Are you looking for the rarest Sega Genesis games? If yes, then you came to the right place!
The Sega Genesis video game console was an iconic piece of gaming history in the 1990s. From its simple but sleek design and powerful hardware to an extensive library of games, many avid gamers cherished this system and continue celebrating its memory today.
When Sega Genesis was discontinued, there were almost 900 games made for the platform. There are those you can easily find now, but some games are so difficult to find. Collectors and enthusiasts alike often seek these rare titles out as treasured collectibles.
Whether you are a longtime Sega fan or simply interested in rare video gaming collections, you need to read on and find our list of the 8 rarest Sega Genesis games today!
8. Contra: Hard Corps
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Release date: 1994
Genre: Run and gun
Mode(s): single-player, multiplayer
Image source: Wikipedia.org
There are different reasons why Contra: Hard Corps became rare today. A major factor was that it was released relatively late when Sega was about to discontinue the production of its console.
Moreover, the game stands out for its high difficulty level, discouraging some gamers from buying or playing it. As a result, fewer customers bought copies, forcing the game’s publisher to lower production.
Nevertheless, Contra: Hard Corps is still one of the best games in Sega because of its intense and challenging gameplay. Many collectors would pay a lot of money to have a copy.
Did you know?
If you read the “Hard Corps” subtitle aloud, it sounds like “hardcore.” It’s an intentional play on words. Moreover, If you get hold of the American cover for this game, you’ll find the Huge Robot boss, which is not found in other game covers in other regions.
7. X-Men 2: Clone Wars
Developer: Headgames
Publisher: Sega
Release date: 1995
Genre: Platform
Mode(s): single-player, two-player
Image source: Wikipedia.org
X-Men is already a popular comic book title, which has been made into various movies. So, it is no wonder that whatever games are made of X-Men would become highly in demand.
X-Men 2: Clone Wars wasn’t distributed widely when it was released in 1993. Only a few copies were made, and the high demand for it made the game rare.
X-Men 2: Clone Wars was based on Marvel Comics, and the game features well-known characters such as Wolverine, Gambit, Magneto, Cyclops, and Nightcrawler.
Did you know?
Headgames developed and published X-Men 2: Clone Wars, serving as its sequel to 1993’s X-Men, also made for Sega Genesis.
6. The Flintstones
Developer: Santos Ltd
Publisher: Taito
Release date: 1993
Genre: Platform
Mode(s): single-player
Image source: Wikipedia.org
The Flintstones was released for the Sega Genesis console in 1993 as an innovative platformer video game based on the iconic animated TV series of the same name featuring Fred Flintstone, Wilma, Barney Rubble, and Betty Rubble as its beloved characters.
The game was rare because it was only released in blockbuster video rental stores. Today, a copy of the Flintstones for the Sega platform can be difficult to find, and if you find one, you’ll see it priced expensively.
As Fred Flintstone, you control him on his journey to rescue his loved ones kidnapped by Cliff Vandercave. This game has multiple levels with their own challenges and enemies to face off against as you run, jump, and use weapons against enemies to overcome obstacles in your path.
5. M.U.S.H.A.
Developer: Compile
Publisher: Seismic, Toaplan, and Naxat Soft
Release date: 1990-1991
Genre: Scrolling shooter
Mode(s): single-player
Image source: Wikipedia.org
M.U.S.H.A. became rare because of how popular this game is in the past and present. Because of the high demand, the game became so expensive in the market, contributing further to its rarity.
Compile released MUSHA in North America in 1990. It’s a vertical shooter game originally part of the Aleste Series. In the game, you take the role of Terri, the pilot who controls a powerful mecha suit called MUSHA. You would need to defend the Earth from invading aliens.
Did you know?
M.U.S.H.A. stands for Metallic Uniframe Super Hybrid Armor. It is greatly praised for its unique soundtrack, challenging gameplay, and impressive graphics, making it one of Genesis’s most enduring shoot-’em-up games.
4. Splatterhouse 3
Developer: Now Production
Publisher: Namco
Release date: 1993
Genre: Beat ’em up
Mode(s): single-player
Image source: Wikipedia.org
Splatterhouse 3 wasn’t too popular by the time it was released. Thus, the production was low for the game, making it rare today.
Splatterhouse 3 was released for the Sega Genesis console by Namco in 1993 as the third installment in their popular Splatterhouse series, chronicling Rick Taylor as he navigates a haunted house full of supernatural beings to protect his family.
Players control Rick as he navigates various levels in the game, fighting off various monsters and bosses with fists, weapons, and other tools. Compared to its predecessors, this version features improved graphics and gameplay mechanics while focusing more on exploration and puzzle-solving features.
Did you know?
Splatterhouse 3 is a sequel to the 1992 Splatterhouse 2. Before the game was developed, Sega introduced its rating council, which regulates the quality of games brought to the platform. The original Splatterhouse is too violent according to the council; thus, the game’s developer reduced the violence level to meet the standards set by the council.
3. Mega Man: The Wily Wars
Developer: Minakuchi Engineering
Publisher: Capcom
Release date: 1994
Genre: Action
Mode(s): single-player
Image source: Wikipedia.org
Mega Man is one of the most popular heroes conceived by Capcom. However, this Mega Man: The Wily Wars is a rare game because the physical copies of this game were only released in Japan and Europe. The game was only available in North America through the Sega Channel cable service.
Mega Man: The Wily Wars was developed and published by Capcom for the Sega Genesis video game console in 1994. It combines three original Mega Man games released for Nintendo Entertainment System with enhanced graphics and sounds to form this compilation title.
Mega Man: The Wily Wars puts players in charge of Mega Man as he battles his way through a series of challenging levels and defeats enemy robots and bosses – some with upgraded graphics and sound effects, making this game one of the best-looking Mega Man games of its era.
Did you know?
Mega Man was the first game developed by Capcom that was made for console platforms. Capcom was known more for developing arcade games.
2. Crusader of Centy
Developer: Nextech
Publisher: Sega
Release date: 1994-1995
Genre: Action-adventure
Mode(s): single-player
Image source: Wikipedia.org
Crusader of Centy is among the rarest games in Sega Genesis. The game became rare because it was released one to two years after Sega was discontinued.
Crusader of Centy is an action role-playing game developed by Nextech and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis in 1994. The storyline revolves around Corona, a young boy who embarks on a quest to emulate the great warrior qualities of his father – but finds himself capable of communicating with animals, allowing him to uncover an evil plot threatening Earth!
The public highly praised Crusader of Centy, but it failed to become a big hit in the market. Today, due to its rarity, the game gained a following among retro gamers and collectors, with some copies fetching thousands on secondary markets.
Did you know?
The Legend of Zelda series heavily inspired Crusader of Centy, and many critics consider it among the finest Zelda-like games ever released on Sega Genesis.
This action RPG stands out with its story involving environmental sustainability and animal rights, creating an engaging experience unlike anything else available today.
1. Tetris
Developer: Sanritsu Denki
Publisher: Sega
Release date: 1989
Genre: puzzle video game
Mode(s): single-player and multiplayer
Image source: Tetris Wiki
Tetris is the rarest Sega Genesis game worldwide because only a few copies exist today. You probably know by now how Tetris took the storm and became one of the most legendary games in history.
The reason why Tetris Sega was so rare was because of licensing issues. Tetris for Saga was scheduled to be released in 1989. However, Nintendo bought the license for Tetris. As a result, Sega was forced to cancel the production. At the time of cancellation, the existing Sega copies of the game were destroyed. Most people speculate that only less than 10 copies survived.
Did you know?
Alexey Pajitnov, a Russian software engineer, created Tetris. He named the game after the Greek word tetra, which means four, and “Tennis,” which was the favorite sport of Pajitnov.