Best unknown games

[Viraneth]

What are the best unknown games for Sega and Nintendo systems (Pre-PS2 generation)? Or a very obscure RPG that makes final fantasy feel like a kids game? Anything like that?

[ssjlance]

It's a PSX game, but Alundra. It's action RPG, but it'll make you want to kill yourself from difficulty. It's a great game though, definitely worth a look.

As for a Sega game, Sword of Vermillion. Never played it much, but my brother was into it for a while.

[slackur]

7th Saga, Snes. Tough as nails, especially near the end. And a second for Sword of Vermillion, though it gets kinda boring to me (And I'm a level grinder.)

As for random obscure but great games of that era, try Nosferatu for Snes. Great Castlevania-like game. And while not exactly obscure, I still feel Rocket Knight Adventures/Sparkster never gets as much credit as it should.

[Viraneth]

Cool.

[darkhades]

I've always felt that Illusion of Gaia (SNES) doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

An above post mentioned Rocket Knight Adventures (Genesis). In my opinion this game is the most overlooked, under appreciated game of all time. If you have not played it, get it now and you will love it.

[Viraneth]

I need to get a Genesis first. How much do all these games go for?

[darkhades]

Rocket Knight Adventures is extremely cheap for a great game, about $1 or $2.

[ssjlance]

Same for Vermillion. Also, I forgot to mention it in my first post, but Light Crusader is worth picking up. Treasure made Genesis RPG.

[Steven]

I've always felt that Illusion of Gaia (SNES) doesn't get the recognition it deserves.


Be sure to try out Soul Blazer first. It's the first game in the "trilogy" (IoG is 2nd)

Also, for obscure JP SNES games, I have over 60 such games highlighted on my site. Gems like The Firemen, DoReMi Fantasy and Ghost Chaser Densei are worth the price of admission.

[Viraneth]

I'm assuming that is the site in your sig?

[DigitalSpace]

I just got a complete Rocket Knight Adventures yesterday for $2.50. If you like it, there's a sequel called Sparkster for the SNES and Genesis.

Also, check out Spanky's Quest, a platformer/puzzler for the SNES.

[Moo Cow]

Be sure to try out Soul Blazer first. It's the first game in the "trilogy" (IoG is 2nd)

Also, for obscure JP SNES games, I have over 60 such games highlighted on my site. Gems like The Firemen, DoReMi Fantasy and Ghost Chaser Densei are worth the price of admission.
I've been there before; didn't realize you owned it. It's a great site, covering quite a few obscure imports.

EDIT: And, too contribute to the thread, if you don't mind the rape and ruin of your wallet, Rendering Rangers is pretty good and I've heard nothing but praise for Psychic Killer Taroumaru.

[Steven]

I'm assuming that is the site in your sig?


Yes indeedy :)


And DigitalSpace, haha, I knew you were gonna suggest SQ. I swear, brother, I'm gonna play it this summer once and for all... well... maybe :p

[exit]

Code Name: Viper is a somewhat obscure Capcom game for NES, it also has a few things that somehow got past Nintendo's then extremely strict censors.

Martian Gothic is a very obscure survival horror for PSX and PC, it has an extremely well written story for a budget title. Only problem is it's pretty hard and the controls aren't that great, but again it's still made better than most budget titles.

If Dreamcast counts, D2 is a very interesting game with extremely good character development.

[Viraneth]

I've actually been looking for D2, and Death Crimson OX.

Was Silver on the DC any good?

[extra_anchovy]

what is an "unknown" game depends on the person. but these are really good games that people don't really give much attention - Addams Family, Combatribes, SD Great Battle 3 (JAP) and Sonic Wings (JAP). they are all for Super NES and are all 2p co-op except the first one.

[Press_Start]

The Guardian Legend! Can't leave a thread like this without dropping this golden name from the NES era. And here's a few more "drops" of gold:

Vice: Project Doom
Kickmaster
Faxanadu
Startropics
Willow
Crystalis (these two are great RPG's to check out!)

[Viraneth]

Looks like I have some shopping to do.

[Wraith Storm]

Light Crusader is worth picking up. Treasure made Genesis RPG.

I LOVE Light Crusader! Most people that I talk to didn't care for it but I thought that it was a great action RPG.

Solid graphics, nice Isometric view, some great puzzles, and I LOVE the music! I also loved trying all different combinations of the elements to create new spells. However, the game is really obscure and I see why it didn't win over the mainstream crowd. But hey, it goes for pretty cheap.

Also while were on the subject of Genesis I recommend Blades of Vengeance and Elemental Master. These are excellent games that are often overlooked.

If you happen to have a Sega CD and want something truly unique, get PANIC! This game (well, it's not much of a game) cracks me up. Really all it consists of is like 100 different screens where you watch the most bizzar and crazy things happen. It reminds me alot of Terry Gilliams animated scenes in Monty Python skits. When the scene is over you hit a button on the controller and If you hit the right button then you move on the the next hilarious screen. This is one of the few times that a truly ODD japanese game actually got released in the US.

[Cobra Commander]

Be sure to try out Soul Blazer first. It's the first game in the "trilogy" (IoG is 2nd)

Beat me to it. I bring up Soul Blazer quite a bit. I never thought it really got a fair shake. It has such a cool story, it defines fun, and the music is fantastic. It's easily one of my top 10 favorites.

[Natty Bumppo]

Dark Wizard and Vay for the Sega Cd are very good.

For the Genesis - Warsong, Master of Monsters (avoid the playstation version like the plague) Shadowrun and Gemfire (also for SNES) are very good.

For the SNES - Addams Family Values is challenging (although a bit flawed - seems like it was rushed into production before it was quite finished - also has a really wretched password system). Shadowrun (different game the Genesis one), Metal Marines, Paladin's Quest and Twisted Tales of Spike McFang are worth checking out.

Although short (and not terribly interesting in terms of replay), the scenarios in Battleship (both Genesis and SNES) are a lot of fun on the first playthrough.

[Coleman]

NES

Arcade style
-Trolls on Treasure Island

Platformer
-Blaster Master
-Xexyz

RPG
-Crystalis
-Faxanadu
-Pirates

Shooter
-Section Z

Racing
-Danny Sulivans Indy Heat



Genesis

RPG
Buck Rodgers count down to doomsday (I am currently having a lot of fun with this one)



SNES

Beat'em up
Mystical Ninja (If you like River City Ransom this is great)

PSX

RPG
-Alundra (just the first one... and get the strategy guide)
-Lunar - your going to pay for this one but its worth it!!!

Puzzle
-Gex

Multi Player
-Blast Chamber

FPS
-Distruptor



Saturn

RPG
-Legacy of Oasis

[smork]

Crossed Swords 2 for NGCD. What a fun game!

[acem77]

Saturn
death tank hidden on power slave
death tank zwei hidden on duke nukem
best least played mutiplayer game ever.
upto 7 players on zwei.

find it get some friends together play it
Nuff said

[Viraneth]

Wow, I didn't expect to get such a great turnout on this thread XD

Why not include PS2 as well? Most of the good games came out withing the first two years, so occaisionally throw in a PS2 games that are oft overlooked.

Coleman, when you put "Gex" in your post, did you mean the same one as "Gex: Enter the Gecko?" Because if so, I loved G:ETG, so yeah. :D

[Coleman]

Coleman, when you put "Gex" in your post, did you mean the same one as "Gex: Enter the Gecko?" Because if so, I loved G:ETG, so yeah. :D
Yup
They where all pretty good though...

[Viraneth]

Except that side-scrolling one on the Genesis. My dad's friend had it. The horror movie level was AWFUL! XD

[Sudo]

Except that side-scrolling one on the Genesis. My dad's friend had it. The horror movie level was AWFUL! XD

There was no Gex on the Genesis...

[chuckwalla]

I recently dug out Subterrania for the Genesis and finally gave it a good chance after all these years. Once you master the controls and figure out how to accomplish missions it's a fantastic game. I'm glad I did. I wrote a little review on Subterrania on Mobygames. Also, check out the FAQ on gamefaqs.com

http://www.mobygames.com/game/genesis/sub-terrania
http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/genesis/file/366943/17532

BTW, I agree that Rocket Knight is another great 'overshadowed' game.

[Viraneth]

Okay. It was a huge case for a small game that, if I remember correctly, was a disc. I dunno. Maybe it was Sega CD or something -shrugs-

[Natty Bumppo]

Okay. It was a huge case for a small game that, if I remember correctly, was a disc. I dunno. Maybe it was Sega CD or something -shrugs-
You are probably thinking of the Sega Saturn version.

[Sudo]

It was either the PSX, Saturn or 3DO since I don't think the original came out for any other systems.

[Viraneth]

I know it was ega.
And we can universally agree that one was terrible.

[Dain]

A few incredibly good NES games that don't get much love:

Gun-Nac (shooter)
Solomon's Key (puzzle)

[Wraith Storm]

For the NES I have to suggest:

Solstice -
This game is an isometric adventure in which you search through the rooms of a castle and its surrrounding areas (the garden and the catacombs) for the 7 pieces of the staff of Demnois... or something like that. But this is truly an incredible action puzzle game. And imo MUCH better than the SNES sequel Equinox.

Falcoms "Legacy of the Wizard" -
The fact that this game is made Falcom should warrant it's purchase alone. This game is a HUGE (I stress HUGE) side scrolling action game with many RPG elements (you get keys to unlock chests and you get gold and purchase items that you can equip on you characters). It's part of the Dragon Slayer series of games but doesn't matter if you havent played the others.

Both Solstice and Legacy of the Wizard I have been trying to beat off and on since their release like 15+ years ago. I want to do it ALL from memory, so I refuse to write anything down or look at any guides or hints. I give them both a shot several times a year and I always look forward to returning to them.

[Viraneth]

Score! I totally got Solstice with a dust cover like 2 weeks ago. Got it with mario paint (loose) and Alex Kidd in Miracle World (CIB). All for $10. As soon as I can get a clone or NES I'm playing the hell out of it XD

[CelticJobber]

Hybrid Heaven on N64 is an under-rated, but enjoyable game.

[winona2k]

I like Mendel Palace for the NES. its a co-op title and really kewt!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGmrIROni-M

[Viraneth]

It's made by Hudson, no wonder it looks awesome.