2017 Game Completion Challenge

[Crystalian]

Also RP2A03, I'll see your pig and raise you a cow when I thrash Uchi in FIGHTers Destiny! Happy Memorial Day everybody!

[celerystalker]

Celery, what is the fascination with "puzzle" games that look like "Lights Out" on crack? I actually have Dexterity and have never played it. This is like that Mendel Palace video that made me want to blow my brains out... Q-bert, Kickle Cubicle, Lolo, etc each have some elements similar to this, but I find something enjoyable in each of those. I just think you've found that "perfect storm" of game genre that holds no interest for me. LOL.

Honestly, I mainly try to pick games that are a little less popular to get folks to dive a little deeper into what they already might own but haven't spent a lot of time with. I do play through each myself the week or two before in order to ensure they aren't too long, and Dexterity just happened to be around while I was playing Link's Awakening on my Game Boy this week. I really lean toward shooters and platformers, but I try to mix it up a little. The import alternative is there to offer a workaround for stuff you don't have or like, though! Rest assured, though, it'll keep changing... plus I already did Lolo weeks back. :)

[RP2A03]

Also RP2A03, I'll see your pig and raise you a cow[...]

It doesn't really count unless it's an obscure Japanese porn game.:pimp:

[jperryss]

Player's Choice - Mega Man 2 Power Fighters (Arcade)

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Not a difficult game so I did play through all three modes and re-did the last one a few times until I could 1CC it. Think I'm gonna switch back to console games next week.

[celerystalker]

Player's Choice - Mega Man 2 Power Fighters (Arcade)

10296

Not a difficult game so I did play through all three modes and re-did the last one a few times until I could 1CC it. Think I'm gonna switch back to console games next week.

Weeeell... it was ported to Neo Geo Pocket Color in a collection with the original...

[jperryss]

Weeeell... it was ported to Neo Geo Pocket Color in a collection with the original...

I had to look it up but you're right. It was even ported to the Anniversary Collection for the XBOX which I have. I'm a dum-dum.

In all seriousness I've been playing MAME almost exclusively for the past few weeks since I finished up my controller and finally got everything wired up to my PVM.

[RP2A03]

For this weeks player's choice I went with TetraStar: The Fighter (Famicom) with an English patch. Quite the fun shooter with excellent graphics.


https://i.imgur.com/aTaKHkUh.png (http://i.imgur.com/aTaKHkU.png)


https://i.imgur.com/T4aWhkvh.png (http://i.imgur.com/T4aWhkv.png)


https://i.imgur.com/DA9v6k6h.png (http://i.imgur.com/DA9v6k6.png)


https://i.imgur.com/vL0GBi9h.png (http://i.imgur.com/vL0GBi9.png)


https://i.imgur.com/5q05ZeGh.png (http://i.imgur.com/5q05ZeG.png)


https://i.imgur.com/wP0TiSCh.png (http://i.imgur.com/wP0TiSC.png)

[Scissors]

Umm, isn't player's choice this week just a game that has the word "fight" in the title and last week was to play a system exclusive? The game jperryss played is okay, right?

[celerystalker]

Umm, isn't player's choice this week just a game that has the word "fight" in the title and last week was to play a system exclusive? The game jperryss played is okay, right?

Ha, holy shit am I sleep deprived. Sorry 'bout that, jperryss, it counts! I forgot my entire post from last Saturday, what with work, my cousin's funeral, and my wife's wisdom teeth out!

Also, that reminds me, time for the June RPG.

[celerystalker]

Well, Culdcept failed to draw anyone in, so it's time for a new monthly RPG challenge. This month...

The World Ends with You (DS)

A lot of people have strong feelings on this one, and some people worry about its complexities with the fashion bonuses and food bonuses. Let me offer some encouragement, if I might...

All of that shit, while helpful, can be utterly ignored. The real trick to beating it is getting comfortable with its battle system. Pick a couple of pins that suit you with their attacks so you don't have to focus so hard on the bottom screen, and take the time to hit home with your partner's attacks to do way more damage quickly.

Also, on these RPG challenges, a new game + counts, so long as you bother to clear the whole game. Good luck!

[Scissors]

I played Danan: The Jungle Fighter for player's choice this week. A pretty unremarkable action game for Sega Master System.

I briefly attempted Mad Maestro, but still don't like it (I first played it a year or so after it was released). While I like the idea of a classical music rhythm game, having pressure sensitive controls just isn't fun.

I've never played Dexterity and will probably give it a try.

Although I think The World Ends with You is a fantastic game, I'm currently playing another RPG at the moment, so I'll probably be skipping it. I'd encourage others to give it a try though. Once you get the hang of it, the battle system is a lot of fun.

[jperryss]

Ha, holy shit am I sleep deprived. Sorry 'bout that, jperryss, it counts! I forgot my entire post from last Saturday, what with work, my cousin's funeral, and my wife's wisdom teeth out!

Also, that reminds me, time for the June RPG.

Ha, I didn't even catch what you were getting at with that comment. I thought it was in reference to all my MAMEing. No worries. And good looking out Scissors!



For this weeks player's choice I went with TetraStar: The Fighter (Famicom) with an English patch. Quite the fun shooter with excellent graphics.

Never heard of this one but it looks awesome. Thanks for the pics. Gonna hunt it down so I can give it a go.

[celerystalker]

Wow, what a messed up week (for me). Still, time moves on, so it's time for new games. I personally had very little time to play this week, though I did manage to finally play through Link's Awakening on Game Boy after all these years. Pretty solid, though the last couple of dungeons were tedious. Anyhow, for this week:

-Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth (N64)

-Any game from the Darkstalkers series

-Player's choice: pick any game with a possessive noun in the title. Examples might include Shien's Revenge, Dragon's Crown, Dive Alert: Matt's Version, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Kirby's Adventure, Akiba's Trip, Card Fighter's Clash, Demon's Souls, Demon's Crest, etc.

-The World Ends with You is the June RPG. I hope someone tries it. I loved it.

-Import alternative: Groove On Fight (Saturn, Arcade)

[Crystalian]

Mario's Picross. I haven't played it in years, so the puzzles were fresh again. Yay!
I would have tried Zoda's Revenge, but Sunday's my birthday and I'm not marathoning a game like that.

[celerystalker]

Mario's Picross. I haven't played it in years, so the puzzles were fresh again. Yay!
I would have tried Zoda's Revenge, but Sunday's my birthday and I'm not marathoning a game like that.

That's a fun one. I have a nice handful of picross games, and in the right mood, they're just a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Happy Birthday Sunday! I hope you have a great time and do stuff that makes you very happy with people you love!

[celerystalker]

Well, 23 weeks in, and activity has slowed a bit, but I hope folks are still having some fun here. Anyhow, new week, new games, as usual!

-King of Dragons (SNES, Arcade, Xbox, PS2)

-Heavy Barrel (NES, Arcade, Wii) ...hey, I'm just pumped my arcade board came this week!

-Player's choice: pick any game with vampires in it.

-June RPG: The World Ends With You (DS) ...come on, somebody give it a whirl, it's fun!

-Import alternative: Cosmic Smash (Dreamcast)

[Scissors]

I button mashed my way through Vampire Savior 2 for the Darkstalkers game.

[RP2A03]

For player's choice I did GS Mikami: Joreishi wa Nice Body (SFC).

https://i.imgur.com/cYh3l3uh.png (http://i.imgur.com/cYh3l3u.png[/img])


https://i.imgur.com/jtvBKbPh.png (http://i.imgur.com/jtvBKbP.png)


https://i.imgur.com/aFKL0Pjh.png (http://i.imgur.com/aFKL0Pj.png)


https://i.imgur.com/qUh3OIIh.png (http://i.imgur.com/qUh3OII.png)


https://i.imgur.com/4VfDelzh.png (http://i.imgur.com/4VfDelz.png)

[celerystalker]

For player's choice I did GS Mikami: Joreishi wa Nice Body (SFC).

https://i.imgur.com/cYh3l3uh.png (http://i.imgur.com/cYh3l3u.png[/img])


https://i.imgur.com/jtvBKbPh.png (http://i.imgur.com/jtvBKbP.png)


https://i.imgur.com/aFKL0Pjh.png (http://i.imgur.com/aFKL0Pj.png)


https://i.imgur.com/qUh3OIIh.png (http://i.imgur.com/qUh3OII.png)


https://i.imgur.com/4VfDelzh.png (http://i.imgur.com/4VfDelz.png)

Nice pick. That's a pretty fun one.

[jperryss]

Heavy Barrel - NES

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The graphics look like an early NES game and the semi-automatic scrolling takes a bit of getting used to, but it all works pretty well. I found myself wishing the shot and grenade buttons were swapped even up to the end, couldn't get used to it for some reason. I'm going to check out the arcade version of this one the next time I feel like playing some arcade stuff.

Are there any 16-bit games like this that you guys recommend? Final Zone II and Red Alert are the only two that come to mind.

[celerystalker]

Heavy Barrel - NES

10306

The graphics look like an early NES game and the semi-automatic scrolling takes a bit of getting used to, but it all works pretty well. I found myself wishing the shot and grenade buttons were swapped even up to the end, couldn't get used to it for some reason. I'm going to check out the arcade version of this one the next time I feel like playing some arcade stuff.

Are there any 16-bit games like this that you guys recommend? Final Zone II and Red Alert are the only two that come to mind.

Mercs on Genesis/Arcade for sure. On Neo Geo, Shock Troopers, Shock Troopers 2nd Squad, and Ninja Commando are all strong.

[Emperor Megas]

I've been having a HORRIBLE month. TONS of drama. Work drama, family drama, friends drama, everything that can go badly has been. I haven't even visited this forum this month, until yesterday. Needless to say I haven't done any GCC gaming. The only gaming I did was showing a friend I visited last week the Nintendo Switch and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. She ended up getting a Switch a few days later. We've played every (console) Mario Kart online since Mario Kart Wii.

Anyway, I'll try to force myself to put another point on the board before the week is up.

It's unfortunate that I didn't get to tackle an RPG last month, but the selection did spark my interest in Culcept games. I just don't know when I'll have the time to put any real time into any. This summer is going to be home improvement projects and work projects galore all summer long.

[celerystalker]

I've been having a HORRIBLE month. TONS of drama. Work drama, family drama, friends drama, everything that can go badly has been. I haven't even visited this forum this month, until yesterday. Needless to say I haven't done any GCC gaming. The only gaming I did was showing a friend I visited last week the Nintendo Switch and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. She ended up getting a Switch a few days later. We've played every (console) Mario Kart online since Mario Kart Wii.

Anyway, I'll try to force myself to put another point on the board before the week is up.

It's unfortunate that I didn't get to tackle an RPG last month, but the selection did spark my interest in Culcept games. I just don't know when I'll have the time to put any real time into any. This summer is going to be home improvement projects and work projects galore all summer long.

If you decide to play some Culdcept, there's a new one coming out in August for 3DS in the US apparently. Portability can be a real bonus there.

[jperryss]

Player's Choice: Akumajo Special - Boku Dracula-Kun

10307

A bit too much trial-and-error gameplay for a cutesy game and some frustrating hang-time when you take damage, but I enjoyed this one. I'll admit that I had no idea what was going on with the mini-games most of the time, and I save state'd through the Q/A part since it wasn't in English and I couldn't read it.

[Crystalian]

Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti complete. I normally wait until around Halloween to break this one out, but I can't think of a vampire game that I can beat quickly. Unless I'm spamming Simon's Quest. Do the bat bots in Mega Man count?

[jperryss]

Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti complete. I normally wait until around Halloween to break this one out, but I can't think of a vampire game that I can beat quickly. Unless I'm spamming Simon's Quest. Do the bat bots in Mega Man count?

I kept thinking about that game while playing through mine. Both are "junior" versions of normally dark and graphic games.

[Scissors]

Since I still had my Darkstalkers Collection out from last week, I button mashed my way through Vampire Hunter 2 for player's choice this week.

[celerystalker]

Nice wins coming in toward the end of the week! Sorry I've been behind on the scoreboard posts. It's been kinda chaotic here with some deaths and medical situations. I'll catch it up shortly! Anyhow, new week, new games.

-In the Hunt (PS1, Saturn, Arcade) As a tip, the PS1 version running on a PS3 is the smoothest way to play I've found with the least slowdown.

-Wizard Fire (Arcade, Wii)

-Player's choice: pick any game that uses live action FMV, whether as the whole game or as cutscenes between stages. Examples might include X-Files, Psychic Detective, Night Trap, Space Pirates, Mad Dog McCree, Command & Conquer, Wing Commander III, Fox Hunt, Combat Queen, etc.

-The World Ends With You is the sadly neglected June RPG.

-Import Alternative: L-Dis (PC Engine CD)

[Crystalian]

Happy Father's Day everyone!

[Crystalian]

I kept thinking about that game while playing through mine. Both are "junior" versions of normally dark and graphic games.


Yeah. Kid Dracula on Game Boy is the version I have. I played it about 4 months ago and didn't feel like re-doing it. It's just tough finding a quick game with vampires. Castlevania games take too much time, Final Fantasy and Illusion of Gaia are Rpg's, I don't care for Legacy of Kain, etc. What are you going to do, play Dirge of Cerberus?

[Crystalian]

Wizard Fire complete. That Data East collection has gotten pricy! I can't think of a FMV game that I own, although I'm sure SOMETHING in my 3DO collection qualifies. Too busy to pull them out and try something that might end up being too tedious to complete. Your game made me think of Baldur's Gate mixed with a little bit of Gauntlet thrown in. Pretty fun and not too long. Good choice!

[jperryss]

It Came From the Desert and The 7th Guest were the only two FMV games I could think of that I had, but I don't have the will to play through either of those this week.

[celerystalker]

Wizard Fire complete. That Data East collection has gotten pricy! I can't think of a FMV game that I own, although I'm sure SOMETHING in my 3DO collection qualifies. Too busy to pull them out and try something that might end up being too tedious to complete. Your game made me think of Baldur's Gate mixed with a little bit of Gauntlet thrown in. Pretty fun and not too long. Good choice!

Nice! Wizard Fire actually a sequel to Gate of Doom, which you may also dig!

For the FMV challenge, it can be between-stage cutscenes as well; it doesn't have to be the whole deal. May be worth picking up that copy of Omega Boost or something!

[RP2A03]

For the player's choice I did Wheel of Fortune (N64).

https://i.imgur.com/U3FNb8Qh.png (http://i.imgur.com/U3FNb8Q.png)


https://i.imgur.com/FUp9Th0h.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/FUp9Th0.jpg)


https://i.imgur.com/OisSU9th.png (http://i.imgur.com/OisSU9t.png)


https://i.imgur.com/lSiIXIhh.png (http://i.imgur.com/lSiIXIh.png)

[celerystalker]

Here we are, half-way through the year, so time for new games!

-Giga Wing (Arcade, Dreamcast)

-Yo! Noid (NES)

-Player's choice: Pick any game published by Tecmo. Examples might include Rygar, Wild Fang, Star Force, Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive, Mighty Bomb Jack, Solomon's Key, etc.

-RPG of the Month: Welp, looks like nobody took up The World Ends With You.

-Import alternative: Night Striker (Arcade, Mega CD, PS1, Saturn)

[celerystalker]

Just as an aside, if you have any fondness for super scaler stuff like Space Harrier or After Burner, just play Night Striker already. The Saturn version is probably best if you have it, but the PS2 arcade emulation is perfect, and the PS1 is no slouch. The Mega CD plays well with shit graphics, but has a sweet arranged soundtrack by Zuntata.

[jperryss]

RPG of the Month: Welp, looks like nobody took up The World Ends With You.

I just started playing this based on your recommendation, but it's way too late for me to expect to finish it by the end of the month.

[celerystalker]

I just started playing this based on your recommendation, but it's way too late for me to expect to finish it by the end of the month.

I really hope you like it! It's just very different as RPGs go, and you can handily beat the game whether you embrace its complex fashion, food, and other systems by getting a feel for the combat. I personally hate micro-managing and sifting through menus, so I completely ignored the fashion stuff and had a blast with it.

[Scissors]

I played through Yo! Noid today. Not great, but not bad. The pizza eating contests seemed kinda pointless.

I've had Night Striker on PS1 for years, but never played it. I think I'll give it a try this week.

[Cornelius]

Just popping in to say that I played a good chunk of TWEWY a few months after it came out. Really enjoyed it, but I did get bogged down with some of the extra mechanics. And then I was away for a couple weeks and couldn't find my place. I'd have another go, but ignore the clothes and a lot of the pin options.

And now that I've wrapped up Zelda, I hope to be back for some completions. Tomorrow. maybe.

[Crystalian]

Yo Noid complete. I remember this game being more fun when I was younger, lol!

[jperryss]

Giga Wing (Arcade)

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Damn this game is awesome. The reflect mechanism is perfectly done and it's incredibly fun when you execute it well. I burned through a few credits on the final boss but the scoring is bonkers and I had a high score of 38 trillion points on my best run. This was a great recommendation.

[celerystalker]

Giga Wing (Arcade)

10320

Damn this game is awesome. The reflect mechanism is perfectly done and it's incredibly fun when you execute it well. I burned through a few credits on the final boss but the scoring is bonkers and I had a high score of 38 trillion points on my best run. This was a great recommendation.

Glad you liked it! When Giga Wing launched on Dreamcast, it was the game that really got me back into the shooter scene after years of heavy RPG play. I love Capcom on the Dreamcast, and Giga Wing always makes me smile to think back on. That last boss is nuts unless you hoard bombs without dying pretty much the whole game, but I do love the reflect mechanic. I usually played as the red plane with the concentrated forward shot. Powered up, it could really tear through bosses!

[celerystalker]

Sorry for the late post here; work has been in the way. So, new week, new games!

-Elevator Action Returns (PS2, Saturn, Arcade)

-Battle of Olympus (NES)

-Player's Choice: pick a game with a fast food tie-in. This can include in-game billboards, characters, etc. from fast food restaurants. Examples might include TMNT II (NES version), McDonald's Treasure Island, Mick & Mack: Global Gladiators, Sneak King, McKids, Crazy Taxi, Big Bumpin', etc.

-NEW RPG FOR JULY: Something a bit shorter this month, as the last two months haven't had a ton of takers. Let's go with Dragon View (SNES). It's fun. Somebody take this one down!

-Import Alternative: Border Down (Dreamcast)

[Emperor Megas]

I haven't been participating in the challenge lately because my Samsung finally gave up the ghost. Well, technically it's ability to display HDMI did, and I use my Retron5 almost exclusively for my retro gaming. The screen flickers, then the television cycles on and off and then goes berserk. I plan on replacing it with something cheap from a Forth of July sale, at least temporarily until I resource a quality 4K set.

I've just been playing on my Switch in the downtime, but I miss my retro games.

[celerystalker]

Ah, that sucks! Hope you find something good to play on soon. I still haven't taken the dive on a Switch yet. I keep passing on new consoles for more arcade boards... but then again, I'll likely get more fun out of those anyway.

[Az]

I played through two titles I had forgot to comment about earlier. I hadn't had a chance to sit down in front of the computer and I'd rather eat a platter of shit than type a paragraph on my phone's keypad.

For Darkstalkers I played through Darkstarker's Resurrection (360), both Nightwarriors and Vampire Savior. I never really bothered to play the arcade versions of either even though they're easily emulated. I've got the Saturn ports of both, played them very little at their respective launches and never bothered to learn the mechanics or characters. This time I actually viewed move lists and learned the system so I could give it a fair handshake.

Apparently the series just isn't for me. I will easily admit they're both excellent games and won't knock anyone with love for 'em, but it just doesn't do it for me. I love having monsters as characters but the goofball humor is about 10 levels above my World Heroes threshold. Main thing I have against it is the character attacks: everyone's normal attacks seem to be some weird, unexpected off-the-wall shit set up so that not only do you have to know everything about your own character you have to know everything about *every* character. For instance: jab might be fist punch, short makes some shit fly out of your ass, and fierce is a crouching attack that hits high because your fists turn into spinning medieval maces complete with 500 frames of Disney-like animation.

For the possessive noun game I played Fighter's History (SNES). I've played a lot of Dynamite on MVS but never have played the original arcade version. I never once saw a cab in person and it wasn't emulated in MAME until recently.

I think this is a really fantastic, underappreciated game that's too often blown off as an SFII imitator or as a joke due to the Capcom lawsuit. As a port, it's perfectly solid by adding speed adjustment, additional modes, and making the final two bosses completely fleshed-out playable characters with full move sets and endings. The characters may be a bit generic and most don't have that instant "holy shit this guy looks badass and I want to play as him NOW" thing happening, but the actual game itself is 100% solid. The music, sounds, character sprites, backgrounds, controls, the whole package is functional. It won't make you shit your pants or run out to buy the OST but it's definitely not *bad*. For the SNES: definitely better than any console exclusive, or the majority of the SNK ports, or arguably MK3-UMK3 depending on your tastes.

[Scissors]

I played through Elevator Action Returns. Not a bad game. I may go back to it and try to beat it without continues.

I also played through Battle of Olympus. I didn't really like it. It felt like a cheap mix of Zelda II and Castlevania II, with the frustrating aspects of Ninja Gaiden thrown in.

I may give McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure a try this weekend.

[Niku-Sama]

I haven't been participating in the challenge lately because my Samsung finally gave up the ghost. Well, technically it's ability to display HDMI did, and I use my Retron5 almost exclusively for my retro gaming. The screen flickers, then the television cycles on and off and then goes berserk. I plan on replacing it with something cheap from a Forth of July sale, at least temporarily until I resource a quality 4K set.

I've just been playing on my Switch in the downtime, but I miss my retro games.

could you use your computer monitor?

[celerystalker]

Well, a slow week so far, but jperryss has put up some points, Megas and Cornelius are getting back around, and Az and Scissors jumped back in, so that's good stuff. As for this week...

-Legendary Axe II (TG16)

-Starfighter Sanvein (PS1)

-Player's choice: pick a game with the word "captain" in the title. Examples might include Captain Commando, Captain Silver, Captain Skyhawk, Captain America and the Avengers, Captain Novolin, Captain Planet, etc.

-July RPG challenge: Dragon View (SNES)

-Import alternative: Bastard! (SFC)

[Emperor Megas]

could you use your computer monitor?I just have an ancient laptop. I did order a cheap 4K TV that should be in by Tuesday, so OF COURSE my old one has been working flawlessly since I purchased a new one. It's some bizarre variant of Murphy's Law. I know if I try to game though, the instant I get into a game it's going to take a piss right in the middle of it, just to fuck with my blood pressure.

[Scissors]

I played through McDonald's Treasure Land Adventure for player's choice. While I really don't like Ronald McDonald, it's actually not a bad game.

[Scissors]

I played through Starfighter Sanvein a few times. I managed to beat it using only one continue, which I'm pretty sure I've never done before. I like the game, but it's repetitive, so I don't think I'll be trying again to finish without continues this week.

[celerystalker]

I played through Starfighter Sanvein a few times. I managed to beat it using only one continue, which I'm pretty sure I've never done before. I like the game, but it's repetitive, so I don't think I'll be trying again to finish without continues this week.

Glad you tried it! I don't think many people ever gave it a whirl.

[celerystalker]

My job is killing me right now. Anyway, to be quick, here's the new games:

-Gradius V (PS2)

-Moto Roader (TG16)

-Player's Choice: pick any game that uses a light gun to play the game, even if only certain stages. Examples might include Virtua Cop, Point Blank, Snatcher, Mad Dog McCree, Space Pirates, The Adventures of Bayou Billy, Gotcha!, House of the Dead 2, etc.

-The RPG for July is still hanging out there, untouched and unloved. Dragon View for SNES.

-Import Alternative: X: The Selection of the Destiny (PS1)

Also, start looking for a co-op partner. In two weeks, a special all co-op edition will be happening. Online play through emulation will count. Get ready!

[Scissors]

Yikes, it doesn't look like there will be any participation for week 29. I passed on this week since I'm not crazy about light gun games and I didn't have any of the others.

[celerystalker]

Yep, slow week. Anyway, new games:

-Dungeon Magic (Arcade/PS2)

-Under Night: In-Birth exe:late (PS3)

-Player's Choice: pick a game with the word "time" in the title. Examples might include Time Soldiers, Time Killers, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Killing Time, etc.

-July RPG is still Dragon View. The world is missing out.

-Import Alternative: Bokan to Ippatsu: Doronbo (PS1)

[Scissors]

What's the import alternative?

[Crystalian]

I don't have a crt at the moment so a cheap Hogan's Alley win was out. I also was unable to beat Gradius V thanks to fighting this Death Flu I contracted, lol. I'll have to find a good "time" game for this week. Illusion of Time comes to mind, but I don't have rpg "time" to invest. Something else will occur to me...

[celerystalker]

What's the import alternative?

Sorry, I was interrupted while posting by my son. Fixed now. :)

[Az]

For the import alternative from the other week I played through the Japanese Mega CD version of Night Striker. People shit all over the MCD port of this but I'll defend it till my dying breath. At first it looks like a hot pixelated mess, but after just a few minutes of figuring out what's what visually (and changing the default controls) you can find some of the best scaling on the MCD. Seriously, Taito should have just lost the flying enemies and futuristic setting, recolored the road to look like asphalt, and they could have had a system seller because it's a damn fine engine for a racing game. Makes Jaguar XJ220 look like an SMS game.

And support for the Mega Drive analog controller? Never heard of such an animal.

For the lightgun game I played through Namco's Deadstorm Pirates (PS3) along with both Virtua Cops in Virtua Cop Rebirth (JP PS2). I read somewhere that Deadstorm Pirates is the Pirates of the Caribbean arcade game without the license, not sure if that's true. Good game; the few ship steering QTE's weren't too bad and I see myself going back to it regularly as a lightgun game where I can just turn my brain off and enjoy. No reloads, no cover system, just hold the trigger down and shoot.

Virtua Cop Rebirth is fantastic if you're a fan of the series. My only complaint is that this is one of those few games they insisted on making only compatible with the Guncon 2 (will not work with a PS1 Guncon) and there was absolutely ZERO reason to do this. None.

[celerystalker]

For the import alternative from the other week I played through the Japanese Mega CD version of Night Striker. People shit all over the MCD port of this but I'll defend it till my dying breath. At first it looks like a hot pixelated mess, but after just a few minutes of figuring out what's what visually (and changing the default controls) you can find some of the best scaling on the MCD. Seriously, Taito should have just lost the flying enemies and futuristic setting, recolored the road to look like asphalt, and they could have had a system seller because it's a damn fine engine for a racing game. Makes Jaguar XJ220 look like an SMS game.

And support for the Mega Drive analog controller? Never heard of such an animal.

For the lightgun game I played through Namco's Deadstorm Pirates (PS3) along with both Virtua Cops in Virtua Cop Rebirth (JP PS2). I read somewhere that Deadstorm Pirates is the Pirates of the Caribbean arcade game without the license, not sure if that's true. Good game; the few ship steering QTE's weren't too bad and I see myself going back to it regularly as a lightgun game where I can just turn my brain off and enjoy. No reloads, no cover system, just hold the trigger down and shoot.

Virtua Cop Rebirth is fantastic if you're a fan of the series. My only complaint is that this is one of those few games they insisted on making only compatible with the Guncon 2 (will not work with a PS1 Guncon) and there was absolutely ZERO reason to do this. None.

Yes! Night Striker rules. The arranged soundtrack on Mega CD is great, and it still retains the feel of the arcade game. Any version of Night Striker is worth a go in my book!

[RP2A03]

For this weeks player's choice I played Time Diver: Avenger (NES) which is an unlicensed, possibly bootleg version of the unreleased Time Diver: Eon Man. It's actually not a bad game.


https://i.imgur.com/99zkik8h.png (http://i.imgur.com/99zkik8.png)


https://i.imgur.com/CGhMPv4h.png (http://i.imgur.com/CGhMPv4.png)


https://i.imgur.com/zIaPaoRh.png (http://i.imgur.com/zIaPaoR.png)


https://i.imgur.com/0w1hG6Uh.png (http://i.imgur.com/0w1hG6U.png)


https://i.imgur.com/JZJekQvh.png (http://i.imgur.com/JZJekQv.png)


https://i.imgur.com/Jt6PV4Eh.png (http://i.imgur.com/Jt6PV4E.png)


https://i.imgur.com/9a7xD5f.pngh (http://i.imgur.com/9a7xD5f.png)

[Scissors]

I played through Under Night: In-Birth exe:late. Nice looking game. Not one I think I could really get into though. Like I would do in most fighters, I just button mashed my way through.




Bokan to Ippatsu: Doronbo (PS1)

Isn't the full title of that Time Bokan Series Bokan to Ippatsu Doronbo? Wouldn't it work for player's choice this week anyway?

[Crystalian]

Mario's Time Machine for the cheapness!

[celerystalker]

Life is beating me up right now. I know it's later than late, but here is the week 30 co-op challenge!

-Quartet (Arcade, PS2, Master System): in spite of what you may have read, the PS2 version DOES support 4 players if you have a multi-tap plugged in.

-Scud (Saturn): two player mode where one uses a gun, the other uses a controller. Trust me, try it. Just do it. Don't be a bitch.

-Player's choice: pick another simultaneous co-op game. Examples might include the Adventures of Cookie and Cream, Kane & Lynch, Crackdown, Gain Ground, Alien Syndrome, Bare Knuckle III, etc.

-A whole day left for July's RPG, Dragon View (SNES). You missed out; it's great. Well, unless you're off of work and have time for about a 14 hour marathon.

-Import Alternative: Two options this week, as one has limited availability due to being a Japanese arcade exclusive, but both offer great co-op fun:
Super Gussun Oyoyo (SFC)
Lode Runner: The Dig Fight (together mode) (Arcade)

[Scissors]

Do we have to play with another person?

[celerystalker]

Do we have to play with another person?

It is this week only. Online play is allowed, including through emulation, excepting Scud, which requires the one gun, one controller co-op mode, which won't work that way.

[celerystalker]

Please, somebody try out the two player one gun, one controller method of playing Scud. It's sorely unique, where the contrller player plays a side-scrolling run 'n gun while the light gun player lays down cover fire. C'mon. Try it.

[jperryss]

I've never tried online play via emulation but if someone wants to tackle this one night this week, shoot me a PM. ZSNES looks like it might be easy to get going.

[celerystalker]

Well, I am sincerely sad that nobody gave Dragon View a whirl for July... I just know a few of ya would've loved it. Anyway, onward to August, right?

This is gonna be a longer one, but a good 'un.

Valkyrie Profile (PS1, PSP)

The PSP version is Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth. I figure it at least offers a chance at some portability. If you haven't yet, go gather some einherjar. It's got some dynamic combat, a great look, and a fun story even if the crafting can get a little old.

[celerystalker]

Well, trying to spice things up appears to have flopped, so, here's some more games that are single player.

-Darius Gaiden (Saturn, PS2, Arcade)

-Kenseiden (Master System)

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

-August RPG: Valkyrie Profile

-Import Alternative: Odo Odo Oddity (PS1)

[jperryss]

I wish I had more time for gaming lately but work has been absolutely crushing me. I even picked up a new PVM a few week back that I've barely looked at.

I'm sad that the GCC is running out of steam, though I'm obviously not helping here.

[Aussie2B]

Same. I am checking every single weekend and planning to join in again eventually. I just keep running into the problem of not owning any games that qualify, not being in the mood for any of the games I have that do qualify, or just plain not having the time (and there were a couple times I was playing something but failed to beat it before the next weekend).

I highly recommend Valkyrie Profile, though! One of the greatest RPGs ever, in my opinion.

[Crystalian]

That's the truth, sometimes you just don't have the time or can't get a complete. Played Bomberman and Bubble Bobble with the family because of your multiplayer suggestion, didn't beat either but had a lot of fun. Also, I've played Dragon View before, but didn't feel like giving an RPG a run-through "just because". Spare time is rare and precious. Don't think just because people aren't putting up completes that fun isn't being had. You're doing a good thing motivating people to play, even if they don't post and give you props. It is appreciated. I think Darius Gaiden is on my Taito Legends disc. Might beat it, might not; either way it's been a couple of years since that game has been fired up so kudos for the option. A game you've never played might open up a lot of interesting options. Thanks for keeping the contest going!