The Chaos Engine Genesis box art

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Action / Shooter

The Chaos Engine

Certified classic

SystemSega Genesis / Mega Drive
Released1994
GenreAction, Shooter
DeveloperThe Bitmap Brothers
PublisherMicroProse
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 12

Developed by The Bitmap Brothers and published by MicroProse, The Chaos Engine arrived on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1994 as an action game. It blends action and shooter elements.

It landed about 5 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1994 include Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Mortal Kombat II and FIFA International Soccer. Among the 111 Genesis action games in our database, it ranks #6 by legacy score.

The Bitmap Brothers also made Xenon 2: Megablast and Soldiers of Fortune for the Genesis.

The Chaos Engine supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you want to experience one of the Genesis's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing The Chaos Engine is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

The Chaos Engine gameplay screenshot on Genesis
In-game screenshot (Genesis)

The Chaos Engine cheats & codes

9 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:

Infinite Lives P1FF0050:0009
Infinite Health P1FF4104:0063
Lots of Points P1FF004A:00FF
Have All Poles Activated (Not Initially Visible)FF0934:0000
Infinite Specials P1FF4114:0006
Infinite LivesAJBA-CA38

See all The Chaos Engine cheats

The Chaos Engine walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for The Chaos Engine.

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Smash TV SNES · 1992 · Action Deep cut Co-op

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.

The Chaos Engine FAQ

When did The Chaos Engine come out on the Genesis?

The Chaos Engine was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1994.

Who made The Chaos Engine?

It was developed by The Bitmap Brothers and published by MicroProse.

Is The Chaos Engine multiplayer?

Yes. The Chaos Engine supports up to 2 players.

How long does The Chaos Engine take to play?

As an action game, The Chaos Engine typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about The Chaos Engine 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.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you