Best games
Best Action games on Sega Genesis
The 23 best Action games on Sega Genesis, ranked from 4,003 critic and player ratings.
The best Action game on Sega Genesis right now is Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with a critic score of 90/100 — updated August 2026.
01
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik) has returned, turning helpless animals into robots and forcing them to build his ultimate weapon, the Death Egg! But this time, Sonic has a friend that can help him: Tails! Find the 7 Chaos Emeralds and stop Dr. Robotnik’s evil scheme!
90
/100
02
Sonic CD
Sonic CD (also known as Sonic CD 2011) is a remaster of the original game, adding many new features like widescreen support, improved controls, access to both American and Japanese soundtracks and Tails as an unlockable playable character.
85
/100
03
Rayman
84
/100
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik) has returned, turning helpless animals into robots and forcing them to build his ultimate weapon, the Death Egg! But this time, Sonic has a friend that can help him: Tails! Find the 7 Chaos Emeralds and stop Dr. Robotnik’s evil scheme!
90
/100
02
Sonic CD
Sonic CD (also known as Sonic CD 2011) is a remaster of the original game, adding many new features like widescreen support, improved controls, access to both American and Japanese soundtracks and Tails as an unlockable playable character.
85
/100
03
Rayman
84
/100
04
DOOM
83
/100
05
Kid Chameleon
Kid Chameleon is a 1992 platform game released for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The premise of the game is that the main character, Casey, can use masks to change into different characters in order to use different abilities. It was later released in Japan as Chameleon Kid. The game is also a part of the Sega Genesis Collection for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It was released for the Virtual Console in Japan on May 22, 2007; North America on May 28, 2007; and Europe on June 1, 2007. It was also released in addition to a series of other Sega games, including Shining Force and Comix Zone, in Sega Smash Pack 2. The game has also appeared in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
83
/100
06
Worms
Worms combines the best elements from the very best games ever created. It requires great thought, strategy and elements of sheer outrageous fortune. It provides the players with an almost infinite range of playing possibilities. It does take a little while to get into the swing of things however and despite everyone’s insistence that you should not need to read a game manual to be able to play it. Worms can be played by 1-16 players at the same time - it’s a turn based game so you`ll only need one machine - but prepare to be at odds with your loved ones, get ready to shout abuse at your best friend and be willing to exact unadulterated terror on those who plot to hurt your worms. Team17 planned on producing Worms for the Virtual Boy back in 1995. Though, after a few weeks, they cancelled this plan due to the lack of interest of the publisher and the expected failure of the Virtual Boy.
80
/100
07
Streets of Rage 2
Mr. X and the Syndicate are back, this time taking Adam hostage! Take on the role of Axel, Blaze, Skate, or Max to rescue Adam, and destroy Mr. X once and for all.
80
/100
08
Beyond Oasis
Prince Ali has excavated a gold armlet which belonged to a powerful sorcerer. As soon as Ali tried on the armlet, a strange fire with a face appeared and spoke to him. “The power of the gold armlet is now your’s to wield. Find the four spirits this gold armlet governs and stop the evil ambitions of the one with the silver armlet.”
76
/100
09
Earthworm Jim
A crow is chasing a worm named Jim while in outer space Psy-Crow is chasing a renegade ship. The ship's captain has stolen an ultra-high-tech-indestructible-super-space-cyber-suit and Queen Slug-for-a-Butt has ordered Psy-Crow to get it, since it can make her more beautiful than Princess-What's-Her-Name. Psy-Crow blasts the captain and the suit falls to Planet Earth. Back on earth Jim wonders if he is finally safe when an ultra-high-tech-indestructible-super-space-cyber-suit lands on him. Luckily Jim rests in the neck ring of the suit. Then the space particles begin interacting with Jim, causing a light-speed evolution. Jim soon realizes he is in control of the suit. Jim overhears the Queen's plans for the suit and decides to meet this Princess...
76
/100
10
Duke Nukem 3D
Aliens have landed in futuristic Los Angeles and it's up to the Duke to bring the pain and show them the door. After the initial entries of side-scrolling platform games, Duke Nukem 3D introduces a first-person perspective to the series and turns the game into a full-fledged shooter with 2.5D graphics. Duke's arsenal includes pistols, pipe bombs, laser trip mines, Nordenfelt guns, a chain gun and various rocket launchers, but also his mighty foot to kick enemies. The game sports a high level of interactivity. Many objects in the environment can be broken or interacted with, such as pool tables, arcade machines, glass, light switches and security cameras. The protagonist is also able to hand strippers a dollars to have them remove their top.
75
/100
11
The Lost Vikings
75
/100
12
Paperboy
71
/100
13
Fatal Fury Special
70
/100
14
Battletoads
68
/100
15
Lemmings
68
/100
16
Blackthorne
67
/100
17
Gunstar Heroes
60
/100
18
Disney's Aladdin
59
/100
19
Altered Beast
50
/100
20
Earthworm Jim 2
45
/100
21
Altered Beast (1988)
40
/100
22
The Chaos Engine
40
/100
23
Ecco the Dolphin
30
/100
DOOM
83
/100
05
Kid Chameleon
Kid Chameleon is a 1992 platform game released for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The premise of the game is that the main character, Casey, can use masks to change into different characters in order to use different abilities. It was later released in Japan as Chameleon Kid. The game is also a part of the Sega Genesis Collection for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It was released for the Virtual Console in Japan on May 22, 2007; North America on May 28, 2007; and Europe on June 1, 2007. It was also released in addition to a series of other Sega games, including Shining Force and Comix Zone, in Sega Smash Pack 2. The game has also appeared in Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
83
/100
06
Worms
Worms combines the best elements from the very best games ever created. It requires great thought, strategy and elements of sheer outrageous fortune. It provides the players with an almost infinite range of playing possibilities. It does take a little while to get into the swing of things however and despite everyone’s insistence that you should not need to read a game manual to be able to play it. Worms can be played by 1-16 players at the same time - it’s a turn based game so you`ll only need one machine - but prepare to be at odds with your loved ones, get ready to shout abuse at your best friend and be willing to exact unadulterated terror on those who plot to hurt your worms. Team17 planned on producing Worms for the Virtual Boy back in 1995. Though, after a few weeks, they cancelled this plan due to the lack of interest of the publisher and the expected failure of the Virtual Boy.
80
/100
07
Streets of Rage 2
Mr. X and the Syndicate are back, this time taking Adam hostage! Take on the role of Axel, Blaze, Skate, or Max to rescue Adam, and destroy Mr. X once and for all.
80
/100
08
Beyond Oasis
Prince Ali has excavated a gold armlet which belonged to a powerful sorcerer. As soon as Ali tried on the armlet, a strange fire with a face appeared and spoke to him. “The power of the gold armlet is now your’s to wield. Find the four spirits this gold armlet governs and stop the evil ambitions of the one with the silver armlet.”
76
/100
09
Earthworm Jim
A crow is chasing a worm named Jim while in outer space Psy-Crow is chasing a renegade ship. The ship's captain has stolen an ultra-high-tech-indestructible-super-space-cyber-suit and Queen Slug-for-a-Butt has ordered Psy-Crow to get it, since it can make her more beautiful than Princess-What's-Her-Name. Psy-Crow blasts the captain and the suit falls to Planet Earth. Back on earth Jim wonders if he is finally safe when an ultra-high-tech-indestructible-super-space-cyber-suit lands on him. Luckily Jim rests in the neck ring of the suit. Then the space particles begin interacting with Jim, causing a light-speed evolution. Jim soon realizes he is in control of the suit. Jim overhears the Queen's plans for the suit and decides to meet this Princess...
76
/100
10
Duke Nukem 3D
Aliens have landed in futuristic Los Angeles and it's up to the Duke to bring the pain and show them the door. After the initial entries of side-scrolling platform games, Duke Nukem 3D introduces a first-person perspective to the series and turns the game into a full-fledged shooter with 2.5D graphics. Duke's arsenal includes pistols, pipe bombs, laser trip mines, Nordenfelt guns, a chain gun and various rocket launchers, but also his mighty foot to kick enemies. The game sports a high level of interactivity. Many objects in the environment can be broken or interacted with, such as pool tables, arcade machines, glass, light switches and security cameras. The protagonist is also able to hand strippers a dollars to have them remove their top.
75
/100
11
The Lost Vikings
75
/100
12
Paperboy
71
/100
13
Fatal Fury Special
70
/100
14
Battletoads
68
/100
15
Lemmings
68
/100
16
Blackthorne
67
/100
17
Gunstar Heroes
60
/100
18
Disney's Aladdin
59
/100
19
Altered Beast
50
/100
20
Earthworm Jim 2
45
/100
21
Altered Beast (1988)
40
/100
22
The Chaos Engine
40
/100
23
Ecco the Dolphin
30
/100
FAQ
What is the best Action game on Sega Genesis?
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 currently tops the ranking with a score of 90/100 across 603 ratings. Ranking updated August 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.