Ys III Genesis box art

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Action

Ys III

SystemSega Genesis / Mega Drive
Released1991
GenreAction
DeveloperNihon Falcom
PublisherNihon Falcom
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesYs
LegacyDeep cut

Released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991, Ys III is an action game developed by Nihon Falcom.

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.

It is part of the Ys series. The series also appears on other systems with Ys I (Master System) and Ys IV: Mask of the Sun (SNES). Nihon Falcom also made Sorcerian for the Genesis.

Ys III is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.

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've played the Genesis hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Ys III 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.

Ys III gameplay screenshot on Genesis
In-game screenshot (Genesis)

Ys III cheats & codes

84 codes on file (Other codes). Here are a few Other codes codes to start with:

Infinite Amulet UsesFFE2E6:0003
Short SwordFFE2B6:00C0
Steel SwdFFE2B6:00C0
Master codeAACA-AA78
Almost invincibleBD0T-AA42
Makes all items cost nothingAWDA-AA5A

See all Ys III cheats

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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.

Ys III FAQ

When did Ys III come out on the Genesis?

Ys III was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991.

Who made Ys III?

It was developed by Nihon Falcom.

Is Ys III multiplayer?

No. Ys III is a single-player game.

How long does Ys III take to play?

As an action game, Ys III 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