What is Your Favorite “Obscure” Retro Title?

OldSkool

We all have those retro games that we enjoy playing from time to time - but some of us really do like obscure ones that many other people haven’t heard of. I remember playing Adventure Island with my Mom - that game was hard as heck to try and play, but I don’t know anyone that’s even heard of it nowadays. What is your favorite obscure retro title that even the most seasoned of retro gamers may not have heard of?

Bobberella

Elevator Action for NES.

Its got what plants crave.

mediamogul

I'll put in a good word for 'Mr. Gimmick', A late life NES title from Sunsoft that pushes the graphic capabilities of the hardware well beyond it's established limitations with an unheard of 256 tiles on screen at a time. It's not only gorgeous, but it also has one of the most impressive soundtracks you'll hear on the system, due in part to a special sound chip that provided three additional channels. Above everything else, the game is a blast to play.

Shadowron

Recently I have been playing Magic Kid GooGoo released on the Famicom. It's a platformer build in South Korea. Needed some time to adjust to the somewhat weird controlls, but besides that, an amazing game. It can be a bit hard to find though.

thelostsoul

I wouldn't call Elevator Action or Adventure Island as an "obscure title", as these are common known classics. At least, for older people. ;-) Here are some of my obscure titles, which I played and aren't well known but are a heck of fun.

Uniracers / Unirally for the SNES
Its a side scrolling racing game, where you control an unicycle. Every stunt or combination of stunts will boost speed, if you land correctly and thats all. The courses are fast and can be tricky at times. Plus, there is a stunt mode, where every stunt gives points and have a different goal and tracks for this. One of my all time favorites for the snes, which is not well known and I have actually played a lot with a second friend for time attack and highscores.
Pitman / Catrap for the Game Boy
A sideview puzzle game. Back then, I didn't have the original game, but something like a 28 in 1 cartridge and found this little gem. You have to climb, push stones in right order and defeat all enemies (they are just standing and waiting to be defeated) and thats all for the most part of game. Simple and effective. Oh and I think, later levels had a second character, so you had to coordinate with her to solve the puzzles together. And the best of it, it got a level editor and with my best friend, we created and played a lot of own levels. This was so fun.

If you are in search for some obscure titles, here is a similar thread I created a week ago or so: Share your hidden gems and insider tips

matchaman

I personally enjoy the Go! Go! Ackman trilogy for the Super Famicom :)

I'm also fond of Maou Renjishi for the Japanese Mega Drive, the very first import I bought back in the early 90s!

meleu

@oldskool "Formula One: Built to Win" (NES)

mediamogul

@meleu said in What is Your Favorite “Obscure” Retro Title?:

"Formula One: Built to Win" (NES)

I'm pretty close to beating that. The final few races are really difficult and make 'Rad Racer' look like a Sunday afternoon drive. Without any save states, I hit it big at the slot machines in Vegas and I now have more money than Wayne Newton, but I can't buy anything until I win the race I'm currently on. I put it aside for a while, but I should really finish it off. Have you considered designing any cheevos for this?

meleu

@mediamogul said in What is Your Favorite “Obscure” Retro Title?:

Have you considered designing any cheevos for this?

yep. and posted some ideas here, but didn't have enough time to work on it.

Do you have some ideas for cool cheevos? please, post them! ;)

space cadet

How about Macho Rider nes?

UDb23

The Speed Rumbler (arcade)

Sano

Been maybe 12, I bought an unknown GameBoy game in a budget sale, with strange box art.
I hadn't a clue about the story or the gameplay, but it was cheap.

The game was called "Mercenary Force", and it was actually one of the most detailed and innovative shoot'em up on the GB.

Clyde

@udb23 said in What is Your Favorite “Obscure” Retro Title?:

The Speed Rumbler (arcade)

I like it how you shoot or even ram the cages and the prisoners jump out of them apparently unharmed. :D

UDb23

@clyde :-))

MajorDangerNine

NES - Panic Restaurant

One of those games late in the NES's life after the SNES was released, so it's a given it's going to be obscure. I mostly remember it because of the "scary" art on the cartridge, the art style of the graphics, and the solid basic gameplay that was perfect for 3-4 year old me. Don't think I ever got to the end until years later playing it in an emulator.... I should give it another go one of these days.

ClassicGMR

Mania Challenge - pretty decent wrestling game but a great 2-player title. Mat Mania was good but Mania Challenge also added reversals which made it even better.

Flexserve

Mine has to be Genesis "Target Earth" I like the mechs and the whole war feel. Also I am a HUGE fan of "Herzog Zwei" for Genesis. That was AirMech before they took it's exact game play.