My “HIGH 54” Sega CD / SEGA 32X Games That Are Still Fun Playing NOW
As I mentioned in my other top/fave retro video games lists, 2020 was the year I got back into playing retro video games from my youth. This was heavily influenced by me ordering a Sega Mini to hook up to the 50-inch flatscreen tv I won at a local pub’s Super Bowl party right before the world went on a long-running lockdown quarantine — remember those days?
However, the thing that really kicked the new hobby up a notch was realizing that my Sega Mini could be ‘hacked’ to add ANY old retro video game from any old retro video game console — BECAUSE — once one goes down that online retro video game rabbit hole, one eventually realizes that one could have been playing any old retro video game right on one’s old iMac the whole dang time (not to mention you can just buy emulators pre-loaded with every dang game that came out from back in the day from online retailers, not to mention all the retro releases on modern consoles & etc).
I guess that’s why they say hindsight is 20/20.
And after blahg’n about some of my own Sega Mini adventures, I started noticing that my most visited website pages, month after month, were my blog posts about retro video gaming (even though I was always more of a ‘not a music blog, not not a music blog’ kind of website). And most of those visits were coming from Google’rs.
So, since I also did a lot of searching for “best Sega CD / Sega 32x games” or “most underrated Sega CD / Sega 32x games” or “Sega CD / Sega 32x games that are still worth playing today” or “hidden gem Sega CD / Sega 32x games” once I was done googling the same “how to hack a sega mini” queries that had started directing people to my blahg on the regular… I figured I should put together some console specific lists myself — because SEO, innit?
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Please keep in mind that this list is not really in a ranked order and it is definitely not an attempt at creating a “greatest Sega CD / Sega 32x games ever” list (so prepare to adjust your “how could you not include ___?!” outrage appropriately). This is just a list of games that I still find personally enjoyable playing as an elder millennial in the 2020s & the ones that I find myself reaching for most often + it should be noted that I don’t really care much for fighting games or turn based strategy RPG games or ‘point and click’ games (no matter how ‘critically acclaimed’ they are on the Youtubes & Reddits) AND, in the case of the Sega CD, I also don’t fancy those FMV games (which really have not aged well).
I will also note that I added some ‘eBay search affiliate links’ to my personally recommended games, which means I may earn a small commission if someone snags a game after clicking away to eBay from this post (which, if it happens, that money will go towards keeping this blog online — same thing with the Google ads that have been added) ✌️
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AND NOW THAT WE’VE GOT ALL THE EXPLAINERS & DISCLAIMERS OUT OF THE WAY… HERE’S MY LIST OF Sega CD / SEGA 32X GAMES THAT ARE STILL FUN playing in whatever year it is now:
#1 - The Terminator
For the most part, my experience with Sega CD games has been an underwhelming “this doesn’t seem like much of an improvement on the version that exists on the Genesis”, so I was delightfully surprised by how very good the Sega CD Terminator game is. In a way, it’s your standard kind of 2-D run & gun platformer, but there’s some very nice graphics and an amazing soundtrack that really make this one stand out. And, unlike a lot of Sega CD games that weren’t in the horrible Night Trap style, they didn’t just repackage something that already existed on the Sega Genesis here with some slightly better sound. This game is a total improvement on any of the (frankly quite bad) Terminator games that came out on the Genesis and SNES (and NES), and it really gives a taste of how much better this movie franchise could have been handled in the retro gaming era. For me & my tastes, hands down the best game on this console.
*****
#2 - Blackthorne
One of the main reasons I decided to make this list a combination between the Sega CD and the Sega 32X (besides the fact that neither console has the biggest of libraries to put together a list of 54 games that are still enjoyable to play now) is that Blackthorne is one of my favourite 16-bit era games (find it on my SNES list) and the Sega 32X version has an extra level (as well as different art style)… which makes this a great option for if/when I ever want to do another run through this great game (featuring a Schwarzenegger-esque protagonist with some very Terminator-ish shotgun moves, including the bad-ass shoot behind oneself move).
*****
#3 - Heart of the Alien
If you happened to have checked out my favourite Genesis games list, you shouldn’t be surprised to see the sequel to Out of this World on my Sega CD list (as it not only contains a whole new continuation of the weird story to play out, but it also contains the original Out Of This World to play too, so kinda the definitive version for fans of this title). Now, for the unfamiliar, this game is weird and frustrating and doesn’t play like any other game from the 16-bit era, but there is also something about that weirdness/uniqueness that makes it such a strangely addictive play… as you can’t help but be intrigued to try and figure out what the hell is going on + how to push the oddly animated story along further (although, god bless being able to now refer to Youtube play-throughs, as this game can be a real head scratcher / hair puller at times).
*****
#4 -
Earthworm Jim - Special Edition
Already a (mostly) agreed-upon classic on the Genesis / SNES, the Sega CD version of Earthworm Jim gets a ‘special edition’ treatment that sees enhanced levels as well as a new extra level (and the usual Sega CD ‘slightly better’ sound quality) — which kinda makes this version of Earthworm Jim the “best” version to play if one were looking to jump in for the first time or if one were looking to re-jump into the game after having played out the original Genesis or SNES version (as you will literally find some new stuff in this special edition).
*****
#5 - Flink
Another game that also has a Genesis version (won’t be the last time that happens on this list), and the thing that really stands out about Flink is just how amazing the sprite work / graphics are. It really is quite impressive to look at for that time period (and, if like me, you also were a fan of the gorgeous 2D PS1 game The Adventures of Lomax, you’ll probably recognize the look and feel here as a precursor to that game). Once you get past the beautiful visuals, you’re kinda left with your standard action platformer, but that’s not really a knock, because that just means that what you’re left with is a beautiful looking action platformer (and who doesn’t like stumbling on stuff like that when perusing through the piles of retro video games that just don’t come close to the visuals on display here).
*****
#6 - Wolfchild
This won’t be the first time I make a comment like this, BUT, because the Sega Genesis had such a massive and oftentimes amazing catalogue of games, there were certain titles that just didn’t grab/hold my attention when compared to all the other Genesis games that grabbed/held my attention more (and you can only focus on so many games). But then you start exploring what the Sega CD had on offer in its much smaller catalogue, and once you filter out all the FMV games that just didn’t age well, you start bumping into familiar 16-bit games like Wolfchild that didn’t really make much of an impression as a Genesis game — BUT — for reasons that seem to go beyond just enhanced audio (and animated cut scenes)… the Sega CD version of the game becomes enjoyable on a level where you start to wonder why the Genesis version felt so forgettable. Perhaps that’s the true power of all the FMV rubbish on Sega CD… it makes one appreciate the non-FMV titles so much more, even if similar versions on the non-CD 16-bit consoles went previously under appreciated (especially when the differences aren’t even that dramatic). And, for me, Wolfchild is the best example of this phenomena, as I genuinely find myself enjoying the Sega CD version of this game on a level where it makes me question my original apathy to the Genesis version (because I now really quite like playing this game and I couldn’t give a toss about it before).
*****
#7 - Android Assault - The Revenge of Bari-Arm
Although the FMV games seem to be the first thing that comes to mind when mentioning the Sega CD, when you really jump into the catalogue, it’s probably the pretty decent collection of SHMUPS that stand out the most as something the Sega CD did quite well (and I’m not even the biggest fan of shooters, due to me not being that great at them). Now, this won’t be the only shooter that makes my Top 25 list, but if I had to only select one, I think Android Assault would probably be the one that I find myself reaching for the most to see if I can get a bit further than last time, as it seems to have the nicest mix of challenge + still being able to progress thru levels without getting completely overwhelmed by onscreen action.
*****
#8 - Keio Flying Squadron
Another horizontal shooter, although this one could be more classified as a ‘cutesy shooter’, as you are a young girl in a bunny suit riding a little dragon while firing at racoons in row boats floating through the air + anime cut scenes & et cetera. But, just because something swaps out spaceships for cuteness, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t still plenty of challenge in shooting baddies while trying to avoid getting shot yourself, and this one provides a good mix of challenge + still being able to progress thru the levels (which is the main thing my brain is looking for in a SHMUP that’s worth jumping back into every now & again when I’m not sure what else I’d like to play or if I’m looking for something to multi-task listening to a podcast/audiobook).
*****
#9 - Final Fight CD
Now, usually I am not the biggest fan of beat ‘em ups, but there is no denying that Final Fight on the Sega CD is one of the better and more satisfying titles from the genre (especially with its massive characters and nice soundtrack). I think one of the reasons beat ‘em ups don’t usually appeal to me is because they really are more fun to play with a 2nd player to help beat up the never-ending onslaught of baddies coming from the left & the right, and… I tend to just play retro games by myself — BUT — if you’re not a lone wolf in your video retro video gaming (ie. if you have friends to play with), I think it’s in the co-op mode that this game’s fun time vibes really get unlocked.
*****
#10 - Sonic CD
As I mentioned in my Sega Genesis list, I’m not really the biggest fan of the Sonic games, as I just don’t love the whole ‘go really fast & not be able to see where you’re going or when things that hurt you will appear’ style of platforming. But there is no denying that all these Sonic games are really well designed and made, and Sonic CD is no exception to that rule (hence why it is so well regarded by all those who really love the Sonic style of game play… and why I keep finding myself trying to give it another spin every now & again, despite my frustrations navigating the pinball level).
*****
#11 - Knuckles' Chaotix
As someone who isn’t the biggest Sonic fan to begin with, Knuckles’ Chaotix having a slightly anti-Sonic feel actually works in its favour (for me). Instead of blasting through levels at top speed, you and your partner character are tethered together by a weird elastic energy ring that turns movement into more of a bouncing, slingshot-style puzzle. It takes a little while to get used to (and it really is worth spending some time in the tutorial section to get the hang of things), but once the physics start to click it can become decently fun to move around the levels in this weird way. The bright visuals and soundtrack help sell the whole strange experiment. And let’s be honest… there aren’t a tonne of options on the 32X, which means you might end up spending a bit more time with a game like this than you otherwise would — long enough for its weird mechanics to kinda sink their teeth into you.
*****
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#12 - Jaguar XJ220
When it comes to the 16-bit era driving games that aren’t Super Mario Kart, I really think Jaguar XJ220 on the Sega CD is one of the overlooked ones (especially in regards to how things look and handle). Personally, I still prefer the more cartoonish 16-bit driving of Mario Kart, BUT, if you’re going to go for a more ‘realistic’ driving experience on the pre-PS1 consoles, hopping into a jaguar on the Sega CD is a pretty decent experience (and one that you don’t often see too many people shouting out online).
*****
#13 - Road Rash
Take the 16-bit version of Road Rash you’re already familiar with and add in some grainy FMV cutscenes and — most importantly — a very 90s alternative CD soundtrack (featuring bands like Soundgarden and Monster Magnet), and what you get is a uniquely 90s-nostalgic way to play everybody’s favourite combat motorbike racer. The racing, punching, kicking, and dodging traffic all feel just like the Genesis version, but the music and cheesy video clips give the whole thing a bit more personality. It’s one of those Sega CD games where the extra space on the disc actually adds something unique to the experience.
*****
#14 - Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure
Here comes another game where a version that looks/plays very quite similar already exists on the Genesis / Mega Drive — BUT — like with Wolfchild, given the much smaller catalogue of the Sega CD, this Pitfall version becomes more appealing to play given the overall lack of better Sega CD games in the same genre, which has actually made me appreciate playing this 16-bit version of Pitfall much more than when I had the option of playing the Genesis / Mega Drive version. And that might not be the most glowing review, but sometimes it takes comparing a game to the other available options on a specific console to make one spend enough time to start to appreciate the overlooked decentness contained within. And Pitfall is a pretty decent little platformer, especially once you get used to the controls & how your character moves around (also, it looks quite nice + I believe this Sega CD version comes with some some extra levels, to go along with the enhanced sound, making it the '“if you’re only going to play one version of 16-bit Pitfall” version to play).
*****
#15 - Puggsy
Speaking of games that also exist on the Genesis / Mega Drive that I never really gave much of a chance until I started exploring the Sega CD catalogue, Puggsy is a game that I went from thinking “what kind of lame European children’s game is this?” to thinking “am I lame European child now?” as I slowly started to realize that this puzzle platformer, with its weird physics & feel, is actually kind of enjoyable once you figure out what's going on / what you’re supposed to do. Definitely chalk this one up to something I probably never would have given the proper amount of time to if it wasn’t for me being so relieved whenever I got to try out a non-FMV game on the Sega CD — and Puggsy is definitely more of a grow’r than an initial show’r (and I’m glad I eventually gave it the time it takes to get into the gameplay on offer).
*****
#16 - Lords of Thunder
When it comes to music I tend to lean towards, heavy metal is pretty far down on my list — BUT — there is no denying that when you are flying around as some kind of Lord of Thunder, shooting fire balls out of your hands & whatnot, there really is no soundtrack that could be more fitting than a bunch of metal riffs. Now, this game can quickly become one of those shooters where there is way too much stuff going on screen for my brain to compute & dodge, but there is also nice continue feature that lets you take all the coin you collected before dying to buy yourself some very handy power-ups to restart the level with… and that’s when you really start cooking as a thunder lord powered by heavy metal.
*****
#17 - Sol-Feace
Another quality horizontal shooter here — nothing that will blow your socks off in the visuals or audio (and there’s also a Genesis / Mega Drive version), but Sol-Feace on the Sega CD still makes for a fairly enjoyable SHMUP to jump into whenever you get the urge to shoot and/or dodge stuff in space (and I like how you can adjust the angle that your guns fire at by pressing up or down when you’re not firing). Overall, it’s a pretty basic ‘all 3 buttons do the same thing’ shooter that requires you to do quite a lot of dodging of things that you can’t really shoot… but there’s fun & challenge to be found in it (and you ship handles well).
*****
#18 - Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck
Much like when I included Chuck Rock 2 on my Sega Master System list of faves, the Sega CD version also makes my list because, once you remove some of the better 16-bit platformers that served as competition in the Genesis catalogue, I actually have a decent amount of enjoyment playing this game when I actually give it the required amount of time to get into how things work. And, as mentioned before (and as I’ll mention again), when you get down to comparing this game to other games in the Sega CD catalogue, it quickly climbs its way up my list of Sega CD games that I’m most likely to throw on over the other Sega CD options.
*****
#19 - Chuck Rock
In the same vein as Chuck Rock 2, the original Chuck Rock also gets a bump in playability in my books from the Sega CD’s overall lack of competition in a genre of retro games that I tend to enjoy playing (aka: platformers). Which is not to say that Chuck Rock would otherwise be considered “not good” — it’s a perfectly fine looking & handling platformer in its own right — but sometimes it takes the lack of other more appealing options on a specific console to make one take the time to appreciate what’s on offer in the games that don’t initially rock your socks off. Also, Chuck Rock on the Sega CD comes with some better sound and some longer levels, so, really, if you’re only going to play one version of CR, it should probably be this CD one.
*****
#20 - NHL '94
It’s fairly common knowledge that the NHL series hit its stride in the 16-bit era with NHL ‘94 (and, for some, that’s the high water mark for the series… although, I found they kept slightly improving on the formula and often find myself playing ‘96 or ‘98 on the Genesis the most), SO, considering that the Sega CD only has NHL ‘94 in its catalogue, and even though the ‘Sega CD enhancemenst’ really aren’t all that enhanced here (ie. the CD audio for the crowd is a bit underwhelming, and unless you want to hear Ron Barr slowly read out canned sports talk before the game, there really isn’t too much extra in the audio), this is still a fun game to pick up on your own or to have some friends over and plug in a few more controllers (as you can play up to 4 people on this one).
*****
#21 NBA Jam (CD) + #22 NBA Jam: Tournament Edition (32X)
While we’re on the topic of sports games that exist on the Genesis but come with a few add-on console upgrades, it’s worth giving the NBA Jam Sega CD version and the NBA Jam Tournament Edition on the 32X a quick shoutout. The Sega CD version keeps the familiar two-on-two arcade chaos but adds CD-quality music, commentary, and some very 90s FMV flair. Meanwhile, the 32X version brings the expanded Tournament Edition roster and slightly nicer player scaling, making it feel a bit closer to the arcade machine (and probably the one to choose if only choosing one to play between the two).
*****
#23 - Flashback - The Quest for Identity
Flashback on the Genesis is one of my favourite games of all time (and one of the few games where I’ve actually stuck things thru as an adult to play right up to the finish), so, even though I think the ‘enhanced’ cut scenes actually look worse than the art style that the Genesis used so effectively, I’m including the Sega CD version of Flashback because, if I was ever going to try playing this game thru all over again, I think I’d want to give it a go on the Sega CD so I could experience the slightly different experience of what is, in my opinion, one of the best games of the 16-bit retro era.
*****
#24 - Silpheed
This game definitely gets points for trying to be something a bit different than your usual vertical shooter, with it’s polygonal 3D-ish style, which gives it a very unique look and feel (although sometimes that can result in it being hard to see what you’re shooting / dodging or whether you’re actually shooting / dodging what you’re supposed to). Which is another way of me saying that I don’t appear to be very good at this game, but something about it makes me keep trying to come back and see if I can do a little bit better (and sometimes that’s all you can really ask from a game from the 1990s).
*****
#25 - Wonder Dog
Now, here is a rare Sega CD platformer that wasn’t also available on the Genesis — if it had been, I probably would have also overlooked it based on my first impressions + the competition from other Genesis platformers, BUT, since the Sega CD catalogue is one that makes you spend a bit more time with titles you might often skip over, I must say that Wonder Dog eventually starts to grow on you (once you get used to the slippery way your character controls and the weird way that your character shoots stars… and once you get over the ‘happy music’ soundtrack & how your dog does a Homer “doh!” whenever getting hit). I doubt it would make anybody’s ‘Best Games Across All Consoles’ list, but if you’re looking for something Sega CD specific/exclusive, there’s a unique-in-its-own-way platformer here that might hold your attention more than you first think.
*****
#26 - Dungeon Explorer
This is a nice looking action RPG that feels quite a lot like jumping into a slightly different version of Gauntlet (ie. enemies that keep spawning until you can destroy their point of entry). And just like with Gauntlet, sometimes the swarm of baddies can feel quite unrelenting, which, I suppose, makes it all the more satisfying when you can keep them at bay long enough to destroy the portal that keeps sh*tting them out and then you get to pocket some gold too, eventually, making it back to where you can spend that gold on some weapon upgrades (although, expect to do quite a lot of ‘grinding’ in order to afford better upgrades… like, A LOT of grinding). Y’know, standard dungeon c̶r̶a̶w̶l̶e̶r̶ explorer stuff.
*****
#27 - Robo Aleste
Here we have a vertical shooter follow-up to the much-loved-by-the-internet MUSHA game and… much like its predecessor, Robo Aleste delivers a nice looking and unique feeling game that has you take control of a flying robot that can shoot stuff. This is one of those shooters that can have quite A LOT of stuff on screen, which is another way of me saying that this is one of those shooters where I die quite easily… but there’s an obvious quality to the game that makes you want to keep coming back and trying again (even if it means coming back to give things a whirl on the ‘Easy’ setting after getting overwhelmed on the higher difficulty settings).
*****
#28 - Demolition Man
Once again, another Sega CD game that has a Genesis version that doesn’t look or feel all that different makes my list because, once you filter the available games down to what’s in the Sega CD catalogue, Demolition Man starts becoming one of those games where you go, “you know what? I actually kinda maybe enjoy this game”. This is especially true once you get better acquainted with the not-always-intuitive way that your character controls/shoots (although, there is a general ‘jumpy-ness’ that is unavoidable here). There doesn’t appear to be a tonne of difference between the Genesis and Sega CD version, besides some audio and grainy cut scenes, BUT, when perusing thru the Sega CD library, I often find Demolition Man grabbing my attention more than it does when I’m perusing the Genesis library.
*****
#29 - DOOM
This is definitely not the best way to play Doom, and it’s not a perfect port either. A few levels are missing, the visuals take a bit of a hit, and it doesn’t quite have all the bells and whistles of the PC version. But as far as the Sega 32X catalogue goes, getting to play a decent version of Doom still stands out. The core experience is there — wandering through dark corridors, blasting demons, and trying to remember where that keycard door was. And honestly, even a slightly rough version of Doom is still Doom… which means it’s still pretty fun to spend some time with (because sometimes the best version of Doom to play is the version that you happen to be playing).
*****
#30 - Popful Mail
A very nice looking and handling action RPG that comes equipped with anime-style cut scenes as well as actual voice actors reading your typical RPG dialogue boxes (and, although the voice acting is a nice touch for anyone looking for that kind of extra feature that really takes advantage of the Sega CD capabilities, there is also an option to turn of the voice reading, as it can really add a lot of extra time to the play time… and I tend to find RPGs already have enough time spent on dialogue when I’m the one doing a speed read). I find the gameplay / style really reminded me of the Monster World games on the Genesis, which is a combination of ‘good’ but also something that doesn’t always hold my attention for long stretches (especially when there’s that feeling of grinding away too much for coins). BUT… this is definitely a high quality game that is worth putting some time into (ESPECIALLY if action RPGs are your main jam).
*****
#31 Ecco the Dolphin + #32 Ecco: The Tides Of Time
These games are way weirder than they have any right to be — especially considering how calm and innocent they look at first glance. The Sega CD versions add CD-quality music and some extra content, which helps lean even further into the strange, atmospheric vibe of exploring mysterious underwater worlds, solving puzzles, and occasionally wondering what the heck is actually going on. The Tides of Time continues that same surreal adventure with a few refinements, but the overall feeling remains the same. I can’t say I’m particularly good at these games, but there’s something oddly intriguing about swimming around and slowly trying to piece together the bizarre timeline you’ve been dropped into — especially when accompanied by those CD soundtrack versions (making the CD versions of these games the versions I tend to reach for whenever I feel like tackling some retro Ecco).
*****
#33 - Kolibri
From the same people who brought you the “much stranger than it first appears” Ecco games comes a hummingbird shoot-’em-up that is, as you might expect, also much stranger than it first appears. Instead of blasting spaceships or alien bugs, you’re flying around natural environments as a hummingbird, shooting insects and exploring colourful levels that actually look pretty nice for the 32X. Like its dolphin video game relatives, it can sometimes be a little unclear what you’re supposed to be doing next in Kolibri — but the unusual setting and atmosphere make it a pretty unique experience (and one of the standout titles on the 32x).
*****
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#34 - Hook
Hook never quite grabbed my attention enough to make my favourite Genesis or SNES lists (I preferred the tighter gameplay of Skyblazer from the same developers). But once you add in the CD soundtrack and start comparing it to the rest of the Sega CD / 32X library, that’s when this version manages to get its hooks into the list. The gameplay is still a little slow and floaty for my tastes, but the CD version’s use of the movie soundtrack definitely gives the whole adventure a bit more atmosphere than the cartridge versions. It might not be the most exciting platformer of the era, but it’s a decent way to swing through Neverland if you’re exploring the Sega CD catalogue.
*****
#35 - Snatcher
I’m fully aware that Snatcher is considered one of the standout games on the Sega CD — and probably one of the most beloved cyberpunk adventure games of the 90s. It’s the work of Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima (one of my all-time favourite game series), and the quality of the writing, presentation, and atmosphere is pretty obvious even from the small amount I’ve played so far. That said, this slower-paced, dialogue-heavy style of game isn’t usually what I tend to lean toward, so I’m still waiting for the right stretch of time to properly sit down and give it the attention it deserves. But even from a distance, it’s easy to see why this one has built such a strong reputation and is considered by many to be the best the Sega CD has to offer. And now that I’m expanding this list from 25 games, it feels like the right time to finally give this bona fide classic an official spot in the countdown.
*****
#36 - Virtua Racing Deluxe
If you remember the original Virtua Racing on the Genesis, Virtua Racing Deluxe on the 32X basically feels like the version that cartridge wished it could be. The polygon racing is smoother, the handling feels great, and you get a few more tracks and cars to mess around with. It still looks very “early 3D” by today’s standards, but at the time it was a pretty impressive way to bring arcade-style racing into the living room. As far as the 32X library goes, this is one of the games that actually makes the extra hardware feel like it was doing something worthwhile.
*****
#37 - Space Harrier
I was never the biggest fan of Space Harrier (more of a 3D WorldRunner guy myself), but the 32X version gets much closer to the arcade experience of the game. That makes this the version I tend to reach for whenever I feel like playing a little Space Harrier (ie. whenever I feel like running forward through surreal landscapes blasting weird enemies while giant bosses pop up every so often and my character gives out a pixelated scream whenever I run into something).
*****
#38 - Cyborg 009
Cyborg 009 is a bit of a hidden gem on the Sega CD (probably because it was never released outside of Japan) — a run-and-gun platformer that handles in a slightly different, and pretty fun, way compared to most games in the genre. Instead of just running, shooting, and jumping, your character has a kind of jet-powered boost that lets you zip quickly around screen (and reach places your jump won’t get you). It gives the action a faster, more fluid feel once you get used to the mechanics. The anime-style cutscenes and CD soundtrack also help give the whole thing a bit more personality (even if the cutscenes are entirely in Japanese).
*****
#39 - Championship Soccer '94
Championship Soccer ’94 might not look like much at first — especially if you’re coming from the more “realistic” style of 16-bit FIFA games — but once you get the hang of how it plays, this fast arcade-style soccer game can really start to grow on you (and one starts to see why the Sensible Soccer series is so big across the pond). The action moves quickly, the controls are simple but effective, and matches have that “just one more game” feeling once things start to click. It may not be the prettiest soccer game of the era, but it’s definitely one of the more fun ones once you settle into its rhythm.
*****
#40 - Devastator
Devastator has you controlling a mech / transformer-looking character as you blast your way through waves of enemies in a side-scrolling action smash n’ slash. It’s not the most polished game on the Sega CD, but there’s a certain bit of charm to it (especially with the catchy opening stage soundtrack and cartoon cut scenes, even if the dialogue is in Japanese). It might not be the greatest game on the system, but it’s a fun little curiosity if you’re digging around the deeper corners of the Sega CD library looking for something non-FMV to play).
*****
#41 Lethal Enforcers + #42 Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters
Lethal Enforcers (and its western-themed sequel) are definitely the kind of games that would be exponentially better if you’re playing them the way they were meant to be played — with a light gun. I am not, and trying to aim in a shooting game with a controller just isn’t the same experience. That said, I have a lot of nostalgia for these from pumping quarters into the arcade cabinet back in the 90s (especially the first one), so it’s still fun revisiting the experience — even if it’s a lesser version when you’re not popping digitized baddies with a plastic gun (and thank goodness these games feature digitized graphics instead of attempting FMV… holds up so much better imo).
*****
#43 - Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia is one of those games that probably doesn’t need much introduction — the slow, careful platforming, the sword fights, and all those traps waiting for you to mistime a jump. But on the Sega CD, the added cutscenes and CD soundtrack help give the adventure a little more atmosphere than some of the cartridge versions. The gameplay is still the same deliberate “think before you move” + “die and try again” style that the series is known for, but it’s a style that grows on you the more time you give it.
*****
#44 - Mickey Mania: The Timeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mania is one of the better-looking platformers of the 16-bit era, recreating scenes from classic Mickey cartoons with some really nice animation and visual detail. The Sega CD version adds a few extra cutscenes and a CD-quality soundtrack, which helps give the whole adventure a bit more presentation than the cartridge versions. That said, the gameplay can sometimes lean a little too far into the “cheap difficulty” side of things (which what kept it from making my Genesis and SNES lists). Still, when you look at the relatively small pool of quality platformers on the Sega CD, this one stands out enough to earn a spot here — as it really is quite nice to look at.
*****
#45 - Ultraverse Prime
Ultraverse Prime isn’t a perfect beat ’em up, but it has enough unique comic-book charm to make it worth checking out. Based on a new-to-me old comic book series from Malibu Comics, the colourful graphics and large character sprites give it a nice Saturday afternoon cartoon feel as you punch your way through the levels. There are also a few fun touches in the combat — like grabbing baddies and tossing them into the background wall, which was one of my favourite things about the great Batman Returns game on the SNES. It might not reach the top tier of beat ’em ups from the era, but there’s enough personality here to make it worth diving into if you’re looking for playing something that only exists on the Sega CD.
*****
#46 - Batman Returns
Speaking of 16-bit Batman Returns — except take the far less enjoyable Genesis platformer instead of the excellent SNES beat ’em up, then add a CD soundtrack and some pretty impressive (for the time) Batmobile driving levels… and you’ve basically got the Sega CD version. The driving stages look great (and control quite nice), but they can go on a bit too long and get frustrating (especially with that timer constantly ticking between stages). The platforming sections are still the same as the Genesis version, for better or worse. At least the game gives you the option to play just the driving levels, just the platform levels, or both — and if none of that sounds appealing, there’s always the option to not play this version at all (and jump back into that excellent SNES version instead).
*****
#47 - Soulstar
Soulstar has some nice (for the time) pseudo-3D visuals and shifting perspectives, giving it a bit of that early “arcade-style space shooter” feel that stands out from a lot of the system’s library. It doesn’t necessarily have the deepest gameplay, but it handles smoothly and is easy to jump into (even if it can sometimes be hard to tell what you’re shooting and what’s shooting at you). The CD soundtrack adds a bit of extra atmosphere, and as far as Sega CD games go, this is one of the ones that actually feels like it’s making good use of the hardware — and at least attempting to be a step up from the 16-bit era (especially given how many games were just Genesis games with CD soundtracks added and/or minor tweaks).
*****
#48 Sega Classics Arcade Collection 5-in-1
Speaking of Sega CD releases that basically just brought over Sega Genesis games without much extras (besides some enhanced audio clips and a sometimes noticeably improved CD soundtrack), there is probably no better example of the Sega CD’s lack of effort in improving on the 16-bit generations capabilities than their lacklustre 5-in1 collection or arcade classics (somehow Golden Axe even went from 2-player to only 1-player on the CD version). However, putting the disappointments aside, there are still 4 all-time classics Sega games on here and when just comparing these games to other games on the Sega CD, the combination of the first Shinobi, Streets of Rage, Golden Axe and Columns on one disc is still pretty hard to pass up (especially if one was restricted to just Sega CD games).
*****
#49 - Tempo
Tempo is one of those games that looks like it should be a hidden gem mascot platformer the moment you see it. The colourful, comic-book style visuals and music-driven vibe really stand out — especially on a system like the 32X that doesn’t have a ton of games that look this good or this unique. Unfortunately, the gameplay and controls don’t quite live up to that visual promise. It’s not bad by any means, but it never quite clicks the way you want it to. Still, there’s enough style here to make it worth checking out — even if it ends up being more memorable for its potential than for its overall payoff.
*****
#50 - Battlecorps
Battlecorps takes a little while to figure out what you’re even supposed to be doing, as the visuals can be a bit hard to read at first, and it’s not always immediately clear what you’re supposed to be shooting (or what’s shooting at you). But once you get used to how everything plays, it settles into a pretty decent first-person mech shooter where you’re stomping around in a suit blasting away at anything in your path. The nice CD soundtrack helps give it a bit of extra punch, and as far as Sega CD experiments go, this is one that ends up being more enjoyable than its kinda-dated graphics first let on.
*****
#51 to #54
For these final few spots on the list, I’ve kind of reached the limit of where my personal gaming tastes line up with what the Sega CD / 32X library has to offer. Rather than stretching things just to hit a number — or leaving off games that come highly recommended by others but aren’t really my style — it felt better to use these last entries as a bit of a “dealer’s choice” shoutout for some games I know are considered classics (even if they’re not what I tend to go for).
So here are a few turn-based / strategy RPGs (+ a couple FMVs & Fighters) from the Sega CD that I haven’t really spent time with (and may never properly get around to), but that many people would probably consider borderline sacrilegious to leave off a list like this (cover art links to YouTube gameplay):
Ok, that’s it for my personal ‘Top Sega CD / Sega 32X Games That Are Still Fun To Play Now’ list — apologies if there are some titles that may seem crazy not to have included, but, again, this is not meant to be a ‘Top All-Time Best Ever’ list and it’s also not meant to be your list.
Besides, reading another list that just confirms what’s on every other ‘best of’ list is a bit boring and pointless, especially if you’re looking for games that might not be top of mind (and especially when you consider how all this stuff is individually subjective & doesn’t really matter beyond the enjoyment that comes from thinking/talking about your own experience & finding temporary moments of connection/agreement/discovery with others, if you even find time to actually play).
So, on that note, here’s my other lists of retro video games that are still fun playing today if you happen to be looking for more than just Sega CD / Sega 32X games to add to your own collection:
And please feel warmly encouraged to hit up the comments below if there’s any games that I left off that would definitely be on your ‘Fave Sega CD / Sega 32X games’ list (as I’ve been known to make tweaks to my lists when a new old game starts making a stronger case for more of my limited attention span) ↓
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JEREMY / @HI54LOFI
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