Recommend me some Japanese Mega Drive games

[Megamixer]

As per thread title, looking for some recommendations for Japanese Mega Drive games. Currently going for full sets in the Golden Axe and Streets of Rage/Bare Knuckle trilogies but it'll be nice to have some other stuff to look out for while I'm waiting for those games to come up at decent prices.

Basically, I love scrolling fighters/1-on-1 fighters and weird stuff but will try anything.

Also, if there are any games available in PAL format which have amazing boxart in the Japanese territory, recommend me those too! Part of the reason why I'm going for the GA/BK games is the stunning boxart

Recommend away!

[C=Style]

You should check out YuYu Hakusho Makyoutoissen if you like your 1 on 1 fighters.

[Megamixer]

You should check out YuYu Hakusho Makyoutoissen if you like your 1 on 1 fighters.

Just looked and there's one on ebay...£64.99 though!

[C=Style]

Yeah it might be a bit expensive it's good though

[Tepid Snake]

Unfortunately, most of the import things I can think of right now were released in the US as well, except for one. Here we go anyway:

Devil Hunter Yohko - Also referred to as Mamono Hunter Yohko. And sometimes spelled Yoko. That should make it fun to search for! One of the more well-known import exclusives, it's a nice little hack-and-slash platformer, and it pretty much speaks for itself. Doesn't look too hot nowadays, but definitely fun.
Gameplay video

Battle Mania - Released in the US as Trouble Shooter with a shockingly bad cover and no PAL version in sight, this is a jet-pack shooter like Forgotten Worlds but with chicks, and you control two characters at once- you can have one covering the rear or have both aiming forward, and you get to choose weapons before each stage. A quirky little shooter with the greatest secret ever, but it's quite tough!
Gameplay video

Splatterhouse Part 3 - This was also released in the US but denied a PAL release. This is much closer to Final Fight than the previous Splatterhouse games, and is honestly extremely creepy in parts with some weird photo-realistic cut-scenes.
Gameplay video

Games with better box-art:
Alien Storm - Hell yes
Shadow Dancer - Another hell yes
Dynamite Headdy - As well as being very weird, the Japanese version of Dynamite Headdy has crazy box-art and is significantly easier than its Western counterpart.

[Shinobi]

As Tepid Snake says Devil Hunter Yoko

I got mine from KT Consoles in 1997 and always kept onto it as I liked the cover



Alien Storm, Super Shinobi, Alisa Dragoon, Grey Lancer, Streets of Rage series, Golden Axe series, Sailor Moon, Cotton, Alien Soldier, Contra also a amazing covers and manuals.. Here's Alien Storm

[Megamixer]

Nice suggestions! That Alien Storm boxart looks amazing; can't believe we got so many crap and ugly covers.

[speedlolita]

Nice suggestions! That Alien Storm boxart looks amazing; can't believe we got so many crap and ugly covers.

Welcome to PAL territory. censored game art and slowed games.

[Dizrythmia]

Snow Bros - From memory the MD version has extra levels. You rescue the girls like normal, then the guys get captured so you play the girls & rescue them.

[lostSUNDAY]

Japanese Mega Drive games = best box art ever. I'm never buying a PAL MD game again. Seriously.

[Sureshot]

Gley Lancer
Nekketsu Kōkō Dodgeball Bu: Soccer Hen
Honoo no Toukyuuji Dodge Danpei
Puyo Puyo
Puyo Puyo Tsu

[Cauterize]

Snow Bros - From memory the MD version has extra levels. You rescue the girls like normal, then the guys get captured so you play the girls & rescue them.

Uber expensive though

[witchfinder]

You should check out YuYu Hakusho Makyoutoissen if you like your 1 on 1 fighters.

Just looked and there's one on ebay...£64.99 though!

That is overpriced - I've had two copies (boxed but missing manuals) for under £35 each in the past...

Not really from the genres you specified but a few more Jap-only suggestions:

Doraemon vs. The Dream Thief and the Seven Gozansu
Monster World IV
Pulseman
Saint Sword (I think that's Jap-only)
Wani Wani World

Also tons of shmups of varying quality...

[oli_lar]

Eliminate Down is a great shooter, but very expensive.

[thesubcon3]

I second Pulseman which is extremely fun to play but I can only imagine the price. Honestly, for any of the great MD imports they are going to be more expensive, but I hope you can find a few amazing ones...

Of course you can always do what I do for affordablility if you just like the box art... I print out my own covers and put them in the cases. For example here is the Alien Storm Japanese cover.
http://www.thecoverproject.net/view.php?cover_id=7357

Of course some games are very worthy of importing because the versions are different, but if box art is all you are after, there ya go. I also make my own custom cases for games that I don't have the box for. Like my entire n64 collection is in cases...