10 Best Sega Franchises That Aren’t Sonic The Hedgehog

Sonic takes up most of Sega’s attention these days, but here are 10 fantastic Sega franchises that don’t have anything to do with the blue blur.

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Aside from their rival Nintendo, there’s perhaps no other video game studio that better exemplifies the arcade-gaming era of the 80s and 90s than Sega. Along with their Kyoto-based counterpart, Sega rose from the ashes of the US gaming crash in the early 80s and helped shape the medium into what it’s become today. But, while the Big N sought to make gaming more accessible and kid-friendly, Sega existed as the slightly grittier, faster, and edgier alternative. They sought to recapture at least some of the “Wild West” spirit of the Atari days, with games that skewed a bit older and a tinge more dangerous.

Their flagship franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog, was emblematic of this company attitude and philosophy, with its uncompromising speed and chaotic sense of action. Yet, there’s a slew of similarly classic Sega titles that tend to get overshadowed by the “blue dude with attitude,” especially when it comes to some of their older efforts. While perhaps not as iconic as Sonic, for many fans, these games prove just as fun and just as significant in gaming history. With that said, take a look at the 10 best franchises to come from the studio that aren’t named Sonic.

10 Golden Axe

Sega often thrives most when embracing its arcade roots, and there are few franchises that embody this spirit more than 1989’s Golden Axe. The gameplay is distilled beat ’em up fun and remains a classic example of the Japanese studio at their best. The colorful fantasy settings and satisfying, action-laced combat make Golden Axe one of the most memorable experiences for the Sega Mega Drive and Genesis.

Though the sidescrolling, grind-it-out gameplay may seem a bit dated to some, it’s a shining example of what made early Sega so appealing, and it’s a great representation of their edgy attitude.

9 House Of The Dead

Sega in the mid-90s was seemingly the outlet of choice for gamers seeking classic arcade-style rail shooters. In addition to 94’s Virtua Cop, House of the Dead made for a particularly exciting lightgun romp. Its sleeker visuals and detailed settings, coupled with the onslaught of zombie-slaying action, made the polygonal Virtua Cop seem tame by comparison.

Released in 1996, the original House of the Dead quickly proved a major draw for both arcades and the Sega Saturn console. This breakout hit eventually spawned a number of sequels and was instrumental in popularizing zombie-based shooters along with the more nuanced Resident Evil.

8 Jet Grind Radio

Even more than Sonic, this extreme sports, graffiti-spraying romp is perhaps the best representation of Sega’s edgy, boundary-pushing sensibilities in the 90s. The game puts a zany spin on the then-popular Tony Hawk-style skater and focuses on stylistic visuals and chaotic gameplay. The game becomes an epic, adrenaline-fueled escapade as players skate, grind, and leap across Grind City, spray-painting all in their wake.

While the franchise was something of a one-hit-wonder, Jet Grind Radio truly left an impression on Sega fans when it burst onto the Dreamcast over two decades ago. Its 2002 sequel, Jet Set Radio Future, remains a rare Japanese-made gem for the Xbox.

7 Crazy Taxi

Though it was crafted by the now-defunct Sega subsidiary, Hitmaker, Crazy Taxi has become one of the all-time arcade staples for Sega. Yet, it was also a huge selling point for the then-new Dreamcast, with the gameplay largely replicating the thrilling arcade experience… minus the cockpit seat and steering wheel, of course.

It combines racing with heart-pumping action, as players must deal with a slew of impatient travelers as well as the intimidating ticking clock. Crazy Taxi is pure, unapologetic fast-paced insanity, and it’s these traits that make it one of the most fun and exciting Sega games to date.

6 Ecco The Dolphin

It’s not easy to craft games that present such a rich sense of atmosphere and scale within the restricted parameters of 8 or 16-bit hardware. Yet, designer Ed Annunziata and Novotrade International rose to the challenge with this distinct oceanic journey. While the Genesis offered many intense, in-your-face experiences, Ecco the Dolphin served as a more serene and subdued alternative.

Despite its low-key nature, however, it proved no-less memorable, and it remains a cult favorite for the Genesis. It’s gone on to spawn three sequels that featured even more lush and detailed visuals.

5 NiGHTS

Despite the connotations that come with their name, studio Sonic Team has helmed a number of projects outside of the iconic blue hedgehog. One of the most interesting takes on the form of a majestic and fantastical trip through the skies, NiGHTS. The studio’s foray into the 3D realm proves an exhilarating one, with its fluid, free-flowing gameplay and vibrant, dream-like settings. Though the series never quite took off, NiGHTS shines as a rare bright spot in a fairly thin and tepid Saturn library.

4 Panzer Dragoon

Saturn fans seeking a slightly darker alternative to the more whimsical NiGHTS didn’t really have to look further than Panzer Dragoon. Still, while this action romp shared some overlap via the on-rails flying, it was very much its own beast.

The games had players take to the skies of a post-apocalyptic world aboard a dragon, all the while firing lasers and rapid-fire guns at foes. Though the jaggy aesthetic hasn’t aged too well, this 95 debut proved the PlayStation wasn’t the only game in town when it came to epic 3D romps.

3 Streets Of Rage

The fact that Streets of Rage is still renowned despite coming from an era full of beat ’em ups is a testament to how excellent these games were and are. Along with Final Fight and a few others, this Sega fighter still stands tall as one of the best efforts in the genre. It’s even inspired a stylistic sequel after a nearly two-decade hiatus.

The series shines with its bouts of pummeling action, various colorful foes, and enjoyable multiplayer. While somewhat slim in content, Streets of Rage is off the charts exciting and addictive. Its endlessly satisfying combat gives it an immense amount of replayability.

2 Shenmue

For many, this adventure romp was ahead of its time, with its subdued nature, grittier style, and cinematic qualities standing out amongst its peers. Spearheaded by designer Yu Suzuki, Shenmue quickly gained a cult following with its captivating story, dynamic settings, and deep characters.

It proved to be something of a precursor to some of the darker, more theatrical titles that would populate Microsoft and Sony’s consoles in particular. In this sense, Shenmue has come full circle, with its anticipated third entry finally hitting the PS4 in 2019.

1 Phantasy Star

This RPG epic from Sega managed to shine with its balance of recognizable elements and innovative concepts. It ventured into uncharted territory—especially for a console RPG—with its blend of sci-fi and fantasy elements, along with its use of first-person dungeon crawls. Beyond this, it was one of the first major video games to feature a female lead.

The series continued to push boundaries with its online sequels, which were among the first to bring online RPG gameplay to the home console. Phantasy Star ropes in players with their imaginative settings, in-depth gameplay, and mythological premise, refusing to let go throughout their memorable journeys.

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