While Sega is mostly known for being the company behindbig-name franchises likeSonicandYakuza/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.
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.
Gamefaqs Rating: 3.51
Shin Megami Tensei
Shin Megami Tensei (literally True Goddess Reincarnation) is a role-playing video game from Atlus that was originally released on July 05, 2025 in Japan. The game was extremely well received and would spawn a variety of sequels and spin-offs. PLOTThe story is set in Tokyo in the year 199X. Demons from the nether-realm of Makai have found their way back to Earth, and as such have upset the balance of power.A charismatic Japanese leader attempts a coup d’etat using these demons as a potent military force, forcing America to intervene with its military. The player, as the hero, becomes involved when sent a Devil Summoning Program via email which allows him to converse with and recruit demons to fight for him, storing them as digital data on his computer. In the aftermath of the ensuing destruction, the hero must decide what kind of world should be created on its ruins.Will he side with the angels and create a kingdom of absolute order that would last for a thousand years, or will he side with the demons and bring about an eternal anarchy, or will he choose neither, and destroy everyone who opposes him?
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 Tenseiis the first game in the centralShin Megami Tenseiseries, and the third overall game after the originalMegami Tenseiduology. 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 blossominto the massive RPG franchise it is today.
Shining Force CD
Prepare to do battle!
Join the Shining Force in their valiant struggle to beat back the power-mad King Iom and his invading army! To defeat his evil horde and save the kingdom of Cypress, it will take cunning strategy, magic spells, and even hand-to-hand combat!
A remake compilation of the Game Gear gamesShining Force Gaiden IandII,Shining Force CDgoes 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 originalShining Force, following a new hero named Nick.
Shining Force CDis a tactical role-playing game published as part of Sega’sShiningRPG franchise. The game features a playstylethat is somewhat similar toFire 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.
Gamefaqs Rating: 4.15
Dark Wizard
You’re Off to Beat the lizard!These are epic times for the people of Cheshire. The kingdom of Quentin is the last stronghold in all of Cheshire against the forces of darkness. But Quentin’s king has been killed in battle. Cheshire desperately needs a successor to come forward and lead the warriors of light against the forces of darkness and, eventually, against the Dark Wizard himself. If you fail, darkness will rule Cheshire - forever!Play your way through as one of four main characters. See the development of your army firsthand, as every. one gains experience points and levels.Stunning cinematics set the stage for this multi-layered heroic struggle!Outfit your party to defeat the forces of darkness with hundreds of itemsincluding weapons, equipment, and potions.Enjoy hours of strategic combat only on Sega CD
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 Wizardis 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, andfeatures tactical gameplay on a hex map. The game featured many cinematic cutscenes that helped to establish and tell its story.
Gamefaqs Rating: 4.21
Popful Mail
This game, released by Nihon Falcom in 1991 in Japan, is a side-view action RPG. Players take on the role of the bounty hunter female swordsman Mail, embarking on an adventure to track down the great wizard, Muttonhead, who has become a wanted criminal.In the game, players will use weapons and projectiles to attack, and make use of jumps to progress. There are also puzzle elements such as pushing blocks to create platforms, offering various challenges to entertain players.Additionally, as companions join the adventure, players can switch characters at any time and place to fight. Key points in the game feature tense battles with boss characters, adding to the excitement.
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.
Popful Mailis a side-scrolling action RPG from Nihon Falcom, the company behindtheYsandTrailsRPG 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.
Gamefaqs Rating: 4.28
Lunar: The Silver Star
Welcome to the world of LUNAR, where dragons yet live.and magic is valued above all else. Join Alex, the young adventurer as he begins a quest with his friends to save their land from the crushing advance of the Mage Emperor. Explore dungeons, fight terrifying monsters, and gather information from the locals as you advance toward the explosive confrontation with the Magic Emperor himself! Exciting, menu-driven combat will keep you challenged until the last. And, thanks to the storaud power of CD. LUNAR contains awesome animation sequences that’ll 20 you involved in the story - fast! Get ready for the ride of your life…
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 Staris an RPG created by Game Arts, the company that would eventually beknown for theGrandiaseries. 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.
1Lunar: 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 Blueis the sequel toLunar: 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 Blueis a cult classic,and like its predecessor has been remade for the Playstation.
