Weird and/or unique games(1996-2006)

[NeoZeedeater]

I thought it might be fun to take a look at the weird and/or unique games of the past decade. I chose 50 that came to mind although there are many more, especially since I left out adult games, freeware games, the rhythm genre among other things. Some of these I haven't played yet so I'm very interested in more opinions.

So yeah, discuss and add more you feel should be mentioned.


Game: Odama
Developer/Publisher: Vivarium/Nintendo
Format: Gamecube
Year: 2005 JP/2006 NA

I'm still waiting for the price to drop further so I haven't played it but a pinball/RTS hybrid that uses a microphone(or drums in Japan) seems weird enough.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/odama.jpg

Game: The Dark Eye
Developer/Publisher: inSCAPE/Time Warner Interactive
Format: PC
Year: 1995 or 1996(I'm not sure but I'll include it anyway)

This adventure game based on the writings of Edgar Allan Poe is so uniquely disturbing in style. I lost interest in it after a while but I wouldn't mind giving it another try some time.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/dark%20eye.jpg

Game: Pepsiman
Developer/Publisher: KID
Format: Playstation
Year: 1999

Product tie-ins in general are pretty lame but this is the exception. It's a simple and very enjoyable game of running and dodging. The live action cinemas are good for a laugh too. It's an import but there's no language barrier to worry about.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/pepsiman.jpg

Game: Trauma Center: Under the Knife
Developer/Publisher: Atlus
Format: DS
Year: 2005

Touchscreen surgery.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/trauma.bmp

Game: Roommania #203
Developer/Publisher: Wave Master/Sega
Format: Dreamcast, Playstation 2
Year: 2000

This probably isn't worth checking out if you don't know Japanese but it sounds different enough. It's sort of a god game where you affect some dude's actions. This review describes it in more detail - http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/strategy/roommania203/review.html
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/roommania.jpg

Game: Killer 7
Developer/Publisher: Grasshopper Manufacture/Capcom
Formats: Gamecube, Playstation 2
Year: 2005

I played all the way through this but it still seems like some illogical twisted dream or something. I loved it though.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/killer7.jpg

Game: No One Can Stop Mr. Domino
Developer/Publisher: Artdink/Acclaim
Format: Playstation
Year: 1998

That's right. No. One.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/mr%20domino.bmp

Game: Pac-Pix
Developer/Publisher: Namco
Format: DS
Year: 2005

Draw pacmen, bombs, arrows, etc. and have them come to life. This is one of best and most original uses of the DS's touchscreen.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/Pac-Pix.jpg

Game: Gender Wars
Developer/Publisher: The 8th Day/SCi
Format: PC
Year: 1996

It's males vs. females in a fight for supremacy.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/gender%20wars%20pc.jpg

Game: Shadow of the Colossus
Developer/Publisher: Sony
Format: Playstation 2
Year: 2005

Ico was a unique game in style but the gameplay wasn't drastically new(Fumito Ueda did learn some skills on an Amiga and I think he was probably exposed to games like Out of this World). SotC, on the other hand, does head into uncharted territory for game design. Battling giant living puzzle beasts has not been done before like this as far as I can tell, at least not having a whole game designed around the concept.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/shadow.jpg

Game: Walk the Dog
Developer/Publisher: Sega
Format: Arcade
Year: 2000

I can't think of any other video games using a leash and treadmill as a controller.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/walkdog.jpg

Game: Chulip
Developer/Publisher: Punchline Studios/Natsume
Format: Playstation 2
Year: 2002 JP/2006 NA?

This still isn't out in the West although it's supposedly still coming. The object of the game is to going around town kissing everyone to lift their spirits.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/chulip.jpg

Game: The Neverhood
Developer/Publisher: The Neverhood/Dreamworks
Format: PC
Year: 1996

I still haven't played this but a claymation adventure game seems pretty cool to me.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/neverhood.jpg

Game: Incredible Crisis
Developer/Publisher: Polygon Magic/Titus
Format: Playstation
Year: 2000

It's a pretty simple mix of button tapping minigames but it's full of Japanese quirkiness.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/incredible%20crisis.bmp

Game: Jet Grind Radio
Developer/Publisher: Smilebit/Sega
Format: Dreamcast
Year: 2000

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/jet-grind-radio.jpg

Game: Normality
Developer/Publisher: Gremlin/Interplay
Format: PC
Year: 1996

I haven't played this adventure game and I don't think it came out in North America. I'm interested in more impressions as it seems pretty unique.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/normality.jpg

Game: Mister Mosquito
Developer/Publisher: Zoom/Fresh Games(Eidos)
Format: Playstation 2
Year: 2001 JP/2002 NA

You're a mosquito on a mission to suck blood from various people in their home. This has a sequel although it was left in Japan.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/mrmosq.bmp

Game: Teenage Lawnmower
Developer/Publisher: Robinson Technologies
Format: PC
Year: 2003

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/teenagelawnmower.jpg

Game: Katamari Damacy
Developer/Publisher: Namco
Format: Playstation 2
Year: 2004

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/katamari.bmp

Game: Stretch Panic
Developer/Publisher: Treasure/Conspiracy
Format: Playstation 2
Year: 2001

The game itself feels unfinished but the concept and art are neat. Grab them boobies!
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/stretch%20panic.jpg

Game: LifeLine
Developer/Publisher: Sony/Konami
Format: Playstation 2
Year: 2004

I'm tempted to buy this although I hear it's not that good. It's an adventure game controlled entirely by microphone.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/lifeline.jpg

Game: Majestic
Developer/Publisher: Anim-X/Electronic Arts
Format: PC
Year: 2001

The servers are long taken down for this monthly fee episodic game and it was never successful but it definitely tried new things. It was an adventure game that tried to incorporate "real life" elements by emailing, faxing and phoning you what to do next.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/majestic.bmp

Game: Missing: Since January
Developer/Publisher: Lexis Numerique/The Adventure Company
Format: PC
Year: 2003 EU/2004 NA

I never did play Majestic because of the fee and the fact that it sounded kind of intrusive with the phoning aspect. Missing took some concepts from it and pulled off a great game. There are no monthly fees here, just a cool puzzle/mystery game in which you use the internet to solve puzzles(they set up various fake sites) and "people" communicating with you via email.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/missing.jpg

Game: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Developer/Publisher: Capcom Production Studio 4/Capcom
Formats: GBA, DS, mobile
Year: 2001(2005 for DS)

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/phoenix%20w.jpg

Game: Panzer Dragoon Saga
Developer/Publisher: Team Andromeda/Sega
Format: Saturn
Year: 1998

The Panzer Dragoon universe already stands out for its art style but Saga stands out further because of its design, especially its semi real time flying battle system. In many ways PDS is the opposite of all the popular JRPG/Final Fantasy/whiny metrosexual character type games which could explain why it never sold well in Japan.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/panzsaga.gif

Game: Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath
Developer/Publisher: Oddworld Inhabitants/EA Games
Format: Xbox
Year: 2005

Besides being able to switch on the fly between FPS and platform/beat 'em up modes the whole theme is different. It's a weird fantasy version of the Wild West and you can use all kinds of odd creatures as weapons.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/oddworldsr.jpg

Game: Tail of the Sun
Developer/Publisher: Artdink/Sony
Format: Playstation
Year: 1997

I hated Artdink's Aquanaut's Holiday so I never risked buying this caveman sim but it seems to have some fans.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/tailofthesun.jpg

Game: The Last Express
Developer/Publisher: Smoking Car Productions/Interplay
Formats: PC, Mac
Year: 1997

Especially when seen in motion there really isn't another game that looks like it. Design-wise it's different as well although certain aspects like time sensitivity and quicktime-ish action parts have been revisisted by more recent adventure games like Shenmue and Indigo Prophecy.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/lastexpre.jpg

Game: Gekisha Boy 2
Developer/Publisher: Irem
Format: Playstation 2
Year: 2001

You take pictures of all kinds of wacky shit in the background. It's the sequel to the PC Engine game.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/gekisha2-2.jpg

Game: Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat
Developer/Publisher: EAD Tokyo/Nintendo
Format: Gamecube
Year: 2005

It's a platformer controlled with bongo drums. It's also the best console platformer in years, IMO.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/dkjunglerev1.jpg

Game: Typing of the Dead
Developer/Publisher: Smilebit/Sega
Format: Arcade, Dreamcast, PC
Year:

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/typing.bmp

Game: Demolition Girl
Developer/Publisher: Tamsoft/505 Game Street
Format: Playstation 2
Year: 2004 JP/2005 EU

Take down the giant bikini clad chick.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/demolition.bmp

Game: Xenogears
Developer/Publisher: Square
Format: Playstation
Year: 1998

My brain is still damaged from the story although I have forgotten most of it now. It's nearing time for me to play it again I think.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/xenogears.jpg

Game: Darwinia
Developer/Publisher: Introversion Software/Valve
Formats: PC, Mac
Year: 2005

A mismash of styles and genres with influences from RTS games, TRON, '80s arcade shooters, Lemmings, etc..
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/darwinia.jpg

Game: Rez
Developer/Publisher: UGA/Sega
Formats: Dreamcast, Playstation 2
Year: 2001

Trippy game although I haven't tried the optional Trance Vibrator peripheral. That sounds like one of the oddest peripherals since Synapse's 1984 computer game Relax and its headband thingie.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/rez.jpg

Game: Elemental Gearbolt
Developer/Publisher: Alfa System/Working Designs
Format: Playstation
Year: 1997 JP/1998 NA

In a genre filled with Virtua Cop wannabees it's nice to see something fresh. Gearbolt's fantasy theme, RPG style upgrading, and soothing music make it something special and unique for gun games.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/elemental_gearbolt.jpg

Game: Cubivore
Developer/Publisher: Saru Brunei/Atlus
Format: Gamecube
Year: 2002

This is another one I'm waiting to find really cheap and I'm interested in more impressions.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/cubivore.jpg

Game: NiGHTS into Dreams
Developer/Publisher: Sonic Team/Sega
Format: Saturn
Year: 1996

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/nights.jpg

Game: Wario Ware inc. Mega Microgame$
Developer/Publisher: R&D1/Nintendo
Format: Game Boy Advance, Gamecube
Year: 2003

While certainly not the first or only "minigames game" it does it will an odd style all its own. Sequels like Twisted and Touched added new elements.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/warioware.jpg

Game: Ribbit King
Developer/Publisher: Jamsworks/Bandai
Format: Playstation 2, Gamecube
Year: 2004

Frog golf = frolf. It's not as cool as Ninja Golf but what is?
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/Ribbit%20King.jpg

Game: Seaman
Developer/Publisher: Vivarium/Sega
Format: Dreamcast
Year: 2000

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/seaman.jpg

Game: N.U.D.E.(Natural Ultimate Digital Experiment)
Developer/Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios/Red/Microsoft
Format: Xbox
Year: 2003

I haven't played this import but it seems similar to Seaman in that it's a life simulation in which you interact via microphone.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/nud.jpg

Game: Space Station Silicon Valley
Developer/Publisher: DMA Design/Take 2 Interactive
Format: Nintendo 64
Year: 1998
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/spacestationsv.jpg

Game: Ore no Ryouri
Developer/Publisher: Sony
Format: Playstation
Year: 1999

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/orenoryouri.jpg

Game: Uplink
Developer/Publisher: Introversion Software/Strategy First
Format: PC
Year: 2001

The fact that a mostly text based game was sold in the 21st century is odd enough. There have been other hacker sims in the past but they haven't been made quite the same way. I love the game but it's brutal in that your actions are being traced behind the scenes; hours of playtime can suddenly end if you get caught hacking.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/uplink.bmp

Game: SGGG(Segagaga)
Developer/Publisher: Hitmaker/Sega
Format: Dreamcast
Year: 2001

Man, I hope this game gets a translation some day as it mixes in so many Sega characters and history. It's a simulation/RPG where you're a kid in charge of running Sega and bringing it back to profitability. If you're interested in seeing the ending, someone at the insertcredit forums put this up recently. Last boss battles do not get cooler than this.

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hhhs5UpGrRE
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Yz_Oi_6w0Q
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/segagaga-18a.jpg

Game: Real Sound: Kaze no Regret
Developer/Publisher: Warp
Formats: Saturn, Dreamcast
Year: 1997

I'm not sure this even counts as a video game but it's too weird not to mention. It's essentially an "audio game" where you listen to a story and choose branching paths in the story from sound clues. It's all in Japanese though.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/real%20sound.bmp

Game: Samorost2
Developer/Publisher: Amanita Design
Format: PC
Year: 2005

I think the first game might have always been freeware so I listed the sequel. I love the artwork in this Czech indie adventure game. It reminds me of certain cartoons and paintings but not of anything else in video gaming.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/samorost2.jpg

Game: Okami
Developer/Publisher: Clover Studios/Capcom
Format: Playstation 2
Year: 2005 JP/2006 NA?

This has been way high on my wanted list for a while. Judging from the demo it's one of the most artistically impressive games ever with its watercolour look.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/okami.jpg

Game: Boong-Ga Boong-Ga
Developer/Publisher: NTS Soft.
Format: Arcade
Year: 2000

I don't think anything is going to top an ass poking simulation for this topic.
http://www.the-nextlevel.com/hosted/neozeedeater/boonga.jpg

[cyberfluxor]

What about Billy Hatcher? I thought that was a unique game to a good degree.

Cool list you have though, it's a nice mixture of games new and old. I'm sure there's a good amount of games that can be added as well when others post about them.

[NeoZeedeater]

Damn, a bunch of the pics don't show up. I'll try them again in this post:


*edit - they still don't work. If anyone wants to see screens of them I posted the same thread at TNL - http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/showthread.php?t=42205

[RadiantSvgun]

How about JJ and Jeff for an odd game? Breakdown on Xbox is waaay out there, as well as Kid Chameleon and Comix Zone. Oh don't forget Beyond Oasis and Legend of Oasis. Nothing is as odd as mixing The Legend of Zelda with Streets of Rage for gameplay.

[blissfulnoise]

Another great topic NeoZeedeater. Proud to say I've played most of those games on the list.

And I just picked up Segagaga, looking forward to fumbling my way through some of it.

10 Others I'd add off the top of my head are:

It's Mr. Pants! - GBA (2005): greatest game name EVER

Rumble Box - PC (2005): Very unique beat em' up. Simplistic but fun.

Disaster Report - PS2 (2003): Unique premise on the action/puzzle game.

Planescape: Torment - PC (1999): Leveling up as a zombie was never so cool.

Psychonauts - Multiplatform (2005): Brilliant character design and story, totally unique visuals.

The Blazing Chef: Cooking Fighter Hao - PSX (1998): I haven't played it, but holy crap does it look awesome.

http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/cookingfighter/hao-11.png

Twinkle Star Sprites - Saturn (1997): Totally unique take on the shmup geared on two player madness. Impossible to put down with a group of friends.

Urban Yeti - GBA (2005): One of the stranger premises in recent memory.

Magic Pengel/Graffiti Kingdom - (2003/2005) PS2: Draw your own monsters and make them duke it out? Puts a new spin on cock fighting.

Kingdom Hearts 1/2 - PS2 (2002/2006): Square properties mixed into a Disney universe? Madness. But boy does it work.

[Fighter17]

You forgot Vib Ribbon.

A Playstation game that you can put in any music cd in and the game generates levels from the music.

Release only in Japan and Europe.

[j_factor]

I'd also include N2O: Nitrous Oxide and Scud: The Disposable Assassin.

[Haoie]

What do they have in common? They're, for the most half, either Japan only or completely ignored by so called 'mainstream' gamers.

What a pity.

[CreamSoda]

Great list, and it was very cool of you to include pictures! 8-)

I totally forgot about "The Dark Eye", I saw it on XPlay one time in a segment talking about "weird games" (obviously).

But I've always wanted to try it, maybe I can find a cheap copy somewhere if I'm lucky.

[mills]

Awesome thread. Thanks for reminding me about tails of the sun, I played it briefly when I was young and totally forgot about it.

[goemon]

Ore no Ryouri is one of my favorite games... I got it when I was in cooking school and had more fun than in an actual kitchen. Pepsiman is good too, although the action gets repetitive after a while. The intermissions are gold, though.

My additions: any Chou Aniki game, especially the PS/SS version that uses live digitized actors. Very trippy and possibly homoerotic.

I don't know if this totally fits this list, but the "My Home Dream" games on PS and "My Home o Tsukurou" for PS2 are interior design and architecture simulations. Quite fun, too. You have clients you have to design houses and interiors for. Or, you can build your dream house and furnish it however you want.

Another PS game worth mentioning is Battle Konchuden, a game where you train and fight beetles. There's also a portable beetle game for GBA called "Boku no Kabutomushi" that focuses less on fights and more on races and the actual catching. Two solid titles to pick up if you're into bug games.

I also think any Parodius game would be a good addition to the list. Sexy Parodius is probably the most bizarre.

[Niku-Sama]

i am supprised American McGee's Alice hasnt come up in this

[Damaramu]

I'm gonna mention:

Three Dirty Dwarves
The Parodious series
Dungeon Keeper 1 & 2
Tecmo's Deception series

[christhegamer]

well done! may I suggest A LOT more photos so that we could know what the game(s) look like in the wild?

[Julio III]

Awesome thread! I've heard about a lot of these games but a lot are new to me so i should really find out more about them. I love hearing about wacky games.

[Push Upstairs]

"Normality" i believe was released in the US because i read a review on it in PC Games. It features the voice talent of everyone's favorite Cory, Cory Feldman.



i am supprised American McGee's Alice hasnt come up in this

As am I.

[DDCecil]

If you are going to include Rez and N20, you need to include iS: internal Section.

[NeoZeedeater]

Thanks, guys. :)


i am supprised American McGee's Alice hasnt come up in this
The other game with American McGee's name on it, Scrapland, is pretty weird and unique too. I don't think he was involved with its development though.

[GrandAmChandler]

Game: Irritating Stick
Developer/Publisher: Saurus / Jaleco
Format: Playstation
Year: 1999

http://psxmedia.ign.com/psx/image/933643b.jpg

http://psxmedia.ign.com/media/previews/image/irritatingstick_4.jpg

http://psxmedia.ign.com/media/previews/image/irritatingstick_7.jpg

IGN hits it on the nose:
"What the hell is an Irritating Stick?" you may ask, since the question's been drilling into your head the moment you read the title to this review. Well, simply put, Irritating Stick is a videogame version of that carnival game where you slap down a buck and try to maneuver a metal rod through a metal maze without touching the sides. More accurately, though, Irritating Stick is the US localized version of a Japanese PlayStation game based on Dengeki Iraira Bou (Irritating Electric Stick, for those that need the direct translation) -- a gameshow in Japan where you really do get electrocuted if you touch the sides."

[Zadoc]

Real Sound: Kaze no Regret

Back in 1999 a Japanese company called Warp released what could be considered to be the very first big commercial audio game. The game's title was Real Sound: Kaze no Riglet (sometimes also Kaze no Regret) which translates into "Regrets in the Wind" or "The Riglet of the Wind". The game, that consists of 4 cd's (!), was only released in Japan for the Sega Saturn and the Dreamcast.
The man behind Real Sound: Kaze No Riglet is Kenji Eno, Warp's president. He was inspired to work with sound after receiving letters from some fans in Japan who were blind. Kenji Eno is acknowledged as being one hell of a game designer for being very unconventional, although most western gamers probably haven't played too many of his games. The game is produced by Iino Ken Osamu and features a luxurious cast of Miho's Sugaya.

Since we haven't got a copy ourselves we can't tell you much about the actual gameplay. What we know is that the game is basically an interactive audio adventure game which revolves around a Tokyo Love Story. After finishing the story there isn't much replayability except to run the story again. The game originally didn't feature ANY graphics on the Sega Saturn. When it was released on the Dreamcast it featured two play modes, visual and classic. The visual mode contains a series of still photographs that will be shown at certain portions of the game. The classic mode gives one a blank screen as with the Saturn version.

Warp has also released several big hit titles like Enemy Zero and D2 (both visually very rich games). Some parts of Real Sound: Kaze no Regret made their way into these two games. In D2 there are long scenes in the game where there's only a black screen along with a lone voice, and the player has to continue the game in that mode. Late in the game your character is rendered deaf and then blinded by a boss- but the game still continues and the player experiences the same visual and auditory limitations the character experiences.

The game is quite attractive for collectors due to its extreme curiosity and the fact that it includes some very stranges attributes like braille-cards, a bag with seeds (to plant!) and an extra transparant box with cloud motive. You might be able to still buy copies on online auction websites like eBay.

http://www.audiogames.net/pics/upload/lg_realsoundkazenoregret03.jpg

[diskoboy]

Bangai-O (DC) is without a doubt, one of the weirdest games I've ever played.

http://www.dreamcast-scene.com/uploads/Main/Bangaio3.p.jpg

[Spartacus]

That's an interesting list of games you've come up with NeoZeedeater.
I just picked up Odama a few days ago and haven't had a chance to try it out yet. Definately an interesting and unique game concept mixing strategy with pinball flippers and a microphone. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'm going to see a lot of blood and gore crushing people under that gigantic pinball. I don't dare to hope I'll get to hear any Joe Theisman sound effects though!

Shadow of Colossus is a must have and I don't yet! But if I can't kill my horse in that game, I'm going to be terribly disappointed!

I've enjoyed playing all the Oddworld games and like the direction they took with Stranger's Wrath. Shooting critter ammo is definately a different experience. I think I read somewhere that Stranger's Wrath was going to be the last Oddworld game made. Seems they want to move the IP to film's. I wouldn't mind seeing an Oddworld film if they can manage to keep Uwe Boll away!

The Neverhood was a pretty good puzzle game I've played on my PC. There's something about claymation that just looks cool! I think the guys who made that were from the Earthworm Jim Shiny Enterainment group. That's another unique game that just missed your 1995-2006 time bracket. I do have Neverhoods sequel...

Game: Skullmonkey's
Developer/Publisher: The Neverhood
Format: Playstation
Year: 1998
Game Ranking: 80%
The Klaymen fight Skullmonkeys in a side scrolling platform game this time.
http://i1.tinypic.com/206058j.jpg



For some reason that guy in Gekisha Boy 2 reminds me of Quagmire of the family guy. Giggity! I never could quite bring myself to buying Gekisha Boy because I've never enjoyed taking pictures in any game I've played so far. I didn't like it in GTA:SA, it's pretty much put me off from playing any of the recent Metroids, though I guess it's called scanning in those, and it was the main reason I dropped out of Beyond Good & Evil about a third of the way in. Well, that and the realization that I'd never acquire a flamethrower or white phosphorous grenades to clear those urchins out of my lighthouse! That being said, I would like to see a US port of PS2's Michigan come over. It was developed by Grasshopper who also did Killer 7, which also made it on your list. Sort of a horror game involving camera's that never got that great of reviews but managed to intrigue me with the idea of earning erotic points by filming up skirt videos. Now that's weird and/or unique!!
http://i1.tinypic.com/20608jc.jpg




Ore no Ryouri is one of my favorite games... I got it when I was in cooking school and had more fun than in an actual kitchen. Pepsiman is good too, although the action gets repetitive after a while. The intermissions are gold, though.
My additions: any Chou Aniki game, especially the PS/SS version that uses live digitized actors. Very trippy and possibly homoerotic.
I also think any Parodius game would be a good addition to the list. Sexy Parodius is probably the most bizarre.

I just never could pull the trigger on Ore no Ryouri though I've read so many people who've enjoyed it. For me cooking is a chore and I can't imagine it being anything else! Pepsiman does get repetitive, but it's goofy as Hell and in English for some reason unbeknownst to me! I will vigorously second the nomination of any Chou Aniki and Parodius games!




Game: Irritating Stick

http://i1.tinypic.com/2060z0p.jpg

I have picked up a lot of PlayStation games in my time and in all of my hunting I have never run across a single copy of that game. Afer reading the reviews for it, perhaps that's a good thing! LOL




If you are going to include Rez and N20, you need to include iS: internal Section.

If you are going to include trippy looking rail shooters I will give a thumbs up to...

Game: Lattice 200EC7
Developer/Publisher: Nousite, Inc.
Format: (JPN) PlayStation
Year: 2000
A rail shooter that's unusual because you are looking for a way out of a geometric shape. The rail is four sided that you can rotate/revolve around to avoid obstacles at the risk of becoming disoriented. Some odd looking stuff, some benign, some not, are seen hovering around the rails and the graphics are impressive for the PlayStation.
http://i2.tinypic.com/2061r3d.jpg



A few more weird and/or unique games I'd care to nominate are...

Any of the puzzle games developed by Shift are pretty unusual and always difficult. Starting with this one.

Game:Intelligent Qube
Developer/Publisher: Shift
Format: PlayStation
Year: 1997
Game Ranking: 72%
With a third person perspective, you are trying to eliminate an avalanche of blocks without having one fall on you.
http://i1.tinypic.com/206272f.jpg



Game: Devil Dice
Developer/Publisher: Shift
Format: PlayStation
Year: 1998
Game Ranking: 79%
Needless to say you use your Teletubby looking character to move the dice to create chain reaction explosions.
http://i2.tinypic.com/2062dn8.jpg



Name: Bombastic
Developer/Publisher: Shift
Format: PS2
Year: 2002
Game Ranking: 75%
The sequel to Devil Dice with much the same gameplay that's much to complicated to explain fully.
http://i2.tinypic.com/206bk81.jpg



Hate Teletubbies you say? Good! So do I, let's kill some!
Game: Raze's Hell
Developer/Publisher: Artech Studios
Format: Xbox
Year: 2005
Game Ranking: 72%
A bunch of Teletubbies called Kewletts take it upon themselves to beautify thier world by exterminating anything or anyone who doesn't look as cute as they do. While attempting to escape from them, an ugly character called Raze stumbles onto an ancient artifact that helps him turn the tables. With an interesting concept having the cute guys being truely evil, the game mixes plenty of gore with an adult sense of humor.
http://i1.tinypic.com/206c47t.jpg



Game: Under The Skin
Developer/Publisher: Capcom
Format: PS2
Year: 2004
Game Ranking: 58%
A Japanese alien who talks by way of a hand puppet exiles a kid called Cosmi from Planet Mischief to the earth to practice trickery on unsuspecting humans. After zapping people with a DNA ray gun, Cosmi assumes their identity and pull pranks, trying to cause as much disruption as possible without being discovered in order to prove himself worthy enough to be brought home. Sound wierd enough?
http://i2.tinypic.com/206d1qc.jpg



Game: Finny the Fish
Developer/Publisher: Natsume
Format: PS2
Year: 2005
Game Ranking: 62%
Finny is sent by a turtle sage to gather seven statues to ward off some impending evil. He needs to keep his energy up by catching and eating anything he finds along the way. Sometimes Finny will eat a fishing lure and literally has to get himself off the hook! He also needs to avoid being eaten by prey larger than himself. Natsume has a knack for bringing over some strange stuff.
http://i1.tinypic.com/206gb9v.jpg



Game: Robot Alchemic Drive
Developer/Publisher: Sandlot
Format: PS2
Year: 2002
Game Ranking 80%
Giant robot games are common, but what makes this unique is how the PS2 pad is used to control the robot's every movement like a remote control device. Sandlot gave the game a great sense of scale and would use this experience later on to create the giant monster Earth Defense Force games that I enjoyed immensely too!
http://i2.tinypic.com/206msud.jpg



Game: Stubbs the Zombie
Developer/Publisher: Wideload Games
Format: Xbox
Year: 2005
Game Ranking: 75%
Stubbs is a brain munching zombie who can pass gas to knock his victims out, throw gut bombs, and roll his own head like an explosive bowling ball. Not to mention he can tear peoples arms off to beat them with. His victims become zombies that he can control and creating a massive zombie army to terrorize the city makes this a weird but fun game!
http://i2.tinypic.com/206mucw.jpg



Game: Bad Mojo
Developer/Publisher: Pulse Entertainment
Format: PC
Year: 1996
Game Ranking: 76%
You play a man who's been turned into a cockroach and attempts to find out just what the Hell has happened to him! Nicely done with lots of puzzles to solve as a puny roach in a dark seedy dangerous environment. This game gets "borrowed" from me so much I can never get to finish it. I think one of my kids has it, even now!
http://i2.tinypic.com/206o0w7.jpg



Game: Pulirula
Developer/Publisher: Taito
Format: (JPN) Saturn & PlayStation
Year: 1997
An old man gives two children a "magic stick" to bash enemies, turning them into animals who scurry away. It's what goes on in the backgrounds that has to be seen to be believed!
http://i1.tinypic.com/206f039.jpg



Game: Finger Flashing
Developer/Publisher: Affect
Format: (JPN) PlayStation
Year: 1999
A puzzle shooting game that you can play as either boy toting a rocket laucher or a girl with a magic wand magic. Simple, fun, addicting and beautiful artwork.
http://i1.tinypic.com/206h1j5.jpg



Game: Umiharakawase Shun
Developer/Publisher: Japan Clary Jackpot
Format: (JPN) Super Famicom & PlayStation
Year: 1997
A Japanese schoolgirl armed with a fishing pole hooks and slings herself up and across platforms to find doorways leading to new levels. Falling into the water will drown her and oddly enough, all of the fish she encounters are out of the water and blocking her way. By zapping them with her fishing lure, she can reel them into her creel.
http://i2.tinypic.com/206hd92.jpg



Game: Rescue Shot
Developer/Publisher: Namco
Format: (JPN) PlayStation
Year: 2000
You are trying to protect a goofy character who wanders about searching for his memory after falling off a cliff. Every oddball he meets along the way is trying to harm him and you not only need to keep them at bay, you also have to help him navigate his way over obstacles by shooting him in the ass to make him jump or shooting him in the back of the head to make him duck! One of the funnest lightgun games I've played.
http://i1.tinypic.com/206ifyx.jpg



Game: Two-Tenkaku
Developer/Publisher: Club Dep
Format: (JPN) PlayStation
Year: 1995
This run of the mill shooter has one very unique feature. It's area bomb is a flamming bhudda! Why a developer would choose to turn someones diety, their holiest of holies, into a weapon of mass destruction is beyond me!
http://i1.tinypic.com/206oe95.jpg




well done! may I suggest A LOT more photos so that we could know what the game(s) look like in the wild?

Oki-doke! In the order I've mentioned them, from left to right, minus Bad Mojo.
http://i2.tinypic.com/206ykbn.jpg

[DDCecil]

I'll have to hunt down Lattice 200EC7!

Here's another weird one:

Lifescape (PSX, JPN) - More of an edutainment title, I'm pretty sure it is the only PSX game to have the following scene in it:

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/5022/1000474ka8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Beefy Hits]

Slap Happy Rhythm Busters
JP Playstation
1998?
Mix of Fighting and thythm.

[Ed Oscuro]

Isn't Stretch Panic something like Chameleon Twist (for the N64)?

Also, found this rofltastic minigame for Segagaga: Pengo (popcorn version) + Sokoban = ???? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNygow4zoEc&mode=related&search=)

[MetalSnake]

Irritating Stick is a cool game! I wouldn't pay much for it though. maybe 10€
Skullmonkey is a really cool game. It's a normal Jump & Run with clay graphics (like Paper Mario has paper graphics). Nothing special here.
Kurushi (or IQ) is a funny game, I had many hours of fun with it. :)
Devil Dice is another game I really like very much.

[NeoZeedeater]

Finny the Fish is an underrated game if you ask me. It's better than the 3d Ecco game to use a comparison with something vaguely similar.

Bad Mojo looks really cool. I will probably get the Redux version some day. I would like to try Rescue Shot too as I enjoy gun games quite a bit, especially ones that try something different.


Isn't Stretch Panic something like Chameleon Twist (for the N64)?
I haven't played either of them in years but guess they have a similar grabbing technique. Stretch Panic is a far weirder game though.

[Ackman]

Monster Farm Jump Arcade Temco, rating 74% (if you have a friend) 2 player VS race 3d smb type game really weird but cool.... oh yes and hoverboards just don't expect too much.

I don't know if it got a home port but it should have.

So is Stubbs worth it, I don't know it seems okay I like the combat aspect? I tried really average okay games like Freedom Fighters and Total Overdose recently, FF stank bad and TO was alright but nothing that special at all..... so I'm scared to take a chance on Stubbs.

[Ed Oscuro]

FF stank bad and TO was alright but nothing that special at all..... so I'm scared to take a chance on Stubbs.
Are you sure it was FF that was smelly? You must have an allergy to semi-real-time RPGs. LOL

[petewhitley]

Game: Robot Alchemic Drive
Developer/Publisher: Sandlot
Format: PS2
Year: 2002
Game Ranking 80%
Giant robot games are common, but what makes this unique is how the PS2 pad is used to control the robot's every movement like a remote control device. Sandlot gave the game a great sense of scale and would use this experience later on to create the giant monster Earth Defense Force games that I enjoyed immensely too!
http://i2.tinypic.com/206msud.jpg


Goddamn that was a great game. Isn't there a sequel to it? Did it get a North American release?

[Spartacus]

Looks like they got a sequel for it in Japan. Remote Control Dandy SF was released for the PS2 in 2005. There's already a cheaper Konami Best version out. I'd like to check into it myself. Here's a page with some decent screenshots......
http://www.the-magicbox.com/0502/game050212c.shtml

You might also be interested in Sandlot's other giant robot remote controlled game for the PS2 called Tetsujin 28-Go. It's based on the Gigantor anime and has Bandai as the publisher in 2004. I wonder if Bandai holds the license for Gigantor games. They seem to have the rights to so much anime. Here's some screenshots for that one....
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/tetsujin28go/news.html?sid=6101814&mode=recent

And I also see they are coming out with a giant robot game for the Nintendo DS called Chousoujuu Mecha MG. You can check that out here...
http://www.gamespot.com/ds/action/choushoujuumechamg/news.html?sid=6154337



So is Stubbs worth it, I don't know it seems okay I like the combat aspect? I tried really average okay games like Freedom Fighters and Total Overdose recently, FF stank bad and TO was alright but nothing that special at all..... so I'm scared to take a chance on Stubbs.


It's hard to tell anyone if they'd like a game or not. I've been seeing some pre-played Stubbs selling for under $10.00, so you wouldn't be risking much to give it a try. It doesn't really play like a squad based tactical game, if that's what you are concerned about. The zombies you create by biting or scratching someone have a tremendous appetite for humans the moment they arise, which is about 2 seconds after death. They will search for food immediately and don't need any input from you to do so. I was suprised at how good their eyesight was because they would run after people who were so far away I could barely make them out. And if the first one who spots them yells "Brains!", all the other zombies nearby will lift up their heads to see which direction it's heading to and start shouting "Brains! BRAINS!" and go lumbering off. It's pretty funny to see, really. You can whistle for them to come to you and use that to sort of steer them in a direction you would prefer. But if no other food is visible, they will tend to follow you around anyway. Anyone they consume becomes a zombie also, but when their numbers start getting above a dozen or so, even whistling for them will only draw about half that number towards you.
I was very suprised that the game was rated mature because the level of violence wasn't much different from the sort you would see in an episode of Itchy and Scratchy on the Simpsons. I've never seen a warning about the violence content of the Simpson's, let alone restricting viewers to 17yrs and above!
You know what's strange about the game? If a zombie ever grabbed me to take a bite out of my skull, I might squeal like a little girl, I'd probably curse like a sailor, I'd definitely clench my buttocks so that I wouldn't re-animate into a zombie called Mr. Stinky Pants, but I would never blurt out a one-liner! That's how the game plays, like a parody or campy style game.

[Ackman]

Okay after reading all that I'm sold.... Stubbs here I come.

[yok-dfa]

Game: Mister Mosquito
Developer/Publisher: Zoom/Fresh Games(Eidos)
Format: Playstation 2
Year: 2001 JP/2002 NA

Small correction: This game also had a EU release (don't know the exact date, but i can check my copy when i get home)

[NeoZeedeater]

Yeah, I was just being lazy and not including Euro release dates for stuff that came out in North America.

[NCN]

Here are a few games that I consider very unique (they don't all fall into the 96-06 scheme):

"It's Only Rock 'N' Roll" for ColecoVision
"Electroplankton" for Nintendo DS
"3D Kalidescope: Baby Universe" for PSX (Non US?)
"Cool Cool Jam" for Neo Geo Pocket (Non US?)
"Goo Goo Soundy" for PSX (Non US I believe)
"Jumping Flash 2: Big Trouble in Little Muu" for PSX

Anyone remember Jumping Flash 2? Great game, and HORRIBLY underrated.