Nintendo Switch Online subscribers have access to a curated selection of classic games from various retro consoles, including the Sega Genesis. However, the library of Sega's 16-bit era is vast, and many of its most celebrated titles remain absent from the service. Here are 10 essential Genesis games that would significantly enhance the Nintendo Switch Online offering.
Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure
Released on November 18, 1994, Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure from Interplay was a distinctive platformer that leaned heavily into gross-out humor. Its protagonist, Boogerman, used bodily functions as his primary attacks. Despite its crude humor, the game offered competent platforming mechanics, well-drawn characters, and over 20 levels filled with puzzles and boss encounters. It was previously available on the Wii's Virtual Console but has not reappeared on Nintendo hardware since.
Championship Pro-Am
This 1992 title, Championship Pro-Am, is an enhanced version of Rare's NES success, R.C. Pro-Am. It introduced several improvements, including updated visuals, six cars racing simultaneously, and the crucial addition of saving player high scores. Although Microsoft and Rare included earlier versions of R.C. Pro-Am in the Rare Replay compilation, Championship Pro-Am itself has not been made available, leaving a gap for fans who might appreciate its expanded features.
Ecco: The Tides of Time
As the second installment in the Ecco the Dolphin series, The Tides of Time released on August 25, 1994, continued the underwater narrative with new abilities for Ecco, such as the sonar-based Pulsar attack and the Metasphere power-up that allowed him to transform into other animals. The game encouraged exploration through scavenger hunts across its expansive levels. With a remaster reportedly on the way, its inclusion on Switch Online would be timely for fans eager for more aquatic adventures.
Forgotten Worlds
Originally an arcade shooter from Capcom, Forgotten Worlds made its way to the Genesis on November 17, 1989, albeit with two fewer stages than its arcade counterpart. Sega's port adapted the game with long-range weapons and an auto-fire feature, and refined the control scheme for rotation. The Genesis version was available on the Wii's Virtual Console, but has since become inaccessible following the closure of the Wii Shop Channel.
General Chaos
Released on January 13, 1994, General Chaos was a Genesis exclusive developed by Game Refuge. It offered a unique blend of strategy and action, pitting two armies against each other across 50 diverse battlefields. The game supported up to four players for head-to-head and cooperative modes, featuring vibrant, zany visuals and a cast of characters armed with various weaponry. Its isometric perspective allowed players to enjoy the chaotic battles, and it remains a fondly remembered title that deserves a resurgence.
Phelios
Namco's Phelios, released on Genesis in 1990, is a vertically scrolling shooter where players control Apollo, the Greek sun god, riding Pegasus to rescue Artemis. The gameplay involves firing rapid shots or charging a more powerful blast. While players can sustain some damage, collisions with walls or bosses are perilous. Although the arcade version is available through Hamster's Arcade Archives series on Switch, the Genesis port offers a distinct experience that is currently missing from Nintendo's subscription service.
Splatterhouse 2
Developed by Now Production for Namco and released on August 4, 1992, Splatterhouse 2 is a side-scrolling brawler that continues the story of Rick, the masked protagonist. In this sequel, Rick ventures into a haunted house in an attempt to save his girlfriend. The game features eight stages, melee combat, and a password save system in its English version. It previously appeared on Virtual Console and was included in the Sega Genesis Mini 2, indicating continued interest, yet it has not been added to Nintendo Switch Online.
Ranger-X
Ranger-X, released on May 27, 1993, was a visually impressive shooter for the Genesis, developed by Gau Entertainment. The game utilized a 6-button controller, allowing players to pilot the heroic Ranger X in an exoskeleton and engage in battles with the Rahuna forces. Its gameplay featured a flight-pack that could overheat and a variety of weapons allowing for dynamic combat. This title, remembered for its stunning environments and unique gameplay, is a notable omission from the current Switch Online lineup.
Super Skidmarks
Super Skidmarks, a racing game developed by Acid Software, was originally released for the Amiga in 1995 and later received a Genesis port published by Codemasters that remained exclusive to Europe. The game featured an adapter for up to six players and quirky racing vehicles, including cows on wheels. This quirky title, part of a short-lived series, would offer a unique and chaotic multiplayer experience to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
ClayFighter
Released in December 1994, ClayFighter from Interplay offered a humorous alternative to the serious fighting games of the era like Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat. Its roster consisted of eccentric characters such as a menacing snowman mascot, an Elvis impersonator, and a scarecrow. The game combined fighting mechanics with juvenile humor. The Genesis port, which played best with a six-button controller, was the last in the series to appear on Sega hardware. While other ClayFighter titles have appeared on Nintendo platforms, the Genesis version remains absent from Switch Online.