Gunstar Heroes review

Gunstar Heroes is the pick for players who want nonstop shooting. Nintendo puts it on the short list it uses to sell the Nintendo Switch Online SEGA Genesis library, next to Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Earthworm Jim, and the library gallery dates it to 1993 with SEGA as publisher. That library is also the practical way to play it now: we found no standalone Steam release, and Nintendo's rewind and save states make the action easier to learn. The cartridge is a collector purchase. DKOldies lists a used copy at $89.99, the same as Phantasy Star IV and below only the two Konami carts. If you play on Switch, the Expansion Pack also includes Alien Soldier, another SEGA action game, so the same $49.99 per year covers more of the genre. Buy the cart if you collect, and use the membership if you only want to play it.

Who it is for

action fans who want fast shooting

Price

Used Genesis cartridge from $89.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $89.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Named by Nintendo with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Earthworm Jim as a lead Genesis title
• Included in the Nintendo Switch Online SEGA Genesis library
• Released in 1993, according to Nintendo's Genesis library page
• Rewind and save states through Nintendo Switch Online
• Alien Soldier, another SEGA action game, is in the same library

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Highlighted on Nintendo's Expansion Pack page
• Strength: Rewind on Switch softens the difficulty
• Strength: Cart lists $30 below Castlevania: Bloodlines
• Weakness: $89.99 used ties Phantasy Star IV as the third most expensive cart here
• Weakness: Not sold as a standalone game on Steam
• Weakness: DKOldies sells the cartridge only

Key facts

• Publisher: SEGA
• Original release: 1993
• Genre (DKOldies listing): Action Adventure
• Legal re-release: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

Where it ranks

Gunstar Heroes is No. 4 in our Best Sega Genesis Games verdict.