Sega Master System Must Have Games!

[TL]

So what, for you, are the Sega Master System's must have games?

Well I had a good think and came up with my own top 10 below:

Baku Baku Animal - This is one of my favourite games on the Saturn and it was only recently that I found out a SMS version existed and thankfully it's excellent. It's unique mix of Columns and crazy starving animals is incredibly addictive and an amazing amount of fun, especially in 2-player mode.

R-Type - I was blown away by this conversion the first time I saw it on my friends machine as a kid and its still damn impressive today. The best shoot 'em up on the console it also looks incredible with very little slowdown and flicker even when there are loads of enemies on screen.

Fantasy Zone - Another brilliant horizontally scrolling shoot 'em up but with a wonderfully colourful fantasy comic book like theme. Don't let the incredibly cute graphics trick you into thinking this game is for kids though because its an incredibly solid shooter that will provide many hours of fun.

Golden Axe - It might only be 1-player but this is an amazingly good SMS take on the Sega arcade game. For me this is the best scrolling beat 'em up released for the machine and has graphics so good you might almost mistake them for an early release Megadrive game!

Chase H.Q. - When this first came out in the arcades it quickly became one of my favourite ever games. It took the winning formula of Outrun, changed the Ferrari for a Porsche and added the challenge of smashing people off the road! Taito did a fine job here and gave us the best racing game on the console.

Operation Wolf - Another great conversion from Taito this one wins extra points for being compatible with the Sega Light Phaser. Incredibly popular in the arcades its strange that this game never got released on the Megadrive but when the SMS version is this good who really cares?

Bubble Bobble - This game has to be my favourite platformer ever made! It's wonderful single screen, 2-player gameplay is such good fun that you will go back to it over and over again. A really iconic game matches the great gameplay up with some equally appealing visuals and music you will be humming forever!

Outrun 3D - While the normal version of Outrun is very good on the SMS the 3D version is just brilliant. The 3D effect really does work and adds to the whole experience of the game immensely. If you can track down a set of the glasses then this game should be top of your shopping list!

Gain Ground - Also one of my favourite games for the Megadrive this SMS version is actually barely any different! It looks almost identical, plays exactly the same and is just as enjoyable to play. If you want a really good action strategy game for your SMS then look no further than Gain Ground.

Wonderboy In Monsterland - It has to be said that all the Wonderboy games on the SMS are excellent and a particular highlight of the machine but this one has to be my favourite. WIM adds lots of adventure elements to the platform style gameplay and makes this a really engrossing title for the machine.

[dubchaser]

How many PAL games were released for the MS?  I'm looking to start collecting a complete PAL library, once my Mega Drive library is complete (currently 50%), may take some time!

[TL]

How many PAL games were released for the MS?  I'm looking to start collecting a complete PAL library, once my Mega Drive library is complete (currently 50%), may take some time!

It apparently has 283 PAL games (318 in total) so is actually quite achievable

[DEADDOLL666]

sonic
duck hunt
Outrun
Alex kidd in miracle world
altered beast
asterix (used to love the cartoons)
Lemmings
Vigilante -me and my brother used to play this all the time
Wonder boy

To name a few

[dubchaser]

duck hunt
To name a few

Duck hunt?  Wasn't that a NES game?  Do you mean Safari Hunt?

[TL]

I was thinking that 

Far superior game too.

[DEADDOLL666]

Yeah it was safari hunt.
I just never remember the name of it and for some reason thought it was called duck hunt.

[Havantgottaclue]

The SMS certainly does punch above its weight in the shooter category. As The Laird has already mentioned, R-Type and Fantasy Zone are both excellent. But there are some unsung heroes too - Cloud Master is definitely worth a look.

[CeefaxOfDelphi]

Fantasy Zone is certainly a fun game - i used to collect SMS before I got into MD - the boxes always
amused me with their minimal style. 

[dcultrapro]

hey guys, a few of my fondest Master System games are: (in no particular order)

Zillion 2 the Triformation
Wonderboy 3 the dragons trap
Alex the Kidd in Miracle World
Rampage
Sonic 2
Cool Spot
Strider
Phantasy Star
Master Of Darkness

The Master System is still one of my favourite systems as I had lots of fond memories, I recently bought a master system to mega drive converter so I can play the master system games via my MD which I have an RCA/Scart cable for and can therefore avoid the agony of having to tune it in all the time!!

[CeefaxOfDelphi]

i always quite enjoyed Master of Darkness too.

has anyone played Lord of Sword?

[TL]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a Power Base Converter for a while myself

[dcultrapro]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a Power Base Converter for a while myself

you should man its brilliant, I have scart leads for the MD and 32x which makes the picture A: much better and B: no more tuning hassle, and you get to use the Master System games over it. I think if your crazy enough to try it, it even fits on top of a 32x lol

[TL]

I have all my machines connected up by Scart (except the 7800 because it only has RF  ) and the difference is so superior. Especially with the Jaguar which looks bloody awful with the standard RF connection.

[CeefaxOfDelphi]

my retro tv is a crt so old it doesnt have
a scart... i need a new 'old' tv