Top 10 Action-Adventures for 8- and 16-bit Consoles

[timewarpgamer]

After many a gameplay session, I've finally ironed out this Top 10 list. Such a simple concept, yet it takes such a ridiculous amount of time to pull it together. I guess that's another way of saying that it's easy to get carried away in the game playing—I mean, ahem, research. Anyway, you can find my list here:

http://timewarpgamer.com/top10s/action_adventures.html

There's still room for two honorable mentions, so I'm all ears...

[Aussie2B]

Looks pretty good. The only two that really stand out as missing (and also deserving of top 10 placement I'd say) are Crystalis and Secret of Mana. Maybe because they have experience, but I wouldn't regard them as RPGs because of that.

There's a bunch that could make good honorable mentions. The other Wonder Boy games, Willow, Brain Lord, Goonies II, Beyond Oasis, Illusion of Gaia, Secret of Evermore, etc.

[Voliko]

Looks pretty good. The only two that really stand out as missing (and also deserving of top 10 placement I'd say) are Crystalis and Secret of Mana. Maybe because they have experience, but I wouldn't regard them as RPGs because of that.

There's a bunch that could make good honorable mentions. The other Wonder Boy games, Willow, Brain Lord, Goonies II, Beyond Oasis, Illusion of Gaia, Secret of Evermore, etc.

Secret of Mana deserves the mention, I also thought Faxanadu on NES was good, but maybe not good enough to deserve a mention. Illusion of Gaia also had great atmosphere and a strange appeal.
Hey Aussie, sorry to get of topic, but how is Brain Lord? I just picked it up CIB and was wondering.

[timewarpgamer]

Ahh, the fun of differentiating between genres. NOT! Thanks for the responses. Many of the games you've mentioned so far have appeared in my Top 10 RPGs list at least as recommendations: http://timewarpgamer.com/top10s/rpgs.html

[Jorpho]

The argument has been made many times that the original Zelda, with its ambiguous bush-burning and rock-bombing, hasn't necessarily aged all that well.

[Paet]

Lack of Beyond Oasis = fail. :)

[Aussie2B]

Ahh, the fun of differentiating between genres. NOT! Thanks for the responses. Many of the games you've mentioned so far have appeared in my Top 10 RPGs list at least as recommendations: http://timewarpgamer.com/top10s/rpgs.html

Now I'm really confused. o_O What exactly is the difference between Zelda and "Zelda-style"? If the games are structured the same and play essentially the same, how can they be in different genres? Just because the player can freely level up rather than "level up" at dictated intervals (by giving Link a heart after defeating a boss)? And I don't get why Zelda II and Battle of Olympus are on one list, while Faxanadu is on another. They're all basically the same.

Eh... but yeah, you're right, genre arguments are never fun and generally go nowhere.

I'd be interested in knowing where you'd place the Castlevania games since Symphony of the Night, though, considering they play basically just like Metroid.

@ Voliko: Brain Lord is a solid adventure game. Not especially remarkable, but it's still good fun.

[Richter Belmount]

mmm point and click adventures?

[j_factor]

No love for Blackthorne?

[HappehLemons]

I didn't play a lot of it, but isn't Mystical Ninja more of a beat 'em up.

[PresidentLeever]

What do you mean by sidequests regarding Wonder Boy III?

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Never played super metroid...i shall seek that out. do i need to get a map online or anything, so i dont waste 3 months trying to figure out some crazy maze?

I recall metal gear on nes as a kid and from memory thought that was a decent game for the rush and shoot category.

[Steven]

Never played super metroid...i shall seek that out. do i need to get a map online or anything, so i dont waste 3 months trying to figure out some crazy maze?

I recall metal gear on nes as a kid and from memory thought that was a decent game for the rush and shoot category.


I think the average gamer can manage without a map (or the Super Metroid Nintendo strategy guide) though of course it certainly helps to have one.

But not impossible without.

Timewarp, this is my first time being exposed to your website. I like it. I'll link ya next time I update my website (rvgfanatic.com). Could you please link me back? Thanks. Keep up the good work.


EDIT: Any fellow fan of World Heroes 2 is a friend of mine! :D

[timewarpgamer]

mmm point and click adventures?

I'm going to cover point-and-click and text adventures in a separate list. Snatcher and Maniac Mansion (NES) will feature prominently.

[timewarpgamer]

I think the average gamer can manage without a map (or the Super Metroid Nintendo strategy guide) though of course it certainly helps to have one.

But not impossible without.

Timewarp, this is my first time being exposed to your website. I like it. I'll link ya next time I update my website (rvgfanatic.com). Could you please link me back? Thanks. Keep up the good work.


EDIT: Any fellow fan of World Heroes 2 is a friend of mine! :D

Just checked out your site, man. First heard for me as well, but looks like great stuff--epic reviews! I'd be happy to arrange a little linking quid pro quo.

[whoisKeel]

Never played super metroid...i shall seek that out. do i need to get a map online or anything, so i dont waste 3 months trying to figure out some crazy maze?

I recall metal gear on nes as a kid and from memory thought that was a decent game for the rush and shoot category.


1) Play this game. Seriously.

2) The game has a build in map, sorta. It tracks where you have been, and you can find and "download" map data. If you get stuck, a quick visit to gamefaqs would suffice. No need for a full on guide. Resist the temptation though, part of the magic is the exploration aspect.



I also nominate the Faxanadu. Loved this game as a kid. Though I haven't played a few titles on the list, I'm having a hard time figuring what you mean by Action-Adventure games. I mean does Rygar, Guardian Legend, or River City Ransom fit?

[timewarpgamer]

1) Play this game. Seriously.

2) The game has a build in map, sorta. It tracks where you have been, and you can find and "download" map data. If you get stuck, a quick visit to gamefaqs would suffice. No need for a full on guide. Resist the temptation though, part of the magic is the exploration aspect.



I also nominate the Faxanadu. Loved this game as a kid. Though I haven't played a few titles on the list, I'm having a hard time figuring what you mean by Action-Adventure games. I mean does Rygar, Guardian Legend, or River City Ransom fit?

Keeping track of around 600 games and attempting to cram them each into a genre definitely carries its risks and errors. On second glance, Rygar and Guardian Legend should probably get shifted to Action-Adventure land.

I'm going to stick with River City Ransom as a beat 'em up, although it definitely has RPG elements, no puzzle-solving, though, which is pretty essential for action-adventures.

Faxanadu is a great game. I grew up with that one. I think it usually gets called an Action RPG just because it uses experience points. Pretty lame, I know.