This is a top ten list without being genre exclusive. The ten top genesis games! It’s really hard to make a top 10 list of really anything because opinion sometimes doesn’t factor into it and you just have to make a choice. Let’s get started.

1. Gunstar Heroes

How can this not be #1? Well, maybe it’s neck and neck with Dynamite Headdy. I’d like to put other games above it, but when you play this with a partner, the game almost literally spells out F-U-N for you. This is one game that anyone can enjoy.

2. Dynamite Headdy

No way this game wasn’t making it high up on the list. In terms of “fun”, this game is like a single player version of Gunstar heroes. It’s just tops! I can’t think of a bad thing to say about this game. I’d have to be trying really hard to do so, in fact. I’m sure I could say bad things about you, the reader, with much more ease! That sort of makes this game better than you. Don’t take it personal.

3. Beyond Oasis

Yeah. I know you’re expecting this spot to be reserved for Shining Force 2 or Phantasy Star 4. … Well, you’re clearly wrong. Beyond Oasis has that awesome gameplay that action RPG’s just don’t have anymore. Light Crusader was like that too. Besides, it’s difficult to make a Top Genesis Games list when almost every game I list here should be #1.

4. Phantasy Star 4

This is one of the better JRPG’s. Great system, great story, great music, difficulty, characters.. really everything about it is awesome. If you don’t like this game, you were abused as a child. And don’t come crying to me like “But Genesis Guy, Final Fantasy was better!” That’s not you.. It’s just your fat talking. I forgive you. On another note, I really wish they’d base the Phantasy Star Online games off of this and involve the story that deeply.

5. Cadash

If you have this game, and you have a friend, then you get to have an orgasm. Games like this make me hate the idea that a list has to be numbered. All of these games should be number 1! But, I suppose I’ll continue with the top genesis games. Hah. Numbered lists. Jokes!

6. Arcus Odyssey

This is a game that’s right up there with Cadash in terms of multiplayer fun. Much like Cadash, if you plan on getting anywhere, you can’t suck. You actually have to improve! It’s not one of those pick-up-and-be-awesome-at games, which I like. I like games of skill.

7. Shining Force 2

Excluding the strategy/RPG genre which I’d like to say Warsong is, Shining Force 2 is the KING of Tactical RPG’s. They did it right! A lot of people, when they think “tactical RPG”, it’s like a horn plays in their head and Final Fantasy Tactics comes to the rescue. But no. That game is “fun”, but complete utter crap in terms of tactical play. Firstly beacuse of the five on fives.. Secondly because the one with high-ground pretty much dominated. I will say, however, that both Vandal Hearts games (I say both because the one on PS3 goes unacknowledged) are on part with SF2.

Shining Force 2 did it right in terms of where the troops had to be to get things done.. Like archers for instance. An advanced archer could only shoot 3 squares away. That’s a big deal! That means you have to establish a proper front line and keep that archer from harm, doesn’t it? You have to be well aware of who could be in danger, who COULD take damage, and cover your flanks with those who can take hits. You know.. tactics! There’s none of that in games like Final Fantasy Tactics.

What’s cooler is there’s a hardtype mod for SF2 which I absolutely adored. Having to really think about how to handle a battle because every one of the creatures on the field was stronger than your troops. Love it!

8. Warsong

The first (I think) in the Langrisser series. I’m calling this a “strategy” RPG because it’s not so much a character development game like Shining Force is. Your troops are completely replaceable and at your disposal. They don’t matter aside from doing their job and/or getting you experience, where the levels for the most part don’t even do anything. It really does come down a lot to a game of front line skirmishing and harassment, which is great. That’s how it should be.

9. Light Crusader

This is a game that’s just good. Right up there with Beyond Oasis, which oddly, these two games have something in common: they’re short. …But still great playthroughs, and great combat systems. Definitely one of the top genesis games!

10 Landstalker

I was gonna give this spot to Shining in the Darkness, but I haven’t mentioned Landstalker yet. This game is pretty good, although I do hate the way they structured the movement on the d-pad the way they did. But that’s okay. You get used to it and it’s still a good game. It’s sort of like a prequel to Alundra almost, even though Alundra is hell of a lot better. Still a great game here.

That concludes my list of the ten top genesis games! Hope you liked it.