Greatest 16-bit Game Ever

[sabre2922]

I have to go with Chronotrigger Im currently playing the PS FF:chronicles version since I got little actual playtime with the game back when it was released and I have to say that it may be my favorite RPG of all time right after Panzer Dragoon Saga (SS)
The graphics and animation are great (by 16-bit standards of course) and the storytelling,characters and execution of this RPG is truly close to perfection.
Anyway what is your favorite 16-bit game ever? also take the time to tell us why if u want ;)
On a side note: yes Im well aware that the turbographix-16 is actually an 8-bit system with a 16-bit color processor but hey I believe it to be one of the 16-bit era systems im mean the graphics always looked just as good as most genny games and just as colorful as most supernes games right?

[Jibbajaba]

Well first of all I have to say that the Genesis is by far my favorite 16 bit system, surely because it is the one I had when I was a teenager. I'm sure that most people will already disagree with me there. There are 4 games for the Genesis that I consider to be the best of the best, and most people arent going to agree with this either. They are:

Sonic the Hedgehog
Golden Axe
Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday
Starflight

Golden Axe is of course just an arcade port, but the other three in my opinion are the best Genesis games that were made. I really dont have enough SNES or TG16 experience to comment on those systems.

[Graham Mitchell]

I've got a definite tie: Y's Book I and II for the Turbo-CD and Super Metroid for the Super NES.

Part of my love for Y's may indeed be nostalgia, I'll admit. But it was the very first game I ever saw that had animated cinemas with speech, and CD-quality music that you would ACTUALLY WANT TO LISTEN TO (it's THAT good.) A lot of people talk trash about battle mechanics, and compare the game to Hydlide (to attack, all you have to do is touch an enemy. The game does some math to compare your stats with the enemy's. If he's tougher, you take a hit. If you're better or equal to him, you'll hurt him or he'll deflect your attack) but the truth is that it keeps the pace of the game quick. It makes level-building not so much of a drag. The story line is extensive and captivating, and the gorgeous artwork really draws you in. (Every time I see the map of Y's/Esteria, I get nostalgic!) On top of that, when you finish Book I, you move on to Book II, and many of the game mechanics change (you can have magic now, for example) and the graphics get a tad bit of an overhaul. I know that these games were released separately on other consoles, but when you play them as a smooth unit, it's really something to behold, and I think it accidentally influenced the dramatic gameplay changes we see in games like Resident Evil.

Super Metroid has excellent play mechanics; they need no defending. What makes SM so special, to me, is the atmosphere it portrays. The subtle effects, like the sound of raindrops on the planet's surface, flickering lights indicating a previously-inhabited region, and ominous soundtrack add up to more than the sum of their parts. I also really appreciate the fact that the game conveys ideas and hints without words. One of most disappointing things about Metroid Prime for me was the huge amount of text involved. I liked the fact that whatever these aliens were doing was a complete mystery. It was more intriguing that way.

And them's my favorites. :D

[Azazel]

It's probably a tie between a few titles.

Street of Rage 2
Dracula X
phantasy Star 4

[shai hulud]

Super Mario World 2 (single player)
Super Bomberman 2 (multiplayer)

[ubersaurus]

Starflight friggin rocks...definitely one of the best of the era, and probably the best on the Genesis.

I have to say that Super Metroid and Chrono Trigger were also some of the best of that era, and two more of my favs. I also must mention MUSHA, Space Megaforce, and Blazing Lazers, for that matter), as being top notch shooters. The best platformer, I'm going to say Sonic 3 & Knuckles locked on, because together, they made a fantastic game.

Overall I'd say the best go like this, for me:

1. Starflight
2. Chrono Trigger
3. Sonic 3 & Knuckles
4. Super Metroid
5. MUSHA

[Darkness X]

I would say my favorite 16-Bit system is the Sega Genesis, that system was/is awesome! I just love it so much there are so many great games, And the system itself is cool(with the option for headphones and all)

Anyway, it's a tie between a couple of different games for my favorite 16-bit title of all time...

Sonic 2(Genesis) I love just about everything about this game, the fun secret filled gameplay, the sense of speed, the colorful graphics, the awesome music. This is what a 16-bit title is all about! I just wish the multi-player was better.

Streets of Rage 2(Genesis) I've spent so many hours on this game, it just never gets old to me. I've made all my friends hate this game by making them play through this game hundreds of times. LOL

NBA Jam TE(Genesis) If I could describe this game in 3 words in would be: Infinite Replay Value! From just playing one player to pass a few hours or Playing all night with some friends, I can always put this cart in my Genesis and still have fun. Back in the day me and a friend played the first NBA Jam for his Genesis so much that he ended up having to buy a new cart by the end of the Summer! Now thats a lot of play time!(plus he didn't take that good care of his stuff) lol

Donkey Kong Country 2(SNES) This is my idea of the ultimate platformer, tight gameplay, responsive controls, exciting levels, tons of replay value, plus awesome graphics/music.

Super Mario:RPG(SNES) This was the first RPG I really got into, sure it might be pretty easy and short, but I still have to replay it atleast once a year.

;)

[Escape•From•Jenny•Island]

My Favorite 16 bit system is the SNES / SFC

SNES Games:
Chrono Trigger
Soul Blazer
Illusion of Gaia
Terranigma
Front Mission
Metroid 3: Super Metroid
Secret of Evermore
Mario & Wario
Super Bomberman 1-5
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy
The Lost Vikings 1-2
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

[esquire]

Technicially, the TurboGrafx 16 is not a 16 bit console.

My favorites are:

Super Mario World (SNES)
Desert Strike (Genesis)
Military Madness (TG16)

Of the true 16 bit consoles, Super Mario World is my favorite. Otherwise its Military Madness if the TG16 is included.

[Kroogah]

After a quick glance at my IGN ratings to refresh my memory...

SNK Vs. Capcom Card Fighter's Clash (NGPC)
Super Punch-Out!! (SNES)
Super Metroid (SNES)
Mario's Super Picross (SFC)
Samurai Shodown 2 (NEOGEO)


Just so you know, the Neo Geo, NGPC, Intellivision, and more I'm probably forgetting are 16-bit systems. Bits don't mean that much...the Xbox is only 32-bit.

[Richter Belmount]

= ) I second terranigma
my list
1.Terranigma
2.Ys 1 and 2 for duo
3.final fantasy 6
4.Dracula X
5.Popful mail
6.Galaga 90

[ManekiNeko]

What, no love for Gunstar Heroes?

JR

[anagrama]

What, no love for Gunstar Heroes?


Heh. I was about to post the exact same thing :D

[davidleeroth]

What, no love for Gunstar Heroes?


Heh. I was about to post the exact same thing :D

I third that. Then add Aliennn Soldrrr, Super Mario World, Zelda: A Link to the Past and R-Type on CD and you're nearly there.

Maybe I should check that MUSHA as it seems to get a lot of praise...

[Crush Crawfish]

Is starflight really that good? I bought it at a garage sale a few weeks and have yet to play it. Looks like I'd better play it!

Anyway, my all time favorite system is the SNES, and my favorite games for it are (In order)

Chrono Trigger
Earthbound
Super Mario RPG
Breath of fire 2
Mega Man X
Mega Man X3
Kirby Super Star
Super Metroid
Final Fantasy 3
Breath of Fire
Super Castlevania 4
Castlevania Dracula X
Spanky's Quest

and For genesis:

Dynamite Headdy
Sonic 3 & knuckles
Toejam & Earl
Sonic 2
Sonic 1

[ManekiNeko]

What, no love for Gunstar Heroes?


Heh. I was about to post the exact same thing :D

I third that. Then add Aliennn Soldrrr, Super Mario World, Zelda: A Link to the Past and R-Type on CD and you're nearly there.

Maybe I should check that MUSHA as it seems to get a lot of praise...

You should. The Aleste series is great no matter what system it's on. I'd recommend not only MUSHA for the Genesis, but Robo Aleste for the Sega CD and Space MegaForce for the Super NES. You can have your Puyo Puyo... it's my opinion that Aleste was Compile's greatest achievement as a game designer.

JR

[Raccoon Lad]

I'd argue Golvellius: Valley of Doom was Compiles greatest achievement, but no one ever listens to me, even though I'm right 1000000000000000% of the time.

Anyway, I'll say Parasol Stars is teh best game EV4R!!! (TG-16), but then again my experience with the bubble bobble series has been previously limited to 8-bit consoles.

[Jibbajaba]

What, no love for Gunstar Heroes?

I bought that game a couple of months ago and I still havent played it.


Is starflight really that good?

Yes.

[ManekiNeko]

I'd argue Golvellius: Valley of Doom was Compiles greatest achievement, but no one ever listens to me, even though I'm right 1000000000000000% of the time.

Have you played Power Strike on the Master System? It's one of the first games in the Aleste series, and it's pretty good, although I wouldn't say that it was better than its NES counterparts Zanac, The Guardian Legend, and Gun*Nac.

JR

[anagrama]

Parasol Stars does indeed rock. I've only ever played the Amiga version though (Rainbow Islands Extra deserves an honourable mention aswell).

Oh, and Yoshi's Island tops every other SNES game. In my mind, at least...

[Raccoon Lad]

Have you played Power Strike on the Master System? It's one of the first games in the Aleste series, and it's pretty good, although I wouldn't say that it was better than its NES counterparts Zanac, The Guardian Legend, and Gun*Nac.

JR

Of course, I own both Power Strike, and Power Strike 2. Though, Power Strike 2 isn't oficially part of the Aleste series, it is a true Aleste game.

And while the action's fast and furious, I've played far better shooters.

[tholly]

i never had an snes or tg-16 when i was a kid....i didnt even know what a tg-16 was until a little bit ago when i picked up a boxed one off ebay. but, now i have all 3 and i still have to say that any sonic game for the genesis were my favorites from back in the day.

[AB Positive]

King of Fighters '97


it's all you need.


-AG

[Balloon Fight]

Street Fighter 2 and all of its "sequels"/ MKII. Gotta love those fighters. I also have to go with Gunstar Heroes and Dynamite Headdy.

[Jive3D]

Super Metroid
Megaman 7
...
SNATCHER
...
Zelda LTTP
Sonic & Knuckles
Mario All-Stars/World
Actraiser

Technically - the Philips CD-i is 16 bit as it is powered by dual 16 bit processors. in that case I must support BURN:CYCLE

My favorite thing about playing Genesis and SNES games now (with actual hardware) is the sound quality. I really enjoy the 'metallic' sound of the Genesis and I love the way that SO many SNES games used that classic SNES horns on so many songs (actraiser, Zelda...)

Props to NEUTOPIA for TG-16 (I still to this day hope for Neutopia III.)

[Escape•From•Jenny•Island]

oh, Mario's Super Picross and Wrecking Crew '98 as well.

[suppafly]

The games that amazed and awed me the most were:

SNES: Starfor, Actraiser (Ohhh the music!!!), Castlevania 4

Genesis: Sonic 1, sonic 2, Streets of rage 1 and 2, gunstar heroes, revenge of shinobi

TG16: Splatterhouse, ninja spirit

[-hellvin-]

Super Metroid

[adams_ale]

My experience in 16-bit games is almost entirely with the snes.

Best games: Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy III
Lufia II
Donkey Kong Country
Super Metroid
Super Mario Kart

[DigitalSpace]

Here's another vote for Super Metroid.

[Kroogah]

D'oh. Jive3D reminded me that the Sega CD is 16-bit.

SNATCHER

[suppafly]

I second the opinion about snatcher. It was so cool, that i forgot for a moment that it IS a 16 bit game :D

[Aussie2B]

My fave 16-bit console is the SNES/Super Famicom (and it's my favorite system ever too). My favorite 16-bit game is easily Star Ocean. While all the other Star Ocean titles improved upon it, it is still an amazing entry to the series. It was a game I was destined to play. When I read about it in Nintendo Power, I was so fascinated with it, despite that at the time I had no idea that I would ever get a chance to play it. Little did I know that several years later I would fall in love with the sequel and end up importing the first.

[classicb]

While my favorite 16 Bit system is the Genesis my favorite 16 Bit
game has to be

Mario Kart

Too many hours spent on this game for it not to be my favorite.

[NintendoMan]

My top 5 are all for the SNES:
1. Super Mario World
2. Super Mario Kart
3. Aladdin
4. TMNT: Turtles in Time
5. Battletoads in Battlemaniacs

Super Mario World is also in my top 2-3 video games of ALL TIME!!!!!!

[BloodshedPlague]

Dracula X
Final Fantasy 3
Gunstar Heroes
Chrono Trigger
Shining Force
Phantasy Star 3

[Lord_Magus]

The moment I saw this thread, the first game that came to mind was definately

Chrono Trigger!


Close contenders for the throne of the ultimate 16bit experience:

Final Fantasy III
Super Metroid
Zelda: A link to the Past
Street Fighter II
Super Mario Kart
Actraiser
...

[le geek]

Got to give it to Super Metroid!

Runners up all on Amiga: Out of this World, Lemmings, Cannon Fodder

[little arms]

super metroid and a link to the past (tie) and although it was a port Street Fighter II on snes was sweeeeet

[little arms]

super metroid and a link to the past (tie) and although it was a port Street Fighter II on snes was sweeeeet

[little arms]

super metroid and a link to the past (tie) and although it was a port Street Fighter II on snes was sweeeeet

[AdoptApet]

Streets of Rage 2

[Nez]

My favs:

Stunt Race FX
Final Fantasy III
Sonic 2
Streets of Rage 2
Donkey Kong Country 2
Michael Jacksons Moonwalker (Not as god as the arcade version though)
Chrono Trigger.

Theres still soo much I havent played so this list will pry change over mysummer break.

[Sibs]

All my votes go to the SNES

Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy III
Super Metroid
Donkey Kong Country Series
Super Mario RPG
Super Street Fighter II
Secret of Mana
Yoshi's Island: Super Mario World 2
Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past

[dethink]

all my favorites are from this era, and spread over the SNES/genesis, but if i had to sum it all up in one title, it'd be the original sonic. it's the title that catapulted the masses out of the 8-bit era.

[atomicthumbs]

Earthbound (Super Nintendo) - Probably my favorite (if I HAD to choose)

Final Fight CD (Sega CD)
Keio's Flying Squadron (Sega CD)

Altered Beast (Sega Genesis)
Sonic & Knuckles (Sega Genesis)

Chrono Trigger (Super Nintendo)
Final Fantasy III (Super Nintendo)
Super Mario World (Super Nintendo)
UN Squadron (Super Nintendo)

[Lemmy Kilmister]

genesis

1.Sonic and knuckles with sonic 3.
2.Rocket knight adventures.
3.Phantasy star 2/4.
4.gunstar heros
5.shadow dancer
6.shinobi 3

snes

1.FF3.
2.super metroid.
3.contra 3.
4.Magical Quest (mickey mouse).
5.LTTP.
6.legend of the mystic ninja.
7.chrono trigger.

turbografx-16

1.Bloody wolf.
2.neutopia.
3.legendary axe.

[Retsudo]

My favorite 16 bit system is the SNES

1. SF2 :-P

2. MK2 :evil:

3. Desert Strike :evil:

4. Mario allstars :)

5. Gradius 3 :evil:

6. Contra 3 :)

7. Killer Instinct :evil:

8. U.N. Squadron :-P

[Twinbee]

SNES: Super Castlevania IV, Super Mario World, DK Country
Genesis: Sonic the hedgehog, Dynamite Heady, Vectorman
Sega CD: Sonic CD

[fahrvergnugen]

What, no love for Herzog Zwei?

[classicb]

Super Mario Kart (SNES)

I tried to think of something more obscure but the bottome line is this is my favorite. I play it the most. It has yet to get old.

Tecmo Super Bowl (Genesis)

Still one of my favorit sports games of all time. I like the 8 bit version a little more but only because I played it first. This one is almost just like it but with better graphics. Madden still can't touch this legend.

It's almost imposible to put one game so here are some others I can't resist.

Sonic 2, Shinobi, Toe Jam & Earl, Mega Bomberman, Bonk's Revenge
Ninja Spirit, Pilotwings, Super Metroid, World Court Tennis, Splatterhouse 1, 2 and 3. Ahhh I love 16 bit it has such charm.

[pookninja]

wow.there is so many great 16bit games,its really hard to just pick one and say that its the greatest 16bit game ever,but there is one that i have always played over and over,and have beaten so many times i cannot remember,and the game never gets old to me.so i will have to say the greatest 16bit game to me is,ghouls and ghost for sega genesis.

[AMG]

This is tough. I can't choose just one.

But my top 5 in no order would be:

Super Metroid
Zelda: A Link to the Past
Super Punch-Out!
Mortal Kombat 2
Street Fighter 2 Turbo

[dmhawkmoon]

It's gotta be one of the Metal Slug games, but I can't choose one unless I'm forced to.... Neo-Geo of course...

[charitycasegreg]

Super Mario World 2 (single player)


Ahhh!!! no!!! Sorry, I wish I liked that game. My favorite is the all polpular Super Mario World. I hated the sequal.

[TEXASGAMEPLAYER]

I think some of you have short memories. I guess 16 bit was some time back but remember EARTHWORM JIM 1 and cd special edition. I was so impressed.

[TEXASGAMEPLAYER]

Also flashback for genesis reminded ne of impossible mission.

[classicb]

I put Mario Kart earlier but...

Tecmo Super Bowl (Genesis) is the best 16-bit game ever

THE END

[Jagasian]

Super Mario Kart, the original, the one that started it all! Battle mode is great! The sequals were dumbed-down gameplay wise... though their graphics were improved.

[slip81]

Final Fantasy III
Gunstar Heroes
Super Metroid
Super Mario All Stars (what a cheat :) )
Sonic2
Outrun

[Hakkenden]

I stuck between Illusion of Gaia and Super Metroid
SMB RPG or Chrono Trigger too

[Hakkenden]

How could I forget Super Ghouls and Ghosts

[link1110]

Definately Star Ocean and Tales of Phantasia, the beginnings of my two favorite series ever. I imported them both circa 1997 and have played every game in their respective series ever since.

[Iron Draggon]

Master of Monsters for Genesis & Super Conflict for SNES! Those two games dominated most of my waking hours for years, until Disciples of Gaia came out for the PS. It was like the second coming. Too bad they never made an Ultra Conflict or something, but at least we did get a 32bit sequel to MoM!

Honorable mention goes to the Blaster Master series, so Blaster Master 2 for 16bit, Blaster Master for 8bit, and Blasting Again for 32bit. You just gotta love a game whose whole premise is based on the idea that some kid's pet frog just hopped away one day and led him to a hidden underground world of radioactive mutants. He just wanted his friggin' frog back, but nooo! LOL

[MetroidFan1164]

See my avatar. :)

[novamaster0]

if you ask many rpg lovers they will tell you the special 3

Final Fantasy IIII(ff6)
Secret of Mana
Chrono Trigger

16 bit era was the best(personaly I grew up with this and played this when I was 5) and so many great rpg's where realeased
I agree with these but I know there are more some people may disagree with me but...

mystic quest
breath of fire 1
earth bound

These rpg's had a story line and the graphics were at the halfway mark about psx and snes era they were good graphics but not to good and not to bad it is just these games are so rare and take more work than a shooter or racing or such I would buy more games if they went back to the traditional rpgs like ff1-6 (7 is barely 8 was pushing it and 9 was just totaly out there)

[Avatard]

Final Fantasy 3(6)
Mario World 2 Yoshi's Island (yea I know, but once you get over the initial shock its really challenging)
Castlevania IV
Mario Kart

[Jagasian]

Final Fantasy 3(6)
Mario World 2 Yoshi's Island (yea I know, but once you get over the initial shock its really challenging)
Castlevania IV
Mario Kart

Super Mario World 2 was one of the best games for the SNES. People complained about the fact that Mario was a crying baby and Yoshi was the main character, but in EVERY way, it is a Mario game... especially the controls. I loved the mechanics of the egg throwing. You master that, and the game was a joy to play. If Mario fell off your back, peg him with an egg and he instantly returns. You could also upgrade your eggs fairly easily by bouncing them to change their color, then grab and save them. Good for those times where you need to spit fire.

[max 330 mega]

metal slug, and dont even try to tell me different, kicks the crap out of mario.

[davec]

My pick is Populous for the Genesis. Its a game that I played more than any other. The first god game and has infinite replay value. I love my little fully charged knight wreaking havoc on my enemies settlements and that little clank clank when engaging enemy combatants.

Second choice is Phantasy Star 2 for the Genny. It cost me eighty bucks (gulp) when it came out but was worth every cent. The combat scenes really showed off the power of 16 bit and the dungeons were tough!

[Cauterize]

im my opinion... one of the following...

Ristar
Sonic (any one of them!)
Megaman X
Streets Of Rage
Super Mario World

[xaer0knight]

IMO, the games that showed of 16-bit and what it could do

Megaman X3
Tales of Phantasia (MP3 intro and Voices for the Super Famicom would of thought)
Dracual X (TurboDuo version)
Sonic The Hedgehog (talk about fast for a 16 bit sys.)

[Fuyukaze]

SNES was my favorite. I didnt own a genesis till the past 3 years. Favorite games for it were....

Ogre battle
Lufia 1 & 2
Crono Trigger
Uncharted Waters:New Horizens
Civilization
Sim City
Romance of the 3 Kingdoms 2 & 3

[Zenmaster]

Super Contra on SNES

[om3ga]

Wow this is so easy ....

FF6 for SNES

and then ...

Chrono Trigger for SNES