The Best and The Worst Sega Genesis Games-Interview with Mega Drive Profile

I usually stumble across Youtube creators who look the same as others, talking about what was already talked about for years and years. However, among all those creators, you can stumble across genuine ones with content that would push people looking for undiscovered games to binge-watch for a couple of hours on end. One such Youtuber I had the pleasure to talk to is Mega Drive Profile.

As youtube channel that debuted on June 12, 2016, it focuses on showcasing a variety of games from different genres. For example, Beat ’em ups, Run & Gun, Hack & Slash, and Shmups just to name a few. The primary focus of the channel is to talk about Genesis games, but it expanded to other consoles and genres as well.

1-What was your first console?

My first console was the Sega Genesis and I had to be around 4 or 5 years old at the time. I couldn’t give you an exact time frame but late 90’s for sure. I distinctly remember playing Sonic The Hedgehog 3 in my aunt’s basement, what an amazing game! Sega’s logo and mascot were so remarkable it was hard for me to not become an instant fan.

2-What pushed you to start creating content on Youtube?

For whatever reason, there seems to be a seeping stigma that the Genesis/Mega Drive doesn’t have a whole lot to offer when compared to its rival the SNES. Many online creators (at the time because it’s gotten better) just swear by the fact that Sega’s library isn’t as profound or the overall quality is mixed. I wanted to challenge that and also do real justice to this great machine. Every console in existence has its core strengths and the hardware plays a big role. This is why the genesis had many arcade ports and action-oriented titles because it shared this common theme. Action games are also another huge passion of mine which is what I dedicated my channel to covering them. Fast, octane and exhilarating experiences. Anything from Shoot Em’ Ups to Run N’ Guns. Its the thrill I seek and best know that the Mega Drive is full of it!

 3-What’s your favourite genre?

Anything under the action umbrella but if I had to choose just one, I’d go with Run N’ Guns. I mean the idea of this genre is awesome! Play as one guy going around kicking all kinds of ass, blowing everything to hell and destroy a menacing boss at the end of each stage. What’s not to love?? You got your contra’s and good ol’ metal slugs but my favorite game of all time is Alien Soldier (Mega Drive) which deconstructs the genre. In this boss rush game by Treasure, your objective is to make it through 25 stages with short gunning segments in between to recoup health and upgrade weapons. It did things not really seen in the genre before such as being able to counter attacks and kill bosses in 1 blow. Featuring detailed, huge enemy sprites and amazing sound, its a very highly regarded title among the hardcore crowd. In my opinion, Treasure, the developer, are the masters of the 16-bit action game and really understood the genesis hardware.

Alien Soldier

4-Any genre you dislike?

Well, I don’t want to say I dislike them but RPG’s can be very difficult for me to get into. Like seriously, I’ve only played a handful. A few examples being the masterful Phantasy Star IV & Shining Force. My older brother was more into them than I and we did complete a few together like Legend Of Dragoon and Final Fantasy 7 on PS1. It’s such a difficult genre because my gaming cloth is mostly made of fast-paced experiences so to transition to a more methodical pace can be a struggle. For me to enjoy one, it has to click right from the get-go! The last RPG to do that for me was Final Fantasy X. Everything about it was absolutely perfect. The story, the gameplay, the atmosphere….it was beautifully crafted! Can’t believe it took me this long to play it. On the other hand, I have a much easier time getting into Action-RPG’s but I think it should be obvious as to why. Recently I bought a copy of Brave Fencer Musashi so I am looking forward to popping that in very soon.

Brave Fencer Musashi

5-What games do you recommend to everyone on the Sega Genesis?

For an absolutely great shmup, everyone should play Thunder Force IV no question. It’s gotta be Tecnosoft’s best next to their other stuff like Hyper Duel. It really tests the genesis’s capabilities Honorable mentions: Gaiares, MUSHA, Gleylancer, Eliminate Down, Hellfire, Battle Mania Daiginjou If you want a badass run n’ gun experience, Gunstar Heroes and Alien Soldier will fulfil that need. Want something more insane and wacky? try out Contra: Hard Corps. Konami pulled no punches with this zany twist on the Contra universe. Honourable Mentions: The Adventures Of Batman & Robin (Some of the best graphics you’ll see on Genesis) Rolling Thunder 2 & 3, Mercs, Assualt Suit Leynos (Target Earth), Atomic Runner Good platformers are no stranger’s to Mega Drive so I suggest Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Quite a popular game but I believe everyone should experience it at least once. Rocket Knight Adventures is another one in the same calibre. Not sure what kind of drugs Konami was on back then but it must have been the good stuff because RKA is godly. The director of Hard Corps made this game as well and it was clear he was out to make a statement. Great graphics, character expressions and upbeat atmosphere make a killer action-platformer. If you want a more slick prospect than Shinobi 3 is a must-play. It’s hard for me to pick a favourite shinobi title but 3 is damn awesome. The previous game Revenge of Shinobi is a classic as well worth checking out. Honourable mentions: High Seas Havoc, Castlevania Bloodlines, Ranger X, El Viento, Chiki Chiki Boys, Tiny Toon Adventures, Castle of Illusion, Alisia Dragoon, Strider

Everyone likes a good Beat Em’ Up so I’d go with the Streets Of Rage Trilogy. Each game gets progressively better with SOR 3 being the best mechanically. For a more obscure romp, check out Mystical Fighter and Mazin Saga

6-Do you have any obscure games on the Genesis that you would recommend too?

I mentioned some good obscure cuts in the Honorable mentions but if I had to pick a few more I’d go with these: Crusader of Centy: regarded as a Zelda clone for the Mega Drive, it’s all-around a good game with bright colours and cute graphics. We didn’t really get many games like this on the MD, so it’s one worth checking out for the adventure type. Understand that it’s pretty expensive so using something like a flash cart isn’t a bad idea. I guess you could say this for several obscure games. Decap Attack: This game is a fast-paced platformer with a more westernized theme. I say this because of the fact that it’s a different looking game in Japan. Decap Attack is weird, wacky, creepy but most importantly fun! I think everyone should try it. If you want a real good obscure fighting game Yu Yu Hakusho: Makyo Toitsusen will scratch that itch. Based on the Yu Yu Hakusho anime it takes place during the Dark Tournament arc. You got a decent selection of characters to choose from each with their own commands and specials. The best part about this game is that it supports up 4 players so get some buddies to duke it out! I am a big fan of the anime so it was a given that I’d suggest this. Also, treasure made it, haha. Elemental Master is another shmup by Technosoft. It’s pretty underrated and a blast to play. Tougher than your average shmup and recommended for the more experienced player. What’s interesting about this one is fantasy setting. You’re this guy who uses elemental powers to defeat enemies. All movement is auto-scrolled but you’re on foot. This adds to the challenge because you have to avoid hazards on the terrain while killing and evading enemies. Cool bosses, good graphics, tough challenge, and upbeat music make Elemental Master worthy of seeking. Another MD game similar to this is Undead Line, which is even more obscure and insanely challenging!

7-Can you name the worst games you have ever played?

Earnest Evans on Mega CD. That game is like a meme except it’s programmed on a video game console. Thing is, it really tried to do cool things. Wolfteam games can have wacky coding sometimes but you can’t tell if its tongue-in-cheek or if they really don’t give a fuck  Earnest Evans trilogy is known for being janked out with El Viento being the more complete game of the 3. At least they all have cool anime cut scenes animated by Madhouse.

If you want something a few generations ahead, Nanobreaker on PS2 is a hack n’ sash that manages to be corny and insane at the same damn time. A serious talent. Koji Igarashi must have drunk the art teacher’s kool-aid when he made that. Hack & Slash action game fans should give it shot just so you can see what Konami does when it’s bored with money laying around Nanobreaker is bizarrely awesome.

8-Are you aiming to expand to other platforms like Abandonwares, PS2 games..etc?

Yes! When I started making videos I did a lot of GEN/MD at first but then I slowly started to sneak in some other stuff like SNES, MAME/Arcade, 360 etc. I plan to expand to other generations of consoles like PS1, PS2, Dreamcast, Xbox, N64 etc. Homebrew and fan projects are another idea I plan to scoop in. Recently I’ve been acquiring games I never got a chance to play when I was a youngster and I’ve been having a blast. I am not a collector or anything of the sort, I only purchase titles I am want to truly play. That’s always been my motto for this hobby

9-Which one do you prefer, SNES or Genesis, and why?

Panasonic 3DO. Just kidding lol. Genesis is like that hot chick from school, except you actually get with her. For the kind of player that I am, it helped to define what I love about video games, and that is the embodiment of action. The FM audio, the fast scrolling speed, and amount of sprites on screen put that stupid grin on my face every single time. I appreciate the SNES but my heart lies with the 68000 CPU, and it’s on fire!

10-Last question, what influenced you to name your channel ” Mega Drive Profile ” and not something else?

To be honest, I was thinking of a decent name and that popped up out of nowhere in my mind so I just ran with it. For some odd reason, I felt that people would adhere to it. But creators can get strange because I was gonna rename myself to simply”Mega Drive” not long ago. But, after asking for feedback on this change many were surprisingly against it and thought Mega Drive Profile was more original. I didn’t get it at first thought, but they were right. This taught me a valuable lesson— people will respect you if you listen to them whether through action or giving them your time. I don’t make money off videos or none of that stuff, I just make videos because I love action games and most importantly, I love the Mega Drive.

We thank Mega Drive Profile for sacrificing some of his valuable time for the sake of this conversation, and we hope that you discovered new games in the process of reading this interview.

If you are interested in what MDP does, go ahead and check his Youtube channel as well as his Twitter account!

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCicmo3OzAmaul-lGc5ghV9Q

Thank you for reading!

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