45. Strider (Genesis)

While Sega’s aggressive marketing campaign in the early 90’s turned out to be largely full of air, Strider will really have you believing that “Genesis does what Nintendon’t.” A perfect port of the arcade original, Strider made Ninja Gaiden on the NES look like one of grandma’s knitting sessions. As Strider Hiryu, you’ll dash across the screen at blistering speeds, do somersaults, slide across the floor, and use your trusty energy blade. The bosses are wild as well, with you going toe to toe with T-rexes and mechanical gorillas. Strider will always be the definitive 2d ninja game.