My NES-fest 2010

[NeoZeedeater]

This was planned as a blog but it goes over the image limit quite a bit so I'll post it here.

At the beginning of the year, in the mood to play some NES stuff, I decided I would play through 15 NES/FC games in 2010 that I hadn't finished before, both from my collection and emulation. I consider it a sizeable amount considering keeping up with the current gen is always my main focus. These are the ones I beat, mostly '90s releases that went underplayed due to me focusing more on 16-bit systems at the time. It was a lot of fun and given the obscurity of many of these, I'm giving some brief descriptions hoping more people might play them.


Attack Animal Gakuen


- I imagine the development discussion at Newtopia Planning in 1987 went like this:
"That Space Harrier game is pretty rad, let's make something like that for the system people actually own."
"But how do we make it look cool given the hardware disadvantage?"
"I know. Add girls with short skirts and 3D glasses compatibility!"
"Sugoi!"

Verdict - Not as good as Space Harrier (it feels more claustrophobic and I hate all the indestructable shit on the ground) but a respectable imitator for its time thanks to its smooth scrolling.


Banana Prince (translated)


- That sounds like a good name for a dildo.
- Developed by KID, published by Takara.
- I think the only Western country this managed to get released in was Germany.
- Maybe it's the food theme and colour palette but it reminds me of Panic Restaurant.

Verdict - Not spectacular but certainly an overlooked platformer.


Bucky O'Hare


- Known by Treasure fans as a game directed/programmed by Masato Maegawa when he was at Konami.
- Based on the cartoon.
- Different than the arcade game.
- Was the distinctive Gradius fire included because of laziness or is it an homage?

Verdict - I find the characters a bit of a turn off but this is still a great looking and playing run 'n gun game.


Buzz and Waldog (prototype)


- A platform game from the same developer as Toto World 3/Cave Dude on SMS (for all two people familiar with that title).
- Made in Korea but was planned to have a Western release by Innovation Tech in 1993.

Verdict - Good stuff, certainly better than most unlicensed NES games. If it had been made a bit earlier than the end of the system's life then maybe we could have had it back in the day. Getting it years later in the emulation scene is better than nothing, though.


Felix the Cat


- From Hudson Soft..
- Everything from the graphics to the control is very polished.
- That said, it still comes off as kind of soulless (can something be kind of soulless?)

Verdict - A solid game that pushes the hardware but since licensed cartoon platformers weren't exactly a rare breed by 1992, I don't think it did much to stick out in the crowd. Neither does my description of the game, I suppose.


Maharaja (translated)


- Published by Sunsoft in Japan in 1989, developed by Quest.
- The Hindu mythology theme and adventure-style interface make it stand out.
- Like with other 8-bit RPGs, the level grinding aspect hasn't aged well.
- Until the final tower, it's very linear so don't expect to explore much off the beaten path. It does offer a larger selection of magics than its contemporaries, though.

Verdict - It's unfortunate this didn't get localized back in the day. While it's no Phantasy Star, and I would only recommend it to those with a tolerance for the usual 1980s grinding, by 8-bit JRPG standards it's both visually appealing and unique in setting. These things help make up for its relatively small scope. I rarely will trek through an 8-bit RPG nowadays so the fact that I played it to the end is a compliment. Happy Diwali!


Moai kun


- A puzzle-platformer by Konami where you play as an cute-ified Easter Island head. I guess it could be considered a Gradius spin off.
- It never had a domestic release.

Verdict - I don't have much to say except this is one of the best puzzle games on the system.


Monster in my Pocket


- I guess I'm too old or uninformed to know anything about the toy license but I'll just assume it was unpopular and stupid. Konami seemed to be grabbing for anything back then.
- An impressive pushing of the hardware and a well made action game.
- It could use some moves other than jump, attack, and the occasional object throwing; it's a little bare boned for a '90s title. Throw in a slide attack or something, man!

Verdict - Thumbs up, although the simplicity holds it back from being among the system's best.


Robocco Wars


- Some shooter levels, some platform/shooter levels.
- Nice graphics.
- The coolest part for me was the Darius ship cameo.

Verdict - Nothing special but worth playing through once...if you're bored...and drunk.


S.C.A.T. - Special Cybernetic Attack Team


- Did Aurora name this?
- Take Forgotten Worlds, remove the character's rotation and the creative enemies. - This is what you get: a shooter that lacks visual flair but still plays quite nicely.

Verdict - I enjoyed it. If the above description sounds okay to you then check it out.


Secret Ties (prototype)


- An unreleased game.
- Some of the music seems ripped straight out of Castlevania and doesn't really fit.

Verdict - I suppose this wouldn't have stood out much among NES action games in '91 (Shatterhand from that year is similar but superior) but it still would have been one of VIC Tokai's better titles. It's worth checking out the rom.


Super Spy Hunter


- Released in Japan as Battle Formula. The Spy Hunter license was added for the West.

Verdict - The levels drag on too long but other than that, it's a cool driving shooter. I still prefer the original Spy Hunter arcade game, though.


Time Diver: Eon Man (prototype)


- GDRI has an interesting interview that talks about its development.
http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index....ichi_Yoshikawa
- It was originally planned as a sequel to Wrath of the Black Manta (God that game blew. I used to call it Shitnobi)

Verdict - Lame superhero character but a quality action game. Ever since Kung Fu Kid, I have been a sucker for games with wall jump kicks.


Ultimate Stuntman


- Developed by Codemasters, published in NA by Camerica.
- You get to blast shit from various perspectives (driving, platforming, overhead, side-scrolling) and it throws in some bomb puzzles.
- British musicians knew how to rock 8-bit system music. C64 audio haters need not apply here. Then again, they should just kill themselves anyway.
- Reminiscent in look and feel of many of Rare's NES games but more manageable in difficulty (friggin' Cobra Triangle, one day I'll finish you!).

Verdict - Opinions are quite polarized on the game but I'm on the side that loves it.


Vice: Project Doom


- Published by Sammy, developed by Aicom. I guess if it lands on Virtual Console, it will be from Sega? That strikes me as strange.
- It's mostly platform action but also mixes in shooter and cursor shooting levels.
- I wish the first-person shooting parts had Zapper support.
- At the time I was getting burnt out on NES Ninja Gaiden-style games so I never quite did give this a proper play.

Verdict - This is one of the best games on the system both on a technical level and for playability. I'm hitting myself for not realizing that sooner but at least it has made for my most enjoyed 2d game this year.

[kingoffighters]

LOL, SCAT/Aurora.

I always want to go back and replay a bunch of NES/SMS/SNES/Genesis games, but I never have the time. I always end up playing new stuff.

[Hot Like Wasabi]

Awesome idea, I enjoy threads like this.

[Low]

Remember burning through Vice: Doom on a weekend rental. Kinda felt like Mafat Conspiracy with more Ninja Gaiden gameplay Zeed mentioned. Not bad, but didn't seem particularly memorable ethier.

I should try Shatterhand again, game seemed tedious when I first played it.

[YellerDog]

Monsters In My Pocket was pretty rad, they were like M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, except Dracula and C'thulu.

They started doing action-figure sized toys at some point and kind of lost the point.

[RoleTroll]

The existence of Monster In My Pocket is probably the reason that Pokemon isn't called Pocket Monsters. Kinda like the pen-and-paper Dragon Quest giving us Dragon Warriors for so long.

I've always wanted to play the NES games with the SuperChip (and the ill-fated Aladdin Deck Enhancer). Like the Genny's SVP, the SuperChip had so much potential. Ultimate Stuntman was one of the games I wanted to buy. I think there was a picture of the stuntman fighting an enormous octopus with no flicker...

Lots of cool platformers in that list. I'll check them out. And can't believe Neo said "dildo."

[bbobb]

The existence of Monster In My Pocket is probably the reason that Pokemon isn't called Pocket Monsters.

No.

It's not.

[Mzo]

Vice: Project Doom was so good. I liked running on the super long girders that wolfman boss would throw. And then the combat suit surprise!

[NeoZeedeater]

Reason: c64 music is so goddamn bad, that reminds me.

I'm sure you're just trying to rile me up but it needs to be repeated -

C64 audio haters need not apply here. Then again, they should just kill themselves anyway.

[YellerDog]

HERE'S ANOTHER NEEDLESS RIFF FOR YOU IT IS TEN MINUTES LONG ENJOY!