Relaxed retrogames from 8bit and 16bit eras

[Erik_Twice]

I have a very long commute and I'm trying to make the best out of it gaming-wise. After thinking a bit, I decided that I can play two games at the same time:

1) One that is "tough" and difficult and I can dedicate ten or twenty minutes each day, like Magical Drop or a shmup.

2) One that is "relaxed" and I can make progress on even when I'm tired like Fire Emblem or a JRPG.

But I don't like JRPGs and I'm already finishing my second Fire Emblem game in a row so I'm looking for something else to fill the gap. Most old games are either too hard or require a lot of effort from the player, and after a long day of study I don't have a huge supply.

The systems I can emulate are NES, SNES, SMS, Mega Drive, GB/GBC, GBA and perhaps Turbografx. I can also run games through SCUMM and possibly some 386-486 computer games but remember I'll use an analog stick and not a joystick.

Any suggestions?

[Tanooki]

Pilotwings is pretty relaxed on the SNES as you fly around you just compete against yourself not others so you can just screw around and do whatever if you want.

SCUMM engine games I can't recommend any higher than Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, a total must, and after that Sam & Max Hit the Road.

Bust-A-Move since you brought up puzzles is pretty slick on the SNES too as is Tetris Attack but it can get frantic off the easy difficulty.

NES games if you want somewhat relaxed and easy stick to the Disney games made by Capcom as they're fun and not a huge problem. Also very easy and high on stress relief is Super Dodgeball, even on hard you can take it down easy and it has a to the death bean ball mode too which is all the guys in a back alley, last one standing wins and it's hardly a challenge but fun with the beatings and expressions.

[marurun]

If you like Fire Emblem, but want a little chance, try Shining Force and Shining Force II on Genesis. Also try Ogre Battle and Tactics Ogre on SNES, and Tactics Ogre on GBA (different game). All strategic battle games, but with a different feel than Fire Emblem. Some might call them a bit more forgiving. In fact, GBA also has Zone of Enders, Advance Wars I and II, and Super Robot Wars Original Generation, which are all fantastic.

[Hobie-wan]

Shanghai II is a nice play at your own speed game. There's the regular tile matching, but the Dragon's Eye game is fun too. I have the SNES one, but I presume the GEN one is perfectly fine too.

[Anapan]

^ All good suggestions
I go on commutes, or am waiting for variable periods of time often in my work, so here's some off my android's recent list which I mosttly only use for gaming during those times:

GBA - Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Mother 3
Genesis - Crusader of Centy (stalled mostly, it's getting grindy)
NES - Chronicle of the Radia War (Translated from - Radia Senki: Reimeihen)
SNES - Zoop
GBC - Willy Wonderworm
GG - Sylvan Tale (imported from flashcart game - gotta play this more)
PC ported to Retroarch Via NxEngine - Cave Story

I tend to jump between games a lot, so this is just a recent list via savegames and savestates from exiting out abruptly. If you like the list I can go back further.

Can you do Playstation 1 on your device? How about NeoGeo - NG should be a cynch based on your list of possibilities. I tend to play a lot of PS1, and Neogeo more than some of the other systems...

Money Idol Exchanger and Puzzle Bobble on NG as well as Diablo and Suikoden II on PS1.

[CRTGAMER]

The systems I can emulate are NES, SNES, SMS, Mega Drive, GB/GBC, GBA and perhaps Turbografx. I can also run games through SCUMM and possibly some 386-486 computer games but remember I'll use an analog stick and not a joystick.

Any suggestions?

For relaxed games you also have the PC native mode that can be instant Alt Tabbed between the emulated games. The standbys of never ending modes of Bejeweled, Luxor, Bookworm and Zuma.

Couple of other PC games that are long playing explore that are not puzzle games (also PC freeware) are Wild Metal Country (also on Dreamcast) and the original Denmark release of De Blob (also on Wii and other consoles).

Also there is MAME. Just going thru all the Arcade games to discover a different game will take quite some time. Look for Logic Pro II if you like number "Soduko" number games with a Window MineSweeper twist thrown in. Oh and the SNES has a Japan SNES version called Mario Picross. There are PS1 and Gameboy Picross games as well. The Zuma game mentioned earlier had to be inspired by the Arcade game original called Puzz Loop (also a PS1 version). Look for a hidden mode which offers Spinner Control that can be played with a mouse, I like this so much better then the mouse point the direction of all the Puzz Loop inspired games.

Shanghai II is a nice play at your own speed game. There's the regular tile matching, but the Dragon's Eye game is fun too. I have the SNES one, but I presume the GEN one is perfectly fine too.

Good pick for a relaxed board game, the Mahjong match the tiles. An older PC game that also runs in Windows XP and even 64 bit Windows 7, Moraff MahJongg. Not only a huge range of music and backgrounds for the "dice", but change the dice to colored spheres or rings.

All the PC games mentioned are full install and do not need online authentication for the long commute.

[SNKnicotine]

If you have a PSP I recommend you play Jeanne d'Arc, Ogre battle tactics, or any of the Final Fantasy games on the console.For a schmup I recommend you play the R-type collection or the very fun and colorful platypus.

[Xeogred]

The Lost Vikings?

[Nemoide]

I'll suggest Dragon Quest Monsters (aka Dragon Warrior Monsters) for Game Boy Color. It's a Pokemon-ripoff that I like *way* more than Pokemon; there are some really interesting monster-breeding mechanics and it's just a fantastic game. I've not played the sequels but I'm sure they're great too!

Really all of the Dragon Quest games except the second one are top-quality relaxing-RPGs!

[Tanooki]

Well if you went the DQM way of things, Caravan Heart on the GBA is insanely good. It is fully translated, and DXS who has an account here and on Digital Press has some new parts where he can put it on a normal GBA cart to have it physically if you wanted to go that far, but if not clearly patch the ROM and you're set for a LOT of hours of play.