CODEX ESSENTIALS

The finest games in the PAL Mega Drive catalogue, as judged by the magazines of the day. Gold is awarded for an average score of 90% or higher across period reviews; Silver for 85–89%.

Gold

  1. 01Mortal Kombat IIArena Entertainment · 199494%
  2. 02Micro Machines 2: Turbo TournamentCodemasters · 199494%
  3. 03Street Fighter II': Special Champion EditionSEGA · 199394%
  4. 04Jungle Strike: The Sequel to Desert StrikeElectronic Arts · 199394%
  5. 05Earthworm Jim 2Virgin Interactive Entertainment · 199593%
  6. 06Ecco the DolphinSEGA · 199393%
  7. 07FlashbackU.S. Gold · 199393%
  8. 08Mortal Kombat 3Acclaim Entertainment · 199593%
  9. 09John Madden Football '92Electronic Arts · 199293%
  10. 10Earthworm JimVirgin Interactive Entertainment · 199493%
  11. 11Micro Machines: Turbo Tournament '96Codemasters · 199593%
  12. 12Super Street Fighter IISEGA · 199492%
  13. 13Sonic the Hedgehog 2SEGA · 199292%
  14. 14FIFA Soccer ’95Electronic Arts · 199492%
  15. 15Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey MouseSEGA · 199192%
  16. 16John Madden American FootballElectronic Arts · 199092%
  17. 17Sonic 3SEGA · 199492%
  18. 18Sonic the HedgehogSEGA · 199192%
  19. 19Sonic 3D: Flickies' IslandSEGA · 199692%
  20. 20Ghouls'n GhostsSEGA · 199092%
  21. 21EA HockeyElectronic Arts · 199192%
  22. 22Desert Strike: Return to the GulfElectronic Arts · 199291%
  23. 23The Revenge of ShinobiSEGA · 199091%
  24. 24FIFA International SoccerElectronic Arts · 199391%
  25. 25VectormanSEGA · 199591%
  26. 26F1: World Championship EditionDomark · 199591%
  27. 27Theme ParkElectronic Arts · 199591%
  28. 28The Story of ThorSEGA · 199591%
  29. 29Streets of Rage IISEGA · 199391%
  30. 30Cannon FodderVirgin Interactive Entertainment · 199591%
  31. 31Micro MachinesCodemasters · 199390%
  32. 32Super Monaco GPSEGA · 199090%
  33. 33Sensible Soccer: European ChampionsRenegade Software, Sony Imagesoft · 199390%
  34. 34Shining ForceSEGA · 199390%
  35. 35Disney's AladdinSEGA · 199390%
  36. 36F1Domark · 199390%
  37. 37Madden NFL '95Electronic Arts · 199490%
  38. 38StriderSEGA · 199190%
  39. 39PGA Tour GolfElectronic Arts · 199190%
  40. 40ToeJam & Earl in Panic on FunkotronSEGA · 199490%
  41. 41Landstalker: The Treasures of King NoleSEGA · 199390%
  42. 42Streets of RageSEGA · 199190%
  43. 43Shining Force IISEGA · 199490%
  44. 44Sampras Tennis '96Codemasters · 199590%
  45. 45Road Rash IIElectronic Arts · 199390%
  46. 46World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald DuckSEGA · 199290%
  47. 47Sonic & KnucklesSEGA · 199490%
  48. 48Urban Strike: The Sequel to Jungle StrikeElectronic Arts · 199490%

Silver

  1. 01Street RacerUbi Soft, Vivid Image · 199589%
  2. 02Virtua RacingSEGA · 199489%
  3. 03Dragon's FuryTengen · 199289%
  4. 04SoleilSEGA · 199589%
  5. 05James Pond II - Codename: RobocodElectronic Arts · 199189%
  6. 06Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden TreasureKONAMI · 199389%
  7. 07NBA JamArena Entertainment · 199489%
  8. 08Bulls versus Blazers and the NBA PlayoffsElectronic Arts · 199389%
  9. 09NHLPA Hockey '93Electronic Arts · 199289%
  10. 10International Sensible Soccer: World ChampionsRenegade Software, Sony Electronic Publishing · 199489%
  11. 11QuackShot Starring Donald DuckSEGA · 199189%
  12. 12Thunder Force IVSEGA · 199289%
  13. 13Pitfall: The Mayan AdventureActivision · 199489%
  14. 14ZombiesKONAMI · 199489%
  15. 15Jimmy White's Whirlwind SnookerVirgin Interactive Entertainment · 199489%
  16. 16Mega BombermanSEGA · 199489%
  17. 17WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade GameAcclaim Entertainment · 199589%
  18. 18Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean MachineSEGA · 199488%
  19. 19Ecco: The Tides of TimeSEGA · 199488%
  20. 20Taz-ManiaSEGA · 199288%
  21. 21Road RashElectronic Arts · 199188%
  22. 22Disney's Toy StoryDisney Interactive, Sega · 199688%
  23. 23Madden NFL '94Electronic Arts · 199388%
  24. 24Mickey Mania: The Timeless Adventures of Mickey MouseSony Imagesoft · 199488%
  25. 25NBA Jam: Tournament EditionAcclaim Entertainment · 199588%
  26. 26Speedball 2Virgin Games · 199288%
  27. 27Mortal KombatArena Entertainment · 199388%
  28. 28ToeJam & EarlSEGA · 199188%
  29. 29HellfireSEGA · 199288%
  30. 30International Superstar Soccer: DeluxeKONAMI · 199688%
  31. 31Mega Games ISEGA · 199288%
  32. 32PGA Tour Golf IIIElectronic Arts · 199488%
  33. 33John Madden Football '93Electronic Arts · 199288%
  34. 34Dune II: Battle for ArrakisVirgin Interactive Entertainment · 199488%
  35. 35Psycho PinballCodemasters · 199488%
  36. 36Rocket Knight AdventuresKONAMI · 199388%
  37. 37Mega-Lo-ManiaVirgin Games · 199388%
  38. 38FIFA Soccer ’96Electronic Arts · 199588%
  39. 39Gunstar HeroesSEGA · 199388%
  40. 40Two Tribes: Populous IIVirgin Games · 199388%
  41. 41Cool SpotVirgin Games · 199388%
  42. 42PopulousElectronic Arts · 199088%
  43. 43Thunder Force IIITechnosoft · 199287%
  44. 44Davis Cup World TourTengen · 199387%
  45. 45PGA European TourElectronic Arts · 199487%
  46. 46ProbotectorKONAMI · 199487%
  47. 47Spot Goes to HollywoodVirgin Interactive Entertainment · 199587%
  48. 48LemmingsSEGA · 199287%
  49. 49The Lost VikingsVirgin Interactive Entertainment · 199487%
  50. 50Micro Machines MilitaryCodemasters · 199687%
  51. 51Sub TerraniaSEGA · 199487%
  52. 52Red ZoneTime Warner Interactive · 199487%
  53. 53T2: The Arcade GameArena Entertainment · 199287%
  54. 54Chuck RockVirgin Games · 199287%
  55. 55Brian Lara Cricket ’96Codemasters · 199687%
  56. 56Shane Warne CricketCodemasters · 199687%
  57. 57SyndicateElectronic Arts · 199587%
  58. 58Pete Sampras TennisCodemasters · 199487%
  59. 59ColumnsSEGA · 199087%
  60. 60Alien 3Arena Entertainment · 199287%
  61. 61Rolo to the RescueElectronic Arts · 199386%
  62. 62Golden AxeSEGA · 199086%
  63. 63PGA Tour Golf IIElectronic Arts · 199386%
  64. 64Dynamite HeaddySEGA · 199486%
  65. 65Dino Dini's SoccerVirgin Interactive Entertainment · 199486%
  66. 66Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3Acclaim Entertainment · 199686%
  67. 67NHL Hockey '94Electronic Arts · 199386%
  68. 68Phantasy Star III: Generations of DoomSEGA · 199186%
  69. 69Ranger-XSEGA · 199386%
  70. 70Eternal ChampionsSEGA · 199486%
  71. 71Disney's The Jungle BookVirgin Interactive Entertainment · 199486%
  72. 72LHX Attack ChopperElectronic Arts · 199286%
  73. 73NHL '95Electronic Arts · 199486%
  74. 74Krusty's Super Fun HouseFlying Edge · 199286%
  75. 75Disney's The Lion KingVirgin Interactive Entertainment · 199486%
  76. 76Comix ZoneSEGA · 199586%
  77. 77Phantasy Star IV: The End of the MillenniumSEGA · 199586%
  78. 78Primal RageTime Warner Interactive · 199586%
  79. 79Another WorldVirgin Games · 199385%
  80. 80James Pond 3: Operation Starfi5hElectronic Arts · 199385%
  81. 81Spider-Man vs. The KingpinSEGA · 199185%
  82. 82SparksterKONAMI · 199485%
  83. 83Batman ForeverAcclaim Entertainment · 199585%
  84. 84Super Kick OffU.S. Gold · 199385%
  85. 85Global GladiatorsVirgin Games · 199385%
  86. 86Disney's PocahontasDisney Interactive, SEGA · 199685%
  87. 87Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja MasterSEGA · 199385%
  88. 88Super SkidmarksCodemasters · 199585%
  89. 89TruxtonSEGA · 199085%
  90. 90Zero ToleranceAccolade · 199485%
  91. 91Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP IISEGA · 199285%
  92. 92Skeleton KrewCore Design · 199585%