When did Ristar release?

Ristar was first released on February 16, 1995.

Ristar

Feb 16, 1995PlatformAdventureLinuxWii Sega Mega Drive/GenesisAndroidPC (Microsoft Windows)

Ristar — frequently asked questions

What platforms is Ristar on?: Ristar was released on Linux, Wii, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac.
When did Ristar release?: Ristar was first released on February 16, 1995.

About Ristar

Ristar is a platform game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis in 1995. A Sega Game Gear game, of the same name and genre, Ristar, was also released, which shared similar themes while possessing different level design and gameplay mechanics. The game stars an anthropomorphic cartoon star who uses his hands and long, stretchable arms to both move and combat enemies. Reception for the game has been generally positive, but the game's initial release was overshadowed due to the imminent ending of the Genesis's lifecycle and the succession of the Sega Saturn and other fifth generation video game consoles. While never receiving any sequels, Sega has re-released the game a number of times digitally and on Sega-themed compilations, and has occasionally given Ristar himself cameos in other Sega properties.

Summary via IGDB.

Game details

Platforms: Linux, Wii, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac
Developer: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Publisher: Tec Toy
Game modes: Single player
Themes: Action, Science fiction

Details via IGDB.

Reception

IGDB rating

71/100

from 53 ratings

Every version compared

Prices, contemporary reception and the studio credited for each release

Platform	Year	Loose	Complete	Sealed	Period reviews	Fake risk
Sega Genesis	1995	$91	$198	$400	19 reviews	Medium

Also released on: Linux · Wii · Sega Mega Drive/Genesis · Android · PC (Microsoft Windows) · iOS · Mac. We haven’t priced or authenticated those versions yet.

Collector value & authenticity

Sega Genesis · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-29

Loose

$91

Complete

$198

Sealed

$400

Other releases and variants

Release	Loose	Complete	Sealed
European (PAL) release	$70	$151	—
Japanese release	$111	$846	—

How often it sells

Loose: about once a week
Complete: about once a week
Sealed: about 2 times a year

Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-29.

Price over time

Loose
Complete

A loose copy sold for about $7.70 in Jan 2008, $66 five years ago, and $91 as of Oct 2026.

Show as table

Month	Loose	Complete
Jan 2008	$7.70	—
Jan 2009	$11.99	—
Jan 2010	$11.74	—
Jan 2011	$14.99	—
Jan 2012	$17.99	—
Jan 2013	$14.99	—
Jan 2014	$21	$58
Jan 2015	$18.50	$75
Jan 2016	$30	$61
Jan 2017	$32	$103
Jan 2018	$33	$106
Jan 2019	$28	$111
Jan 2020	$36	$141
Jan 2021	$46	$163
Jan 2022	$61	$233
Jan 2023	$75	$240
Jan 2024	$55	$250
Jan 2025	$60	$198
Jan 2026	$75	$225
Oct 2026	$91	$198

Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.

Release record

Territory	Date	Barcode
North America	February 1995	010086015553
Europe / PAL	17 February 1995	4974365615550
Japan	17 February 1995	—

Source: Product numbers: MAME's Mega Drive software list and the No-Intro serial records in the libretro database, published where both agree on the same cartridge dump, or from the libretro records alone where MAME lists no number for that dump. Board and ROM numbers: MAME's software list

Region: NA+EU+JP
Released: 1995
Authenticity: Med

Modern re-releases, such as Sega Ages, the Genesis Mini and Nintendo Switch Online, are not tracked hereMedium counterfeit risk

Sega Genesis prices, all games & how to spot a fake

A bright, inventive Sega platformer with a stretchy-armed hero, and one of the priciest US carts.

Ristar is a platformer developed and published by Sega, released in February 1995 in North America and on 17 February 1995 in Europe and Japan. The hero is a cartoon star who uses long, stretchable arms to grab, climb and fight. Akira Nishino and Takeshi Niimura designed it and Tomoko Sasaki composed the music. It arrived as the Genesis era was drawing to a close and the Sega Saturn was taking over attention.

Next Generation judged that it borrows heavily from Dynamite Headdy yet has enough original play and solid action to stand apart.

What the press said at the time

GameRankings (aggregate)		89.33%
Computer and Video Games		83/100
Electronic Gaming Monthly		8/10, 7/10, 8/10 / 7/10, 8/10
Famitsu		7/10, 7/10, 7/10, 8/10
Game Informer		8.25/10
Game Players		79%
GameFan		90/100, 98/100, 92/100
GamesMaster		57%
Mean Machines Sega		84/100
Next Generation		3/5
Entertainment Weekly		B−
Electronic Games		A
Games World		83/100
Mega		82%
Sega Magazine		87/100
Sega Power		74%
Sega Pro		90%
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP)		7.5/10
VideoGames		8/10

“Ristar is unlikely to win many awards, or many accolades. It's rather staid and unoriginal platform format is a good enough reason to keep it out of the heated and hard-fought days of Christmas”
— Mean Machines Sega, February 1995

“This game is fun, so maybe you might wanna give it a try.”
— Game Players, June 1995

Undated scores are from the review table in the game's Wikipedia article, limited to reviews of the Genesis version.

Before you buy

It is one of the pricier US carts, among the very top of the group. The European cart usually costs less than the US one. The Japanese cart usually costs a little more loose and far more complete, and its cartridge is a different shape that does not fit a Western console without an adapter or removing two plastic tabs in its slot. At this price level ask for a photo of the board, and check that the shell has no notch if it is sold as a US or European cart.