Favorite Tunes #117: Genesis Does

Ah, SEGA's aggressive marketing campaign. Back in 16-bit era and well into the 32-bit gaming era, SEGA was not the least bit shy about slamming the competition in advertisements, be they on TV or in print. I gave the SNES it's day in the sun with a previous Favorite Tunes, so now I'm giving the Genesis, easily SEGA's best console, a day in the limelight.

Buttville ~ The Descent  - Earthworm Jim (GEN ver.)

Whenever you've got a game on the SNES and the Genesis, you're always going to hear fanboys rage over which version of said game did things better. That mentally is more apparent than ever when it comes to Earthworm Jim. I get a serious kick out of both versions soundtracks, but there's no denying that some tracks are just plain better on the Genesis, like one of my favorite jams. This is also known as Use Your Head, since Jim uses noggin like a helicopter to descend.

The Sinking Old Sanctuary - Castlevania: Bloodlines (GEN)

One of the two Castlevania games to ever get release on a SEGA platform, Bloodlines may not stack up with other more traditional vampire slaying adventures, but its still a competent Castlevania title. You can select between two playable characters with their own unique play styles and the visual and audio treatment does not disappoint. Bloodlines is the first Castlevania game Michiru Yamane wrote music for.

Theme of MUSHA Aleste - M.U.S.H.A. (GEN)

Hope on the Wii's Wii Shop channel and download this sucker now if you haven't already. It's a fantastic shooter by the now deceased Compile, a company that makes some of the best games in the genre. Oh and the title music is fifty different kinds of awesome. So good you may not even press that start button.

Military on the Max-Power - Gunstar Heroes (GEN)

The ultimate run 'n gun shooter, Treasure's Gunstar Heroes is, for me, still the greatest game they've ever made. The game oozes personality with its varied stages, boss fights and an unforgettable soundtrack brought to us by NON. This pounding theme is sadly cut short about midway through the stage. Would it have been too much trouble to let it play again after we aced that second mini boss?

Stage 5: Ellis - Thunder Force III (GEN)

The Genesis was blessed with not one, not two, but three, count 'em three Thunder Force titles. Most usually rule in favor of Thunder Force IV, released as Lightning Force here in the west, but Thunder Force III is still a top notch contender for best shooter on the Genesis. I feel like I'm not doing the game justice by representing this one song here because the entire soundtrack is gold.

Blue Sky Laundry - Battle Mania Daiginjou (GEN)

For those that had a proper understanding of the Genesis sound chip, it actually handled rock music extremely well. The second Battle Mania game is full of heavy Genesis rock, which fits perectly with all the on-screen shooting action this game provides. Pity this game never made it outside of Japan.

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