The Best 10 Master System games (No arcade ports)

[Dodgykebaab]

As someone who owner a Master System back in 1990, I wanted to do a video about games that still worth playing on the platform today.

I've purposely left out any games that are ports of arcade games or Mega Drive ports. Because why in 2025 would you play Afterburner on the Master System when you have access to the arcade game via emulation?

A couple of these like Kung Fu Kid are really in there because it's my list and my games, and I just enjoy Kung Fu Kid even though it is a bit crap!

In fact, what Master System games do you like even though that objectionally they are a bit cack?

 

[Orclease]

Time Soldiers was the reason I bought the Master System in the 90s. Yes, I know it's an arcade port, BUT it was made by SNK and in the arcade it used that damn rotating joystick that Ikari Warriors had and emulation just doesn't play quite right with that joystick mapping. The game has basically been left to die in obscurity due to that joystick

 

[Deleted member 560402]

No arcade ports? That's easy!
Vampire: Master of Darkness
Phantasy Star
Disney's Aladdin
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap
Ghostbusters
Choplifter
Ultima IV: Quest of The Avatar
Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Zillion 1 and 2
Sonic The Hedgehog 1 and 2, Sonic Chaos, ect.

 

[nattybohman]

Golden Axe Warrior
Submarine Attack
Power Strike
Phantasy Star
Golvellius
Fantasy Zone II
Choplifter
Bomber Raid
Sonic the Hedgehog
Alien Syndrome

 

[Deleted member 560402]

Golden Axe Warrior
Submarine Attack
Power Strike
Phantasy Star
Golvellius
Fantasy Zone II
Choplifter
Bomber Raid
Sonic the Hedgehog
Alien Syndrome

Alien Syndrome is an arcade game. :)

 

[Dodgykebaab]

Golden Axe Warrior
Submarine Attack
Power Strike
Phantasy Star
Golvellius
Fantasy Zone II
Choplifter
Bomber Raid
Sonic the Hedgehog
Alien Syndrome

I made a point to exclude Power Strike / Aleste from my list because I think its pushing the Master System too hard and tries to do too much.

Big fan of Fantasy Zone II though

 

[stealthRUSH stealthRUSH]

Psycho Fox
Dynamite Headdy
SpellCaster / Kujaku Ou
Ys: The Vanished Omens, Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished
Fushigi no Oshiro / Pit Pot
Aztec Adventure: The Golden Road to Paradise / Nazca '88
Psychic World
Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord / Haja no Fuuin
Lord of the Sword
Dragon Crystal: Tsurani no Meikyuu

Honorable mention: Rescue Mission, Assault City, Danan: The Jungle Fighter, Hoshi wo Sagashite, Comical Machine Gun Joe, Aerial Assault, Megumi Rescue, Montezuma's Revenge, Astro Warrior, Gulkave.

 

[Dodgykebaab]

Psycho Fox
Dynamite Headdy
SpellCaster / Kujaku Ou
Ys: The Vanished Omens, Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished
Fushigi no Oshiro / Pit Pot
Aztec Adventure: The Golden Road to Paradise / Nazca '88
Psychic World
Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord / Haja no Fuuin
Lord of the Sword
Dragon Crystal: Tsurani no Meikyuu

Honorable mention: Rescue Mission, Assault City, Danan: The Jungle Fighter, Hoshi wo Sagashite, Comical Machine Gun Joe, Aerial Assault, Megumi Rescue, Montezuma's Revenge, Astro Warrior, Gulkave.

A fellow Aerial Assault enjoyer!

 

[nattybohman]

Alien Syndrome is an arcade game. :)

Oh, right! haha. Then Ultima IV. I like that better anyway!

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Nobody has mentioned Kenseiden yet and I feel that’s a crime.

Master of Darkness may be a Castlevania-like, but Kenseiden is the Castlevania equivalent for the Master System. A hard action platformer that’ll kick your butt, give you a big scenario to play through, has special moves you get from bosses, and has solid music.

It’s so good that a fan went out of their way to make a Genesis sequel fangame! Aside from a questionable script, it’s absolutely fantastic!

 

[Dodgykebaab]

Nobody has mentioned Kenseiden yet and I feel that’s a crime.
View attachment 112043
Master of Darkness may be a Castlevania-like, but Kenseiden is the Castlevania equivalent for the Master System. A hard action platformer that’ll kick your butt, give you a big scenario to play through, has special moves you get from bosses, and has solid music.
View attachment 112044View attachment 112045View attachment 112046
It’s so good that a fan went out of their way to make a Genesis sequel fangame! Aside from a questionable script, it’s absolutely fantastic!

View attachment 112047

With you saying that, I feel it is a bit of a crime that I've not played it.

One of the only big games on the system I never got round to playing; I really should though.