Share your hidden gems and insider tips
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@thelostsoul said in Share your hidden gems and insider tips:
Konami was used to be such a great company back than.
That is very true. It pains me to see them producing pachinko machines almost exclusively now. If you really want to deep dive into their library, be sure to also check out their massive amount of games released for the MSX. That version of 'Metal Gear' blows the NES version out of the water and while 'Vampire Killer' is not superior to 'Castlevania', it turns the game into more of an arcade experience that is pretty unique. I've already written above about their shockingly impressive MSX port of 'Q-Bert' and on top of everything else, they released many wholly unique titles that all have that solid Konami feeling.
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@mediamogul Yeah, I would like to test out the Q-Bert you talked about. Sounds interesting, but I am not into adding another home computer based system with mouse or keyboard. I already played Metal Gear for MSX on the pc a while back just out of curiosity, but I did not have any English patch and didn't know what to do then. That game is a true master peace and no comparison to the NES "crap" (sorry if someone like that version).
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@thelostsoul said in Share your hidden gems and insider tips:
but I am not into adding another home computer based system with mouse or keyboard.
You'd be surprised. Most of the games just use the controller. However, I do understand the inclination to stay with consoles for the simplicity factor.
but I did not have any English patch and didn't know what to do then.
The English localization is actually already there, it's just that you need to use the BIOS for the European Philips NMS 8250. After that, the game just loads up in English.
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@mediamogul finally tried Square Deal. At first it was like meh, but then you get sucked in, and just like poker you start thinking "If I drop this card here, how many outs does that leave me to form a hand?". You always have the flush as the cop-out, but they are not worth hardly anything, and unless you are SURE you can get rid of all 52 cards, a massive trap.
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@victimrlsh said in Share your hidden gems and insider tips:
At first it was like meh, but then you get sucked in
That was pretty much my experience as well. It's a shame that with tens of thousands of retro games at our disposal, titles like this can sometimes be get lost in the mix when the hook, however strong it may be, isn't immediately recognizable. Regardless, if you truly love puzzle games for the challenge they offer and want a clever application of a unique theme, this one delivers like few can.
Something else I discovered is that I was entirely incorrect about 'Great Deal' being a Famicom port of 'Square Deal/Cadillac II'. After spending more time with it, I believe it might actually qualify as a sequel. It was released a full year later and offers the welcome ability to match diagonally, as well as introduces two Jokers in every round that can be used as wild cards to complete any hand. This goes a long way to making the game more accessible to casual puzzle game fans, allowing several more match options, while at the same time adding another strategic layer for seasoned players looking for combo strategies.
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@thelostsoul You surely need a hobby … wait, you already have one. :D Thanks for your contribution!
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@clyde ... and some sleep. Thanks for the kind words. 🖖
I actually should start playing. -
Race Drivin' a Go Go on PS1 (Japan)
We know that the ports of Hard Drivin' and Race Drivin' to consoles and home computers have been poor at best with awful controls and extreme difficulty. However, this version is fast, half-decent and very playable and you can actually stay on the track!
There are two distinct game modes : one with new tracks (don't bother with this, it's rubbish) and the original Race Drivin' (with some added bizarreness). The game is in English except for the menus but it doesn't takeong to figure out what's what.
The original game mode has the original, super stunt and autocross tracks. You can select Full Automatic, Manual (with clutch - good luck with that) and Semi-Automatic (manual with no clutch - my preferred option). You can change the difficulty, switch between Km/h and Mph and more importantly switch off the annoying voice over that shouts "Let's go" "Oh My God" and so on. You just need to experiment with the menus unless you know Japanese of course....some items are obvious.
The other added bizarreness is that you have a garage and can get new vehicles added. For beating the Phantom Photon I was given a frog to race in (yes, that's right).
Look beyond the oddities and in my opinion it's a great version. Not sure why "a Go Go", maybe the developers were Wham! fans.
A gem in my opinion.
(Avoid the PS2 version - it's an emulation of the arcade and runs at about 50% speed - on a real PS2. Awful. What were they thinking?).
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It happened... again...
NES (4 Games):
lr-nestopia
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Bio Force Ape
A prototype/unreleased action platformer almost 100% complete. But man, what a game with high speed scrolling and fluid animations on the NES, where even Sonic would be impressed. Gameplay wise you run around in a maze like level and beat enemies by punching and throwing them. It just feels unlike any other game on this system. -
Moon Crystal (with English translation)
A Japan only side scrolling action adventure like platformer. The graphics are so wonderful and the animations even more impressive. Can't say how good this game actually is, but got good reception. -
Mr. Gimmick
Side scrolling Jump and Run type of game. Graphical wise this game is similar to Kirby, colorful, cute and damn good looking. The platforming action is solid and the star attack with his special ability makes this game so unique to play. -
Splatter House: Wanpaku Graffiti (with English translation)
This is a different game then the others from this franchise and came out for NES in Japan only, more like a parody of the series as a side scrolling platformer. Not perfect, but worth checking out.
GB (4 Games):
lr-gambatte
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Amazing Penguin
Practically a single screen maze like game on rails. Goal is to deactivate all switches in a room, but you and the enemies can move on the rails only. Deactivating all switches around an area will destroy all enemies within. -
Batman: Return of the Joker
This is a different game from all other ports with this title. And a technically damn impressive one for this system, exactly what you would expect from Sunsoft. Gameplay wise it is side scrolling action as you would expect, but much bigger sprites than in the other GB Batman title. -
Bomberman GB 3 (with English translation)
A Japan only Bomberman title for the Game Boy! Probably not ground breaking new, but everything is right spot on here, from presentation, graphics, sound quality, gameplay. Every start of the level an objective will be shown. -
Megalith
A puzzle game, where the player can move blocks in sideview. Goal is to land all those blocks to the ground without breaking them. A simple, but still unique game.
GBC (4 Games):
lr-gambatte
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Crystalis
This is a remake of the NES action adventure game from SNK. It may look like a port first, but there are a lot of differences in soundtrack, gameplay and more. -
Puzzle Master
A match block Columnes style puzzle game. But it feels just so good to play this, I don't know why, probably because of the whole presentation and style. There are consumable items with special effects too. -
Quix Adventure
Ok, I wasn't sure if this game can be called hidden gem, but at least this version maybe. This one have the same Quix gameplay mechanic you already know (if not, you should). It even features an Adventure/Story mode (probably the reason for its title). -
Super Robot Pinball
I am by no means a Pinball expert, but I like trying out new and unknown variants. This one is a badass robot themed table. Unfortunately I don't have an English patch for this Japan only gem and so I don't know if I miss something important here. I think, you collect robots there?
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@mediamogul Definitely going to check these games out this weekend. Thanks!
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@brigane said in Share your hidden gems and insider tips:
I recently stumbled across Gunbarich. This is a Arkanoid similar game. I dont know if I would call it a hidden gem but it seems like an interesting game.
I use advancemame with this since it's not a part of the mame2003 set.Sorry for the slight necro-post but Gunbarich should now work in mame2003-plus.
@Brigane It seems to run okay on advancemame and it's very entertaining . The only trouble I'm having is the highscore won't save :(
I'm not sure about Gunbarich's hiscore function in mame2003-plus, but let's say AFAIK it works.
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I use AdvanceMame also and it does save Highscores on my setup.
Advise: i overwrited the default Highscore.dat with the latest possible (latest highscore.dat for 0.106) which is bigger in size and supports more games than the one installed one within the AdvanceMame-Package.
Gunbarich might be one of those 🤔 -
- Bio Force Ape
A prototype/unreleased action platformer almost 100% complete. But man, what a game with high speed scrolling and fluid animations on the NES, where even Sonic would be impressed. Gameplay wise you run around in a maze like level and beat enemies by punching and throwing them. It just feels unlike any other game on this system.
Tried this. Nice one. I can’t believe this went unreleased. Feels more like something on the MegaDrive although the colour palette and resolution reveals where we’re at. The level design is a bit confusing and i wish I could double tap left or right to run but I guess it’s a design that was invented much later. IIhad some difficulty controlling the character but I guess it takes getting used to. Seems like a cool game.
- Bio Force Ape
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@m2306 I have the same feelings, I wish there were a double tap to run. To me, the level design is a bit confusing and you have to look at the map where to go next, if you get stuck once. I assume the developers tried something between Sonic and Metroid (for the first level). I agree the control of character is not that easy, especially on jumping and turning to other side. I read somewhere that the game is almost complete, besides the final boss, which does not move. Here is a website describing the history, if you look for more information about it: http://www.lostlevels.org/bio-force-ape/
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@thelostsoul said in Share your hidden gems and insider tips:
@m2306 To me, the level design is a bit confusing and you have to look at the map where to go next
There is an ingame map? 😆 How do I display it?
I read somewhere that the game is almost complete, besides the final boss, which does not move.
The combat definately needs some overhaul, too. I could defeat most enemies in the first level by kicking while crouch-rolling towards them. Only those pesky blue jumping swordsmen (?) nearly killed me every time. How do I fight these? (Well, you can just try to leave them alone, but I would like to best them for real.)
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@clyde I think it was the Start button that displays the map, then you can cycle the map sections with the d-pad but bot show them all at once, which is a bit strange.
The sprite animations for when the character falls and jumps against the walls is really funny and actuall totally epic tbh.
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@clyde The original Double Dragon, EVERY single enemy, including the final boss, could be defeated using the reverse elbow punch. That attack had stupid range and was very strong. Speaking of crouch rolling, choosing the Dwarf on Golden Axe allowed the same thing. ALMOST every enemy could be defeated using the Dwarf's crouch roll. Worked very well on multiple enemies since he rolled such a long distance, then rolled back to his original position, causing damage on both passes.
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@m2306 @VictimRLSH Thank you both for all the information. :)
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Loved Comix Zone on the Sega mega drive and Rick Dangerous was a favourite of mine on the Amiga when I was a kid.
The Golden Sun series on the Gameboy Advance also doesn't get talked about enough.
Heart of Darkness on the PS1 was also great.
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Oil Tycoon (VICE, C64 and VIC20) - This was one of those games you actually had to type in from the magazine, but was very high quality and amazingly addictive. The goal is to pump all the oil out of the oil fields on the screen by lowering your drilling pipe down into them. If you hit hard rock, it would damage your pipe and you would lose a section. You can drop explosives down the pipe to blow up obstructions, but in most cases that would also cause you to lose a section of pipe. Higher levels have invisible rocks, gas accumulations in empty areas, and even demons that get very cranky when you expose them. It could be very difficult to actually complete a screen, especially at higher levels.
Here is a youtube clip of the vic20 version, which was actually a bit easier because the screen was smaller and there were fewer oil fields to collect to clear it. The person playing in this clip actually isn't very good at the game, you need to try and get the deeper oil fields first in case you lose pipe later. It is also risky to drill down through empty areas you have already pumped out due to the danger of gas explosions. At the 5:00 mark it finally dawns on them that they have broken too much pipe to reach the bottom of the screen...
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