Top 16 Bit Games: A Collection of Classics

I never thought I'd write a "top ten" list, but I figure that out of the over three hundred articles I've written for this site I'd be safe with this list that will probably contain around ten entries. 16 bit systems are certainly a thing of the past, a relic of the early 1990s that someone with an X-Box would think came out of the 1970s. However, the 16 Bit systems (namely Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo) were responsible for some of the most enjoyable and visually impressive games of all time. This list is devoted to naming and giving honor to some of the best in the bunch. They are in no particular order.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

The Sonic franchise was not only Sega's answer to the immensely popular Mario Brothers franchise, but also contained that company's most enduring characters. At its core, Sonic the Hedgehog was essentially Mario, but faster. A lot faster. The 360 degree loops, the breakneck speed, the pinball-like hedgehog, and a wonderfully interactive world gave gamers a new dimension into gaming. Sonic 2 improved by leaps and bounds over the original Sonic the Hedgehog by creating massive and diverse levels, a challenging new special stage, and a ridiculously fun two player head-to-head mode. Released right around the time Super Nintendo entered the 16 bit scene, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 remains a milestone in gaming.

Donkey Kong Country

This game probably still deserves the title of most visually gorgeous game ever made. The folks at Rareware were universally lauded as visual geniuses for creating such a lush world. The rendering techniques, shading, lighting, and faux-3D made Donkey Kong Country a game that visually dwarfed anything that had previously been released on any console system. This game isn't just eye candy though. It is one of Nintendo's most challenging games and contains over a hundred unique levels that will test a gamer's thumbwork and problem-solving to the bitter end. A huge plethora of secret areas and levels ups the replay value on this gem even higher.

Sonic and Knuckles

Although not much different visually from Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic and Knuckles was revolutionary in its design. The game itself was a special cart that allowed you to attach any other Sega genesis game and unlock special features. Sonic and Knuckles was "backwardly compatible" with Sonic 1, 2, and 3 which allowed players to unlock new areas, play as Knuckles in previous games, or play as Tails in Sonic and Knuckles. Locking on any other Genesis game would open up a unique special stage for a gamer to play. This unparalleled versatility and replay-value made Sonic and Knuckles one of the best 16 bit games for the money.

NBA Jam

This was a basketball game that fused arcade play with statistically-oriented play of Electronic Arts' NBA Live franchise. Containing the best players of the NBA at the time of its creation, NBA Jam allowed for one of the best two-and four-player modes on a 16 bit system. And who can forget the classic one-liners of the commentator. "Can't Buy a Bucket!"

NHL '96

Electronic Arts crafted a winner with this 16 bit hockey game. The interface was top-notch, the controls and player-change seamless, and a fun factor that was second to none. Bringing back fighting to the game allowed players to pummel Eric Lindros if he was checking too much or pull Brett Hull's jersey over his head. The ability to craft your own unique players and teams was sublime. There were few other games in which the Hartford Whalers could be molded to win the Stanley Cup. This remains one of the most enjoyable sports simulators to date.

Landstalker

Landstalker truly pushed the Genesis to the limit visually. It was one of the first games to introduce the ¾ diagonal view, which offered new and frustrating challenges in an increasingly three-dimensional gaming world. Aside from being graphically splendid, Landstalker was a huge action/RPG that offered interesting puzzles and a large world that sated the hunger of Genesis owners who craved the action of The Legend of Zelda.

Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger ranks in the pantheon of best RPGs ever to hit a home console system. This game was enormous, and I'm not kidding. Not only that, but the ability to travel through time enabled gamers to shape the world around them. This feature caused there to be not one, but several game endings based upon individual actions and changes made during gameplay. A wholesomely challenging RPG that rewarded the diligent, this game was a dazzler.

Super Metroid

The Metroid franchise has always been one of Nintendo's strongest, and Super Metroid is one of the best in the bunch. Building upon the unique weaponry and power-ups of the Game Boy's Metroid II, Super Metroid integrated interactive levels with certain power ups that enabled better maneuvering. The levels were gigantic, the bosses were huge, and the gameplay was wholly satisfying. This science fiction classic allowed Nintendo fans to explore the darker regions of gameplay. Think of Alien mixed with Doom mixed with Contra and you've got a pretty good idea of Super Metroid.

Ecco the Dolphin

Although this game has frustrated me to no end with its haphazard controls and Ecco's horrific cries whenever he gets hit by anything, it is one of the most visually spectacular games I've played. The graphics faithfully recreate the wonder of the ocean with labyrinthine passages, ancient ruins, and gigantic sea creatures. The musical score is one of the most lush and diverse ever to hit a 16 bit system and there are dozens of challenging levels spanning everywhere from the Devonian seas to the Arctic circle. Although surpassed visually by its sequel, Ecco: The Tides of Time, the original Ecco the Dolphin successfully mixed gorgeous with good gameplay.

Aladdin

Aladdin was more than an average side-scrolling game. It was one of the first movie-to-game translations that actually got the majority of the film elements correct. The animation is lush, recreating everything from spitting camels to bewildered street performers that appeared in the movie. The game designer's adherence to a sense of whimsy peppered this game with so many graphic gems that gamers thought they were actually playing a movie. This was one of the best side-scrolling action games since Prince of Persia.

Kirby's Avalanche

As far as puzzle games went on 16-bit systems, few could rival Kirby's Avalanche in terms of pure fun. Although not very different from the Genesis game Columns, Kirby's Avalanche provided something that most 16-bit puzzle games were lacking-a fun two player mode. The two player duel in this game was one of the most addictive and heated competitions that was available in any game at the time, not just a puzzle game.

Super Mario World

This is a classic video game and was one of the first to hit the newly-released Super Nintendo back in 1992. With its gigantic levels, new power-ups, and introduction of Yoshi the dinosaur into the mix, Nintendo hit a home run with this challenging classic.

Mortal Kombat II

This game revolutionized fighting games, and not just with its inclusion of gory elements. Players could buffer moves or perform juggling combos, as well as finish off their opponents in rather humiliating ways. These finishing moves not only utilized button combinations, but also settings, and screen positioning as well. The diverse cast of fighters gave enough variety for everyone and the game itself was a very good arcade translation. Mortal Kombat is indicative of a time when video game arcades were at their apex. A fantastic game.

These are just a few of the top 16 bit games that I can think of. There are certainly more that deserve the title, but I feel that these are indicative of some of the best of the various genres of video games in the 16 bit arena. Long live Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo!