Vapor Trail Genesis box art

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Action

Vapor Trail

SystemSega Genesis / Mega Drive
Released1991
GenreAction
DeveloperData East
PublisherData East
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyDeep cut

Developed by Data East, Vapor Trail arrived on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991 as an action game.

It landed about 2 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1991 include Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage and Shining in the Darkness.

Data East also made Joe & Mac, Captain America and The Avengers and Crude Buster for the Genesis.

Vapor Trail 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've played the Genesis hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing Vapor Trail 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.

Vapor Trail gameplay screenshot on Genesis
In-game screenshot (Genesis)

Vapor Trail cheats & codes

30 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:

Infinite Ships P1FF000A:04
Infinite Ships P2FF000B:04
Infinite Health P1FF000B:04
Infinite Health P2FF00CB:04

See all Vapor Trail cheats

If you like Vapor Trail, the Matrix also picks…

X-Men box art
X-Men Genesis · 1993 · Action Classic 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.

Vapor Trail FAQ

When did Vapor Trail come out on the Genesis?

Vapor Trail was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991.

Who made Vapor Trail?

It was developed by Data East.

Is Vapor Trail multiplayer?

Yes. Vapor Trail supports up to 2 players.

How long does Vapor Trail take to play?

As an action game, Vapor Trail 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.

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