The Best (and worst) Sega Genesis Games of 1996

[@JohnRiggs]

Sega Genesis Games 1995 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4ikeqWamN6ha8k

[@Dwayne-m4t]

Cutthroat Island was great on the Gameboy.

[@Dwayne-m4t]

Missile Command was awesome.

[@rustymixer2886]

9:30 bro jp2 bonus stages are 3d and look like ps1 graphics !

[@Naedlus]

Re: UMK3, The wonderful thing about it for the SNES/Genesis was that it WASN'T just the minor iteration of the arcade game that the 32-bit systems got, but effectively Mortal Kombat Trilogy on the 16-bit systems. You didn't just get a few extra characters, this was the first 16 bit game where when you opened up the character select, you felt like you had a full page to select from. Sure, they cut animations and the sound was compressed, but, the sheer selection made it worth while. Hell, it was actually fun seeing EVEN MORE palette swaps, as most all had separate move lists. Rain was my dude, but, when I first loaded MK Gold on the DC, and he wasn't there, I knew I would be disappointed. Little did I know about how the game was bugged and never save your data at that time, and it didn't take too many times loading it up for it to sour me mostly on the series. (That said, I still really want to look into Deadly Alliance)

[@MrStrangermoon]

there is patches now make mega drive version better. it was best port to close arcade one. game play pure gold. rain lighting move have bug enemyies cant escape but it doest work on last boss shao kang his bugged enemy was faceless sub zero. he was short guy so when you freeze he was out of range shao kang fire also frezze shao kang. basicly with raind and faceless subzero you beat game flawless victory.

[@katsujinken10]

Marsupilami was a big thing in France where the character was originally from since like the 1950s.

[@jessragan6714]

I was quite happy with the Genesis version of Frogger. "It's just the arcade game from 1981!" Yeah, but it's probably the best port of that game, and it has all the music, which 21st century conversions didn't have. Plus it was released around the same time as the infamous Seinfeld episode featuring the arcade game. As far as I was concerned, the game couldn't have been better timed.

[@coryjohnson22]

I’m 40 and don’t play games anymore, but for whatever reason your videos scratch my nostalgia itch

[@OuTSMOKE]

Us old guys watching another old guy talk about games instead of gaming now a days. :D

[@tabsntoot]

Get your sen a megadrive a 6 button pad.and a flash cart download a rom pack and your good to go

[@TheL1arL1ar]

@@OuTSMOKEI’m about to turn 40 in a couple of days and I got full custody of 4 kids. It’s not that old but the pain can come quicker 😅. I still play games when I can, but I don’t socialize, just work workout, play video games, and listen to rock and drink beer.

[@zooropa04]

Sinistar: an average space shooter until Sinistar himself shows up and teaches you that life is nothing but pain....

[@Bodyhammer99999]

Run coward!

[@RayPruitt-ji9jx]

Don't try buying an original copy of Time Killers today. It will cost you an arm and a leg.

[@JohnRiggs]

classic.

[@jessragan6714]

And your dignity.

[@chrisrj9871]

I miss garage sale prices... like $5.

[@3DJapan]

The Sonic game basically looks like Marble Madness with Sonic stuff added.

[@dcboys4195]

Best Genesis games of 1996. 1. Vectorman 2 2. Sonic 3D Blast 3. Ultimate MK3 4. Pocahontas 5. Pinnoccio Ultimately, it was a tough year for Genesis after an outstanding 1995. You basically had to wait for the holiday season for the few AAA titles.

[@MrStrangermoon]

lost world number 1. playing game first map not give justice. its have 3d missons best 3d use on genesis. also was two player game.

[@jetfrog4574]

1996 and beyond is why SNES started having an advantage.

[@dcboys4195]

@MrStrangermoon I didn't include Lost World Jurassic Park because it didn't come out until September 1997. I would have placed it third behind Vectorman 2 and 3D Blast. Like you said, it has some extremely impressive segments in the game. Additionally, the base gameplay is a fun two player action adventure.

[@dcboys4195]

@jetfrog4574 Yea Snes was definitely supported better in the U.S. market for 1996 and to a lesser extent 1997. It is understandable because the next gen hardware came out 18 months after Sony and Sega. Also, Snes was still selling well in Japan, so they weren't dependent on just the U.S. market alone like Genesis was.

[@MrStrangermoon]

@@dcboys4195 vectorman cool but ı remember when we teen we play like 5 minutes thats it. we play lost world maybe 100hours it was two player game. with umk3 the most played game for us. we didnt have sega saturn ps1 or pc of course that time. sonic and knucles and sparkster game we played alot too espcialy sparkster it was like souls game hard to beat.

[@MotherKojiro]

I actually really like Sonic 3D Blast (especially the soundtrack), even if it is pretty different from mainline Sonic; I'd definitely like to try the Saturn version someday. I also agree with you on Vectorman 2; like a lot of games that went for a more "realistic" look (Mortal Kombat and Donkey Kong Country come to mind), this one focused on making the graphics more colorful and pleasant to look at, and was all the better for it. I'd also say that Vectorman 2 wasn't as brutally hard as the first game.

[@jetfrog4574]

Sonic 3D Blast rocks! A better jump to 3D than Mario 64.

[@MotherKojiro]

@@jetfrog4574 Totally agree!

[@PixelsNcreatureS]

Genesis Frogger doesn't get enough attention.. it's the best arcade port and the last that will have the original music. Even the recent Arcade 1up doesn't have the original tunes. The theme was from a Japanese children's show and most home ports don't have it. And if they do, it's not the full songs. Sega ported the original Konami Frogger in the US arcades so they still had the rights to have the original music for the Genesis port.. It's a very important release. It's looked at as a generic, boring last Genesis title, but it's more than that

[@ejsvirtualgarage]

The raccoon's name is Meeko.

[@richardjenkins128]

John Riggs is by far my favourite Retro games and 80’s nostalgia KZbinr!

[@Phattousai]

I had no idea there was a college version of NBA Jam!

[@audreyazwell]

I for one was glad to see Frogger get a competent Genesis port lol like eh, why not

[@SoulforSale]

It was pretty accurate

[@Shadowninja2099]

The Raccoon's name is Meeko

[@broissey]

Vectorman 2 was the last game I got for the Genesis. And it was the second game I ever finished. Loved the sound design. Still remember the day and store I bought it from. I ended up getting a Playstation in 97, so the Genesis was kind of retired shortly after my obsession with Vectorman 2.

[@KingOfApoc]

1:58 It's Meeko!

[@BlakeBickerstaff]

And Flit is the hummingbird

[@HelciusCabral]

Hidden gems in the Sega Mega Drive!! Off the top of my head: Monster World IV, Dyna Brothers I and II, Pulseman are all must plays!! The dynamite headdy's JP version also!

[@pikaporeon]

Havent even finished watching yet but every time I see Pocahantas genesis I think it looks so good for the platform

[@SuperKertiz]

Thanks buddy! Love it so much. I was more into Genesis than SNES in the 90s, and that was just because most of my neighbors had one, so it was more financially efficient. I really appreciate your content.

[@TheMultiGunMan]

Sega Genesis ftw!

[@LantisSRK]

Cutthroat Island is more of a beat em up than a fighting game

[@Ruudos]

Marsupilami is a character that was introduced in the Spirou comics. In The Netherlands in 1978 there was even a song about (and with) him which reached #6 in the charts.

[@Marc_Araujo]

The 16-bit ports of UMK3 were hot garbage. To be fair, none of the ports came remotely close to the arcade version.

[@mattgbarkley]

Always love your videos. Appreciate your views on disability.

[@Videogamelover58]

I love vectorman 2, ultimate Mortal kombat 3. Bugs bunny double trouble was ok

[@3DJapan]

I totally forgot about Marsupilami. That's was a fun cartoon.

[@catholicactionbibleonlyist1813]

I have Bugs Bunny in Double Trouble i can't figured out the game,i did not know that Pocahontas had video game tie in,I would like to get Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits for my Sega genesis Gonzaga University's namesake: Aloysius de Gonzaga, SJ (Italian: Luigi Gonzaga; 9 March 1568 - 21 June 1591) was an Italian aristocrat who became a member of the Society of Jesus. While still a student at the Roman College, he died as a result of caring for the victims of a serious epidemic. He was beatified in 1605 and canonized in 1726.

[@mjdf122]

I’ve seen all from 1980-Now I have every console and tons of games 1996 was a good year

[@TheL1arL1ar]

The last year I basically used my Genesis till I got a ps1.

[@fazares]

Werent born in 1981.. so they were younger than 17 years old in 1998...quite the young developers indeed 😂

[@StarlightMirror]

Can never go wrong with Defender! I actually like Sonic 3D Blast, it's one of my favorite Sonic games. I love the Vectorman games, Sega really needs to bring Vectorman back!

[@Naedlus]

When you realize Sonic 3D Blast is actually a sequel to Flicky, SO much of the game makes sense. Outside of why they put as much effort into the attract screen, that just makes sense on its own to drag eyes to the displays of potential customers.

[@JohnRiggs]

Woah! I never thought of that. Nice!

[@franciscoresendiz8854]

In 1996 i was a Nintendo boy, ando i don't regret it, but it is increíbly interesting to see The games I lost for not being a Sega boy

[@roberthunter7247]

Thank you for the recommendation of the rom hack for Chakan. It's definitely beatable for me now.

[@loboneiner1034]

Vectorman 2 was way more difficult than the original

[@kenwheeler3637]

The Genny version of Frogger is great. The SNES port is cool in that is a reimagined version but the Sega one is practically like the Arcade original.

[@JamesB-ok9dl]

John Freaking Riggs!!! I'm early for the first time and want to say thank you so much for the Nostalgia!!!!!!!!!

[@VanDammage87]

I have so much more appreciation for the Arcade compilations from back in the day. Williams Arcade Greatest Hits was great. Sinistar is amazing if you put time into it.

[@newgameaaaa]

Hey John. It seems like you do a lot of categorization of games. Can you please do all local / couch co-op 2 player games for every system? Can you also do all horror / halloween games for each system? Then all Christmas games? Then all retro games on new systems? I'm not talking about a top 10 or best and worst because I can decide that for myself. I want to see a list of it all.

[@Metal-Josh]

You hit the mark on UMK3, I’d rather have played MK2. And I did. MK3 and UMK3, I mean, It’s fine, just no MK2

[@robinson32993]

I’m the opposite lol. UMK3 and MKT over MK2

[@Metal-Josh]

@@robinson32993 oh I understand. There’s many people who feel the same as you do. And Ive played the heck outta those ones too. The dial a combo really turned me off at the time

[@robinson32993]

@@Metal-Josh I personally don’t like how limited the combos are in MK2. And I find some of the fatalities too hard to pull off in MK2.

[@madspunky]

The Super Nintendo had Street Fighter Alpha 2, Super Mario RPG, Kirby SuperStar, Donkey Kong Country 3, Marvel War of the Gems, SimCity 2000, Lufia II, Tetris Attack... way better choice.

[@dcboys4195]

@madspunky 1996, the year Super Nintendo "finally" beat the Genesis. Five years later than advertised.

[@madspunky]

@@dcboys4195 Nah, by 1992 the Super Nintendo had a better library: Zelda 3, Street Fighter II, Turtles in Time, Contra 3, Castlevania 4, Final Fantasy 4, ActRaiser, Super Mario World. Compare that to Sonic 1/2, SoR 1/2, Hyperstone Heist, NHLPA 93, Road Rash 2

[@ONEFATE9]

Vector Man2 and Virtua Fighter 2 were my go-to games when they came out!

[@opaljk4835]

Virtua fighter 2 is pretty cool looking for a 16 bit version of a game like that.

[@PaperBanjo64]

I like it, it's not a 3D game like its big brother but it's a solid fighter.

[@SoulforSale]

Lots and lots of updated sports series

[@ElRetroDatos]

Sonic 3D Blast was one my favorite games

[@markula_4040]

I mean, I guess it's possible some game developers were just 16 years old in 1998 but I doubt it.

[@nickparsons337]

When you said:"Ugh, I just want to play Mortal Kombat 2"... I felt that whole heartedly. Lol. Subscribed

[@Grind24hours]

So now I am a proud member of Johnny Blue Riggs channel! Keep em coming, John!😊

[@ComicBooksandVideoGameNerd96]

The year I was born and the first console I played

[@MrAngryTroll]

I’m still shocked you said Disney made an easy game with Pocahontas lol. Bc I still have depression from Lion King lol

[@RedTabletTalk]

Riggs the Rabbit! Riggs the Rabbit!

[@newgameaaaa]

So you had Sonic 3d blast in this video. I agree with your review of it. I liked it, but not amazing like the other 2d sonic games. Why would this be in a best and worst category?

[@sonicsega1699]

hey john have you ever discussed your favorite cartoon based games?

[@joesshows6793]

No ratings??

[@System_Sega]

Sonic 3D did also come out on the Saturn. The way you talked about it it sounded like it was Genesis only.

[@JohnRiggs]

True, that. I could have at least mentioned it.

[@michaelfitzsimmons8393]

Fun fact: Sega (along with partner Gremlin) was the original publisher of Frogger in 1981. They also released early hits like Zaxxon, Terra Cresta and Congo Bongo.

[@rustymixer2886]

7:35 luv it, i call it vf 2d remix, vf1 characters and vf2 clothes and stages

[@seanmyster6]

The raccoon from Pocahontas is named Wabuu. Just kidding, it's Meeko! 😉

[@PaperBanjo64]

I like Wabuu better

[@gilpederiva]

To be honest, 1996 wasn't a bad year to sega genesis. of course the focus was on the new generation.

[@zevenenzeta]

It's like x-men on ljn 😂

[@VR-Emcee]

Sega almost deserved to fall from grace after the release of software like X Perts.

[@rustymixer2886]

9:30 bro jp2 bonus stages are 3d and look like ps1 graphics !

[@JohnSkellington]

I think you forgot the Toy Story game from 1996.

[@dcboys4195]

It was released in late November 1995 in the U.S.

[@JohnSkellington]

@ Oops. I see 1996 was the European release.

[@jamesmoss3424]

Vectorman 2 is number one on my list. 😀👍🎮

[@rustymixer2886]

1:40 looks like ps1

[@vladv5126]

Not even kinda but okay 🤷‍♂️

[@Grind24hours]

I recommend the Genesis 51 games bundle pack on the switch, with classics such as Phantasy Star 4, Columns and Shining Force. Thanks for letting me become a member, John!

[@mattm7798]

Wow, Time Killers on the Genesis looks REALLY bad. I looks like a really nice NES game. By 1996, the genesis could display some really nice graphics, but you wouldn't know looking at time killers!

[@ericdanielski4802]

Nice ranking.

[@Gameboy_Steve]

I remember Time Killers on genesis

[@keithlowe5512]

How have I not heard of Xperts? How does this happen?

[@tabsntoot]

Road rash 3 I’ve been playing today ohh and gods gotta love bitmap bros

[@retrojoe85]

"William's Arcade Greatest Hits" is really great! It features the best conversions ever released for those classic games until that moment, pretty sweet!

[@stylepartner5123]

Huge love from the UK here John. I adore your content and videos. May you live long and healthy!

[@kowalskivideos6476]

Time killers used to be an arcade cabinet at the entrance of a bradlees department store near the Jersey shore. Was awesome! Imagine nowadays at a Walmart entrance there is an arcade game where you can rip people’s limbs off…wouldn’t ever happen this day and age

[@huffdm]

Nico the raccoon from Pocahontas 😊

[@JohnRiggs]

There you go! It's been probably since the movie came out on VHS since I saw the film.

[@chikish]

'Sonic 3D Blast? More like Sonic 3D SLOW ASS!' - AVGN

[@Naedlus]

A decade plus later, when I got a Genesis collection disc for the 360, I damn near screamed out loud when I found out that Sonic 3D Blast was really Flicky on an isometric plane with a flimsy Sonic the Hedgehog Halloween mask held on by failing elastic. Edit: Impressive opening though, I can't think of a better attract screen outside of Red Zone.

[@nickparsons337]

Oh wait; I already was. Oh well

[@jarredsmith9187]

John Riggs,would you do a review on my top 5 video games cause you are my favorite video game youtuber and I really want your review on these games,Zelda Nes,Zelda Ocarina of Time N64,Marvel Vs Capcom PS1, Command and Conquer Red Alert Retaliation PS1 and Need For Speed Underground 2 PS2.

[@ZakkHung]

I have 5 of the air freshers. The Cherry Pie and "Damn Fine" coffee is hanging in my car right now and it smells amazing.

[@JDizzle_Designs]

I did know they released Time Killers on Genesis! I used to play the arcade at the bowling alley. I was on to PlayStation by this point tho

[@Pentaghast]

3:18 that stage was a nightmare on when I was a kid.

[@48hourrecordsteam45]

I liked before I even seen the video.! Any sega genesis content is needed on KZbin .! Keep the sega genesis alive

[@PaperBanjo64]

Good old Frogger on Genesis! When I finally got a Sega Genesis it was one of the games bundled with it.

[@CasperEgas]

1996 was pretty rough for Mega Drive. Lost World in 1997 was pretty great though!

[@48hourrecordsteam45]

My opinions. 1.time killers should have been scrapped The team should have been tasked with doing eternal champions 2. With *sonic 3D blast/vectorman / light crusader graphics: . *better story -the ec exploded & 2 agents from heaven & 2 from hell Came to retrieve all escaped souls while darth adder used this opportunity to let his minions make him he born on earth. . *fixed gameplay Streamline everything In line with mk $ sf Fix All gameplay grips,make finishers more direct. More blood in game , sparks when hit, Make any move that looks special a special command move. Too many character moves happen automatically or happen at the push of a button. . *presentation. More vibrant,more flashy presentation everywhere .

[@ZeroCoolYT]

How you doing Riggs

[@goranisacson2502]

I had NO idea TimeKillers came THIS late into the Mega Drive's lifespan. It looked like an early 90's game, nowhere near the other games on the list. I only played 3d Blast and Vectorman 2, so while I can certainly say this lineup didn't seem very impressive, I at least had fun with the 96-games I did play.

[@williamburrows6215]

So glad to see this series continue!!! 😊

[@lmiller9178]

They were still even making Master System games in 1996.

[@thetechn1que518]

Sonic 3D Blast actually did come out on Sega Saturn, too.

[@hocuspocusfocus6229]

When I was a kid, X-perts blew my mind... for 5 minutes, then it became the most insufferable game of my life. I still can't believe this is a spin off to Eternal Warriors.

[@Canadas_Very_Own]

Agree 1000% on Mortal Kombat II being the best MK game for Genesis.

[@jamesz28]

I played a lot of College Slam. Good times.

[@miamimagicians]

NBA HANGTIME both SNES and Genises great game!

[@mattnova18]

VF2 de-make is hideous. Never considered buying it. Already had VF on 32x. 😎

[@MrStrangermoon]

1998 year also duken nukem 3d game and samurai sprits 2. chess md. aladdin 2. Super Mario 2. king of fighter 98. 97year also have fifa 98 wolrd cup Nhl Nfl 98. soul blade. super mario wolrd 64 beliave or not. lion king 3. 96 year also pinocchio. Smurfs Travel the World. Tintin in Tibet. Worms. Shui Hu: Feng Yun Zhuan which is amazing beatemup game. 97 lost world md version is amazing game one of best jp game ever made it has amazing 3d missions. two player very big maps compared snes jp top down way advance game. genesis version umk3 better than saturn and ps1 ones. its lack some of maps but gameplay better more closer to arcade version. it also way better than snes version which almost lack half of maps. sonic 3d blast amazing game espcialy music on md. it look rough on first map bcouse of flat ground but other maps more detailed. genesis version soundtrack one of best. if you dont want to save bird there is a director cut version to play like other sonic games. it maded by orginal devioloper. lost word sonic 3d umk3 toy story light crusder vectorman 12 this games push 3d almost like new gen console. virtua figter 2 port is weakest one but even that not bad. so in 1996 to 97 you still not immidiate think this machine too old now have to get ps1 saturn or pc. in these last days genesis beat snes to ground which no body talk about. they always talk about early days.

[@tornadot2025]

UMK3 came out on Saturn but not Playstation, so it was physically impossible for you to play it on Playstation. Were you perhaps thinking MK3?

[@GamingManual]

UMK3 genesis is still in my regular rotation!

[@ShinYaguchiSama]

Time killers was real? I thought it was just a fever dream😮