Had game consumers (and devs) not fallen for the "length = value" lie or the dopamine drip-feed of immanent RPG mechanics, these are the levels of quality we'd be rolling in at all times. We didn't deserve SEGA, the industry's dumbest most beautiful child.

Basically a precursor to OutRun 2 in its blistering speed, spectacular stages/graphics, depth of handling intricacies, and expectation of mastery from the player. I'm sure there are further subtleties but to me they are both perfect arcade racers.

You really need the arcade version. This game was built around a twin-stick setup and when it's there it becomes the mech combat game: so simple but rewarding, blessed with that SEGA turn-of-century 3D and art direction, and a legendary cab to boot.

Kind of a weird beast. I really like the roster (Kizuna Encounter?! Buriki One?!) but the game feels very high-execution even for KOF. There's that Playmore-era feel where everything's a bit off and drab. But I would love a re-release, I need more Shen Woo in my life.

I love 8ing fighters, their basic motion and impact animations are so deeply satisfying that playing them even at a casual level is always fun. Despite being a deeply esoteric game with a sky-high skill ceiling, Unlimited Codes is good fun for near-anyone who can do a DP.