Top 50 Best Sega Game Gear Games of All Time

The Sega Game Gear was the first handheld gaming console that was able to steal away even a fraction of Nintendo’s marketshare. The Game Boy absolutely dominated the shelves, but Sega was able to carve out their own handheld niche. They did so because they approached the design in a smart way. Sega opted to make hardware very similar to that of their previous home console, the Sega Master System, and therefore ports were easy. Nowadays the Game Gear is just a blip in most gamers minds. It had a huge library, and some really good games though. That’s why I sat down today to highlight the top 50 best Game Gear games. Yes, fifty. With that said let’s jump right into the list. These are the best Sega Game Gear games of all time.

#50. – Sonic Blast

This one is pretty infamously bad, but I found it mildly enjoyable. At the very least it has an interesting backstory. Sega often released smaller companion titles on the Game Gear. Sonic 3D Blast obviously couldn’t replicated on the 8-bit handheld. Sega decided to take a different route with this concurrent release and instead stuck to Sonic’s roots. Sonic Blast is a 2D side scrolling platformer, but the graphics are pre-rendered ala Donkey Kong Country. That was all the rage back then after all. The engine can’t quite keep up with the gameplay, but there’s still some decent fun to be had here.

#49. – GG Aleste

Here’s a genre you don’t see a lot of releases in these days. Aleste was one of the big shooter franchises back in the day. This is mostly because of it’s somewhat unique weapon system. You have a primary weapon which you can upgrade in typical fashion, but this is augmented with a special shot which fires along with the original blast. There are some pretty cool weapons here and some are more defensive in nature. GG Aleste is easily one of the greatest shooters on the Game Gear as well as being one of the best games for the platform.

#48. – Rastan Saga

Rastan Saga is basically a straight up port of the Sega Master System release. Let’s be honest; it’s the first of many to make this list. One of the major problems in most console to handheld conversions is a zoomed in perspective. That’s not the case here. This is a side scrolling action platformer where you play as a medieval warrior armed with a sword. You can gain upgrades to your weapon and armor along the way, but the real highlight is the excellent level designs. The Sega Master System version is slightly better, but you can’t go wrong with this port.

#47. – Ms. Pac-Man

It’s no secret that Ms. Pac-Man is better than the original with it’s more varied patterns and level designs. You guide the femenine yellow circle with a mouth (and bow) around a maze from an overhead perspective as you gobble down pellets in order to move on to the next stage. Unfortunately a few liberties had to be taken in porting this title to the small screen. It’s mostly intact, but because of the resolution of the display Namco couldn’t quite render the entire playfield at once. This means there’s some scrolling. This means it’s easier for ghosts to sneak up on you, but it’s still a very fun version to play.

#46. – Sonic Drift

For all intents and purposes this is Super Sonic Kart. Sega copied the formula for Mario’s racing affair and released it exclusively on the Game Gear. It’s kind a head scratcher as to why they chose their less powerful handheld hardware to host it, but let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth. The graphics are pretty typical for a 3D racer running on an 8-bit processor. There’s some choppy scrolling but it’s perfectly playable. If I had one complaint it’s that the power-ups are pretty underwhelming. If you were hungry for some Sonic racing back in the day this was your only option.

#45. – Faceball 2000

I have always been a huge fan of this title on the Super Nintendo. You could even say that was my original foray into the first person shooter genre. I’ve also played the Game Boy version but that’s pretty underwhelming. I was surprised to find that the developers also released a version for the Sega Game Gear. It’s even more shocking to find that this is still an FPS. You guide a face around various mazes and shoot balls at the other faces to eliminate them from play. When they’re gone you can move on to the next area. It’s a decent game with a style all it’s own. The SNES is still the best one, but the Game Gear edition is worth checking out.

#44. – Sonic Spinball

This is another case of Sega porting over one of their big Sega Genesis titles onto their 8-bit handheld. Thankfully Sonic Spinball has been ported with care. This was kind of a stopgap title released in order to fill in the gaps between their big releases. It’s basically pinball, but Sonic is the ball. It’s not strictly traditional as you can actually move around as the blue blur, but this is a bit sloppy and clearly isn’t the focus. It has some decent tables and is mildly enjoyable. As far as Game Gear titles go it looks beautiful too.

#43. – Baku Baku

Every handheld needs a good puzzle title. Tetris was already spoken for, and so Sega tried their hand at original title with Columns. I love me some Columns, but it didn’t set the world on fire like they had hoped. Late in the Game Gear’s life Sega decided to port their next puzzle title, Baku Baku, to the little handheld that could. Thankfully it’s a great game. Simple colored blocks like in most puzzlers have been replaced with animals and their food. You have to line the correct creature with their favorite snack and when you do they’re eliminated. Simple enough, but the gameplay is quite addictive.

#42. – Magic Knight Rayearth

You wouldn’t know it from looking at the North American lineup but the Sega Game Gear had a large number of role playing games released for it. Magic Knight Rayearth is one of these such titles. Based off the license of the popular anime series (at least in Japan) this is a turn based role playing game where you play as the three main characters. The story is pretty similar to the animated series and manga. The battle system is a bit clunky, but it’s still mildly enjoyable and a great blast from the past. This is one of the best RPGs for the Sega Game Gear.

#41. – Space Harrier

The original arcade release of Space Harrier was an absolute landmark title. It’s one of the most bizarre premises, and was well ahead of it’s time. Any 3D shooter released in this era was sure to turn heads, and Space Harrier may be the most famous one of the bunch. You play as a guy in a red jacket armed with an energy gun. You can fly in all directions and must destroy all incoming enemies and hazards. This Game Gear port suffers a bit because of the limited hardware. The scrolling is pretty choppy, but it’s still playable. Having any version of Space Harrier on a handheld must have been quite the novelty when this one dropped.

#40. – Tails’ Skypatrol

I always wondered why Sega never gave Sonic’s sidekick a chance at his own game. Turns out it was right under my nose the entire time, but in Japan only. The best part of Tails Skypatrol is the fact that Sega took into account the character’s abilities while developing it. This isn’t a simple clone of Sonic the Hedgehog. Instead Tails spends the duration of the game flying. You view the action from a side view as you defeat foes by throwing rings at them. It looks like more of a shmup, but the level designs are more confined like those in a platformer. This feels a bit inconsistent, but it’s still one of the best Game Gear games around.

#39. – Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe

If you know me (and you might by now if you’ve been reading this blog) then you have probably realized by now that I hate the Golden Axe series. It consists largely of the most bland beat ’em ups around. Stuff that makes the Final Fight sequels look innovative. With that said Ax Battler is quite different. At first glance this one looks like a Dragon Quest clone which is never a bad thing in my book. You wander around an overhead view map like in a traditional RPG. Dungeon areas are more traditional to Golden Axe, but are designed as more of an action platformer. Actually, it feels kind of like Zelda II. This is easily the best Golden Axe title, and it’s a Game Gear exclusive to boot.

#38. – Super Off-Road

Super Off-Road was one of my most favorite games in the arcade. I have fond memories of pumping quarters into the machine at my local Round Table Pizza whenever we got the chance to go when I was a kid. I never owned a home version of the title despite my love for it until I was an adult. Now imagine how happy I was to discover there’s a portable version of the game for the Game Gear. It’s a pretty good port to boot. It has all of the mayhem of the overhead racer and is lacking only a multiplayer mode. Seriously, if you own a Sega Game Gear you need to have this title in your library.

#37. – Coca Cola Kid

The world needs more Coke licensed games, said no one ever. I didn’t have high hopes for this title but upon seeing the Coca Cola themed Sega Game Gear released in tandem with it I thought there might be something more to it. I was right. Coca Cola Kid is an action platformer, and it’s one of the best Game Gear games stuck in Japan. The license never gets in the way of gameplay. Sure, you’ll see banners in the background for the soda pop, but without these it would be hard to tell it’s even there. What I love about Coca Cola Kid is the fact that your character is downright acrobatic. You have so much ease of movement it’s crazy. Seriously, if you’re into the import scene then do yourself a favor and check this one out.

#36. – Shining Force II: The Sword of Hajya

No, sadly this is not a downport of Shining Force II for the Sega Genesis. Instead it’s an all new original release. It’s not nearly as good as the aforementioned title, but an exclusive Shining Force game is never a bad thing. It takes the same grid based strategy RPG battle system and it lends itself well to the portable setting. The only downside is that the game is strictly composed of enemy encounters. This means no exploring town areas. It also means you have to manage your inventory completely inside of battle which is tedious, but functional. It’s one of the worst Shining Force titles but also a contender for one of the best Game Gear games of all time.

#35. – Tempo Jr.

I was sure the original Tempo on the Sega 32X was going to be a one off title. To my surprise Sega released a sequel for the Sega Saturn, and a miniaturized original title for the Game Gear. Tempo Jr is a music themed platformer where you play as a blonde kid in a bug suit. You use music notes to attack foes, but can also jump on enemies heads. The level designs are a bit empty, and this one is pretty easy. Still, Tempo Jr is a fantastic novelty considering the original was on the Sega 32X. Tempo Jr is surely one of the best Sega Game Gear games.

#34. – Fantasy Zone

Fantasy Zone is another one of Sega’s big arcade hits. This is a non-linear shooter where you collect items and purchase upgrades in shops. When you’ve met the criteria to move on you face off against a boss character. It’s a very non-traditional 2D side scrolling shooter. It’s also one of the earliest titles that can be considered a ‘cute em up’ with it’s colorful and adorable graphics. The Game Gear version is scaled down a little to compensate for the small screen. This means large sprites and more scrolling, but for the most part this is a great port.

#33. – Chase H.Q.

Racing games were a dime a dozen in the 90s. Even 3D ones, complete with choppy scrolling and all. Chase HQ is one of these such titles. Where it benefits most is in the engine it uses. The game runs significantly better than most of these 3D racers released for the platform. It’s far less choppy and therefore much more playable. I’ve always had a soft spot for Chase H.Q. The law enforcement angle to the typical driving simulator adds a fair amount of depth and makes this one stand out from the pack. If you like Outrun, but want something a little more polished on the Game Gear than this is your best bet.

#32. – Shinobi

Nintendo platforms had Ninja Gaiden, and Sega’s answer to this was Shinobi. While I prefer Tecmo’s ninja platformer slightly more that takes nothing away from this title. You slash and jump your way through a variety of different stages fending off hazards and oncoming enemies. The level designs are really well done in this title and offer a fair amount of variety. In the arcades Shinobi was a huge hit, but on the Master System it was largely ignored. The Game Gear gave this edition a second chance at life, and it’s actually a very good game. The small screen isn’t the best of conditions, but it’s more than serviceable.

#31. – OutRun

I absolutely love OutRun. It’s one of my all time favorite Sega arcade titles. One of my favorite things is that it’s not really a racing game. It’s more focused on driving through various scenery while trying to beat a timer. Yes, there are other vehicles on the track but it never feels like you’re competing against them. These serve more as simple hazards than anything else. Where OutRun really excels is in it’s open endedness. You can choose your route to the finish line. Progression is mapped out with branching paths. It’s very cool, and was very unique at the time. The Game Gear version is pretty choppy. It’s still playable, and it’s still very much OutRun.

#30. – Deep Duck Trouble Starring Donald Duck

Mickey Mouse has always been in the spotlight as far as Disney media is concerned. This also holds true in the video game realm. The Castle of Illusion series is considered by many to be the be all end all of Disney video games. That’s probably why you never hear anyone talking about Deep Duck Trouble these days. It’s a real shame too because it’s a fun little platformer with gameplay reminiscent of Mickey’s big hit. In this game you play as the titular duck and attack enemies primarily by kicking blocks. It actually gets fairly difficult later on so you better get good. Deep Duck Trouble is a long forgotten game but is still one of the best Game Gear titles in the land.

#29. – Sonic Drift II

The Game Gear had not one but two Sonic the Hedgehog dedicated racing games. Why they chose to release these titles for the Game Gear instead of the Sega Genesis is anyone’s guess. This sequel improves on the original in numerous ways. For one thing the graphics have seen a modest update and by 8-bit standards it looks beautiful Gameplay is also less choppy which is always a big plus in my book. Sega added just three new racers to the lineup which seems meager, but because Knuckles is one of them I’m willing to give it a pass in this department. It’s not the best Sonic racer of all time, but it’s a darn good kart based one.

#28. – Phantasy Star Adventure

When I started collecting and playing through the Phantasy Star series I was shocked to discover Sega released several handheld iterations. This is one of my favorite RPG franchises of all time, and so I had to dive in further. Unfortunately these are all Japan only releases, but thanks to fan translations we can all enjoy them now. Phantasy Star Adventure is a departure from the original titles and completely switches genres. This one is a first person adventure title. It takes place during the same time period in the story as Phantasy Star II (my favorite game in the series) and expands on the universe and story. It’s a little tough to get used to playing an adventure title on such a small screen, but if you can get a translation guide this becomes one of the best Game Gear titles left in Japan.

#27. – Legend of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

Remember how I mentioned Mickey being Disney’s cash cow? Well this is his first title to make the list. Legend of Illusion is a platformer like other games in the series. The developers implemented a few major changes to make it stand out from the bunch. For starters this one makes use of a medieval theme which is pretty neat. Furthermore Mickey now defeats enemies by throwing items at them instead of jumping on their heads. The biggest change however is that gameplay is based much more on solving simple puzzles than before. These are fairly rudimentary, but slows down gameplay. Either way it’s a fun romp and has all the polish the series is known for.

#26. – Samurai Shodown

SNK played second fiddle to Capcom in the fighting game realm during the 16-bit days. Where they beat them was in how darn prolific a developer they were. Seriously, SNK released a treasure trove of hits that have been mostly forgotten nowadays. With that said, due to the limited hardware it was downright impossible to fight a worthwhile fighting game on a handheld during this time. Enter Samurai Shodown. It’s a downscaled port of one of SNK’s biggest hits, and it fills a void in the Game Gear lineup. This is a one-on-one 2D fighter based on weapons. You choose a character and then hack and slash at your foe until their life bar is drained. This port runs surprisingly well. It’s not as fast or smooth as the arcade (or even home console) iteration, but it’s perfectly serviceable and quite fun.

#25. – Shinobi II: The Silent Fury

After the original Shinobi was brought over Sega hit the planning board to bring a sequel over. Rather than trying to downgrade the Genesis title (and with no Master System edition available) they instead made an original title. This is Shinobi II: The Silent Fury, and it’s a fantastic title. The action has been sped up, the level design is much tighter, and there’s just a whole lot more going on. Rather than being stuck as Joe Musashi you gain allies throughout the course of the adventure and can opt to play as them instead. In my opinion Shinobi II: The Silent Fury is better than most Ninja Gaiden titles. If you have Sega’s handheld then you owe it to yourself to track this cartridge down.

#24. – Devilish

If you’ve read any of my other top 10 lists then you probably know by now that I’m a huge fan of Breakout and it’s many clones. Developers got really inventive with the formula and introduced a plethora of different concepts through the years. Devilish is one of these experiments, and it’s by far one of my favorites. Right away you’ll notice that you have two different paddles. One sits on top of the other by default, and they are moved left and right in tandem. The upper paddle can however move up and down, and you’ll need to use it in this manner to get the ball just to where you want it. It’s a fantastic concept, and the dark theme is pretty neat.

#23. – Lunar: Samporosu Gaiden

GameArts hit series represent some of the biggest and most ambitious RPGs of the era. They were some of the first role playing titles to make heavy use of the Sega CD’s storage capabilities allowing for animated story sequences, fully voiced sequences, and redbook audio. That’s why Lunar Gaiden is a bit of a wild card. It was released for the Sega Game Gear so it had none of these advantages. It’s also the only side story installment in the franchise. You play as three magic guild students who set off on an adventure as they engage in turn based combat and random encounters. The battle screen is wildly different in an effort to take advantage of the small screen. Once you get used to it you’ll find a charming little adventure that’s one of the best Game Gear games ever released. It’s a shame it was never localized.

#22. – Sonic the Hedgehog

It’s a little known fact that the Sega Master System was viable in South America. Let me rephrase that. The Master System absolutely dominated that market even after the Sega Genesis was released. This is why Sega kept releasing games for the platform. That, and the fact that they could easily port their titles to the Game Gear thanks to the similar hardware. This is why we had so many Game Gear releases despite it underperforming in sales. Sonic the Hedgehog is one of these such ports. Despite how it’s named this is not a toned down port of the original 16-bit release. Instead it’s an all new adventure with new stages and enemies. It’s a great game but fails to compare to it’s big brother iterations. That doesn’t mean it’s not one of the best Game Gear games (because it is).

#21. – Super Columns

Did you think Baku Baku would be the only puzzle game on the list? Not so fast, because Super Columns is the superior puzzler, and easily one of the best Game Gear games ever released. Had this title been released earlier it would have performed much better, because it’s better than plain old Columns. Alas they’ve never been known to make the best business decisions. This edition has better graphics, more personality, an improved soundtrack, and a few new gameplay features. You have new blocks to work with, and ‘spells’ which affect gameplay in numerous ways. The story mode is full of cheese, but gameplay is solid.

#20. – Ristar

One of the unsung heroes on the Sega Genesis makes an appearance here on Sega’s handheld. While it was mostly swept under the rug when it came out for the console Ristar really shines here, and is one of the best Game Gear games ever. Unfortunately it’s not a brand new game and the content is mostly recycled from the home console version. Some of the content has been stripped, such as the fire themed boss. To make up for this you’ve got two brand new levels. They aren’t quite as polished or interesting as the main stages but I’m hardly going to complain about new content. Ristar on the Sega Game Gear is a perfectly fine way to experience the original.

#19. – Bubble Bobble

If you knew the Game Gear had it’s own port of Bubble Bobble then you probably could have guessed it would make this list. I mean, come on. It’s just the best single screen arcade game of all time. It’s disappointing then that the stages aren’t single screen here. The display on the Game Gear was small and so to fit in all the details the view had to be zoomed in. This means there is some scrolling in every area. It can be a bit detrimental to gameplay because enemies can be above or below you and you’d never know until it’s too late. With that out of the way the gameplay is just about as fun as it always was. The graphics are more colorful and sprites larger than on the NES which is a major plus.

#18. – Land of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

The Mickey Mouse series of platformers from this era is fantastic, and this Game Gear iteration is seriously on point. This is a downport of the Sega Master System version which was released only in Europe and Brazil. Thankfully this handheld iteration came out worldwide. As opposed to Legend of Illusion which was more puzzle based this is a pure platformer. There is some puzzle solving involved but it’s hardly the focus. This is largely why I prefer this title. As Mickey you hop and bop (and even swim) your way through a variety of stages. Later on the challenge is ramped up and some of the platforming scenarios require a fair bit of finesse. If you want Mickey on the Game Gear this is your best bet.

#17. – Fatal Fury Special

For my money this is the best fighting game for the Sega Game Gear. It features the same big roster of fighters from both Fatal Fury 1 & 2 but a few faces are missing in this handheld iteration. The fact that they were able to fit so many fighters on such a small cartridge is impressive nonetheless. A few gameplay features have also been removed. For one thing there’s no longer any plane switching. This was one of the franchise’s key features that set itself apart from Street Fighter. Personally I never liked it, and so in some ways this Game Gear iteration is superior in my eyes. Fatal Fury Special runs surprisingly smooth on the hardware. I was able to jump from the arcade version to this one with few hiccups which is most excellent.

#16. – Crystal Warriors

Here’s one of those real head scratcher games. Shining Force and Fire Emblem were the pack leaders as far as strategy RPGs were concerned in that day and age. Crystal Warriors is something completely new, and in my opinion, is better than those in several ways. You move characters across a grid in battle and when you encounter an enemy you’re whisked away to a separate battle screen. What’s unique about this is the fact that you input commands here like you would in a more traditional RPG. It’s a one-on-one fight, but feels more involved than either of the aforementioned franchises. Crystal Warriors is great, and it’s simple RPG mechanics make for a fantastic pick up and play experience.

#15. – Mega Man

I’m sure many fans were left wondering why Capcom mostly ignored Sega platforms when it came to Mega Man. The SNES and Game Boy both featured numerous installments in the franchise, and the Sega Genesis had only a half baked compilation released exclusively through the Sega Channel service. It’s surprising then that a third party developer licensed the series to make an exclusive Game Gear edition. Yes, it’s called ‘Mega Man’ but it’s not a port of the original title. Instead it’s based entirely around the mechanics of part 4 and 5 using a frankenstein mish-mash of robot masters from the two. The end result is one of the best Game Gear titles ever released. It has it’s share of problems, such as small screen size and fast enemies, but these can be overlooked once you get used to it. Mega Man on Game Gear is surprisingly good.

#14. – Shining Force Gaiden: The Final Conflict

It’s called ‘final’ for a reason; this was the last Shining Force Gaiden title to be released for the platform. Unfortunately it’s a Japan-only game, but thanks to translations available you can experience it now. It takes the design established in the previous handheld iterations and cranks things up a few notches. The graphics are absolutely beautiful for the hardware and in this sense it feels more like a traditional entry in the series. One thing I really like about the Final Conflict is the fact that this is a direct sequel to the first title released on Sega Genesis. It features many of the same characters and the story serves as a continuation. If you want to get your Shining Force fix on the go then this is the best way.

#13. – Bust-A-Move

In my opinion Bust-A-Move can go toe to toe against the best puzzle games and typically it will emerge victorious. It’s based on the Bubble Bobble franchise and you play as the colorful dinosaurs from it. Rather than popping bubbles your goal is to eliminate orbs at the top of the screen. You do so by shooting the same colored blobs at them. Line up three and they’re eliminated. The ceiling slowly drops which creates a sense of urgency, and once they reach the bottom you’re done for. What’s neat is the fact that if you eliminate a string of like colored orbs anything dangling from them is also taken out of play. There are better ways to play Bust-A-Move, but if you’re on the go you can’t go wrong with this one.

#12. – Sonic Chaos

Sonic Chaos didn’t make as big of waves as the other installments released for the Game Gear. It’s a shame because in my opinion it’s one of the best ones. Largely it’s the same old classic Sonic the Hedgehog formula. You run fast through a variety of different stages defeating enemies by bopping on their head or spin dashing into them. It incorporates elements from both Sonic 1&2 as well as some of the mechanics introduced in Sonic CD. What sets this one apart from me is the fact that it marked the first time you could play as Tails. You can take advantage of his ability to fly here, and the stage designs take advantage of this feature. This means playing as either one gives you a different experience. Sonic Chaos might not be the greatest installment in the franchise, but it’s easily one of the best Game Gear games.

#11. – Phantasy Star Gaiden

This is the only traditional Phantasy Star title released for the Game Gear. Unfortunately it’s another one of those pesky Japan-only releases. This means English speaking fans of the franchise couldn’t partake until fairly recently when it was translated. This is a side story which takes place in the same universe, and follows the exploits of the first game’s heroine Alis. The story grows to encompass a set of new characters, and the adventure is fairly long by Game Gear standards. The battle system is very similar to that of the original title, but with fewer characters at your disposal. It’s a little disappointing they didn’t use the first person viewpoint for dungeons. Despite this Phantasy Star Gaiden is one of the best Game Gear games around. More turn based RPGs are never a bad thing.

#10. – Virtua Fighter Animation

Virtua Fighter on the Sega Game Gear is a tall order. The original title was after all one of the pioneers of 3D gaming, and used one of the most complicated gameplay engines the genre had ever seen. Virtua Fighter Animation is downright ambitious. It attempts to re-create the nuances of it’s big brother editions, but with an odd focus on storyline. The package just works, and it’s one of the best Game Gear games because of it. To my surprise it actually feels like you’re playing Virtua Fighter, albeit a limited and toned down version of the original. I’m surprised they were able to re-create the gameplay at all on such limited hardware, but here we are.

#9. – Defenders of Oasis

While it’s not really a part of the same franchise as Beyond Oasis or Legend of Oasis the similar setting and themes really make it seem like it is. Defenders of Oasis is an arabian nights style traditional role playing game of the best kind. It’s also the most traditional RPG of it’s kind on the platform. Sega didn’t tone this one down to make things easier to see on the handheld which I appreciate. This means it has aged better than titles like Magic Knight Rayearth and Lunar Gaiden. The gameplay is pretty basic but I enjoyed the story and the battle system quite a bit. Defenders of Oasis is definitely the best traditional RPG on the platform.

#8. – Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Gamers are often surprised to learn that this is not in fact a port of the Sega Genesis title. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the Sega Game Gear is a brand new adventure, and in some ways it’s even better than the big boy console release. The developers did a lot to improve the formula since the last title. The action is smoother and faster, and the level designs have been stepped up a few notches. Several Sonic mainstays left out of the last iteration have also been implemented. This includes the ability to pick up lost rings and run loop-de-loops. One of my favorite elements however is the mild use of vehicles. Sonic can ride in minecarts and even a hang glider as depicted in the boxart. It’s definitely one of the best Game Gear games, and is top of the list as far as the franchise is concerned.

#7. – Psychic World

Psychic World was a big surprise hit for me. I didn’t expect much from this Master System port because frankly I had never heard of the game. When I really dove in to the Game Gear edition I found one of the most inventive action platformers of its time. You play as a futuristic anime girl with a blaster and ESP powers as you tackle a variety of stages. Level design is absolutely on point. You’re armed with a variety of different weapons and the game uses an upgrade system similar to those found in shmups at the time. The combination of these gameplay elements and the amazing level design makes for an unforgettable game. Yes, Psychic World is really that good.

#6. – Dynamite Headdy

You have to hand it to Sega with their downports of 16-bit titles to the weaker Game Gear. On one hand it kind of sucks because developers could have used their time and energy into making original installments. On the other it was quite the novelty to have the big boy console iterations on handheld hardware. Dynamite Headdy is one of these such titles. On the Genesis it was a crazy good action platformer with the usual Treasure magic. Somehow they managed to port that version over and most of the content remains intact. The changes are mostly to graphics and music which is to be expected. While I’d recommend playing the Genesis version instead Dynamite Headdy is still one of the best Game Gear games around.

#5. – Tails Adventure

Tails got not one, but two spin-offs dedicated to the sidekick character from the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Tails Adventure is a more traditional platform game, but it makes some big changes to the franchise’s formula. Part of what makes this one so unique is that it’s much slower paced than other titles in the series. This one is based entirely on exploration, and it plays like a Metroidvania title. This means there’s lots of backtracking and memorization. The change of pace (and overall design) is welcome. I really like how these changes were made to accommodate Tails’ abilities instead of making just another by the books platformer. Tails Adventure is surprisingly good and much deeper than typical Sonic fare.

#4. – Sylvan Tale

Another Japan only release, Sylvan Tale is one of the best Game Gear games, period. Sega has a long track record of trying to copy the Legend of Zelda formula and in my opinion this is the time they got it most right. By all accounts this is Sega’s Zelda, and it’s unfortunate that it was left to die on the Game Gear in Japan. You guide your character through a vast overworld as you make your way to and through a variety of different dungeons. The combat is smooth and on point. Anyone who has played A Link to the Past will know what to expect here. The puzzles aren’t overly complicated but are just enough to keep you scratching your head. It also helps that Sylvan Tale is absolutely gorgeous and one of the best looking releases for the Game Gear.

#3. – Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble

Most Sonic titles on the platform were either Sega Master System ports or later saw release for the home console. This is one of the strictly exclusive titles for the platform. It’s also the best Sonic game on Game Gear, bar none. The level designs are absolutely on point with some of the best stages and zones in any Sonic title. Triple Trouble is less ambitious than the other games in the franchise for Game Gear, but that’s one of its strong points. Level designs are much tighter, and some welcome changes to gameplay were made here. Now instead of losing all your rings when hit it only costs 30. Furthermore there’s a new power-up allowing Sonic and Tails to ride snowboards in the latter half of the game. How rad is that? Either way you can’t go wrong here.

#2. – Streets of Rage 2

Few will argue that Streets of Rage 2 isn’t the best beat ’em up title of all time. On the Sega Genesis it featured absolutely gorgeous graphics, gameplay with a lot of variety, and a plethora of different moves. I wasn’t expecting this Game Gear version to do the game justice. I’ll be darned if it isn’t the single most impressive port to the platform. Even on the Sega Game Gear it’s a remarkably good game. Almost all of the content has been brought over and the graphics have been scaled surprisingly well. A few changes were made, but in my opinion for the better. For instance, now using your super move doesn’t cost any life. A small change yes, but it makes the game flow better. New super moves have also been added which help this stand out. Streets of Rage 2 is incredible even on 8-bit hardware.

#1. – Gunstar Heroes

Treasure’s greatest 16-bit game is also the best Sega Game Gear game. Truth be told I had a hard time deciding between this and Streets of Rage 2 for the top spot, but in the end Gunstar Heroes won out. Unfortunately not all of the content made the cut. A few stages and setpieces were removed, but the gameplay is left almost completely intact. Once you get past the obvious downgrade in graphics and sound at no point does it feel like you’re playing a lesser version of the game. The fact that they were able to re-create such an intense experience on 8-bit hardware is nothing short of remarkable. Now we just have to ask ourselves why on Earth was the best Game Gear game left behind in Japan? It’s downright absurd if you ask me.