonic The Hedgehog (8-bit)
Mega Drive: Phantasy Star IV: End of the Millennium and Sonic 3
SEGA CD: Robo Aleste and Snatcher
SEGA 32X: AfterBurner Complete and Virtua Fighter
View attachment 124627

The Saturn is best emulated via Mednafen, so I’ve heard. When you can, if you can, experiment with Panzer Dragoon Saga and SEGA Rally.
View attachment 124629
Dreamcast seems to be the thing you’re most knowledgeable of emulating, so I can be more lax. All the titles you listed are awesome, and should make for good times! Shenmue in particular, if you accept that it’s more of a life simulator with a time management element rather than a modern-style open world game, will give you a great journey you won’t soon forget. Plus, it has an arcade for you to experiment with playing Hang On and Space Harrier, which is why I didn’t recommend any arcade games!

That said, for your Dreamcast journey, I have to recommend SEGA Marine Fishing, for its incredible vibes and the fact you can FISH UP A WHOLE ASS SHARK and SeaMan, because it can be another longer game that’s a unique pet sim where the pet can have intellectual conversations with you!
View attachment 124633

On top of all these that I just said, I have a number of games on SEGA systems that I just have to throw out there as amazing must plays. These are in all sorts of genres and they’re not necessarily in order, so have at it!

- Shinobi 3
- Daytona USA
- PowerSlave/Exhumed
- Virtua Tennis (any entry)
- Virtua Fighter 2, 3, 4, 5 (the whole series is a banger
- Shining Force (the whole series. All of them are goated)
- NiGHTS Into Dreams
- Cristmas NiGHTS
- Panzer Dragoon (every game is awesome)
- Sonic Adventure 1&2
- House of the Dead (every. single. one.)
- Virtual On (both entries)
- Ristar
- VectorMan (both games are pretty good)
- Castle of Illusion (both the 8 and 16 bit games are awesome platformers. No joke.)
- Galaxy Force
- Outrun
- Outrun 2
- Power Drift
- Crazy Taxi
- Crazy Taxi 3
- Arabian Fight
- Golden Axe
- Golden Axe 2
- Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder
- Fighters Megamix
- Comix Zone
- Sakura Wars (all games. Need English patches though. Worth it.)
- Astal
- Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
- Tempo
- Sonic CD
- Yakuza (ALL OF THEM. EVERY LAST ONE!)
- etc., etc., etc…

Seriously, I can go on and on forever. SEGA is not a bastion of guaranteed quality, no, but their run as a game maker has been home to TONS of SEGA games that are amazing.View attachment 124637

This is an INCREDIBLE list oh my goodness, thank you so much!! This is also the most detailed response I've ever had for a question ^-^ It's gonna be fun try all of these out sometime. happy you reminded me of NiGHTS Into Dreams, that's a title I wanted to play when I was 9, but that was way past Sega's heyday as a console manufacturer haha. Virtua Fighter is the only fighting game series I'm somewhat competent with so I'll definitely try out the older ones. Huge thanks once again <3

 

[Max]

Almost any game from the Dreamcast era: colorful graphics, easy controls, and pleasant music. Seriously, many games like Sonic Adventure, JSR, Crazy Taxi, etc. have at least 2 of these specs

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

This is an INCREDIBLE list oh my goodness, thank you so much!! This is also the most detailed response I've ever had for a question ^-^ It's gonna be fun try all of these out sometime. happy you reminded me of NiGHTS Into Dreams, that's a title I wanted to play when I was 9, but that was way past Sega's heyday as a console manufacturer haha. Virtua Fighter is the only fighting game series I'm somewhat competent with so I'll definitely try out the older ones. Huge thanks once again <3

Hey, no problem! It’s probably the longest I’ve ever spent writing something on the forum lmao. Many of the images are custom made (you can tell by their poor quality), so this was probably about a half an hour to 45 minutes of trying to recommend games that I feel can be enjoyed by anybody.

Two addendums:

1. I mentioned Mednafen for Saturn emulation. I’m not super experienced in this field, as I just went the route of original hardware when I saw how complicated it all was. In truth, you should use Mednafen but also keep an eye out on YMir. It’s an open source emulation project that’s made rapid progress this year and has comparability with many of the more challenging 3D titles in the library.

2. If you already have a PS2 emulator, then check out the SEGA 2500 series! It’s a bunch of ports of their games from various eras and platforms, some being completely remade. For example, I feel you should play Phantasy Star via the 2500 version if you get the chance! Be wary though, as SEGA has a long history with poor re-releases. Most of the time, they only bother with porting inferior quality PC versions of their games. All re-releases of NiGHTS into Dreams, for example, I swear play worse than the Saturn original. I almost didn’t like the game because I played it on PS3 first lol! The same can be said for many Sonic rereleases, especially Adventure 1 which has only ever had its “remake” of Sonic Adventure DX ported. If you choose to play Steam versions of games, there’s a silver lining though! Several of those titles have fan made patches that make for a far better experience, and I can vouch for the Sonic Adventure patches because that was the first time I fell in love with the game (again, had played the GameCube version previously and really was underwhelmed and kinda annoyed by the game lol)

TL;DR: Be wary of SEGA’s rereleases. Do your research before playing. But DO play Phantasy Star via the PS2 version though, that shit bangs.

 

[Yurokashi]

Hey, no problem! It’s probably the longest I’ve ever spent writing something on the forum lmao. Many of the images are custom made (you can tell by their poor quality), so this was probably about a half an hour to 45 minutes of trying to recommend games that I feel can be enjoyed by anybody.

Two addendums:

1. I mentioned Mednafen for Saturn emulation. I’m not super experienced in this field, as I just went the route of original hardware when I saw how complicated it all was. In truth, you should use Mednafen but also keep an eye out on YMir. It’s an open source emulation project that’s made rapid progress this year and has comparability with many of the more challenging 3D titles in the library.
View attachment 124709

2. If you already have a PS2 emulator, then check out the SEGA 2500 series! It’s a bunch of ports of their games from various eras and platforms, some being completely remade. For example, I feel you should play Phantasy Star via the 2500 version if you get the chance! Be wary though, as SEGA has a long history with poor re-releases. Most of the time, they only bother with porting inferior quality PC versions of their games. All re-releases of NiGHTS into Dreams, for example, I swear play worse than the Saturn original. I almost didn’t like the game because I played it on PS3 first lol! The same can be said for many Sonic rereleases, especially Adventure 1 which has only ever had its “remake” of Sonic Adventure DX ported. If you choose to play Steam versions of games, there’s a silver lining though! Several of those titles have fan made patches that make for a far better experience, and I can vouch for the Sonic Adventure patches because that was the first time I fell in love with the game (again, had played the GameCube version previously and really was underwhelmed and kinda annoyed by the game lol)

TL;DR: Be wary of SEGA’s rereleases. Do your research before playing. But DO play Phantasy Star via the PS2 version though, that shit bangs.
View attachment 124713

I didn't know SEGA rereleased some games on the PS2, that's great to hear! That'll make it easier to get certain games and avoid the hell of having a library that's too big and unorganized lmao

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I didn't know SEGA rereleased some games on the PS2, that's great to hear! That'll make it easier to get certain games and avoid the hell of having a library that's too big and unorganized lmao

Probably because this line was only in Japan for some reason. There was a collection of some of their “remade” games that released stateside, but most of the 2500 line was JP only. There’s a patch for Phantasy Star though, and it’s a great English translation!

(Also, sorry to be so hardcore on recommending Phantasy Star by the way. I just got done playing the Master System original, and I really enjoyed my time with it, so it’s on my mind!)

 

[Yurokashi]

Probably because this line was only in Japan for some reason. There was a collection of some of their “remade” games that released stateside, but most of the 2500 line was JP only. There’s a patch for Phantasy Star though, and it’s a great English translation!

(Also, sorry to be so hardcore on recommending Phantasy Star by the way. I just got done playing the Master System original, and I really enjoyed my time with it, so it’s on my mind!)

Nah dw I also get hardcore about certain games, like FFX and Sleeping Dogs lol. I'm gonna try it out after I finish Bakugan for PS2! Seeing all the Phantasy Star games on other platforms really tempts me to try out the original ^-^

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I'm gonna try it out after I finish Bakugan for PS2!

This game was a massive part of my childhood, though the one I put a ton of time into was the DS version, which I still rate to this day.
Funny story, Bakugan was the first time I remember realizing console differences. I didn’t have a DS yet, but my family had a Wii, and I wanted the game. My mom worked at Blockbuster around its death, so she rented the game out. Unfortunately, it was the XBox 360 version… (x_x)

Edit: this actually kinda fits the thread, as Bakugan were originally manufactured by SEGAToys and imported by SpinMaster. So, yeah, SEGA has its hands in a lot of things you’d never expect. They even made the I-Dog too!

 

[MajesticSiN]

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

View attachment 124818

I have to recommend Crazy Taxi 3 if you can! The original XBox port has the levels from 1 and 2, as well as their respective drivers. Makes for a fantastic experience! You’re missing the missions from the DC port though, so there’s no reason to not try the Dreamcast versions of 1 and 2 if you have the chance!

Also, there’s a PSP port of 1 and 2 called “Fare Wars”. Was the first place I played them! Somebody made a patch for that port to have the original music, which makes for a far better experience!

Post automatically merged: Monday at 9:22 PM

I love this game, but I’m so bad at it. I have to be careful recommending it to people just in case they suck at rhythm like me!

 

[SeventhSon]

Shadow Dancer (Genesis)

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Shadow Dancer (Genesis)

Hard as heck, cool as heck!

Rule of thumb: if it’s a Shinobi game (that isn’t The Cyber Shinobi), it’s god tier. All of them. EVERY SINGLE ONE ON EVERY SINGLE SYSTEM IS A GAME WORTH PLAYING.

 

[CG4R12I4N]

Honestly I don't think there're any single bad game for Sega consoles and dev games, they're really a matter of taste more than objectively bad per se.

If you like simulation beat em ups, try Ryu Ga Gotoku/Yakuza and Shenmue series
If you like RPGs, Phantasy Star, Sakura Taisen/Sakura Wars, Senjou no Valkyria/Valkyria Chronicles, Skies of Arcadia and Shining series are up your alley
If you like driving, look at Crazy Taxi and Outrun series
If you like rhythm games, Space Channel 5, Samba de Amigo! and Hatsune Miku: Project Diva series are perfect for you
If you like sidescrolling platformer/beat-em-ups, go with Golden Axe, Bare Knuckle/Streets of Rage, Shinobi, old Sonic series and a lot more
If you like action adventure, pick NiGHTS, Crusader of Centy, Rent a Hero No 1, Bayonetta trilogy and such
Virtual On and Panzer Dragoon series are also excellent if you're into mech duel and aerial 3D shooter

 

[KannonBlitz85]

Streets of Rage 1-3, Revenge of Shinobi, GG Shinobi, Wonder Boy and Alex Kidd would be my main picks

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Streets of Rage 1-3, Revenge of Shinobi, GG Shinobi, Wonder Boy and Alex Kidd would be my main picks

I always go Shinobi III, since it’s easier to get ahold of (no funky licensing issues) but yeah, don’t sleep on Revenge. Many people consider either one to be better than the other and you won’t be able to decide for yourself until you play both!

Also, I second the Wonder Boy stuff. Especially Wonder Boy 3: The Dragon’s Trap for Master System is a game I’ve heard many good things about. I just didn’t recommend it myself since I was trying hard to recommend only things made by internal SEGA. If I included third party stuff on their systems… that post would have passed the word count limit!

 

[KannonBlitz85]

I always go Shinobi III, since it’s easier to get ahold of (no funky licensing issues) but yeah, don’t sleep on Revenge. Many people consider either one to be better than the other and you won’t be able to decide for yourself until you play both!

Also, I second the Wonder Boy stuff. Especially Wonder Boy 3: The Dragon’s Trap for Master System is a game I’ve heard many good things about. I just didn’t recommend it myself since I was trying hard to recommend only things made by internal SEGA. If I included third party stuff on their systems… that post would have passed the word count limit!

Toy Story would definitely be a third-party pick for me. Probably one of the best licensed games on the system even with a pretty heavy difficulty curve.

Edit: Demolition Man is a good one too, and funnily both games make surprisingly good use of GEMS