Game Gear Hey, Let's talk about Sega Game Gear games

[bcdusk]

Puyo Puyo on the game gear is Better than thee gba one; somehow it has better animation and it Feels better

Doesn't surprise me, some GBA ports are quite bad.

However as the GBA is a 32 bits console you should be comparing it to the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo, that at least are 16 bits.

The reason why ports of the Sega Genesis didn't work for GBA was because they would have to rewrite the entire game like Nintendo did with their Mario ports but to be fair they had the source code.

But wait!

 

[Deleted member 111615]

Puyo Puyo on the game gear is Better than thee gba one; somehow it has better animation and it Feels better

Post automatically merged: Dec 5, 2025

How's Omega Boost? I copied it on a cd and it looked pretty cool

If you like the genre, with full 3D movement, Omega Boost is a graphic festival. Very very impressive for a PSX. But do not expect a "BIG story". It's just a beautiful shooting game.

Was made by Polyphony Digital (the Gran Turismo guys) in the only (and I mean THE ONLY) chance they got from Sony to do something different from Gran Turismo series (and this includes the commercially failed and very forgotten "Tourist Trophy", because TT is basically a Gran Turismo game with bikes).

It's some kind of a shame Polyphony never got any other opportunity to do something else than racing games, seeing how well done Omega Boost was, because they for sure could have made some good action games (at least) for PS2 and PS3. And to be sincere... GT series got stalled during PS2 era after GT4 and all those "mini-GTs" they released for it (I'm talking about the "prologue" and "concepts" releases).

EDIT: By the way, apparently I put "Thunder Force V" 2 times in the list of shoot 'em ups for PSX. Sorry.

 

[fbnaulin]

My brief appreciation for the immortal Game Gear:

Streets of Rage 2
Technically impressive version of this timeless classic, with astonishing pixel art, and solid controls.

Mega Man
Like Wily Wars, a beloved Mega Man for SEGA, with a unique mix with Mega Man 4 and 5 stages.

Sorcery Saga
A complete series with redesigned levels, and new characters and story from PC-98 version. Fan translated from Japanese.

 

[Deleted member 111615]

My brief appreciation for the immortal Game Gear:

Streets of Rage 2
Technically impressive version of this timeless classic, with astonishing pixel art, and solid controls.

Mega Man
Like Wily Wars, a beloved Mega Man for SEGA, with a unique mix with Mega Man 4 and 5 stages.

Sorcery Saga
A complete series with redesigned levels, and new characters and story from PC-98 version. Fan translated from Japanese.

That Mega Man game was never released in Europe, what a shame.
Probably because it came very late (late 1995).

Sega Retro indicates, in its page about that game, it was "officially" released in Portugal, but what they probably did (the local company who had the SEGA rights there) was just import the US version and sell it there. Which it was a smart move: If I'm not wrong, GG had no regional protection at all.

So... what a miss to not officially releasing that fantastic Mega Man game, in an era GG was already suffering a big drough of titles in Europe (worse than USA, and much worse than Japan).
Effing Sega...

SoR2 GG is really amazing.

Sorcery Saga, is maybe more known as "Madou Monogatari" by some. From that series protagonist came the girl from the Puyo Puyo series (now a Sega series, originally from Compile).
It is like a strange conundrum there, because the Sorcery Saga series is not owned by SEGA but for "Compile Heart" (a successor company from the original Compile), but the characters of the original games and the Puyo Puyo spin-off series... are SEGA owned.

 

[solnK!]

I've been wanting to try Panzer Dragoon Mini and Virtua Fighter The Animation.
I loved Sonic Chaos when I unlocked ot on SADX.

 

[Deleted member 111615]

I've been wanting to try Panzer Dragoon Mini and Virtua Fighter The Animation.
I loved Sonic Chaos when I unlocked ot on SADX.

Virtua Fighter Animation is a nice fighting game, based on the anime series of the mid 90s, in turn based on the SEGA series (Virtua Fighter was HUGE in Japan in that era). As more as I played it, more I liked that game.
Has relatively small characters, but it is very well animated and at some degree (don't expect miracles) faithful to the VF movements.
As happened with the VF2 for MD (which got undeserved hate for some people, just because it was a 2D adaptation of the 3D original version) I was pleasantly surprised. Both are very nice games.
Apparently, the "VF2" for MD was, originally, the "big brother" of this GG game, and its original development name also was "Virtua Fighter Animation". So, at some point, they decided to do a more serious 2D conversion of the saga for Mega Drive, and not an "adaptation of the Anime".
In any case, the GG game is a nice fighting game.

Panzer Dragoon mini, on the other hand, is a very very mediocre game, from the very very last era of GG in Japan, already in very late 1996, when SEGA Japan tried to sold the console behind a new brand called "Kid's Gear", focusing on the most young players, in its very last months of commercial life.

(Virtua Fighter Animation also used that brand in Japan, and maybe is the first game having it because it was released in March of 1996... but it is obviously a better product, most possibly developed before the "Kid's Gear" idea being a real thing).

So, Panzer Dragoon Mini was a game dedicated to that new brand, for that public, and it's just an excuse to use that famous (by then) SEGA series, to make some "dull" game.
It is a game to be really enjoyed only for the little ones of the house, really. Do not expect ANYTHING near to the Saturn games.
Expect a gameplay more similar to the typical "LCD playing machines" for children, you could play during hours in the 90s if you were a child by then... but obviously with music, colors, and better animations and some final enemies (is a GG game after all, but a very very basic game).
Don't misunderstand me: if you are very young, you really could enjoy that game. But if you are a pre-teen or older... you will probably be bored very fast.

(Even the Game Gear console was renamed as "Kid's Gear" during its lasts months, in Japan).

 

[solnK!]

Virtua Fighter Animation is a nice fighting game, based on the anime series of the mid 90s, in turn based on the SEGA series (Virtua Fighter was HUGE in Japan in that era). As more as I played it, more I liked that game.
Has relatively small characters, but it is very well animated and at some degree (don't expect miracles) faithful to the VF movements.
As happened with the VF2 for MD (which got undeserved hate for some people, just because it was a 2D adaptation of the 3D original version) I was pleasantly surprised. Both are very nice games.
Apparently, the "VF2" for MD was, originally, the "big brother" of this GG game, and its original development name also was "Virtua Fighter Animation". So, at some point, they decided to do a more serious 2D conversion of the saga for Mega Drive, and not an "adaptation of the Anime".
In any case, the GG game is a nice fighting game.

Panzer Dragoon mini, on the other hand, is a very very mediocre game, from the very very last era of GG in Japan, already in very late 1996, when SEGA Japan tried to sold the console behind a new brand called "Kid's Gear", focusing on the most young players, in its very last months of commercial life.

(Virtua Fighter Animation also used that brand in Japan, and maybe is the first game having it because it was released in March of 1996... but it is obviously a better product, most possibly developed before the "Kid's Gear" idea being a real thing).

So, Panzer Dragoon Mini was a game dedicated to that new brand, for that public, and it's just an excuse to use that famous (by then) SEGA series, to make some "dull" game.
It is a game to be really enjoyed only for the little ones of the house, really. Do not expect ANYTHING near to the Saturn games.
Expect a gameplay more similar to the typical "LCD playing machines" for children, you could play during hours in the 90s if you were a child by then... but obviously with music, colors, and better animations and some final enemies (is a GG game after all, but a very very basic game).
Don't misunderstand me: if you are very young, you really could enjoy that game. But if you are a pre-teen or older... you will probably be bored very fast.


View attachment 134874View attachment 134876
(Even the Game Gear console was renamed as "Kid's Gear" during its lasts months, in Japan).

I tried the VF2 port on my sister's genesis and liked it enough, didn't know that it was initially intended to be another project for the VF anime games.

 

[Deleted member 111615]

I tried the VF2 port on my sister's genesis and liked it enough, didn't know that it was initially intended to be another project for the VF anime games.

Yeah. I remember that game having a lot of hate, but in fact, it is really a nice game. It also is one of the biggest games for MD, with 4MB (36Megs) which I think they are used pretty well.

Most probably the project grew in importance during its development, because it was clear it would be one of the last SEGA produced games for the 16bit (in Japan the game was never released, because SEGA Japan already stopped to publish new games for that console there, by mid 1996. So by late 1996, when the game was released, was too late for Japan. But it was released in South Korea... which basically means they got the "japanese" version there).

The problem of that game maybe was the EXCELLENT port 32X received of the original Virtua Fighter (which is an AMAZING port) one year before. And that game was full 3D, including voices and music, at the same speed of the bigger versions (Arcade and Saturn). And even more modes. So, a downgraded port in 2D of VF2 seemed like a joke. But It was pretty decent for MD.

 

[bcdusk]

32X

That's why the Sega Genesis got a port, the 32x sales were terrible.

 

[Lee__Kanker]

Doesn't surprise me, some GBA ports are quite bad.

However as the GBA is a 32 bits console you should be comparing it to the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo, that at least are 16 bits.

The reason why ports of the Sega Genesis didn't work for GBA was because they would have to rewrite the entire game like Nintendo did with their Mario ports but to be fair they had the source code.

Yeah I know the gba is more powerful, thats what makes it surprising! The 8bit version is better than the console that can run a version of quake!

The animations and controls are just better. The itself aint bad, it just doesnt play as smoothly

Yeah the gba had ports you wouldnt expect haha, aside from mr nuts it has some amiga games

Post automatically merged: Dec 12, 2025

If you like the genre, with full 3D movement, Omega Boost is a graphic festival. Very very impressive for a PSX. But do not expect a "BIG story". It's just a beautiful shooting game.

Was made by Polyphony Digital (the Gran Turismo guys) in the only (and I mean THE ONLY) chance they got from Sony to do something different from Gran Turismo series (and this includes the commercially failed and very forgotten "Tourist Trophy", because TT is basically a Gran Turismo game with bikes).

It's some kind of a shame Polyphony never got any other opportunity to do something else than racing games, seeing how well done Omega Boost was, because they for sure could have made some good action games (at least) for PS2 and PS3. And to be sincere... GT series got stalled during PS2 era after GT4 and all those "mini-GTs" they released for it (I'm talking about the "prologue" and "concepts" releases).

EDIT: By the way, apparently I put "Thunder Force V" 2 times in the list of shoot 'em ups for PSX. Sorry.

I see! Very very interesting
I knew it was made by the gran turismo studio; so I was wondering if it was a stab at a genre that didnt go anywhere (like sine moira by grasshopper), or one of those really good one-offs that make you wish for more (Einhander by squaresoft)

It Did look very well made, man it's a big shame when stuff like this happens, kinda like how fromsoftware made all kinds of games before DS and a big chunk of em was really cool (especially the horror stuff)

Human Entertainment comes to mind; those guys actually got to do lots of genres from the famicom to the ps2, and a lot of it was worth playing and very distinct

 

[UnDubious]

Omega Boost was in development at the same time as Gran Turismo, but Gran Turismo was such a big hit that it decided their future, basically.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I became a Gear owner! Playing it using an outlet and a Genesis AC Adapter is pretty solid, since the cable is long! I actually haven’t found batteries to be an issue yet since it’s easy to play for short bursts when you’re out and about. I’d imagine it’s not a “vacation handheld”, but it probably bangs on a day trip! I’ll have to try some time!

The big surprise for me so far is how great this game is! Power Rangers is a flashy 8-bit fighting game with stages that have multiple enemies hopping in similar to a beat em up. Every stage is split between a section where you play as a ranger and then play as the zord. Every ranger has their own special moves and abilities that feel very distinct, and the game is just a surprisingly fun time! I don’t know how it holds up when played on an emulator, without the form factor of the real hardware, but on the system itself it slaps! Especially when paired with a game like “Columns”: a slower game where you have to use your brain a lot more.

Power Rangers on Game Gear is in the category of “catharsis games” to me, similar to other power trip video games. It’s not exceptionally varied or difficult, but it just makes you feel good, y’know? And this is coming from somebody who’s only ever had second hand experience with the source material. Lord only knows how special this would have been to a fan from the time!

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Sick rare variant of the Game Gear! I love this anime design for Akira a lot.

Post automatically merged: Dec 23, 2025

My brief appreciation for the immortal Game Gear:

Streets of Rage 2
Technically impressive version of this timeless classic, with astonishing pixel art, and solid controls.

Mega Man
Like Wily Wars, a beloved Mega Man for SEGA, with a unique mix with Mega Man 4 and 5 stages.

Sorcery Saga
A complete series with redesigned levels, and new characters and story from PC-98 version. Fan translated from Japanese.

If I'm not mistaken, the SoR2 version on GG has super moves that even the console version doesn't have! Though it lacks Max, possibly due to cart size limitations.

 

[PhaseJump]

Refurbishing and recapping 3 Master Systems over the holidays has me eyeballing the Game Gear.

Shit screen, shit capacitors, shit battery life. I don't miss it's relevance.

 

[bcdusk]

Shit screen, shit capacitors, shit battery life

Yet still somehow it had more colors that the Master System.

Also yet again the screen was better that what the Gameboy had at the time.

Price and shit battery life was what made it lose to the Gameboy.

 

[PhaseJump]

Yet still somehow it had more colors that the Master System.

Also yet again the screen was better that what the Gameboy had at the time.

Price and shit battery life was what made it lose to the Gameboy.

A better color palette in GG mode than what was thrown at the Master System was a bit irrelevant when the backlit screen was a blurry mess at a lower resolution, zoomed in on the assets.


The battery life made it "lose" to Gameboy?!

 

[bcdusk]

blurry mess at a lower resolution, zoomed in on the assets.

Still the better portable at the time, just again not real point to it as the battery life was awful, so.if you had to use it plugged may as well just use a Sega Genesis instead.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Still the better portable at the time, just again not real point to it as the battery life was awful, so.if you had to use it plugged may as well just use a Sega Genesis instead.

It’s not like it dies immediately. It’s a good “day trip” or “bus ride” handheld. Especially in the dark, where places where non-backlit devices can’t go. A functioning gear is quite nice.

I cannot defend it too much, since you’d have to be insane to think that something which FORCES YOU to use it in shorter bursts when you don’t plug it in is better than something which gives you far more flexibility, but I’ve had fun with its games recently and can safely say that they do a great job giving me reasons to look the hardware’s way!

Two days ago, I truly sat down with Game Gear Jurassic Park for example, and I think it’s a fantastic example of Game Gear goodness. It’s a good looking, good playing 2D action game with a Rolling Thunder type of pace and also a variety of auto scrolling shooter stages in a jeep. You can choose stages in any order, there’s multiple endings, and I just find it to be an enjoyable little action game for the system.
A Master System version exists, and ironically I think it has some nicer color use (lmao, so much for better color on GG), but I think it would suck because the game is too short to be a home console kind of game. And I like short games, I like arcade stuff. This isn’t that. This is a game that just is bite sized in a very particular way. And on the Game Gear, it’s right at home and paced perfectly!
Games like this really benefit from the GG, I think. They just feel right.

 

[Ikagura]

Streets of Rage 2
Technically impressive version of this timeless classic, with astonishing pixel art, and solid controls.

I've played every 8-bits SoR games and while I think the GG version is better they're all harder than their 16-bits counterparts.

 

[bcdusk]

It’s not like it dies immediately

Two or three hours and the batteries are dead. I did use the thing and back then what not rich parent would have wanted to replace batteries almost daily?

 

[UnDubious]

Two or three hours and the batteries are dead. I did use the thing and back then what not rich parent would have wanted to replace batteries almost daily?

Rechargeable batteries were a thing. Besides, when are kids playing outside 2-3 hours a day? Or is your daily commute really that long? We were playing with adapters most of the time anyway.

 

[bcdusk]

Rechargeable batteries were a thing.

Back then they were so expensive that when I tried to get those with a charger for my brick gameboy the store owner convinced my dad not to buy them.

 

[Ikagura]

Rechargeable batteries were a thing.

They weren't too expensive?

 

[PhaseJump]

Around 50 bucks US for a rechargable battery pack back then. A third of the price of the console.

You were basically paying up front to get an experience similar to a modern built in battery instead of the constant swapping. You still dealt with a 3 hour span before needing to plug the thing in to constantly charge it.


The PC Engine GT/TurboExpress was actually a better idea than Game Gear, a portable home console in your hands sharing the same library, but that thing killed batteries too, and the cost of entry was even more insane like every other Turbografx product.

 

[ThunderBoy]