What Turbo game are you currently playing?

[Mishran]

Completed Exile early this morning.

Last Alert finished next. Game has some cheesy voice acting, but is still a moderately fun game to play. Not challenging in the least unfortunately.

Dungeon Explorer 2 is completed as well. First time I've played through the game sadly, but very satisfying and awesome game. The ability to change characters and the variety of them (B E is cool as shit) adds alot of replay value to the game. Finished it with Xan the Beastman.

Played some Cotton as well. Got to the 4th stage and used up all my continues.

Hell of a fine few days of Turbobing! The most my system has seen action in quite awhile.

Still deciding on what to play next.

[esadajr]

I was playing Bari Bari Densetsu the other night. Kinda feels like Hang On. I appreciatte not having a time limit, instead just trying to make the best time. Too bad there's no music.

[Mishran]

Tried playing through Loom in expert mode. Restarted the game twice and for some reason the "A" chord won't unlock. Leaves me stuck near the end where you heal Rusty and the shepherds and close the pattern holes. Doesn't make sense as I played through many times on normal and never had this problem and I know I'm not missing something. Oh well.

[RoyVegas]

Still moving along on my journey to beat Double Dungeons.  Was moving along slowly at a level or two every few days. Finished levels 1-20 and level 21 yesterday and now have the code to unlock level 22. Lets hope level 22 goes down easier than the rest have but that's highly unlikely.

[EvilEvoIX]

Just beat Bloody Wolf again.  I love this game, such perfection.

[allyourblood]

Played a couple levels of Lost Sunheart yesterday, followed by Blazing Lazers. It's so funny: the way B'Lazers plays, I'm utterly godlike for the first 5 levels and then all of a sudden I just hit a wall. Bleh, I stink at shooters.

[esadajr]

It's so funny: the way B'Lazers plays, I'm utterly godlike for the first 5 levels and then all of a sudden I just hit a wall. Bleh, I stink at shooters.

I suffer from a smiliar problem in Cotton, I more or less breeze through the first four levels, then bam!

[allyourblood]

Woo! I'm at Area 7 of Blazing Lazers right now. I think this is the farthest I've been; can't remember. Those flippy tiles and missile clusters are really trying my patience, but I'm trying to soldier through. Love this game.

[Mishran]

Been quite some time since I played Shapeshifter, so I popped it in and still suck at it. I make it without a problem to the cliffs and that's where it all goes down hill. If you get too close to the ledge in panther form (which your required to use to make the jumps), when jumping or landing, you slip off and most of the time it's off the screen and you die. Rather frustrating. I gave it a sporting chance though. Maybe next time.

[allyourblood]

UPDATE: Got to the boss in Area 7 of BL once, then proceeded to squander four continues dying, over and over. I'm fine with the flippy tiles now, but those little circle-y bullet poopers and open-closing-red-eye tank things are just relentless.

I know I don't speak for everyone, but for me the trick to Blazing Lazers is to get maxed-out on power-ups and then not die. For a weak shootist such as myself, getting knocked back down to the standard pea shooter is almost guaranteed death.

[VenomMacbeth]

Played a little bit of Ninja Warriors, until I realized it's the worst PCE game I own. -.- So, I put in R-Type & got to stage 3 before I ran my happy ass into a wall, lost a life, then nope'd the hucard right out of the slot.  Then I played some Jinmu Denshou and, of course, died at the fourth stage. 

Not the most successful gaming day for me, but ehh, 'twas fun.

[allyourblood]

It's so funny: the way B'Lazers plays, I'm utterly godlike for the first 5 levels and then all of a sudden I just hit a wall. Bleh, I stink at shooters.

I suffer from a smiliar problem in Cotton, I more or less breeze through the first four levels, then bam!

I own Cotton, but no CD system to play it on yet. It looks like fun though!

[esteban]

It's so funny: the way B'Lazers plays, I'm utterly godlike for the first 5 levels and then all of a sudden I just hit a wall. Bleh, I stink at shooters.

I suffer from a smiliar problem in Cotton, I more or less breeze through the first four levels, then bam!

I own Cotton, but no CD system to play it on yet. It looks like fun though!

BRUTAL situation to be in!

[Damon Plus]

Playing again a round of my favorite TG games. You know those ones they always seem to enter the rotation? Legendary Axe, Military Madness, Air Zonk, and to a lesser exent, JJ & Jeff and Blazing Lazers are those games for me.

PS: Playing Legendary Axe at this time of the year feels right.

PS part two: JJ & Jeff rocks!

[Mishran]

Working my way through Valis IV. The Act V 3 reapers boss has me baffled though. I either die or run out of time trying to kill them. I'm a persistent bastard and will finish this game at some point.

You know those ones they always seem to enter the rotation? Legendary Axe, Military Madness, Air Zonk, and to a lesser exent, JJ & Jeff and Blazing Lazers are those games for me.

I have a few games I tend to play multiple times a year for kicks. They are Bonk's Revenge, Keith Courage, Space Harrier, Splatterhouse, Bomberman, and the Crush pinball games. The games that, for me, never get old.

Never hear much about it on here, but I really like Davis Cup Tennis. It's a fun little tennis game. I've never been able to get into any tennis video games, but this game I can play for hours without getting bored of it.

[esteban]

Working my way through Valis IV. The Act V 3 reapers boss has me baffled though. I either die or run out of time trying to kill them. I'm a persistent bastard and will finish this game at some point.

You know those ones they always seem to enter the rotation? Legendary Axe, Military Madness, Air Zonk, and to a lesser exent, JJ & Jeff and Blazing Lazers are those games for me.

I have a few games I tend to play multiple times a year for kicks. They are Bonk's Revenge, Keith Courage, Space Harrier, Splatterhouse, Bomberman, and the Crush pinball games. The games that, for me, never get old.

Never hear much about it on here, but I really like Davis Cup Tennis. It's a fun little tennis game. I've never been able to get into any tennis video games, but this game I can play for hours without getting bored of it.

Valis IV and Super Valis (SNES): I have to do a side-by-side comparison, but I think the PCE got the better game.

Davis Cup Tennis is a decent game and one of the few I actually invested time in (back in the day). It controls well and is satisfying. The sound effects are oddly hypnotic and I remember having some brutal, drawn-out matches that felt so damn good to win.

 

[Mishran]

Never played the SNES version, but the PCE V4 is pretty good. Not the best of the series, but not bad for what it is. It offers a challenge and I'm enjoying it. Just wish I knew what the characters were saying and what the story is about.

[geise]

I love Valis IV.  It's probably my favorite.  Also, don't ever play the snes version.  There is no reason to do a comparison.

[esteban]

I love Valis IV.  It's probably my favorite.  Also, don't ever play the snes version.  There is no reason to do a comparison.

Hahahhahaha. I played both versions, but years apart. 

[Mishran]

Valis IV is scratch off my list. Finished it this morning. This is the last screen before hitting a button takes you back to the system card screen. Anything important or just a game over screen?
/imageipcy.jpg

Sorry for the lousy pic, it was hard to get a good one without the camera flash.

[runinruder]

It's telling you how to access the Visual Debug screen.  At the title screen, press down, down, left, 2, 1, left, right.

[Mishran]

Ah, ok. Thanks for that, sir.

What is it? Something you can use to watch the in game cinemas without having to play through the game again?

[esteban]

Ah, ok. Thanks for that, sir.

What is it? Something you can use to watch the in game cinemas without having to play through the game again?

Exactly. 

[allyourblood]

Played some New Adventure Island last night. Gonna play some more today. I also finally got my hands on a copy of Cratermaze, so I'm gonna play that a bit too. I've had the Doraemon version for a year or two now, but I wanted to get the version I can read! (Not that there's a ton of reading required, but still)

[Mishran]

Cratermaze isn't too bad. Played through it a few times over the years. I wouldn't attempt it in one sitting. Game can get a little repetitive if you play too long. Play through to the first boss, take a break, boss 2, break... Wash, rinse, repeat. Play a different game in between. It'll keep your interest a bit longer that way. At least that is how it is/was for me.

[allyourblood]

Cratermaze isn't too bad. Played through it a few times over the years. I wouldn't attempt it in one sitting. Game can get a little repetitive if you play too long. Play through to the first boss, take a break, boss 2, break... Wash, rinse, repeat. Play a different game in between. It'll keep your interest a bit longer that way. At least that is how it is/was for me.

Agreed. Like I said, I already own the Japanese one and have played it quite a bit. I've never finished it but I love the game for a quick Bomberman-esque fix. I actually used to own Cratermaze but sold it along with everything else during the great "Abe's gone trout of his mind" sale-a-thon in '03.

[Mishran]

I think it's cool that if you collect enough shovels, you can make a line of holes that spans the entire length of the stage. If you can survive long enough to collect that many.

[allyourblood]

Yes! It's also the reason I bought PCE Batman, as that game also shares a similar vibe.

For anyone that knows, besides Bomberman, Cratermaze (Doraemon: Meikyu Daisakusen), and Batman, are there any other similarly-themed action puzzlers on the PCE that I should check out? You know, with the maze/Pac-Man style game board? I have Chew Man Fu, although that one doesn't really fill the same role, for me.

[Mishran]

I think you pretty much named them all on the PCE. Could be wrong though. Anyone like to confirm? I did a quick search on PCECP and those are all I could come up with.

[turboswimbz]

Yes! It's also the reason I bought PCE Batman, as that game also shares a similar vibe.

For anyone that knows, besides Bomberman, Cratermaze (Doraemon: Meikyu Daisakusen), and Batman, are there any other similarly-themed action puzzlers on the PCE that I should check out? You know, with the maze/Pac-Man style game board? I have Chew Man Fu, although that one doesn't really fill the same role, for me.

Pyramid Plunder on the homebrew front is a must try

[allyourblood]

Yes! It's also the reason I bought PCE Batman, as that game also shares a similar vibe.

For anyone that knows, besides Bomberman, Cratermaze (Doraemon: Meikyu Daisakusen), and Batman, are there any other similarly-themed action puzzlers on the PCE that I should check out? You know, with the maze/Pac-Man style game board? I have Chew Man Fu, although that one doesn't really fill the same role, for me.

Pyramid Plunder on the homebrew front is a must try

Thank you! I'm gonna add that to my wish list. I don't have a working CD system yet, but I'm gonna keep that (and any other disc-based games) in mind for when I do.

[Mishran]

Pyramid Plunder...

[esteban]

Yes! It's also the reason I bought PCE Batman, as that game also shares a similar vibe.

For anyone that knows, besides Bomberman, Cratermaze (Doraemon: Meikyu Daisakusen), and Batman, are there any other similarly-themed action puzzlers on the PCE that I should check out? You know, with the maze/Pac-Man style game board? I have Chew Man Fu, although that one doesn't really fill the same role, for me.

Pyramid Plunder on the homebrew front is a must try

Thank you! I'm gonna add that to my wish list. I don't have a working CD system yet, but I'm gonna keep that (and any other disc-based games) in mind for when I do.

Boxyboy?

[allyourblood]

Yes! It's also the reason I bought PCE Batman, as that game also shares a similar vibe.

For anyone that knows, besides Bomberman, Cratermaze (Doraemon: Meikyu Daisakusen), and Batman, are there any other similarly-themed action puzzlers on the PCE that I should check out? You know, with the maze/Pac-Man style game board? I have Chew Man Fu, although that one doesn't really fill the same role, for me.

Pyramid Plunder on the homebrew front is a must try

Thank you! I'm gonna add that to my wish list. I don't have a working CD system yet, but I'm gonna keep that (and any other disc-based games) in mind for when I do.

Boxyboy?

I don't really count Boxyboy as it lacks the "action" aspect of those other titles (no enemies, power-ups, or random exploration necessary).

[esteban]

Yeah, I hear you. Boxyboyz and Tricky Kicks are more "puzzle"...

In a totally wacky way, Mesopotamia (Somer Assault) may appeal to you (it's a quirky game and not everyone's cup of tea)....however, it strays from the genre rules you like so much in Batman/Cratermaze. It's more like a "surreal" post-modern take on a Cratermaze.  .

Anyway, I wish there more games like Cratermaze/Batman and Somer Assault.

[allyourblood]

Thanks,  esteban.  I've had my eye out for Somer Assault for a while now. Its starting to fetch higher prices now. I think I'll like it though for the reason you mentioned: its quirkiness. Looks weird enough to be fun!

[Mishran]

Isn't the PCE version cheaper still? Unless you need the US version, game plays the same.

[allyourblood]

Isn't the PCE version cheaper still? Unless you need the US version, game plays the same.

That was gonna be my next question. I don't like missing out on the story (when there is one),  but if the PCE version is significantly less expensive and doesn't require any knowledge of Japanese,  I'm all over it!

[Mishran]

It's been a while since I played through it, but yes there is a story. Not much of one though. Nothing you'll really be missing out on playing the PCE version. The controls and power-ups and such are fairly self explanatory.

The biggest and worst enemy you have to deal with in the game is the clock. You've got a set time limit to finish a stage including defeating the boss. Time runs out you lose a life. As big as some of the levels/mazes are, there doesn't seem to be enough time to get through them. It's a tough game, but not impossible.

[allyourblood]

Played some Cratermaze last night. Man, I don't know: I just really enjoy this game! It gets old after a long session and I hate waiting to see the score tally and the long lead-in for each new stage, but it's just so light-hearted and easy to get into. The control seems great and there's enough variety to hold my interest for a while. Also, the tacked-on storyline is stupid and bizarre... in a fun way.

[Mishran]

Played through to the end boss in Valis III and died, and died, and died. What a cheap bastard. Seems to me that if you don't beat him when that old man powers you up, your screwed since your too weak and pathetic to get anywhere with him. And what's up with that cheap flash attack that hurts you regardless. Finish this and I'm done with 2-4, just need to get my hands on the first one.

[allyourblood]

Giving JJ & Jeff a second chance. I played it a few times over the years and basically dismissed it after only a few levels -- I would come back to it, play for a while, smile at the silliness of it, and shut 'er down. Now I feel like it's not so bad and if I were 9 years old again, I probably wouldn't find too much to complain about. I always liked it, but never enough to try pushing through to the end. I think I'm gonna try to beat it this time.

Some observations: both characters slide way too much upon landing and move way too fast. After a while, I got used to it and learned to accept the "physics", after which point it plays okay. I just don't understand why the game provides you with such a speedy character if you're constantly having to "brake" your way through the levels.

Avoiding falling objects and jumping on or kicking airborne enemies is a pain; to that end, I don't care for the randomness of which items you can jump on and which you cannot: rolling boulders are fair game, but stationary ones do a ton of damage?

Also, what is with some games (like JJ&J & New Adventure Island) that sap your health for no reason? That one really gets under my skin. It's bad enough you're dealing with dodging enemies that appear out of nowhere and getting hit by your coworker/friend/sidekick (with no rhyme or reason), but just standing around to catch your breath incurs a penalty? Bizarre. Just gimme a dang timer and be done with it.

Oh, and if you haven't played this game yet, for the love of Pete, whatever you do, don't jump on the green spring!

[esteban]

allyourblood: First off, I love when folks take the time to make more "substantial" posts like you did!  

Second, I'm not disagreeing with you, since I think everything you pointed out was valid. I'm just offering a different interpretation. For real  



 

I just don't understand why the game provides you with such a speedy character if you're constantly having to "brake" your way through the levels.

Yes, I think this constant sliding/braking turns-off a bunch of folks once the platforming requires precision. But, in the game's defense, it doesn't play too differently than the speed-run/jump found in, say Adventure Island AND the venerable Super Mario Bros. I play SMB on "permanent-speed", so I have to constantly "over-correct" during tricky parts (or when I forget what I am supposed to do and run blindly ahead. So, for me, this has always been an element of how I personally platform games (I acknowledge that this doesn't apply to everyone).

That said, I agree that the sliding/braking is a bit much (like an "ice" level with extra slippery physics).

Avoiding falling objects and jumping on or kicking airborne enemies is a pain; to that end, I don't care for the randomness of which items you can jump on and which you cannot: rolling boulders are fair game, but stationary ones do a ton of damage?

Ah, you can't argue with video game logic. I'll tell you this, though: I love jumping on enemies/objects in JJ & Jeff! It adds so much extra fun, especially because the designers incorporated serial bouncing..."chaining"...oh, I wish the game exploited this mechanic more it's so satisfying to pull off a "chain" of stationary bounces (rats) or bounce across the screen (wave of flies).

Also, what is with some games (like JJ&J & New Adventure Island) that sap your health for no reason? That one really gets under my skin. It's bad enough you're dealing with dodging enemies that appear out of nowhere and getting hit by your coworker/friend/sidekick (with no rhyme or reason), but just standing around to catch your breath incurs a penalty? Bizarre. Just gimme a dang timer and be done with it.

LIFE/TIMER BAR: I love this Wonderboyboy 1 convention (perpetually depleting life bar) SO MUCH MORE than a simple timer: grabbing fruit allows you to ADD to the timer and build up a reservoir of life bars (time), thereby putting you under constant pressure to MOVE.


NO REST FOR THE WEARY!

Constantly moving, ravenous for fruit... It is one of the best things about WB1/Adventure Island/JJ & Jeff. INGENIOUS! But, yes, it can be frustrating  

Anyway, I love that I must continually collect fruit (I like when a game allows you to build up a "reserve"...beyond the visible bar on the screen, such as Wonderboy III: Monster Lair, but it's not a deal-breaker if a game lacks a "buffer" of life/time).

Traditional "timers" only become "fun" when the time is about to expire and you have to "beat the clock"...Wondeboy1 puts you in a permanent "beat the clock" mode, under the guise of a "life bar".  BRILLIANT!

This prevents folks from exploiting a traditional timer (you can exploit a traditional timer by purposefully taking your sweet time to slowly explore/practice a new/challenging level. The game allows you to "waste" your time on tasks. JJ & Jeff doesn't allow you to do that; you don't have the luxury of slowly plodding through a stage and kicking every tree stump and trash can lackadaisically.

NO REST FOR THE WEARY!

[allyourblood]

allyourblood: First off, I love when folks take the time to make more "substantial" posts like you did!  

Second, I'm not disagreeing with you, since I think everything you pointed out was valid. I'm just offering a different interpretation. For real  



 

I just don't understand why the game provides you with such a speedy character if you're constantly having to "brake" your way through the levels.

Yes, I think this constant sliding/braking turns-off a bunch of folks once the platforming requires precision. But, in the game's defense, it doesn't play too differently than the speed-run/jump found in, say Adventure Island AND the venerable Super Mario Bros. I play SMB on "permanent-speed", so I have to constantly "over-correct" during tricky parts (or when I forget what I am supposed to do and run blindly ahead. So, for me, this has always been an element of how I personally platform games (I acknowledge that this doesn't apply to everyone).

That said, I agree that the sliding/braking is a bit much (like an "ice" level with extra slippery physics).

Avoiding falling objects and jumping on or kicking airborne enemies is a pain; to that end, I don't care for the randomness of which items you can jump on and which you cannot: rolling boulders are fair game, but stationary ones do a ton of damage?

Ah, you can't argue with video game logic. I'll tell you this, though: I love jumping on enemies/objects in JJ & Jeff! It adds so much extra fun, especially because the designers incorporated serial bouncing..."chaining"...oh, I wish the game exploited this mechanic more it's so satisfying to pull off a "chain" of stationary bounces (rats) or bounce across the screen (wave of flies).

Also, what is with some games (like JJ&J & New Adventure Island) that sap your health for no reason? That one really gets under my skin. It's bad enough you're dealing with dodging enemies that appear out of nowhere and getting hit by your coworker/friend/sidekick (with no rhyme or reason), but just standing around to catch your breath incurs a penalty? Bizarre. Just gimme a dang timer and be done with it.

LIFE/TIMER BAR: I love this Wonderboyboy 1 convention (perpetually depleting life bar) SO MUCH MORE than a simple timer: grabbing fruit allows you to ADD to the timer and build up a reservoir of life bars (time), thereby putting you under constant pressure to MOVE.


NO REST FOR THE WEARY!

Constantly moving, ravenous for fruit... It is one of the best things about WB1/Adventure Island/JJ & Jeff. INGENIOUS! But, yes, it can be frustrating  

Anyway, I love that I must continually collect fruit (I like when a game allows you to build up a "reserve"...beyond the visible bar on the screen, such as Wonderboy III: Monster Lair, but it's not a deal-breaker if a game lacks a "buffer" of life/time).

Traditional "timers" only become "fun" when the time is about to expire and you have to "beat the clock"...Wondeboy1 puts you in a permanent "beat the clock" mode, under the guise of a "life bar".  BRILLIANT!

This prevents folks from exploiting a traditional timer (you can exploit a traditional timer by purposefully taking your sweet time to slowly explore/practice a new/challenging level. The game allows you to "waste" your time on tasks. JJ & Jeff doesn't allow you to do that; you don't have the luxury of slowly plodding through a stage and kicking every tree stump and trash can lackadaisically.

NO REST FOR THE WEARY!

Thanks for the thorough reply, esteban!

I agree 100% with what you said about "chaining" jumps. It's a lot of fun and it makes sense, too. I also wish it was used more extensively. Stages built around the concept could've really pushed JJ&J to the next level. I find a lot of the enemies seem to fly in or jump at the perfect height for me to just clip them as I try to bounce on top.

I get what you're saying about the depleting timer/health bar. I've learned to live with it, but I don't think I'd consider myself a fan, per se. Perhaps if the developers had just slowed it down a bit. At this point with the game, I tend to slow down a bit too much to line up some of the tougher jumps (the ones that demand precise landing, of course) and I waste those precious health/timer chiclets. I do notice that my confidence increases with repeat attempts and the health bar becomes less of an issue. For whatever reason, it feels far more forgiving in New Adventure Island, but maybe it's just me.

I'm gonna play some more of this game tonight. It's really starting to move from "guilty pleasure" to "downright enjoyable"!

[geise]

Image Fight.  I still have a lot of practice till I start posting.scores.

[allyourblood]

More J.J. & Jeff. This one is officially fun now! I'm still struggling a bit to get the jump kick down pat. Its range seems extraordinarily limited. When kicking bosses, you gotta find that "sweet spot"; close enough to connect but not so close that you take damage. I'll get it. Eventually.

Anyone else just have no luck with the slot machine? After probably two dozen sessions (with multiple coins), I have literally had a winning pull... once!!

Also played some Chew Man Fu today.

[DesmondThe3rd]

I played Military Madness recently.... for 6 hours straight!

[allyourblood]

I played Military Madness recently.... for 6 hours straight!

You did the right thing. I only wish I had your resolve.

Great game.

[MrFlutterPie]

I really really wanted to play New Adventure Island but I need to pick up an AV cord for my new modded Turbo unit

[DesmondThe3rd]

I played Military Madness recently.... for 6 hours straight!

You did the right thing. I only wish I had your resolve.

Great game.

Heh heh, it was a strange thing. I wanted to go through the first 16 levels without stopping just to see if I could still do it.