NUMBER 10. ALTERED BEAST

Altered Beast is one game on a legendary level. This was the first of many popular Sega arcade games ported to the 16-bit system, and the results showed a very commendable effort. When I first received the Genesis system, I did not play this game right away despite being packaged with the system. However, when I got into it, the game was great fun. First off, the graphics and sound are decent for its time. The game was easy to get into right away, and at times it was easy. However, there was enough challenge to always lure me in. The best part of the game is powering up and turning into those great beasts: the wolf, dragon, bear, and tiger. Altered Beast is holds up quite well despite its obvious age, and it is a classic title for everyone to enjoy.

NUMBER 9. VIRTUA RACING

As a big fan of Sega's incredible Virtua Racing in the arcade, I was highly anticipating the game's arrival on the Sega Genesis. A lot was riding on the game's translation from the arcade to the console. When the game was released, there was already disappointment due to its expensive price tag. Yet, I got my chances to rent and play the game to see if it would meet my expectations. Virtua Racing has many limitations, but it is very impressive that the game was pulled off on this system. The graphics were great, but not the smoothest. The music and sound are good, but falls short. Most importantly, though, the game does play very well. Overall, Virtua Racing is a very fun racer. About ten years later I saw the opportunity to snatch up the game as a means of owning a piece of history.

NUMBER 8. STREETS OF RAGE

When getting Streets of Rage, I did not know what to expect. As a matter of fact, I only borrowed this from a friend in exchange for Altered Beast. Back in the summer of 1992, this game definitely occupied much of my time. Streets of Rage was straight beat-em-up fun. The graphics are quite nice, and the music was highly incredible for a Genesis game. Of course, the major appeal of the game is the variety of moves and the three characters that posess them: Adam, Axel, and Blaze. This was my most played game back then along with Sonic the Hedgehog. I am glad I got to experience the game, and now I permanently have it in my posession. Ths is one of the best games I have ever played. Streets of Rage is truly some good stuff and is only bested by its two sequels.

NUMBER 7. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG SPINBALL

As part of my Super Sonic Christmas of 1993, I was elated to get Sonic Spinball. As with any other Sonic game that came out for the Genesis in the early 1990's, I was looking forward to it big time, and when I got the game, it definitely did not disappoint. Sonic Spinball is a unique title since it revolves around pinball action more than the platform adventure style that made Sonic so famous. This game features four large and action packed zones. The bonus stages are great too. The graphics and sounds were different, but good. For some reason, it intrigued me back then that this game was entirely made in America. I liked how there were cameo appearances from characters in the Sonic comic book and cartoons. This is another fine Sonic the Hedgehog game, and it stands out quite well.

NUMBER 6. STREETS OF RAGE 2

After becoming hooked on Streets of Rage, the release of the sequel perked my interest. When Streets of Rage 2 was released, I never owned it (since Sonic was more on my wish list), but I did get the chance to play it many times since its late-1992 release. Everything that was so good in the first game was even better in the second. The graphics are a notch above, the music and sound effects are very polished, and the game play is wonderful. This time there are four characters with two from the first game returning: Axel, Blaze, Adam's brother Skate, and Max. Just one question: Why did my boy Adam have to be kidnapped? I eventually got the game many years later, and I am glad I did. Streets of Rage 2 is truly the best in the series, and I really love this game.

NUMBER 5. STREET FIGHTER 2:
SPECIAL CHAMPION EDITION

When I found out that Street Fighter 2 was finally making its way to the Sega Genesis, I was interested despite the fact that I never really into the series. I didn't know much about the Street Fighter series back then, but I could not wait to get it. I wanted to see what the hype was about. When I got the game (and Sega's 6-button controller) on my birthday, I was too happy. I now knew why everyone else loves this game. This was my first fighting game ever, and I enjoyed playing it immensely. I became part of the Street Fighter revolution thanks to this game. Street Fighter 2: Special Champion Edition is an incredible game on the Sega Genesis.

NUMBER 4. MICHAEL JACKSON'S MOONWALKER

Being a Michael Jackson fan, this was the game that made me want the Sega Genesis system. I expressed my interest in the system and game so many times throughout the end of the year. When Christmas Day came along and I was surprised on with the Genesis system and Moonwalker game, my video gaming days have truly begun. This game was adapted well from the movie of the same name. The graphics were great, the music was done pretty well, and the sound effects are nice. Making Michael kick, spin, moonwalk, turn into a robot, and do his legendary dance routines to defeat the bad guys was a big deal. Michael Jackson's Moonwalker will always be a favorite of mine, and I will always treasure it as the game that lead me in to really being into video games.

NUMBER 3. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 AND
SONIC & KNUCKLES

1994 was a Sonic-filled year. First, I snatch up Sonic The Hedgehog 3 in February, and I got Sonic & Knuckles at Christmas time. Both of these games were incredible. There was so much Sonic to handle between the two games. I liked seeing Knuckles the Echidna for the first time in Sonic 3, and it's even better playing him in Sonic & Knuckles. Thanks to the lock-on technology of Sonic & Knuckles, the combination of the two games brought the true Sonic adventure: Sonic The Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles! Everything about Sonic, from the graphics and sound to the gameplay was amplified. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles is definitely the ultimate Sonic title.

NUMBER 2. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

When I first saw Sonic The Hedgehog, the game looked very interesting to me. I knew little about this hedgehog when the game was first released, but by the end of the year I wanted this game for the Genesis. I certainly remember that wonderful Christmas Day of 1991 when I got this game. It was wonderful. I was surprised by everything that this game had to offer. Sonic's graphics were unparalleled at the time, the music and sound were great, and the sheer speed of the game was really shocking. All of the frantic action found on this game was just pure fun at its best. There was nothing like Sonic The Hedgehog, and I am glad I got to experience it all. Thanks to that speedy blue hedgehog, Sega would really start its reign as the king of the video game world.

NUMBER 1. SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2

Here is the one game that has brought the most excitement and made the most impact. 1992 and 1993 were Sega's biggest years, and Sonic 2 solidified Sega's status as video gaming king. The hype around this game was enormous, so the excitement I had for this game was crazy. I was definitely in love with this game as soon as I played it. The same colorful graphics and music that was prevalent in the first game returned, and the game play was as good as ever. The major addition of this game is of course Sonic's adorable sidekick, Miles �Tails� Prower the fox. I really cannot put into words how much fun I had with this game or the Sonic series in general. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 recalls of a time when video games were so much fun and I was proud to be a Sega player.