10 Of The Most Overlooked Mega Drive Games (And Three Of The Most Overhyped)

[@onaretrotip]

Great vid, Ian! Got to disagree on Earthworm Jim though, I think that’s a fun game.

[@Ruudos]

Overlooked: Wiz 'N Liz or Chiki Chiki Boys Overhyped: Strider

[@anthonypants4455]

Chiki chiki boys definitely! One of my all time favorites!

[@AdamCoate]

Definitely disagree on Vectorman. It is a staple Genesis exclusive in my book. I do agree about Earthworm Jim though as the levels are confusingly layouts and the bosses are a bit obtuse in how to defeat them. The Ooze is a really cool overlooked Sega Technical Institute game, it was the first time I saw real-time dynamic fluid simulation in a game. Elemental Master is similar to Twinkle Tale although with more constricted movement. Mutant League Hockey may not count as obscure but it is a great game in need of a remake.

[@bartdierickx5150]

Story of Thor is my n1 mega drive game. Streets of rage 2 my 2nd favourite MD game :)

[@freezycold]

Er.....the megadrive sound hardware sounded amazing.

[@retrosoul8770]

Japanese games anyway yes. There are superb western exceptions as well, he's just an idiot

[@BargainGamer]

I know, he's so bias its cringe. He sounds like someone who we could beat up easy though if your up for it mate haha.

[@ShapeyFiend]

I'm quite enjoying Undead Line at the moment. It's sort of like Twinkle Tale. Altered Beast is alright in Hard mode. Everybody hates belt scrollers these days because they're more memory test style than other action games. Agreed Earthworm Jim and those other Dave Perry platformers were kind of tedious in the gameplay department.

[@JetWolfEX]

Ranger X was the first MD/Gen game I ever owned (not counting digital) I saw it on youtube, and was so blown away I bought it before I even had the console to play it on, amazing game. Twinkle tale looks like Sega's Pocky and Rocky, in other words, it looks really good. I'm going to have to get a repro of that.

[@thehumbleone1983]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@sloppynyuszi]

I agree with Earth Worm Jim being a graphics over substance game. Like Aladdin... except Aladdin is a lot easier with an anticlimactic ending, so it’s an easy and relatively fun nostalgic play through today, and Earth Worm Jim I switch off after a play around in the hell level. I do t think I got to the snowman since my original mega drive days. As Dave Perry mega Drive games go, the better the graphics got, the worse the game play. Cool Spot and Mick and Mack Global gladiators are fun. Especially Mick and Mack, are fun for both 8bit and 16bit versions :)

[@adriensebbane]

Hey ! I have been watching lots of overlooked/hiddent gems/top 10/first 10 games to own but this list contains games I didn't know, and some I agree with. Well done !

[@razumijinatreides4691]

That Jurassic Park game is AWESOME. I have memories of renting that game a lot and being really good and pretty impressive, better than the other JP games on the mega drive.

[@jondixon4937]

I agree with you Altered Beast sucks! My favourite Megadrive game of all time is Dragons Fury. Such a great take on Pinball and the graphics and music are awesome.

[@Mezman999]

Jon Dixon Dragons Fury was amazing.....

[@JontysCorner]

1: Favourite overlooked game, probably The Immortal, mainly for the fact that they made a big song and dance in the advertising because it had "Over 20 fully animated death sequences!" Which is hilarious. 2: Thumbs up for pot noodles butties.

[@Larry]

Bloody loved Wardner, used to play it on holiday at Felixstowe's swimming pool. But Dick Tracy is another overlooked game IMO, amazing movie license, but all the internet talks about is the awful NES version.

[@Bransfiiiield]

I actually played it briefly for this vid, but opted not to include it. Can't even remember why now. Probably just because it made me jealous I can't dress like Dick and get away with it.

[@thegreathadoken6808]

3:42 - Could anyone tell me how you make those borders happen? I see them around, I play a heck of a lot of emulators, I have individual borders for almost every console & almost every game but I don't have THAT option. I must have it.

[@Bransfiiiield]

I do it in the video edit, not in any emulator, so no idea. It might be a feature somewhere though.

[@thegreathadoken6808]

Never mind, I figured it out. Thanks, me.

[@thegreathadoken6808]

@@Bransfiiiield Oh hi, there. Didn't know you'd replied. Yeah I sorted it. It's a little bit out of the way and if your aspect ratio isn't set just right, which mine wasn 't, it was set to Core Provided, then it will never appear even when you select it in the shader presets. EDIT: Oh, you do it in the editing stage? Well you can do it directly through RetroArch. Set Aspect Ratio to match that of your monitor. If you have a 16:9, set it to that; Load a ROM; Go to Shaders in Quick Menu; Select Shader Presets; I always go in the slang folder from there; Borders; Select 'BigBlur'. And that should be it.

[@Bransfiiiield]

That's good to know - I use OG hardware for most stuff, mind. Well, Mega SG was the tool for this one. But good to know for when I do use emulators.

[@Bellpipe41]

Loved Wardener in the arcade, but never played it on the megadrive. On the arcade version, that princess turns into a zombie identical to the others on that level. The spider thing was pretty cool. I should check it out for other differences.

[@billcook4768]

I think pretty much everyone now agrees that Altered Beast is crap, but it’s nice to see someone pointing out the same for Earthworm Jim and Vectorman.

[@predaking2wings]

Genesis is a must have console with these odd titles, pulseman, subterrania, rangerX, Beyond oasis, el viento, alisia dragoon, lost world, wardner, vectorman all great games!

[@RaceToNowhere]

You're a funny man, I'm glad you're alive

[@BargainGamer]

No he's really not, don't encourage him.

[@MRMIdAS2k]

Wardner is an incredible game, and looks even better on Arcade.

[@TheDeathOfLucifer]

The was a Sega arcade shooter also called Jurassic Park Lost World that was suppose to be ported to Saturn..but that never happened

[@FerintoshFarmsPhotography]

One might call them, hidden gems

[@patrickfitzpatrick2945]

Thanks for hating on Earthworm Jim. I feel ya.

[@SproutyPottedPlant]

The Mega Drive sound chip is awesome! How could you insult it 😩😀👍

[@barryschalkwijk9388]

Pulseman looks like sonic and megaman got way too drunk one night.

[@l30S3UX]

If you're running on original hardware, would you be able to shoot from Offscreen? I like the looks of a CTR much more than direct video capture

[@Vospi]

A lot of hassle for not a lot of payoff, I would assume.

[@zevenenzeta]

The fact twinkle tale and el viento are two of my favorite mega drive games and are your list was awesome you got a sub outta me

[@mackan707]

Picked up Ranger X some time ago and I have to say, one of the best games Ive played on the system. Great vid, have to pick up some of them for sure.

[@JoeTheJRPGManiac]

Finally someone who agrees that Earthworm Jim is an awful game. I respect anyone who still enjoys it, but it's just nice to have someone agree with me on that one.

[@azra9512]

it's absolute garbage

[@gameplayfirst-ger]

Good selection of overhyped games. Maybe add Quackshot to that list, for its bad controls.

[@LukesGamePage]

Oh wow - that's intersting about Earthworm Jim - not played since I was a kid though, will defo have to see for myself.

[@jonbourgoin182]

Underrated gem of a channel you have here. I forget if I already commented this on another video of yours but it bears repeating.

[@Aztyph]

I actually own a copy of _El Viento._ Solid little gem, and definitely the best in the _-Earnest Evans-__ El Viento_ trilogy by a country mile (although I don't think that _Earnest Evans_ is all *that* bad.) Wolf Team also developed another game I feel is grossly overlooked: _Arcus Odyssey._ It's a shmup much in the same vein as _Twinkle Tale,_ and although it has the typical high fantasy trapping, it has a surprisingly grim setting. Having four different characters to choose from gives it a bit more replayability as well. A very solid game, at least in my eyes.

[@Rud13]

This was a cool video that featured Rainjerks.

[@l30S3UX]

Rollo to The Rescque. It's from Eletroinic Arts, it has good reviews.... and it's overlooked. I had the cartridge by change and remember playing it a lot back then.

[@Bransfiiiield]

I remember wanting that back in the day, but I've still never played it.

[@contrabandresearch8409]

Good list with games that usually aren't talked much about.

[@waynehickman8317]

I always loved the MD version of Smash TV, I know it gets slagged because of its dodgy control methods compared to the SNES controls but once you get used to the three button method, it really isn't that bad. Gotta agree with Earthworm Jim... it really isn't that good of a game, all flash no cash..

[@Ungantor]

I think people really want to like Vectorman because it's so darn close to looking and playing like a PSX-era Megaman game... Totally agree that the ideas just weren't there, though. The regular boss ideas are boring, and the 'special' bosses that completely throw the perspective and existing game mechanics out the window are just naff. There is no middle ground at all.

[@SeekerLancer]

Fantastic list though I'm one of Vectorman's defenders. It's not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination but I really enjoy the game. I fully agree EWJ was never the classic people think it is.

[@CandyMali9]

I tried both Altered Beast and Vectorman for the first time last year and I couldn't find anything enjoyable about them. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

[@48hourrecordsteam45]

I actually find donkey Kong country to be a terrible game..back in the days ,,after getting used to drooling over the visuals,I saw nothing there ,that people hyped about...it was just not fun,....controlling monkies through pretty environments with limited animations was all I seen..and they amcontrolled very sluggish

[@lazarushernandez5827]

The big hype with Altered Beast was that it was a very close port of the arcade original. That was the Genesis/Megadrive's original selling point, bringing home arcade titles. But yeah, it wasn't a very good game. I never played Vectorman, just thought it was some random action platformer.

[@snatch1466]

Damn. I completely disagree about Earthworm Jim. I figured Toejam & Earl might make it on that end list. I honestly think Altered Beast is mostly forgotten, and there are way more people preemptively telling us it sucks than there are people saying it’s great.

[@billschlafly4107]

@5:00 - that's a top down run and gun...snot a shooter IMO.

[@AnriDarkmoor]

I loved playing the hell out of The Lost World and that was thanks to Sega Channel. Well I have Sega Channel to thank anyway for most of the titles I've played including some here but unfortunately it was the reason I ended up with a small physical library when it went out of service. Never did build upon that other than what I found in used bins and never got back into collecting more like I've wanted to since. I kind of agree, I have a love-hate thing for Earthworm Jim though and I'm sure a ton of others as well. I loved it two decades ago but I was a kid and I can't tell you how many times I've died or got stuck on some level because I somehow didn't know where to go. Play them every now and then and while I can beat them fine now I kind of go eh when I even think about playing it even when I'm in the mood just thinking of my childhood horrors with it.

[@michaelromeo9567]

WONDERBOY 5 an 6. (monster world III and IV in Japan.) Magical Taluluto Kun (one of the most beautiful and colorful of 16 bit consoles was on MegaDrive.

[@48hourrecordsteam45]

The SNES only had to 10 great games and they where all made by Nintendo... The sega genesis was the greatest system of the 16bit era

[@enriquedossantos3283]

pppfffffft, in rpgs ONLY, there are far more than 10 great games on snes, multiplatform games where 90% of the time better on snes, im not a nintendo fanboy as i own and played every major console from the last 30 years, tastes are subjective facts are not

[@cbdzone5182]

@@enriquedossantos3283 and the games ran 90% slower on the snes

[@reginaldeberhart8521]

@@enriquedossantos3283 multiplatformers was 50/50 Some were better SNES some were on the Genesis

[@SwiftJustice]

Okay but Altered Beast is still great because there are still kids. Kids exist too and they play games.

[@Bransfiiiield]

And just because they're kids doesn't mean they should play bad games. I played Altered Beast as a kid a bit, but I was far more into much better games.

[@screwdriver1996]

Wonder boy in Monster world is somewhat of an overlooked Mega drive game imho

[@radracer8889]

Agree 100% with the over ratted games. Earth Worm Jim has some really annoying enemies. In the first level, when the crow and dog attack you at the same time, dear lord, and the platforming absolutely sucks.

[@biglevian]

PSP sold 80 Millionen Units, more than the GBA. I wouldn't say nobody bought it.

[@mopeybloke]

And twice as much as the Mega Drive.

[@dcvk6250]

Millionen sounds like something my doctor would prescribe to me.

[@Bransfiiiield]

'Nobody cared about it' - the PSP 'Nobody bought it' - EA Replay I'm a PSP diehard and am in actual, real life print with my love for the machine. But there's no way it goes down in history as anything other than a flop.

[@mopeybloke]

I'm not sure why it was a flop. My assumption based on hardware sales is that it was very successful.

[@Bransfiiiield]

It had next to 0 actual impact, with most people buying one (or multiples) because it was so very easy to hack and put emulators on.

[@dava00007]

Altered Beast was GREAT.... well I had fun with it... go back and play it... wish I kept it only in memories, it's not horrible, but definitely boring.

[@dazrael5658]

I have nightmares about Twinkle Tale. I remember selling it to a mate who owned a shop for a measly quid a fair few years ago. Segway to today and it goes for the princely sum of £500+. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, or could be a sanity collapsing delusion of riches beyond my wildest dreams. I always, always go with the former.

[@Bransfiiiield]

I mean... jesus. I am sorry for your loss x

[@dazrael5658]

Hah cheers. I always like to think it went to a deserving and cultured collector who tells his own little story of how lucky he was that day and how it was the best deal he’s ever seen. However it was probably picked up by some snotty nose chav who didn’t know what it was and ended up in a Cash Generator and then the tip. On the bright side I did pick up The Punisher on MD from a Cash Generator for peanuts which does go for a princely sum nowadays however I don’t know what happened to it. Video games and me just don’t seem to get on.

[@Garpocalypse]

Would have liked to see Final Zone make the list but props for mentioning Ranger X, made by former wolf team members, and El Viento. Everything by Wolf Team was an underrated gem for the system. Nice work as always.

[@Ashura96]

I'd love to own physical copies of Twinkle Tale and Pulseman, but uh...$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I'm glad to own Alisa Dragoon at least

[@superspecky4eyes]

Gunstar Heroes... OVER-RATED. Yes it's very impressive technically, looks fantastic and is very creative, I just don't find the gameplay that fun.

[@dennistaylor5065]

El Viento translates to: Tornado.

[@TheDeathOfLucifer]

Tbh I disagree about Earthworm and Vectorman. But God is Altered Beast bad. Tbh I think Sonic was and is overrated. It's not a terrible game, but it's nothing to have on every top five

[@derekgreen3012]

Altered Beast was a good game that I still enjoy, but I do agree that Vectorman is overrated.

[@DanDoesGame]

AWESOME video man

[@retrosoul8770]

Yeah, dislike for dumb bias regarding the systems sound which is really great btw, why don't you seriously give Gauntlet IV (Sortie Retribution), Master of Monsters and Devilish, and/or Monster World IV a listen sometime? Remember music/sound comes from the skill/talent of the composer first, THAN the hardware, not the other way around. Anyway good list though I would strongly argue that most people DO NOT know about most of the best MD/Gen games, being that people are bias against arcade oriented stuff especially shooters like Thunder Force, Fire Shark, Musha, Battle Mania 2 etc all amongst the systems very best. It's library is generally very underappreciated amongst the mainstream.

[@Vospi]

Overhyped games (with arguments) is actually a great idea. I would love to watch that.

[@Bransfiiiield]

I started writing them like that, but pulled it back heavily so as not to dilute the main thrust of the video. Maybe one day, but I am trying to veer more positive in my vids. Plenty of easy negativity out there already.

[@Vospi]

@@Bransfiiiield Bet that's quite a work for your world view as well. :) Best of luck.

[@RyumaXtheXKing]

Altered Beast is shit and doesn’t even look as good as Shadow if the Beast. Vectorman is a relaxing action game.

[@AspieGamer1986]

I rebought Ranger-X a few months back complete in Box.As for Ranger-X the only reason it didn't do well was because SEGA felt it was important to focus on those shitty ass FMV games for the Sega CD.

[@kh7955]

You legit just go off of the mainstream ideal that the genesis sound chip was crap. That's complete bullshit

[@whatamalike]

I'd go as far to say Shiny entertainment have never made a truly great game!

[@reginaldeberhart8521]

Great list

[@BirdFluJapan]

Not a bad list. Thought shadowrun would be on it tho

[@jessragan6714]

You should have included Dreck-o the Dolphin in your mini-list of most overrated Genesis games. Boredom, thy name is Ecco.

[@dreammfyre]

Earthworm Jim is a literal work of art. Go home and be a family man bro.

[@Bransfiiiield]

It's beautiful, but it's shit. Also, I am home, I am a family man, and Guile can do one.

[@mtoad]

Genuine.

[@thehumbleone1983]

Sega 4 Ever

[@SameNameDifferentGame]

People still claim to enjoy Altered Beast?

[@Loundsify]

Pop noodle sandwich lol

[@Bransfiiiield]

Breakfast of champions.

[@malBOROkid]

Kings bounty

[@cms1138]

Have you given up the Internet? No video in 2 months... Disappeared off Twitter? What gives?

[@Bransfiiiield]

Hullo - I had a bunch of real life stuff going on (nothing bad, got a dog and started a new job) so focus has been elsewhere. I've had a video being slowwwwly worked on for months now, should be done in the next week or two. Or three. Or four...

[@cms1138]

@@Bransfiiiield phew, always enjoyed your vids! Glad life is getting in the way for good reasons! Panicked when you went Twitter silent aswell...

[@jaymzx2587]

Nice video man love your channel! I always enjoyed Ristar and Sunset Riders as maybe slightly overlooked great games.

[@TornadoCreator]

THANK YOU! Those three over-hyped games as the end are all shite. I massively appreciate you giving them a well deserved dressing down.

[@TekMerc]

I was like, 'Oooh. Really?' when you named Earthworm Jim, but when I really think about it, you are right.

[@Sinn0100]

Bodaciously radical video dawg! I love the killer Genesis tunes pumpin out of your tube brah! Can I stop now, it's extremely difficult to speak like a quintessential 90's guy. It's a miracle that anyone living in the US can have a proper command of the English language. I grew up in Florida and LA respectively....I'm not kidding, people talked like that all the time. You leave my Genesis sound alone. I have you know I find scratching a chalkboard with a set of rusty nails rather soothing. The only thing better is listening to a bunch of alley cats screeching in my ears at 50 decibels higher than a jet engine. Altered Beast is the best game ever made only topped by Pit Fighter for the Snes! ;)

[@WebstersYouTube]

British? Check. Unveils actual hidden gems you genuinely might not have heard of? Check. Thinks Altered Beast and Vectorman are overhyped pieces of shit? Check. Can we be friends?

[@Dizzula]

Alisia Dragoon was a flagship title when it released in the UK. It was praised for it's originality and great visuals, and literally every megadrive owner I know bought a copy. Which begs the question - what the tits are you on about man?!

[@Bransfiiiield]

I'm on about the fact it's an overlooked great?

[@Dizzula]

@@Bransfiiiield Everybody bought it! That's not really overlooked is it?

[@Bransfiiiield]

I mean, I don't think they did. I'm going off personal memories and dozens of retrospective pieces calling it overlooked, a hidden gem, ignored, and everything else. None of them say 'hey this was well popular in the UK in the 90s', and considering how the internet is full of people who can't wait to I Told You So, I reckon there'd be at least a few pieces going up saying just that.

[@Dizzula]

To be fair, I am *only* going off personal memories, so maybe my particular corner of Manchester was an anomaly when it came to female-led dragon filled platformers?

[@Bransfiiiield]

When I was a kid every Amiga owner I knew played Extreme Violence religiously, but that was about 20 of us at most, and all because I abused X-Copy to distribute it to the masses. I'd still say it's overlooked... though going by memory I wouldn't say it's an overlooked *classic*. It's all about perspective. And believe me, I'm not happy to say these games are overlooked - they're far more deserving than a billion Altered Beasts. Yet still every conversation about the Mega Drive starts with 'yeah I loved Altered Beast' STOP IT, NO YOU DIDN'T

[@leadbones]

Watch yourself. EWJ is fantastic. The graphics, sound, and play control are all top tier stuff. The level design can be kind of obtuse, but that hardly impacts its status as a most excellent 16-bit platformer. I agree about Altered Beast, and especially Vectorman. But Earthworm Jim is good, and I can't respect your opinion on that.

[@duncanrathband5492]

Bransfield! You rock! These all look fab! And I agree on Altered Beast 🙂

[@spriles]

Earthworm Jim is one of top 20 best 16-bit era games...period. I can't fathom how anyone could call it bad. Please...I would be interested in a more substantive critique of the game, until then, I have to believe there is something wrong with you.

[@Bransfiiiield]

It's almost like... opinions can be different!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[@baigandinel7956]

Those totally look emulated.

[@Bransfiiiield]

You look emulated

[@enriquedossantos3283]

obviously emulated is really hard and expensive to get pixel perfect capture from original hardware, he would have to SHOW us the setup and hardware he used to prove us wrong

[@donibeh]

Why you have to bring gender into this? Nyaaaah!

[@BargainGamer]

There is a possibility he's a bigot.

[@RyumaXtheXKing]

Brooklyn rage!

[@heyhonpuds]

Hale & Pace! Haven’t thought of them in over twenty years. Good vid.

[@skarmachild]

Great vid, subbed. Please do first person adventure/adventure games on NES/SNES/MEga Drive/SMS please, ones like Deep Dungeon 4 and also Space Jesus Bio-Monster and that =3

[@velvetaeon2774]

"The story of thor" ~ 'beyond oasis' in the USA. I remember beating that on the sega channel, so fun. Good list! Nice video... just subb3d 😶

[@snowypods9812]

Love your writing, I too am a 90s dude

[@keness4768]

How dare you slander the good name of altered beast and ask for a handout on patreon in the same video!! Well I never! Genesis port was shite but the arcade original was right bloody bangin. You sir, are a cad.

[@Bransfiiiield]

I'D DO IT AGAIN I TELL YOU

[@WhereThereDude]

poop

[@neogenesis7706]

Great and fantastic video really agree and enjoyed... until you badmouthed EWJ!

[@metroidmayhem8463]

Earthworm Jim is still pretty decent. Its tough but what game wasnt at that time. Altered beast meh. I see some appeal but never really enjoyed it. Vectorman was ok. Nothimg great nothing awful just like a low D on a test. Its passable but not by a lot.