Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic is that game that exploded onto Genesis with massive success, then got progressively worse until it revived itself on Dreamcast with Sonic Adventure.  Then it plummeted to its ultimate death in Sonic the Hedgehog, ironically enough, on PS3.  Sonic Unleashed may have yet again revived the little critter, but no matter what we can still appreciate his roots.

Sonic was the first Genesis game I ever owned, and countless mornings I would play until my dad told me to go outside.  Somehow the fans never got tired of trying to defeat Dr. Robotnik and thwart his plans to use chaos emeralds for personal power and dominion over who knows what.  Fitting enough, today Sonic still has the same mission, which either improves the games or proves to be a disaster in each new addition.  No matter how bad it gets, we know that Sonic will live on, at least for those of us who remember Genesis, and the genesis of this speedy hero.

The most classic aspect of Sonic is the lightening speed at which he traveled.  Zoom through many levels including deserts, metropolises, and jungles in order to reach Dr. Robotnik and foil his schemes.  While we balk at how graphics were only 16-bits back then, Sonic was most impressive at the time, utilizing the 4-bit cartridge to color his character.   His sidekick Tails was also present back in the day, unfortunately, and never failed to get lost, hit a wall, and then reappear out of nowhere somewhere later in the level (which still happens in modern Sonic games).  But perhaps the best part of this game is the high-speed fun than many other action games strive to recreate.  Somehow, when the developers get it right, no other game can compare.

Playing Sonic is a high speed pursuit of an evil doctor that ends in the emancipation of small animals.  Isn’t that a microcosm of all of our lives?  Perhaps not, but Sonic will always be faster and peppier than any other critter we know, and bluer.

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Ecco the Dolphin

Ecco the Dolphin is that incredibly annoying yet stimulating game that tortures your character in two ways: starving Ecco of food and depriving him of oxygen.  With a surprisingly substantial storyline, Ecco, after having witnessed a storm and the disappearance of all marine life in the ocean, must travel back in time if he wants to save his family and the other marine life.  Swim through various periods, including the Jurassic period, to contact Asterite, the oldest creature on Earth, for help and information about the history of these storms and preventative measures.

Most people might remember this game as incredibly difficult, and with no saves you were doomed to finish the game at the risk of your own sanity, but that’s how the classic games operated, and now we’re all too spoiled with our save points, continues, and cheat codes.  But do yourself a favor and travel back to Ecco to experience the hardcore gamer’s deft match.

Ecco made similar use of the side-scrolling technology as Sonic did, with speedy movements and dashes that propelled you from one area to the next.  Rigged with booby traps, aggressive enemies and confusing mazes, Ecco’s environment sent you on a race for survival that has no rival.  The best part of Ecco was beating it, because you knew at that point you were the most awesome gamer in the world.  After defeating the Queen Vortex, you were prepared for a life of easy gaming.

Ecco is quite possibly one of the hardest games ever made, and for that reason we must revere it.  If what doesn't kill you makes you truly makes you stronger, after beating Ecco you are invincible.

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Bonanza Bros.

Go back to 1990 and witness the best game ever created.  Well, maybe it’s not that revolutionary, but it’s definitely one thing: hilariously fun.  Play as Robo and Mobo, a fat guy and a skinny guy, as they rob precious items from a bank, a millionaire's mansion, a casino, a mint, an art gallery, and a treasury.  Yes, it’s pointless and without a story, but you can’t find a better multiplayer game to this day.  Obviously this review is full of outrageous exaggerations. 

This game came out right around the time when Sega made it big with Sonic in 1991.  Not only do you get to wander through the famous 2D landscapes of Genesis, but you get to hear some of the most ridiculous sounds ever recorded in video game history.  Shooting the purple fat man with sunglasses and a beard with your gun produces a sound that can only be described as blubbery, and the music is as intense as a 1980s pop music video.  As a game made in 1990, what can you expect? 

The classic aspect of this game is the complete lack of story and focus on hilarious gameplay.  It’s so bad, it’s good, if you know what I mean, like Contra blended with every element of absurdity.  At least Contra, and other games alike, tried to come up with a premise with dramatic action.  This game, on the other hand, is a classic because it doesn’t pretend to be anything excellent, and through its unassuming nature it prevails to be one of the most absurdly funny games ever made.

Playing Bonanza can bring back fond memories but, as a general safety rule, you should be careful of the chronic laughter that may damage your internal organs.

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Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master

Shinobi was one of the first successful ninja games in video game history, looking much like Sonic, Contra, and games alike in that you make your way through levels filled with enemies in order to fight bosses and defeat evil.  Shinobi took this concept and added stealth, however, so that many times you’d find yourself trying to avoid enemies or attention, spotlights, and areas visible to guards.  It was one of those games that paved the way for games such as MGS, although there were earlier forms of stealth games on the original Nintendo, albeit simplistic ones.  In Shinobi you got ninja stars, swords, horses, and all kinds of goodies, and it took the 2D playing field to new heights for future generations of games.

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Vectorman

Vectorman was a classic that rivaled Donkey Kong at the time, and it pushed the hardware of Genesis beyond what was thought possible in order to give the game smooth and vibrant gameplay and environments that hadn’t been experienced.  Compare this to Final Fantasy X pushing the limits of PS2 and forever altering the expectations of gamers.  Besides the graphical appeal at the time, Vectorman brought many new possibilities to the 2D playing field as he was able to break through walls, cut through floors, and bomb his environment like characters never could before.  We’re talking about interaction here, and Vectorman was one of those games that rose the bar.

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Road Rash

This game was pure innovation, and the idea is scarcely being used today on the consoles, but should return for a face lift soon.  This game, the motor cycle version of Mario Kart with a bit more punch, rivaled the Mario Kart series on SNES at the time and showed that Nintendo games were too nice.  As you got on your motor cycle, you could whip out your chain, a club, and a variety of other weapons, or steal them as you grappled with your opponent on his bike.  Your opponents were other bikers, but also cops that you could beat over the head until they fell off onto the street.  Yes, violence in video games may have taken a new turn with this game, and we can’t help but think of Grand Theft Auto and how this classic might have influenced it and games like it.

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Shadowrun

Phantasy Star IV

Phantasy Star II

Shining Force II

Zombies Ate My Neighbors

Sonic 3

Wonderboy in Monster World

Castlevania: Bloodlines

Ranger-X

Gunstar Heroes

Contra: Hard Corps

Beyond Oasis

Aladdin

Ristar

The Adventures of Batman & Robin

Kid Chameleon

NBA Jam

Ghouls ‘n Ghosts

Alien Soldier

Chakan

Comix Zone

Rock and Roll Racing

Quackshot

Jurassic Park

TMNT: Hyperstone Heist

Eternal Champions

Haunting starring Polterguy

Cyborg Justice

Rolling Thunder 2 & 3

Pigskin Footbrawl

Mutant League Hockey/Football

Chakkan

Toe Jam & Earl

Zombies Ate My Neighbors