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Top 10 Sega Master System Games
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March 13, 2001 - Brad "Wonder Boy" Smoley (Columnist)
Metroid, Super Mario, Zelda... What do these classic games all have in common? None of them were out for the SEGA Master System, the 8-bit equivilant to the NES. But to the many gamers that had a Master System, the fact that those games weren't playable on their SEGA didn't matter a lick. We had our own damn games that kicked just as much ass, if not more than most of what Nintendo had to offer. Unfortunately, no one else knew that. Anyway, I've compiled this retro list of original games that I thought were the best of the best for the Master System. Oh, and there aren't any second generation Genesis rips that were ported over after the fact, which is why you'll see no Sonic or Altered Beast or Golden Axe on here. They are great games, but I wanted to focus on the SMS's original titles. On with the list...
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10. Penguin Land
In this cute little game, you are a penguin and you have to keep your egg from getting cracked while traversing different levels. One of SEGA's early cracks (i love puns) at the puzzle genre. The best and most innovative part of the game was that it featured a create-your-own-level mode complete with a save feature! WAY ahead of it's time.
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9. Space Harrier
This classic arcade shooter really showed off what the Master System was capable of. Not only did it give you a good sense of 3D but it showed off the fact that the Master System was capable of handling tons of large sprites (objects) on-screen at one time. And it was challenging as all get out. The later levels got so fast and furious, my little fingers could barely keep up! I'll never forget that background music either...
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8. Fantasy Zone 2
Fun side scrolling shooter that could get really challenging. As Opa Opa, you fly around, kill stuff to get cash and buy upgrades to kill more stuff better. Even more colorful than it's day-glow predecesor, FZ2 boasted some super fast action and some kick-ass bosses. Gets a nod for eye-numbing graphics and over all fun.
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7. SpellCaster
Wow. That's all I can say really. Well, not ALL I can say. This game was quite inventive for what it was. You had two game modes: a side scrolling action mode where you cast spells, fight enemies, and walk through levels, and an interactive text based mode where you gathered information and talked to other characters. A pretty compex story and a very challenging RPG/action game.
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6. Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Sooo much fun. SEGA's answer to Mario, Miracle World was longer more diverse and a whole lot more enjoyable. As Alex you run around collecting money and items (like a motorbike and a helecopter, eat you heart out Mario!) to help you save the world. Boss battles were specifically unique, they made you play Rock, Paper, Scissors. Of course, there was a pattern, but the hardest part was trying to get all the way this tough game! A true classic!
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5. Zillion
Before Anime was standard in virtually ALL video games, there was Zillion, which not only borrowed characters from a short Anime series but merged elements from other SEGA staples such as Opa Opa and the Light Phaser. Not your typical side scroller, Zillion required you to use special codes you discover in each room to unlock the path to the next. A really large game that grew more challenging through each consecutive room.
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4. Wonder Boy in Monster Land
The original Wonder Boy was stolen by the Nintendo platform and changed into Hudson's Island by HudsonSoft. In order to distance themselves from this, Sega took their Wonder Boy franchise to the next level by growing him up, sticking him in some armor and having him go on a real adventure and not a repetitive ride through a jungle. In typical adventure game fashion, you kill stuff, buy stuff and get to the boss. A very well planned game led to HOURS of game play. Literally. There was no save feature, which was the only negative point of this game. So if you wanted to kill the Dragon, you really had to be patient. Or just play Wonder Boy 3....
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3. Golvellius
Now THIS is a game. Very Zelda-like in it's game play, Golvellius puts you up against multitudes of badguys in top scrolling adventure. A great quest game that leads you through all different types of environments that present great and different challenges. One of the best things about this game is that the boss caverns change to either pure horizontal or vertical scrolling modes to change up game play and keep things fresh. Absolutely mind-blowing graphics for an 8 bit game and a brilliantly included password save feature make this a true gem in the Master System crown.
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2. Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap
I LOVE this game. Wonder Boy 3 is so original and challenging that I still love to play it to this day. It never gets old. Ever. The music is great, the graphics are top notch and the quest is so much fun, it's hard to put the damn game down. Taking place before the very end of Wonder Boy 2, you (now with green hair?) have to go kill the Dragon, but with your final sword swing, he gets the last laugh. You are cursed and turned into a dragon! Now it's up to you to kill the other dragons in the realm in an attempt to lift the curse and return to normal! Unfortunately, the other dragons have curses of their own, turning you into different forms. Very original, and incredibly fun. One of the best 8 bit games for ANY system.
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1. Phantasy Star
What can be said about the greatest most expansive role playing game for any 8 bit system? I'll tell you what: It f'ing rocks. I'm absolutely amased at what they could cram into 4 megs of space back in the day. That's the size of some of today's game's graphics. Phantasy Star had, bar none, the best graphics for any game of it's time, had the most ambitious storyline, and had me up for hours on school nights trying to beat the next dungeon. Speaking of dungeons, the 3D effects in there put even Space Harrier to shame. Phantasy Star spawened a slew of sequels on the Genesis and the first true online RPG console game for the Dreamcast. But it all started here. Not only is it a Master System classic, Phantasy Star is a piece of video gaming history.
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Opinions, we all have them. Our's is not the same as yours. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. The point is, if you don't agree fine. If you do agree, even better. Just realize this: everything said on these pages, is an opinion, and should be taken as such. If you are offended by what is said, just don't come back. Please do not resort to childish flaming or spamming of our message board or monk.e.mail address below, but do feel free to drop us a line with any intelligent comments you may have.
Thanks,
Brad & Tim. |
DMLives@gmail.com
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