Phantasy Star IV review

Phantasy Star IV is the RPG pick, and the only role-playing game in our top ten. SEGA publishes it, DKOldies files it under RPG, and Nintendo includes it in the Nintendo Switch Online SEGA Genesis library. That membership suits an RPG well: save states mean you can stop anywhere rather than hunting for a save point, and the same library includes Shining Force, Shining Force II and Landstalker for players who want more SEGA RPGs. On cartridge, a used copy lists at $89.99 at DKOldies; the store showed a lower sale price when we checked, so watch for those. It ranks below the action games because a long RPG takes more time to start and finish, not because it does less. For anyone who wants one deep story game on the Genesis, this is the one to own.

Who it is for

RPG fans with time for a long game

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

• SEGA role-playing game, listed as RPG by DKOldies
• Included in the Nintendo Switch Online SEGA Genesis library
• Save states through Nintendo Switch Online
• Shining Force, Shining Force II and Landstalker are in the same library
• NTSC (US, Canada) cartridge at DKOldies

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The only RPG in our top ten
• Strength: Switch save states let you stop anywhere
• Strength: Expansion Pack adds other SEGA RPGs at no extra cost
• Weakness: $89.99 used is among the higher cart prices here
• Weakness: DKOldies often shows it on sale, so prices move
• Weakness: A long RPG asks for more time than the action picks

Key facts

• Publisher: SEGA
• Genre (DKOldies listing): RPG
• Series: Phantasy Star
• Legal re-release: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

Where it ranks

Phantasy Star IV is No. 7 in our Best Sega Genesis Games verdict.