So, what you playing at the mo? Retro Edition

CiDeRmAn

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Super RType was ruined by no checkpoints. Utter madness

I thought it chugged a lot and it spoiled the game?

Inviere

Retr0gamer wrote: »

The problem was Nintendo wanted the SNES to be backwards compatible with the NES so they went with the 16-bit version of the NES chip which was a piece of crap. They never got backwards compatibility to work and the system was lumbered with an archaic CPU which was really an 8-bit chip duct taped to be 16-bit. A Motorola 68000 like the Megadrive, Amiga and Neo Geo would have been so much better and probably cheaper.

Change the numbers a bit and you could be talking about the PS4 and XBO. Both have a significant disparity between the processing power of their CPU’s, and graphics ability of their gpus. It’s why in 2018 many games on console are still targeting 30fps, the current console cpus are rubbish.

Never knew that about Ninty wanting the Snes to be BC...the console would have looked very different if they pulled it off..

CiDeRmAn

Inviere wrote: »

Change the numbers a bit and you could be talking about the PS4 and XBO. Both have a significant disparity between the processing power of their CPU’s, and graphics ability of their gpus. It’s why in 2018 many games on console are still targeting 30fps, the current console cpus are rubbish.

Never knew that about Ninty wanting the Snes to be BC...the console would have looked very different if they pulled it off..

I would also say that if it worked the Genesis may not have had the success it enjoyed in the US at all.
I mean, all those NES carts out there, and if the SNES had a common cart port it could have been amazing.
Nintendo may have remained dominant right into the present day, with Sony still making components for them.

accensi0n

My NES collection has been building up steadily but I havn't had a good go at most of them as I've focused more on picking a game and playing until I beat it, which tends to take a feckin long time with NES games.

I've searched around in the past for recommendations for 'Easy NES games' but you get a lot of people suggesting games that are objectively NOT easy, they just find them easy because they've played them a lot.

So, I'm going to have a crack at playing through my entire collection, I can only get a Game Over twice before I have to move on to the next game. So I'm considering any game that I can complete within 2 runs to be 'easy'.

I'll report back any games that fit the bill. I'm genuinely expecting it to 1 at most. I don't think I've completed a game in less than say, 10 runs...


Has anyone here completed a NES game on a first or second run before?

Retr0gamer

The Megaman games are a breeze once you get used to them other than the first. I could beat 4-6 in two evenings. 2 and 3 are a bit tougher.

Contra and Super C are easy as well. 1 or 2 afternoons with them will get you to the end especially Super C. The 30 life code actually makes things harder as you use it as a crutch. You play a lot better and learn the game quicker with the starting lives.

DaveyDave

Took a break from Desert Strike to play some Sonic 3. I've only completed it once, on Xbox 360, so decided to give it a run through.

Also playing Forza 2. Not very retro, but it takes me back to the summer of 2007 when I got my 360. Fortunately my TV does a good job of making 720p not look like arse and the game isn't terrible looking in the first place, just a tad bland. Ah the simple, clean menus of early HDTV gaming

CiDeRmAn

The 360 was the reason I bought a HD TV.
In particular Dead Rising.
Not one care was given, by the developers of the game at Capcom, for those of us with SD displays, with the on-screen text unreadable.

As for Forza, I never got into the series at all, but then I never liked track day sims.
I preferred Project Gotham 3 at that time anyhow, with its heritage rooted in the glorious Metropolis Street Racer on the Dreamcast.

Atavan-Halen

Project Gotham was a great series! As much as I do love forza, it’s a shame it never progressed past PGR4.

I remember I went over to my mams friends house who worked for Microsoft at the time and he was trying to convince me to trade my ps2 for an original Xbox using PGR as an example because “look, you can see the brake calipers moving when you brake!”

CiDeRmAn

If you love the PGR series, and everyone should, Drive Club is the next best thing.
Afaik some of the Bizarre Creations team worked on it for Evolution and, as a result, it feels quite similar while the settings are quite different, with rural point to point the order of the day rather than the urban sprawl of Metropolis/Gotham.

Shapey Fiend

I for one am very hype we're getting another Sumo developed Sonic Racing game. Transformed was even better than Outrun 2 SP in my eyes. It was the first game since Daytona 2001 had me grinding time trials with enthusiasm.

CiDeRmAn

Shapey Fiend wrote: »

I for one am very hype we're getting another Sumo developed Sonic Racing game. Transformed was even better than Outrun 2 SP in my eyes.

Get new eyes!

It was the first game since Daytona 2001 had me grinding time trials with enthusiasm.

Slight redemption here, as Daytona 2001 is probably the most under recognised racer out there, by the time it came out everyone had shifted to other consoles, but it is a cracker of a title, particularly with the DC steering wheel.
V Important to adjust the settings if you are using a standard controller though!
The default controller sensitivity makes it nigh unplayable.

DaveyDave

I picked up PGR3 shortly after getting my 360, nabbed it for about €16. Didn't like it at first (at the time it didn't run 16:9 on a 1280x1024 monitor and was cropped 5:4 so looked like poo). Then one day 2 years later I sat down to play it for some achievements and ended up enjoying the game.

Big fan of MSR on the Dreamcast, fortunately PGR is a a lot more forgiving! Strangely enough I also didn't enjoy Driveclub much when it first came out, then some updates and DLC later I sat down to play it and enjoyed it. Picked up the Bikes expansion too, I've actually been playing it a fair bit lately.

Shapey Fiend

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Get new eyes!



Slight redemption here, as Daytona 2001 is probably the most under recognised racer out there, by the time it came out everyone had shifted to other consoles, but it is a cracker of a title, particularly with the DC steering wheel.
V Important to adjust the settings if you are using a standard controller though!
The default controller sensitivity makes it nigh unplayable.

Transformed is the GOAT. They took the whole drift chaining mechanic and took it even further. Yeah the setting isn't as appealing but by god it plays well.

I had the Japanese version of Daytona 2001 which is apparently even more twitchy than the western release. I noticed it somewhat but it wasn't like I didn't get used to it after 30 mins. When you unlock the extra vehicles it gets really tricky to stop them spinning out, but as I was playing a lot of Scud Race with the McLaren around the same time so I think that's what Nagoshi was going for really.

CiDeRmAn

Shapey Fiend wrote: »

Transformed is the GOAT. They took the whole drift chaining mechanic and took it even further. Yeah the setting isn't as appealing but by god it plays well.

I had the Japanese version of Daytona 2001 which is apparently even more twitchy than the western release. I noticed it somewhat but it wasn't like I didn't get used to it after 30 mins. When you unlock the extra vehicles it gets really tricky to stop them spinning out, but as I was playing a lot of Scud Race with the McLaren around the same time so I think that's what Nagoshi was going for really.

Get the DC wheel, it transforms the game.

Retr0gamer

Transformed can never be GOAT when Fzero GX exists.

Shapey Fiend

Couldn't get on with GX at all.

Aware it is I am wrong cos Nagoshi is arcade racer gawd. It's a personal failing.

accensi0n

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Contra and Super C are easy as well. 1 or 2 afternoons with them will get you to the end especially Super C. The 30 life code actually makes things harder as you use it as a crutch. You play a lot better and learn the game quicker with the starting lives.

In relation to picking Contra up without having played it much before and beating it in a short amount of time, I completely disagree that the 30 life code makes it harder, I get what you mean about it probably preventing you from being better at the game though.
I beat it there in just over an hour, there is no way in hell I could have beaten it without the 30 lives.

Retr0gamer

I don't know. I don't find the game that difficult. The 30 life code means you aren't forced to learn the game so it seems tougher but once you are forced to learn once you have a section off you rarely die on it.

DaveyDave

Not retro, but on the topic of playing Forza 2 on 360...Forza 7

accensi0n

Had a go at beating the following NES games in an evening each:

Mario Bros 3 - Got about half way through.
Mario Bros 2 - Got about half way through.
Kirby's Adventure - Beat it
Life Force Salamander - Beat it with 30 life code


All great games. The end of Kirby is so different to the rest of the game, turns into an eerie shoot'em up.


Edit: That puts me on 10 games beaten on the NES as well.

On a mad psx buzz lately and i'm playing through the first Parasite Eve.
Have to say i'm enjoying it so far. It's very much a product of it's time but there's some great ideas there and the atmosphere is fantastic.

Retr0gamer

Cake of Tremendous Power wrote: »

On a mad psx buzz lately and i'm playing through the first Parasite Eve.
Have to say i'm enjoying it so far. It's very much a product of it's time but there's some great ideas there and the atmosphere is fantastic.

Adored it. Great action RPG that's well paced and doesn't waste your time.

Just don't bother with the new game plus rogue like mode. It's not worth the grind and the new ending is awful.

And in true PS1 era Squaresoft form the last disc is only a fraction of the first:pac:
Finished it this morning and I'm delighted I took the time to play it. Great body horror that I'd recommend to anyone

Retr0gamer

Cake of Tremendous Power wrote: »

And in true PS1 era Squaresoft form the 2nd disc is only a fraction of the first:pac:
Finished it this morning and I'm delighted I took the time to play it. Great body horror that I'd recommend to anyone

The sequel goes more traditional survival horror and just isn't that good at all. Such a pity as I feel parasite eve is so much fun and a good contender for best RPG on the PS1.

I was thinking I'd play through the 2nd one next but I dont wanna burn myself out.
I have Galerians on the way to me now. Seems similar but different enough to keep the interest.
I took your advice about the "True" ending in EX mode and just watched the clip on Youtube. Glad I did, if I'd played through 77 floor of the Chrysler building for that I dont think I'd have been too happy

Retr0gamer

It's not even the climbing that is bad. Farming a weapon good enough to get through it is a total chore.

I'd skip the second game. There's better horror games to play even though it looked stunning on release.

The 3rd game on PSP is utter nonsense where aya break because a super waifu by aging backwards but it's actually quite a fun game to play even if the story is gutter thrash. Made by the team that is currently saving projects at square Enix (birth by sleep and ff15).

2 Scoops

Beat Axelay on normal, not sure I could stomach it on hard mode. Fantastic game with great music and graphics, really enjoyed stage 4. My affection for Konami from that era knows no bounds. The youtube audio doesn't do the real thing justice.

DaveyDave

Played and finished Shaq Fu. While it's very silly and a bit tricky at times, it's not the worst game I've ever played. It's worth it for the novelty

The long awaited sequel came out last week and reviewed fairly well I think.

And agreed on the original, nowhere near as bad as people made out.

Retr0gamer

2 Scoops wrote: »

Beat Axelay on normal, not sure I could stomach it on hard mode. Fantastic game with great music and graphics, really enjoyed stage 4. My affection for Konami from that era knows no bounds. The youtube audio doesn't do the real thing justice.

It's sacrilege to say it now with shmup fans all being bullet hell or bust but Axelay for me is the finest 16-bit shooter.

Inviere

Inviere wrote: »

After abandoning Resi REmake, I've taken up Link's Awakening...a Zelda game I'd not played much beyond about one hour of in the past! Enjoying it so far

Inviere wrote: »

I'm presuming it gets somewhat challenging at some stage? Two dungeons in & finding it quite easy, with hints everywhere re what to do etc. Really enjoying it though, as said above, the art work is boiled down to pure simplicity but still so effective

Finished this the other day, gorgeous little game. Perfect 8-bit Zelda. It does indeed get more difficult towards the end, the final two dungeons were pigs (actual dungeons, not the Egg).

I'm thinking Read Dead Redemption next, have never played it

CiDeRmAn

Red Dead Redemption is a pure delight and, if you have been a fan of the western movie genre, even better again.

o1s1n

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Red Dead Redemption is a pure delight and, if you have been a fan of the western movie genre, even better again.

That's one of those games that just came out of nowhere and blew me away. I always forget about it and then remember the amazing time I had playing it.

Shapey Fiend

There's rumours Red Dead Redemption 2 may come to PC soon. Maybe I'll give it a go.

Have to say I find open world games very disengaging though. I got a third of the way through GTA5 and lost interest despite the mission design being a step up on the last one I played. These games are so long I get fatigue because I've played half a dozen of them already.

DaveyDave

+1 for Red Dead Redemption. I'd like to replay through it again but i need to put the time into games I haven't finished yet. There's a mission towards the end that was a real 'holy ****' moment. Good stuff.

I'm a bit weary of the new one coming out soon seeing as how the two single player DLC for GTA V was cancelled for GTA Online stuff and one of the head guys left apparently.

Rockstar are one of the last few quality developers left. I understand the time they put into GTA Online as it's a huge money maker but I would have still liked some single player content. To be fair they're on the ball with the free content for Online and despite what people keep saying you don't have to buy currency to get new vehicles. You just won't be able to buy absolutely everything in the game.

Retr0gamer

Shapey Fiend wrote: »

There's rumours Red Dead Redemption 2 may come to PC soon. Maybe I'll give it a go.

Have to say I find open world games very disengaging though. I got a third of the way through GTA5 and lost interest despite the mission design being a step up on the last one I played. These games are so long I get fatigue because I've played half a dozen of them already.

Red Dead won't change your mind. I don't like the typical open world game formula and Red Dead didn't do anything to change that. I did enjoy the game and it's one of the better examples in the genre but don't feel it's as special as a lot of people make it out to be. Still feel it's worth a play though. It's not that it's bad, it's just not the revelation Breath of the Wild was for me.

accensi0n

Played a few more NES games that are considered beatable in a session.

Marble Madness - Gets pretty difficult after the first few levels, couldn't get past level 4. Very frustrating replaying the same few levels over and over in quick succession. The music on level 2 is great though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnRmY7fsGdM

TMNT 2, The Arcade Game - A couple of full runs of this, got about 3/4's the way through. Good game, will play it again, seems pretty beatable with a bit more time.

Tiny Toon Adventures - Beat this one. Probably gave this one the most time. It's a much better game than I was expecting, good fun, reckon I'll play it again. Think I prefer it to Ducktales yet you don't really hear of Tiny Toons getting recommended much. It's definitely not as easy as some people make out, some parts are fairly tricky.

jjmcclure

Wardner and Black Tiger (MAME)

eddhorse

jjmcclure wrote: »

Wardner and Black Tiger (MAME)

Ohhh love me some Black Tiger

Retr0gamer

SGDQ made me want to play some more Zelda.

So I started Ocarina of Time on 3DS

It's amazing how the game running at a framerate that isn't near criminal makes it so much better.

CiDeRmAn

Retr0gamer wrote: »

SGDQ made me want to play some more Zelda.

So I started Ocarina of Time on 3DS

It's amazing how the game running at a framerate that isn't near criminal makes it so much better.

I really enjoyed OoT back on the N64, when we knew no different it was just stunning, especially that music accompanied fly by of the village at the start.
Sure, framerates went into double figures and it didn't look like vaseline was smeared on the tv in later iterations, but the game was still the game, which was marvelous.

Retr0gamer

I don't know.

It was a great game but even back then the game engine just stunk of jank because of how stuttery it was. At least it wasn't a horrible warping mess with polygon clipping like a PS1 game.

The game running at a solid 30 FPS now just make the game engine feel so much more solid and the better textures help.

Inviere

Retr0gamer wrote: »

The game running at a solid 30 FPS now just make the game engine feel so much more solid and the better textures help.

I'd consider the 3DS version now the definitive version to play, there's very very little reason to pick N64 over 3DS now.

CiDeRmAn

Inviere wrote: »

I'd consider the 3DS version now the definitive version to play, there's very very little reason to pick N64 over 3DS now.

Love to see that 3DS version upscaled for the Switch.
A double pack with MM as well.

Inviere

CiDeRmAn wrote: »

Love to see that 3DS version upscaled for the Switch.

Citra says Hello Not entirely sure how playable it is, 3DS emulation isn't something I've dabbled with at all barring setting it up & seeing the games running. OoT with internal resolution bumped to x3/x4 is utterly gorgeous though!

Inviere

Here's a video comparison of Citra at 4k resolution, side by side with stock 3DS resolution. While the Switch might not hit 4k, it should easily outperform the 3DS anyway, if OoT was ever to be ported to it

CiDeRmAn

Inviere wrote: »

Here's a video comparison of Citra at 4k resolution, side by side with stock 3DS resolution. While the Switch might not hit 4k, it should easily outperform the 3DS anyway, if OoT was ever to be ported to it

Suggests that whatever Ninty produce to replace the Virtual Console on the Switch really needs to include the 3DS and to see classic and modern titles there enjoying a new lease of HD life.
I mean, Super Mario 3D Land, OoT, MM and a host of others would be sure fire sellers, particularly among those who are fresh to the Switch and didn't own a 3DS, not to mention a cost effective way of bringing the best of the Pokemon series, though that could dilute the impact of the eventual Switch specific main franchise adventure.

Inviere

One of the issues is with 3DS porting is the dual screen/touch controls. They'd need to section off a portion of the Switch screen (while keeping its formatting correct), and implement an ergonomic method of touch/stylus input. The 3DS was small enough to hold in one hand while drawing/clicking with the stylus, I'm not sure the Switch would be though...

CiDeRmAn

Depends on the release, many 3DS titles, particularly themselves ports like OoT, can be easily converted back to a traditional gaming arrangement.
I mean, Super Mario 3D World is essentially an expanded port of 3D Land, and while it retains some touch screen functionality it would work just fine with the Switch and it's built in motion controls... gods help us...

CiDeRmAn

I'm hoping for a Skyward Sword port myself, with motion controls disabled!