The SEGA Genesis, now largely forgotten, was home to groundbreaking strategy games that laid the foundation for the genre. Here are some of the best strategy games that still hold up today:
8. Starflight
Released in 1986, Starflight was a pioneer in space exploration, combat, and trading, offering players a role-playing experience as starship captains. With 270 star systems and over 800 planets to explore, it inspired future space exploration games.
7. Mega-Lo-Mania
Released in 1991, Mega-Lo-Mania was an early “god game” that paved the way for real-time strategy games. Players could take control of gods, build armies, and conquer territories in a very modern format for its time.
6. General Chaos
General Chaos was one of the first satirical takes on common strategy game concepts. With a comedic storyline about two brothers who become dictators of different countries, the game offered a unique and fun experience for strategy game fans.
5. Romance Of The Three Kingdoms 3
This game featured six different historical scenarios set in Chinese battles from the 2nd-3rd Century, providing a unique and fascinating campaign that still stands out in the strategy genre.
4. Populous
Credited with creating the “god game” genre, Populous was a best-selling PC game that was highly successful on the Sega Genesis. Its concept of controlling followers to defeat enemies inspired many games that followed.
3. Herzog Zwei
Herzog Zwei was an exclusive RTS game for the Sega Genesis, allowing players to take control of a transforming mech and purchase units to unleash in battle. Its simplicity with wonderful options for micromanagement made it a beloved strategy game of its time.
2. King’s Bounty
Known as the inspiration for the Heroes of Might and Magic series, King’s Bounty offered a turn-based strategy experience set in a fantasy world, with notable modernized features in the Sega Genesis version.
1. Dune 2
Considered the forerunner of iconic franchises like Command & Conquer and Warcraft, Dune 2 was a definitive edition of the RTS genre. With its compelling storyline and engaging gameplay, it remains one of the best-licensed games of the early 90s.
These Sega Genesis strategy games have left a lasting impact on the genre and continue to inspire strategy games today. Their innovative gameplay and unique storylines set the stage for future developments in the world of strategy gaming.
