Shining Force

シャイニング・フォース 神々の遺産 (Shainingu Fōsu: Kamigami no Isan)Genesis, Wii, iOS, Switch +31992

  1. JP1992
  2. NA2007
  3. EU2007
  4. RU—

Shining Force's full English title is Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention; in Japan it is シャイニング・フォース 神々の遺産 (Kamigami no Isan, 'The Legacy of the Gods'). Today the Mega Drive version is playable through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

Shining Force is a 1992 tactical role-playing game for the Mega Drive, known in Japan as Shining Force: Kamigami no Isan, 'The Legacy of the Gods'. It was developed by Climax Entertainment and Sonic! Software Planning and published by Sega, with Hiroyuki Takahashi named as lead developer. In Japan it topped the Famitsu sales chart in April 1992.

The game travelled through many Sega re-releases: the Sega Smash Pack collections, Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, the Wii Virtual Console in 2007, Steam and iOS in 2010. In 2021 it joined the Nintendo Switch Online library.

In 2004 Amusement Vision remade it for the Game Boy Advance as Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon, with an expanded plot and three new playable characters. The remake is a separate game; this page covers the original Mega Drive release and its re-releases.1

Names and releases

RegionTitle on the boxPlatformDatePublisherSrc
NA Shining ForceVirtual Console Wii Jul 23, 2007 Sega 1
JP シャイニング・フォース 神々の遺産Exact date not given; the game topped the Famitsu sales chart in April 1992 Genesis 1992 Sega 1
JP シャイニング・フォース 神々の遺産Virtual Console Wii Jul 10, 2007 Sega 1
EU Shining ForceVirtual Console Wii Aug 3, 2007 Sega 1
WW Shining ForceDiscontinued in 2015 iOS 2010 Sega 1
WW Shining ForceNintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Switch 2021 Sega 1

Also known as: Shining Force: The Legacy of Great Intention WW1シャイニング・フォース 神々の遺産 JP1Shainingu Fōsu: Kamigami no Isan JP1

Box art by region

  • シャイニング・フォース 神々の遺産 box art, Japan release
    JP シャイニング・フォース 神々の遺産

Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: Wikipedia.

Where to play legally today

  • Nintendo Switch Online Subscription

    Shining Force (SEGA Mega Drive - Nintendo Switch Online)

    Mega Drive/Genesis version

    Checked: 2026-10-131nintendo.com

Reception

In Japan it topped the Famitsu sales chart in April 1992. Power Unlimited gave it 89%, calling it a fantastic RPG with a great story and a sublime battle mode, and Mega ranked it 33rd among the best Mega Drive games.1

Sources

  1. 1en.wikipedia.org

Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13

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