Best non-shmups on the TG16/PCE?

[Nico87]

Well, name 'em! I've got too many shmups on my to-buy list. Only non-shmups I have is:

Bonk's Adventure
Bonk's Revenge
Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure
Parasol Stars
Cadash
Military Madness
Devil's Crush

and, which I already have:

Cosmic Fantasy
Vasteel
Exile
Ys: Book 1&2

.. and the Air Zonk games if you don't wanna count them as shmups.

Any RPG's worth picking up?

[Simply Dave]

Dungeon Explorer is awesome
Neutopia 1 + 2 are pretty good Zelda-like games
Legendary Axe 1 + 2

[stargate]

You asking for any non-shmups or strictly RPG's?

A few good non-shmups are:

Ninja Spirit
Legendary Axe
Legendary Axe II
Time Cruise
Bloody Wolf
Galaga '90 (which may be considered a shmup, not sure)

[Bratwurst]

New Adventure Island & Dragon's Curse, the former is pricey the latter is a remake of Wonderboy III the Dragon's Trap. Both are excellent.

[ButtonMasher123]

Alien Crush
Bloody Wolf
Dragon's Curse
Dungeon Explorer
Final Lap Twin
Legendary Axe 1+2
New Adventure Island
Neutopia 1+2
Ninja Spirit
Splatterhouse

[TurboGenesis]

Some other good games…

Hu-Card games:
Cratermaze
Chew Man Fu
Bomberman franchise
Dragon's Curse (enhanced Wonder Boy III)
Splatterhouse
World Court Tennis (has RPG mode)
Final Lap Twin (has RPG mode)

CD games:
Buster Bros.
Dracula X: Rondo of Blood
Dynastic Hero
Dragon Slayer: Legend of Heroes

[jperryss]

HuCard:
Ninja Spirit
Cratermaze
Space Harrier

CD:
Splash Lake (incredibly addicting)
Last Alert (lots of fun if you can deal with the terrible voice acting)
Dracula X (this one is pricey)
Ys 1+2 and Ys 3

[Arcade_Ness]

Far East of Eden: Kabuki Den is an RPG-Super CD
There also the Valis Series for your side-scrolling needs.

[7th lutz]

Here are the best non-shmups that you don't own:

Legendary Axe
Neutopia
Cratermaze
Ninja Spirit
Bomberman series
Splatterhouse
Dungeon Explorer

There are some games that I am aware of, but I don't own or played yet.

[Smashed Brother]

Since you can play CD games, I would definitely recommend:

Double Dragon II - awesome remake of the NES version with an awesome soundtrack and much better playability.

Downtown Nekketsu Monogotari (River City Ransom) - another awesome remake of the NES game and as a matter of fact, my favorite version of the game (even over the recent GBA remake). Yes, it's in Japanese, but it's not that hard to figure out if you've ever played any other version. On the downside, it'll probably be expensive to get ahold of.

Gain Ground SX - a great conversion of the Genesis/Arcade classic, but with a fantastic soundtrack!

Ane-San - a goofy all-female side-scrolling beat-em-up with an even goofier premise. The soundtrack is some truly crazy stuff, too!


However, to play these (and Dracula X), you'll need the System 3.0 card (if you don't already have it).

[Kid Fenris]

Any RPG's worth picking up?

Emerald Dragon is highly impressive, if you don't mind wading through the Japanese text and dealing with a somewhat limited battle interface.

HuCard:
Alien Crush -While not as great as Devil's Crush, it's still worth trying.
Final Lap Twin -A unique racing RPG that was ahead of its time.
Ninja Spirit -The best action game on the system as far as HuCards go.
Valkyrie no Densetsu -An import. It's a port of Namco's fantastic arcade shooter/action-RPG, and it changes a few things.

CD:
Dracula X: Chi no Rondo -The expensive import. The PSP port's cheaper, though its emulation isn't perfect.
Kaze Kiri -Another import. It's overpriced for what you get, but still enjoyable.

The original Legendary Axe gets recommended often, but it's really boring.

[Nico87]

Wow, thanks for all the replies! Seems like there is a ton of good games for the TG16/PCE, now I just need to narrow down the list a little!

[Bratwurst]

I almost forgot to mention Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu. It's more challenging and slightly longer than its NES counterpart.

Alien Crush -While not as great as Devil's Crush, it's still worth trying.
Final Lap Twin -A unique racing RPG that was ahead of its time.
Ninja Spirit -The best action game on the system as far as HuCards go.

Alien Crush does have one advantage in that it is one of the more common and inexpensive hucards available, mostly making up for what I consider minor faults. Ninja Spirit is also excellent and cheap, but unfortunately becomes impossible around level 4, aka the Ninja Free Fall.

The original Legendary Axe gets recommended often, but it's really boring.

Probably because it's so iconic as a TG-16 title, associated with a good number of advertisements for the system. VG&CE in its January 1990 issue remarked that 1989 was the year of the 'B' game implying nothing outstanding really came out for consoles for that period, and Legendary Axe was thusly picked by the editors as the '89 game of the year in light of that, I believe. After the first level, I must agree with you.

[jperryss]

Ninja Spirit is also excellent and cheap, but unfortunately becomes impossible around level 4, aka the Ninja Free Fall.

I remember spending HOURS trying to get through that level when I was a kid. But it's fairly easy once you know the trick: Get to the left wall and move 1 space (width of your character) to the right. You won't get hit there.

I can actually beat this game without using a continue. The arcade mode is a different story, though.

[tomaitheous]

There are soooo many RPGs (all be it in Japanese), man...

US CDs, definitely pick up Dragon Slayer: Legend of Heroes. It's a cute little Falcom RPG ported from PC89/MSX. It's easy too and not very long. And in English too - bonus! Makes for a nice treat of a kick back, easy, short RPG outing.

I don't know if I can recommend Cosmic Fantasy 2 in good conscience. It reallllly doesn't hold up anymore. Not that it was anything special gameplay/design wise, but the story was awesome (and the cinema's back then too), but the game is a bit tedious in the leveling area - if I remember correctly. Nothing difficult, just some grinding.

If you're into action RPG's, I HIGHLY recommend Legend of Xanadu 2. This game is great. Another Falcom RPG classic IMO. It's not as long as Legend of Xanadu 1 (which is ungodly long). It's also easy to play and isn't too tedious. There's a great walkthrough guide for it. Hell, my 6 year old son beat this game on his own (minus a few parts he needed the walkthrough for).

[Nico87]

Thanks for the advices, tomaitheous.

Dragon Slayer is like $120 on eBay

Legend of Xanadu was only released in JP, right?

[nectarsis]

Thanks for the advices, tomaitheous.

Dragon Slayer is like $120 on eBay

Legend of Xanadu was only released in JP, right?

Ebay prices have become BEYOND ridiculous on TG games lately. Legend of Xanadu 1&2 were both japan only, and 2 of the best games (IMHO) for the PCE. If you want a great place to get into on PCE/TG come over to PCENGINEFX.com

[AB Positive]

How dare no one mention the best (and possibly only) Tennis-RPG ever:

World Court Tennis


... seriously it IS fun - and weird to get into random battles only to have to play tennis. Weird, but worth a pickup!

[tomaitheous]

Thanks for the advices, tomaitheous.

Dragon Slayer is like $120 on eBay

Legend of Xanadu was only released in JP, right?

Wow, the US version is going for that much!? That sucks. But it looks like just the "but it now" are going for that much. This isn't so bad. Also, you might find a better deal on the PCFX forums. I've heard good stuff about Rightstuff, but never been there. I wouldn't pay more than $60 for it, personally.

Yeah, Legend of Xanadau 1 and 2 were only released in Japan.

[Nico87]

Ebay prices have become BEYOND ridiculous on TG games lately. Legend of Xanadu 1&2 were both japan only, and 2 of the best games (IMHO) for the PCE. If you want a great place to get into on PCE/TG come over to PCEBGINEFX.com

Link doesn't work!