Rare, quircky japanese ps2/ps1 games that got published in the states??

[jonnyutah]

Can someone recommend very quirky japanese unconvetional games that made it stateside for ps2? for example; animal leader,katamari damacy or mister mosquito etc. you know, somthing quite different and very japanese that is almost too japanese too get published here.

I'd be interested in something that has a very unique art style. something that intentionally uses super low/blocky untexured retro polygons like killer7, or animal leader would be interesting. anyway i'm looking for the most fresh, original, funky and even comical japanese game published here in the states. i love super cute platformers, adventure, simulation, party etc. I'm also very interested in over the top samurai games.

any ideas?? I just found a game i completely forgot about...."Stretch Panic" by treasure. wow!! I deffinately picking this up if i can find a copy. this game inspired me to start collecting again :)

my list so far:

-Stretch panic-

-phychonauts- (not so japanense but still cool)

-Blood will tell- not really too quircky but you start out the game in
black and white with katana arms. still pretty cool

-Samurai western


thats it for now but if you have any ideas post up :)

[Icarus Moonsight]

Incredible Crisis PS1 - Tondemo(?) Crisis IIRC is the JPN title. It's off scale in quirk.

Here's an LP'er playlist (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=06ADC46868DDBBE8&search_query=Incredible+Crisis) on the tubes.

EDIT: You might want to look into God Hand PS2 as well.

[heybtbm]

You might want to look into God Hand PS2 as well.

Yes. Yes he should.

Gorilla Boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJR5xbgWXk4)

Disturbing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpoomycJFIQ&feature=related)

Power Ranger Midgets (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LZUXCE4Frw&feature=related)

[Scissors]

You might want to try The Adventures of Cookie & Cream, Under the Skin, and Gitaroo Man.

[skaar]

Rising Zan - Samurai Gunman (or something like that) - PS1.

[chicnstu]

Not as crazy as some of the other suggestions but if you like RPGs, try Shadow Hearts: From the New World. It has some weird characters, Frank is especially strange...

EDIT: It's not rare either, so you should be able to find it easily.

[Jorpho]

Irritating Stick is quirky. It's also not very good, apparently.

I keep forgetting which Choro Q game is which.

[Dangerboy]

As for PS1, anything by ArtDink - Aquanauts Holiday, Tails of the Sun, etc. All bizarre and quirky games.

[MrRoboto19XX]

As for PS1, anything by ArtDink - Aquanauts Holiday, Tails of the Sun, etc. All bizarre and quirky games.

I was just about to add "No One Can Stop Mr. Domino!" to the list, I'd also like to cite "Power Shovel" as truly bizarre.

[jonnyutah]

nice list. god hand looks really funny! LOL. I think i'll stick to old ps2 games for now. Stretch panic is only $2.99 at at gamestop.com if i can only find one in store.

seems like now most unique, simple games are now being limited to digital download and only only the mainstream larger budget games are making ti to retail. that's pretty sad for the collector. ...that's why i decided to go back and pick some rare ps2 games that i missed. more for collecting than anything as most newer offbeat games are all digital.

has anyone played chulip? it looks interesting.

I may pick up mister mosquito again if i can find it cheap.

[spoon]

Incredible Crisis!
Kolona
ParRappa The Rapper
Pocket Fighter
RC de Go!
Silhouette Mirage
Tobal No. 1

[The 1 2 P]

Bust-A-Groove 1 and 2(PS1)---Bust-A-Move 1 and 2 in Japan.

[darkwingduck13]

None of these are particularly rare, but you said quirky as well...and I like quirky!

Chulip - PS2, GameSlop exclusive in the US.
Crossroad Crisis - PSX, budget puzzle title that's pretty cute.
One Piece Mansion - PSX, cool Capcom game that doesn't get a ton of press.
Top Shop - PSX, budget board game that gets really cutthroat. Kind of like vertical monopoly set in a mall.

These are just off the top of my head. I'll try to remember to come back here as I think of more. It's been a looong day. :)

[Therealqtip]

How bout Katamari?

Wait I don't think it's rare though..

[ScourDX]

Castle Shikigami 2
Galerians: Ash
Graffiti Kingdom
Gungrave
Gungrave Overdose
Heavenly Guardian
Metropolismania 1 & 2

[Icarus Moonsight]

Seconding on the Gungraves... I love these games. They're usually cheap but, can sometimes be HTF. Don't give up though, they're worth tracking down.

[Arcade_Ness]

Dynamite Cop!-DC
Maken X-DC
Rival Schools/Project Justice-DC

Though not rare, still very quirky and unique.

[Ryaan1234]

I may pick up mister mosquito again if i can find it cheap.

Mister Mosquito, Mad Maestro, Legaia 2, R-Type Final, and Swingerz Golf were all games published by Eidos under their "Fresh Games" label. The "Fresh Games" line was intended to allow gamers experience quirky Japanese titles without having to import them.

I'm not sure about all of the games, but I've heard a lot about Mister Mosquito and Mad Maestro is one of my favorite PS2 titles. I'd suggest Mad Maestro cause it's Japanese, quirky, and it has interesting gameplay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUDpKyAVew8&feature=related).




Top Shop - PSX, budget board game that gets really cutthroat. Kind of like vertical monopoly set in a mall.

These are just off the top of my head. I'll try to remember to come back here as I think of more. It's been a looong day. :)

I got Top Shop at GameCrazy for $5 and it was new and sealed! It's definitely an affordable title!

Here a mini PS1 publisher history lesson:

A1 games is a budget title publisher which specializes in bringing Japanese PS1 titles to the American market. Their other games include Battle Hunter, Star Sweep, and Shooter: Star Fighter Sanvein, which are all orignally Japanese titles and all approved by me.

I'd also like to throw in a word for all Artdink titles. Tail of the Sun and Aquanauts Holiday are kinda rare (R7s in the DP guide), but 2 other Artdink games, A-Train and No One Can Stop Mr. Domino! are both common and pretty good, quirky, and Japanese.

A-Train - Sorta like Railroad Tycoon if it was like the original Sim City.
No One Can Stop Mr. Domino! - a puzzle game where you set up and topple dominos (much much better than it sounds.)
Tail of the Sun - A caveman life simulator..... (I've only seen a few copies of this game on eBay. I think its the rarest Artdink title)
Aquanauts Holiday - An undersea expolration simulator.... (All about exploring the ocean. Nothing else. No enemies or things to collect, just exploration)

[Dire 51]

How about Technic Beat (PS2)? I looked through the thread but didn't see it. It's a rhythm game, but unlike any I've ever seen. Plus there's a whole bunch of classic Namco arcade themes in it; among them are Dig Dug, Splatterhouse, Burning Force, Pac-Mania, Xevious, Toypop and Rolling Thunder.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technic_Beat

You have to see it in action to even get an idea of how it's played, as far as I'm concerned.

7:40 overview - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uiv1IbIRUXM
Splatterhouse - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikNslE4ethQ
Dragon Buster - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEQPHVOCYJU
Xevious - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpOcXN410eE

[jonnyutah]

nice guys. i thanks to all of you for dropping in. i really apreciate all the great recommends.

quite a few great games mentioned here. Ryaan you would liek mister mosquito if you liek japaense culture. plus get to see waht it's like beign a mosquito. you never get tired of looking at the womans long bare legs LOL. also it give you the feeling of living in a japanese household...............as a mosquito that is. it has a shemnue sort a vibe to it.

[kupomogli]

nice list. god hand looks really funny! LOL. I think i'll stick to old ps2 games for now.

No. Get God Hand now. You don't know what you're missing. The storyline is humorous, but that's not the reason to play the game.

[TurboGenesis]

Beatmania

Though this game is a rather large franchise in Japan, the USA got a general version of this game and included the controller too!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/448462730_3f74089d66.jpg?v=0

[izarate]

Chulip - PS2, GameSlop exclusive in the US.



Amazon (not marketplace) used to have it too. I got mine for $12.

[Xexyz]

Check out Punky Skunk on the PS1 if you manage to come across a copy (R7). Super cute, 16-bit looking sprite based mascot platformer released by Jaleco in the earlier days of the Playstation. It's a little rough around the edges, like it was rushed out to retail before being completely finished. Ridiculously easy too.

[Robocop2]

God hand looks absolutely ridiculous yet somewhat entertaining

[BHvrd]

No. Get God Hand now. You don't know what you're missing. The storyline is humorous, but that's not the reason to play the game.

I agree. Videos do not do the game justice at all!

It's highly addictive and paced perfectly. The upgrading system is awesome as is the casino and tons of other wackiness. You would have to watch a dozen videos to absorb it all.

[norkusa]

I've never played God Hand but I just watched the japanese commercial for it and it looks like the greatest game ever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mp36fk_PhM