Ristar
Ristar is a 1995 platformer developed by Sonic Team for the Sega Genesis, arriving late in the console's life as a polished showcase of the studio's craft. Players control a young star-like hero whose long, stretchy arms are central to every action.
Rather than jumping on enemies, Ristar grabs them with his extendable reach and headbutts them, and he uses the same grasping ability to swing off handles, climb walls, and launch himself around vibrant, imaginative stages. This grab-based movement set it apart from other platformers of the time and gave its puzzles and traversal a distinct feel. Each themed planet introduced new mechanics built around the core grabbing mechanic.
Overshadowed at launch by the industry's shift toward 3D and newer hardware, it later gained recognition as a hidden gem with charming visuals, expressive animation, and clever design. The game appears in Sega compilations and on classic-game services, giving it a well-deserved second life.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Ristar, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
| Alternative | Price | Steam Deck | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaze and the Wild Masks Indie | € 19,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Freedom Planet Indie | € 14,99 | Steam Deck Playable | PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| SEGA Genesis Classics | € 29,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| Alwa's Legacy Indie | € 17,49 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, Linux, Switch |
| Aggelos Indie | € 14,99 | Steam Deck Unsupported | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
Kaze and the Wild Masks Indie
€ 19,99A colorful indie platformer channeling 16-bit mascot games.
Kaze and the Wild Masks runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Freedom Planet Indie
€ 14,99A vibrant indie platformer in the classic Sega mascot tradition.
Freedom Planet runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
SEGA Genesis Classics
€ 29,99The official Genesis collection includes Ristar.
SEGA Genesis Classics runs on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
Alwa's Legacy Indie
€ 17,49Puzzle-led exploration platforming in a hand-pixelled world, in the Mega Drive tradition.
Alwa's Legacy runs on PC, Mac, Linux, Switch. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox.
Aggelos Indie
€ 14,99A 16-bit style action platformer with a compact world to open up, warm and unhurried.
Aggelos runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet.
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