Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23891 in Video Games
• Brand: Sega Of America, Inc.
• Platform: Sega Genesis

Customer Reviews

A shining star for the Sega Genesis
Ristar is a 2D platformer created by the Sonic Team, more well known for the Sonic the Hedgehog series of video games. Because Ristar wasn't released until 1995, when the Genesis was finally starting to be replaced by newer systems like the Playstation, it ended up being an overlooked game that few people played. Unfortunately, it was their loss.

That's because Ristar is a well-made and unique gaming experience that represents the best that the Genesis had to offer. Although Ristar follows the "themed zone" style of gameplay found in the Sonic games, Ristar differs in that it is a slow paced and technical platformer with no emphasis on speed. This gives the player the opportunity to use Ristar's main attack to the fullest--his long, stretchy arms that can grab in any of the 8 standard directions.

Yep, Ristar's only ability is to grab onto stuff and pull himself toward it. In the case of most enemies, this means headbutting them to death, but items, ladders, and walls can also be grabbed, giving Ristar a curious sense of mobility. While having only one move makes the game sound simple, it's not. In fact, the versatility of Ristar's arms and the variety of ways in which the grab function can be used give this game quite a bit of depth. In fact, Ristar is probably one of the hardest platformers available, and that might very well be it's only downfall. However, the challenge in this game results from its good level design, and not from bad controls and sketchy gameplay mechanics, like so many games of this era had.

Consider the fact that this game really stretches the abilities of the Sega Genesis, and you get a beautiful platformer with a musical score that is actually somewhat brilliant. All in all, Ristar is a platformer with a lot of heart. It definitely is something that every fan of retro games needs to check out, and is something that every gamer with a Genesis owes to themselves to check out.

Awesome Play
This is, undoubtedly, one of the top 5 video games I've played in my long (and sometimes sad) gaming history. Though a very lost and obscure son of the Sega generation, Ristar is a true jewel for those who happen to stumble on it. Colorful gameplay, catchy music, and challenging levels make it fun and engaging and something you'll want to beat through at least more than once.

Yes, it's old. And, in my book, it still stacks up against the next-gen console games of the day.

Bottom line: Play it. You won't regret it.

a prof gamer
this game rulz! it has beautiful graphics, an interesting character, and is still good to play, even after you have owned it for years. yes the last boss has a sorry name, but the gamplay makes up for everything!

also, to unlock the passwords, you need to get every treasure in the bonus stages. here is one.

"iloveu"

put in this password to get "level select" when you start the game.

the rest are for you to find out! enjoy!