Sega’s most beloved console was also the home of some of the worst games ever made.
The Sega Genesis/Mega Drive had a fantastic run from the late 80s through much of the 90s.
Gaming was evolving and kids were eating well.
With abouta thousand titles in its library, not every Genesis game could be a hit.
There were some titles that missed the mark more than others.
Presents that ruined birthdays.
Rentals that ruined weekends.
Trades that ruined friendships.
Buyers remorse that can stain ones very soul.
The Simpsons: Bart vs.
The Space Mutants
There was a special strangeness to earlySimpsonsgames.
Like, why was Mr. Burns a jewel thief in the arcade game?
Strangely, the game is lacking any variation of the classic theme song.
The final level at the power plant in particular is a tedious slog.
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But no, really, why was Mr. Burns a jewel thief?
Time Killers
The arcade game Time Killers was the Antz to Mortal Kombats Bugs Life.
Fighting games rarely knock it out of the park on the first try, so its overall fine.
The Genesis port is shockingly drab by comparison.
The sprites are far smaller, the color is ugly, and there are so many missing animation frames.
The game itself is a disaster.
It was defined by its atrocious level design and how obnoxious basically everything about it was.
That said, there was at least a 16-bit charm to its presentation on the SNES.
The Genesis version had crappier visuals and audio, killing the only novelty the game had.
They couldnt even do the Extreme Close-Up!
Instead, they got to fight each other for an opportunity to get a second chance.
Both are awesome ideas.
Both suffered from terrible execution.
X-Pertshas Shadow and two fellow vigilantes infiltrate an underwater lair to thwart terrorists.
Final FightmeetsManiac Mansion has a ton of potential.
Swing and a miss.
It was face-meltingly rad and the Genesis port of it was also damn good.
One thing led to another, and a sequel was created that was neither developed nor published by Capcom.
Its a soulless sequel that lacks any of the originals charm.
The level design and action are lifeless, losing the dynamic edge that came with the first game.
After the first twenty minutes, it really is a cinematic escort mission.
The arcade version ofDouble Dragon 3is a stiff, ugly mess of a release.
The fact that it had microtransactions in 1990 is but the cherry on top.
Naturally, the Genesis game was based on that very version.
Too bad the weapons are absolutely useless.
you might flip your nunchakus right through a standing opponent and nothing will happen.
Fantasia
IfCastle of Illusion Starring Mickey MousewasHighlander, thenFantasiawasHighlander 2.
Looking at pictures or general footage, you might wonder what the problem is.
It seems like a regular platformer and while the visuals arent as good asCastle of Illusion, theyre alright.
The otherwise basic-as-hell game (No bosses!
Not even Chernabog!)
Jumping on an enemys head is a gamble because it just might hurt you anyway.
Thank God forWorld of Illusionfor washing away this games stink a year later.
Thats all well and good, but Probe Software went too far on this one.
The setup is what it might look like if Jabba the Hutt ran his own fight club.
Admittedly, thats not the worst gimmick.
So far so good.
The problem is the actual gameplay.
Special moves feel worthless.
Why would you even add that to a game?!
Everything in here rips off Sonic but does a terrible job at it.
Its genuinely impressive thatAwesome Possumblatantly apesSonicbut gets nothing right.
Hell, even the environment-destroying mad scientist villains name is a shameless rip-off.
Instead of a Mean Bean Machine, does Dr. Machino have a Not-So-Nice Rice equipment?
No, this does not help the games standing whatsoever.
Rise of the Robots
Its hard to imagine a fighting game as sterile and lifeless asRise of the Robots.
It does have some nice, crunchy sound effects, though.
Ill give it that.
The game is so basic that it feels more like a demo than a complete package.
The games ending is literally a screen of static followed by the credits.
Hell, even if you want to play the versus mode, Player 1stillhas to use Cyborg.
What an absolute letdown of a release.
Not only is it frustrating, but the sound will drive you mad.
Want to use your impressive-looking whip?
It will flutter all over the place and take forever to do so.
Want to shoot a Nazi?
Everything is so sluggish that youd think you were controlling modern-day Harrison Ford.
Alas, thats only one of the many problems with this ill-fated release.
Forget a museum, this belongs in a landfill.
The sprites are gigantic.
Therecould havebeen something there.
In practice, its all utter garbage.
Your character shuffles around like their foot fell asleep.
There is no music, so you hear birds chirping while your entrails are chopped out.
