SM's top 100 Master System games preplanning thread

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Hey guys, I recently got a Sega Master System for the first time in my life and I'm quite hooked on it. I have about two dozen games with more on the way as well as a Master Everdrive to find more games worth buying. Through emulation, I'm discovering that the Master System is woefully underrated in the west with some truly outstanding games not found on it's biggest rival.

To that end, I am in the preplanning stages of what will be my top 100 Sega Master System games editorial series just like the Famicom/NES and GameBoy lists before it. For those wondering, my top 100 GameBoy list is still continuing to be worked on and will be finished first, but I thought I'd give you guys something to look forward to. You can expect me to roll out the top 100 SMS list in a few months time.

In the meantime, I'd like to ask you guys for some fan input, if I can. For this list, I'd like to spice up the editorial with banners, graphics or other visual aids. I'll still provide all my own screenshots, but if anyone is interested in submitting screenshots as well, it would mean quicker releases and content on a more regular basis.

Since the SMS has a much smaller library than the GameBoy and especially the Famicom, I've already got a plan made up for the top 100 games that will make the list, but even so I might have overlooked a game or two or judged a game in my hated sports game genre too harshly as the SMS seems to have a ton of those.

To that end, feel free to post games you think should be in the list and cite your reasoning. I'll consider all suggestions, but am not looking to base the list on popularity. Like some of my more offbeat choices in my NES and GB list have proven, I look at games on how fun they are and how well they've stood the test of time, not how popular they are.

If you want to help with any visual ads just let me know. Otherwise, feel free to give some thoughts on the top 100 Sega Master System games!

[prfsnl_gmr]

Approximately 120 games were released for the Master System in North America; so unless you are covering imports, you may want to cut the list down from 100 to 50. (Otherwise, you are only excluding about 20 games from your "best of" list.)

In any event, the games that spring to mind for me are:

Alex Kidd in Miracle World;
Double Dragon;
Phantasy Star;
R-Type;
Sonic the Hedgehog;
Wonder Boy; and
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap.

Good luck with your list, and I look forward to reading it!

[Satoshi_Matrix]

No of course I'm not doing a domestic US only top 100 list! How silly would that be?! The vast majority of the best games never even got US releases because the NES had nearly total market dominance. Luckily, that wasn't the case everywhere. and Brazil picked up the torch after everyone else was done.

As with the NES/Famiocm and GB lists, this will be a worldwide game list including tiles released only in Europe/Australia, Brazil or Japan as Mark III only games. There's around 330 games total.

Your choices are good, though a little obvious. Still, I appropriate the participation.

[CFFJR]

I have no argument with prfsnl_gmr's list. Phantasy Star in particular though, is a requirement.

I'd also like to suggest:

Ninja Gaiden. It was a fun game independent of the nes titles. Very colorful and with a bit more mobility than the nes games.

Sonic Chaos. Its easy, but fun, and the first 8 bit Sonic to let you play as Tails. If you're willing to consider unofficial games, the superior Sonic Triple Trouble has a fan made Master System port.

In the Disney game department, Donald Duck in Deep Duck Trouble. Neat platformer with some interesting chase style boss fights. I think it is far superior to the other master system Donald Duck game, the Lucky Dime Caper.

I might have some others later.

Also, I want to say I'm real excited about this list. The Master System rocks. Not to be a pain or anything, but how long do you think it'll take for the first part?

[retrosportsgamer]

There are a TON of Europe games - not to mention the later Brazil stuff. Looking forward to this. Never knew the Double Dragon port was so revered.

[prfsnl_gmr]

You have to start somewhere...

Anyay, once you get through some of the obvious chocice, you might also want to consider:

Blade Eagle 3-D
Golden Axe Warrior
Kenseiden
King's Quest: Quest for the Crown
Power Strike
Quartet
Rastan
Snail Maze
Space Harrier 3-D
Zillion

Although I am only familiar with NTSC releases, I have heard that Ninja Gaiden for the Sega Master System is also very good. You might want to give that one a shot too.

[o.pwuaioc]

You've got some fun ahead of you!

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (even better than the first)
Golvellius (a nice ARPG)
Ys (standard Ys)
Fantasy Zone/Fantasy Zone II (very popular, so you should be familiar with it already)
Kiwi: The New Zealand Story (not the best port, but still a great title)
Ghouls N' Ghosts (see above)
Bubble Bobble (and above)
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (very impressive for the system! I think this was a Brazil only release)
Solomon's Key
Mortal Kombat 2 (very impressive! it's no Genesis, but my god it's great)
Sagaia1

[Broodstar]

I'm new to SMS but i've played a few games on my consoles and emulators.
Next to what others suggested i would add:

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker - great MJ 8 bit music and cool gameplay
Shinobi
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
Choplifter
Dragon Crystal - ugly but it is a good roguelike
Space Gun
Streets of Rage I and II

[dsheinem]

On the final list, I'd suggest highlighting games with an asterisk if they are considered the superior 8-bit version (e.g. Double Dragon). Otherwise people might just say "oh I have the NES port" and never give it a second thought.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Phantasy Star and Ys: The Vanished Omens are among the best JRPGs ever made. Absolutely essential.