It comes as no surprise knowing Sega's illustrious history with lightgun games that many of the best and most interesting released during the 8-bit period arrived on their Master System console. Whilst most lightgun games from the 80s were one dimensional affairs, Sega were trying to make their games a bit more interesting, in Rescue Mission you're charged with the duty of protecting medics as they travel across the rails, this includes shooting enemies and clearing away mines.

An under appreciated strategy game that has a strangely effective Tetris element added to it's gameplay. Half the game is action, with you firing at oncoming enemies, and the other half is rebuilding your base (with Tetris style rotating blocks) and increasing your territory. The game would've placed higher but when compared to other versions the SMS version is only a decent port of the game.

One of the (if not the) earliest JRPG's to reach the west. Like many of the older 8-bit RPG's Miracle Warriors hasn't dated that well, but its a good example from its time, and the graphics and general presentation are both excellent. Make sure to pick up a version with a map, as without one its difficult to make headway.

The Master System has to have one of the best ratios of good to bad license games, honestly, unlike most systems, most of the ones on the SMS are actually pretty good, and Jurassic Park is no exception. What we have here is simply a well designed platform game, the main character has many useful moves, and a selection of different weapons, the boss fights are impressive and well designed, and the developers have tried to think of some new and inventive ways to present the usual platformer staples. The only thing which holds the game back a little is its length, there's only five levels, but the longevity is padded out a little due to the 5th level only being accessible if you collect all the hidden "JP" logos, and the inclusion of mini games where you protect your jeep from attack.

Very good Tennis game that plays well and gives you a pretty impressive (for the time) amount of different options, with the usual plethora of different hits, as well as ground types, and even a stat building tour mode.

Chase HQ is a unique arcade game where the aim is to chase after criminals and then ram into their cars to make them pull over, all before the time limit is up. This port is fairly minimalist, but does a pretty good job of recreating the exciting arcade gameplay.

After making the highly successful Ikari Warriors, SNK tried their hand a few more times at the top down shmups genre, and this, one of their more notable arcade efforts from the time, was ported quite well to SMS. Time soldiers has you playing solo or co-op through different time periods shooting the enemies, and searching for your captured comrades, there's not a hell of a lot of original ideas here, but the action is fast, the gameplay polished, and the boss fights are some of the most impressive of the era (certainly for the genre). On another note, make sure (if you haven't already) to replace your stock SMS controller, as its just not built to handle this type of game.

This is a very respectable port of the first game in what would become the highly respected Aleste series of shmups. Many of the staples of the series were already evident right from the beginning, falling power-ups for improving your primary guns, varied choice for secondary weapons, and general well judged gameplay. Its not quite as polished, or up to the high standards of the original MSX version, but SMS Aleste still makes for a pretty good alternative overall.

The 16-bit Tazmania game on the Mega Drive has to stand as one of the worst, and most overrated games in the system's library. Thankfully the SMS version is a completely different game, one which is better designed, and far less cheap where it comes to pitfalls and leaps of faith. The 8-bit Tazmania game retains the popular elements of its 16-bit cousin (platforming with spin attacks that give you a sudden burst of speed), but everything is fairer, and whilst 8-bit, the presentation is still actually much more easier on the eyes and ears.

Sega's excellent early motorbike racing game translated to the Master System excellently. Like many of Sega's other racing games, Hang On is based around hitting checkpoint against a time limit.The game is fast and furious, responsive, and can often even be quite a tense experience.