Contra for the Nes is considered better than the Arcade version, but I don't think that's true graphically and soundlly (if that's a word). Either way, Contra is a masterpiece. Kicking alien butt with machine guns, blasters that blast across the screen, looping guns, and lasers. This is fun and hell it's challenging! In fact, it's one of the most difficult games I've played in my life. I can't beat the guy who fire all those enemies at you without dying when I go past it.

Hell, Konami made a great game, but importantly, a great series with masterpieces such as Contra III for the Snes and Contra Hard Corps for the Genesis. Overall, get this game, it's beast.

All right lets face it, in 1991 Mario was dominating the video game world and pretty much ruining the business of Atari and Coleco. But there's one that came pretty close to beating it; Sega. At the time Sega's only console successes on their Genesis were Mickey Mouse games, Golden Axe, Shinobi, and Altered Beast. However none of them were successful enough to dominate the Nes. Even worse, Nintendo announced that their Snes would come in 1991. Sega really needed a miracle. They decided Alex Kidd, their mascot, wasn't good enough, and he never appeared in a game again until Sega Superstar Tennis 17 years later. Sega decided on a fast blue hedgehog named Sonic, and he made a cameo in rad Mobile before appearing in his first game; Sonic The Hedgehog for the Genesis. It became a huge critical and commercial success, becoming a threat to Nintendo and saving Sega's ass.

If you think Sonic's speed would run out the camera and control, you're wrong. Sega knew the game would be successful if it was original and had perfect camera and control for Sonic, so they worked on it until it was perfect. Everyone basically knows the goal of the game, so I won't spoil it. But there's one thing I will spoil that came from this masterpiece. The cool thing is that you can attack your enemies when their above you, and even spin dash into them. Actually the spin dash wasn't seen until Sonic 2 for the Genesis.

The graphics and soundtrack kicked ass that year, both some of the best in gaming history. The catchy music will have you keeping your groove to the game, and the detailed graphics give you a great feel of what the Genesis could do. Overall, the best game of 1991, and a masterpiece for the ages.