The Sega Game Gear, first released in 1990, may not have had the sheer number of role-playing games as contemporary platforms like the Super Nintendo. Yet the handheld system was home to some of the most groundbreaking and memorable RPGs of the 16-bit era.
With advanced color graphics and processing power that nearly matched its rival the Game Boy, the Game Gear was an impressive showcase for genres like tactical RPGs, action RPGs, and traditional turn-based fare.
Here are the 5 RPGs that truly defined the platform and stand the test of time as the Game Gear‘s best.
Brief History of Computer RPGs
Before counting down the top Game Gear RPGs, it helps to understand the origins and evolution of the genre itself.
Role-playing video games have their roots in tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons. First published in 1974, D&D established concepts like hit points, character classes, magic spells, and fantasy races that would become staples of computer RPGs.
The first RPG video games emerged in the 1970s, often inspired directly by D&D. Titles like Akalabeth: World of Doom (1980) and Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness (1981) translated tabletop mechanics like statistical attributes and turn-based combat to the computer screen.
As home consoles grew more powerful in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, RPGs began to incorporate richer stories, graphics and sound. The Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis hosted classics like Final Fantasy IV (1991) and Phantasy Star IV (1993) that expanded the genre.
The Game Gear arrived at an opportune time to deliver engrossing RPG experiences to gamers on the go. While its library couldn‘t compete with the SNES, the handheld punch above its weight class with several landmark RPGs.
1. Defenders of Oasis
- Release: 1992
- Developer: Sega
- Sega Retro Score: 86
Of all the titles in the Game Gear‘s RPG lineup, 1992‘s Defenders of Oasis stands out as the most polished and memorable experience.
Produced by Sega, Defenders of Oasis transports players to ancient Mesopotamia and the Arabian Nights-inspired world of Shahram. The nameless prince protagonist must gather three magic rings that originally sealed away the demon lord Ahriman. Only by recovering this ancient relic can the prince face Ahriman and save the kingdom.
Defenders of Oasis employs a top-down perspective for exploration and side view battles. The gameplay loop of traversing towns and dangerous overworld areas to level up for story battles was standard for RPGs of the era. Yet vibrant sprite graphics, an emotive soundtrack, and cinematic story sequences made Oasis a cutting edge release.
Reviewers praised Defenders of Oasis as an accessible RPG perfect for Game Gear‘s portable format. Mean Machines Sega declared it "one of the finest RPGs I have ever seen on a handheld system."
Defenders of Oasis would become one of the Game Gear‘s best-selling and longest-lasting titles, cementing its reputation as the quintessential RPG for Sega‘s 8-bit handheld.
2. Shining Force: Sword of Hajya
- Release: 1994
- Developer: Sonic! Software Planning
- Sega Retro Score: 77
While Defenders of Oasis resembled traditional 8-bit RPGs, 1994‘s Shining Force: Sword of Hajya brought revolutionary tactical gameplay to Game Gear owners.
Sword of Hajya continues the story of 1992 Game Gear title Shining Force Gaiden, set in the fantasy world of Rune. Young Deanna leads the Shining Force army against the monstrous hordes of Iom. Sword of Hajya‘s grid-based battles play out more like chess matches than traditional RPG showdowns. Players maneuver units around tile-based maps, carefully choosing when and where to engage the clever enemy AI.
Like Fire Emblem and other 1990s tactical RPGs, micromanaging character classes and inventories outside of combat adds to Sword of Hajya‘s depth. Hardcore RPG fans could grind for dozens of hours to craft the ultimate Shining Force battalion.
Reviewers praised the game‘s refined combat and customization systems. According to GameFan, "die-hard RPG gamers will dig the extremely flexible charm of this game."
Sword of Hajya would inspire portable Shining Force titles on Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS decades later. Yet for many, this 1994 classic remains the pinnacle of tactical RPGs in the palm of your hand.
3. Revelations: The Demon Slayer
- Release: 1994
- Developer: Multimedia Intelligence Transfer
- Sega Retro Score: 71
Known as Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible in Japan, this 1994 release arrived in North America as Revelations: The Demon Slayer. While doomed to obscurity due to poor sales, this spinoff to the Megami Tensei RPG saga was loaded with innovative ideas.
Revelations deviates from other Megami Tensei titles with its medieval fantasy setting. But the core demon collecting and fusing mechanics remain. Players recruit a wide variety of grotesque monstrosities during their quest to recover the Gaia relics. These creatures can be combined to create ever more powerful minions to battle the Gaians, a mysterious group manipulating mankind.
Fusing demons introduced an almost Pokémon-like collectible element that addicted gamers back in 1994. Battles play out from a first-person view, with players inputting orders for both their character and summoned demons. While rudimentary compared to later Megami Tensei epics, the fusion system and dark story made Revelations hugely influential.
Unfortunately, a limited release prevented Revelations from finding a wider audience. Yet for patients fans, tracking down this unconventional RPG is one of the great joys of Game Gear collecting.
4. Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe
- Release: 1991
- Developer: Sega
- Sega Retro Score: 66
One of Sega‘s premier arcade action franchises morphed into a surprisingly solid RPG experience with 1991‘s Ax Battler: A Legend of Golden Axe.
Starring the musclebound warrior Ax Battler, this spinoff eschews the side-scrolling beat ‘em up action of the console Golden Axe games. Instead Ax Battler alternates between a top-down overworld and side view battles.
As Ax journeys across the fantasy realm of Elf World to defeat the villain Death Adder, random enemy encounters put his sword and sorcery skills to the test. Defeating foes earns gold and experience points to visit villages and upgrade weapons. While simple compared to deeper RPGs, the blend of action and RPG mechanics expanded Golden Axe‘s audience.
Critics viewed Ax Battler as a solid if unspectacular entry in the Golden Axe series. Like the best movie spinoffs, it succeeded bychanging genres rather than just rehashing old ideas. Ax would hack and slash his way through several more Game Gear adventures later in the decade as well.
5. Crystal Warriors
- Release: 1993
- Developer: Sega
- Sega Retro Score: N/A
Rounding out our list is a truly unique and tragically overlooked tactical RPG. Released exclusively in North America in 1993, Crystal Warriors blended grid-based combat with a colorful world that exemplified the Game Gear‘s graphical capabilities.
The story centers around Princess Emeraldina‘s quest to save her father‘s kingdom from the vile magician Wizard Bane. By gathering crystals imbued with the power of the land‘s guardian spirits, the player‘s army becomes strong enough to confront Bane.
Combat plays out from an angled overhead view, with players maneuvering their forces around villages, forests, rivers and bridges. Crystals gathered in the environment bestow different types of magic upon characters. Combining forces with the right abilities can obliterate the opposing team in a single attack.
Vibrant sprites and backdrops showcase Crystal Warriors‘ fantasy realm, while character designs take inspiration from mythical beings like unicorns and griffins. Despite simplistic gameplay, the charming world building and variety of battle strategies make Crystal Warriors one of the Game Gear’s most creative gems.
While the Game Gear lacked the quantity of RPGs found on contemporary platforms, these five titles represented the broad range of the genre in the early 1990s. From traditional fantasy questing to strategic grid combat to dark monster collecting, Game Gear owners got to experience pioneering RPG ideas on the go.
Sumptuous graphics and sound pushed the handheld hardware to its limits. And accessibility for gaming newcomers, coupled with depth for hardcore fans, gave these RPGs remarkably wide appeal.
Nearly three decades later, these five RPGs remain the definitive role-playing experiences for Sega’s 8-bit handheld. Modern gamers willing to revisit vintage platforms can discover why magazines like Electronic Gaming Monthly, Mean Machines, and GamePro all showered these titles with praise back in the 1990s.
For RPG fans on a budget, the Game Gear delivers countless hours of engrossing stories, tense battles, and memorable characters without breaking the bank on more expensive cartridges. And it all fits snugly right in your pocket!
What are the origins of RPG video games?
RPG video games evolved from 1970s tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. Early computer RPGs translated concepts like statistical attributes, experience points and turn-based combat to simple 2D graphics. As home consoles became more advanced in the late 1980s and 1990s, RPG developers incorporated richer stories, graphics and sound to match the emotional depth seen in classic D&D adventures at the table.
How did the Game Gear compare to the Nintendo Game Boy and other handhelds?
The Game Gear featured superior processing power and color graphics compared to the original Game Boy‘s monochrome visuals. However, the Game Gear struggled against Nintendo‘s dominance of the handheld market due to a much higher initial launch price and shorter battery life. Sega‘s system remained popular thanks to the strength of Sonic the Hedgehog games and a lineup of popular titles across genres like RPGs and fighting games.
What innovations did Game Gear RPGs introduce to the genre?
Tactical RPGs like Shining Force brought strategic, grid-based combat to handheld gamers for the first time. More active battle systems in games like _Ax Battler_combined RPG stat building with reflex-based combat. And demon fusion mechanics seen in Revelations: The Demon Slayer presaged creature collecting systems that later became hugely popular.
Can I still play Game Gear games today?
Definitely! Many Game Gear classics are available on modern platforms. The Sega Genesis Mini console includes Defenders of Oasis and the entire Game Gear library can be played via emulation on PC and mobile devices. Game Gear cartridges and hardware can also be purchased from retro gaming stores and online marketplaces to play titles like Shining Force in their original format.
