Share your hidden gems and insider tips
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@mediamogul WindJammers is a masterpiece
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I definitely agree. It's a lot of fun and 'PONG' never looked so good.
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I just added a recommendation in my previous post for 'Q-bert' on the MSX. I've recently discovered this game and it has completely blown my mind in more ways than one. First of all, while it is an officially licensed port from Konami, it's not actually 'Q-bert' and it doesn't even star Q-bert. At least not the little guy we're familiar with. Instead, this game is a highly improved port of 'Q-bert's Qubes' and it stars a cute little purple dragon who shares the Q-bert name.
Konami took what was already a solid idea and improved on it in every way, much like General Computer Corporation did when they developed 'Pac-Man' into the much-improved 'Ms. Pac-Man'. First of all, the game moves much faster, which really adds a lot of excitement that was arguably missing from the arcade original. Additionally, multiple stage layouts are introduced and power-ups are added to make the gameplay much more dynamic. However, the main attraction here is the stellar two-player mode. I've never considered it before, but both 'Q-bert' and it's sequel had amazing potential for a great two-player experience. Here on the MSX, it's fully realized.
Both players work to complete each stage by turning over a row of cubes to their own designated alignment. Played at face value, this can be a simple race to the finish, but in an additional element of strategy and fun, either player can sabotage the other by rotating a square necessary for their opponent to win, all while competing for the valuable power-ups and avoiding the stage hazards. All in all, this is a Konami hidden gem from a time when they were firing on all cylinders. 'Q-bert' and it's sequel were already very well regarded and no one else thought to improve upon the concept in any way. However, just like 'Ms. Pac-Man', it really paid off here.
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@mediamogul Agree with Ninja Baseball Batman, goofiest beat em up ever.
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Just discovered a great shump on the Atari 2600. Demon Attack (Imagic, 1982). INTENSE trigger finger and stick workout. Pulse pounding sound effects and REALLY dodgy and hard to hit targets. A great achievement for a system with such pathetic specs.
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@victimrlsh said in Share your hidden gems and insider tips:
Just discovered a great shump on the Atari 2600. Demon Attack
I love 'Demon Attack'. It's on my short list of go-to games to play when I can't decide on anything else. It's so simple in its execution, but feels so good to play. I also really love the sound effects and the big deal it makes when you lose your last life. It's a great play in the dark Atari game. Imagic released the title for a few platforms and while none beat the 2600 version in my opinion, the Intellivision does add some interesting twists, such as a demonic end boss before advancing the level of difficulty.
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One thing I've noticed about the 2600 is that ports tend to suck horribly (with a few exceptions). The best games were designed AROUND the 2600's specs, not limited by them. Demon Attack pulled this off beautifully, much like Yar's Revenge.
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@victimrlsh said in Share your hidden gems and insider tips:
The best games were designed AROUND the 2600's specs, not limited by them.
I definitely agree. What I always find funny is that many of these same games actually seem to suffer when ported to more capable hardware. 'Demon Attack' is, again, a good example of this, as are most of the Activision titles of the era.
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@mediamogul @VictimRLSH This is exactly why so many console games ported to pc sucks today. They are just optimized for that specific hardware and then poorly ported. Demon Attack is one of the best aged games for this console and feels great to play. I learned about it since several month ago. The sound effects adds much to the atmosphere.
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There are some very clever programming tricks at work in that game too. The sprites maintain a solid and colorful appearance even with the 2600's flickering because no two enemies occupy the same horizontal band. EXCEPT when a new target warps in, where the flickering is actually used as an effect to show the two parts 'ghosting' on their way in. Only the enemy lowest and closest to you fires, this avoids flickering of the other enemy sprites or the shot, and also makes for a very challenging game.
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@victimrlsh I just played Demon Attack yesterday for the first time in my life, and while I noticed some of those quirks you describe, I failed to recognize their technical reasons. Kudos to the developers!
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Its not over yet.
GBA (6)
I never had a Game Boy Advance. So, some games maybe not really hidden gems to you.• DK - King of Swing
Ok, never heard of this game. This is like an action game tactical puzzle or some sort of.
I am not able to progress. I don't know if this is something to do with emulated controls or me.• Dynasty Warriors Advance
Some sort of mixup with tactical map progress and fights as a hack 'n slash type. While Dynasty Warriors is not much hidden, but this specific game is probably.• Gekido Advance - Kintaro's Revenge
Very stylish anime styled scrolling brawler. The animations and cut scenes are so cool. Its worth checking out, if you never heard about this game. Also the music is wonderful.• It's Mr. Pants
This is your daily crazy stuff you need to live. A usual puzzle game, with a very unique and "let me say", interesting style. In fact, the game mechanic itself is very uninspired and boring.• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Can't say much about, didn't play it long. It is your platforming Turtles game, what do you need more to know?!• Wings
This was a surprise to me. I just learned about this game for the original Amiga system. This is such a cool idea to remake it on the GBA.Mame 2003 (6)
• searchar - SAR - Search And Rescue
A top down action walk and shoot style gameplay, similar to Ikari Warriors. Gorgeous animations.• boomrang Boomer Rang'r
From top down persective, like a walk and shoot game. But the protagonist have a boomerang and needs to coordinate his shooting, as the enemies are fast. Not the newest type of gameplay, but the twist with boomerang lets feel it different.• gbusters Gang Busters
Another top down action walk and shoot game. This time with a cute style.• galmedes Galmedes
I have never seen this vertical shmup from Visco before. It looks and feels quality and you can change your weapon on the fly.• demonwld Demon's World
An old side scrolling jump and shoot. Graphically not very impressive, but stylish demon world with interesting enemy and background design.• shackled Shackled
A Gauntlet like gameplay, where you must find keys and the exit each level. There are even bosses.Mame 2010 (1)
• nslasher Night Slashers
A scrolling brawler gameplay. The setting is in a world full of zombie like creatures and the animations are fantastic! The graphic is so detailed and its so fun to watch.FBA (1)
• martmast Martial Masters
I never heard about this traditional Fighting game, like those from SNK. Looks good, feels normal. If you just want a new fighting game, this could be for you. -
Arcade
Blade master- 90's Brawler
The king of Dragons- 90's Brawler
Carrier air wing -Side shooter
Knights of the round -90's BrawlerThese are fun but not as well known
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@mattyl42 It should be noted that these are Arcade games. Most of them have console ports btw.. I am aware of all of them, besides Blade Master. It is yet another brawler. Carrier Air Wing is also known as Area '88 or UN Squadron on the SNES. Knights of the Round and The King of Dragons also got a SNES port I think.
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@thelostsoul I don't understand the tone of your post-you listed Nightslashers and Tmnt in the post above? Both arcade and brawler style games. I am aware of these already. I've listed some games I had fun rediscovering not on listed here incase other people might enjoy them too. Thoughts that what this thread is for?
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@mattyl42 said in Share your hidden gems and insider tips:
@thelostsoul I don't understand the tone of your post-you listed Nightslashers and Tmnt in the post above?
I discovered them and wanted to share these. Don't understand the question.
I've listed some games I had fun rediscovering not on listed here incase other people might enjoy them too. Thoughts that what this thread is for?
It is and there is no problem with it. I don't know what you mean. This thread is for sharing your findings and recommendations of these games. I just added some additional information about Carrier Air Wing other titles and the console ports. Btw, I missed the first line of your posting saying its Arcade. Edit: Sorry if my above posting was misleading. I didn't try to disrespect it! I would be happy if you still post such findings.
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@thelostsoul said in Share your hidden gems and insider tips:
Btw, I missed the first line of your posting saying its Arcade.
It may have not been there at the time of your post, as Matty's post was edited after that.
@MattyL42
I think @thelostsoul meant that you should mention the version of the games you recommend here, as many games were published for many different systems, and not every version of a game is recommendable.Just trying to help untangling your conversation. 😇
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@clyde I think there must be just a small misinterpretation. Everything is fine and resolved. Thank you for the positive intention.
I am currently testing out some new findings on the PC Engine / TurboGfx-16. As this system never got a release in Europe and I never played it, all of these games are Hidden Gems to me. So, I will not post anything from it. But man, what a console I missed.
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@thelostsoul The PCE/TGX-16 has two of the best Flipper games I know, Alien Crush and it's successor Devil's Crush (Devil Crash in Japan). Another Flipper game, Time Cruise II, doesn't come near those two, but has an interesting multi-screen layout.
The system also has some nice Shoot'em Ups like Gunhead, Paranoia, PC Denjin / Punkic Cyborgs, and Super Star Soldier.
Finally, if I'd known back then that the Shinobi port for this system was that close to the Arcade version that I could play as a youngster in a nearby video rental shop, I'd have done my utmost to get that console. I just love that game up to this day.
So much for the gems I found for this system … yet. You're very welcome to share your own findings.
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@clyde said in Share your hidden gems and insider tips:
@thelostsoul The PCE/TGX-16 has two of the best Flipper games I know, Alien Crush and it's successor Devil's Crush (Devil Crash in Japan).
I am aware of those too, off course. Because they got so much recommendations. There is even a third game of this series released on the SNES, Jaki Crush.
The system also has some nice Shoot'em Ups like Gunhead, Paranoia, PC Denjin / Punkic Cyborgs, and Super Star Soldier.
This is crazy how many good shmups are on this system. I excluded (almost) all Arcade ports. The system have its own superb original shmups. For the CD titles, I only could just include some of them, because storage and I also have Playstation and Mega CD games.
So much for the gems I found for this system … yet. You're very welcome to share your own findings.
Ok then, I think I will do this for this system too.
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