Hosting a 90s party- what games do you hook up?

[RJ]

OK, judging from the forum descriptions, this is where this belongs...

Pop quiz, hotshot- you're hosting a 1990s party, & you decide to have some systems/games for guests to play. Keep in mind that not all your guests may not be that familiar/interested w/ gaming, so you might choose easier, pick-up-&-play games- maybe those "party" titles would be ideal...

You've got many to choose from, everything from the Genesis & SNES on up thru the PlayStation & N64 to the Dreamcast. Do you go w/ say, the top few games for each system regardless of game type, or those that would appeal to your group? Maybe those games that showcased or defined the certain system(s) they're on?

What do you do? WHAT DO YOU DO???
(Let's have some suggestions!)

[smork]

2 games on 2 different systems -- one TV playing Puzzle Bobble, the other with Bomberman. You just can't go wrong with those 2 at a party.

If it's my friends i'd toss in some multiplayer FPS (GoldenEye?), a 2D fighter (SNK vs. Capcom?), and maybe a shooter (pick one, probably on the Saturn)

[ShinobiMan]

If I had one game from each system hooked up at a party:

NES - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game

SNES - BomberMan (With 4-Player Tap)

Genesis - Street Fighter Tournament Edition

Sony Playstation - Blast Chamber (Great party game!)

Sega Saturn - Daytona USA

N64 - Super Smash Bros.

Wow, every one of those titles reminds me of the 90's in so many ways. Ah, the memories.

[chrisbid]

i laugh at the concept of a 90's party

the only nostalgia from that decade should be the very early part, with lots of bubble gum hip hop

[fishsandwich]

If you have the means, the controllers, and the multitap, then you cannot have a 90's party without 10-player Saturn Bomberman.

[XianXi]

Get a Neo MVS and hook up Puzzle Bobble and Neo Bomberman, cant get more 90s than that.

[The Shawn]

I'd throw in some tournament Mortal Kombat man.
8-)

[Rabid Peanut-Butter]

Two words: NBA JAM

Seriously, I dug out my 32X version of Tournament Ediation, 4 controllers, and the Team Player adapter and had an absolute blast with a bunch of friends. That game just oozes 90s for me.

[Nez]

Damn Beaten with NBA Jam

Throw Smash TV in there as well.

Both SCREAM 90s

[Cambot]

Plenty of Street Fighter II Turbo

...and plenty of Baja Pullovers for your friends to wear!

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

A '90s party? That's nonsense. It was like six years ago. Isn't there some accepted standard for how long you have to wait before you can engage in this sort of retro-kitsche stuff with a decade?


...word is bondage...

[ryborg]

A '90s party? That's nonsense. It was like six years ago. Isn't there some accepted standard for how long you have to wait before you can engage in this sort of retro-kitsche stuff with a decade?

Wait, so you're saying my upcoming 2005 party where we listen to the Black Eyed Peas and play Resident Evil 4 and NHL 05 is a bad idea?
________
The cigar boss (http://thecigarboss.com/)

[SirDrexl]

Some EA Sports games for Genesis, especially the NHL game where you can make the guy's head bleed (like they did in Swingers)

Kriss Kross: Make My Video @_@

[ShinobiMan]

A '90s party? That's nonsense. It was like six years ago. Isn't there some accepted standard for how long you have to wait before you can engage in this sort of retro-kitsche stuff with a decade?


...word is bondage...

Well, 6 years ago was 2000. 7 years ago was 1999. 16 years ago was 1990. I think it's very possible to have a 90's nostalgia party. Am I invited? :D

[alec]

Well, if I was going to thow a 90's party and set up video games, I would consider setting up my SNES with the multi tap and Super Bomberman and NBA Jam up in there. The only problem with a Super Nintendo is that it has no coinslots. For 2 player games, I would play them on my MVS machine and they would be Sam sho, Puzzle bob, Metal Slug, and something else, probably Aero Fighters 2. Set the MVS cab to coinplay, put the Super Nintendo away and collect your rent. Serve a lot of beer, tell your guests to bring the herbs and bitches and a lot of quarters and your party is go.

[n8littlefield]

I know that technically it launched in 1989, but I would try to get a few brick gameboys with tetris linked together and have a sweet Tetris tourney.

[alec]

Sony Playstation - Blast Chamber (Great party game!)


That is a great game. I almost forgot about it. I've only played it 2 players though becuase I don't have a PS multitap. I'm planning on getting a Saturn multitap soon, I'll probably get a Saturn version of Blast Chamber when I do.

[Slate]

You're hosting a 1990s party, And you decide to have some systems/games for guests to play. Keep in mind that not all your guests may not be familiar/interested with gaming, So you might choose easier, pick-up-&-play games - Maybe those "party" titles would be ideal.

You've got many to choose from, everything from the Genesis & SNES on up thru the PlayStation & N64 to the Dreamcast. Do you go w/ say, the top few games for each system regardless of game type, or those that would appeal to your group? Maybe those games that showcased or defined the certain system(s) they're on?

What would you do?

For those who would not be familiar with games, i'd choose something simple, Like Virtua Cop (With the gun controller) Wich would be easy to use.

For those who aren't interested, I'd show them the Virtual Boy. A bit hard to play for those uninterested that haven't tried gaming, But very interesting to see the 3D Screen in Mario's tennis.

And, for those who play games, It would be a mixture of stuff that i like and stuff that they like, And i'd ask them to bring over their favorite games, as long as i didn't have them already.

The reason for that is because i may like their favorites and while i'm showing them my faves, They may get to like my favorites aswell.

[Snapple]

I second Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam. They kinda typify early 90s gaming, and they're easy to pick up.

[cyberfluxor]

Two words: NBA JAM
BOOM Shocka Locka!!! He's on fire!!! "Whuuoooooop!!"
Dude, that is the best basketball game you can pop in that I know of. The Tournament Edition on the Saturn is for sure ultimate in party time. If there's a sports title to play pop this in for the 90's party and you'll get wide eyes open.

Now, when it comes to 90's I'd go with a LAN of computers as a first option. There's a ton of great multiplayer games on the PC and MAC that can be played over TCP/IP and IPX networking (Even serial!). Some great games to play would be:
1) Doom
-You can get some spectacular co-op and deathmatches out of this game. It's nothing too complicated, just aim and shoot while running around getting more ammo and health. Doom 1, 2, 95 and Ultimate all have low requirements so most any computer will run it, plus all you need is Windows 98 or above to have more ease networking.

2) Starcraft / Broodwars
-I'm sure most everyone has played this and it's a fairly simple RTS game. There's not a vast amount of units to create and there's only 2 resources with food stocks so not too many dimentions to gameplay. You can get up to 8 players, or put people on teams. For example, get 2 teams of people and have a captain playing the game and the others watch giving coaching advise on what tactics to use. Or of course go with an all out brawl FFA. Also you can grab Used Map Settings games and do something random like a Defense, Bunker Wars, RPG, or Snipers game.

3) Command & Conquer
-Great little game that's a bit more complecated than Starcraft. More units, buildings, but fun campaigns. You can pick up the first decade boxset for $40 and they'll run over the network fast and easy. Of course like you said with some not being gamers, it's a bit more difficult to start out and feel good.

4) Counter-Strike
-Try the original Counter-Strike and once again it's a great FPS to get burning over a LAN. There's no really high requirements but it is a tad higher than Doom. Get some patches and awesome maps downloaded and get more players in the game than 4.

5) Unreal
-You can grab the original Unreal dirt cheap and is more graphic intensive than the others of it's time. With all the co-op maps that exist in that multiplayer game, and all the deathmatches it's a sure win to eat up time. Whenever that gets played at my LANs we're in it for a good 4hrs or so. The levels are huge and have some massive bosses that can piss you off with their throwing of rocks and zapping with big guns and rockets. Another easy game to setup on a network as well.

There's a ton of other PC games to look up and people to talk about but feel around and I'm sure you'll find some others. Going over to consules though:

2-players mostly, some turnbase >2P:
SNES:
Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World, Monopoly, Kirby's Avalanche, R-Type, Gradius, Pac-Attack, Warrio Woods, F-Zero, Gun Force, Contra

Genesis:
Lotus, Double Dragon, Sonic, Pete Sampras Tennis (4 player), Columns, ToeJam & Earl, Moral Kombat, Street Fighter, Super Battleship, Lethal Enforcers,

2-4 players:
Playstation:
DarkStalkers, Rollcage Stage 2, Diablo, Gran Turismo, Worms, Bust-A-Move, Area51, Time Crisis, Tekken, Crash Bash (2000 release, but still! Good bumper-ball 4-player)

Nintendo64:
Bomberman, California Speed, Cruisin' World/Exotica/USA, Wave Race 64, Diddy Kong Racing, Mario Kart 64, Jet Force Gemini, Mario Party, Dr. Mario 64, F-Zero X, Goldeneye 007, Quake II, Extreme-G, Bust-A-Move '99

Saturn:
Street Fighter, Grid Runner, Darius Gaiden, Area 51, Shanghai: Triple Threat, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, Bust-a-Move 2, Tetris Plus

Many many other games of course as well exist, but feel around and check it all out.

[odyeiop]

Two words: NBA JAM
BOOM Shocka Locka!!! He's on fire!!! "Whuuoooooop!!"
Dude, that is the best basketball game you can pop in that I know of. The Tournament Edition on the Saturn is for sure ultimate in party time. If there's a sports title to play pop this in for the 90's party and you'll get wide eyes open.

Now, when it comes to 90's I'd go with a LAN of computers as a first option. There's a ton of great multiplayer games on the PC and MAC that can be played over TCP/IP and IPX networking (Even serial!). Some great games to play would be:
1) Doom
-You can get some spectacular co-op and deathmatches out of this game. It's nothing too complicated, just aim and shoot while running around getting more ammo and health. Doom 1, 2, 95 and Ultimate all have low requirements so most any computer will run it, plus all you need is Windows 98 or above to have more ease networking.

2) Starcraft / Broodwars
-I'm sure most everyone has played this and it's a fairly simple RTS game. There's not a vast amount of units to create and there's only 2 resources with food stocks so not too many dimentions to gameplay. You can get up to 8 players, or put people on teams. For example, get 2 teams of people and have a captain playing the game and the others watch giving coaching advise on what tactics to use. Or of course go with an all out brawl FFA. Also you can grab Used Map Settings games and do something random like a Defense, Bunker Wars, RPG, or Snipers game.

3) Command & Conquer
-Great little game that's a bit more complecated than Starcraft. More units, buildings, but fun campaigns. You can pick up the first decade boxset for $40 and they'll run over the network fast and easy. Of course like you said with some not being gamers, it's a bit more difficult to start out and feel good.

4) Counter-Strike
-Try the original Counter-Strike and once again it's a great FPS to get burning over a LAN. There's no really high requirements but it is a tad higher than Doom. Get some patches and awesome maps downloaded and get more players in the game than 4.

5) Unreal
-You can grab the original Unreal dirt cheap and is more graphic intensive than the others of it's time. With all the co-op maps that exist in that multiplayer game, and all the deathmatches it's a sure win to eat up time. Whenever that gets played at my LANs we're in it for a good 4hrs or so. The levels are huge and have some massive bosses that can piss you off with their throwing of rocks and zapping with big guns and rockets. Another easy game to setup on a network as well.
Change Unreal to Unreal Tournament and Doom to Worms Armageddon and I couldn't agree with you more! =D


2-players mostly, some turnbase >2P:
SNES:
Super Mario Kart

Genesis:
Street Fighter, Altered Beast (yeah.. 2 player is fun =P sue me)

Nintendo64:
Mario Kart 64, Mario Party 1-3, F-Zero X, Goldeneye 007

[Kitsune Sniper]

Neogeo:
The King of Fighters '98 (available on Dreamcast).

EXCELLENT fighting game, for those with arcade nostalgia.

[Nebagram]

Why more people haven't said Mario Kart is shocking, truly shocking. Bit of ISS on the Playstation, Quake 2 on the PC, Saturn Bomberman (obviously) and break out the Street Fighter/Mortal Kombat. Don't want to overcomplicate things, after all. :-)

[diskoboy]

If you can complete this quote, you have my suggestion.

"It is the Nineties. And there is time for...."

Any atari fans wanna take a guess? :D


And since it's a 90's party, you have to show the entire series of Twin Peaks. The television show that epitomized the 90's.

Just a suggestion... LOL

[Slate]

If you can complete this quote, you have my suggestion.

"It is the Nineties. And there is time for...."

Any atari fans wanna take a guess? :D

"KLAX"

I haven't played it, but i have the NES version.

[Jake2215]

When hosting a 90s party, what you really are doing is hosting an early 90s party. You decorate with neon colors and you have one tv dedicated to playing Saved By The Bell eps. You put Super Mario Kart on another tv, and maybe have Mario World laying around next to the SNES. Then you play some New Kids On The Block, MC Hammer, and even Backstreet Boys, because even though they are late 90s, you don't care what anyone says, they play shit hot music and you know because it helped you get laid.

[starchildskiss78]

"It is the nineties and there is time for... Klax!"

(Sorry couldn't help it...)

In all seriousness the idea of getting some games that would be addicting and fun would be the best idea for everyone to have a good time. The suggestions about multiplayer Bomberman were good. Super Mario Kart was good too. I think the first Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter II would be good ideas. Just mix things up and don't necessarily get the "best" titles for each system...just go for how the vibe is when they're there.

[suckerpunch5]

I know that technically it launched in 1989, but I would try to get a few brick gameboys with tetris linked together and have a sweet Tetris tourney.

Ha ha! My wife and I still do this. You should see the looks we get from kids in the airport!

Definitely NBA Jam, and Street Fighter. And Tecmo Bowl. and Goldeneye 007.


. . . and even Backstreet Boys, because even though they are late 90s, you don't care what anyone says, they play shit hot music and you know because it helped you get laid.

O_O What the? Oh wait, I get it. Your from Iowa. Bathe each other in corn too! (you know, because it helped you get laid!)

[MrSmiley381]

Genesis: Super Street Fighter II. 6-Button pads make the game more accessible than the SNES version. That is, unless you've got a nice stick setup.
SNES: Ultimate MK3. Craziness abounds. Get a strategy guide so guests can do fatalities and whatnot.
Saturn: SATURN BOMBERMAN TEN-PLAYER SETUP. Need I say more?
Playstation: Street Fighter Alpha 3. Everyone loves Street Fighter. If someone doesn't, they're a communist.
N64: Super Smash Bros. 4-Player actio at its finest.
Dreamcast: House of The Dead 2. Zombie killing is fun.
PC: 8-Player Quake II.

In theory, entertainment for 28 people.

The nineties rocked hard.

[drewbrim]

If it were my party, gaming wise, I'd roll with a Turbografx, turbo tap, five controllers, and Dungeon Explorer. Five of you could try and save Oddessia, while everyone else could say..."What the hell is that thing?" LOL

[Dr. Morbis]

1990 was the NES'es biggest year. Not one of you would recommend hooking up the ol' gray box?

[§ Gideon §]

1990 was the NES'es biggest year. Not one of you would recommend hooking up the ol' gray box?
I would. Everyone loves SMB3. It was the first game that came to mind.

By the way, that reminds me: I still haven't stumbled upon your 28 P-wings secret... but I'm keeping my eyes peeled.

[Kevincal]

You only need 1 system, an N64, 4 controllers, and 2 games. Mario Kart 64 and Goldeneye 007. :)

Rumble paks too if ya got 'em...

[Moo Cow]

NES
-Bubble Bobble
-Contra or Super C
-River City Ransom

SNES
-Contra 3
-Donkey Kong Country 1 or 2 preferably, but 3 will do
-Legend of the Mystical Ninja
-Maximum Carnage
-Street Fighter 2: Turbo (or regular if you don't have it)
-Mario Kart
-Zombies Ate My Neighbors

N64
-Conker's Bad Fur Day (trust me on this one)
-Goldeneye-Mario Kart 64
-Mario Party 2

Playstation
-Lots of great games here, find things you think kick ass in your collection that a couple of people can pick up and play with ease.