Best Sega CD RPGs, Ranked

While Sega is mostly known for being the company behind big-name franchises like Sonic and Yakuza/Like a Dragon, it used to play a much bigger role in the video game sphere. In the 80s and 90s, it was Nintendo’s biggest rival and was putting out consoles like the Master System and the Genesis.

In order to increase the capabilities of the Sega Genesis, Sega introduced the Sega CD, a periphery that could attack itself to the Genesis to play games on CDs instead of cartridges. Though the Sega CD was not very successful, there were a few decent games released for it. Here are the best RPGs released on the Sega CD.

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Best Sega CD Games, Ranked

The Sega CD may have been considered a commercial failure, but it had some great games that are still fondly remembered.

6 Shin Megami Tensei

Gamefaqs Rating: 3.51

Long ago, a rift from another world allowed demons to invade Tokyo. Using a special computer program, humans were able to communicate and even work with demons. In a post-apocalyptic world where demons run rampant, a Hero dreams of his destiny, and of two others who will join him in changing the world.

Shin Megami Tensei is the first game in the central Shin Megami Tensei series, and the third overall game after the original Megami Tensei duology. While the game did not invent the franchise’s iconic gameplay mechanics of recruiting enemy demons and fusing them to create stronger ones, it definitely brought the franchise more popularity, which allowed it to blossom into the massive RPG franchise it is today.

5 Shining Force CD

Gamefaqs Rating: 4.11

A remake compilation of the Game Gear games Shining Force Gaiden I and II, Shining Force CD goes through four books’ worth of stories, two of which are completely new stories that continue the narrative of the Gaiden games. The story follows after the plot of the original Shining Force, following a new hero named Nick.

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Shining Force CD is a tactical role-playing game published as part of Sega’s Shining RPG franchise. The game features a playstyle that is somewhat similar to Fire Emblem, but ultimately manages to stand out on its own merits. While the game was somewhat ignored on release, it is now considered one of the best games on the Sega CD.

4 Dark Wizard

Gamefaqs Rating: 4.15

As punishment for researching forbidden spells, Velonese is charged with guarding the evil Arliman for eternity. As Arliman’s influence poisons his mind, Velonese conquers the kingdom of Cheshire using forbidden spells to conjure powerful demonic generals. Four heroes set out to take back the kingdom from Velonese and free them from evil.

Dark Wizard is an RPG published and developed by Sega, which involves building up an army to take back the kingdom of Cheshire. The player is given four playable characters to choose from, and features tactical gameplay on a hex map. The game featured many cinematic cutscenes that helped to establish and tell its story.

3 Popful Mail

Gamefaqs Rating: 4.21

Elvish bounty hunter Popful Mail struggles to make ends meet after failing to capture the elusive Nuts Cracker. Her spirits are roused when she spies a 2,000,000 gold bounty for the criminal wizard named Muttonhead, and immediately sets out to capture him, not knowing the journey she’ll be sent on as a result.

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Popful Mail is a side-scrolling action RPG from Nihon Falcom, the company behind the Ys and Trails RPG series. It is incredibly unique for the genre, and while it was originally developed for PCs, a port for the Sega CD was eventually developed in 1994.

2 Lunar: The Silver Star

Gamefaqs Rating: 4.28

Alex is a young boy who dreams of becoming a hero, just like the Dragonmaster Dyne, who helped the goddess Althena bring peace to their world. He spends his days with his talking pet Nall and his childhood friend, Luna, who has the strange power to heal with her singing. Unbeknownst to any of them, Luna has a secret destiny that will change their lives forever.

Lunar: The Silver Star is an RPG created by Game Arts, the company that would eventually be known for the Grandia series. It is a classic RPG that tests the limits of the Sega CD with lavish cutscenes and cinematic animation. Several remakes have been made for this entry since its initial release, proving its longevity and iconic status.

1 Lunar: Eternal Blue

Gamefaqs Rating: 4.43

Intrepid adventurer Hiro discovers a strange artifact in an ancient ruin. When he uses the artifact on a tower, he discovers a beautiful woman named Lucia, who asks him one thing: to take him to Althena, so that she can warn her about the coming destruction.

Lunar: Eternal Blue is the sequel to Lunar: The Silver Star, taking place 1,000 years after its predecessor. While the stories are far removed from each other, there are narrative elements that connect the two stories together. Lunar: Eternal Blue is a cult classic, and like its predecessor has been remade for the Playstation.

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