Top 10 Adventure Games for 8- and 16-bit Consoles?

[timewarpgamer]

I'm working on another top 10 feature for my site, and I'd like to enlist your help. Let me get the boring stuff out of the way first:

What do I mean by 8- and 16-bit consoles?

Eight to be precise: NES, SMS, NES-FDS, TG-16, Sega Genesis, TG-CD, SNES, Sega CD. I know there are many awesome adventure games for other systems, but the consoles above are keeping me more than adequately occupied.

What do I mean by adventure games?

Admittedly, it's a dangerously broad genre. I'm talking about everything from text adventures (Shadowgate, Snatcher) and point-and-click ones (Maniac Mansion, Secret of Monkey Island) to action-adventures (Legend of Zelda, Metroid).

At the moment, here are the titles that I'm seriously considering:

Zelda: Link to the Past (w/shout out to Legend of Zelda) -- SNES
Super Metroid -- SNES
Snatcher -- Sega CD
Toejam & Earl -- Genesis
Crystalis -- NES
Loom -- TG-CD
Golvellius: Valley of Doom -- SMS
Otigirisou (J) -- SNES
Famicom Tantei Club Part II (J) -- SNES
Beyond Shadowgate -- TG-CD
StarTropics -- NES
Maniac Mansion -- NES
Wonder Boy III / Dragon's Curse -- TG-16 and SMS
Popful Mail -- Sega-CD

How's it looking? Any bad calls? Some titles I overlooked? Any feedback is welcome. I realize this is a highly objective project, but I'd like to at least get as large a perspective as possible.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

[tom]

No Atari 2600 VCS: Adventure? Fail!

[exit]

Rygar and Strider, both respectably on NES.

Rygar is Adventure to it's fullest and it took me well over a decade to finally beat it. The games main downfall is the lack of Save/Password, so if you don't beat the game in one sitting (or via savestates) you have to start from the very beginning.

Strider is another nice little adventure game, but it's more in the line of Metroid, where you need to get different abilities to gain access to certain areas.

Secret of Evermore (SNES) - This game gets a lot of negative things said about it, but I found it to be rather charming. Even tho it has one or two game breaking glitches (which caused the end of my original cart), it's still a pretty good game and worth checking out.

Honorable Mentions:

Festers Quest (NES) - Another great (and long) game that suffers from lack of save/password.

Guardian Legend (NES) - One part Metroid and One part Shmup, great little gem here that never got a sequel even tho it really deserved one.

[AB Positive]

Genesis - Landstalker.

I actually put this title ahead of every Zelda game in any of my favorite game lists. It's Zelda but so much better. But then again - I'm a sucker for isometric views.

[MachineGex]

I always thought Metroid & Zelda were two different types of games. Zelda is more "Adventure" and Metroid is more "Action". For me, it is hard to lump the two together, but it's your call so here is my suggestion:

One game I would like to add is "Out of this World" on SNES. "Heart of the Alien" also came out on SegaCD which is the follow-up and includes both games. Havent yet played the Sega version, but the SNES(also on Genesis) is GREAT! Got to at least play it, very original with a great story. Love this game!

[vivaeljason]

No Atari 2600 VCS: Adventure? Fail!

Well, to be fair, the 2600 isn't an 8-bit console, or at least I don't think it is. EDIT: And even if it is, the OP isn't looking for 2600 games.

[PresidentLeever]

Well if I were you I would make a separate list for the action adventure, zelda-like games because the text/point n click adventure style was much bigger on PC and a list with only the console games would look a bit silly.

Perhaps you could include the Amiga?

Seconding Landstalker, Guardian Legend, Secret of Evermore. I would also add Flashback (or Another World) and Ufouria (NES) since you're counting Wonder Boy and Metroid.
Maybe the Utopia games belong here too, I haven't played them much because they seem a bit generic.

Happy new year :)

[Daria]

I think it's a mistake to combine two different genres. Ie. The Zelda type adventures with the point & clicks.

[grolt]

Mad props to GOLDEN AXE WARRIOR on the SMS. It did ZELDA better. GOLVELLIUS is close, but doesn't quite match the control, the upgrades and the overall world of GAW. I'll probably get flamed for this, but I always loved ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES on the NES.

I think not including a Ys, be it on the SMS, TG-16, Genesis, etc. is also a pretty significant oversight. Out of all the RPGs I've played from the era, YS: THE VANISHED OMENS has the biggest story with the most text and interactivity with NPCs. The localization is really good, too. All the text is quite beautiful, especially all those long and eloquent books you pick up along the way.

[Natty Bumppo]

Equinox is worth consideration.

(Maybe Solstice also - I haven't played that yet).

Both of the Neutopias are also worth a look.

And as mentioned earlier, Golden Axe Warrior is eminently worthy of consideration.

[7th lutz]

Well, to be fair, the 2600 isn't an 8-bit console, or at least I don't think it is. EDIT: And even if it is, the OP isn't looking for 2600 games.
Atari 2600 is a 8 bit system because the processor it uses.

The processor the Atari 2600 uses is a 6507 processor. 6507 processor is considered a 8 bit processor because 6507 processor is a cripple version of the 6502 processor. That means the Nes and the Atari 2600 use the same processor except for the fact Atari 2600 used a cripple version of it. The fact is a 6502 processor was used for a good amount amount game consoles and computers in the 1980's including the 5200 and 7800 for an example. The difference lays in how a computer uses the processor in a technical sense like the Atari 7800 has more sprites than a Nes does.

A 6507 processor is almost identical to a 6502 processor. The differences are the following:

6507 has a reduced Address bus compared to a 6502 processor.
6507 is unable to service external interrupts unlike a 6502 processor.

If you don't believe me, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_6507 .

[MachineGex]

What do I mean by 8- and 16-bit consoles?

Eight to be precise: NES, SMS, NES-FDS, TG-16, Sega Genesis, TG-CD, SNES, Sega CD. I know there are many awesome adventure games for other systems, but the consoles above are keeping me more than adequately occupied.


Adventure 2600 would probably make the grade but the Atari VCS does not fit into the OP's original requirements.

[Ruudos]

I would like to add:

Faxanadu (NES)
The Battle of Olympus (NES)
Wonder Boy in Monster World (Genesis)
Terranigma (SNES)

[scottw182]

I know you gave it a "shout out", but I think The Legend of Zelda deserves to be on there.

Also, Blaster Master for sure, if that fits the categories, I really don't know.

[timewarpgamer]

Two awesome games. I was thinking of them more as cinematic platformers, but there's definitely exploration and puzzle solving that makes them more like action-adventure titles. Thanks for helping me come to my senses. Funny coincidence, too, because this morning I had a bit of a slow start--surprise, surprise--and I watched an entire playthrough of Amiga version of Out of this World. Such a gorgeous game. Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgkf6wooDmw

Splitting the list between action-adventure games and text/point-and-click ones seems like a great idea. Thanks for all the feedback, and Happy New Year.

[timewarpgamer]

My new action-adventure list looks like this:

Legend of Zelda -- NES
Super Metroid -- SNES
Zelda: Link to the Past -- SNES
Crystalis -- NES
Toejam & Earl -- Genesis
Wonder Boy III / Dragon's Curse -- SMS, TG-16
Popful Mail -- Sega CD
Flashback: The Quest for Identity -- Gen, SNES
StarTropics -- NES
Golvellius: Valley of Doom -- SMS

I replayed Neutopia II and Golden Axe Warrior tonight. They're great games, but ultimately they steal SO much from the original Legend of Zelda and offer very few inspired additions/evolutions. Better graphics isn't enough to sell me.

[Ed Oscuro]

I always thought adventure games were games like, erm, these (http://www.justadventure.com/). Roughly half of the OP's list is basically action-adventure games with a split (weak) emphasis on action and adventure. Not bad stuff, though. Ironic to include Crystalis in the list because jRPGs are usually more adventure gaming titles than truly role-playing.

I've yet to play Loom (missing the tape) or Secret of Monkey Island (still my newest game purchase).

[vivaeljason]

I always thought adventure games were games like, erm, these (http://www.justadventure.com/). Roughly half of the OP's list is basically action-adventure games with a split (weak) emphasis on action and adventure. Not bad stuff, though. Ironic to include Crystalis in the list because jRPGs are usually more adventure gaming titles than truly role-playing.

I've yet to play Loom (missing the tape) or Secret of Monkey Island (still my newest game purchase).

What are you doing on this forum then?!? If you've got Secret of Monkey Island, get the hell out of here and play it. SO much fun.

[Ricochet]

Not including Ys = serious oversight. Ys is pretty much the quintessential action-adventure game! Including Popful Mail shouldn't rule out the other varied Nihon-Falcom console releases (in English): Faxanadu, Legacy of the Wizard, Tombs & Treasure.. All required 8-bit classics.

[EColeman24]

My new action-adventure list looks like this:

Legend of Zelda -- NES
Super Metroid -- SNES
Zelda: Link to the Past -- SNES
Crystalis -- NES
Toejam & Earl -- Genesis
Wonder Boy III / Dragon's Curse -- SMS, TG-16
Popful Mail -- Sega CD
Flashback: The Quest for Identity -- Gen, SNES
StarTropics -- NES
Golvellius: Valley of Doom -- SMS

I replayed Neutopia II and Golden Axe Warrior tonight. They're great games, but ultimately they steal SO much from the original Legend of Zelda and offer very few inspired additions/evolutions. Better graphics isn't enough to sell me.

Personally I love your list. It makes me want to dig out my old consoles and play these great games all over again. ;)

[tpugmire]

Castlevania 1,2,3 NES
Super Castlevania SNES

[Breetai]

Not including Ys = serious oversight. Ys is pretty much the quintessential action-adventure game! Including Popful Mail shouldn't rule out the other varied Nihon-Falcom console releases (in English): Faxanadu, Legacy of the Wizard, Tombs & Treasure.. All required 8-bit classics.
Agreed. Ys Books I&II NEEDS to be on that list. Switch it with either Golvellius, Flashback or Crystalis(yeah, I'm going to catch heat on that one...). I'd say Flashback, but it was a bit of a groundbreaking game. Either way, Ys has to be on there.


Castlevania 1,2,3 NES
Super Castlevania SNESThose are action games. Well, Castlevania 2 could be considered an adventure game... but then it wouldn't make any top ten best lists! I do like it, but not top 10.

[Zap!]

This is really tough, I'd have to look at lists of games and really think about it for a while. However, here's the top 3, in order:

Ys: Book I and II (TG-16 CD-ROM)
Phantasy Star (SMS)
Zelda: A Link To The Past (SNES)

The following are off the top of my head, and in no order:

Neutopia (TG-16)
The Legend of Zelda (NES)
Miracle Warriors (SMS)
Golvelious (SMS)
Lords of the Rising Sun (TG-16 CD-ROM)
Dungeon Explorer (TG-16)
Ys III (TG-16 CD-ROM)

How's that list? I am not listing games like Metroid in this genre. If I was allowed to list computer games, the list would be almost entirely different.

[Zoltor]

Crstalis is a Action/RPG, not adventure, and likewise to the person who mentioned Secret of Evermore.

PS. Just wow, It's amazing how many people don't know the differance between an Action/RPG, and Action/Adventure, so I'm not even gonna bother listing every error in this thread.

[Gameguy]

I've yet to play Loom (missing the tape) or Secret of Monkey Island (still my newest game purchase).
You can download the audio drama for Loom, I can't remember where I did but it's online somewhere. You really don't need to listen to it to play Loom, it does give more background info but some people think it gives away too much if you listen to it first. Loom is on my list too, I just have to get it running correctly and I'll play through it(I want to play it on my old PC). I have a loose CD-ROM version and I need to get the audio to play correctly, I've been putting it off for awhile so I haven't played through it yet.

I haven't bothered to post in this thread before since 90% of the games being listed aren't adventure games. I'm just waiting to see someone post the Mario, Sonic, or even Madden games.

[vivaeljason]

I haven't bothered to post in this thread before since 90% of the games being listed aren't adventure games. I'm just waiting to see someone post the Mario, Sonic, or even Madden games.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/60/Sonic_Adventure.PNG :D

[buzz_n64]

1. blaster master nes
2. the legend of zelda nes
3. metroid nes
4. adventure island 4 -nes repro or famicom
5. zelda a link to the past snes
6. act raiser snes
7. clash at demonhead nes
8. aztec adventure sms
9. kid icarus nes (action/rpg/adventure)
10. zelda 2 nes

[Pk116]

Shadowgate!

[Only16bits]

Maniac Mansion!

[Arkhan]

I would like to add:

Faxanadu (NES)
The Battle of Olympus (NES)


You took the win right out of my mouth.

I also would like to give mad props to Xak and Fray for MSX/TG-CD.

and, does Might and Magic III fit the bill for "adventure" games or no?

[bunnybum]

I'll give my vote to Maniac Mansion as well. Played it on every platform it was released on, and despite the Nintendo censorship on the NES version it's still a pretty damn good point'n'click adventure, even though I prefer the C64 version.

[exit]

Crstalis is a Action/RPG, not adventure, and likewise to the person who mentioned Secret of Evermore.

PS. Just wow, It's amazing how many people don't know the differance between an Action/RPG, and Action/Adventure, so I'm not even gonna bother listing every error in this thread.

I don't really see what's with the nitpicking, these two genres have always been considered one and the same to me, since some Action/RPGs are just Action/Adventures with RPG elements. I guess it all comes down to matter of opinion where what game falls where and most of the games listed in this thread fall under Action/Adventure for me.

[Arkhan]

I don't really see what's with the nitpicking, these two genres have always been considered one and the same to me, since some Action/RPGs are just Action/Adventures with RPG elements. I guess it all comes down to matter of opinion where what game falls where and most of the games listed in this thread fall under Action/Adventure for me.

action RPG, action Adventure

they're basically the same damn thing.

What's the ground breaking difference really?

Once you put action in front of an RPG, it becomes less of a traditional RPG anyways.

[Cornelius]

Well, I haven't really read it anywhere, but I always considered the essential difference between action RPG and action Adventure to be stats/leveling up on the RPGs and not on Adventures.

I'm not hung up on it or anything, though, and certainly some games blur the lines.

edited for clarity. Also, Gentlegamer's explanation (below) is spot on with what I had in mind.

[Gentlegamer]

action RPG, action Adventure

they're basically the same damn thing.

What's the ground breaking difference really?

Once you put action in front of an RPG, it becomes less of a traditional RPG anyways.RPG means the primary method of character gaining power and overcoming challenges is gaining levels (usually through "experience points"). Adventure means the primary method of character gaining power and overcoming challenges is through finding and using specific items. Adding action to either means the player is responsible for a least a minimum of "reflex and co-ordination" in fighting, or jumping, or whatever.

The Legend of Zelda series is Action-Adventure, because Link only "powers up" when he finds items, such heart containers for health, that improve his basic stats. Zelda II is a notable exception, which has both adventure and RPG elements (experience points and heart/magic containers to improve those capacities).

Metroid is also action-adventure: Samus "powers up" through finding Energy Tanks and new weapons and not by gaining "xp" levels.

[Ricochet]

What a beautiful day for a nitpick!

Action-RPG is an outright oxymoron. RPGs are by definition the opposite of an action game, and any game that involves any act of timing (to progress/defend character) should technically be excluded from the genre.

I think the most encompassing definition for the "Adventure" genre would be to say all games in which both area selection AND gameplay is non-linear (so yes to Metroid, no to Super Mario Bros 3,etc).

[Breetai]

Action-RPG is an outright oxymoron. RPGs are by definition the opposite of an action game, and any game that involves any act of timing (to progress/defend character) should technically be excluded from the genre.
Why are you the lord and master of defining an action game from an RPG?

Are the Elder Scrolls games RPGs? Most people would say yes, but you certainly wouldn't.

[RASK1904]

Swords and Serpants.

[Zoltor]

action RPG, action Adventure

they're basically the same damn thing.

What's the ground breaking difference really?

Once you put action in front of an RPG, it becomes less of a traditional RPG anyways.

They are different, you technically don't lv in a action/adventure(also there tends to be only one town usually in Action/Adventures, not to mention for the most part, you usually don't end up buying most of your equipment either, aka almost no town exploration, and NPC chat kept to a min), you get items(aka the Hearts in the Zelda games exc), only a trully ignorant person would say Action/RPG, and Action/Adventure are the same thing.

[Gameguy]

Just to really confuse people as to genre defining, there are adventure games that have RPG elements. The Quest for Glory series is an example.

[Cornelius]

Just to really confuse people as to genre defining, there are adventure games that have RPG elements. The Quest for Glory series is an example.

I always considered those pretty straight up RPGs.

[timewarpgamer]

Wow, this thread has gathered some momentum since I last checked up on it. Great fun.

If you really want to nitpick and dork out on such questions as: what is an RPG? What makes it different from other genres? Can I chart the history of every computer RPG ever made? Then I highly recommend Dungeons and Desktops: http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-playing/dp/1568814119/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262733714&sr=8-1

This thread is really two topics now, the action-adventure and the adventure game, so I've divided up my latest lists accordingly:

Action-Adventure Games
Super Metroid -- SNES
Legend of Zelda -- NES
Zelda: Link to the Past -- SNES
Toejam & Earl -- Genesis
Wonder Boy III / Dragon's Curse -- SMS, TG-16
Popful Mail -- Sega CD
Flashback: The Quest for Identity -- Gen, SNES
StarTropics -- NES
Golvellius: Valley of Doom -- SMS
Faxandu (NES)

**Note that Crystalis (NES) will be reclassified as an Action RPG and moved to my RPG list found here: http://timewarpgamer.com/top10s/rpgs.html

Adventure Games
Snatcher (Sega CD)
Loom (TG-CD)
Otigirisou (J) (SNES)
Famicom Tantei Club Part II (J) (SNES)
Beyond Shadowgate (TG-CD)
Maniac Mansion (NES)
Metal Slader Glory (JP) (NES)
Secret of Monkey Island (Sega CD)
Shadowgate (NES)
FREE SLOT

I'm sure there will be infinite additional revisions, but we're making progress! Thanks again for all the comments.

Additional food for thought:
--The latter list seems to have much less competition than the former
--What about the Goemon Gambare games?
--Is Toejam & Earl really an action-adventure?

[Arkhan]

What a beautiful day for a nitpick!

Action-RPG is an outright oxymoron. RPGs are by definition the opposite of an action game, and any game that involves any act of timing (to progress/defend character) should technically be excluded from the genre.

I think the most encompassing definition for the "Adventure" genre would be to say all games in which both area selection AND gameplay is non-linear (so yes to Metroid, no to Super Mario Bros 3,etc).

Says you?

what about Hylide and Ys? the box for Hydlide says active role playing. I think the people making the games have more say-so than you do.

and what about a game like Popful mail? clearly an action/platform oriented game... with leveling.

and what about the original Dragon Slayer?

Xak?

your "technicality" is severely flawed by about 2 decades worth of games.

i can see the difference between "RPG" and "adventure", but alot of it is just splitting hairs. Instead of leveling up via XP, you level up via new gear.

In the end you're still not playing a strict action game like Contra or something.

[Gameguy]

I always considered those pretty straight up RPGs.
Yeah, that's fair too. According to Wikipedia they're Adventure/RPG hybrids so they can go either way. On adventure game websites they're still considered to be adventure games with RPG elements but that could be because of bias.

For the lists, should ports of PC games be considered or just console only releases?

[RASK1904]

Dragon Warrior was a great adventure, game!

[Breetai]

Action-Adventure Games
Super Metroid -- SNES
Legend of Zelda -- NES
Zelda: Link to the Past -- SNES
Toejam & Earl -- Genesis
Wonder Boy III / Dragon's Curse -- SMS, TG-16
Popful Mail -- Sega CD
Flashback: The Quest for Identity -- Gen, SNES
StarTropics -- NES
Golvellius: Valley of Doom -- SMS
Faxandu (NES)
Wouldn't Dracula X: Chi no Rondo qualify for this list? You put freakin' Toejam & Earl in there! Also, Wonder Boy III and Flashback as the best of this genre? Is that for real? Even Faxandu shouldn't be in this top 10 list. If you must another Zelda II style game in there with Popful Mail, put in Ys III; not Faxanadu (you didn't even spell it correctly!!! It's just Famicom plus Xanadu...).

Also, if there is no Ys Book I & II in this list, then you fail.

[vandy160890]

I would like you to add the following games in the list:
The Battle of Olympus (NES)
Wonder Boy in Monster World (Genesis)
Phantasy Star (SMS)
Zelda: A Link To The Past (SNES)

[vandy160890]

I would like you to add the following games in the list:
The Battle of Olympus (NES)
Wonder Boy in Monster World (Genesis)
Phantasy Star (SMS)
Zelda: A Link To The Past (SNES)

[SebasC]

Shoot what about a REAL ADVENTURE game...

Kings Quest V for the NES... Of course PC version is better but console wise.. it's not too bad..

[Gentlegamer]

Shoot what about a REAL ADVENTURE game...

Kings Quest V for the NES... Of course PC version is better but console wise.. it's not too bad..
Yup, the King's Quest series (aside from Mask of Eternity) is pure Adventure (no Action).

I was proud of finishing King's Quest V on NES back in the day with no hints or cheats.