Shining Force II Classic
Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · RPG / Strategy
Shining Force
Certified classic
| System | Sega Genesis / Mega Drive |
|---|---|
| Released | 1993 |
| Genre | RPG, Strategy |
| Developer | Climax Studios |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | Shining Force |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 14 |
Developed by Climax Studios and published by SEGA, Shining Force arrived on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1993 as a role-playing game. It blends RPG and strategy elements.
It landed about 4 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1993 include Mortal Kombat, Flashback and Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball. Among the 37 Genesis RPGs in our database, it ranks #3 by legacy score.
It is part of the Shining Force series; on the Genesis you can also try Shining Force II. The series also appears on other systems with Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya (Game Gear) and Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict (Game Gear). Climax Studios also made Shining in the Darkness and Landstalker for the Genesis.
Shining Force is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
- you want to experience one of the Genesis's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
- you are looking for something to play with friends
- you only have a few minutes at a time
What playing Shining Force is like
Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.
Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.
Shining Force cheats & codes
486 codes on file (Action Replay, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:
| Lots Of And Infinite Money | FF9C8F:00FF |
|---|---|
| Max Has Various Items | FF9CAD:00?? |
| Fake Damage Modifier | FFBCBD:XX |
| Fake Attack/Damage/Reward Stats Modifier | FFF903:XX |
Shining Force walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Shining Force.
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Playing Genesis games today
Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.
Shining Force FAQ
When did Shining Force come out on the Genesis?
Shining Force was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1993.
Who made Shining Force?
It was developed by Climax Studios and published by SEGA.
Is Shining Force multiplayer?
No. Shining Force is a single-player game.
How long does Shining Force take to play?
As a role-playing game, Shining Force typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Shining Force on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.