Games Beaten 2014

[BurningDoom]

I just don't get it. They're such simplistic games. Castlevania was always just sort of okay to me before Symphony. I played them, and I thought they were cool, but they were no different to me than any other popular action platformer of the day like Mega Man or Ninja Gaiden, and both of those series I actually thought were much more fun to play than the Castlevania games. Symphony finally took a good series and made in great IMO.

But whatever, this is one of those debates that just comes up all the time. Some like the old series better, and some (like me) prefer Igavania

I'm with you, completely. And the way you described explains it perfectly. It was a good action-platformer, with some cool looking backgrounds and enemies. But not much more, IMO. Then SotN blew me freaking away. So awesome, and I've loved those games ever since.

However, I'm an odd Castlevania fan, because I also like Castlevania II: Simon's Quest because of the added RPG-elements.

That not to say I don't like the classic Castlevania games, though, because I do. I just like the Metroidvania style so much more.

[Stark]

I'm not sure why this is being discussed here, but it would be great to move all this here: http://racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 88#p824788

[irixith]

1. Kung-Fu NES *new*

I beat this game in less than seven minutes just to get this thread back on topic.

No matter how far this thread progresses, that will be the best post in it.

I haven't played any games thus far in 2014, and therefore have nothing else to contribute other than a celebratory slap on Luke's back.

[BoneSnapDeez]

1. Kung-Fu NES *new*

I beat this game in less than seven minutes just to get this thread back on topic.

That's fantastic.

I wonder who will play the shortest game this year and what it will be. I think I can can take down Gorf in less than 5 minutes.

[AppleQueso]

1. Kung-Fu NES *new*

I beat this game in less than seven minutes just to get this thread back on topic.

That's fantastic.

I wonder who will play the shortest game this year and what it will be. I think I can can take down Gorf in less than 5 minutes.

brb playing one round of Pong against myself

[BurningDoom]

I just beat The Legend of Zelda: Link Between Worlds. You guys have probably all read a dozen different reviews on this game recently, so there's really nothing I can add that those reviews haven't already covered except: This is a FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC Zelda adventure that any Zelda fan, especially old-school fans, will fall-in-love with. Get it.

[noiseredux]

I just beat The Legend of Zelda: Link Between Worlds.

congrats! I left off at the last dungeon, so hoping to wrap it up soon.

[prfsnl_gmr]

1. Hotline Miami (PS3)
2. Boulder Dash XL 3D (3DS)

About a week ago, I completed all 100 of the arcade levels in this game...but no credits...OK, I thought, I will play through all 25 of the puzzle levels...still, no credits. Hmmmm...I will get respectable scores in all five of the score attack levels and complete all of the "ultra-challenging" retro levels. I completed the last retro level last night, and since the game still did not roll credits, I went to the options menu and rolled them myself.

Boulder Dash XL 3D is the 3DS port of Boulder Dash XL for the 360, iOS, and PC, which, in turn, is an update of the Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64 classic Boulder Dash. For those unfamiliar with the original, Boulder Dash is a game in which the protagonist, Rockford, must collect diamonds by digging through tunnels, avoiding enemies, and dodging falling rocks. The gameply is very enjoyable, and it plays like a cross between Dig Dug and Ms. Pac-Man. I have spent some time with the original - which I plan to revisit now that I have better grasp of the mechanics - but I enjoyed the update tremendously. Obtaining a "perfect" score on each of the levels is both addictive and difficult, and I reached for the reset button with this about as often as I did with Hotline Miami. Each level requires both planning and quick reflexes, and with nearly 160 levels, the game kept me occupied far longer than I anticipated (but not so long as to wear out its welcome, thankfully). While I would not (and did not) spend a fortune on this game, I do recommend it to any 3DS owner who is looking for a full-featured game with addictive, classic gameplay. (I played the retail version, but this game is also available in the eShop for those who would prefer to download it.)

Also, the retro levels look like this:

which is worth something to me.

[Luke]

Also, the retro levels look like this:

which is worth something to me.

I played the snot out of that game on my parents IBM PS/1. So much fun, but also pretty challenging.

[prfsnl_gmr]

The original game was ported to everything - there's even a Boulder Dash arcade game! - but I plan on spending some more time with the NES version (which is kind of its own thing as far as I can tell).

EDIT: The NES version was developed by a Japanese company, and it has graphics like this:

Based on the title screen, it also appears to be a port of the Data East arcade game(?). Also, there is apparently a GBA version - which has been added to my want list - and a PAL-exclusive version of the game for the Nintendo DS. Finally, there are close to 50 different version of this game and its sequels, and they would proabably make a great subject for a Hardcore Gaming 101 article.