Retronauts Episode 180: SEGA Genesis Turns 30

Sonic 3 is not a "genuinely bad game" (and what a controversial statement that is). Gameplay-wise, it's not even that different from Sonic 2, aside from some level design choices. Sonic Mania was well-received from you guys (if I recall correctly), which derives strongly from Sonic 3, that Sonic 3 should not be so jarring enough that certain annoying obstacles (that barrel, which wasn't directly referred in this episode but in the past it was, in that Sonic episode you guys did years back IIRC) would diminish the experience. It's not perfect but it is a stronger, refined game than Sonic 2, IMHO. Honestly though, I don't think enough people (surprisingly!) have experienced the complete Sonic 3 & Knuckles to really give the game the credit it definitely deserves.

Aaron

I rented Echo the Dolphin and it was so bizarre to me as a kid. It was like watching a Jodorowsky film for the first time.

Victor Romero

There was nothing as sweet as walking into the local video rental store and walking out with a copy of Castle of Illusion or World of Illusion. I went from NES to Genesis and those games alongside the Sonic 2 pack-in were a brain-melting leap. Special shoutout to Benj because ToeJam and Earl in Panic on Funkotron is absolutely a forgotten gem. You haven't lived until you've collected all of Lamont the Funkapotomus's hidden items in order to get the best ending.

Victor Romero

As a Nintendo kid Sega was firmly “the opposite camp”, but I was jealous of games like Golden Axe, Streets of Rage and Sonic 2. Sega had a “bad boy” vibe my wholesome Nintendo did not. I remember that early screens of Strider fighting that robot gorilla had me very intrigued. Castle of Illusion, Quackshot and Echo the Dolphin were other stand outs I wanted to get my hands on. Genesis Jurassic Park was another one that looked much cooler than the tepid SNES version. My Sega owning friend made a big deal about EA’s sports games and they were definitely superior on that system. As emulators opened up the library in the early 2000s, I was happy to finally try out really spectacular games like Alien Soldier, Gunstar Heroes, Contra Hard Corps and Comix Zone. If Sega finally releases a quality “Genesis classic” I am definitely getting one!

Virtua Fighter is on 32x, and actually was better than the Saturn port! Same with Virtua Racing, too.

Kevin Bunch

Decap Attack is the Chubby Cherub of the Genesis. It was an anime licensed game based on Magical Hat in Japan, and was changed to a weird horror game in the US. They could have kept the original game's mechanic of wearing different hats to gain powers, but they instead chose to change it to switching heads in such a beautiful display of, "This is gross so 90s boys in America will love it." It's one of my favorite games to play every Halloween along with Monster Party.

Phazonmasher

Lol at the description of this ep! The fact you guys are even taking time to cover the Gen is appreciated.

Normallyretro

Hope there is a Genesis A to Z like 10 years ago!

Thomas Young

I'm really enjoying the listener mail in this episode. Oddly enough, the Genesis was my introduction to role playing games through Phantasy Star 2 and 3 -- games which came with the system that my Dad gave to me. At 8 years old, popping PS2 into the machine brought back memories of my dad and his brother playing the original Phantasy Star on the power base converter, drawing maps and inventory notes on napkins and graph paper. After spending an entire punishing year playing through PS2, PS3 Generations of Doom brought an entirely new set of challenges, storytelling and experiences to the table. My family was on welfare, so these were the only games that I played for the better part of 3 years, and it was that repetition and gritty difficulty that helped an 8 year old Canadian kid to muscle out a couple of winters alongside these titles. Each game had the kind of plot that did its best to bend your mind, but when I discovered the fourth and final installment for rental at Roger's video one afternoon, all bets were off. Despite not being much of a gamer these days, I've been a fan of the series ever since childhood and would love to see Sega give it the respectful remake treatment that it deserves.

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