Best Sega Genesis games
The 34 best Sega Genesis games, ranked from 6,755 critic and player ratings.
The best Sega Genesis game right now is Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with a critic score of 90/100 — updated August 2026.
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
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
You are Chaz Ashely, a rookie Hunter straight out of training who is supported by Alys Brangwin – a crafty veteran whose good looks and prowess with the blade have earned her an awesome reputation. The two Hunters along with a cast of supporting characters will go beyond Motavia to unwittingly save their entire solar system.
88
/100
03
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is a 2D side-scrolling platformer developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for the Genesis/Mega Drive. Players control Sonic the Hedgehog, who can run at near supersonic speeds and sets out on a quest to defeat Dr. Robotnik, a scientist who has imprisoned animals in robots and seeks the powerful Chaos Emeralds.
85
/100
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
05
Rayman
84
/100
06
Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991)
84
/100
07
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat is a side-scrolling fighting game. Fighting is set as one-on-one combat, allowing each player to perform a variety of punches, kicks, and special moves in order to defeat their opponent. When the opponent faces their second round loss, the winner can perform a finishing move called a "Fatality" on the loser. The Fatality is a move unique to each fighter that graphically kills the loser in a blood-soaked finale.
83
/100
08
DOOM
83
/100
09
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
10
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
The game is a sequel to the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the same system and follows on directly from the end of the game, in which Sonic defeated his enemy, Dr. Robotnik; crash-landing on a floating island, Sonic encounters new character Knuckles the Echidna, and must once more retrieve the Chaos Emeralds while also working to stop Dr. Robotnik from relaunching his ship, the Death Egg.
83
/100
11
Final Fight
82
/100
12
The Secret of Monkey Island
80
/100
13
Worms
80
/100
14
Streets of Rage 2
80
/100
15
Mortal Kombat II
76
/100
16
Beyond Oasis
76
/100
17
Earthworm Jim
76
/100
18
Duke Nukem 3D
75
/100
19
The Lost Vikings
75
/100
20
Populous
74
/100
21
Paperboy
71
/100
22
Myst
71
/100
23
Fatal Fury Special
70
/100
24
Battletoads
68
/100
25
Lemmings
68
/100
26
Blackthorne
67
/100
27
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
62
/100
28
Gunstar Heroes
60
/100
29
Disney's Aladdin
59
/100
30
Altered Beast
50
/100
31
Earthworm Jim 2
45
/100
32
Altered Beast (1988)
40
/100
33
The Chaos Engine
40
/100
34
Ecco the Dolphin
30
/100
What is the best Sega Genesis game?
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.