Summer Games Challenge 2025 - GET EQUIPPED

[RobertAugustdeMeijer]

We'll see!
I've played all of them and didn't find them worth my time, hah!

I stopped MGS3 the moment there was a peep-cam to look at a woman's body while she was talking about terrorism politics. Or something like that. I'll be playing the Switch version, I hope that Nintendo took out crap like that.
I've always found the stealth gameplay of MGS1 and MGS2 to be lacking, especially after playing Thief/Deus Ex. From what I've seen, MGS3 adds a couple of bells & whistles I like, so hoping that feels rewarding. And I'm looking forward to fighting against the legendary The End.
By the way, I love MG2 MSX and MGS5, so I'm really rooting for this one to land.

Titanfall 2 is indeed really good, beat the demo and felt like that was enough for now. In the meantime I find myself in the mood for a quality shooter with interesting mechanics. This should fit the bill.

LittleBigPlanet controls horribly and indeed, the level design is, well, British. And as they say, yo-ge kuso-ge. But it got an 10 in Edge, so...

[BoneSnapDeez]

1. Alex Kidd in Miracle World
2. Clash at Demonhead
3. Cocoron
4. Conquest of the Crystal Palace
5. The Goonies
6. Journey to Silius
7. Little Nemo: The Dream Master
8. Rygar
9. StarTropics
10. Wrath of the Black Manta

Janky list but I wanna mostly stick to NES/Fami... with the exception of game #1, obviously.

[prfsnl_gmr]

THE MAN HIMSELF!

You know what’s on my list this year?! Ys Book I & II for the TG16 CD. I’m in the aqueducts on Book II, and it’s slow going. Almost there, though!

[BoneSnapDeez]

Love to see it! That area of Ys II is tough. Despite playing the game many times I'm still pretty walkthrough-reliant throughout the entire shrine and sewers. Killer soundtrack at those parts though.

I'm actually itching to replay Ys I-III (hear me out...) now that EGGCONSOLE has brought the PC-88 and MSX2 versions of each to Switch.

[PartridgeSenpai]

Woo hoo! Awesome to see you again, Bone!

I'm not doin' the SGC, but you remind me that I should really set aside some time and actually try and beat Little Nemo and Startropics someday <w>

[marurun]

Hey bone, I think you may have a cat in your ceiling. Might wanna get that checked out.

[prfsnl_gmr]

@bonesnapdeez

Since I’m commenting on everyone’s list, here are my thoughts on yours:

If the games on your list, I’ve beaten Clash at Demonhead, Little Nemo, StarTropics, and Wrath of the Black Manta. (I’ve also beaten Goonies II, but never The Goonies. Likewise, your list reminds me that I really need to get through Journey to Silius and Arthur at some point.

Clash at Demonhead is, basically, peak NES. It’s a sweet game, published by Vik Tokai, with just an insane (likely misinterpreted) story and characters that is TOTALLY RADICAL! It’s kind of a proto-metroidvania, like Faxanadu or Zelda II, and it is really cryptic. You can get through it pretty easily once you figure out what you’re supposed to do, but I would treat it like a game from the ‘80s, which it is, and consult a strategy guide for hints.

Little Nemo is a perfect example of the platformers Capcom released for the NES at the height of its power. The sprites look great; the soundtrack is really good; it has unique gameplay mechanics; it’s tough, but fair; and plays wonderfully. Like most of Capcom’s NES output, it’s a gem, and I hope you enjoy it.

StarTropics is, basically, a mash up of Earthbound and LoZ, which is as good as it sounds. The sequel is strong too. It’s a shame Nintendo has abandoned the franchise.

Wrath of the Black Manta is a Shinobi knock off with just enormous bosses. That sort of large, detailed spritework looks silly now, but it was impressive in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Still, the game plays OK, and it’s way better than the Naeas Shinobi port. I wouldn’t call it a classic, by any means, but it’s still pretty OK.

[prfsnl_gmr]

One down! I knocked out the final boss in Ys Book II today to finish up Ys Book I & II for the TG16CD.

It is such a solid 8-bit ARPG! Sure, it has some archaic mechanics, but it has addictive gameplay, colorful graphics, and a fantastic “listen to how clear this CD sounds!” soundtrack. The late ‘80s high-fantasy art direction shines, and while it’s challenging, the game doesn’t present any challenge that can’t be overcome by grinding out a few levels. Highly recommended!

1. F-Zero X (N64) - inspired by @bmoc
2. Gate of Thunder (TG16 CD) - inspired by @marurun
3. Jet Grind Radio (Dreamcast) - inspired by @Racketboy
4. Perfect Dark (N64) - inspired by @Key-Glyph
5. Resident Evil: Code Veronica X (PS2) - inspired by @Key-Glyph
6. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (Dreamcast) - inspired by @alienjesus
7. Terranigma (SNES) - inspired by @SpaceBooger
8. Ys Book I & II (TG16 CD) - inspired by @pierrot
9. TBD
10. TBD

[Key-Glyph]

Late to the party, but here's my list to beat this Summer:

1. Metro Exodus
2. Max Payne
3. Into the Breach
4. Mass Effect 3
5. LittleBigPlanet
6. Splatoon 2
7. Metal Gear Solid 3
8. Titanfall 2
9. Alien Soldier
10. Left 4 Dead 2

Wish me luck! Hoping to become a hardcore gamer this way!

Yay, welcome aboard Meijer! Alien Solider... this is one I've wanted to play for a long time. Really excited to hear your thoughts on that one especially.

AIRHORN.WAV

Bone, so glad to see you. StarTropics is the epitome of summer feelings to me and I'm excited for you. And you're not the only one tackling it this year either, so that's awesome too!

Hope you've been well. Let's keep this party goin'.

RANDOM SUMMERTIME REMINISCIN' INTERMISSION

I thought it might be fun to drop in a random question from time to time that gets us talking about our surroundings, circumstances, and/or memories as we game along. So here's one: What are you snacking on this summer? And is it a new favorite, or an old standard from your youth? Anyone can answer this, whether you're doing the Challenge or not!

For whatever reason I've been suddenly and incredibly back into Blowpops lately. Is it the influence of the translucent green N64 controller I've been using? Maybe. It is very sour apple, which is indeed my favorite of the flavors. I think I also kind of thought Blowpops weren't really a thing anymore -- there was some afternoon a few years ago when I was seized with the need for one and hopped to a few different stores on a search to no avail -- so when I unexpectedly saw a bag of them at the grocery store I thought, "THE TIME IS NOW!" and got very excited.

I was never hugely into Blowpops and we certainly never had a bag of them around the house, but they are still very mid-90s nostalgic to me and have been bringing me a lot of joy. It's also nice to have something that doesn't involve managing crumbs or salt on your hands, or even require you to pause for a dip into a bowl. Not that that ever really stopped me before, but you know. A perk is a perk.

[BoneSnapDeez]

First couple attempts at Alex Kidd... couldn't even pass the first stage. Now I can get 1/3rd of the way through.

Can't treat this like Mario. It's a slow methodical creeping game.

Lots of block smashing.

Certain blocks are a gamble. They can summon a ghost and I honestly never avoid it. Instant death!