Mortal Kombat - released in 1993 Remember when the Mortal Kombat series was actually good? I do, but let’s face it, it’s all in the past. Before being released on the Sega Genesis, Mortal Kombat was a successful arcade game (and I remember going to the arcade as a kid and playing the heck out of it with my brother.) Mortal Kombat was like an typical 2D fighter, except this one had a lot of blood, and gore. When you depleted your opponents health bar, you could “finish” them with a fatality. Fatalities were extreme and drastic finishing moves that usually involved disembowelment or decapitation (or something equally as disturbing.) Eventually, sillier finishing moves were introduced, such as Babalities (turn your opponent into a baby) or Friendship (do something nice to your opponent before they drop dead.) The series began to lose it’s luster during the GameCube/Xbox era, and now it has fallen flat. A reboot is being developed, and hopefully they will give the series what it needs in order to contend with today’s best fighting games.  

Mortal Kombat - released in 1993

Remember when the Mortal Kombat series was actually good? I do, but let’s face it, it’s all in the past. Before being released on the Sega Genesis, Mortal Kombat was a successful arcade game (and I remember going to the arcade as a kid and playing the heck out of it with my brother.) Mortal Kombat was like an typical 2D fighter, except this one had a lot of blood, and gore. When you depleted your opponents health bar, you could “finish” them with a fatality. Fatalities were extreme and drastic finishing moves that usually involved disembowelment or decapitation (or something equally as disturbing.) Eventually, sillier finishing moves were introduced, such as Babalities (turn your opponent into a baby) or Friendship (do something nice to your opponent before they drop dead.) The series began to lose it’s luster during the GameCube/Xbox era, and now it has fallen flat. A reboot is being developed, and hopefully they will give the series what it needs in order to contend with today’s best fighting games.  

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers - released in 1994 If you were a fan of the television series, more than likely you had the games, too. In the video game, you had the ability to play as all six power rangers, and each of them had special weapons and abilities. The replay value was exceptional, as you could play through the main game as any ranger, plus, the game offered multiplayer modes for two players. Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers was also released on the Sega Genesis for those that did not own a Super Nintendo.

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers - released in 1994

If you were a fan of the television series, more than likely you had the games, too. In the video game, you had the ability to play as all six power rangers, and each of them had special weapons and abilities. The replay value was exceptional, as you could play through the main game as any ranger, plus, the game offered multiplayer modes for two players. Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers was also released on the Sega Genesis for those that did not own a Super Nintendo.

ClayFighter - released in 1994 Back in the days of classic 2D fighting, there was a lot to offer. Quite frankly, the weirdest fighter I have ever come across still rings true, meet ClayFighter, an arcade style brawler where you control characters made out of clay. Humor resides well within the ClayFighter series, as each character has a clever name to match their personality, and the roster is quite versatile (a snowman, a blob, a kangaroo, even an opera singer, though I can’t say if all of these characters appeared in the first title.) Honestly, I played more of the sequel, ClayFighter 2: Judgment Clay on the Super Nintendo. The differences are subtle, but if you enjoy fighting games, I guarantee you’ll find joy in the ClayFighter series.

ClayFighter - released in 1994

Back in the days of classic 2D fighting, there was a lot to offer. Quite frankly, the weirdest fighter I have ever come across still rings true, meet ClayFighter, an arcade style brawler where you control characters made out of clay. Humor resides well within the ClayFighter series, as each character has a clever name to match their personality, and the roster is quite versatile (a snowman, a blob, a kangaroo, even an opera singer, though I can’t say if all of these characters appeared in the first title.) Honestly, I played more of the sequel, ClayFighter 2: Judgment Clay on the Super Nintendo. The differences are subtle, but if you enjoy fighting games, I guarantee you’ll find joy in the ClayFighter series.

Rock N’ Roll Racing - released in 1993 Similar to the Micromachines and R.C. Pro AM games, Rock N’ Roll Racing offered a intensive combat and musical experience not present in many racing games. Set in futuristic environments, Rock N’ Roll Racing allowed you to fully customize your vehicle and purchase upgrades, not to mention the game is equipped with a gnarly soundtrack featuring tunes from top rock artists. Seriously, this game couldn’t have gotten any cooler. Rock N’ Rolling Racing was also released on the Sega Genesis.

Rock N’ Roll Racing - released in 1993

Similar to the Micromachines and R.C. Pro AM games, Rock N’ Roll Racing offered a intensive combat and musical experience not present in many racing games. Set in futuristic environments, Rock N’ Roll Racing allowed you to fully customize your vehicle and purchase upgrades, not to mention the game is equipped with a gnarly soundtrack featuring tunes from top rock artists. Seriously, this game couldn’t have gotten any cooler. Rock N’ Rolling Racing was also released on the Sega Genesis.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - released in 1992 I’m not the biggest Sonic fan around, but I did play quite a bit of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the Sega Genesis, and I was quite fond of playing as Tails. Around the time it came out, I was only six, so I wasn’t that great at the game. When it was released on the Wii’s Virtual Console, I downloaded it, but still haven’t seen it through to the end. Dr. Robotnik is at it again, this time snatching up all the innocent little animals of the world to do his bidding, and plans to acquire the Chaos Emeralds to power up a Death Egg warship. The game is a classic, it’s just too bad Sonic has lost his luster.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - released in 1992

I’m not the biggest Sonic fan around, but I did play quite a bit of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the Sega Genesis, and I was quite fond of playing as Tails. Around the time it came out, I was only six, so I wasn’t that great at the game. When it was released on the Wii’s Virtual Console, I downloaded it, but still haven’t seen it through to the end. Dr. Robotnik is at it again, this time snatching up all the innocent little animals of the world to do his bidding, and plans to acquire the Chaos Emeralds to power up a Death Egg warship. The game is a classic, it’s just too bad Sonic has lost his luster.

Mortal Kombat II - released in 1994 In celebration of the release of the new Mortal Kombat, let’s pay homage to the sequel that was released on both the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis (though I commemorating the Genesis version because that’s the one I played.) This installment introduced new fighters and fatalities (plus the first appearance of my favorite fighter, Jade!) Which Mortal Kombat is your favorite?

Mortal Kombat II - released in 1994

In celebration of the release of the new Mortal Kombat, let’s pay homage to the sequel that was released on both the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis (though I commemorating the Genesis version because that’s the one I played.) This installment introduced new fighters and fatalities (plus the first appearance of my favorite fighter, Jade!) Which Mortal Kombat is your favorite?