Ristar (August 1994) Game
Oh, Ristar—what a hidden gem from the golden age of the SEGA Genesis! This 1995 platformer (technically released in Japan in early '95, but late '94 elsewhere) stars the most adorable stretchy-armed hero you’ve ever seen, swinging, grabbing, and headbutting his way through vibrant, candy-colored worlds. Unlike Sonic’s speed-first approach, Ristar is all about deliberate, physics-based platforming—imagine if Kirby and Bionic Commando had a gravity-defying baby. Each level bursts with creativity, from lush jungles to spacey synth-pop soundtracks that still slap today.
What really makes Ristar shine is its personality. The animations are absurdly charming—watch him cling to poles with wide-eyed panic or somersault mid-air like a goofy acrobat. Boss fights are delightfully weird (a giant, singing… cactus, anyone?), and the controls are butter-smooth. It’s a criminally underrated classic that deserved way more love. If you missed it back in the day, fire up an emulator and treat yourself—this one’s pure, unfiltered joy.
What really makes Ristar shine is its personality. The animations are absurdly charming—watch him cling to poles with wide-eyed panic or somersault mid-air like a goofy acrobat. Boss fights are delightfully weird (a giant, singing… cactus, anyone?), and the controls are butter-smooth. It’s a criminally underrated classic that deserved way more love. If you missed it back in the day, fire up an emulator and treat yourself—this one’s pure, unfiltered joy.
