What to buy?

[pdiggitydogg]

So, since joining, I have only obtained a single PCE game (dragon spirit) and I think its time I look into another. Suggestions? I'm not interested in Bonk and I'd like to try a game that's not a shooter.
I'd like to try dungeon explorer, but I don't speak Japanese...

[esteban]

So, since joining, I have only obtained a single PCE game (dragon spirit) and I think its time I look into another. Suggestions? I'm not interested in Bonk and I'd like to try a game that's not a shooter.
I'd like to try dungeon explorer, but I don't speak Japanese...

I say...go for Dungeon Explorer. I really don't think you'll miss much as far as story is concerned (you can read about the King's dilemma, it's pretty generic).

The towns are pretty straightforward as well.

If you simply read the basics about magic, choose  a character that fights well, and be strategic when you power-up  (after defeating a boss)...you'll be fine.

[cjameslv]

....I'm not interested in Bonk and I'd like to try a game that's not a shooter...

Blasphemy!! Shooters are so amazing on this system and offer huge replay value as you ever try to up your score and compete with friends! If you must play a non shmup, i guess a good goto is Neutopia. I found it's alot of fun.

[HailingTheThings]

So, since joining, I have only obtained a single PCE game (dragon spirit) and I think its time I look into another. Suggestions? I'm not interested in Bonk and I'd like to try a game that's not a shooter.
I'd like to try dungeon explorer, but I don't speak Japanese...

HIM!!!

[VenomMacbeth]

If you don't care for shooters, I suggest finding another console.  It's the most well-represented genre in the system's library.  I understand your wanting some variety, though.  Go for Ninja Spirit, Bloody Wolf, or Splatterhouse.  Those are a few of my favorite non-shooter (except Bloody Wolf) games on the system. 

Also, you'll come back around to Bonk.  It's too fun & quirky not to at least play the first game.  That's like having a Genesis without Sonic, or any Nintendo console without Mario.

[pdiggitydogg]

Its not that I dislike shooters, I do enjoy them, I just want to explore what else the console has to offer. I know that at any time I can play 99% of them and enjoy one.
I grew up with Nintendo and some Sega, so the TG16/PCE still feels foreign to me. I want to play the games that arent the Mario's and Sonic's on the system to see what I missed (besides shooters, for now)

Maybe I'll give dungeon explorer a shot...

[esteban]

Its not that I dislike shooters, I do enjoy them, I just want to explore what else the console has to offer. I know that at any time I can play 99% of them and enjoy one.
I grew up with Nintendo and some Sega, so the TG16/PCE still feels foreign to me. I want to play the games that arent the Mario's and Sonic's on the system to see what I missed (besides shooters, for now)

Maybe I'll give dungeon explorer a shot...

That tortilla makes sense. Don't listen to the goofballs.

Anyway, someone who is kinder than me can link to some of the threads where games are (ranked) or (praised) or (recommended)

[BigusSchmuck]

Its like saying I like to collect for the Neo Geo but don't like fighters. lol I do suggest reading this post for games that require little or no Japanese to play:
https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=14497.0

[Ayce]

Street Fighter II, Super Dodge Ball (Sorry don't remember the Japanese name for it), Populous (SNES version is better though), Akumajou Dracula X (if you can play CD), and I of course love the SNK ports Fatal Fury Special, Fatal Fury 2, World Heroes 2, Art of Fighting.
One that I really want to get my hands on is Sapphire (again sorry don't know the full Japanese name).

[esteban]

Its like saying I like to collect for the Neo Geo but don't like fighters. lol I do suggest reading this post for games that require little or no Japanese to play:
https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=14497.0

I don't like fighters but I would still love a NEO GEO for all the non-fighting games.

I'm serious.

Similarly, I am NOT a big fan of RPG's. Do you think I let this stop me from getting games for ________.

[pdiggitydogg]

I appreciate the suggestions for the other games. I will definitely check some of them out and get one or two.

I feel like some of you look at the console as being too one-dimensional... Yeah, there are tons of shooters and that is the primary genre for the system, but there are lots of other types of games, too. Like I said, I know it plays shooters - what else? I collect anything fun to me and I try not to limit myself to one console or one type of game.
This is like saying the SNES and PlayStation only play JRPGs...

[Samuray]

Some of my favorites are "Tour of Hell", "Horror Story", "Mad Stalker" and the early J&R "Son Son II", as well as "Crest of Wolf".
Oh, and "Liquid Kids" and "Parasol Stars" are very awesome!

"Legendary Axe" may well be worth a look, and maybe "Vigilante"? I enjoy it every now and then!

And of course "Fightig Street", just for gaming history's sake.

[VenomMacbeth]

I feel like some of you look at the console as being too one-dimensional... Yeah, there are tons of shooters and that is the primary genre for the system, but there are lots of other types of games, too. Like I said, I know it plays shooters - what else? I collect anything fun to me and I try not to limit myself to one console or one type of game.
This is like saying the SNES and PlayStation only play JRPGs...

I don't think anyone is suggesting you only play shooters, or that those are the only games worth playing on the system...but to be honest, the library is lacking otherwise, especially with hucards.  That's not to say that there aren't any great non-shooter games on the system, as there are a decent handful...but once you've got that handful of (non-shooter) games you're interested in, you're left with nothing but shmups.  It's like eating all the chex & rye chips out of a bag of snack mix, and being left with nothing but a big sack of pretzels.  Good thing a good many of those pretzels are delicious...

It's especially hard if you've got a PCE instead of a turbo, since games like Dungeon Explorer, Neutopia, etc. aren't quite as appealing when you can't read English.  I really don't see the point in playing any RPG if you can't read the story, even if the story makes up only .001% of the game. 

Instead of telling you my favorite games, I'll go through genres & list games I think are worthwhile.  I'll try to keep it cheap, too.


Racing/Driving:

Chase H.Q. - chase down criminals & crash into them until they're immobilized.  Plays similarly to Out Run. $15-$20

Power Drift - toony kart-racing game with interesting fake sprite scaling effects. $15-$25

$$$Out Run - if you're a die-hard fan of the game, it might be worthwhile to you, but I don't find it as good as the Genesis version & definitely not for the price it goes for, $45-$60


Platformers:

Legendary Axe I and II - sort of castlevania-esque gameplay...honestly I don't find the graphics appealing in either of these games, but the gameplay is solid. $20-$30

New Zealand Story - Cutesy, arcadey platformer where you play a Kiwi trying to rescue his fellows, and it's rife with Taito's usual eccentric charm.  $20-$30

$$$Mizubaku Daibouken - if you like games like New Zealand Story, you'll probably like this one even more.  Be prepared to shell out close to $100 for it, though.


Run & Guns:

Veigues Tactical Gladiator - forced-scrolling game where you pilot a mech & blow stuff up.  The controls are clunky, but innovative; I personally believe they convey the feeling of operating a mech quite well).  It's difficult & cheap at times, but the graphics and music are okay & you really can't beat $10-$15.

Genji Tsuushin Agedama - another mostly forced-scrolling run & gun themed from some manga/anime with which I'm unfamiliar, but the game is very bright & colorful and the gameplay is addicting to match. $20-$30


Genre-Defying Games:

Genpei Toumaden 1 and 2- I'm mentioning this because you have Dragon Spirit & I wasn't sure if you were fond of Namco, but these games are a lot of fun if you keep an open mind, especially Kannoni (the second one).  They have a very strong mystical feudal Japan feeling & while the gameplay is downright punishing at times, I still feel they're worthwhile to play.  Plus, they're next to dirt cheap at $10-$20 a pop.

Silent Debuggers - pseudo-3D corridor game where you sneak around & exterminate alien monsters on a space station.  The gameplay & graphics might seem archaic by today's standards, but if you can get past that then this is one thrilling ride.  Definitely worth $10-$15

$$$Gekibo: Gekisha Boy - Whacky game where you walk around taking pictures of crazy things as they appear, but this one is quite pricey.  I've not done much shopping so I don't know how much it's going for, but I'm sure it's in excess of $100


Shooters you should play anyway:

After Burner: pseudo-3D game where you fly a jet and blow shit up.  The PC Engine version is the best 16-bit console port, even better than the genesis version.  Very fast and frantic, but you may only want to play in short bursts.  $10-$15

Fantasy Zone - Another Sega arcade port, the bright colors and solid gameplay are retained even if the music takes a slight hit.  For $5-$10, it's a must own.


I have yet to play any puzzle games or RPGs so I can't recommend any titles in those genres yet, but I think that list ought to keep you busy.

[esteban]

I support Venom's post (he was kind and took the time/effort to suggest some titles), but believe me, there are a TON of great non-shooters on PCE.



See if you like pinball: Alien Crush, Devil Crash

See if you like oddball: Mesopotamia (Somer Assault in NA).

See if you like under-appreciated: GOMOLA SPEED.

See if you like classic platformer: New Adventure Island (you gotta look up the Japanese title, I'm sure "Takahashi" is in it).

See if you like bastard-child of classic platformer: Kato Chan & Ken Chan (JJ & Jeff).

See if you like PUZZLING BATMAN PUZZLER (not the Batman game any of us were expecting, but awesome music and a decent action-puzzler): Batman.

I could go on-and-on.

[pdiggitydogg]

Both of these are really great posts. Thanks guys!

[esteban]

Both of these are really great posts. Thanks guys!

If you like games that Necro-always-defends: Hatris.

[NecroPhile]

If you like games that Necro-always-defends: Hatris.

I'll also suggest Skweek, Spin Pair, and Columns.

[wildfruit]

+1 for parasol stars and populous. Earthquaking the masses so satisfying

[CrackTiger]

So, since joining, I have only obtained a single PCE game (dragon spirit) and I think its time I look into another. Suggestions? I'm not interested in Bonk and I'd like to try a game that's not a shooter.
I'd like to try dungeon explorer, but I don't speak Japanese...

What formats and region(s) is your setup capable of playing? Are you open to using a flashcard?

Any particular themes (mecha, ninja, fantasy, cyberpunk) or gameplay styles (platforming, war sim, RPG, hack 'n slash) that you love or hate?

I wouldn't recommend some of the titles suggested so far, but it really depends of what you can and want to play.

[pdiggitydogg]

Its an unmodified PCE with Super CD ROM. I probably will buy a turbo ever drive in the near future, to try more things out. But I've looked at the Turbo Henshin as well, to play NA released hucards.

I probably play more rpgs than anything and platformers or beat em ups after...I prefer fantasy over futuristic, if I had to choose.

In all honesty, I should play Ys.

[esteban]

PLAY Ys.

All of them.

[NecroPhile]

Play all three (four?) Ys games, including the translated and dubbed Ys IV.

[esteban]

Play all three (four?) Ys games, including the translated and dubbed Ys IV.

Hmmmm, the easiest way to express it would be:

Get three discs to play all four games.

(Or something like that)

[Galder]

Definitely get the Dungeon Explorer, too, you will not regret it. It is my latest purchase and I am having a blast. Music is awesome and the replay value really high with all those characters and their different strategies.

[pdiggitydogg]

Is the third Ys worth playing? Didn't they switch to a side scroller for that one?
...one of you guys want to sell book 1&2?

[NecroPhile]

It's different and the voice acting is pretty rough, but Ys III is definitely worth playing.  The tunes alone make it worthwhile.

[BigusSchmuck]

I also suggest the Wizardry games for the PCE as those are mostly in English anyway for classic dungeon crawling fun!

[esteban]

It's different and the voice acting is pretty rough, but Ys III is definitely worth playing.  The tunes alone make it worthwhile.

Ab. So. Lutely.

I also suggest the Wizardry games for the PCE as those are mostly in English anyway for classic dungeon crawling fun!

They can be unforgiving, but anyone who has played the old games on a computer will know what they are getting in to.

[BigusSchmuck]

It's different and the voice acting is pretty rough, but Ys III is definitely worth playing.  The tunes alone make it worthwhile.

Ab. So. Lutely.

I also suggest the Wizardry games for the PCE as those are mostly in English anyway for classic dungeon crawling fun!

They can be unforgiving, but anyone who has played the old games on a computer will know what they are getting in to.

Not only that, Wizardry 4 has only been remade for the PC Engine (the Playstation version is a completely different game) and none other. By far my favorite Wizardry port on the system.

[PukeSter]

http://www.retro-sanctuary.com/Top-100-Turbografx-Games-Page-1.html

Top 100 HuCards. Very solid list. Has a large variety of genres as well.

My personal recommendations for non-shooters

Bomberman 93 and 94
Legend of Hero Tonma
Outrun
Legendary Axe
Bonk 1 (2 has a very difficult final level and bad warps, and 3 is good but has bad music)
New Adventure Island
Liquid Kids
Samurai Ghost (for graphics mostly)
Dungeon Explorer (use an FAQ to know where to go, no puzzles, all action)
Parasol Stars
Super Dodgeball

[PukeSter]

Honestly OP, I would suggest buying Ys I and II on Steam. No offense to the PCE purists.

Far better sprite graphics, awesome PC-88 FM OR REMIXED TUNES, and diagonal movement. Not to mention much cheaper.

[esteban]

Honestly OP, I would suggest buying Ys I and II on Steam. No offense to the PCE purists.

Far better sprite graphics, awesome PC-88 FM OR REMIXED TUNES, and diagonal movement. Not to mention much cheaper.

BLASPHEMY.

(1) play Ys I & II TG-CD first!!!!
(2) then play the other versions...

[tknjin]

I would say for the Hu Card side of things my favorite games are kikikaikai, jigoku meguri(same people who did mizubaku daibouken/liquid kids), blue blink, valkyrie no densetsu

for the CD side of things I'd recommend

Valis series, travel Epul, snatcher, galaxy dekka gayvan, and Pop n Magic

Since you said you had no interest in the shmups I just mentioned those games

if you don't mind rpgs-anearth fantasy story/seiya monogatari, blood gear, xanadu series, and aurelia.
Hope this helps.

[Sarumaru]

Honestly OP, I would suggest buying Ys I and II on Steam. No offense to the PCE purists.

Far better sprite graphics, awesome PC-88 FM OR REMIXED TUNES, and diagonal movement. Not to mention much cheaper.

I would first play Ys I&II for the PC Engine (sorry, lukester. No offense). You've bought a PC-Engine, one of the most unique and innovative consoles of the 8 and 16 bit eras. Enjoy it. Ys I&II was the reason I pursued this console when everyone I knew was out buying Segas. Understanding the various types of games that were out at that time, Ys is considered to be quite impressive - from it's cinematic visuals to the powerful musical score. Personally, the almost deafening intro made my brain implode, made it difficult for me to enjoy much of the chiptune stuff that was out at the time. Anyway,pick up that Ys game, pop it in and just enjoy it for what it is. Then play the other versions, you'll find yourself comparing the soundtrack to the PCE version ALL THE TIME. That's how good and memorable the original score was. You'll also garner a bit of appreciation for these other versions just for how different they are to the PC Engine version of Ys I&II.

Back on topic, the PC Engine has many games that are great that aren't shooters. I don't believe comparing it to the Neo Geo is quite accurate in terms of a main console genre. The Neo Geo does have many fighting games, and with only 150 titles, it would seem to dominate the system. No surprise being an arcade-based console. The PC Engine however has maybe 60-70 shooters out of 650 titles, I wouldn't say the genre defines it though.

Some games I think you should try are the (and I'm surprised it has yet to be mentioned) Shubibinman series. The first title is an early but charming platformer and can be fun to play with little Japanese knowledge. The second game (known in America as Shockman), however, changed everything and for the better. The game has action and shooter levels making this a versatile, memorable title for the platform. The third game is much of the same but nothing amazing 'cept for some remixed tracks, which were awesome and some really great artwork. Another game you should try out is a Namco heavy-hitter by the name of Valkyrie no Densetsu (Legend of Valkyrie) released in 1990. It's very close to it's arcade predecessor... In any case, I am tired of writing but this list really does go on, it's all a matter of exploring the PC Engines amazing library of games. Part of the fun is the discovery of a great game and playing it to completion. When you do (and you will), you'll come here to talk about it.