Summer Games Challenge 2014

[ninjainspandex]

I just got a Gameboy Everdrive a couple weeks ago and you know what? I have never played any of the Gameboy Color Zelda games. I think this memorial weekend I am going to remedy that starting with Links Awakening DX and then I'll play the Time and Seasons games.

Side note but does anyone miss the screens from the Gameboy Color and Gameboy Advance? I miss the reflective screens that could be played at their best in direct sunlight, sure they were hard to see in not well lit areas but todays modern handhelds are impossible to see in direct sunlight. What is the point of a portable gaming system if you have to be in the shade to play it, I miss laying by the pool or in my hammock in the warm sun playing some Gameboy Advance.

[Ack]

Side note but does anyone miss the screens from the Gameboy Color and Gameboy Advance? I miss the reflective screens that could be played at their best in direct sunlight, sure they were hard to see in not well lit areas but todays modern handhelds are impossible to see in direct sunlight. What is the point of a portable gaming system if you have to be in the shade to play it, I miss laying by the pool or in my hammock in the warm sun playing some Gameboy Advance.

Get a Neo Geo Pocket Color.

[ninjainspandex]

Side note but does anyone miss the screens from the Gameboy Color and Gameboy Advance? I miss the reflective screens that could be played at their best in direct sunlight, sure they were hard to see in not well lit areas but todays modern handhelds are impossible to see in direct sunlight. What is the point of a portable gaming system if you have to be in the shade to play it, I miss laying by the pool or in my hammock in the warm sun playing some Gameboy Advance.

Get a Neo Geo Pocket Color.

You know I had one and a couple games, Sam Shodown 2 and Metal Slug. But I gave it to Mjmjr25 as a gift for the Racketboy Christmas in July thing a couple years ago. I don't know I just didn't enjoy it as much as Gameboy games. I might give it another go if Krikkzz releases a NGPC flash cart, I'm really not into collecting handheld carts due to the impracticability of bringing all the carts with you. I do have a NGPC emulator on my psp that I play on occasion.

Also NGPC is not a modern system I was knocking modern systems for not being able to play them in direct sunlight, which defeats alot of the purpose of a handheld gaming system.

[scarper]

The Metal weapon really does trivialize the game. I mean, it feels fun at first, especially if you've just played MM1. You feel so free and powerful. But then you realize that this isn't what makes MM fun, since you don't need to figure out boss weaknesses or how to approach different enemy placements, you just metal blade.

Its weird that this is how most people play the game, and it ends up being their favorite, when it is barely Mega Man at that point.

These are exactly the vibes I'm getting. It's still fun as hell for me, but metal blade certainly makes it a lot less challenging. Saw Blade Man 2: The Eight Directions.

Mega Man and Bass was the first Mega Man game I played, and probably the hardest so far. With that experience, the easiness is slightly disappointing. But Mega Man 2 is still enjoyable as all hell.

Also, no idea they came out with a GB Everdrive. I have the N64 Everdrive, and it is fantastic. I'll have to look into that sometime.

I really want to play Mega Man 3 sometime with all this in mind. I may play it as an extra summer game once my list is complete. Or I may start it after Mega Man 2 just for funsies.

[dsheinem]

1. Strider (Arcade/PS2)
2. Thief Gold (PC)
3. Ys II (PC)
4. System Shock 2 (PC)
5. The Typing of the Dead (DC)
6. Marvel vs. Capcom (Arcade/PS3/DC)
7. Bushido Blade (PS1)
8. Wario Land (Virtual Boy)
9. Spyro the Dragon (PS1)
10. Eye of the Beholder (Sega CD)

Three down, seven to go.

Strider was fun - I can see why it is so loved...but that last level is a real pain to get through, even when credit-feeding (the game uses a checkpoint system). I thought the first three levels were the most interesting from a design perspective, and the highlight was definitely the boss fights in the strange gravity chambers (I'd play a whole game based on this premise).

I played on the Capcom Classics Collection Vol 2 (PS2)...and it made me curious about how the home ports compare to the arcade version. It also made me curious about both Strider 2 (PS1) and the recently released reboot. Anyone have thoughts on those compared to the original?

[Sload Soap]

I played on the Capcom Classics Collection Vol 2 (PS2)...and it made me curious about how the home ports compare to the arcade version. It also made me curious about both Strider 2 (PS1) and the recently released reboot. Anyone have thoughts on those compared to the original?

The Mega Drive version is generally seen as the best port though the X68000 is the most accurate. I'm surprised you played the arcade version over the MD to be honest.

The latest Strider is pretty good from what I played. It's a Metroidvania in set up but has the originals jump arc and gamefeel. Dunno about Strider 2 as it is super pricey.

OT: Got stuck in world 8 in SMB3 and haven't touched it for a week. Have also taken out Rockman X4, which I had actually got to the end of, and replaced it with Ys.

My list is now:

Skies of Arcadia (DC)
Wonder Boy In Monster World (360)
Nights...Into Dreams (SS)
Viewtiful Joe (GC)
Super Mario Bros 3 (Snes)
Ys (PC)
Otogi 2 (xbox)
Rocket Knight Adventures (MD)
Golvellius (SMS)
Exhumed (SS)

[BoneSnapDeez]

replaced it with Ys.

Good.

[Sload Soap]

Skies of Arcadia (DC)
Wonder Boy In Monster World (360)
Nights...Into Dreams (SS/360)
Viewtiful Joe (GC)
Super Mario Bros 3 (Snes)
Ys (PC)
Otogi 2 (xbox)
Rocket Knight Adventures (MD)
Golvellius (SMS)
Exhumed (SS)

Super Mario Bros 3 down. Got stuck in that final world but just powered through it. Surprised by how hard the two regular stages in the final world are compared to the castles and gunships.

This game is just really really great. I can now see why it would be a favourite Mario either 2D or 3D. It's amazing how the game can just keep throwing fresh ideas and challenges at the player. Even with just a jump and run button there is so much opportunity for the player to define their own playstyle.

I can see the DNA of this game in a lot of what followed. Most obviously would be the influence on other Mario games like Mario World and NSMB, but the gunship levels are almost like Bit.Trip.Runner and the way you progress via a overworld map has been blatantly copied in Donkey Kong Country and Sonic Colors.

Unlike Wonder Boy and Nights, which are great games with some obvious flaws, I can't see any reason for someone to dislike Super Mario Bros 3. It's just so classy on every level. Real 10/10 stuff.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Surprised by how hard the two regular stages in the final world are compared to the castles and gunships.

I save all the P wings for those last few stages. Makes them absolute breeze.

But yeah, Mario 3 is fantastic.

I didn't notice Golvellius on your list until now. I played some of the game earlier this year and enjoyed it quite a bit. Unfortunately I messed up while recording a password about 2/3 of the way through and thus couldn't continue my game. Someday I'll fire it back up. It's a lot like The Guardian Legend with alternating exploration and action sequences.

[Sload Soap]

I didn't notice Golvellius on your list until now. I played some of the game earlier this year and enjoyed it quite a bit. Unfortunately I messed up while recording a password about 2/3 of the way through and thus couldn't continue my game. Someday I'll fire it back up. It's a lot like The Guardian Legend with alternating exploration and action sequences.

Yeah, I only had five games to start with but I've already knocked three out so I've added the rest even though I expect Skies of Arcadia to take the longest to beat.

To be honest, Golvellius might not stay on the list. The bit I played of it didn't really impress me. However, I do want a Master System game so we will see. On the other hand, I've got a lot of classic PC games bought in various GOG and Steam sales I haven't touched that seem like better choices. Stuff like Beneath a Steel Sky, Kings Quest V, Syndicate and Dark Forces. Oh, woe is me!