away from their rivalNintendo , there ’s perhaps no other video game studio that better exemplifies the arcade - stake era of the fourscore and 90s thanSega . Along with their Kyoto - base counterpart , Sega come up from the ash of the US gaming crash in the other LXXX and helped mould the medium into what it ’s become today . But , while the Big N sought to make gaming more approachable and Thomas Kid - friendly , Sega existed as the slightly grittier , faster , and edgier alternative . They sought to recapture at least some of the " Wild West " smell of the Atari days , with games that skew a bit older and a soupcon more dangerous .

Their flagship franchise , Sonic the Hedgehog , was emblematic of this company attitude and philosophy , with its uncompromising speed and chaotic sense of action . Yet , there ’s a hatful of likewise Greco-Roman Sega title that be given to get overshadow by the " gentle beau with attitude , " particularly when it come to some of their older efforts . While perhaps not asiconicasSonic , for many rooter , these games prove just as merriment and just as substantial in game story . With that say , take a look at the 10 sound franchises to arrive from the studio apartment thataren’tnamedSonic .

Golden Axe

Sega often flourish most when embracing its arcade roots , and there are few franchises that embody this spirit more than 1989’sGolden Axe . The gameplay is distilled beat ‘em up playfulness and   remain a classic example of the Japanese studio at their honorable .   The coloured phantasy configurations and satisfying , action - braid combat makeGolden Axeone of the most memorable experiences for the Sega Mega Drive and Genesis .

Though   the sidescrolling , grind - it - out gameplay may seem a number dated to some , it ’s a smoothen example of what made early Sega so appealing , and it ’s a great representation of their jumpy position .

House Of The Dead

Sega in the mid-90s was seemingly the outlet of choice for gamers seeking Greco-Roman colonnade - elan rail shooter . In addition to 94’sVirtua Cop , House of the Deadmade for a especially exciting lightgun laugher . Its sleeker visuals and detailed stage setting , coupled with the onslaught of zombie spirit - dispatch activity , made the polygonalVirtua Copseem tame by comparing .

Released in 1996 , the originalHouse of the Deadquickly prove a major draw for both colonnade and the Sega Saturn cabinet . This breakout make eventually engender a number of sequels and was instrumental in popularizing zombie - based shooter along with the more nuancedResident evilness .

Jet Grind Radio

Even more thanSonic , this uttermost sport , graffiti - spraying romp is perhaps the best representation of Sega ’s jittery , boundary - campaign sensibilities in the 90s . The biz pose a goof twirl on the then - popularTony mortarboard - style skater and focalize on stylistic visuals and disorderly gameplay . The plot becomes an epic , adrenaline - fuel escapade as players skate , cranch , and leap across Grind City , atomizer - paint all in their aftermath .

While the franchise was something of a one - collision - admiration , squirt Grind Radiotruly leave an printing on Sega fans when it abound onto the Dreamcast over two decades ago . Its 2002 sequel , Jet Set Radio Future , rest a rare Japanese - made gem   for the Xbox .

Crazy Taxi

Though it was craft by the now - defunct Sega subsidiary , Hitmaker , Crazy Taxihas become one of the all - timearcadestaples for Sega . Yet , it was also a Brobdingnagian selling point for the then - new Dreamcast , with the gameplay mostly replicating the thrilling arcade experience … minus the cockpit seat and steering bike , of course .

It combines racing with heart - pump action , as players must make do with a slew of impatient travelers as well as the intimidating ticking clock . Crazy Taxiis pure , unapologetic tight - pace insanity , and it ’s these traits that make it one of the most playfulness and exciting Sega games to engagement .

Ecco The Dolphin

It ’s not well-situated to   craft game that present such a fat gumption of atmosphere and scale within the restricted parameters of 8 or 16 - moment hardware . Yet , designer Ed Annunziata and Novotrade International rise to the challenge with this distinct oceanic journeying . While the Genesis offer many intense , in - your - face experiences , Ecco the Dolphinserved as a more unagitated and subordinate alternative .

Despite its low-toned - key nature , however , it proved no - less memorable , and it remains a cult favourite for the Genesis . It ’s gone on to spawn three sequels that featured even more lush and elaborated visuals .

NiGHTS

Despite the connotations that hail with their name , studio Sonic Team has helmed a number of project outside of the iconic blue porcupine . One of the most interesting takes on the form of a majestic and fantastical trip through the skies , NiGHTS . The studio apartment ’s foray into the 3D land proves an exhilarating one , with its fluid , free - run gameplay and vivacious , dreaming - like circumstance . Though the serial never quite took off , NiGHTSshines as a rare bright spot in a middling thin and tepid Saturn program library .

Panzer Dragoon

Saturn fan try a slightly colored alternative to the more whimsicalNiGHTSdidn’t really have   to look further thanPanzer Dragoon . Still , while this action romp apportion some intersection via the on - rails fly , it was very much its own brute .

The biz had instrumentalist take to the skies of a post - apocalyptic world aboard a flying lizard , all the while fire optical maser and rapid - fire gun at foes . Though the jaggy aesthetic has n’t get on too well , this 95 introduction establish the PlayStation was n’t the only game in township when it came to epic 3D romps .

Streets Of Rage

The fact thatStreets of Rageis still renowned despite number from an erafullof round ‘em ups is a will to how excellent these games were and are . Along withFinal Fightand a few others , this Sega champion still stands tall as one of the good efforts in the music genre . It ’s even inspire a stylisticsequelafter a nearly two - decade   hiatus .

The series shine with its bouts of pummeling military action , various colourful foes , and enjoyable multiplayer . While somewhat slender in content , Streets of Rageis off the charts exciting and addictive . Its endlessly satisfying combat throw it an immense amount of replayability .

Shenmue

For many , this risky venture romp was beforehand of its time , with its subdued nature , grittier flair , andcinematicqualities standing out amongst its peers .   spearhead by interior designer Yu Suzuki , Shenmuequickly bring in a cult following with its bewitch narration , dynamical setting , and abstruse characters .

It demonstrate to be something of a predecessor to some of the darker , more theatrical deed that would dwell Microsoft and Sony ’s consoles in particular . In this common sense , Shenmuehas hail full circle , with its awaited third entry finally remove thePS4 in 2019 .

Phantasy Star

This RPG epic from Sega negociate to shine with its counterpoise of placeable component and innovative concept . It ventured into chartless dominion — especially for a console RPG — with its blend ofsci - fi and fantasyelements , along with its use of first - somebody donjon crawl . Beyond this , it was one of the first major video games to feature a distaff lead .

The serial continued to advertize bounds with its on-line sequels , which were among the first to convey   on-line RPG gameplay to the home console . Phantasy Starropes   in players with their imaginative preferences , in - depth gameplay , and mythological premiss , refusing to let go throughout their memorable journeying .

NEXT:15 Classic Sega Games That Should Become picture show

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo artwork showing Kulebra facing dark souls.

Mona From genshin Impact on a background of Charlotte Tilbury items

Streets of Rage 4 Featured

Player character heroes do battle with various bad guys in the classic Golden Axe arcade game.

the house of the dead arcade game

Jet Set Radio protagonist Beat racking up points while inline skating.

Crazy Taxi Sega Dreamcast arcade

Ecco the Dolphin screenshot of several fish and dolphins in an underwater coral reef

Nights Journey of Dreams Wii Sega

Panzer-Dragoon-Remake-Gameplay

Streets of Rage 2 Blaze

Ryo Hazuki in Shenmue

Phantasy Star II

Sega