Gain Ground Master System box art

Sega Master System · Action / Strategy

Gain Ground

Deep cut

SystemSega Master System
GenreAction, Strategy, Shooter
DeveloperSEGA
PublisherSEGA
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
ESRBE
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 4

Gain Ground is an action game released for the Sega Master System, developed by SEGA. It blends action, strategy and shooter elements.

SEGA also made Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Phantasy Star and Hang-On for the Master System.

Gain Ground 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 Master System hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing Gain Ground 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.

Gain Ground gameplay screenshot on Master System
In-game screenshot (Master System)

Gain Ground cheats & codes

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

Infinite Time - One's Digit (P1 Only)00CF-E409
Infinite Time - Ten's Digit (P1 Only)00CF-E509
Infinite Time - Hundred's Digit (P1 Only)00CF-E609
Infinite "STY"00CD-E709
High "SCR" (1080ish)00CD-D980
Number of Enemies Modifier00C4-D6XX

See all Gain Ground cheats

Gain Ground walkthroughs & guides

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

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Shinobi Master System · 1988 · Action Classic

Playing Master System games today

The Master System library is full of colorful arcade-style games that are easy to pick up. Many titles also appear in Sega's official compilations.

Gain Ground FAQ

Who made Gain Ground?

It was developed by SEGA.

Is Gain Ground multiplayer?

Yes. Gain Ground supports up to 2 players.

How long does Gain Ground take to play?

As an action game, Gain Ground 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 Gain Ground 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