Best Master System Games You Should Know

Phantasy Star

Phantasy Star was more than a match for Nintendo’s Final Fantasy actually. Ticking all the classic role-playing boxes along with its fully-explorable overworld. And then turn-based combat. That was actually in the first-person, no less.

It basically features a great story, a female lead. That is something you guys still don’t see enough of to this day. And even the option to talk to your enemies and gain some crucial intel as well. Oh, and Sega, just don’t think we’ve forgot about Phantasy Star Online 2. We’re ready whenever you are.

Wonder Boy in Monster Land

The part role-playing game, also a part platformer, Wonder Boy in Monster Land never really hit the same dizzying heights as The Legend of Zelda. Even though it took core elements of Link’s Awakening as well. Like explorable towns and item and health upgrades – and improves on them.

The fifth game in the series made its Master System debut in 1993. With which point the development team was dab hands at squeezing each last drop of power out of Sega’s aging console. The only drawback was that rather than a save feature, players had to write down a huge 40-digit password, In order to resume where they left off. Imagine how devastated you’d be if you lost that scrap of paper actually.

Wonder Boy III

Many remember Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap as the pinnacle of the Master System. As the single best game ever produced for the platform actually. If there was a number one slot for the greatest Master System game ever made. Then this might be it. It continues off where the last game left off, along with Wonder Boy cursed via the Mecha Dragon. That transforms into the Lizardman actually.

Unlike previous installments in the series, the game is basically non-linear. Along with multiple environments open in order to explore. And also return to as Wonder Boy acquires new abilities, equipment, and many other transformations. Overall, it shares many gameplay mechanics along with modern ARPGs. It is a really strong contender for the best 8-Bit title of all time.

Psycho Fox

Hedgehogs are all well and good, however, everyone knows that foxes are the coolest cats in town (well…foxes in town…you guys know what I mean). Psycho Fox might sound just like it’s based on a rabid animal, however, the protagonist of this adventure is a really brave little dude that Tails probably has on speed dial as well.

It’s been hailed as one of the best Master System games of all time through lots of critics (myself included). For its addictive gameplay, colorful worlds, and really easy-to-follow plotline as well.

Further

The game basically revolves around an evil fox name is ‘Madfox Daimyojin’ (another cool villain name). That actually has sneaks his way to the head of an order of fox priests and corruptes the land. Spreading evil creatures throughout a peaceful world as well.

Our hardy, pink-short-wearing warrior has called upon in order to sort things out. And he’s really good at kicking butt too. Psycho Fox can also use a magical stick in order to transform himself into different animals along with special abilities. In order to help him on his quest; a hippo, a monkey, and a tiger as well.

Rampart

Rampart is basically considering via retro-gamers to be the godfather of all tower defense games. The game centers around the upkeep and also defense of a player-controls territory. And also castle from an onslaught of invading ships as well. The meat of the game basically lies in maintaining and repairing damage sustain between subsequent attacks. When destroying the enemy fleet, controls via A.I or another player, along with an array of cannons.

Impossible Mission

Impossible Mission is also kind of just like a Master System game incarnation of what little kids think secret agents do for a living actually. Infiltrating the airs of evil scientists teeming along with robots, racing against time to collect puzzle pieces. It was one of the most famous games on the Master System and is fondly remembered as one of the best OG platform adventure games as well. And no, it has nothing to do with Mission Impossible actually, ironically.

Gain Ground

Starting out as an arcade game, Gain Ground basically moved across multiple platforms and is still remembered as one of the most awesome games on the Master System as well.  An action strategy at its core, the gameplay also takes place in levels populated with a number of enemies and controllable characters, only one of which can be used at a single time. The game has twenty playable characters, each their own playstyles and a variety of attacks as well. And 50 levels of arcade-style floor clearing and a lot of epic boss battles.

California Games

California Games is basically a compilation of games such as Footbag (or hacky sack as you guys might call it), Half-Pipe (or Vert Skating, as you might know, it now), Flying Disc (Come on, it’s called frisbee), and Surfing, among many others. All of which were somewhat hilariously characterized as “popular in California” that was, we also guess, a selling point back in the ’80s. That Surfing makes sense, at least. It was Epyx’s most successful game and gives a lot of straightforward, simple fun with broad appeal.

Shinobi

Shinobi is basically a classic, decades-spanning franchise along with its beginning in the days of arcades where the addictive side-scrolling gameplay and instadeath mechanic made it an immediate smash hit as well. The game basically revolves around a modern-day ninja (what was with the ’80s and urban ninjas?) named Joe Musashi, Because he runs around laying waste to a terrorist organization to kidnap some of his students. Why would a terrorist organization make its primary objective in order to target the students of an urban ninjutsu teacher? Who knows. It’s just fun.

The fifth game in the series also made its Master System debut in 1993, with which point the development team was dab hands at squeezing each last drop of power out of Sega’s aging console. The only drawback was that rather than a save feature, players had to write down a huge 40-digit password to resume where they left off. Imagine how devastated you’d be if you lost that scrap of paper right.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World

Easily the most famous and well-known of the Alex Kidd games – on account of it being built-in to Master System II consoles – Alex Kidd in Miracle World was a really fantastic platformer. That was as much a test of memory because it was skill.

It really did have a bit of almost everything, from motorbike and helicopter levels to rock, paper, scissor boss battles (Jan-ken fun). Also not to mention an epic castle at the end. There players were pretty much screwed unless they kept hold of the otherwise useless cane. The icing on the cake is that brilliantly catchy soundtrack. That we still find ourselves humming to this day as well.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog may now actually be past his prime – fans are still having nightmares about Sonic Boom. However, there was a time in the ’90s when the speedy blue hedgehog was a viable contender for Mario’s crown.

Sonic Chaos represents Sega’s mascot at his very best actually. Rather than watering down the latest Mega Drive release, the team took elements of the 16-bit Sonic games. Playable Tails and also the Spin Dash. And packed them into a completely standalone adventure that was a joy to play.

The Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

A golden era for licensed games, Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse saw players attempt. In order to save Minnie from an evil witch who actually want to get her looks back. It a dark premise for a Disney game and the action was anything but. And this is one of the brightest and best looking side-scrolling platformers from the era actually.

Using Mickey’s bouncing ability, players had to prevent walking trees, wind-up toys. And even one set of enemies that actually looked suspiciously like killer turds. If you guys want to see what all the fuss is about. Then you can download the Castle of Illusion HD remake for PS3, Xbox 360, PC, iOS, and Android – although it’s nowhere near as good too.

Golden Axe Warrior

For those of you who were beginning to think when you guys were going to see another RPG title in our list of the best Master System games, you have wonder no further. Golden Axe Warrior is a spin-off of the ever-popular Golden Axe series and also was a huge success for the SMS.

You guys play as a Spartan-inspired warrior who is out to avenge the death of his parents. He also plans to go about this through exploring a set of labyrinths. Collecting some crystals, and battling a wicked villain called Death Adder (now we are talking. That’s a name I can get behind!).

Kung Fu Kid

Kung Fu Kid, in retrospect, something just like a bit of a cash grab riding the wave of the Karate Kid and Hollywood’s subsequent obsession along with martial arts. That proved to be one of the 80’s busiest genres. The action-platformer gameplay is almost stupidly simple and also the boss fights are, for the most part, incredibly easy to cheese. However… and this is a big but, folks love the game. Critics pans it, however, people buy and love it. So it’s probably worth a shot for anyone who also has a non-fossilized Master System hidden somewhere in their house.

Conclusion

Alright, That was all Folks! I hope you guys like this article and also find it helpful to you. Give us your feedback on it. Also if you guys have further queries and issues related to this article. Then let us know in the comments section below. We will get back to you shortly.

Have a Great Day!

Also See: How To Download GSM Aladdin V2 1.42