In addition to N64 games making it onto the Switch Online Expansion Pack, a handful of Sega Genesis titles are also coming to the console. While Sega has been more generous in re-releasing their games on collections and more, it will still be nice for those who have not picked up any of those.
Whether the extra cost for the subscription will be worth it or not is entirely up to you. The N64 library might be the bigger draw of the offering considering the rarity of those titles elsewhere. All the same, Sega Genesis games are always a welcome addition.
14 Castlevania: Bloodlines
While the SNES has the beloved classic Super Castlevania IV, the Genesis was not left in the dust. Bloodlines retains the series' classic side-scrolling gameplay. If you don't feel like paying for the subscription, the game is also available as a part of the Castlevania Collection and on the Genesis Mini.
13 Contra: Hard Corps
Similar to Castlevania, the Genesis also received an exclusive Contra game. Hard Corps is a direct sequel to Contra 3, but you never come to a Contra title for the story. Cooperative play will be a true draw of the adventure once the platform launches.
12 Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
This game was released as Puyo Puyo in Japan. The US release is functionally identical, only with the Sonic aesthetic put into it.
The game has become more popular in recent years thanks to Puyo Puyo Tetris. If you want a pure Puyo Puyo experience, go with Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine.
11 Ecco The Dolphin
Ecco the Dolphin is a weird concept, especially during the time of cutesy mascots aimed towards children and teens. You play as a dolphin traveling through the ocean and eventually go into a spaceship. Since you are a dolphin, you need to periodically emerge for air. This isn't for anyone who hates underwater levels.
10 Golden Axe
Golden Axe debuted in the arcades before making its way to numerous other home consoles. While arcade versions might be desired, the Genesis release includes extra ways to play, such as a survival and versus mode. Hopefully, friends will be able to play online together.
9 Gunstar Heroes
Gunstar Heroes holds a good place in Genesis fans' hearts. It's inclusion on the online service is a huge plus for the value proposition. The gameplay is like Contra, but the art is more colorful and welcoming. If you cannot wait until this service comes out, you can always play the 3DS re-release.
8 MUSHA
Vertically scrolling shooters were relatively common in the early 90s. MUSHA might have been lost in the shuffle but has seen renewed appreciation in recent years due to its art and soundtrack. Developer Compile also made Puyo Puyo, another one of the games being released.
7 Phantasy Star 4
The first four Phantasy Star games are JRPG classics. Even among its good peers, Phantasy Star 4 manages to stand out as one of the best RPGs of its time. The game infamously cost $100 upon release. It's not a long game, either, but perfectly paced and just challenging enough not to be too frustrating.
6 Ristar
Ristar does not run as fast as Sonic the Hedgehog, but he makes up for it with stretchable arms. This ability distinguishes Ristar from other platformers of the time. It came out in 1995, near the end of the Genesis' run, but still managed to find an audience and had a positive critical reception.
5 Shining Force
Shining Force is a turn-based strategy game that came out in 1992, years before classics like Tactics Ogre and Final Fantasy Tactics. Even though it is a strategy game, it also includes exploration mechanics similar to more traditional JRPGs. Like many of the other games on the list, it is available on numerous compilations.
4 Shinobi 3
The first two Shinobi games are not being released on the service because they did not come out on the Genesis. It might be better this way, though, since they all have similar gameplay and the third entry has the smoothest and most refined gameplay. There were only a few more games released in the franchise after 1993's Shinobi 3.
3 Sonic The Hedgehog 2
The first Sonic game was an instant hit and made the Genesis a serious competitor for Nintendo. However, it is Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that players will be greeted with when the Expansion Pack launches. Mark Cerny, the architect of the PS4 and PS5, worked on this game, making it somewhat funny for its inclusion.
2 Streets Of Rage
Streets of Rage 4 was an incredible return to form for the franchise. It does not reinvent the formula but instead perfects it and updates the visuals to a beautiful, cartoonish aesthetic. The developers did not need to reinvent the wheel because the original Streets of Rage still plays so well. Just play it on the Expansion Pack service to find out for yourself.
1 Strider
Younger gamers might not fully understand Strider's legacy. it was considered one of the finest games ever made upon release, and the Genesis version is seen as a great port of the arcade game. You can see for yourself is Strider is deserving of such a reputation on the Nintendo Switch when the service launches at the end of October.