Shadowrun on Sega Genesis is you but cooler

[@TheRealElJugo]

I created a mod for Shadowrun:Dragonfall. It's called Brothers to the End and it's both a sequel to the SNES version, as well as a prequel to the Genesis version. You play Michael, Joshua's brother and it starts 5 months before the Sega game. I spent a ton of time on it (8 years), and it's a fully fledged game with over 20 hours of gameplay. As a fan of the Sega game, I'd love your opinion on it.

[@LordofSyn]

Wow! Is it available for the GOG version? I would like more details, if possible.

[@TheRealElJugo]

@@LordofSyn As far as details go, It tells the story of how Michael and Stark meet and go from low-level runners to the best of the best. Along the way, you'll meet and assemble Michael's team and run into a ton of characters from both the Sega and SNES versions. You also will be caught up with actual canon events and characters that happened during the second edition of Shadowrun. It takes place over 10 acts with each act being like an episode of a series. I can't really say much more, you'll have to check it out and play it for yourself. :)

[@LordofSyn]

@@TheRealElJugo I will.. Thank you for your reply, your diligent hard work, and for being an old FASA dude. I will try it. I am working on a GODOT homage to Genesis Shadowrun mixed with Cyber Knights RPG. Maybe you'll try it, one day, relatively soon.

[@TheRealElJugo]

@@LordofSyn I would absolutely love to try it!

[@TheRealElJugo]

@@drewtaylor2890 FastJack does indeed get a reference. He’s lurking on the Shadowland BBS in Act 8.

[@guyvizard549]

To be fair, the original instruction manual had a full detailed map of every area n the back, with labeled buildings. Shout out to Mike's RPG Center- the best online utility for playing this game nowadays! Maps, Item Lists, People, etc.

[@smacdsmaccers]

Shadowrun Genesis is the best shadowrun videogame even better than the modern ones

[@ashkumar4730]

It's so weird to be coincidentally hit by a shot of nostalgia for this game, to go on KZbin, and to see someone making a video on it, amongst all the ones made years ago, on the very day that I was feeling this.

[@randomando1346]

To this day, my favorite game of all time. Still play it quite a bit, 20+ years later. Sega version, of course.

[@DaemionBlackFire]

I also played both the snes and sega genesis shadowrun and the sega genesis one feels MORE like shadowrun than the snes version. I even liked the way they did the decking and the matrix. One of my favorite genesis games, for sure, and what made me want to get into shadowrun pen and paper.

[@vxicepickxv]

The Genesis version was a rejection of the in development SNES version by the heads at FASA.

[@Jukinru]

I beat both and always wanted a combination of the two. The overworld of the snes and the hacking of the genesis. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@guyvizard549]

I highly recommend the newer trilogy if you haven't played them: (Returns, Dragonfall, Hong Kong.) They are closer to the SNES version, but if you're a fan of the overall world and setting, they're great!

[@derelect3164]

Shadowrun and Landstalker were my jam for Sega. That being said, I never knew about the cheats in the menu. I would grind enough money to get some sort of expensive armor. Then sell it back for more than I paid for it. It's been a very long time since I've played this, so I can't remember where to get it, or the specific name of the armor.

[@bransonbenson9520]

That would be the yakuza armor only available after siding with the Halloweeners over the Eye-Fivers who are backed up by the Mob! That's a good trick by the way-i always knew about the cheat menu but honestly its more fun to grind by doing jobs and Matrix runs!

[@willmistretta]

Looking forward to trying this one soon. I played the tabletop game and the SNES one a ton back in the '90s, so it's about time I finally got around to this. The plan is to do back-to-back reviews of both later this month. Wish me luck, chummer.

[@willmistretta]

Also fun facts: 1. The Ares Predator was probably the best overall pistol in the vanilla SR rulebook, too, so it's good that Genesis game reflects that. 2. I've lived here in Seattle for almost 20 years now and can confirm that both 16-bit Shadowrun games are 100% geographically and culturally accurate.

[@sligacheese6470]

Watch out the rats nest is paid off by the cops lol 😂

[@Virikel]

As a millennial, raised on PC and Sega, I affirm this message.

[@edhorse13]

Shadowrun is a great example of when games weren't a total spoonfeed of rewards. Gotta earn those credits. I usually do random hacking and sell the info to the guy in downtown Seattle. Either way you gunna grind.

[@EclipsisTenebris]

Ok, the Dragon quest music is perfect when you start about the grind.

[@inigmas_dev]

I've always loved Shadowrun for the Sega Genesis. I like games where you start with nothing and need to explore and learn and work for progression, like in Elden Ring. If you want a slightly interactive book; this game doesn't provide that. It's about _being_ a Shadowrunner, (which Joshua is, not just the runners you can hire). Btw, don't upgrade physical stats on Human characters (like Joshua) beyond 5 if you plan on getting cybernetic upgrades. There's a weird bug where if you max them out first, those upgrades don't actually work. Also, the manual that came with the game came with maps. That's how you were supposed to know where everything is. Too bad they couldn't put them in the game, but you do what you can with Sega Genesis tech, I guess. So it's not "cheating" to look up maps online (except for the wilderness areas). If you need the help, don't even get Michael's stuff back at all until you're ready. Check out speed runs to see some ideas for how to play without needing to grind so hard in the beginning.

[@zullas]

I specifically remember my brother playing this game waaay back then. I had no clue what was going on but something about it I was drawn to. Few years later I give it a try and I get my butt handed to me. Now that you have properly explained the game I think I’ll give it a go once more.

[@SegaCDUniverse]

Damn do I love these games

[@phychmasher]

Funny, I got into this game because I had just read Neuromancer. I played the pen & paper later, and even got into reading the Shadowrun books--and had a favorite author in that universe! I never fell out of love with the Cyberpunk genre after this game.

[@doomscrivener]

If you haven’t heard of it check out Hardwired by Walter Jon Williams. He playtested the original Cyberpunk TTRPG and Mike Pondsmith said Cyberpunk’s setting was influenced by Hardwired. He also said he’d never read Neuromancer.

[@HiJello64]

I think this game is the inspiration for the Belchinator Too minigame in Animaniacs Game Pack.

[@SolidSnnake]

this game reminds me alot of daggerfall's systems and mission generating

[@analogmoz]

I've been hoping you would make this review. Thanks!

[@JasonGravesPoser]

Heck yeah, wanted to make it for a long time

[@vicetea86]

this shit cracked me up because I was exactly the same way. Kept picking it up over time and figured most of it out over a period of years. I just wanted to chill in the jungle man, that shit was vicious. I really found this game to be waaaay ahead of its time. This has more in common with RPGs of the last 10 years ,as opposed to anything that would come out on that console. impressed me with what they were able to accomplish with those limitations. It's still kinda more in depth than a lot of shit today. Fuuuuuck I loved this game. I always rushed to a solid gun, then took the best undead hunting quest over and over caching out in that house in the top right

[@TasMoney870]

I was living on guam and my dad got me this off a tdy. I was 12 and hooked. Still got it on my phone to this day. Played the other day 😂

[@anjetto1]

One of the all time best sega games

[@flameguy21]

Loved the part where you run from a shadow

[@spencer1980]

God damn, can you imagine telling your grandkids that you were a shadowrunner? This is what I mean when I say you guys are cooler than me. Yeah, I spent the bulk of my life as legitimately just an every day normal guy, but I've got an IQ in the thousands and was brainwashed/trained by the greatest spies and soldiers this planet has ever seen. I was thrust into this position unexpectedly, but I was well prepared for it. I was built for it. I was literally brainwashed for it. You guys? You guys just saw this shit was fucked up and were ready to throw hands, and you threw them better than anyone could have asked of you. You really are incredible, and that's why this isn't my story. I'm just the narrator. And thank you. I'm just some guy trying to save his kids, and as smart as I may be....it would be impossible without your help. More to the point, it would be possible without me. What comes next is on my shoulders, and I'm terrified i'll disappoint you all. I'll just be another failure in a long line of failed saviors. I don't think I will be, and I don't intend to be, but I see that I can be. But you all? You all have alreadt demonstrated the greatness I aspire to. I can't believe I'm gonna write this, but I think it's deserved. HOOHA colleagues. Fucking hooha.

[@spencer1980]

Okay but seriously I'm just the narrator. No more shows about me, no shows about my wives (there are only two), no shows about my folks even (maybe some about my mom, she doesn't get the credit she deserves), I want shows about the shadowrunners.

[@starwarsunfiltered7848]

"Grunderson"? It's Gunderson. But yeah...great video! You nailed it. I started playing Shadowrun at 14, just a couple months after it came out. It took a solid 6 months of dabbling before I "got it" and was completely hooked in. I honestly don't see anybody willingly dropping themselves into this amount of grinding in 2024, but in the '90s this is how we spent our time before the internet and it was glorious. The game remains in my Top 5 of all time and the soundtrack by Sam Powell brings back memories like nothing else.

[@felipecoelho8350]

Background music a tad too loud, my 5 second attention span was harassed throughly. I like your videos, rpg man

[@epicglitter7218]

This is the video that got me to your channel - yay! I love Shadowrun, because it was my first introduction to the cyberpunk genre. Ive always been into RPGs, but at that time the only RPGs I knew were set in ye olde fantasy times, which I also like a lot, but compared to that Shadow run was so completely different and refreshing. not to mention, non linear and open world! Wish there were more retro RPGs like Shadow run tbh

[@sligacheese6470]

My all time favourite game. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@swimsawce]

that sounds like videogamedunkey at the beginning. shadowrun is one of my favorite games of all time. i still love the soundtrack and prefer to listen to it over current titles i play through today. i'm 4 minutes into this video and i love the music you have playing in the background of your video. liked, subbed and commented.

[@WarrenIsDead]

Lol is that the original castlevania soundtrack I hear 6:15?

[@MrSerpico145]

The copy of this game I have came with hand drawn maps (by a previous owner) in the back pages of the manual which was a pleasant surprise. Salute to the fella that took the time years ago.

[@ronaldood4678]

Shadowrun on Sega Genesis is cooler than Shadowrun on SNES change my mind.

[@analogmoz]

Almost no one will as you are correct.

[@CosmicCosmo1]

Thx for the guide. Picked up shadowrun months ago and it has stayed in the drawer getting passed over for dozens of games in the meantime. The only other game that is in the drawer that seems more daunting is syndicate which ironically is the same genre. These sci-fi games are intimidating AF!

[@RonManGaming]

I love the SNES version - I play it every few years. I've never played the Genesis version but when I do, I'll watch this again. Thanks for the tips!

[@joshuamontanez2112]

Oo your missing out the genesis version is Waaaaay better

[@paulramasco6769]

I was a fan of the tabletop game so when this came out I was instantly sucked in. The chaos of the Sega Genesis gave the better immersion than the Nintendo one.the music fit, the random attacks fit. I used to play this game every so often until my Genesis died. I've lost friendships over this game when I loaned it out and never got it back. It was a grind except I always used the cheat code. One other old game I enjoyed in the early 90s was punisher. Played that on my friends gateway 2000 and it played similar. You got random jobs from micro, like wiping out the local skinhead building. It was too down, and similar color scheme

[@Stovetopcookie]

Gunderson runs don’t pay much but being all the runs are contained in the starting area it’s the fastest Karma grind in the game.

[@trevor_mounts_music]

Way better than the SNES version, and I LOVE that game. Much closer to the tabletop game, felt like you were a proper shadowrunner! The matrix sub-game is basically a whole second world to explore...

[@neosildrake]

I love Shadowrun on SegaMD. The Matrix runs are great. I made maps for each system, except the most basic ones. There are maybe a handfull of Tar Pits in the Matrix, so a few lvl 1 throw away programms are nice to have, but yes, the only two maxed out programs really needed are Attack and Deception. I personally choose to play as a Shaman. No need for weapons. Yes, body mods are not a good choice for a spell caster, but I still give my character a data jack. One less level of magic isn't that tragic, especially with a perma focus later on. But it's easier for one invisible person to do a corporate run, than for 2 or 3. What's great in this game is that there are multiple ways to get to your final goal.

[@doomscrivener]

Big ups for plugging Snow Crash.

[@NaglfarCommando]

This and Battletech with the Strike Series, General Chaos and Mutant League were my all time favorite Genesis games. Still have my save game on my cart from the 90s. (edit) Seattle's the epicenter of Shadowrun because FASA ended up being headquartered there after leaving Chicago area.

[@DoctorSledgehammer]

Hahaha I am glad someone else thinks the SNES version is superior! In the Shadowrun community that is like the wrong opinion. Btw your calculations for the number of missions I have to do on the first Mr. Johnson and the demonstration on the scarcity of money as well as the game's difficulty are on point!

[@relyk4277]

I remember the first time I saved enough to leave the first zone, took me over a month as a kid...

[@zeroangelmk1]

I liked playing a decker. Matrix runs tended to pay well, and matrix access was useful when you had to do an infiltration type run.

[@adamdravian]

I sort of had the opposite Shadowrun journey from you. Got the SNES version when I was maybe twelve. Like, you I had no idea it was based on a tabletop RPG (and had no idea what that was). But it became one of my favorite games and I played it many times. I knew there was a version for the Genesis that was a totally different game but I didn't get around to actually playing it until I was in my thirties. I was skeptical at first for the reasons you state, but I pushed through and ended up loving it. Now I'm not sure I could even pick which I like more.

[@HallelujahHotdog]

Playing this at 9 must have been a real brain buster

[@yhwh88]

The secret program that lowers IC levels is all you really need. Never have to save up for high level attack or deception

[@MrNb22]

You know how the team that developed Nightshade on NES Developed Shadowrun on SNES so there are some similarities there? Well, the dude that designed Die Hard on the NES also designed Shadowrun on the Sega (Tony Van). If you go back and play Die Hard, you'll see a some similarities with that top-down perspective.

[@RetroFred]

I used to use the cheat codes, but I don't anymore. I always start as a Decker because it's more or less as good as a Samurai in combat and you lock down your matix runs. Start with package runs from Gunderson until you can get a Predator pistol. Do the zombie runs for the highest money per kill (Charisma gets you more cash) in Redmond Barrens until you can afford an expensive deck like the Fairlight Excalibur. For difficult matrix runs just buy a cheap slow and spam it on black ice until it kills the slow. Super cheap to replace. Winston and Freya are your best friends. Pay full price to hire them permanently.

[@collosiamusic3036]

you need to do a review of Genghis Khan II. Definitely the best Koei game for SNES!!!

[@1-eye-willy]

im thinking we need a shadowrun remaster

[@The_Game_Juggler_ME]

I highly recommend Dex if you loved the Shadowrun series.

[@7deEspadas]

If you start shaman, you can buy invisibility early and then try infiltration runs

[@John-Trigiano]

Sega genesis version was great. A remake with the same soul would be great. I even contacted the actual devs in charge of the franchise asking to bring back the sega concept. Imagine a shadowrun vibe open world like segas with a similar gameplay like "jagged alliance back in action" sistem

[@vxicepickxv]

I know Microsoft has the Shadowrun IP rights to all digital games.

[@madspunky]

Exactly my thoughts: the Super Nintendo version is just great, and this one is mostly a grind. Still, I'm glad I played it because I love the aesthetic!

[@circeciernova1712]

There's actually a PC hacking game based off the hacking system in Genesis Shadowrun

[@ampeater777]

I just got the predator, I went to Puyallup and did the turbo cheesy lonestar Corp run until I could get good decking gear. Once you get the stats and gear to hack consistently, the game kinda snowballs and you never need to worry about money ever again. It helps that street sammies can dual spec into decking, effectively rendering deckers pointless since they are just as good (if not better) and you don't have to gimp your combat ability

[@reanimated807]

Loved this game as a kid. Never knew about the title screen cheat/code, but I did figure out how to get free money from the crime mall which pushed the game into easy mode... which still isn't easy on your first playthrough since you'll have no idea what to do.

[@Shishkebarbarian]

How is this channel not more popular.

[@JasonGravesPoser]

Thanks Randy from Trailer Park Boys!

[@Shishkebarbarian]

@@JasonGravesPoser Listen I got some frozen burgers and was wondering if I could put them in your freezer until I find a new place to live.

[@JasonGravesPoser]

@@Shishkebarbarian anytime dude

[@Dbackus54]

Nice ❤️

[@vilvismargots5937]

Better than Cyberpunk 2077!

[@frionelhero]

There are some rom hacks that improve the overall experience that might make the game worth recommending

[@ryan.harvill]

It's weird how our child eyes and our adult eyes see the same thing differently. This game blew my mind when it came out. It's still neat but it doesn't hit like it used to.

[@bransonbenson9520]

Of course-it was the height of video game technology back then! There wasn't anything better to compare it to

[@TeddyBelcher4kultrawide]

love your vids

[@GraveYardShif7]

The Segagen version was much more indepth. The Supernes version was better looking but also a bit more dumbed down and more streamlined for the mainstream audiances of the time.

[@tripsclone]

Because hella is hella cool.

[@planexshifter]

Great Monorail bit

[@olajideparis]

Oh I loooooooved this game!

[@JestanDiams]

What's the name of the music that starts playing at 2:07?

[@JasonGravesPoser]

Metroid prime title theme

[@JestanDiams]

@@JasonGravesPoser Holy crap, thanks, man! You're awesome! I wish I would have discovered your channel sooner.

[@bigal2731]

In regards to your conclusion: How about if I'm an adult who, while valuing their time to some extent, is also a fan of the modern Shadowrun games and Universe? Is it worth a play in that case? I'm torn between this and the Super Nintendo version

[@joelferguson625]

I've played the snes version at least a dozen times but I got fed up with the genesis version after a couple days. Cheat codes sounds like the one way I'd put up with this game.

[@Lordslothable]

Ohhhh here it is good stuff!!!!

[@sligacheese6470]

Do review on Atari’s ET 😳 Just kidding lol 😂 don’t do that. Lol 😂

[@actuallynotsteve]

It uses ABBACAB, the blood code from Mortal Kombat?

[@bransonbenson9520]

No that's ABACABB🖒

[@bransonbenson9520]

Shadowrun was the first game i was obsessed with! Played it relentlessly for the atmosphere and how different it was from anything I'd ever played before. Still come back to it ever so often! I eventually got the SNES version and while I was happy to have more adventures in the Shadowrun universe, it was drastically different to the point where I lost interest towards the end of the game. It just didn't hold my attention like the Genesis version. Both great games but very much better on Genesis💯 Great video!🖒

[@vincentthekeeper2163]

I'm old enough to have played the table top 1st edition before this game. This game was an excellent attempt at bringing the tabletop game to the Genesis. The SNES is Shadowrun in name only. Its fanfiction pretty much.

[@guyvizard549]

Just discovered the SNES version during quarantine. Within a week, I was reading Neuromancer and looking for the early edition tabletop books. Then, I discovered the Genesis and recent PC versions- (the NEW trilogy.) Now, I'm planning my own rough tabletop game. Shadowrun really kept me sane during a tough time. The Genesis is a tough, frustrating, pain in the a$$. But overall, I still believe it's the best game out of all of them. Plus, due to the limits of the data on the cartridge, it leaves plenty of space to fill in the blanks with your imagination. Playing Dragonfall is epic, but it's fun to create your own attitude for a random Decker doing grunt work for Gunderson out in The Barrens.

[@The_Game_Juggler_ME]

Have you played Dex yet ?

[@guyvizard549]

@@The_Game_Juggler_ME I have not.

[@The_Game_Juggler_ME]

@@guyvizard549 Highly recommended if you loved this series .

[@ChazTheYouthful]

I destroyed this game 5 or 6 times growing up. Shotgun assault squad with heavy combat armor just walking up and one shotting the enemy.

[@Tomoose736]

How you gonna make a 16 minute shadowrun video and not once mention cyberware? You mention guns, body armor and decks (I guess decks are TECHNICALLY a cybernetic), but not anything about Denmark plating, wired rejected and the like! When I was a kid and played this game when it came out (yeah, I was alive and old enough to play this game when it came out, wanna fight about it?), cybernetics were the coolest part. First game I ever played where you could mechanically enhance your body and I thought that was soooo cool. Every RPG has weapon upgrades, but the idea that you could get metal implants under your skin or your fingertips replaced with knives? That was different. Actually made the grind exciting for me. Sure killing 20 ghouls for the 100th time was a slog, but knowing you're getting synthetic muscle at the end of it made it worth it.

[@jhudsu1]

I love this game but that's because when I play a Cyberpunk RPG I want it to be Neuromancer the video game and it is on the same page with me there. If I had to grind through the whole thing making all my money from the non-netrunning jobs I would rather kill myself.

[@JasonGravesPoser]

The time to payout ratio just isn't worth it once you can actually do matrix runs and not get killed

[@arcadianlhadattshirotsughW33Z]

this was my favorite game as a kid, mainly because of the incredible art and awesome soundtrack (especially for a western developed genesis game)... yeah it was hard and somewhat obtuse, but back then be bashed our heads against our games because we didnt get that many in a year outside rentals, so you forced yourself to learn... or you found out about the ABBACAB code and finished it that way... and i disagree the snes one is better, its good, but, nostalgia's a hell of a soykaf chummer..

[@spacetonium]

I love the enthusiasm in this video, but a LOT is left out or mildly inaccurate. This game was a straight port of 2nd edition Shadowrun tabletop rules.

[@xy1981ca]

One does not make a perfectly apt Simpsons intro like that and doesn't get a like

[@phychmasher]

1:07 Could be hard cut to 4:50

[@SeminarioMAE]

it's not THAT bad

[@bransonbenson9520]

Its not bad at all

[@TheRumpletiltskin]

I played the SNES version and hated it.

[@rayceeya8659]

There's no story in the Genesis game. Sure there's grinding in the SNES game, but the Genesis game is nothing but grinding.

[@SonofSethoitae]

...yes there is? There's the mystery of who killed your brother and why

[@drunkensailor112]

Lol. You missed the entire story? This game is about your murdered brother and why you travel everywhere to find where he was to find out why he was killed

[@fips711]

how was a little kid supposed to play it? this game broke me

[@kongahb]

Your waist looks different.

[@Edoshmek]

Yeah man i really tried with this one. Its a complete mess.