Play Mugen Senshi Valis (Japan) Online

Game Overview

Mugen Senshi Valis is one of those Genesis games that makes you wonder how it flew under the radar. You play as Yuko, swinging a massive sword through dreamy, neon-lit levels while enemies explode into pixelated sparks. The controls feel surprisingly good for a 90s platformer—your sword swings have real heft, and the double jump actually works when you need it (unlike some other games from this era).

It’s got that perfect mix of anime melodrama and tough-as-nails gameplay. One minute you’re watching a dramatic cutscene about saving the dream world, the next you’re getting wrecked by a floating eyeball boss that shoots lasers. The music? Pure Genesis gold—all crunchy guitars and synth that somehow makes dying five times in a row feel cool.

Fair warning: the difficulty spikes hard around the third stage, but mastering the rhythm of slashing, dodging, and using Yuko’s magic attacks is weirdly addictive. This is the kind of game you play with your knees pulled up to your chest, leaning way too close to the screen.