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Alright, so…!
Let’s start this topic, because, this is one thing I’ve started getting a vested interest in, and, it’d be interesting to hear what other games from the retro era people think are either under appreciated, underrated, or, just somewhat obscure hidden gems. It could also be games that are considered “bad”, but, really aren’t once you get past the entry barrier.
I have a few of that last one that I aboslutely appreciate:
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (Sega Genesis version, not SNES. SNES version IS actually pretty bad.)
Back to the Future on NES (LJN title, scary scary.)
X-Men on Genesis. the first one, not X-Men 2, which is well recieved.
I liked Terminator 2: The Arcade Game on the SNES (a fun reason to use the Super Scope)
The Ghostbusters games on the NES were tough, not quite Battletoads tough but difficult nonetheless.
MS Saga on the PS2 was an interesting take on the Gundam franchise, making them chibi style mechs in an RPG. Spent well over 100 hours playing that one.
The Firemen, only released in japan and PAL countries and PAL copies are a friggin rarity these days. I’m very glad I bought a loose copy on a flea market many years ago without knowing what it was, it just seemed obscure and was cheap so I picked it up. I mean look at this, looks like a light saber in a fire, lol.
That actually kind of does look like a lightsaber in a fire. That’s cool.
Rastan on sega Master System II
My favorite 2-player gem is Goof Troop on SNES. I know the Game Grumps popularized it somewhat, but I am still shocked that this game is left off of multiplayer lists. The animation is fluid, the music is catchy, and the puzzles are fairly complex towards the end. It get a little repetitive later on with the limited inventory system, but definitely give it a try.
Tetris Battle Gaiden
I’ll throw in a vote for Rock’N Roll Racing. It is right there with Mario Kart. No Mode 7, but you get this isometric view similar to R.C. Pro-Am. You compete on 6 alien planets, while buying new cars and weapons to use during the races. It is frantic and brutal the entire time, with a WWF-style announcer that calls out the action. Check this out if you have not and you might be pleased.
My personal favorite gem is Zombies Ate My Neighbors. I play it every October. The game is 48 levels of monster madness. Every stage pays homage to literary and cinematic monsters while keeping a frantic pace. This was the first game to teach me about conserving ammo. This was before Resident Evil. I failed so many times before managing to finally beat the game. It remains my single proudest gamer moment. Best of all, it is 2 player. Grab a friend and enjoy this gem on Halloween. I dare you!
Radical Psycho Machine Racing (R.P.M. Racing) for the SNES. One of the first racing games that I played where I could create my own track, with varying track textures (asphalt, dirt, ice), ramps and hazards, 3 different class of vehicles and just all kinds of fun.
Top Gear Racing for the SNES was one of the first “behind the car camera” games that I played where the track actually showed you going up and down hills, which if I remember, affected your car’s speed.
Another fun racing title on the SNES was ESPN Speedworld which featured Dr. Jerry Punch.
R.P.M Racing is very similar to Rock ‘N Roll Racing. I’ll check it out. :O I love the idea of making my own tracks. Nice suggestion. I have never heard of it.
Little League Baseball was my favorite game on NES. It was a lot of fun and a great baseball game.
I just found out about Rock N Roll Racing a few days ago. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it! I’m a huge fan of RC Pro Am so I’m going to my local retro shop to try and find this game!
Are you familiar with the Biker Mice From Mars game? Similar set up to Rock&Roll Racing and R.C. Pro Am, but with motorcycles.
Representing the role-playing genre. Big fan of Shadowrun and ActRaiser.
Rainbow Island on NES
Plok on SNES
I remember playing the shit out of both of these games when I was a kid. They were both so unique and entertaining, but often overshadowed.