Greatest 16-bit Game Ever

[sabre2922]

I have to go with Chronotrigger Im currently playing the PS FF:chronicles version since I got little actual playtime with the game back when it was released and I have to say that it may be my favorite RPG of all time right after Panzer Dragoon Saga (SS)
The graphics and animation are great (by 16-bit standards of course) and the storytelling,characters and execution of this RPG is truly close to perfection.
Anyway what is your favorite 16-bit game ever? also take the time to tell us why if u want
On a side note: yes Im well aware that the turbographix-16 is actually an 8-bit system with a 16-bit color processor but hey I believe it to be one of the 16-bit era systems im mean the graphics always looked just as good as most genny games and just as colorful as most supernes games right?

[Jibbajaba]

Well first of all I have to say that the Genesis is by far my favorite 16 bit system, surely because it is the one I had when I was a teenager. I'm sure that most people will already disagree with me there. There are 4 games for the Genesis that I consider to be the best of the best, and most people arent going to agree with this either. They are:

Sonic the Hedgehog
Golden Axe
Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday
Starflight

Golden Axe is of course just an arcade port, but the other three in my opinion are the best Genesis games that were made. I really dont have enough SNES or TG16 experience to comment on those systems.

[Graham Mitchell]

I've got a definite tie: Y's Book I and II for the Turbo-CD and Super Metroid for the Super NES.

Part of my love for Y's may indeed be nostalgia, I'll admit. But it was the very first game I ever saw that had animated cinemas with speech, and CD-quality music that you would ACTUALLY WANT TO LISTEN TO (it's THAT good.) A lot of people talk trash about battle mechanics, and compare the game to Hydlide (to attack, all you have to do is touch an enemy. The game does some math to compare your stats with the enemy's. If he's tougher, you take a hit. If you're better or equal to him, you'll hurt him or he'll deflect your attack) but the truth is that it keeps the pace of the game quick. It makes level-building not so much of a drag. The story line is extensive and captivating, and the gorgeous artwork really draws you in. (Every time I see the map of Y's/Esteria, I get nostalgic!) On top of that, when you finish Book I, you move on to Book II, and many of the game mechanics change (you can have magic now, for example) and the graphics get a tad bit of an overhaul. I know that these games were released separately on other consoles, but when you play them as a smooth unit, it's really something to behold, and I think it accidentally influenced the dramatic gameplay changes we see in games like Resident Evil.

Super Metroid has excellent play mechanics; they need no defending. What makes SM so special, to me, is the atmosphere it portrays. The subtle effects, like the sound of raindrops on the planet's surface, flickering lights indicating a previously-inhabited region, and ominous soundtrack add up to more than the sum of their parts. I also really appreciate the fact that the game conveys ideas and hints without words. One of most disappointing things about Metroid Prime for me was the huge amount of text involved. I liked the fact that whatever these aliens were doing was a complete mystery. It was more intriguing that way.

And them's my favorites.

[Azazel]

It's probably a tie between a few titles.

Street of Rage 2
Dracula X
phantasy Star 4

[shai hulud]

Super Mario World 2 (single player)
Super Bomberman 2 (multiplayer)

[ubersaurus]

Starflight friggin rocks...definitely one of the best of the era, and probably the best on the Genesis.

I have to say that Super Metroid and Chrono Trigger were also some of the best of that era, and two more of my favs. I also must mention MUSHA, Space Megaforce, and Blazing Lazers, for that matter), as being top notch shooters. The best platformer, I'm going to say Sonic 3 & Knuckles locked on, because together, they made a fantastic game.

Overall I'd say the best go like this, for me:

1. Starflight
2. Chrono Trigger
3. Sonic 3 & Knuckles
4. Super Metroid
5. MUSHA

[Darkness X]

I would say my favorite 16-Bit system is the Sega Genesis, that system was/is awesome! I just love it so much there are so many great games, And the system itself is cool(with the option for headphones and all)

Anyway, it's a tie between a couple of different games for my favorite 16-bit title of all time...

Sonic 2(Genesis) I love just about everything about this game, the fun secret filled gameplay, the sense of speed, the colorful graphics, the awesome music. This is what a 16-bit title is all about! I just wish the multi-player was better.

Streets of Rage 2(Genesis) I've spent so many hours on this game, it just never gets old to me. I've made all my friends hate this game by making them play through this game hundreds of times.

NBA Jam TE(Genesis) If I could describe this game in 3 words in would be: Infinite Replay Value! From just playing one player to pass a few hours or Playing all night with some friends, I can always put this cart in my Genesis and still have fun. Back in the day me and a friend played the first NBA Jam for his Genesis so much that he ended up having to buy a new cart by the end of the Summer! Now thats a lot of play time!(plus he didn't take that good care of his stuff) lol

Donkey Kong Country 2(SNES) This is my idea of the ultimate platformer, tight gameplay, responsive controls, exciting levels, tons of replay value, plus awesome graphics/music.

Super Mario:RPG(SNES) This was the first RPG I really got into, sure it might be pretty easy and short, but I still have to replay it atleast once a year.

[Escape•From•Jenny•Island]

My Favorite 16 bit system is the SNES / SFC

SNES Games:
Chrono Trigger
Soul Blazer
Illusion of Gaia
Terranigma
Front Mission
Metroid 3: Super Metroid
Secret of Evermore
Mario & Wario
Super Bomberman 1-5
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy
The Lost Vikings 1-2
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

[esquire]

Technicially, the TurboGrafx 16 is not a 16 bit console.

My favorites are:

Super Mario World (SNES)
Desert Strike (Genesis)
Military Madness (TG16)

Of the true 16 bit consoles, Super Mario World is my favorite. Otherwise its Military Madness if the TG16 is included.

[Kroogah]

After a quick glance at my IGN ratings to refresh my memory...

SNK Vs. Capcom Card Fighter's Clash (NGPC)
Super Punch-Out!! (SNES)
Super Metroid (SNES)
Mario's Super Picross (SFC)
Samurai Shodown 2 (NEOGEO)


Just so you know, the Neo Geo, NGPC, Intellivision, and more I'm probably forgetting are 16-bit systems. Bits don't mean that much...the Xbox is only 32-bit.

[Richter Belmount]

= ) I second terranigma
my list
1.Terranigma
2.Ys 1 and 2 for duo
3.final fantasy 6
4.Dracula X
5.Popful mail
6.Galaga 90

[ManekiNeko]

What, no love for Gunstar Heroes?

JR

[anagrama]

What, no love for Gunstar Heroes?

Heh. I was about to post the exact same thing

[davidleeroth]

What, no love for Gunstar Heroes?

Heh. I was about to post the exact same thing

I third that. Then add Aliennn Soldrrr, Super Mario World, Zelda: A Link to the Past and R-Type on CD and you're nearly there.

Maybe I should check that MUSHA as it seems to get a lot of praise...

[Crush Crawfish]

Is starflight really that good? I bought it at a garage sale a few weeks and have yet to play it. Looks like I'd better play it!

Anyway, my all time favorite system is the SNES, and my favorite games for it are (In order)

Chrono Trigger
Earthbound
Super Mario RPG
Breath of fire 2
Mega Man X
Mega Man X3
Kirby Super Star
Super Metroid
Final Fantasy 3
Breath of Fire
Super Castlevania 4
Castlevania Dracula X
Spanky's Quest

and For genesis:

Dynamite Headdy
Sonic 3 & knuckles
Toejam & Earl
Sonic 2
Sonic 1

[ManekiNeko]

What, no love for Gunstar Heroes?

Heh. I was about to post the exact same thing

I third that. Then add Aliennn Soldrrr, Super Mario World, Zelda: A Link to the Past and R-Type on CD and you're nearly there.

Maybe I should check that MUSHA as it seems to get a lot of praise...

You should. The Aleste series is great no matter what system it's on. I'd recommend not only MUSHA for the Genesis, but Robo Aleste for the Sega CD and Space MegaForce for the Super NES. You can have your Puyo Puyo... it's my opinion that Aleste was Compile's greatest achievement as a game designer.

JR

[Raccoon Lad]

I'd argue Golvellius: Valley of Doom was Compiles greatest achievement, but no one ever listens to me, even though I'm right 1000000000000000% of the time.

Anyway, I'll say Parasol Stars is teh best game EV4R!!! (TG-16), but then again my experience with the bubble bobble series has been previously limited to 8-bit consoles.

[Jibbajaba]

What, no love for Gunstar Heroes?

I bought that game a couple of months ago and I still havent played it.

Is starflight really that good?

Yes.

[ManekiNeko]

I'd argue Golvellius: Valley of Doom was Compiles greatest achievement, but no one ever listens to me, even though I'm right 1000000000000000% of the time.

Have you played Power Strike on the Master System? It's one of the first games in the Aleste series, and it's pretty good, although I wouldn't say that it was better than its NES counterparts Zanac, The Guardian Legend, and Gun*Nac.

JR

[anagrama]

Parasol Stars does indeed rock. I've only ever played the Amiga version though (Rainbow Islands Extra deserves an honourable mention aswell).

Oh, and Yoshi's Island tops every other SNES game. In my mind, at least...