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They may not be around today, but these guys dominated Sega's second console

When you think of video game mascots, you usually think of Nintendo; after all, they have had tons of mascots throughout the years (even having a series with all those mascots duking it out, the Super Smash Bros. series). However, back in the day, a little console named the Sega Genesis had quite a few mascots. These characters either started on the Genesis or were made famous on the console. Most of these characters are gone today, but they starred in some great games in the 90s, games which could only be played on the Genesis. Today we pay homage to these nearly forgotten characters, and analyze why they attained such great status. This time Sega gets the spotlight, not Nintendo.

Shinobi

First appeared: 1987, Shinobi (Arcade)

Developer: Sega

Total games on Genesis: 3

Shinobi started as an awesome arcade game and grew from there. Three very cool Shinobi games were released for the Genesis, all of them being good. The term "Shinobi" simply means "male ninja." Joe Musashi was the name of the ninja himself, and this dude was awesome! He could double jump, throw shuriken, fight with a long katana, wall jump, and even use ninja powers! And he did all of this in a white uniform--classy! Shinobi disappeared after the Genesis days, only to re-emerge on the PS2 in a crazy 3D action game. Most recently he starred in his own game on the 3DS, developed by Griptonite Games. Let's hope this means that the Shinobi series will continue, and not disappear like a vanishing assassin.

Golden Axe Cast

First appeared: 1989, Golden Axe (Arcade)

Developer: Sega

Total games of Genesis: 3

This series of beat 'em up games stars three main characters: Ax Battler (buff barbarian), Tyris Flare (hot chick with a sword), and Gilius Thunderhead (axe-wielding dwarf). Together they slice and dice their way to get to the evil Death Adder. Sadly, they only appear in the first two games together to vanquish evil; Golden Axe 3 only has Gilius out of the three original, but he isn't a playable character. Still, the Golden Axe games helped the Genesis to be a console with some seriously fun and awesome games on it. The most recent game in the series is Golden Axe: Beast Rider (2008), which stars Tyris, but the game did not do well. Perhaps we've seen the last of these three noble warriors.

Sonic

First appeared: 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog

Developer: Sega

Total games on Genesis: 6

By far Sonic has the most games of any character on the Genesis; he quickly became Sega's main mascot. Sonic's main things were speed and attitude, two things which other developers tried to imitate, but most failed miserably. Sonic became the main competition for Mario, who had been unrivaled to this point. Suddenly Mario was slow and stupid and Sonic was fast and awesome (atleast that's what the commercials said). Sonic has managed to live on, although many of his games are not that good, unlike that old rival Mario, who keeps pumping out great titles. But we have to give Sonic credit; he bore the burden of the Genesis on his shoulders, and he did it in style.

Toejam & Earl

First appeared: 1991, Toejam & Earl

Developer: Johnson Voorsanger Productions

Total games on Genesis: 2

These totally rad aliens have crash-landed on earth and must find all the parts of their ship in order to escape. The two are depicted in 90s fashion, with Toejam wearing big sneakers and a backwards cap, and Earl wearing some boxers and sunglasses. The first game is a dungeon crawler while the second is a platformer. But in both games the two aliens are absolutely crazy and goofy. The Toejam & Earl games were truly something unique on the Genesis; if nothing else, they had their own personality. After a long haitus, they appeared again in 2002 on the Xbox, but were received with average ratings. Since then, the two have seemed to go back to living in peace on their home planet Funkotron.

Axel and Blaze

First appeared: 1991, Streets of Rage

Developer: Sega

Total games on Genesis: 3

The Streets of Rage series was a series of beat 'em up games. Over the course of three games, the cast changed quite a bit, but two characters always remained on the roster: Axel and Blaze. Axel is a great balanced fighter, while Blaze is quick and, um, hot! These two were the faces of the series. Taking to the streets and beating up gangs has never been more fun or awesome than in the Streets of Rage games. The series vanished after the Genesis was through, but a massive remake was released by Bomber Games in 2011, combining things from all three games! Axel and Blaze still know how to kick butt!

Ecco

First appeared: 1992, Ecco the Dolphin

Developer: Novotrade International

Total games on Genesis: 3

Ecco was so different from everyone else. During a time of fast-paced action games, Ecco the Dolphin was a slow and methodical game. The ocean setting was serene. Yet despite this seeming turn-off, Ecco made a home on the Genesis, starring in three games of aquatic adventure. His powers were different from most: he could speak to ocean creatures and swim in style. Ecco was also in a game for the Dreamcast and PS2 (2000). Another game was in development, but was canceled for some unknown reason. So what happened to Ecco? He's probably enjoying the good life somewhere in the Caribbean.

Red and Blue

First appeared: 1993, Gunstar Heroes

Developer: Treasure

Total games on Genesis: 1

It's true, these two suave gunsters were only in one game on the Genesis, but that game is one of the best on the console. Gunstar Heroes is hailed as a fun and frantic run n' gun, similar to the Contra series. The two protagonists, Red and Blue, look like kids, but they sure have guts! The game is full of tons of personality and charm. After a long absense, Red and Blue returned in 2005 to star in Gunstar Super Heroes for the GBA. They sure have grown up! Both games are highly praised, making Red and Blue one of the best run n' gun teams around.

Headdy

First appeared: 1994, Dynamite Headdy

Developer: Treasure

Total games on Genesis: 1

Headdy stars in a unique action game about. . . puppets? Yes, it's odd, yet the game itself is fun and creative. Headdy has the ability to throw his head at enemies, and his head can be exchanged for different heads with different powers. Headdy is on a quest to defeat the evil puppet king Dark Demon, who wants to rule the world of puppets. It's a shame that Headdy never starred in any other games, but his solo adventure flies high on the Sega Genesis. Of all the mascots on this list, Headdy is by far the most unusual, and we like him that way.

Ristar

First appeared: 1995, Ristar

Developer: Sonic Team

Total games on Genesis: 1

This cute little guy can grab enemies with his long arms and then smack into them with his body. This unique ability is put to good use throughout his adventure. Created by Sonic Team, Ristar nearly outdoes his blue counterpart, giving us a game that is full of personality and charm that is distinct from Sonic's style. Sadly, Ristar wasn't able to star in any other games, except for a Game Gear port, which was pretty much the same thing as the Genesis game. But the little guy is still a star--literally!

Vectorman

First appeared: 1995, Vectorman

Developer: BlueSky Software

Total games on Genesis: 2

Vectorman is a little strange; he's a guy made up of. . . balls? So it appears. Yet he can shoot photons out of his hands and transform into other objects. Vectorman's games are a little weird, but he obviously made a splash on the Genesis, albeit perhaps a small one. He came out near the end of the system's life cycle, but he didn't continue on the next system. Since then, he's completely vanished. Perhaps he's in a far away galaxy, enjoying whatever it is a Vectorman does. He had his moment on the Sega Genesis.

Impressive, right? The Genesis is home to some great mascots. We've forgotten about some of them, but we can't deny that they're great. Many of them are now gone, but we can always pull out those old Genesis cartridges and allow those fun times to return. Sonic, Shinobi, Ristar, Ecco, and the others, are waiting.