Top SMS Games
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap/Monster World II (SMS, 1989)
My fave 8-bit game after SMB 3 and still one of the best MV/Platform Adventure games if we include later versions and fan remakes. Excellent presentation, the forms are distinct and fun to use, great pacing, and cool secrets like being able to switch or create platforms anywhere. There's also some non-linearity to the dungeon order if one so prefers, unlike in later MW games. Last but not least this is where the whole "beginning of the game ties into the prequel" trope comes from afaik, which was later used in Symphony of the Night.
Land of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (SMS, 1993)
Similar to Quackshot or DuckTales 2 this is one of those MV/Platform Adventure-lite games with a hub map where you gain tools and abilities to progress and explore further into previous levels to upgrade your char. This is a nice showcase title along with games like Aladdin as the visuals are near early 16-bit quality. Controls are great, level design is pretty inventive with some decent puzzles here and there and it's quite varied too. I just wish it was a level or two longer and had a hard mode.
Power Strike II (SMS, 1993)
See my article contribution: https://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-best-undiscovered-sega-master-system-games-hidden-gems
The impressive opening cutscene sets the stage for Compile’s SMS swan song, depicting a wild alternate take on the late 1920s where pilots out of a job have taken to steampunk-aided sky pirating and it’s up to one man alone to stop them. The visuals and audio throughout the rest of the game won’t let you down either.
Each level in the game is well paced, varied and with unique set pieces – There’s a nice blend of small fry, mini-boss style enemies, ground defenses and the occasional natural hazard such as the erupting volcanoes rising out of the ocean in the first level. As is common in Aleste games there’s always at least a few enemies and bullets on screen, and beyond the first one there are several really intense moments to test your shooting skills (or in a couple of cases, that you’ve equipped and upgraded the right weapon). At the end of each one you of course fight a boss, and the game shines here as well with bosses that have multiple patterns and large, detailed sprites ensuring they’ll be intimidating to face.
You have the trademark Compile weapon system in place here meaning there’s plenty of variety as well as upgrades for each sub weapon (6 and 6, respectively). Their more forgiving takes on respawning and ship speed control also make a return here along with difficulty options (5 levels in total), making the game a bit easier to get into for newcomers to the genre. You also have the usual screen clearing smart bombs, however they trigger when touched here and don’t always show up when you really need them.
New to this game there’s a shotgun-like charge beam triggered by letting go of the shot button (it auto-charges while shooting and has a 5 second cooldown period), which is satisfying to use and balances out most of the difficulty spikes quite well as it also takes out enemy bullets for a brief moment. There’s also a spinning orb shield power up, which when upgraded to level 2 is very effective at taking out regular enemy bullets.
Power Strike II is pretty amazing for an obscure “stuck in PAL land” 8-bit shooter. It’s one of the best of its generation, one of the best games for the system and one of the best vertical scrolling shoot ‘em ups period.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World (SMS, 1986)
This takes hacks/mods into account however it's still a top 10 game without them. AK1 was an ambitious platformer for its time with an inventory system, shops, dungeon levels with switch puzzles, optional side quests and unique quirks like how you remove the ghost enemies via blocks that make it still stand out today. It's disappointing how even Sega fans in the US dismiss this one as a SMB clone when there's a lot more to it. The one thing that doesn't hold up, janken, isn't even that prominent in the game.
Bubble Bobble/Final Bubble Bobble (SMS, 1988)
A great port with all the important mechanics intact, new power ups and hidden rooms, new bosses and 100 new levels replacing super mode. It does play better in SP though.
Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa (SMS, 1987) - A very impressive earlier game which fleshes out the FZ1 formula a bit with teleporters leading to sub areas of levels, new equipment and hidden items and shops. I also like how shops are stationary and there's a life bar for your ship. Like the above game it's deceptively cute as it is quite a tough and frantic game.
R-Type (SMS, 1988) - A very nice port by Compile which includes a hidden extra level. I honestly prefer the FM OST here to the harsh arcade one overall. Best way to play it back then besides the PCE ver.
Ninja Gaiden (SMS, 1992) - The best 8-bit NG game gameplay-wise, with great controls based on NG 3, a mostly fair challenge and the same fast and intense action of the others. Music and story are a bit lacking on the other hand, and some later bosses aren't as visually interesting but the story isn't really worse than in NG 2-3.
Zillion (SMS, 1987) - Basically my Metroid back then. See my article contribution: https://www.racketboy.com/retro/the-best-undiscovered-sega-master-system-games-hidden-gems
Sonic the Hedgehog (SMS, 1991) - I was considering putting Golvellius here but I do think this holds up a little better in the end due to the latter's grinding and overly basic sidescrolling parts. Now, while this doesn't replicate the smooth and advanced physics of the MD game and the bonus levels are a bit meh, it's a very good game in its own right. Great overall level design which is all different (and with some tilesets being completely different), good sense of speed for the system, and great OST by Yuzo Koshiro. On that note it recently received an FM OST mod which is really solid as well.
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Golvellius: Valley of Doom (SMS) - My Zelda 1 back then (I played both but didn't own Zelda). With its great and varied OST, much better translation and characterization, nice 80s anime aesthetic and better variety I still think it's the better game.
Kenseiden (SMS) - My CV back then and it's a more adventure oriented game, though not quite as well balanced and with a lesser OST.
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (SMS) - A better version of the MD game overall with more interesting mechanics and overall level design. Here you can lift, carry and throw blocks, which is used for some basic puzzling, as well as find hidden detours with goodies placed at the end.
14. Shinobi
15. Jurassic Park
16. Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
17. Asterix
18. Fantasy Zone
19. Power Strike - Compile
20. Enduro Racer (JP)
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21. Micro Machines
22. Sonic Chaos
23. Master of Darkness
24. Phantasy Star
25. Legend of Illusion
26. Star Wars
27. Wonder Boy in Monster Land - Westone
28. Wonder Boy - Westone
29. Montezuma's Revenge
30. OutRun 3-D
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31. Power Strike II GG (HB Port)
32. Gunstar Heroes (HB port)
33. Sonic: Triple Trouble (HB Port)
34. Lucky Dime Caper
35. Psycho Fox
36. Golden Axe Warrior
37. Slap Shot
38. Penguin Land
39. Space Harrier 3-D
40. Road Rash
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Gangster Town
The Ninja
Choplifter!
Solomon's Key (JP, 1988)
Astro Warrior
Rambo: First Blood Part II/Ashura
OutRun
Cyborg Hunter
Space Harrier
Bomber Raid
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Dynamite Headdy
Ghouls 'n Ghosts
Rastan
Deep Duck Trouble
Asterix and the Great Rescue
Sonic 2
Kung Fu Kid
Safari Hunt
Pit Pot
Hang-On
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Ys
Zillion II
Black Belt
Rescue Mission
Megumi Rescue
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs
Woody Pop
Columns
Danan: The Jungle Fighter
Quartet
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Ultima IV
Ghost House
Taz-Mania
Ghostbusters
Machine Gun Joe
Zaxxon 3-D
Golden Axe
Combat Masters
Cool Spot
Laser Ghost
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Put & Putter
Daffy Duck in Hollywood
Fire & Ice
Gain Ground
Streets of Rage
