Favourite Game Name

thrush · 10/08/2011, 12:40 AM

Okay, silly question #2 for me tonight, but another one I've been thinking about for a long time.

What is your favourite video game name?

I ask this because a lot of my favourite games have not-so-memorable names like "Such and Such 3" or "Mega Super Something Or Other". It's a silly question so I expect at least a few silly answers. ^_- But, I'm a language-geek at heart so I think about these things. I'll throw out my two top choices:

Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland - This one is totally cliche, I know, but for me it works well precisely and solely because the titular Nightmare is a person, not an event or analogy for the state of things in Dreamland. I don't know if I can defend it better than that, but the name has stuck in my head for years, despite the fact that I actually like the original Kirby's Adventure about a million times more than this remake.

Riven - Okay, okay, it has the very unsexy "the Sequel to Myst" tagline, but the title itself is, I think, a real highlight in the gaming world: it's evocative, unusual, euphonic, suggestive of the play mechanics (to an extent), & encapsulates the game's theme on multiple levels.

Beyond these two stand-outs for me it gets difficult to separate my like/dislike of the game itself from the title specifically, but maybe I'd suggest Pac-Mac as well for creatively saying a lot in a little. Any thoughts?

OldRover · 10/08/2011, 12:43 AM

Shatterhand

runinruder · 10/08/2011, 12:47 AM

Blood Gear
Chaos Legion

Tatsujin · 10/08/2011, 01:16 AM

R-Type
OutRun
Makaimura
Gradius
Xevious
Aresu no tsubasa
etc.

_Paul · 10/08/2011, 03:30 AM

Exed Exes

or

XDR - X-Dazedley-Ray

Tatsujin · 10/08/2011, 04:21 AM

Cybernoid

JoshTurboTrollX · 10/08/2011, 09:02 AM

Quote from: OldRover on 10/08/2011, 12:43 AMShatterhand

I totally second Shatterhand!

how about:
Ninja Gaiden
Double Dragon
Legendary Axe
Bangai - O
Air Zonk

all great/classic game names.

with shit like 'Modern Warfare X' or 'Angry Birds' these days, it really makes me miss originality in game names.

of course my least favourites would be:
*any title*64 LOL

chany60126 · 10/08/2011, 09:56 AM

I have to go with Plok. It's an awesome SNES game where the main character can fling out his limbs and use them as weapons. The soundtrack is an absolute masterpiece; Tim Follin's best work IMHO.

Another game name I like is Zombies Ate My Neighbors, another great game.

DragonmasterDan · 10/08/2011, 01:00 PM

My favorite game title is Cthulhu Saves the World: Super Hyper Enhanced Championship Edition Alpha Diamond DX Plus Alpha FES HD – Premium Enhanced Game of the Year Collector's Edition (without Avatars!)

Tatsujin · 10/08/2011, 02:41 PM

Quote from: chany60126 on 10/08/2011, 09:56 AMPlok

I so knew that this name will appear when I read your nick on the threads front page

TheClash603 · 10/08/2011, 04:25 PM

Great pick with Zombies Ate My Neighbors.

However, the one game which I always have said is the best name of all time is Rush N' Attack.

Tolvatar · 10/08/2011, 04:29 PM

Snatcher and Firebird (Hinotori) for the MSX

Keranu · 10/08/2011, 05:40 PM

"Hot Dog Storm," followed by "Plumbers Don't Wear Ties."

thrush · 10/08/2011, 07:22 PM

Awesome, this is great list. I especially concur with "Shatterhand" & "Ninja Gaiden". "Rush N' Attack" is awesome on multiple levels, as well as, after a fashion... "Plumbers Don't Wear Ties". (Hey, it definitely is suggestive of the theme! >_(\ ) And I completely agree that "fill-in-the-blank 64" is at the very bottom of the barrel. Some other good-ish ones I thought of:

Trinity
Pipe Dream
Grim Fandango

In the ironically humorous department, "Hotel Mario" conjures up all sorts of incongruous images. Not sure how I feel about "Doom" or "Contra". Both are evocative, but also somewhat vague. "Touhou Koumakyou: the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil" seems a little redundant, but you could argue that the Japanese & English play off one another, and the English subtitle is certainly a vivid image. (I am unqualified to judge the Japanese side of it.) I rather like "Doki Doki Panic" but the name doesn't really connect to anything in the game that I'm aware of. For whatever reason, "Hot Dog Storm" makes me think of "Day of the Tentacle". I am unfamiliar with Firebird, but I see it has a super-cool titlescreen. ^^

munchiaz · 10/09/2011, 10:18 PM

Ring of red. oso tatake ouendan. sin &punishment.

NecroPhile · 10/10/2011, 10:22 AM

I'm partial to Götzendiener just because it has umlauts, though Jeff Minter's games have the best titles of all: Attack of the Mutant Camels, Space Giraffe, Sheep in Space, Mama Llama, Metagalactic Llamas Battle at the Edge of Time, Goat Up, and Made in France II.

thrush · 10/10/2011, 12:21 PM

Wow, NecroPhile, I have never heard of any of those!

ParanoiaDragon · 10/10/2011, 01:01 PM

Quote from: thrush on 10/08/2011, 07:22 PMAwesome, this is great list. I especially concur with "Shatterhand" & "Ninja Gaiden". "Rush N' Attack" is awesome on multiple levels, as well as, after a fashion... "Plumbers Don't Wear Ties". (Hey, it definitely is suggestive of the theme! >_(\ ) And I completely agree that "fill-in-the-blank 64" is at the very bottom of the barrel. Some other good-ish ones I thought of:

Trinity
Pipe Dream
Grim Fandango

In the ironically humorous department, "Hotel Mario" conjures up all sorts of incongruous images. Not sure how I feel about "Doom" or "Contra". Both are evocative, but also somewhat vague. "Touhou Koumakyou: the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil" seems a little redundant, but you could argue that the Japanese & English play off one another, and the English subtitle is certainly a vivid image. (I am unqualified to judge the Japanese side of it.) I rather like "Doki Doki Panic" but the name doesn't really connect to anything in the game that I'm aware of. For whatever reason, "Hot Dog Storm" makes me think of "Day of the Tentacle". I am unfamiliar with Firebird, but I see it has a super-cool titlescreen. ^^

Speaking of "fill in the blank" 64. I love game tiles such as Super "fill in the blank"!

There was plenty of those on the SNES, but in general, I can't get enough of the Supers!

The Attack of the Mutant Camels I think I've heard of. It was a game for the never released 16bit(or 32bit??) Konix Multisystem. I think it eventually evolved into Defender 2K for the Jag, or atleast one of the modes did(I think there's a lama mode IIRC).

NecroPhile · 10/10/2011, 01:24 PM

Quote from: ParanoiaDragon on 10/10/2011, 01:01 PMThe Attack of the Mutant Camels I think I've heard of. It was a game for the never released 16bit(or 32bit??) Konix Multisystem. I think it eventually evolved into Defender 2K for the Jag, or atleast one of the modes did(I think there's a lama mode IIRC).

It was a game for Atari computers, and it played a lot like The Empire Strikes Back on the 2600 except with giant camels instead of AT-ATs.

ParanoiaDragon · 10/10/2011, 07:57 PM

Didn't know there were older versions, here's the Konix version

Arkhan Asylum · 10/10/2011, 09:36 PM

It's also on the C64, and there is also
http://www.lemon64.com/games/details.php?ID=3270

Arguably the best game in the series!!!

My favorite game name is Faxanadu because I like saying it and typing it. My least favorite game name is Halo because that game sucks.

Tatsujin · 10/10/2011, 09:51 PM

Jeff Mintler's Uberflash Attack of the on LSD Mutant Camels on a Fuckin' Plane.

geise · 10/11/2011, 06:54 AM

XEXXEX

UglyJoe · 10/11/2011, 09:44 AM

King of the Monsters 2: The Next Thing is my favorite title for a sequel ever.

munchiaz · 10/11/2011, 07:17 PM

Quote from: UglyJoe on 10/11/2011, 09:44 AMKing of the Monsters 2: The Next Thing is my favorite title for a sequel ever.

just picked this up on SNES a few weeks ago.

TheClash603 · 10/11/2011, 07:55 PM

Quote from: munchiaz on 10/11/2011, 07:17 PM
Quote from: UglyJoe on 10/11/2011, 09:44 AMKing of the Monsters 2: The Next Thing is my favorite title for a sequel ever.
just picked this up on SNES a few weeks ago.

It's always weird to me when a sequel is worse than the original, aka - King of the Monsters 2.

I guess the title is somewhat clever, at least it has that going for it.

How about Stroker? I remember stumbling upon this game on my friend's dad's computer when I was about 8 years old... I finally figured it out a couple years later!

thrush · 10/11/2011, 11:30 PM

Quote from: guest on 10/10/2011, 09:36 PMMy favorite game name is Faxanadu because I like saying it and typing it. My least favorite game name is Halo because that game sucks.

I agree wholeheartedly! But, I am biased on this one; I fell in love with that game when I was like 10 and still haven't gotten over it. =^^=

Quote from: TheClash603 on 10/11/2011, 07:55 PM
Quote from: munchiaz on 10/11/2011, 07:17 PM
Quote from: UglyJoe on 10/11/2011, 09:44 AMKing of the Monsters 2: The Next Thing is my favorite title for a sequel ever.
just picked this up on SNES a few weeks ago.
I guess the title is somewhat clever, at least it has that going for it.

Agreed, that is pretty clever.

machomadness · 10/29/2011, 02:04 PM

Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! lmao

thrush · 10/29/2011, 02:37 PM

Excellent choice. ^^

SuperPlay · 11/01/2011, 02:09 PM

Sooooooo many here are two that spring to mind:

Leather goddess of Phobos
Leisure suit Larry

_Paul · 11/01/2011, 05:34 PM

Advanced Lawnmower Simulator on the ZX Spectrum.

rag-time4 · 11/03/2011, 12:41 AM

Some of my favorites:
Turbo: JJ and Jeff (overall this is my fave)
Turbo: chew man fu (runner up)
NES: Xexyz (hehe i pronounce it as zex ease)
Fami: Gorby-no pipeline daisakusen
PS1: parappa the rapper

SignOfZeta · 11/03/2011, 02:56 AM

Herzog Zwei
Remote Control Dandy
Super Street Fighter 2 X: Grand Master Challenge
The King of Fighter '98: Dream Match Never Ends
Beatmania IIDX 12: Happy Sky
Dick Vitale's Awesome Baby! College Hoops
Prostitute Maker
Cool Cool Jam
Cannon Dancer

rag-time4 · 11/04/2011, 04:09 PM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 11/03/2011, 02:56 AMHerzog Zwei
Remote Control Dandy
Super Street Fighter 2 X: Grand Master Challenge
The King of Fighter '98: Dream Match Never Ends
Beatmania IIDX 12: Happy Sky
Dick Vitale's Awesome Baby! College Hoops
Prostitute Maker
Cool Cool Jam
Cannon Dancer

Great call on Herzog Zwei! One of my all time favorite games. My neighbor always butchered the name: "Herzog Zwiggy" was the way he said it.

Did herzog get a sequel?

_Paul · 11/05/2011, 05:26 AM

Quote from: rag-time4 on 11/04/2011, 04:09 PMDid herzog get a sequel?

No. It's a crime. They need to make a proper online multiplayer on Xbox live or something.

SignOfZeta · 11/05/2011, 05:28 AM

The sequel to Herzog Zwei is Panzer Dragoon Zwei, duh.

Starfighter · 03/02/2012, 02:20 PM

I think Radiant Silvergun is the coolest game name ever.

tsuran · 03/02/2012, 09:31 PM

Most definitely has to be Revengers of Vengance for SeGa CD XD

Tatsujin · 03/02/2012, 10:46 PM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 11/05/2011, 05:28 AMThe sequel to Herzog Zwei is Panzer Dragoon Zwei, duh.

No, it was Herzog Drei, duh.

Arkhan Asylum · 03/02/2012, 10:56 PM

Doom

PukeSter · 03/18/2012, 05:48 PM

Side Arms:HyperDyne
Atomic Runner
Two Crude Dudes

futureman2000 · 03/18/2012, 07:53 PM

Wonder Boy V: Monster World III

Gogan · 03/28/2012, 11:18 AM

I always liked Fatal Rewind.

And Three Dirty Dwarves.

Ji-L87 · 03/29/2012, 08:00 AM

Just Cause
Sonic Wings
Metal Slug
KKnD (Krush, Kill 'n' Destroy)
MDK
Grandia
OutRun
Ridge Racer

Those are some pretty cool names. Oh, and Galaxy Fraulein Yuna or Galactic Lady Legend Yuna.

JoshTurboTrollX · 03/29/2012, 10:11 AM

Quote from: Gogan on 03/28/2012, 11:18 AMI always liked Fatal Rewind.

And Three Dirty Dwarves.

How about Lost Vikings?

CrackTiger · 03/30/2012, 07:59 AM

Makaimura

bust3dstr8 · 03/31/2012, 11:38 AM

Smash TV
Zaxxon
Armored Scrum Object
Redneck Rampage

SignOfZeta · 03/31/2012, 11:55 AM

Quote from: Gogan on 03/28/2012, 11:18 AMI always liked Fatal Rewind.

And Three Dirty Dwarves.

Man, Three Dirty Dwarves is fucking AWESOME. Such an underrated game. If Die Hard hadn't made a big deal about it I'm not sure anyone would have ever even known it existed.

"So, do we have a deal?"

"Hmm...no. But we will kick your ass."

SamIAm · 03/31/2012, 02:12 PM

Panorama Cotton

God, I love that fucking game.

esteban · 03/31/2012, 06:31 PM

NOTE: Yeah, there is a formula to the titles I like. Sorry I'm so predictable.

Awesome Titles:
Gomola Speed
God Panic
Iron Tank
Dead Moon
Armed F
Splatterhouse
Wasteland
Volfiev

Goofy Titles:
Blast Wind
Chubby Cherub
Mesopotamia
Gotcha!
Black Hole Assault
Rock On
Volfied