@prfsnl_gmr: That is so cool about the Famicom version of Contra. I had no idea. Is there extra music, too? Maybe map music, or a short cutscene jingle? I also wonder why we didn't get this fuller version. Do you think it was due to something like coming too close to replicating the likeness of know...

I keep wanting to write a synopsis of the MOTHER story as I see it, as well as a really cool interpretation my partner had, but I think I'll hold onto it for now. If anyone else plays Earthbound Beginnings, let me know so we can chat about it later! Last night I decided to fire up Toejam & Earl:...

So I just stayed up way too late finishing Earthbound Origins -- but isn't that what summertime gaming is all about?! What a lovely experience. I was emotionally moved several times, the final battle and ending were extremely satisfying, and I just feel... thoughtful. I need to mull over the story a...

Oh no, game, no! Don't make me do this! Spoilers below... So, that character who forced his way into my party and I couldn't protect: he's part of a family, all of whom believe it's their destiny to serve me. I thought their existence was a way to help low-level party members explore the...

@sevin0seven: Wow, I really like the approach you're taking! Playing back-to-backs of the same series is going to be fascinating. I love doing archeology with old games -- as in, seeing what original concepts stuck around in a series, what quality of life improvements were introduced later on, etcet...

It's still a little early for us west-coasters, but in the interest of making sure I don't forget to publish this post before bedtime... happy opening day, everybody!

Woohoo, I'm excited to have so many of you on board! And gosh, some of these lists are just beautiful. I'm gonna try to respond a little bit to everybody. @sevin0seven: Pend away! Can't wait to see what you're thinking of tackling. @PretentiousHipster: Oh my... this LIST. You could throw darts at it...

dsheinem wrote:This year I will contribute more than snark to this thread.

I will supply snark, too.

Oh, yes. This is still a thing. The clubhouse has very lax rules this year, dsh, but I will gladly accept your traditional hazing. Nice to see you.

Hey Opwok! Nice to see you again too. This might be my first summer in years when I actually have time to play a few games through to the end. There are some classics I stopped years ago that I've been wanting to pick up and finally finish, and this is a good time to do it. Heck yeah, let's do it! I...

All right folks, you know what time it is. It's time to start thinking about which awesome classic games you're gonna be playing this summer! The Racketboy Summer Games Challenge has always been my favorite event on the forum -- something I would come back to year after year, even if I'd been otherw...