21 Best Sega Game Gear Games – Yep, We Went There!

It was 1990, and Sega did not want to give up and responded to every move by Nintendo with aggressive and risky plays. During a battle for dominance of the desktop console market, Nintendo launched a machine to become the most famous handheld game console in history. But Sega did not want to be left behind. As the company did with the Master System, it countered by taking advantage of the lack of color in the console of his enemy.

The Sega Game Gear is a handheld game console created by Sega in response to the Nintendo Game Boy. It was the third handheld console with a color screen in history, after the Atari Lynx and the Turbo Express.

It is a very rare console to see, but you can purchase it for about $100 in perfect condition. It has around 300 titles; here you have the best Sega Game Gear Games of all time.

Here Are The 21 Best Sega Game Gear Games

21. Sonic the Hedgehog

The first Sonic the Hedgehog is a mythical game to any console which it goes in. It was one of the games that Sega sold in a pack with the machine. After all, was there someone who bought a Sega Game Gear and did not want to play Sonic?

Everything, from the complexity of its levels, through the unlimited speed, to the precisely adjusted difficulty, made this Sonic one of the best-selling games on the console. Also, it is one of the most remembered by players.

20. Street of Rage 2

Beat’em up games had become one of the most popular genres, and Sega decided to take advantage of it with an exclusive title for their consoles. The Game Gear version was as successful as the older sisters.

Streets of Rage 2 is, like the first, one of the greatest games of the genre, but also this second part has aged much better. If you have not tried it, but want to deliver some punches, this game will not disappoint you.

19. Crystal Warriors

Crystal Warriors has a great complete game system, similar to that seen in the Fire Emblem saga, to deliver one of the best RPGs on the Sega handheld console.

With our group of nine units, made up of magicians and warriors related to a specific element, we must take the castle inhabited by the enemy in each phase. We must always take into account the advantages or difficulties provided by the terrain on which we find ourselves, as well as the element of the enemy units, to emerge victorious from each combat.

18. Mortal Kombat II

The release of Mortal Kombat II to the market generated a level of success only comparable to its controversy. Therefore, Game Gear wanted its corresponding version as well. Although it was a reduced version, the truth is that it did justice to its older sisters. 

The animations so characteristic of the saga were there, which were quite an achievement for the Game Gear. The fatalities and the liters and liters of hemoglobin that the characters poured out, also were on this version.

It was a luxury to be able to enjoy such deadly combats anywhere.

17. Arena

Arena was one of the last games to be released for the Game Gear, which made it go somewhat unnoticed, but it is a real gem.

The protagonist has to travel along different labyrinthine zones with an aerial view. He has to get firearms with which to face the bloody mercenaries that will appear in his path. All the above to overthrow a television network that is brainwashing all human beings.

16. Virtua Fighter Animation 

Sega’s quintessential fighting franchise went portable with this installment for Game Gear. 

The saga is known for being the first to use polygonal models in fighters. Due to the technical characteristics of the console, the developers chose two-dimensional designs, and they used a curious successful zoom effect that gave combat a great feeling of dynamism.

The title also featured story scenes between combat and combat, something unusual in the saga, and we could unlock new characters as we were completing them.

15. Sonic Labyrinth

Sonic returns, and this time, not happy with the hyper-speed platforming adventures, he decides to try his luck with the isometric view and exploration. 

In Sonic Labyrinth, the blue hedgehog is stripped of his unbridled speed. Sonic explores a labyrinth in search of the emeralds of chaos to return to being the same as ever.

The visual aspect is one of its great successes, but the problem is the game is too short. Although if we consider the battery life of Game Gear, we could almost make it a point in favor, right?

14. Ristar

This cute star starred in two very different versions of the same game, one for Mega Drive and the one we will talk about, which, as you may have guessed, belongs to Game Gear.

It is a classic platform game in which we advance by jumping, collecting stars, and defeating enemies. This game has the particularity that Ristar beat them up with head butts instead of the usual jumps. Ristar is a great platform to play anywhere.

13. Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya

The strategic role of the Shining Force saga also wanted to gain a place in Sega’s handheld console, and what a place! 

Shining Force has tactical turn-based battles, in which we manage our units on a battlefield represented as a chessboard. Several amazing animations for the 8 bits accompanied the struggles. In addition to that, The Sword of Hajya has such an epic storyline that keeps you hooked until you finish it.

12. Ecco the Dolphin

Ecco is the most famous virtual dolphin of all time. And together with it, we will travel the length and breadth of the entire ocean discovering infinite secrets and facing dangers from the deep. 

Appaloosa Interactive based Ecco the Dolphin on the Master System version. That is why the game includes areas and enemies that were not present in the Mega Drive version. Without a doubt, it is a game that manages to transmit all the beauty and depth of the ocean.

11. Shinobi II: The Silent Fury

The sequel to the fantastic Shinobi from Game Gear is very faithful to the story, and that means that it is still a brilliant game. Also, it has some other additions that make it enjoyable. For example, this time, apart from rescuing our multicolored ninja comrades, we must get five elemental crystals.

The good thing is that there are occasions when obtaining a crystal requires the skills of a specific team member that we do not have at the time. So we will have to return to that phase when we have achieved it.

10. Shinobi

This version of the classic ninja game was developed exclusively for Game Gear, and it is a true wonder. We handle the three-time ninjitsu champion Joe Musashi, who, armed with his katana, makes his way in levels of horizontal scroll finishing with enemy ninjas.

When we started the game, we discover that this time we can choose in which order we face the phases, and not only that, at the end of each one, there is a ninja that we must help us from that moment.

These ninjas have essential skills that we will have to use to overcome the obstacles that each level proposes.

9. Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble

Once again, the Sonic & Tails team has to go through the levels collecting as many golden rings as they can, each using their specific abilities. 

Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble introduces a good number of mechanics that had not been seen before in any game in the saga and that have lasted in subsequent installments. One of the best games on the Sega Game Gear.

8. The Lion King

The Lion King for Game Gear is a platform in which we accompany Simba throughout its journey to become a king. The game starts since Kimba is an adorable cub to become a roaring lion finally. And do not be fooled by its childish aspect: it is a tough game not suitable for the impatient. Do you not believe me? Try it.

7. Aladdín 

And who better than the thief prince of Agrabah to star in a game based on the Far East! Although the Mega Drive version is indisputably the best of all those that appeared, both the Master System and Game Gear versions have nothing to envy.

It continues to be a brilliant and fun title that takes advantage of all the charm of the great movie released by the Disney factory. Sega delivers a game that is already a classic among the classics.

6. Defenders of Oasis

Sega presented Defenders of Oasis as an aesthetic and story worthy of Aladdin or The Thousand and One Nights. It is a classic JRPG that draws directly from the game system of the Phantasy Star saga. This game offers an exploration of a vast world and random turn-based battles against countless enemies, all blended in the charm of the east. Defenders of Oasis is a real gem that surprised many.

5. Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMjxxA9BPu4

The barbarian of the legendary saga beat ’em up Golden Axe abandoned his brothers in arms to star in his own video game in the Game Gear.

With style similar to Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, our protagonist Ax Battler has to prevent the evil Death Adder from using the legendary Golden Axe to cause terror throughout the kingdom. To do this, he will use his sword and magical abilities on a journey that will take him to visit a good number of locations.

4. Tails Adventures

Tails ended up starring in his own game! In this spin-off exclusive to Sega’s handheld console, the adorable fox had to make his way through an island infested with birds that wanted to rule the world. 

But of course, Tails does not have the extreme speed of Sonic. So he makes use of the objects that he collects throughout the story, giving a strategic and slower touch to the game, but no less fun.

3. Columns

Did someone say Tetris? Sega had a habit of “paying tribute” to any game that made Nintendo earn exorbitant amounts of money. So Columns, which has a very similar approach to the title designed by Alexey Pajitnov, was one of the games that Sega sold in a pack with Game Gear. 

This version, also, had a more marked artistic style than that of its desktop sisters and allowed to change the color blocks for fruits or poker cards.

2. Land of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

Curiously, the sequel to a game as mythical as Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse appeared only on the Master System and Game Gear. 

The title contains all the goodies that made the original Castle of Illusion famous. But this time, Mickey can get special abilities, such as a rope to climb walls or a potion that reduces its size. He uses them to cross initially impenetrable obstacles; also, if we collect power stars, the health of the mouse increases.

1. Sonic Chaos

Sonic kept his gameplay intact, and his speed did not slow down even a bit. Also, this was the first 8-bit game in the series in which Tails, loyal friend and companion of the hedgehog, was a controllable character. It was such a success to control a flying fox that the general public liked to the point of having to launch a solo game.

The best of this 8-bit adventure with elements of Mega Drive and Mega CD is its graphics and its performance on the Game Gear.

Many users considered Sonic Chaos as one of the best Sonic games, as well as the best of this console — in fact, it is.

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