The Sega Genesis launched in North America 30 years ago today, o August 14, 1989. Which of its six North American launch games is best?
Thunder Force 2 wins this one hands down imo. It's the only one of the six that feels like a complete, well-polished game rather than a tech demo. TF3 and 4 are both better games, but 2 is a solid shmup also. The overhead stages are a bit of a drag, but even then, you can blast through them pretty quick once you know what you're doing. Excellent music also. It's so far ahead of the competition here that I don't know what the runner-up would be; either Space Harrier 2 or Altered Beast, I guess. They're ok but there's not much to them. Last Battle and Super Thunder Blade are both pieces of shite, and Tommy Lasorda is a so-so baseball game.
TF2 wins.
Gameplay footage for each game coming up in next post (there's a limit on how much media you can include in one post.)
Thunder Force 2 wins this one hands down imo. It's the only one of the six that feels like a complete, well-polished game rather than a tech demo. TF3 and 4 are both better games, but 2 is a solid shmup also. The overhead stages are a bit of a drag, but even then, you can blast through them pretty quick once you know what you're doing. Excellent music also. It's so far ahead of the competition here that I don't know what the runner-up would be; either Space Harrier 2 or Altered Beast, I guess. They're ok but there's not much to them. Last Battle and Super Thunder Blade are both pieces of shite, and Tommy Lasorda is a so-so baseball game.
TF2 wins.
Gameplay footage for each game coming up in next post (there's a limit on how much media you can include in one post.)