Play Blades of Vengeance (USA, Europe) Online

Game Overview

Blades of Vengeance is one of those Genesis games that somehow slipped under the radar, which is a shame because it’s got this weird, dark charm to it. You pick between a barbarian, an elf, or a warrior—each handles totally differently, and I remember spending way too long in the character select screen trying to decide. The barbarian hits like a truck but moves like one too, while the elf’s magic feels overpowered until you run out of mana mid-boss fight.

The levels are these moody, gothic nightmares—spiked pits everywhere, skeletons popping out of the ground, and these creepy floating heads that just won’t leave you alone. The music nails it too, all ominous synths that make even basic platforming feel tense. And yeah, it’s hard. Like, "throw your controller at the couch" hard sometimes, but pulling off a perfect combo or finally nailing a jump after ten tries feels amazing.

If you’ve got a friend around, the co-op turns it into a chaotic mess of sword swings and accidental friendly fire—in the best way possible. It’s not perfect, but there’s something about the way it commits to its grim fantasy vibe that sticks with you. Just don’t expect to beat it in one sitting.