11 Best Game Gear Games You Must Try Out

Today, the variety of goods tends to disrupt our ability to make everyday choices. It is also noticeable in the gaming world. The number of new video games often blurs the feeling of affection for given titles. 

Let's go back to the past for a moment — to the time when the most bizarre video games were bringing a lot of satisfaction and endless fun. As no one had a monster PC, we used to play on great handheld consoles — the small devices which somehow were able to store all that magic inside. 

Well, it's time for some nostalgic feelings as we'll cover the best Sega Game Gear games. Even though most of them were released in the 90s, here’s the great news: many of them are available on top modern platforms. 

Table of contents:

What Is Sega Game Gear?

Which Are the Best Sega Game Gear Games?

Streets of Rage 2

Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya

Crystal Warriors

Sonic the Hedgehog

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

Defenders of Oasis

Master of Darkness

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

Tails Adventure

Puyo Puyo Tetris

The G.G. Shinobi II: The Silent Fury

Conclusion

What is Sega Game Gear?

To those of you who didn’t have the opportunity to use this classic device back in your childhood: Sega Game Gear is one of the best handheld gaming consoles. It had to be the direct competition for the Nintendo system. Having been more technologically advanced, the Sega Game Gear should have achieved the number one spot in the handheld industry. 

So, what happened? Well, if you don’t know what it is about, it is, unfortunately, usually about the money. Back in the day, the release price of Sega Game Gear amounted to $150. To compare, the Nintendo’s handheld, Game Boy, was nearly $60 cheaper. What’s more, the battery of Sega Game Gear leaves a lot to be desired. It lasts only for 3 to 5 hours, whereas the Game Boy may provide even twice longer gaming entertainment. 

Which are the best Sega Game Gear games? 

As you know from the introduction — we are not the biggest fans of an endless choice. That’s why it’s not another article that features all the games out there. We have prepared a shortlist of the best Sega Game Gear games that you should try. The order doesn’t matter, so start with the one that suits your taste.

Streets of Rage 2

Streets of Rage 2 is a side-scrolling beat em’ up video game from 1992. As the name suggests, it’s the sequel to Streets of Rage, and the best out of the series. 

The main enemy in the game is Mr. X and his thugs who kidnapped one of the heroes of the first part. Gamers can choose from four playable characters, each having individual strengths and weaknesses. In addition to the typical physical combat, the game includes special attacks that consume our energy. What’s more, the defeated enemies leave weapons like knives or clubs that we can use. 

Eight gaming levels are waiting to be completed, each with different scenery. While playing, pay attention to the items you see on screen (baskets, tables, etc.). Thanks to them, you’ll get accessories that restore health. At the end of each stage, there is a gradually stronger and bigger boss waiting. What’s more, the game also includes a cooperation mode that allows us to play with a friend. 

The video game Streets of Rage 2 is available through various platforms, namely:

• Mega Drive,
• Master System, 
• Game Gear,
• Virtual Console, 
• 3DS, 
• iOS, 
• Android. 

Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya

Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya is another classic example on the list. Released in 1994 in the US, Shining Force is a tactical RPG originally designed for Sega Game Gear. 

The game includes a choice of 18 typical RPG genre characters, such as mages, warriors, healers, archers, etc. The plot is based on the titular Sword of Hajya. It has been stolen by a minion of an evil monster who needs it to gain unlimited power. This event starts the game as the thief is chased by the young defenders of the Cypress Kingdom.

While playing The Sword of Hajya, gamers go through a series of great tactical turn-based battles interspersed with short cutscenes. Between them, players can save the game, resurrect killed characters, and sometimes buy and sell weapons and healing items. As with most strategy RPGs, battlefields are square grids. There, the characters of a player and his enemies take turns to move, attack, cast magic, and use items. After reaching level 10, the character’s class can be upgraded to a more powerful one. 

The game has been released on the following platforms: 

• Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, 
• Microsoft Windows, 
• Game Boy Advance (remake), 
• Wii (Virtual Console), 
• iOS. 

Crystal Warriors

Crystal Warriors is a strategy video game released in 1992 on the Game Gear platform. The game is followed by a sequel, Royal Stone. However, it has never found its way out of Japan. 

The game plot focuses on the titular crystals which were protecting the Arliel kingdom. As in Shining Force, they have been stolen by the evil forces. The gamers must defeat the opposing raiding army of the Jyn Empire. 

While playing, you form a party consisting of up to nine units. Starting at one side of the map, the goal is to defeat the enemy army in one of two ways: in a battle or by getting into the enemy castle entrance as it's located on the opposite side. The characters included in the game have unique skills that can be developed. What's more, you may play versus the PC or against a friend (if you have a Gear-to-Gear Cable). 

The game is available on Game Gear (the price estimates at around 40$) and since 2013 on Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console. 

Sonic The Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog is another game developed by Sonic Team, starring a blue super-fast hedgehog. It was released on the market in 1991 and is probably the most popular production of SEGA. 

The action of Sonic the Hedgehog takes place in the beautiful city of Soleanna. During his first journey into the human world, Sonic meets the beautiful Elise — a princess who quickly becomes his friend. Unfortunately, the girl is kidnapped by the nefarious Dr. Eggman, the villain of the series. As he wants to keep the peace, Sonic has to experience many adventures. Finally, he meets face to face with the evil doctor and tries to free the beautiful princess. 

The distinct feature of Sonic in comparison to other platform games is that it's focused primarily on speed. The aim of the game is to go through the next levels divided into three Acts. 

During the gameplay, Sonic encounters “badniks”, the minions of Doctor Eggman. They have different attacks, yet most of them are destroyable with Sonic abilities. Sonic can get the so-called power-ups which are held in various boxes appearing throughout the levels. They provide Sonic with certain bonuses like speed, shield, extra lives, etc. To get them, players should simply destroy the box. 

The Sonic games series include around 100 different game titles of various type such as: 

• 2D Platformers, 
• 3D Platformers, 
• Racing games, 
• Arcade games, 
• Educational games, 
• Spinoffs. 

As we focus on the older titles in this article, out of the list of Sonic games we would also recommend Sonic Chaos. It was released in 1993 for the Master System and Game Gear. During the game, players get in two roles, Sonic and Tails. They have to face Dr. Robotnik once again. 

The Sonic series has achieved great success around the world. Thus, the games have been released on virtually all top platforms.

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap is a part of the Wonder Boy series developed by Sega. It’s a platforming and action-adventure video game released in 1992 for the Game Gear. 

The direct sequel to Wonder Boy: in Monster Land tells the story of a brave hero. After defeating the Dragon Mech, he has to face a curse that turns him into a lizard human. During the gameplay, the player can transform into various animals, which is a significant feature of the game. Moreover, the game involves collecting additional equipment or acquiring new skills needed to eliminate the remaining dragons. 

This classic 8-bit platformer game has received a modernized remake. Remaking the game so that it's available on modern platforms refreshed the appearance of the pixels and improved the gameplay. Additionally, the changes introduced a completely new, great hand-drawn graphic design, re-recorded music, and modern solutions. 

Even though it’s a remake, you still may feel some nostalgia. The game settings enable you to play in the retro mode, which is entirely adjustable. From graphics, through music, emulation of a CRT TV, or adding lines on the screen that are associated with the first games on TV sets. 

The remade version is available on all the best platforms, precisely: 

• Microsoft Windows,
• PlayStation 4, 
• Nintendo Switch, 
• Xbox One, 
• macOS, 
• Linux, 
• iOS, 
• Android.

Defenders of Oasis

Defenders of Oasis is another Sega production first released in 1992. This role-playing video game focuses on the Prince of Shadam who fights the evil empire, making it typical darkness vs light battle game. However, the game stands out due to the settings inspired by the Arabian Nights and the ancient culture of the Middle East. 

The game graphics provide you with the best experience you could probably get from an 8-bit handheld era, including various details and great colors. They are accompanied by a huge number of battles and level-grinding. However, it didn’t overcome certain limits of games from that time, like lack of turn-based combat animation or background.

During the game adventure, the player is accompanied by a party helping you to find the three rings of light. They are needed to stop the evil powers. Each character has got individual characteristics and skills that may be used during combat. As it’s in the RPG video games, you also collect items like armor and weapons. Yet, the stat system is limited to 99 points, meaning you can’t level endlessly. 

The video game has been released on Game Gear and Nintendo 3DS. 

Master of Darkness

Master of Darkness is a video game created for Game Gear and Sega Master System and was released in 1992. 

The plot focuses on the psychologist Ferdinand Social, who investigates the murders of Jack the Ripper. As it turns out, someone’s trying to revive a vampire. Thus, the protagonist sets off to stop that. He gradually finds information on the case during his adventure across Victorian England. 

During the gameplay, players face many creatures like zombies, wolves, skeletons, bats, etc. To defeat the enemies, we are starting with just a dagger, yet later we could make use of close combat and ranged weapons. They include knives, axes, rapiers but also pistols and bombs. The level design bases on various platforms, each full of the above-mentioned monsters, connected through stairways.

The graphics include a form of story progression and Victorian themes, making it stand out of that time competition. What’s more, the designers tried to give the game a more animated feeling, adding some background content. 

Even though the title has been severely compared to Castlevania, it does include some noticeable differences. For example, the game features a different time setting or the possibility of a weapon change. Furthermore, Master of Darkness is rather less demanding in terms of player skill. 

The game is available on Sega Mark III, Game Gear, and Nintendo 3DS. 

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse

Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse is a video game released in 1990 for Sega Genesis and later for Master System and Game Gear. The title was Sega's flagship product before the Sonic the Hedgehog era.

Having been kidnapped by the evil witch Mizrabel, Mickey Mouse sets off to the titular Castle of Illusions. He must save his fiancée Minnie, whose youth is the target of the witch. 

During the gameplay, gamers visit a wide variety of worlds (levels) in search of the seven gems. They will allow us to build a rainbow bridge leading to the tower where Minnie is imprisoned. Having included a mix of plots and characters from various Disney productions, we face a large variety of enemies. 

Mickey can run, swim, jump, climb and perform a few other activities thanks to which he handles the trouble. While fighting the enemies, the player uses mainly fists. It’s also possible to bounce off them, which gives another opening — the opportunity to jump higher. Each level ends with a fight with Mizrabel's minion, requiring an appropriate strategy to defeat them. 

In 2013, the modernized remake was released. The new version provides players with fully three-dimensional graphics, high definition, and a refreshed style of the game. However, the plot and major gameplay mechanisms stick to the original. This makes the game a traditional side-scrolling platformer based on avoiding obstacles and fighting enemies, with Mickey Mouse in the center of events.

Since that time, the title is available on the majority of the best platforms, including:

• PlayStation 3, 
• Xbox 360, 
• Microsoft Windows, 
• iOS, 
• Windows Phone, 
• Android, 
• OS X. 

Tails Adventure

Tails Adventure is yet another platform video game that features a character known from the Sonic games series, Tails. Sega released the game in 1995 for the Game Gear. The game shows the solo adventure of Miles “Tails” Prower, mixing platforming and RPG elements. 

There is a difference in terms of the plot between North American and Japanese versions of the game. In the NA game version, the story takes place after the first meeting of Tails and Sonic as Tails is just having holidays. The Japanese game version, however, is a prequel to their mutual adventures. 

In the Western version, the plot reveals that Tails is taking some rest in the forest on Cocoa Island. Then he's woken up as the forest has been set on fire. Having noticed an enemy army of birds storming the island, Tails starts the adventure as he tries to save his holiday spot and its locals. 

During the gaming, players must complete 12 stages. The video game includes 26 items that may be used for different purposes, such as fighting enemies or destroying obstacles like walls blocking the way. They could be with the use of bombs. Only one item may be used at a time, yet it could be changed after pausing the game. To restore health, that player is collecting Rings, which are obtainable by defeating enemies or blowing something up. 

The video game is available on Game Gear and since 2013, on Nintendo 3DS. 

Puyo Puyo Tetris

Puyo Puyo Tetris is an arcade puzzle game that uses the Puyo Puyo and Tetris formula. The title was released by Sega in Japan in 1991. Even though the Puyo Puyo series has dozens of titles, most of them were never released in the West. The Tetris series is widely popular across the world. Hence, we feel like it doesn’t require any expanded introduction. 

Puyo Puyo Tetris offers five game modes that are available for single-player or multiplayer: 

• Versus — Gamers can play Puyo Puyo or Tetris, depending on their choice. In order to win, you must clear lines, or Puyos, faster than your opponent. You can make your rival’s gaming life difficult by sending some obstacles to their side of the screen. 
• Swap — it’s similar to the previous one, however, both gamers must play the same title. The modes are switching for both every 25 seconds. Again, you may send some garbage on the opponent’s screen to secure victory. 
• Big Bang — the task of the gamers is to clear the screen with as few moves as possible, using combos. 
• Fusion — both Puyo and Tetris blocks appear on the 8x16 Matrix; Tetriminos can smash through Puyos. 
• Party — various items and power-ups appear on the board, allowing us to gain an advantage or “hurt” our opponents. 

The video game has been released on virtually all the best platforms. Here’s the list: 

• Nintendo 3DS, 
• Wii U, 
• PlayStation Vita, 
• PlayStation 3, 
• PlayStation 4, 
• Xbox One, 
• Nintendo Switch, 
• Microsoft Windows.

The G.G. Shinobi II: The Silent Fury

The G.G. Shinobi II: The Silent Fury is a side-scrolling action video game by Sega, released for the Game Gear in 1992. 

In the beginning, the player gets into the role of Joe Musashi, the red ninja. We gain access to other characters as the game progresses, each having a different skill set, weapon, and special ability. 

During the game, the task is to get four crystals each defended by a well-designed boss as we go through four stages, which are: 

• Castle, 
• Building, 
• Canyon, 
• Factor.

Then, gamers receive access to a final location. It’s where the main enemy is waiting, protecting the ultimate fifth crystal. In comparison to the prequel, the game difficulty has been adjusted as players complained that it was too demanding. 

Conclusion 

Game producers seem to realize that there are recipients on the market who are partly driven by a feeling of nostalgia when choosing entertainment. Therefore, they decide to create remakes of top classic titles, including the best Game Gear games. Producers let us play many of the titles from the list on the latest platforms, such as PCs, consoles, and mobile phones. Still, finding classic versions of the best Sega Game Gear games at online auctions is also not a huge problem. 

FAQ

What is a Sega Game Gear worth? 

Nowadays, gamers can buy the Sega Game Gear handheld for around $55 (loose price), whereas the CIB Price is $99. 

Where can I buy a Sega Game Gear? 

You could find it on the top auction sites, such as Amazon or eBay. 

Does the Sega Game Gear TV tuner still work? 

Unless the system is connected to an AC adapter, it’s pointless to use the TV tuner as the battery life is too short. 

How many batteries does the Game Gear take? 

The Game Gear takes six AA batteries.

What was the Sega handheld called? 

The Sega handheld is the Game Gear. 

Is Sega making a new console? 

To celebrate the 30th birthday of Game Gear, in 2020 Sega released a new console. It’s called Game Gear Micro, which is an 11.5-inch screen handheld. 

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