Vintage Video Games: Revisiting the Best of the Sega Genesis

Vintage Video Games are a great way to trek back into your childhood, and the Sega Genesis system had plenty of incredible titles to choose from. Although the NES was my first video game console, I consider myself a Sega Genesis girl at heart-no other system has so many titles that I absolutely love. After doing so many articles on the 'Best' video games-RPGs, MMOs, and so forth-I found myself longing to revisit some of my first loves in the gaming world.

Vintage Video Game: ToeJam & Earl - One of the coolest multiplayer games ever released for the Sega Genesis, TJ&E remains a cult classic. The split-screen feature, especially since it merged into single-screen when the two main characters reunited, was a deliciously different trait back in the 90s. TJ&E had a funky soundtrack, hilarious enemies-humans, to be specific-and mysterious gifts which could both benefit and maim you and your partner. I literally lost days of my life playing this hilarious vintage video game, and I am still delighted to load it up today on my barely-functioning Sega Genesis.

Vintage Video Game: Shining Force 1 - I cut my teeth in the RPG genre on Shining Force, and to this day it remains my absolute favorite of all RPG titles I have played. The combination of strategy, clever storyline and a huge assortment of different characters makes SF I unique among the hundreds of RPG alternatives available then, and now. Players still debate over which of the characters were worth using, since the "Shining Force" team was entirely customizable as you unlocked alternatives, save for the main character. Even though I still avoid Real-Time Strategy video games, this vintage Sega Genesis title remains a favorite.

Vintage Video Game: Ecco the Dolphin - Long before my disapproval of dolphins began, there was Ecco. With incredible visuals-in a Sega Genesis sense, of course-and a heart-breaking soundtrack, Ecco the Dolphin and the sequel quickly became one of my favorite vintage video game titles. Challenging and frustrating in turn, this title could be a hot mess or a relaxing drive into the ocean depths. I would love see this series reloaded into the incredible graphics we have available now, and re-released for a whole new generation. Of course, the developers would have to go back to the original roots, and recreate the magic which was present in Ecco the Dolphin.

Vintage Video Game: Beavis and Butthead - This surprisingly good video game based off the hit MTV series was challenging, entertaining and hilarious at all once-a difficult task for any video game developer to manage. The infamous cartoon which spawned so many heated debates is linked to the childhood for my peers, and many of us remember the antics of Beavis & Butthead with nostalgic appreciation. Amazingly, the video game adaptation was incredibly good, featuring the dynamic pair struggling to collect items-to exchange for other items-to eventually obtain all the pieces of their missing Gwar tickets. Don't take my word for this one, obtain a vintage copy and test the waters yourself.

Vintage Video Game: Sonic the Hedgehog - Still the king of Sega, Sonic the Hedgehog spawned everything from sequel video game titles, to several TV shows and even a comic book series. These games were amazing in the 90s, not only the graphics and audio by the ingenious game-play and endearing cast of characters. Dr. Robotnik was the enemy everyone loved to hate, and today's younger generation could benefit from uniting against a villain who seeks to destroy the earth and all the creatures on it. Sonic and Sega are forever tied, and the original trilogy remains one of the best sets ever released on the Sega Genesis. In fact, Sonic the Hedgehog was the title which came with my original Sega Genesis, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was one of the only video games I could talk anyone in my household into playing.

Vintage Video Game: Streets of Rage 2 - Although the entire Streets of Rage series is incredibly fun, the second in the franchise was without a doubt the best. Like many video games, the cast of characters only featured one female option--but "Blaze" was cool enough to hold her own in a reoccurring role throughout the series. The side-scrolling, 2D graphics truly are a vintage video game throw-back, and the fairly complicated combo moves and special attacks kept players on their toes. I especially enjoyed the ability to tag-team enemies with your allies, often unintentionally maiming each other in the process while executing the tricky maneuver. Fighting over dropped weapons--such as a lead pipe--kept things interesting and full of friendly competition.