20 years later: Sega Genesis vs. Super Nintendo

"Take a look back at the 16-Bit generation between Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo. Whose side were you on?"

[jaredhart]

I was on Nintendo's...but just barely.

[GWAVE]

Both systems were epic, but Genesis had a lot more underrated gems such as Phantasy Star, Comix Zone, and Alex Kidd, not to mention the fact that the Sonic games were (and still are) masterpieces.

[Army_of_Darkness]

yeah, it did have the most underrated games. sure the snes had slightly better sound and graphics, but the genesis games were more fun and responsive imo... Plus they didn't hold back on the violence( MK1)
Altred beast, streets of rage, shinobi, golden axe and sonic. Good times:)

I'm still hoping for a streets of rage sequel!!

[jerethdagryphon]

sega sewershark sonic and the strike games :) happy days

*hugs his mint condition segacdx*

[pippoppow]

Back then I preferred the SNES but now I prefer the Genesis/Sega CD combo. Phantasy Star, Out of this world 1+2 on CD, Snatcher , Shining Force, Willie Beamish, Time gal etc. I find these games better than the SNES offerings for the most part. Regardless of which was preferred both systems were churning out must have high profile titles and hidden gem exclusives, something that has not happened since then.

Miss the old days:
This gen it's the 360 with it's online service and PC ports not on other consoles vs the PS3 with Blu-ray and the most quality exclusive titles vs the Wii with it's popular motion controls and staple of franchises. Hardly the titanic battle that the SNES and Genesis were involved in. Greatest time to be a gamer was in the 90s and the SNES vs Genesis battle was one reason why.

I'd like to see someone go toe to toe with the PS3 exclusive to exclusives. I feel it will take a company to step up to meet the PS3 game for game for there to be another battle like the SNES vs Genesis era.

I feel like Nintendo with their studios and exclusive franchises may have a chance if they go more high end next gen to match Sony's offerings. MS will not have the studio depth to ever truly challenge when it comes to exclusives and will continue to rely on PC ports and timed exclusives. Would be great for a newcomer to jump in and start buying and creating studios but it will take a gen or two to even then to match Nintendo or Sony. Too bad next gen Nintendo will most likely be budget minded and stick to it's current fanbase and MS will keep hording it's money and not put much money and effort into it's game division like the competition.

[specialguest]

I started playing Genesis games years before the SNES was released, and I can say that SNES out performed Genesis in all avenues.

Genesis RPG = Phantasy Star, Shining Force; SNES = FF4, FF6, Lengend of Zelda, Chrono Trigger, etc.
Genesis Action/Fighting = Streets of Rage series; SNES = Final Fight series, Captain Commando, etc.
Genesis Racing = Road Rash; SNES = Mario Kart

There's no comparison here. SNES just had too many classic hits.

[Dac2u]

We owned both, and I played both regularly. I loved the Genesis, it had some of my favorite games and I still own The Immortal. However, SNES just had so many more games that were outstanding. I played Phantasy Star and Shining Force, but I can't remember much about them. Wanderers from Y's 3 was a great game. But, I remember so much more from SNES games, like the first time I saw the opening scene for Chrono Trigger, my first epic battle against Kefka at the end of FFIII, and the first time Flammie saved my ass in Secret of Mana and also the trouble I had with the mist covered island. SquareSoft alone put the Genesis RPG section to shame.

Super Mario World is better than any Sonic game to date and I've beaten the first two Sonic's, nearly finished Sonic 3D Blast and had a Game Gear with Sonic Spinball. I loved Sonic, but it just didn't compare to SMB.

@specialguest: Add Top Gear to the SNES section for racers.

[corneliuscrust]

Great games on both sides, some Genesis games will just never die in my mind (Gunstar Heroes, Sonic2, Phantasy Star, Comix Zone...definitely some gems you could not possibly find anywhere else)
but when doing a head to head, you just can't ignore juggernauts like FFVI, Chrono Trigger, Zelda LTTP, Super Metroid, Castlevania IV, Super Punch Out, Contra 3, Pilot Wings.. it was just unreal. What a great generation

[GeorgeAnimal]

Thats the thing i like seeing. no one in this article's comments is starting a flame war. people arent saying that one system sucks. they're just saying which was their favorite but saying both were great.

[AzadFujishima]

Many of these old games still hold up after all of these years to. Just look at Mario world 2, sonic 3, final fantasy 6. Sick graphics then and art you can still appreciate today

[AndrewRyan]

And still am. I currently have a Super Nintendo play it all the time.

[D4RkNIKON]

I had all of em, while they were all awesome, SNES holds a special place in my heart. Donkey Kong Country, Zelda Link to the Past, Mario Kart, Super Mario World, Earthworm Jim, Kirby Superstar, Mario Paint so many good memories

[_- My Console History -_]
1991 -Nindendo Entertainment System
1993 -Super Nintendo Entertainment System
1995 -Sega Genesis
1996 -Sega Saturn
1997 -Nintendo 64
1998 -Sony Playstation
2000 -Sega Dreamcast
2002 -Sony Playstation 2
2002 -Nintendo Gamecube
2006 -Nintendo Wii
2007 -Sony Playstation 3

[ATi_Elite]

I was a Sega Genesis and Blast Processor fanboy all the way until Street Fighter 2 came out on the Super NES then I switched to Nintendo.

Sonic The Hedgehog with it's rotating bonus level is still one of my all time favorite games.

The Sega Genesis was better but Nintendo had Street Fighter 2

[maniacmayhem]

LOL @ Blast Processor, that gimmick was almost as good as NintendONT

[nickjkl]

super nintendo sega genesis when i was dead broke i could picture this 50 inch screen money green

[pippoppow]

Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur. Not only great games in the 90s but great Rap.

[nickjkl]

no need to worry my accountant handles that and the whole crew is lounging playing zelda final fantasy and sonic 2000

[DigitalAnalog]

I was crying when I had to look through a window pane seeing the demo of Super Mario World.

But Sonic 3 & Knuckles on Genesis saved the day with the most epic battle ever on Doomsday Zone.

I still managed to play the SFamicom on my friends place, even with SMW - it just can't take away the epicness of Sonic.

-End statement

[cpt_kaos]

I was on Nintendos espically when Donkey kong Country hit it was like the Uncharted of the 16bit era but Only Possible on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.;)

[Army_of_Darkness]

DK country was awesome!! I spent the whole weekend playing at my cousins house when he got it!
Contra alien wars was Dope as well!

[CernaML]

DKC 2. Best SNES game ever. :D

[Chug]

But I'd have to say the SNES was my favorite out of the two.

[NIRVANArazor]

nintendo!

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

There is absolutely NO competition.

1) Yoshi's Island
2) Donkey Kong Country
3) Donkey Kong Country 2
4) Super Metroid
5) Super Mario Kart
6) Zombies Ate My Neighbors
7) Chrono Trigger

No...

The Genesis had some great games, but let's be rational about this.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

Disagree all you want. It's true.

Try playing Alex Kidd or Phantasy Star...or any of the other "Genesis Hits".

They're not that fun.

No Mother.
No Killer Instinct.
No Mario.
No Donkey Kong.
No Kirby.

Sonic was good...but there was an original NES game that was still much more popular than Sonic, even at launch: Super Mario Bros. 3.

[Myze]

I'm not sure why you got so many disagrees with your first post, unless it was about the order of your rankings. The SNES had a better overall library of games. I do disagree with your second post though, the first four Phantasy Star games (well, first one was Master System) were all very good, as was Shining Force 1 and 2 (nothing on the SNES to compete with Shining Force).

In terms of quantity (of quality games), however, the SNES was just much higher on the list. Especially in terms of RPGs:

FF 4 and 6
Secret of Mana (and the sequel that was translated through roms)
Secret of Evermore
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (sort of an RPG, and still the best Zelda game in my opinion)
Breath of Fire 1 and 2
Lufia 1 and 2
Terranigma
Chrono Trigger
Earthbound
Illusion of Gaia
Super Mario RPG
7th Saga

I'm sure I missed some, but that's a list of some really good RPGs (some better than others, of course), and something the Genesis didn't come close to competing with overall. Now, in terms of all genres, there were some really underrated Genesis games, but that list is still smaller than the SNES. Thankfully, I (eventually) had both systems and got to play a lot of the best games.

I highly recommend Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection (think it's for ps3 and 360). It has most of the best games for the Genesis (with some omissions), and is really cheap.

[pippoppow]

Snes definitely held the RPG crown. When it came to other genres I found the genesis had more appealing games for those seeking more refined and innovative games. Personal tastes aside having both systems was really the way to go.

[Prototype]

I had both systems, and after years of playing both personally (I stress again PERSONALLY) this is how I saw the systems:

Sega proved a 1989 console can last just as long and produce some of the best games to a system that came out 2 years later, even had room for expansion and hardware revisions

SNES proved newer tech is the way to go and had proper planning without the need of extra hardware

To this day I still say the SNES/Genesis days were the golden age of gaming, something we will never, ever see again.

[Tex117]

Couldn't agree more.

Nice grab with 7th Saga. I don't think I've heard that game mentioned in over 10 years.

[Solidus187-SCMilk]

If I was older I would have bought myself a genesis. If I had to choose tho, I would choose the snes, its still great today(so is genesis).

[OpenGL]

Hey now, what about the PC Engine / TurboGrafix 16? It outsold the Genesis/Megadrive in Japan!

[maniacmayhem]

And the Jaguar!

[OpenGL]

The Jaguar is actually a fifth generation console along the lines of the PS1 and N64.

[ThatArtGuy]

They failed to bring the PC Engine's massive library outside of it's home country. That's why it wasn't that big outside of Japan.

[specialguest]

I believed in NEC and it's gaming potential till the bitter end. So many games that looked amazing in Japan that never made it outside of Japan. Snatcher on the PC-Engine SCD was the definitive uncensored version. Games like Y's 3 and Dracula X was the definitive version, unlike it's SNES version.

[MidnightGamer9]

TurboGrafix 16 did have its moments but how many people nowadays could really list ten games that are gems for it?

[maniacmayhem]

Nintendo...epic games such as Act Raiser, Super Castlevania, Super Metroid and many many more provided way too much entertainment!

[CrzyFooL]

SUPER NINTENDO!!!

[Pumbli]

Sega all the way, my old Genesis still works like a charm. (a charm with a few sound hiccups) :P

[fossilfern]

SUPER NINTENDO! But had a Mega Drive as well loved streets of rage, comic zone and STRIDER!

[N4PS3Fanboys]

Sega Genesis, my first video game system, with Sonic the Hedgehog 2, my first video game.

[HiroyasuKarpovsky]

Its those kind of first experience with a system stories that are the best. I remember my Sega Genesis well, Sonic and Altered Beast lol.

[Johnny_Cojones]

Ahhhh, the days before pixel count comparisons, & complaints about sub HD resolutions. I owned a Super Nintendo, & I loved that $H1T.

Shadowrun for SNES was my favorite game, back then.

I did temporarily swap systems with a friend occasionally, so I could play stuff like Gunstar Heroes, Shining Force, etc.

[Myze]

pff, the Genesis version of Shadowrun had much better graphics! (I don't really know if it did or not)

[ThatArtGuy]

However, the Genesis version was much better.

[ATi_Elite]

Sega Genesis Exclusives that were classics:
Sonic The Hedgehog
Altered Beast
Alex Kid
Streets of Rage
Phantasy Star 4
Gunstar Heroes
Michael Jacksons Moonwalker
Golden Axe
Desert Strike
Toe Jam and Earl
John Madden Football Champions Edition
Earthworm Jim
Ecco The Dolphin
Road Rash
Strider
Contra Hard Corps
Dune:The Battle for Arrakis
Herzog Zwei
World Of Warcraft
Shadow dancer; Secret of Shinobi
Gaiares
Ranger X
Shinning Force 2
Mortal Kombat: with blood
Batman
Sword of Vermilion
Eternal Champions
Vectorman
Afterburner
Super Monaco GP
Outrun
Zombies ate my Neighbors: the faster edition

All Sports titles played better on the Genesis: FACT

The Genesis was a gamers console and yes we can start the war all over again right now. (as I turn on my 16 bit Emulator)

Blast Processing because NintenDon't......SEGA!!!!

[Myze]

World of Warcraft? I always knew the Genesis was ahead of it's time.

[corneliuscrust]

Random list copy fail

[Nugundam0079]

Still outside of Phantasy Star not one of those would equal 1/10 of Nintendo's Library on the snes.

[ChickeyCantor]

Sega had great consoles with an awesome library.
My main problem was the sound chip...yeah believe it or not, its the reason why i played my Snes more.
(yes and the SNES library was just the awesomeness).

[nevin1]

Sure Genesis had some good titles on its own but SNES is in the same league as PS1 and PS2 of having un match software.

Multiplatform was inferior on Genesis due to only 3 buttons and xbox like d-pad.

Just how the Genesis version of Maxium Carnage(Spider Man) was 2 player?

[LightofDarkness]

Geez guys, there isn't really any comparison, the SNES had it wrapped up. More powerful and it had a much more memorable and star-studded library. Super Metroid, Castlevania IV, Super Mario World, Yoshi's Island, A Link To The Past, Final Fantasy IV-VI, Chrono Trigger, Megaman X, Secret of Mana, Earthbound...

Almost all of the above games make "Top 10 Greatest Games" lists damn near every time.

[Bethany]

Super Nintendo just had dozens of hits but Genesis was a great contender.

[hannibus]

Well I remember playing Mario on the Family Computer (NES), I don't know which Mario game it was but I remembered that I had a hard time getting through it. Whether its NES or SNES they are both great consoles. I'm glad that Nintendo is still coming out with great games and consoles.

[JeromeRichfield]

I love that game's soundtrack! I hope donkey kong country returns turns out good

[gano]

Snes.
Genesis was classic, had classic games.
But mana, crono, super sonic blastman, hell super double dragon.
Jesus, illiusion of gaia.

[ChickeyCantor]

"Jesus, illiusion of gaia."

Let me guess, the golden plate was a b/tch right?
RIGHT?

That game was so awesome.

[Sub-Zero85]

I've had both and both systems were great so I cant pick either or!!

[John007guy]

Best console generation period. I miss 2 consoles per era.

[fuzion17c]

I played SNES at my cousins pad.

[baodeus]

i think SNES win overall but Sega did have some amazing games

LANDSTALKER (one of the best RPGs out there)
Beyond Oasis
columns
Thunderforce 4
Gunstar Heroes
Strider
Castlevania bloodline
Sonic 3D blast
Street of Rage 2
viewpoint (great gfx graphics but not as good as starfox)
Mercs
Virtual Racer
Rocket Knight
forgotten world
Quack Shot
Target Earth
fatal fury
Dick Tracy
air buster
burning force

[makult]

For sure the Genesis had a lot of fun games, it just seems that many people don't remember them. I guess Nintendo had more blockbusters and that's what stays in peoples minds the most.

[Tex117]

Truely the golden age of gaming.

[Anthonynoonz]

My Super and og Nintendo still work. Talk about long lasting.