2017 Game Completion Challenge

[Cornelius]

Similar here. House project taking up tons of time, plus I'm more in a read-a-book phase, plus my kids have really gotten into Pokemon, so I'm sort of playing along with them. I am watching here, though. And Valkyrie Profile has been on my list for a very long time.

[Cornelius]

Holy Fuuuuuu....! So I started Valkyrie (PS1 discs on PS3) and finally get to the first save, but it says "Free space on this memory card is insufficient" two blocks blah blah blah. So I go on without saving hoping it is just the automatic save prompt that is glitchy or something, but like 10 hours later, same thing. So what's the deal? Does this game not save on PS3? Is my HDD full? (I have no idea, really, but the memory card manager you can access from the PS button says 0/120 KB).

[Emperor Megas]

I feel bad for about not participating these past 2 months, but, having replaced my dying, awesome Samsung HDTV with a cheap 'meh' SCEPTRE one, I've managed to get some gaming time in lately for the first time in a loooong time. Maybe this week's selections will give me an easy way back in, since I've just started a new game I've never played before (Song of the Deep), and Kenseiden is EASILY one of my favorite SMS games, and one that I've argued for DECADES is PAINFULLY underrated.

[Az]

Well, trying to spice things up appears to have flopped

Absolutely not. For internet play, maybe it would be easier to pick a classic game on a modern platform, have everyone exchange gamer tags, and plans on a specific date/time. Maybe hunt down a game that allows everyone in the lobby to spectate while the game is going on, or at least have everyone in the same voice chat party.

I've never bothered with internet play through emulators and don't even know where to start. If someone could spoon feed me a tutorial I promise I will listen.


-Kenseiden (Master System)


Kenseiden is EASILY one of my favorite SMS games, and one that I've argued for DECADES is PAINFULLY underrated.

You two will receive phone calls if I ever become a homosexual polygamist.

[lendelin]

I feel bad for about not participating these past 2 months, but, having replaced my dying, awesome Samsung HDTV with a cheap 'meh' SCEPTRE one, I've managed to get some gaming time in lately for the first time in a loooong time. Maybe this week's selections will give me an easy way back in, since I've just started a new game I've never played before (Song of the Deep), and Kenseiden is EASILY one of my favorite SMS games, and one that I've argued for DECADES is PAINFULLY underrated.

Song of the Deep is a FANTASTIC game, one of the best game experiences I've had this console generation. Great graphics, wonderful sound, fairy-tale atmosphere, and the Metroid-like game design draws you in. It is puzzle-heavy, but the fights and the rewards which come with them are very well done. This is probably the best underwater game I've ever played. Stay with the game, it is a very rewarding and great experience.

However, Valkyrie Profile is an absolute masterpiece! A wonderful game by tri-Ace, if you haven't played it yet and you are just halfway interested in RPGs, give this one a shot. Just recently I enjoyed Exist Archive (a spiritual successor of Valkyrie Profile for the PS4) to no end. Valkyrie Profile is one of the best RPGs I've played, well recognized in the meantime but still underrated in my opinion.

[Crystalian]

I'd love to play Exist Archive, but I don't have a PS4. I can't even get my son Plants vs Zombies GW2 cause they're giving PS3 owners no love. Same with Song of the Deep. I don't want to buy another console. I'm just missing out this generation, except for Wii U titles. I was going to sit this whole gen out, but Nintendo just HAD to make Mario Kart 8!

[celerystalker]

Good to hear folks are still having fun here, even if the wins aren't rolling in. If anyone does take their first go at Valkyrie Profile this month, I think they'll be in for a real treat. Its battles can be extremely satisfying.

Az, I like the suggestion of more modern games for another co-op challenge. I'll have to dig deep and find a few with active servers that a short enough to be worth taking on in a weekly challenge. I have a couple of ideas brewing.

[Emperor Megas]

Song of the Deep is a FANTASTIC game, one of the best game experiences I've had this console generation. Great graphics, wonderful sound, fairy-tale atmosphere, and the Metroid-like game design draws you in. It is puzzle-heavy, but the fights and the rewards which come with them are very well done. This is probably the best underwater game I've ever played. Stay with the game, it is a very rewarding and great experience.

However, Valkyrie Profile is an absolute masterpiece! A wonderful game by tri-Ace, if you haven't played it yet and you are just halfway interested in RPGs, give this one a shot. Just recently I enjoyed Exist Archive (a spiritual successor of Valkyrie Profile for the PS4) to no end. Valkyrie Profile is one of the best RPGs I've played, well recognized in the meantime but still underrated in my opinion.Song of the Deep is INCREDIBLE so far. I went into it thinking it would be a 'meh' Wii'esque indie game. I bought it NEW for $9.99 at Game Stop, and was told there was a POP figure of the games protagonist available for just $5.00 by an employee who praised the game. I like game themed POPs, and the figure was super cute, as she came in her little submarine, so I walked out with a new copy of the game and the POP for just $15 bucks.

That was about a month ago or so. I just got around to playing it a few days ago, and it's AMAZING. I had no idea it was an endearing, gorgeous, Metroidvania style adventure gaming. The game is absolutely beautiful, the play mechanics and puzzles are excellent, the story is straight forward and whimsical, and the illustrations and narration are just great. I could listen to the narrators voice for hours and never get tired of it.

FOLKS, DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS CHEAP, AWESOME GAME.


I haven't played many games this generation, but this is definitely my favorite current gen gaming experience thus far.

With that said, it seems I own a copy of Valkyrie Profile. I doubt I'll complete another RPG for the Challenge before the year's up, but it doesn't mean I won't start any. I'll give VP a shot when I have a little extra time.

[kupomogli]

-Player's choice: pick any game you've never played before.

I finally got a point. I played and finished Bard's Gold on the PS4 today.

[Emperor Megas]

He's on the board!

[Az]

Az, I like the suggestion of more modern games for another co-op challenge. I'll have to dig deep and find a few with active servers that a short enough to be worth taking on in a weekly challenge. I have a couple of ideas brewing.

Undoubtedly there's tons, but when I mentioned that I was thinking about the 360 Sega Vintage collections for Golden Axe and Streets of Rage. Plus there's Final Fight: Double Impact and some mostly delisted stuff like the Konami beat 'em ups and Double Dragon.

[Emperor Megas]

Well, I'm finally back on the board after a 2 month hiatus.

Playing through Kenseiden again after so many years was bitter sweet. It was way shorter than I remembered it being before. I think it's because I'm MUCH better at the challenge stages now and can beat them after only a few tries. It was awesome because I love short games, but I played through it on the Retron5, and it's one of the MANY Master System games that has butchered sound.

It looked amazing thanks to the Retron5's HDMI, but man, the music was way off. It's not as terrible as Fantasy Zone II (which sucks so bad, because it's one of my absolute favorite games, and I LOVE the music), but it's still way off.

I don't think I'll finish Song of the Deep in time, and I don't want to, because I don't want this game to end anytime soon (it's awesome!), so I'll try to tackle something else short and new (to me) in the next day.

[celerystalker]

Welcome to the scoreboard kupomogli, and welcome back Megas! Good to see a few plays trickle in. Anyhow, new week...
-Blazing Lazers/Gunhed (TG16)

-Magical Drop III (Neo Geo, Wii, Saturn, etc)

-Player's choice: pick a game with poop in it. Examples might include Toilet Kids, Air Zonk, JJ & Jeff, etc.

-August RPG is still Valkyrie Profile. There is still time to prepare for Ragnarok!

-Import Alternative: Hino Tori (Famicom)

[Emperor Megas]

I played a little Song of the Deep Monday night since I didn't get a chance to game on *Sunday, and had no idea I would end it that night. I know it was after the deadline, but I wouldn't complain if I got a point for it anyway. ;)

Excellent game, BTW. For just $10 I can't praise it enough.

*Nephew's birthday in the park Sunday. His crazed, drug adled psycho father showed up and started preaching to children he doesn't even know about 'the Lord' and inviting a random, pissy drunk homeless guy he saw wondering around to join the party. Then, for reasons unknown, he starts crying like a MAD MAN, freaking everyone in attendance out...good times!

[celerystalker]

Well, I'm beat. I can barely keep my eyes open as I type this on my phone in bed. Rough week. Aaaanyhow... new stuff to try, anyone?

-The Legend of Kage 2 (DS)

-Splatterhouse (TG16, Arcade, PS3)

-Player's Choice: pick a game where you pilot an airplane. Examples might include Air Combat, Top Gun, Afterburner, Captain Skyhawk, Fire Shark, Steel Empire, Skygunner, etc.

-August RPG is still Valkyrie Profile. Looks like a whiff. Great game, though.

-Import Alternative: Psycho Soldier (PSP, Arcade)

[Emperor Megas]

I'm assuming Valkyries count as 'planes'. If it's a grey area, Rick Hunter's racer (which I'd already had unlocked) is definitely an airplane, even though it's explicable capable of space flight in one episode of the show, and throughout this game. In any event, man, what a shitty use of the Robotech License this game was! I wouldn't expect anything better from Harmony Gold though, even though Robotech: Battlecry was surprisingly decent.

I'll tackle Legend of Kage 2 this week, though I'm going to be out of town and without a DS for after the 24th, so that only give me the next couple days. I've never played it, or the NES original, so I'm not sure what to expect.

[Niku-Sama]

Oh a reason to play ace combat 3 again

[celerystalker]

I'm assuming Valkyries count as 'planes'. If it's a grey area, Rick Hunter's racer (which I'd already has unlocked) is definitely an airplane, even though it's in explicable capable of space flight in one episode of the show, and through out this game. In any event, man, what a shitty use of the Robotech License this game was. I wouldn't expect anything better from Harmony Gold though, even though Robotech: Battlecry was surprisingly decent.

I'll tackle Legend of Kage 2 this week, though I'm going to be out of town and without a DS for after the 24th, so that only give me the next couple days. I've never played it, or the NES original, so I'm not sure what to expect.

Yeah, I'll count a Veritech Fighter. Been playing Macross 2036 on PCE CD myself. Awesome game. Wonder if anyone'll hit UN Squadron?

[jperryss]

Finished Aero Fighters 2 for the Player's Choice. Didn't get the ending but here's the high score.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/brcg17kdr00f4c0/af2.jpg?dl=0

[celerystalker]

Nice wins on the airplane games last week! I finally have a week off of work, so lots of good stuff to do this week. Hosting another tournament next Saturday, so this week's games are straight out of that pool!

-Vertical Force (Virtual Boy)

-Revenge of the Ninja/Ninja Hayate (Sega CD, Saturn, PS1)

-Player's choice: pick a game that can be beaten, but still has a high score table.

-August is winding down, and Valkyrie Profile goes unmolested. Next month will be a more approachable, shorter game for the RPG.

-Import Alternative: Twinkle Star Sprites: La Petite Princesse (PS2)

[jperryss]

Went with a quick one and finished Marble Madness (NES) for the Player's Choice. Took more attempts than I care to admit, heh.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gflvvztx4ds0wqr/mmd1.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v377uvwf77y7g8l/mmd2.jpg?dl=0

[Cornelius]

I started in on Valkyrie Profile, even after the whole ps3 memory card saving snafu. Didn't get far enough in to have much an opinion, but I'd like to continue with it. I somehow got pneumonia, though, and didn't even feel like playing games for a couple weeks.

Back on my feet, though, and took a preliminary stab at Vertical Force last night. Then this evening I set up the VB properly at a table and knocked it out much faster than expected. It's funny how you can play a game like shit one night and then breeze along the next. This game is really solid. Pretty standard shmup, but makes use of the 3D effect without trying too hard and ruining everything. I played easy mode and it really is pretty easy, although the difficulty stepped up too much for me to enjoy harder modes very much.

This is one where it is pretty hard to get an 'end' screenshot:
http://i.imgur.com/SXzQ7Cj.jpg?1

[celerystalker]

jperryss-man, I've never finished that one. I've always felt clumsy playing Marble Madness. I need to try it again soon!

Cornelius-awesome! I'm glad you gave Vertical Force a beating. It has a very classic Star Soldier feel to me, and while a bit bare bones, I do like its stages and their use of layers to make you avoid obstacles and the like. Definitely one of my favorites on the Virtual Boy!

[RP2A03]

For player's choice, I did RoadBlasters (NES).



https://i.imgur.com/8V3e6uuh.png (https://i.imgur.com/8V3e6uu.png)


https://i.imgur.com/356AN7bh.png (https://i.imgur.com/356AN7b.png)


https://i.imgur.com/UDAABPJh.png (https://i.imgur.com/UDAABPJ.png)


https://i.imgur.com/q2RFgegh.png (https://i.imgur.com/q2RFgeg.png)


https://i.imgur.com/BODqEhsh.png (https://i.imgur.com/BODqEhs.png)


That score is actually 1,812,609. One of these days, I'm going to get that score counter to rollover twice.

[celerystalker]

Well, big day yesterday around here, with another tournament in the books! Some killer moments there, so some of the games that went over big this week.

-Ruiner Pinball (score high enough to get the "GREAT SCORE" message on either table) (Jaguar)

-Robotron 64 (Nintendo 64)

-Player's choice: pick a game published by Data East

-Import Alternative: Money Puzzle Exchanger (Arcade, PS1, Game Boy)

-September RPG: I'm a couple days late posting this, but this month's RPG will be your choice of Beyond Oasis or Legend of Oasis for Genesis and Saturn respectively. Both are wonderful games, and Beyond Oasis is on many of the Genesis compilations out there. Give one a whirl!

[Scissors]

I played Twinkle Star Sprites: La Petite Princesse for week 34. It might be the shortest shooter I've ever played. I guess it's meant to be played with other people though.

[Az]

Belated comments on a few games:

Splatterhouse - (Wii Arcade VC) Played some of this but didn't actually beat it. I had no idea so many Arcade Virtual Console games were Japan-only, and was surprised this was even released at all. Emulation seems to be spot on.

Kenseiden - (SMS) Like Emperor Megas, I started out playing this on emulation and ran into issues, so I ended up finishing it on real hardware. Picodrive made these weird green box outlines on all the bosses and didn't support FM sound, which was the main reason I tried emulating it in the first place. Fantastic, underrated game, if a bit short. I really like the Eastern-style music, which is one type of tune the stock SMS hardware excels at. The enemies and bosses are fantastic, with my favorites being the puppet master, "child scarer" (according to the manual) and weird ass lizard thing with a woman's head on its tail. The developer rib by putting in a stage select is brutal, the last stage is impossible unless you get the power ups by playing through the stages.

I also checked out the Mark III original. I first thought it only differed by having the player with a slightly different color palette. Nope, there's some major color changes in several of the enemy sprites also. IMO, the US version changes were all for the better.

Sonic Wings Special - PSOne Classic Played through this on the Vita for the airplane piloting game. Never had played it before purchasing it a few months ago, and it's turned out to be one of my favorite vertical shmups. Lots of player ships, shuffling stages that vary on each playthrough where you can't see them all in one go, and best of all the ability to save your game after you beat a stage. Definitely worth $6!

Annett Again (Annet Futatabi) - Mega CD Played this one for the "game you'd never played" entry..... and after about two hours of torture I threw in the towel. Absolute and complete utter rubbish with zero redeeming qualities, and that's coming from a Mega CD apologist and beat 'em up fan. Slideshow animation, character design that had to be done over a smoke break, laughable magic attacks, hell I could slog through all that if it played even remotely well, which it doesn't. Hands down one of the worst 16-bit beat 'em ups I've ever tried to play.

[celerystalker]

Belated comments on a few games:

Splatterhouse - (Wii Arcade VC) Played some of this but didn't actually beat it. I had no idea so many Arcade Virtual Console games were Japan-only, and was surprised this was even released at all. Emulation seems to be spot on.

Kenseiden - (SMS) Like Emperor Megas, I started out playing this on emulation and ran into issues, so I ended up finishing it on real hardware. Picodrive made these weird green box outlines on all the bosses and didn't support FM sound, which was the main reason I tried emulating it in the first place. Fantastic, underrated game, if a bit short. I really like the Eastern-style music, which is one type of tune the stock SMS hardware excels at. The enemies and bosses are fantastic, with my favorites being the puppet master, "child scarer" (according to the manual) and weird ass lizard thing with a woman's head on its tail. The developer rib by putting in a stage select is brutal, the last stage is impossible unless you get the power ups by playing through the stages.

I also checked out the Mark III original. I first thought it only differed by having the player with a slightly different color palette. Nope, there's some major color changes in several of the enemy sprites also. IMO, the US version changes were all for the better.

Sonic Wings Special - PSOne Classic Played through this on the Vita for the airplane piloting game. Never had played it before purchasing it a few months ago, and it's turned out to be one of my favorite vertical shmups. Lots of player ships, shuffling stages that vary on each playthrough where you can't see them all in one go, and best of all the ability to save your game after you beat a stage. Definitely worth $6!

Annett Again (Annet Futatabi) - Mega CD Played this one for the "game you'd never played" entry..... and after about two hours of torture I threw in the towel. Absolute and complete utter rubbish with zero redeeming qualities, and that's coming from a Mega CD apologist and beat 'em up fan. Slideshow animation, character design that had to be done over a smoke break, laughable magic attacks, hell I could slog through all that if it played even remotely well, which it doesn't. Hands down one of the worst 16-bit beat 'em ups I've ever tried to play.

I really appreciate your sharing your thoughts here, especially on Annet Futatabi. I've almost purchased it several times, as I really dig El Viento, but I'd always held off, as I've always considered a single player beat 'em up to be a waste. Sounds like it was the right call!

Scissors-yes, the magic of Twinkle Star Sprites is in the Vs. mode, for sure. It's a killer party game.

[Emperor Megas]

-Import Alternative: Money Puzzle Exchanger (Arcade, PS1, Game Boy)
MoneyPuzzle Exchanger! I FREAKING LOVE that game! The wife used to play it, too, on MAME back in the day.

Of COURSE since I got the television thing ironed out, my computer dies, so no MAME! This season just sucks SO MUCH for me.

[celerystalker]

MoneyPuzzle Exchanger! I FREAKING LOVE that game! The wife used to play it, too, on MAME back in the day.

Of COURSE since I got the television thing ironed out, my computer dies, so no MAME! This season just sucks SO MUCH for me.

Man, you can't catch a break lately!

It is an awesome game. I mainly play it on my MVS cabinet. Such a cool puzzle game. It's one people don't seem to know about, but at my last tournament, people raved on it. That, and Street Hoop for Neo Geo. :)

[jperryss]

Played through Kid Niki (Arcade) for the Player's Choice. I still can't attach images to posts so here's a link.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nxjtoya0gf0hx0w/kn3.jpg?dl=0

Also, THIS DAMN FROG (https://www.dropbox.com/s/y6vt570rs92gi5a/kn1.jpg?dl=0).

[celerystalker]

Played through Kid Niki (Arcade) for the Player's Choice. I still can't attach images to posts so here's a link.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nxjtoya0gf0hx0w/kn3.jpg?dl=0

Also, THIS DAMN FROG (https://www.dropbox.com/s/y6vt570rs92gi5a/kn1.jpg?dl=0).

Nice! As easy as that one starts, it does ramp it up rather a lot!

[Cornelius]

I'd never played Joe & Mac before, but managed to tackle it on my third night. I never did really figure out how to reliably get into the areas where you can get keys.

https://i.imgur.com/iGyHsJV.jpg?1

[jperryss]

Nice! As easy as that one starts, it does ramp it up rather a lot!

The trial-and-error gameplay is comparable to Adventure Island's later levels. It's quite a bit more difficult than the NES version. The NES port was pretty darn faithful overall.

[celerystalker]

A few good Data East clears this week! Still a few hours to go, but here are the games for week 36!

-Space Harrier (Arcade, Saturn, 32X, Master System, Dreamcast, everything...)

-Flink (Sega CD, Mega Drive)

-Player's choice: pick a game with a real person's name in the title. Examples might include Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat, Troy Aikman Football, Mike Tyson's Punch Out!, Reggie Jackson Baseball, Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey, etc.

-September RPG is Beyond Oasis or Legend of Oasis. C'mon, you'll love 'em!

-Import Alternative: Metaphlist (PS1)

[Emperor Megas]

This week's challenge has given me an excuse to boot up Clive Barker's Jericho which I wouldn't ever bothered to otherwise, and Jesus, what a fucking HORRIBLE game this is! TERRIBLE, stuttering frame rate, awful, unresponsive controls, just boring and ugly environments, cheesy voice acting, buggy (events sometimes don't trigger and you have to restart from checkpoints), completely unscary in everyway, sleep enducing to the core, and worst or all FUCKING QTEs! WHO likes these in games? Who has EVER played a game with sudden death Quick Time Events and thought to themselves, "This is awesome!"? Answer: No one.

I can honestly say that I've hated every single thing I've experienced with Clive Barker's name attached to it, so I figured going into this that it would be bad, but I didn't think that it would be THIS terrible. The sad thing is the story and play mechanics could have worked if another developer that cared actually made it. I might have to cut my loses and tap out on this shit show and play through a game of Marky Mark* and the Funky Bunch's Make My Video instead. THAT'S how much I'm NOT enjoying this turd.

*I know he doesn't go by 'Marky Mark' anymore, but I'm assuming defunct stage names are still applicable, yeah?

[Scissors]

I played through Metaphlist. I've had it for a while but never really played more than a few minutes. While it's one of the ugliest shooters I have ever seen, it's perfectly playable. A bit repetitive and quite easy, but not bad. I played on the normal difficulty, so maybe the expert mode would offer a challenge.

celerystalker, do you know what disc 2 is for? I booted it up after beating the game and when it loaded my saved data, all it did was tell me to insert disc 1 and reset.

[celerystalker]

I played through Metaphlist. I've had it for a while but never really played more than a few minutes. While it's one of the ugliest shooters I have ever seen, it's perfectly playable. A bit repetitive and quite easy, but not bad. I played on the normal difficulty, so maybe the expert mode would offer a challenge.

celerystalker, do you know what disc 2 is for? I booted it up after beating the game and when it loaded my saved data, all it did was tell me to insert disc 1 and reset.

What mode were you playing? In the main campaign, the last third or so of the game is on that disc. I may be thinking of expert mode there, as the normal is super easy if you grind out some weapon upgrades.

Interesting shooter though, isn't it?

[Scissors]

What mode were you playing? In the main campaign, the last third or so of the game is on that disc. I may be thinking of expert mode there, as the normal is super easy if you grind out some weapon upgrades.

Interesting shooter though, isn't it?

At the beginning, you can either "start" or "expert start" and I chose "start". I guess disc 2 is only used for expert mode since I got an ending with credits without ever having to put in disc 2.

I liked being able to rotate where I'm firing (which would probably be easier to do if I wasn't using a saturn-style pad), but it seemed like a pretty basic shooter beyond that. There was the map with the planet select, but that didn't really add much to the game. It was kinda boring playing the same stages over and over, although it's possible there's something I was missing. Is there a way to make the front line move faster?

[celerystalker]

At the beginning, you can either "start" or "expert start" and I chose "start". I guess disc 2 is only used for expert mode since I got an ending with credits without ever having to put in disc 2.

I liked being able to rotate where I'm firing (which would probably be easier to do if I wasn't using a saturn-style pad), but it seemed like a pretty basic shooter beyond that. There was the map with the planet select, but that didn't really add much to the game. It was kinda boring playing the same stages over and over, although it's possible there's something I was missing. Is there a way to make the front line move faster?

The order in which you play missions influences the movement of the front line, yes. Stopping to grind or playing the wrong order slows or even loses ground. I don't read Japanese, so it was trial and error for me mostly, but in multiple plays I found that there is a "preferred" route.

[Scissors]

The order in which you play missions influences the movement of the front line, yes. Stopping to grind or playing the wrong order slows or even loses ground. I don't read Japanese, so it was trial and error for me mostly, but in multiple plays I found that there is a "preferred" route.

I wasn't counting, but I think I played the final stage at least 5 times in a row before the front line caught up and I was able to beat the game (maybe I wasn't playing well enough for it to move quickly?).

I just gave expert mode a try and it is significantly more difficult. I never really felt like I was at risk of losing in normal mode, but I just lost to the second boss fight twice in a row. Now it's like a bullet hell shooter, expect you have a huge hit box. At least it gives you plenty of life. I may have to switch to a normal controller for this mode.

[Emperor Megas]

I ended up sticking with Clive Barker's Jericho in hopes that it got better, and it did, but it only went from a 4 to maybe a 6...until the terrible fucking ending which was TRULY so god awful it dropped the whole thing down to a solid 5.

I've played COUNTLESS 8-bit games with better endings than Jericho.

I also played through the Master System version of Space Harrier (a few times). I grew up on this shit, and I swear, I love it just as much today as I did as a kid when it released. Terrible, choppy 'scaling' effects and all. I was also THRILLED to learn that it didn't suffer the horrible audio bug that too many Master System games suffer when played on the Retron5.

Sadly, after 30 years I'm convinced that the airborne rocks that Wiwi Jumbo (Stage 17 boss) attacks you with are ENTIRELY randomized, simply appearing any random place on the screen at any time, and the only way to avoid them is just dumb luck. That was always my biggest complaint about the game.

[celerystalker]

Calm week went belly up here in St Louis. Anyway, sorry it's later than usual, but here are the new games!

-The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (NES)

-Earthworm Jim 2 (SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, Saturn)

-Player's choice: pick a Wii exclusive home console release. Arcade ports are okay so long as the Wii is the only system with a physical release.

-September RPG is Beyond or Legend of Oasis. Come on, they're short and fun!

-Import Alternative: Shi Kin Jyo (Famicom)

[jperryss]

-September RPG is Beyond or Legend of Oasis. Come on, they're short and fun!

On my way! (https://www.dropbox.com/s/25r8771r95et4gm/beo.jpg?dl=0)

[celerystalker]

On my way! (https://www.dropbox.com/s/25r8771r95et4gm/beo.jpg?dl=0)

Nice! These games are somehow still relatively under the radar given their high quality. So glad you're having a go at the Genesis game!

[celerystalker]

Well, looks like we have a strong taker on Beyond Oasis! So... um... new games I gotta go try the new Metroid now thanks later...

-Milon's Secret Castle (NES, Game Boy) as a tip, the GB version has a password option.

-Gunbird 2 (Arcade, Dreamcast)

-Player's Choice: pick a game that is a sequel to another game. Examples might include Goonies II, Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Arkanoid: doh it Again, Last Blade 2, etc.

-September RPG is Beyond Oasis or Legend of Oasis. Meet some elementals and stuff! There's still time, they aren't long!

-Import Alternative: Cosmo Gang: The Video (SNES)

[Crystalian]

Mario Party 8 for the Wii exclusive. If I can't think of something sequelly enough by Thursday, I'll just do Mario Party 9...even though I'm not a fan of the whole team being in one cart. It seems less fun somehow...

[jperryss]

Gunbird 2

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9akcqht5qsqiqd0/gb2.jpg?dl=0

This game gets way too hard once you get to around the 3rd level and should barely count as a clear considering the number of credits I used to get there. Even with the tiny hitbox, the bullets are fast and I always felt like my character was just a bit too slow. Very pretty game, but brutal difficulty.

[jperryss]

Beyond Oasis (pic) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/8wr1i7r76v7rapl/boasis.jpg?dl=0) (pic) (https://www.dropbox.com/s/p782cxu3opn61c8/boasis2.jpg?dl=0)

I chose to play through this one on my tablet and 90% of this run was played from the comfort of my bed with headphones and a USB gamepad. The platforming was really frustrating but otherwise a fun game. Finished at the buzzer!

[Crystalian]

Legends of Wrestling 2 complete. R.I.P. Bobby Heenan.

[jperryss]

Paging celerystalker...

[jperryss]

Does anyone know what's up with celerystalker? He was one of the most active members here and it looks like he disappeared on 9/25. I don't care about the GCC too much at this point, I just hope everything is OK with him.

[Crystalian]

I've been thinking the same thing for days. He's one of the last people I would expect to drop off the face of DP. Hopefully it's just life got busy or a computer crash or something like that. He's always trying to give to the community and I'd hate to see anything serious had happened to take him out of the picture. Come back celery...we miss you. I'd hate to have to come up with next weeks titles for you!

[Scissors]

I hope he's okay. It seems strange for someone so active in a forum to just vanish without a word. Does anyone have a way to contact him outside of these forums?

[jperryss]

I've read hundreds of his posts here but honestly don't know much about him and don't have any contact info for him outside of this forum.

He has a few Friends listed on his profile, I've sent PMs out to them to see if they know him outside of DP.

[Aussie2B]

I really hope he's all right too. I certainly wouldn't begrudge him from wanting to take a break from the challenge or the forum in general, but it is unusual for him to disappear like this. Unfortunately, I don't know if anyone would have much luck reaching him elsewhere. I seem to recall him saying he wasn't interested in social media or signing up for a bunch of different forums, so I think he's been pretty exclusive to this board.

[Emperor Megas]

As far as I'm aware, he doesn't do any other social media platforms besides this forum. I don't have any contact information for him besides PMing him here, and I have today, but I doubt he's checking his PMs if he isn't visiting (or able to visit) the main forum.

I share everyone's concerns and certainly hope he's doing alright.

[Cornelius]

I don't have anything to add other than my concern. I hope he's okay. Might make sense if he was in California, but I don't know of anything in St. Louis that might explain his absence.

p.s. while typing this note I pulled up his profile and he had a "vcard" with an email address, so I sent a message expressing our concern, etc.

[jperryss]

It looks like he has a profile at the arcade-museum forums too, but I'm not registered there.

[Cornelius]

I received a reply from celerystalker's wife on his email account. I started paraphrasing her note, but I figure it is really to all of us, not just me, so I'll just quote the whole thing:


Dear Bradley,

Thanks for your concern about Mike. He is currently dealing with chronic health issues, and has chosen to spend what energy he can on spending time with his son and me after working. He's often talked about enjoying a game forum and writing at it, so I can only assume you're one of his friends from there. He is, as far as I'm aware, not active online in any capacity at the moment, and I check on his email for him once a week right now. No one else has really reached out to him recently, so I've passed on your message, for which he was grateful. He won't likely be active anywhere anytime soon, as he is prioritizing us right now, just working to make sure we are taken care of if he becomes unable to in the future. We're praying that he will improve and that life can get back to normal eventually, and making the most of our family time. Thanks again for reaching out to Mike, and if anyone would like to leave him a message, I can pass them on.

Thanks again,

Kate (Mike's wife)


I replied and said we'd all be pulling for him in our separate ways. I also told her I'd ask all of you to send any messages through me to keep it simpler for her. I don't know how much that matters, but it makes sense to me. His email is available if anyone disagrees.

I'm glad that he is still able to work, but it must be tough thinking about not being able to long-term.

Should I make a new thread for this? I thought about it, but this seemed like a good home for the news.

[Aussie2B]

Thanks so much for sharing that here, Cornelius, and of course, my sincere thanks to Kate for taking time out to inform us.

I wish his absence was under better circumstances, but with how dedicated he was to this challenge, I suppose it would take something like health issues to pull him away. My best wishes to him and his family.

[bb_hood]

Should I make a new thread for this? I thought about it, but this seemed like a good home for the news.

I would wait a bit, just for the sake of privacy.
Thanks for sharing the info, I really hope hes alright. I just now noticed he hasnt been active for awhile.
Mikes a really good guy, hope he returns.

[jperryss]

Cornelius, thanks for sharing this. I am hopeful that Mike will pull through what he's dealing with and be back with us soon.

[Crystalian]

Well, the challenge is on indefinite hold. I had hoped it wasn't anything health-related that was keeping Mike away, but honestly I'm not surprised. It would have had to be something major to pull him away from his own creation. I hope his health improves and he's able to rejoin the community quickly. But he is absolutely doing the right thing putting his family first. Thank you Bradley for relaying this information to the rest of us, and please keep us updated. We may not be family, but someone who contributes as much as he does is never far from our thoughts. Good night and heal quickly...

[Niku-Sama]

oi much shitty

I hope his place of employment doesn't run him through the ringer while coping with health issues, the company he works for regularly does.

[jperryss]

Just in case anyone missed it in the OT section:

https://forum.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?175887-Celerystalker-Would-Like-to-Play-3DS-Online-Please-Join-Him!