What US games get short shrift?

spenoza · 09/24/2007, 06:41 PM

OK, so I'm helping Racketboy gather intel for another article, this time a TG-16 Hidden Gems. Hidden Gems are good games that are under-appreciated, either because they might be a little artsy, they weren't promoted well, or they just somehow slipped under most people's radar.

Here's my list so far. I can already thing of at least one game that needs to come off that list.

TurboChips:
Somer Assault
Order of the Griffon
Time Cruise

CDs:
Buster Bros.
Splash Lake
Lords of the Rising Sun
Vasteel

SCDs:

Beyond Shadowgate
Godzilla
Syd Mead's Terraforming

What do you guys think about this list? Anything on there that's inappropriate? Anything I missed that REALLY needs to be on there?

Thanks.

nat · 09/24/2007, 06:48 PM

Beyond Shadowgate and Splash Lake are DEFINITE keepers.

What about games like Sinistron and Psychosis? Both are excellent shooters. But maybe those are too "well-known".

rag-time4 · 09/24/2007, 06:52 PM

Quote from: nat on 09/24/2007, 06:48 PMBeyond Shadowgate is a DEFINITE keeper.

What about games like Sinistron and Psychosis? Both are excellent shooters. But maybe those are too "well-known".

I second Sinistron. I never heard of it before just a year or two ago, but it's really a great shooter. Can't speak for psychosis since I've never played it.

nat · 09/24/2007, 06:53 PM

Psychosis is significantly easier than Sinistron, but not too easy, and it's a mindfuck of an experience. Great game.

Keranu · 09/24/2007, 07:10 PM

J.J. and Jeff

.

nat · 09/24/2007, 07:11 PM

Quote from: Keranu on 09/24/2007, 07:10 PMJ.J. and Jeff .

Don't listen to Keranu, spenoza. JJ & Jeff is a steamy pile.

Keranu · 09/24/2007, 07:13 PM

Quote from: nat on 09/24/2007, 07:11 PM
Quote from: Keranu on 09/24/2007, 07:10 PMJ.J. and Jeff .
Don't listen to Keranu, spenoza. JJ & Jeff is a steamy pile.

Me and my faithful army of J.J. & Jeff followers will crush your negative comments again!

CrackTiger · 09/24/2007, 07:35 PM

I think that Beyond Shadowgate is over hyped if anything.

spenoza · 09/24/2007, 10:33 PM

Well, Beyond Shadowgate may be over-hyped on this forum, but at the time I couldn't recall seeing much about it.

OldTurboBastard · 09/25/2007, 09:08 AM

Quote from: nat on 09/24/2007, 06:53 PMPsychosis is significantly easier than Sinistron, but not too easy, and it's a mindfuck of an experience. Great game.

I second psychosis. It is unique visually and the power up system was at least different from what I was used to, with the "rammer balls" that you could place anywhere around your ship. It also really showed off the color capabilities of the turbo. My only beef is that is was a bit short, but like nat said it was not too easy so you'll spend some time with it.

Sinistron was one of the better shooters too

spenoza · 09/25/2007, 09:14 AM

And Sinistron and Psychosis are both relatively overlooked and under-appreciated? OK, they seem like good candidates for the list. I'm familiar with both of them, so that'll help.

I'm thinking Order of the Griffon needs to come off, because I haven't read anywhere that it's more than just an average game.

PCEngineFX · 09/25/2007, 03:29 PM

Chew Man Fu!

Seriously, this game is fun....glad it recently came out on the virtual console so that more people can play it.

D-Lite · 09/25/2007, 04:07 PM

For some reason I really enjoy playing World Class Baseball. Nice graphically, decent music, and solid gameplay. As far as sport titles go it's really well done and puts the golf titles on the system to shame. Kinda the opposite of today's sport games.

PCEngineFX · 09/25/2007, 04:50 PM

Quote from: D-Lite on 09/25/2007, 04:07 PMFor some reason I really enjoy playing World Class Baseball. Nice graphically, decent music, and solid gameplay. As far as sport titles go it's really well done and puts the golf titles on the system to shame. Kinda the opposite of today's sport games.

Did you mean, puts baseball titles to shame?

SignOfZeta · 09/25/2007, 06:00 PM

Quote from: Pcenginefx on 09/25/2007, 03:29 PMChew Man Fu!

Seriously, this game is fun....glad it recently came out on the virtual console so that more people can play it.

I agree. I never even tried this game until I warzed myself a complete PCE ROM from Bit Torrent. Its awesome.

Then, when TZD was giving out all the tester copies of TG-16 titles, that's the one they sent me. Amazing luck, really, I thought for sure I'd get Bravoman or some sports crap.

ccovell · 09/25/2007, 11:08 PM

Here are my two:
Cratermaze and World Court Tennis

Some people slag off Cratermaze for some reason, but I think it's both a great conversion of the arcade original, and a fun maze/Pac-Man/Heiyankyo Alien game. And I think a few retro gamers considered WCT to be the best video tennis game until Super Tennis came along on the SFC. Sure, the graphics suck, but the gameplay is gold.

Tatsujin · 09/25/2007, 11:25 PM

Quote from: ccovell on 09/25/2007, 11:08 PMAnd I think a few retro gamers considered WCT to be the best video tennis game

sorry, but can't agree with that. the best ever made tennis game in the world has to be Final Match Tennis [punch line]

Keranu · 09/25/2007, 11:45 PM

Quote from: ccovell on 09/25/2007, 11:08 PMSome people slag off Cratermaze for some reason, but I think it's both a great conversion of the arcade original, and a fun maze/Pac-Man/Heiyankyo Alien game.

Neat, I didn't know it was an arcade port! It's hard for me to believe though since the game seems to be incredibly long! Just to make sure, the arcade version is based off that Doremon cat thing like the PCE right?

rag-time4 · 09/26/2007, 12:23 AM

Quote from: Keranu on 09/25/2007, 11:45 PM
Quote from: ccovell on 09/25/2007, 11:08 PMSome people slag off Cratermaze for some reason, but I think it's both a great conversion of the arcade original, and a fun maze/Pac-Man/Heiyankyo Alien game.
Neat, I didn't know it was an arcade port! It's hard for me to believe though since the game seems to be incredibly long! Just to make sure, the arcade version is based off that Doremon cat thing like the PCE right?

Doraemon's cratermaze is the only PC Engine game my fiancee will play! She's finished the easy mode... now I'm trying to push her to play the hard mode

Keranu · 09/26/2007, 02:05 AM

I still need to finish it. I've had a save for it on my PCE (at least I think I still do) for awhile now and never got around to completing it. Will probably start again soon.

TR0N · 09/26/2007, 02:57 AM

Quote from: Pcenginefx on 09/25/2007, 03:29 PMChew Man Fu!

Seriously, this game is fun....glad it recently came out on the virtual console so that more people can play it.

Agreed i pick it up afther you suggested in your video review.

It's a pretty good action type puzzle game to me.

Still magazines such as egm gave it low scores and that seems ridiculous to me.

Tatsujin · 09/26/2007, 03:13 AM

Be Ball is fun!! it's half puzzle, half riddle and cute to no end

RuninRuder · 09/26/2007, 09:25 AM

I wouldn't include Terraforming on an "underappreciated" list. It's as mediocre as shooters come and, if anything, gets more attention than it deserves because of its high price tag and fancy background visuals (which are actually impressive in only half the stages).

I support the suggestions of Sinistron, Psychosis, and World Class Baseball. How about Tricky Kick as a real dark horse? It's not a masterpiece, but it's a fun and very challenging puzzle game with some entertaining story "cinemas."

spenoza · 09/26/2007, 09:49 AM

I'd be nervous about adding Chew Man Fu to the list since it's on the Virtual Console. It was one of the early titles. That's why Double Dungeons isn't on this list. I figure it it immediately struck Nintendo to allow it on the VC it clearly isn't under-appreciated enough

When I played Terraforming I found it enjoyable. Sure, it's no Gunhed, but it's a nice alternative. But maybe you are right, maybe it's not worthy. So if I add Sinistron and Psychosis to the list and pull Order of the Griffon and Terraforming, do you think it's a relatively good list?

ccovell · 09/26/2007, 10:05 AM

Quote from: Keranu on 09/25/2007, 11:45 PM
Quote from: ccovell on 09/25/2007, 11:08 PMSome people slag off Cratermaze for some reason, but I think it's both a great conversion of the arcade original, and a fun maze/Pac-Man/Heiyankyo Alien game.
Neat, I didn't know it was an arcade port! It's hard for me to believe though since the game seems to be incredibly long! Just to make sure, the arcade version is based off that Doremon cat thing like the PCE right?

The arcade original is called Kid no Hore Hore Daisakusen, and was released on several consoles under the titles Booby Boys or Booby Kids. The Doraemon PCE version is a victim of the usual insert-licensed-character-into-existing-game malady that several of the early PCE games suffered from. Cratermaze is the version closest to the arcade original, therefore.

spenoza · 09/26/2007, 02:44 PM

Looks like I need to go back and play a little World Court Tennis and Cratermaze, then.

rag-time4 · 09/26/2007, 03:21 PM

Quote from: ccovell on 09/26/2007, 10:05 AM
Quote from: Keranu on 09/25/2007, 11:45 PM
Quote from: ccovell on 09/25/2007, 11:08 PMSome people slag off Cratermaze for some reason, but I think it's both a great conversion of the arcade original, and a fun maze/Pac-Man/Heiyankyo Alien game.
Neat, I didn't know it was an arcade port! It's hard for me to believe though since the game seems to be incredibly long! Just to make sure, the arcade version is based off that Doremon cat thing like the PCE right?
The arcade original is called Kid no Hore Hore Daisakusen, and was released on several consoles under the titles Booby Boys or Booby Kids. The Doraemon PCE version is a victim of the usual insert-licensed-character-into-existing-game malady that several of the early PCE games suffered from. Cratermaze is the version closest to the arcade original, therefore.

My fiance is a huge Doraemon fan, so the liscenced character in this case helped her get into the game. I think it works great as a Doraemon game because he is known for coming up with all kinds of wacky gadgets, which are strewn about in this game!

Ceti Alpha · 09/26/2007, 04:13 PM

I saw a cheap Sinistron on eBay for $4.99, but has over 4 days left on the auction. I'll watch it and see if it goes up much. I don't want to spend too much for it. 5 bucks seems just about right.

nat · 09/26/2007, 04:34 PM

Quote from: ceti alpha on 09/26/2007, 04:13 PMI saw a cheap Sinistron on eBay for $4.99, but has over 4 days left on the auction. I'll watch it and see if it goes up much. I don't want to spend too much for it. 5 bucks seems just about right.

Sinistron is a great game. Don't worry if you have to spend $20 on it-- you'll get your money's worth.

Although I would imagine the auction will top out at less than that.

Keranu · 09/26/2007, 05:21 PM

Quote from: ccovell on 09/26/2007, 10:05 AM
Quote from: Keranu on 09/25/2007, 11:45 PM
Quote from: ccovell on 09/25/2007, 11:08 PMSome people slag off Cratermaze for some reason, but I think it's both a great conversion of the arcade original, and a fun maze/Pac-Man/Heiyankyo Alien game.
Neat, I didn't know it was an arcade port! It's hard for me to believe though since the game seems to be incredibly long! Just to make sure, the arcade version is based off that Doremon cat thing like the PCE right?
The arcade original is called Kid no Hore Hore Daisakusen, and was released on several consoles under the titles Booby Boys or Booby Kids. The Doraemon PCE version is a victim of the usual insert-licensed-character-into-existing-game malady that several of the early PCE games suffered from. Cratermaze is the version closest to the arcade original, therefore.

Thanks for the info, very interesting!

D-Lite · 09/26/2007, 06:38 PM

Quote from: Pcenginefx on 09/25/2007, 04:50 PM
Quote from: D-Lite on 09/25/2007, 04:07 PMFor some reason I really enjoy playing World Class Baseball. Nice graphically, decent music, and solid gameplay. As far as sport titles go it's really well done and puts the golf titles on the system to shame. Kinda the opposite of today's sport games.
Did you mean, puts baseball titles to shame?

Nope, I meant golf. Usually golf games are pretty good on consoles and the baseball games suck, especially in the last 10 years. But World Class Baseball is a better game than the golf games on the PCE/Turbo from that era.

OldRover · 09/26/2007, 09:01 PM

Quote from: nat on 09/26/2007, 04:34 PM
Quote from: ceti alpha on 09/26/2007, 04:13 PMI saw a cheap Sinistron on eBay for $4.99, but has over 4 days left on the auction. I'll watch it and see if it goes up much. I don't want to spend too much for it. 5 bucks seems just about right.
Sinistron is a great game. Don't worry if you have to spend $20 on it-- you'll get your money's worth.

Although I would imagine the auction will top out at less than that.

Without question. Sinistron is seriously worth every penny no matter how much you spend on it. If you haven't played it before, it WILL kick your ass and laugh in your face; it's one of the harder TG shooters, and is legitimately challenging (unlike ones that are hard due to bad coldet or other technical foulups).

spenoza · 09/26/2007, 09:35 PM

I found Sinistron challenging, but I didn't find it so much fun. The graphics are ho-hum and the music gets grating quickly. I was not a fan. The jaw mechanic was pretty cool, but the game felt less smooth to me and less polished than so many others.

Ceti Alpha · 09/26/2007, 10:41 PM

Here's a funny review of Sinistron on youtube:

It's hilarious that he doesn't sync the audio with the video. hehe. I still love his reviews though.

Keranu · 09/27/2007, 12:14 AM

Haha, yeah that's Kamino for you. He recently sold all of his video game collection (over 1,000 games) to use for drug money

.

Ceti Alpha · 09/27/2007, 01:29 AM

QuoteHaha, yeah that's Kamino for you. He recently sold all of his video game collection (over 1,000 games) to use for drug money Sad .

Oh, dear god no!! But judging from his videos I'm not surprised. That really sucks. He's going to regret that someday.

ccovell · 09/27/2007, 01:34 AM

Quote from: ceti alpha on 09/26/2007, 10:41 PMHere's a funny review of Sinistron on youtube:

It's hilarious that he doesn't sync the audio with the video. hehe. I still love his reviews though.

That's like watching a Faberge egg being handled by a trucker.

esteban · 09/29/2007, 12:44 AM

Quote from: ccovell on 09/27/2007, 01:34 AM
Quote from: ceti alpha on 09/26/2007, 10:41 PMHere's a funny review of Sinistron on youtube:

It's hilarious that he doesn't sync the audio with the video. hehe. I still love his reviews though.
That's like watching a Faberge egg being handled by a trucker.

So, apparently, all the turbo games this fellow reviews are "awesome."

Awesome.

sideshow · 09/29/2007, 06:58 PM

Quote from: Pcenginefx on 09/25/2007, 03:29 PMChew Man Fu!

Seriously, this game is fun....glad it recently came out on the virtual console so that more people can play it.

My favorite part of Chew Man Fu was the ability to create your own levels.

Jared4781 · 10/11/2007, 07:36 PM

Jackie Chan's Action Kungfu

2/13/2025: Localization News - Cosmic Fantasy 3-4!

What US games get short shrift?