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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 .
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