Randomly recommend an unknown or underrated game.

[Daria]

Exhuminator - for what it's worth I like seeing the import recommendations. Brave Prove actually looks like something I'd really like, despite the language barrier. Thanks for sharing.

[Exhuminator]

Cool. I hope my suggestions can spur folks to buy some PS1 imports. I have one more big ol' batch of import recommendations coming next week. After that I will go back to randomly recommending 1 or 2 games at a time on various systems.

Also I'm not trying to dominate this thread. I totally have enjoyed reading other people suggestions so far, and I encourage the community to continue adding their own recommendations.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Xak I + II (PC Engine CD)

The Xak series was created by the great Micro Cabin, who's responsible for Illusion City, Guardian War, Lucienne's Quest, and the Riglord Saga games.

Xak I + II is analogous to Ys Book I & II in many ways. It's a compilation of two previously-released computer ARPGs meshed together into one long game, and the gameplay features the same sort of fast-paced bump-style combat.

That said, the unique Red Book score, game world design, and cutscenes differentiate this from being a mere "Ys clone." Anyone who loved Ys and wondered "is there anything else like this?" needs to give Xak I + II a spin.

Xak III was also released on the PC Engine CD, as well as a spin-off called Fray in Magical Adventure (there's also a Game Gear port of this as well, but from what I can tell it's extremely rare). Lastly there's a Super Famicom standalone Xak I published by Sunsoft. Every other game in the series can be found on old Japanese computers, which is where they all appeared in the first place.

There are tons of old JRPGs I could add to this thread. Let's see how motivated I am.

[Exhuminator]

Alright, here comes another big splurge of Japanese only PS1 games for all you fine upstanding importing types. This will be a big batch! After this I'm going to start recommending one or two games at a time for a variety of systems again. I'm not going with a genre theme this time, just a variety pack this go around. Check it all out and import for great justice!


Ningyo no Rakuin (Released: 08/03/00)

This is a horror themed SRPG. It's supposed to be playable enough with a guide if you don't speak English. A lot of people say this is a real hidden gem. Here's a review for the game on RPGamer: http://www.rpgamer.com/games/other/psx/ ... trev1.html

Screenshots:

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Racing Lagoon (Released: 06/10/99)

Back in Square's glory days they had plenty of money to throw at innovative ideas. That's back when we saw them diversifying into stuff like Einhander and Ehrgeiz for instance. One of their fresher ideas was Racing Lagoon, a hybrid of RPG and street racing. Unfortunately Square chose not to publish it stateside, and that sucks butt.

Screenshots:

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B.L.U.E.: Legend of Water (Released: 07/09/98)

An aquatic-themed adventure game by Hudson. Swim underwater with your dolphin friends and solve puzzles together.

Screenshots:

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Mizzurna Falls (Released: 12/23/98)

Deadly Premonition is often cited as being noteworthy for being influenced by Twin Peaks, but before that game there was Mizzurna Falls. (There is no way Swery wasn't directly influenced by this game when he made Deadly Premonition.) A killer stalks a North American town in this open world adventure from Human Entertainment (makes of the original Clock Tower). It was an ambitious sandbox adventure game ahead of its time, and served as Human Entertainment's swan song, just a year before their closure.

Screenshots:

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Pop'n Tanks! (Released: 07/29/99)

Ride around as cute little girls in cute little tanks and blow the hell up outta each other.

Screenshots:

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ParanoiaScape (Released: 05/28/98)

Imagine if you took Clive Barker, a typical hyper violent 90s FPS shooter, pinball (yes pinball) and put all that in a blender. You'd probably end up with something like this. ParanoiaScape is a testament to the anything goes insane mindset of the PS1 era of Japanland. And that's a good thing, for the record.

HG101's article: http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/parano ... ascape.htm

Screenshots:

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Happy Salvage (Released: 08/31/00)

Happy Salvage was created by Okura Raita and takes place in a small seaside community where the main character lives and works with his friends at pulling various treasures up from the briny deep as salvage. The hero learns that his father and uncle had run a salvage company on Harukuin Island a short distance away from the Pakitto Island but they are now missing after an accident. He is told that his father owed a huge debt. He and Marina take on the debt to repay it and find his missing relatives. Happy Salvage features chibi-style 2D sprites on a flat world. The bulk of the game focuses on speaking with the other inhabitants to gain insight and missions, then using the loot to upgrade your boat for better hauls. And in getting to know the ladies of the island better while earning the money to pay back the debt. You waifu types know what's up.

Screenshots:

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Boku no Natsuyasumi: Summer Holiday 20th Century (Released: 06/22/00)

Developed by Millennium Kitchen, it is the first game in the Boku no Natsuyasumi series. It is set in 1975 and chronicles a 9 year old boy's summer vacation in the Japanese countryside. What's the point? To re-experience the joy of being a kid during summer vacation! Catching bugs, playing in the sun, feeling the grass between your toes, that sort of thing. There's probably a plot too.

Screenshots:

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Aconcagua (Released: 06/01/00)

A point and click game done in 3D but with fixed camera perspectives for each screen. Most of the game-play revolves around moving your small band of survivors around to collect items that will interact in some way with significant parts of the environment to progress the story. Essentially the story comes down to what happens after a plane crashes on the peaks of the icy Aconcagua Mountain and how the survivors manage to find their way to safety. Even without understanding most of the dialogue or text, the cut-scenes are very descriptive and intuitive.

Screenshots:

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Choujin Gakuen Gowcaizer (Released: 07/17/97)

A superhero-themed head-to-head fighting game produced by Technos Japan Corp. It was the company '​s second attempt at a fighting game. It features character designs by artist Masami Ōbari, who previously worked on the anime adaptations of the Fatal Fury series.

Screenshots:

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Gouketuji Ichizoku 2: Chottodake Saikyou Densetsu (Released: 10/20/95)

PS1 port of the arcade game. Really nice 2D sprite work and fun fighting. It's got an ecchi factor to it too, if you're into that sort of thing.

Screenshots:

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Asuka 120% Final: Burning Fest. Final (Released: 05/27/99)

Here's a fun 2D fighter that consists of an all female roster. Also has story modes but I can't read that stuff, so I couldn't tell you what it's about.

Screenshots:

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Rakugaki Showtime (Released: 07/29/99)

Treasure's best hidden gem, a multiplayer brawl fest done up in a doodle style. Super fun game if you can get four people playing at once. Fans of Power Stone and Smash Bros. would do well to check this one out. If you enjoy this game check out these two as well:

http://www.giantbomb.com/poy-poy/3030-2462/

http://www.giantbomb.com/poy-poy-2/3030-18190/

Screenshots:

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Slap Happy Rhythm Busters (Released: 06/29/00)

Here's a really nice fighting game for PS1, done up in cel shaded graphics. These are the best cel shaded graphics on the PS1 actually, extremely impressive technology here. It's also got a funky future style that reminds me of Jet Set Radio for some reason. Definitely worth playing.

Screenshots:

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LSD (Released: 10/22/98)

One of the most unusual and artistic games ever made, LSD is a "dream emulator". Read HG101's article for more info: http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/lsd/lsd.htm

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That's the end of me recommending PS1 Japanese imports in this thread. If you need even more PS1 import goodness in your life (and let's face, it we all do), here's further reading:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/top10/2736-the- ... -know-rpgs

http://www.gamefaqs.com/top10/2733-the- ... -adventure

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/phenomin ... ps-library

[BoneSnapDeez]

It's supposed to be playable enough with a guide if you don't speak English.

Good to know, thanks!

[laurenhiya21]

Mizzurna Falls (Released: 12/23/98)

Deadly Premonition is often cited as being noteworthy for being influenced by Twin Peaks, but before that game there was Mizzurna Falls.

Aw man, I love Deadly Premonition. I really need to play it again and check this game out too.

[Exhuminator]

Super Galdelic Hour | PS2 | 2001

This game is what happens if you mixed Teletubbies with Dead or Alive Xtreme. And perhaps a hit of acid. Do you read Japanese? Who cares it doesn't matter with this import. You're going to pick out a girl and play as her against the other girls in mini games. You're gonna have a good time especially if you can nab another person to play versus with. If you think this game is dumb you're what's wrong with this industry and we aren't friends.

Screenshots:

[Anapan]

I got my niece into B.L.U.E. & 2. She's really good at them. It's definitely worth checking out. I would've never gotten to see the later levels otherwise.

[ExedExes]

PS IMPORT COMBO BREAKER INCOMING



One of the few 2600 third-party non-Activision games that doesn't suck. In fact, you'll keep playing it again and again. IMPROVED GRAPHICS!

[BoneSnapDeez]

Good call. That's a really great game.

U.S. Games had a pretty decent library overall. Can't say I was crazy about Word Zapper though.