Ristar Mega Drive
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See all listings on eBay →Price History
| Date | Avg Price | Low | High | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-05 | £78.78 | £22.55 | £179.99 | 9 |
| 2026-04-04 | £91.83 | £23.74 | £179.99 | 9 |
| 2026-04-03 | £94.70 | £23.74 | £179.99 | 10 |
| 2026-04-02 | £98.55 | £23.74 | £179.99 | 9 |
| 2026-04-01 | £75.48 | £22.55 | £179.99 | 9 |
| 2026-03-31 | £81.26 | £23.74 | £179.99 | 9 |
| 2026-03-30 | £78.45 | £22.55 | £179.99 | 9 |
| 2026-03-29 | £78.45 | £22.55 | £179.99 | 9 |
| 2026-03-28 | £69.32 | £22.55 | £179.99 | 9 |
| 2026-03-27 | £78.45 | £23.74 | £179.99 | 9 |
| 2026-03-26 | £69.32 | £22.55 | £179.99 | 9 |
| 2026-03-25 | £69.32 | £22.55 | £179.99 | 9 |
Screenshots
Game History
Ristar was developed and published by Sega as an original platformer for the Mega Drive (Genesis in North America). The game was created by Sega's internal development teams during the early 1990s as a new franchise to compete with other mascot platformers of the era.
Ristar was first released in Japan on November 15, 1995, followed by releases in North America and Europe in 1996. The game arrived late in the Mega Drive's lifecycle, which significantly impacted its visibility and sales performance during the console's commercial peak.
Despite critical praise for its colorful graphics, creative level design, and tight controls, Ristar struggled commercially at launch. The timing of its release, combined with the increasing dominance of the PlayStation and the market's shift away from 2D platformers, limited its commercial success. Many retailers had already reduced shelf space for Mega Drive titles by 1996, further hindering distribution.
Today, Ristar is historically significant among collectors as a valuable and sought-after Mega Drive cartridge. Its limited commercial run and late-generation release made it relatively uncommon in the secondhand market, particularly for complete copies with original packaging. The game has gained a devoted cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts who appreciate its polished gameplay and distinctive art style featuring the star-shaped protagonist with elastic limbs used for combat and traversal.
Ristar's scarcity and the nostalgia factor have made original cartridges increasingly expensive in the collector's market, with complete-in-box versions commanding premium prices. The game represents a particular moment in Sega's history—a quality original platformer released at precisely the wrong time in the market cycle.
The game was later ported to other platforms including Game Gear and has been re-released through various Sega compilations and emulation services, introducing it to audiences who missed the original release. However, the original Mega Drive cartridge remains the most sought-after version among serious collectors.