Sega Mega Drive Mini: Ranking The 10 Best Games
It's arriving in September, but can Sega beat Nintendo?
The Sega Mega Drive Mini comes packed with 42 classic games that will bring back fond memories for those nostalgic for early 90s gaming. Alternatively, younger gamers who want to see what all the fuss was about in an era when Sega was still a big player in the hardware market will get to see the company at their very best.
Unlike the widely derided AtGames release, the Mini console is an exact replica of the original Mega Drive, but smaller. Plus, it comes complete with the original controller.
In the 16-bit age, Sega released a fantastic selection of games, and also had fantastic support from 3rd party developers such as Treasure, Konami and EA.
As a result, the Mega Drive Mini is full of some of the best games released on the system, and across the 16-bit era as a whole.
Whilst there are games missing from what could be deemed a full, top class collection, the quality of what's announced is fantastic. This makes picking a top 10 incredibly difficult, but that's where I come in.
10. Golden Axe
Originally an arcade game, and part of Sega’s long and rich history of converting such titles to its home systems, Golden Axe on the Mega Drive is a classic side scrolling beat ‘em up set in medieval times.
Although it started life as a coin-op, in the late 80s, its surprisingly deep for its time. You get the choice of three characters, each with different styles of magic alongside either their sword or axe. You’ll come across a number of different bad guys, some who will be riding a variety of beasts known as Bizarrians. Your character will also have the option of riding these beasts for additional attacks.
At the end of each stage you’ll come across some larger than life boss battles, which peak with the final boss, Death Adder.
Further adding depth is a ranking system both in the Arcade mode, and an additional Duel mode in which you fight your way through a series of successive battles against enemies from the main game. These battles get tougher and tougher, as eventually you’ll be pitted against those same bosses, all with only one extended energy bar to take you through all fifteen battles.