Star Tropics, any thoughts?

[Manga4life]

So, I've recently started playing Star Tropics for the NES over the past day or so and so far I'm liking it quite a bit. This little gem happened to get away from me back when the NES was in it's heyday and I remember once instance where I went to a KB Toy store with my dad and he told me I could pick out a game and I almost chose it, but instead I went with Tecmo World Wrestling. Anyhow, what's everyone's opinion on this game and how would you rate it or recommend it to others? I'm interested in your responses.

[InsaneDavid]

My all time favorite NES game. Review here (http://www.classicplastic.net/dvgi/reviewsNESstartropics.html). Then of course there's this...

http://www.classicplastic.net/digitalpress/StarTropicsPlate001.jpg

http://www.classicplastic.net/digitalpress/StarTropicsPlate002.jpg

http://www.classicplastic.net/digitalpress/StarTropicsPlate004.jpg

[Ed Oscuro]

I hate to admit it, but the first overworld map (when you get some kind of watercraft, I think) got confusing in a hurry. I left off there. I'll have to take it up again sometime. Not really a fan of the tile movement though.

[InsaneDavid]

Not really a fan of the tile movement though.

Admittedly if you don't like the tile movement then you'll have a harder time enjoying the game since so much of the mechanics and puzzles are based around it. The sequel did away with the tile movement but was still based on the same puzzle structure, which made some of the jumping more difficult than it needed to be.

[FrankSerpico]

I just picked it up about a month ago myself, only got into NES collecting these past few years. Very fun so far, just need to master the freeze power so I can beat that damn second boss.

[bb_hood]

I like this game. Alot. Very underrated, Im always amazed at how cheap this game sells for. Sometimes it seems like no one pays any attention to StarTropics, which is a shame.
Its one of my favorites for nes.

[FoxNtd]

This game is the primary reason I have a fucking NES still. So yeah it's a nice title. The sequel wasn't quite as good but it was still a decent game too. Aside from Startropics I'd say Rollergames is the second reason I have an NES. Same situation; really underrated and poorly known, and dirt cheap.

Wait until you get far into Startropics... hahaha...

[Ed Oscuro]

Admittedly if you don't like the tile movement then you'll have a harder time enjoying the game since so much of the mechanics and puzzles are based around it. The sequel did away with the tile movement but was still based on the same puzzle structure, which made some of the jumping more difficult than it needed to be.
I think you've got a point there - it does give a nice structure to things. I don't really hate it, it's just difficult getting used to.

I guess it's a bit like Castlevania jumps with air control versus without (like in the original NES games).

[Edmond Dantes]

StarTropics and Zoda's Revenge are the only games I owned boxed copies of.

I remember that, near the end of the 16-bit era, most KayBee Toy Stores still had TONS of copies of both games. They were selling them for $3 apiece, which is how I managed to get them. So technically they're the last NES games I bought brand-new. I wish I had bought extra copies (one to preserve and one to play), since now the games are apparently considered uncommon.

Anyway, another chance to plug my favorite reviewer!

Startropics Review by HVGN (http://blip.tv/hvgn/hvgn-startropics-1740092) (warning: Annoying guest reviewer)
Zod'as Revenge review (http://blip.tv/hvgn/hvgn-zoda-s-revenge-3141481)

I would add my own thoughts, but I pretty much agree with Derek all the way.

[Graham Mitchell]

I love the Star Tropics games and I remember being one of the only people who did back when they were released. Especially Zoda's Revenge.

I love the music from the action stages. And nothing can beat dipping the letter in water for the first time ;)

[j1e]

Aside from Startropics I'd say Rollergames is the second reason I have an NES. Same situation; really underrated and poorly known, and dirt cheap.

I just recently picked up both Rollergames and Rocketeer, and I was amazed at how decent these cheapo's were. Definitely worth picking up.

[Collector_Gaming]

I have both games never gotten into the first one yet. But back when all I had was a NES Zoda's Revenge was the only game I could truely beat. And loved it too!

[FoxNtd]

I just recently picked up both Rollergames and Rocketeer, and I was amazed at how decent these cheapo's were. Definitely worth picking up.

Rollergames is tough! I can't ever imagine finishing it without continues or something (high score play.) Even if somehow I managed to master all the levels, the final boss ugh..

Still a cool game. :)

[brainerdrainer]

not a bad game

[Daria]

StarTopics was just so damn hard, and the jumps were frustrating. I mean, I like the game, in theory. Well, ok, I wanted to like the game, however I didn't enjoy playing it.

After I finish my current playthrough of Shadowrun I'll have to give ST another go. Maybe I was just having an off day.

[Carnby]

I love this game. To this day I am impressed with how the game came packed with a letter from you uncle, which you used to solve a puzzle in the game. You don't see things like that anymore.

[Daria]

I love this game. To this day I am impressed with how the game came packed with a letter from you uncle, which you used to solve a puzzle in the game. You don't see things like that anymore.

While a novelty on the NES that sort of thing was really popular back in the day with PC titles. Of course, usually it was used as a sort of primitive attempt at DRM. Still it was a neat gimmick in ST.

[Tanooki]

I love this game. To this day I am impressed with how the game came packed with a letter from you uncle, which you used to solve a puzzle in the game. You don't see things like that anymore.

In a way you do with all the huge supplies of players guides out there now where much of the game is off an obscure path or weird train of thought unless you're some OCD type you basically need to pay the money to get the value out of your game. :)

I had this game a bit years ago and I don't recall why I didn't end up liking it, not sure it was the jumping and stuff but maybe I'll snap it up again in the future and try once more when the time is there.

[rkotm]

My all time favorite NES game. Review here (http://www.classicplastic.net/dvgi/reviewsNESstartropics.html). Then of course there's this...

http://www.classicplastic.net/digitalpress/StarTropicsPlate001.jpg

http://www.classicplastic.net/digitalpress/StarTropicsPlate002.jpg

http://www.classicplastic.net/digitalpress/StarTropicsPlate004.jpg

What are those images? Official drawings from the game that were scanned or fan stuff?

[genesisguy]

Star Tropics is one of those games I picked up once I got back into playing the NES. It instantly felt nostalgic and I can't remember if I rented it or a friend owned it back in the day. But I remember the game.

I beat it last year and I really enjoyed playing through it. The music is great too.

[InsaneDavid]

What are those images? Official drawings from the game that were scanned or fan stuff?

Ah, I guess you've yet to complete the game. The "photographs" are images from the ending sequence in the game. My girlfriend used screen shots of them when drawing and painting the serving plate. The background "map" is a rework of the island maps that were on the back of the poster in the StarTropics issue of Nintendo Power, essentially C-Island (from Chapter 1: Prelude), the lighthouse island (Chapter 2: Dolphins), and the island Howduyaducola is on (Chapter 6: Reunion). The Island Yo-yo with the Southern Cross on it we came up with.

[Captain_N77]

I never played this back in the day, but I vividly remember the boxart and screenshots from Nintendo Power. That being said, I did pick this up about 7 years ago and was able to finish it. Very, very challenging game, at least to me. The game has a lot of charm with it's interesting characters, species/cultures, etc. The music is very catchy and I often found myself humming along with it. I really enjoyed the story, as I really felt like I was in the midst of solving a mystery. Not many games, older or current, have given me that feeling before.

About the gameplay/controls, I think they are pretty spot-on. Just because they are different, does not mean it's bad. As was already mentioned, the game was built around that particular style and it really worked for me.

Zoda's Revenge was cool too. It was pretty interesting going around meeting historical, and not so historical, people. Didn't enjoy it as much as StarTropics, but it's still a really fun and unique game.

[Urzu402]

I may be like the only person, who likes the second game more than the first. Its probably just the time travel theme that makes me like it.

[Edmond Dantes]

I may be like the only person, who likes the second game more than the first. Its probably just the time travel theme that makes me like it.

Honestly, years ago it seemed like "Zoda is better than ST" was the majority vote. Happy Nerd was the first guy I ever saw argue the opposite.

[Aussie2B]

Playing through both StarTropics games for the first time back-to-back is still my favorite summer gaming memory, and I'm not even talking some nostalgic childhood memory here; it was just a few years ago, back when I was on summer break from college. The warm, relaxing atmosphere of the games (despite their intense difficulty at times) matched so perfectly with those lazy, carefree summer days, with the sun filtering in from the window behind me as I sat cross-legged on the carpet in front of my tiny CRT TV, taking occasional breaks to head outside, under beautiful blue skies, to help my mom with her gardening. It's a very idyllic memory for me, and that's how I see the StarTropics series - very idyllic.

[Manga4life]

I ended up beating the game back in February but decided to start playing it again the other day before I try out Startropics II: Zoda's Revenge. I'm really enjoying this game and am playing it quite a bit, my only complain is that sometimes the control's are a bit funky and it's not easy to really know what to do next so I needed a strategy guide the first time around, but all in all it's a blast and reminds me a lot of Zelda (especially the character screen).

Everyone who knows this game knows how fun it can be to play and it's certainly a new "classic" of mine and a nice gem in the rough that I stumbled upon, I wish I got it back in the day but I'm enjoying playing it now.

[Immutable]

I beat this game about nine/ten years ago. It was a fun title, but it's not as accessible as LoZ.

[8-Bit Archeology]

I love this game. To this day I am impressed with how the game came packed with a letter from you uncle, which you used to solve a puzzle in the game. You don't see things like that anymore.

Still have the letter. I never got far in this game. My problem is if i get stuck on a title my collection calls me to play something else. After reading this thread i think its time to try it again.

[Zing]

I remember enjoying this game at its release, but when I tried it again last year, I didn't enjoy it. It's been in my trade box since. Yesterday, I decided to give it another chance. I am on chapter four and its okay so far, although I was farther than this last time when I started hating it. It's very cheap at times. Already, I have had two instances where you must make blind jumps that result in death. It's also one of the most linear adventure games I have ever seen.

I'm curious is the sequel is worth trying. I've always seen people say it was worse, but in this thread, we see the opposite.

[bb_hood]

I remember enjoying this game at its release, but when I tried it again last year, I didn't enjoy it. It's been in my trade box since. Yesterday, I decided to give it another chance. I am on chapter four and its okay so far, although I was farther than this last time when I started hating it. It's very cheap at times. Already, I have had two instances where you must make blind jumps that result in death. It's also one of the most linear adventure games I have ever seen.

I'm curious is the sequel is worth trying. I've always seen people say it was worse, but in this thread, we see the opposite.

If you diddnt care for the first you probably wont like the second. They play pretty much exactly the same, I think startropics, the first one is better. The music is better in the first game.

[Aussie2B]

I'd say the sequel is definitely worth playing, but I like the first game better. Quality-wise, they're roughly on the same level, but it all comes down to how much you value certain aspects. The sequel undeniably has more fluid controls and a more forgiving difficulty level, but I think the original has catchier music and a more cohesive and appealing atmosphere (tropics for the whole game vs. traveling through time to a completely different, unrelated setting each chapter).

[bb_hood]

I'd say the sequel is definitely worth playing, but I like the first game better. Quality-wise, they're roughly on the same level, but it all comes down to how much you value certain aspects. The sequel undeniably has more fluid controls and a more forgiving difficulty level, but I think the original has catchier music and a more cohesive and appealing atmosphere (tropics for the whole game vs. traveling through time to a completely different, unrelated setting each chapter).

The sequel is definitely worth playing I agree, its a quality nes game for sure. I think the reason people complain about the controls in the first on is that once you push a directional button mikey turns that direction before moving. Once you get the hang of it its really not that bad, and considering how fast your weapon shoots its not that big of a problem. I also agree that the atmosphere and general tropical island theme of the first is just cooler than the plot in the second game.
I kinda think the 1st game is easier, once you know how to handle the 'in the dark' areas the game is a breeze until the final spaceship stages. When I played the 2nd game I got stuck in the wild west area, I couldnt find something and ended up giving up.

[Manga4life]

Well, I've beaten this game successfully twice this year and have really bonded with it quite a bit, now it's time for me to fire up the second game and give it a go since most people seem to prefer it. All in all I'm really enjoying this series of games and wish they did something with this series on the SNES or N64, too bad they didn't....

As for the controls in Star Tropics, I'm fine with them and feel the game controls quite well actually.

[Rickstilwell1]

I liked the first game, getting it back when I was in 5th grade with an NES that actually didn't blink all the time like my old one had. I got pretty far, but got stuck at one of those levels for a long time when I was having trouble with the tiles and kept falling in the water/lava. I remember before the internet I couldn't get past the 747mHz password, but I forget why I stopped playing after that. Maybe there was another tough tile level or something. I'll eventually try to play it again.

[Gameguy]

I'm curious is the sequel is worth trying. I've always seen people say it was worse, but in this thread, we see the opposite.
Personally I don't like either game that much, as for the sequel being worse I'll just post the review from the HVGN where he explains why he doesn't like it.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6BTng1lCRc

[Zing]

I am in chapter five. Up to this point, I have noted five instances where you are guaranteed to die, through no fault of your own, the first time you encounter a screen. I don't understand why they thought this was a good idea.

I'm stuck at an area with a large red boulder rolling back and forth. I just can't seem to run fast enough.