In the early 1990s, Sega‘s Game Gear portable console offered some stiff competition to the Nintendo Game Boy. While not specifically marketed as a party system, the Game Gear had excellent graphics, quick processing, and multiplayer connectivity that made it home to some underappreciated party classics. When friends came over, these action-packed titles made for entertaining competitions and cooperative challenges late into the night.
Let‘s rediscover 7 of the greatest party favorites in the Sega Game Gear library that still hold up today.
The Game Gear‘s Party Game Pedigree
Released in 1990, the Game Gear stood far above rival handhelds of its era in graphical capability. Its full color LCD screen and impressive 8-bit Zilog Z80 processor gave Sega‘s portable the ability to run arcade-quality ports. The Game Gear trailed behind the Game Boy in battery life and game library breadth. Yet, Sega positioned it as a more advanced system capable of faster, smoother play.
Connectivity represented another key advantage over Nintendo‘s portable. Using the system link "gear-to-gear" cable, Game Gears could interconnect for multiplayer action. Up to 16 players could join the fun through daisy chaining multiple systems. This functionality enabled developers to program competitive and cooperative party experiences not possible on standalone Game Boys.
While Sega didn‘t specifically brand the Game Gear as a party console, its advanced internals gave rise to various entertaining party games. Sports titles, puzzle challenges, and fighting games all shined when played in larger groups. Third party developers leveraged link cable connectivity for 4 player mayhem. Let‘s explore some of the greatest hits.
7. Columns
Columns challenges players to strategically stack and link same-colored jewels.
Columns brings the excitement of competitive Tetris-style puzzle action to the Game Gear. Players must quickly match same-colored jewels dropped from above into vertical stacks. Connecting jewels of the same colors increases point score multipliers.difficulty ramps up quickly as the rising columns of jewels pick up speed. Leaving gaps in the stack runs the risk of a "game over" once jewels reach the top. Master jewelbuilders must balance speed and strategy for high scores.
The basic single player mode provides plenty of addicting puzzling. However, Columns truly shines as a party game through its competitive two player option. Players race in splitscreen to out stack one another. The opponents‘ jewels may be manipulated with special spells earned through skillful connections. Games stay intense right down to the wire with no shortage of trash talk between friends.
With simple pick up and play rules mixed with increasingly strategic jewel matching challenges, it‘s clear why Columns ranked as a favorite multiplayer puzzler on the Game Gear.
6. Sonic Drift 2
Sonic Drift 2 brings favorite characters like Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles to the race track.
The Sonic franchise starred as one of Sega‘s prime attractions during the 16-bit era. It comes as no surprise that everyone‘s favorite blue hedgehog and friends took to the race track for burning rubber competition in Sonic Drift 2. The 1996 release built upon foundations established by the original Sonic Drift title. This time around, Sega incorporated classic characters like Knuckles and Metal Sonic to round out the roster.
Gameplay sticks to the basics of kart racing. Players select their character driver and take to imaginative tracks themed around environments in the Sonic universe. Courses feature spring boards, speed strips, and dash zones to spice up each lap. Racers drift and boost their way towards the finish while collecting rings and random power up items. Special offensive and defensive abilities learned from the original Sonic Drift return to mess with friend‘s concentration during intense matches.
Sonic Drift 2 sets itself apart from contemporaries like Super Mario Kart through simplicity. By focusing strictly on racing without the extras, Sega created an inviting kart racer perfect for gamers of all ages to pick up and play.
5. Primal Rage
Primal Rage brings beasts and mythology together for intense dinosaur battles.
Primal Rage tapped into fascination with dinosaurs and giant monsters in the mid 90s. The premise involves mythological beasts battling for control in a post-apocalyptic world after a massive meteor strike. In the one-on-one fighting gameplay made popular by Mortal Kombat, players select from various fantastical dinosaurs and reptiles. Combatants rely on signature moves and special attacks to deplete their opponent‘s health bar fastest over the course of best 2-out-of-3 matches.
While Primal Rage first released in arcades, the game saw excellent adaptation to the Game Gear. Vibrant, smoothly animated sprites brought the beasts and environments to life despite hardware limitations. Controls also ported over nicely for fluid battles. The Game Gear version sets itself apart through a unique cooperative play mode. Here, two players team up to take down AI enemies in the fight for primal supremacy.
Straightforward fighting mechanics combined with awesome anthropomorphic dinosaur designs made Primal Rage an absolute blast of a party game in the 90s. It still holds up incredibly well today.
4. Baku Baku Animal
Baku Baku Animal challenges hungry zoo critters with matching meals.
The simplistic yet addicting gameplay of Baku Baku Animal earned it recognition as one of the Game Gear‘s more unique puzzle experiences. Players take the role of zookeepers racing to feed animal guests their preferred snacks before they get too rowdy. Critters and food items drop vertically from above in random order. Gamers quickly shift animals horizontally to sit them atop matching meals. Leave an animal without its favorite grub for too long and it‘s game over.
Things get more chaotic in Baku Baku‘s versus mode which supports Game Gear link cable connectivity. Here the puzzle action plays out simultaneously for two players as they scramble to out feed one another. Special items add to the madness by reversing opponent‘s controls or temporarily stunning their progress. It creates enjoyable panic as animals stack up quickly without their desired treats.
Baku Baku Animal succeeds through simplicity and whimsical charm. The straightforward object matching objective combined with an amusing zoo setting made this falling block puzzler a hit for gamers of the 90s seeking social fun.
3. NBA Jam
NBA Jam brings high-flying, high-scoring basketball excitement to the Game Gear.
The NBA Jam series dominated 16-bit basketball gaming of the early 90s arcade scene with its over-the-top take on pro hoops action. Games turned into slam dunk throwing, trash talking competitions between friends rather than simulations of the real sport. NBA Jam‘s release on Game Gear in 1995 captured this fiery competitive spirit wonderfully.
Two on two matches have players driving the lane, pulling up from 3-point land, and rising above the rim for gravity-defying jams. Forget realism, as stars like Scottie Pippen perform stunning moves no human could ever achieve. This fast-paced, high-scoring take on pro basketball was perfect for pick-up games with friends. Sega smartly focused the Game Gear version on its competitive multiplayer mode. Using system link cables, gamers talk smack and draw fouls in tense rivalries with bragging rights on the line.
Though stripped down compared to console versions, NBA Jam represents a shining showcase of Game Gear‘s strength as a portable party machine.
2. Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 2 brings brutal beat ‘em up action to the small screen.
The Streets of Rage series ranks among Sega‘s most beloved arcade franchises from the 16-bit era. The classic side-scrolling beat-em-ups focused on taking out street gangs through relentless fist fighting action. Sega condensed the formula brilliantly in their Game Gear Streets of Rage 2 port, retaining challenging gameplay through slightly downgraded visuals.
In the game, ex-cops Axel and Blaze team up to clean up a crime-riddled city full of thugs and lowlifes. The heroes punch, grapple, and unleash weapon special attacks through gritty inner city streets on their crusade for justice. Fortunately, they won‘t need to take on the burly baddies alone. A friend can join in at any time for two player cooperative battles using the system link cable. Streets of Rage 2 was already an acclaimed multiplayer experience on Genesis, but the portable two player option only amplified the enjoyment.
Streets of Rage 2 on Game Gear neatly captures what made this iconic beat-em-up so memorable in an on-the-go format perfect for parties.
1. Super Columns
Super Columns builds upon the Columns formula with special offensive spells.
The popular falling block puzzler Columns received a stellar sequel exclusive to Game Gear in the form of 1993‘s Super Columns. The core objective of stacking same-colored jewels dropped vertically by quickly linking them horizontally remains fully intact. However, an overarching battle theme replaces the high score chasing of the original.
In Super Columns, players take on the role of wandering wizard Lexis challenging mystics from around the world in high-stakes jewel stacking tournaments. Lexis earns magic spells through combinations which can strike opponents jewels with effects like speeding up rate of fall or preventing rotation. Special abilities amplify the competitive puzzle play central to Columns after short single player story vignettes.
This mixture of offensive spell casting magic and classic Columns gameplay results in an incredibly addicting free-for-all puzzle challenge. Super Columns constantly pushes player‘s reflexes and decision making against live opponents. The concept endured for good reason to emerge as the Game Gear‘s quintessential party title.
Game Gear: Hidden Multiplayer Treasure of the 90s
The Game Gear never aimed specifically for party gaming, as it launched primarily as competition for the Game Boy. Yet its advanced processing muscle and interconnectivity between systems through link cables brought some underappreciated party classics alongside Sonic platformers and roleplaying adventures. Games like Columns, Primal Rage, Streets of Rage 2 may appear simple, but their quick pick up and play aspects shine when enjoyed among friends late into the night.
Dig out that old Game Gear from your closet and reconnect with these gems for your next get together. Their frantic competitive multiplayer modes will have you trash talking well into tomorrow morning. Just be sure to grab some extra batteries!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sega‘s most successful game?
Sonic the Hedgehog, debuting in 1991 on Genesis, drove Sega to the top during console wars of the 16-bit era. The lightning fast platformer sold over 15 million copies across various collections.
What is the least popular Sega console?
Sega‘s first dip into the console market with the SG-1000 proved unsuccessful, especially outside Japan. It managed less than 150 game releases over 3 years before discontinuation in 1985.
Will Sega still make games?
Yes, Sega continues releasing new video game titles annually as a third party developer across various platforms. However, they no longer manufacture their own proprietary systems.
Who‘s the most famous Sega character?
No contest here! Sonic the Hedgehog stands tall as Sega‘s icon and remains a household name over 30 years later. His lightning fast platforming adventures symbolized Sega in the 90s.
Who was the main competition for Sega?
The Nintendo Entertainment System/Super Nintendo squared off directly against Sega Genesis/Game Gear throughout console wars of the late 80s through mid 90s. Sega put up quite the fight thanks to Sonic‘s success before Nintendo ultimately came out on top.
