| Author |
Topic:
Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Eternal Champions" & "Zelda II: TAOL")
|
SkyeLightrider
Registered:
Jan '03
|
Date Posted:
2/3/06 10:48pm
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Yoshi" & "Uniracers")
|
UNIRACERS! I love that game. Play it way too much. 
-----signature-----
All good things...
These are the Voyages...
What You Leave Behind
Endgame
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
son_of_the_tear
Registered:
Jun '99
|
Date Posted:
2/8/06 7:10pm
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Yoshi" & "Uniracers")
|
And on to the next game. I was going to do two games, the final being "Kid Icarus"... but as I wrote this I went on a roll and had much to say about this wonderful game. So I will save "Kid Icarus" for next time. Besides, this game deserves to be discussed "solo". It don't share spotlights 
Earthbound (1995) 
Known as Mother 2 in Japan, the first installment in this cult series. Mother, was released for the Famicom in 1989 but never saw a release stateside. However, such a strong following developed and when Mother 2 was released in Japan for the Super Famicom in 1994, that plans went into high gear to bring it across the globe. And after the success of Square's Final Fantasy 2, Secret of Mana and of course... Final Fantasy 3, Nintendo had to jump on the craze.
The game was meant as a counter to the strong series of cliches set up by other RPG's such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy where a hero is sent on a quest by a king to fight dragons and hunt for treasure and explore dungeons and castles. The creator, Shigesato Itoi, is the anti-Japanese of the Japanese. He hatesthe idea of being a work-a-holic and living by a strict set of rules and manners. He is a man who feels alien to his own cultural values. So when he played Dragon Quest, he found the whole tone of the game to be uptight and rigid. And so "Mother" was born.
The title of the series does not come from Mother Earth or anything like that, as many believe. The title came as a reaction to the paternal nature of most RPG's. Always from such a strong male prespective with the King at the top backing your quest.
So now that we have the backstory, I will talk about Earthbound. The game is set in modern day America and follows the adventures of a boy called Ness who experiences strange things around him after a meteor crashes from the skies one night and he gets a message from a mysterious being from the future that the world is in danger. And so the story sets sail as Ness and his friends go on an adventure for the truth, while dealing with such evil forces as crooked politicians, local gangs, religious cults, shady secret agents, crazed wildlife and aliens bent on invasion... all while our heros start to develop mysterious psychic powers.
The game was meant to be a radical departure. Nintendo began a fierce advertising campaign. Adverts everywhere. Sweepstake contests. Even scratch and sniff game card contests to promote the game. The slogan of the game was.... "This game stinks!"
Even the game itself was different. It did not come in your standard package. It came in a huge colorful box, about the size of a laptop, which included the game, the official strategy guide and a full color poster.
It was a unqiue and wonderful experience.
However, the game never became the huge hit in America that Nintendo wanted. It did make money... but no where what they were expecting with the huge investment made advertising this game. The game was overlooked in America because Final Fantasy 3 had come out with high tech graphics and eye candy. And here was Earthbound with very simple graphics.
The game, however, grew a very strong cult following that rivals the fanaticism in Japan towards this series. Because it was different. It was very original and different. It was filled with clever writing, hilarious dialogue and personality. You didn't have swords. You had a baseball bat to beat things with. You didn't have an airship... you rode a bike, took the train or a taxi. You didn't go to an item shop for medical herbs. You went to a pharmacy and and bought cold medicine or ointments. You didn't stay at an inn... you stayed at a hotel or a friend's house. And when all else fails, you would call the pizza delivery man on the phone and within 30 game minutes or less he would deliver you a pizza that would heal you.
I mean, what other game had you fighting a boss called "New Age Retro Hippie"?
And on top of that... the game was hard as heck. It was challenging, but worth it to find out what happens next. Best part... no random encounters. Battles were traditional RPG turn based fighting... but you saw all enemies on screen and would initiate encounters by running into them. Or if they charged for you... some mobs were very hostile on sight.
And above all else... the game had heart.
Eartbound 2 (Mother 3) was supposed to come out for the N64... but was cancelled. However, the game has been in development for the GBA since 2000 and is too be released this year finally. A GBA cart holding both Earthbound and Eartbound Zero (Mother 1) was released in Japan... but to much anger from fans... has yet to see light in America.
However, much hope is expected for Earthbound 2 (Mother 3) to come out to America and hopefully bring the GBA compilation of the first two games out here as well. And of course, everyone has been screaming for a next gen console installment.
But until that happens... fans have gotten to enjoy Earthbound by having Ness as a playable character in Super Smash Brothers and Super Smash Brothers Melee, the latter which includes the town of Onett and the city of Fourside as playable stages with some of the most memorable music from the series.
My take? This is my favorite SNES game hands down. And is in my top three RPG's of all time. This game to me captivated me more than Final Fantasy 2 and 3 ever did. I place it right up there with Lunar: Silver Star and Skies of Arcadia as my favorite RPG's of all time. What do thee three games have in common? Style, personality and refreshing writing.
I urge anyone out there who still has a working SNES to track this down. Do not import the GBA version from Japan because the heart of this game is the writing and the humor. And if you do not have an SNES... track down the ROM. Just don't ask me for links to ROMS for obvious reasons.
To this day, I still find myself replaying this game. It stands the test of time and it proves once again to me why Nintendo is king of original and fun gameplay.
-----signature-----
"The U.S. under Bush is nothing like the Empire. For starters, Palpatine was intelligent."  I am Spartacus!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
-Phoenix-
Registered:
Oct '05
|
Date Posted:
2/8/06 7:16pm
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Yoshi" & "Uniracers")
|
|
Uniracers looks fun.
-----signature-----
Spiders can be fun and wild, but at the end they will kill you and catch you from behind.
XBL GamerTag: o PH03N1X o
Hold on to your potatoes.
Bears are a proud people, although they're not people per se. They're animals.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Soontir-Fel
Registered:
Dec '01
|
Date Posted:
2/8/06 9:50pm
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Earthbound")
|
|
Mother 3 got a GBA release date. 4/20. So far only Japan, but this is still good news, right?
-----signature-----
Errent_Venture Wrote " Listen to Soontir-Fel for he is a man ruling over other men."
Ender_Sai wrote "In other news, I confer Modly praise on Soontir and Rogue_wookie for being superior men, worth of the title of Spartan. They, may keep their penises"
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
FlareStorm
Registered:
Nov '00
|
Date Posted:
2/8/06 10:51pm
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Earthbound")
|
|
um, you arent Quest...
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
son_of_the_tear
Registered:
Jun '99
|
Date Posted:
2/9/06 7:17am
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Earthbound")
|
It is good news... meaning that Nintendo knows fans have been crying out for this game for a long time. So I hope they listen.
And yes, I'm not Quest. I'm Clix. I'm my own person
-----signature-----
"The U.S. under Bush is nothing like the Empire. For starters, Palpatine was intelligent." I am Spartacus!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
2/9/06 5:04pm
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Earthbound")
|
I let SoT do this round since I, sadly, haven't played Earthbound yet and wanted some first-hand perspective for the write-up.
I do remember the scratch-n-sniff adds though ::)
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
Is your Death Magnetic?
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
2/20/06 5:57pm
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Earthbound")
|
Well, I guess Earthbound didn't sell that well afterall...
-Ice Climber (1984)
  
An arcade game where one or two Ice Climbers (Popo and Nana) platform their way up an ever-scrolling mountain, clubbing creatures they encounter (mainly polar bears and yetis- the latter replacing the original seals of the japanese version).
Ice Climber was eventually ported to the GBA as part of the NES Classic Series, and the main characters were included as playable characters in Super Smash Bros Melee, which also featured a vertically scrolling stage based on the original game.
T2Q's take: I've actually had limited experience with this title- I did pick it up for GBA and it is quite challenging.
-Battle Clash (1992)
 
 
 
In a future where Earth is ruled by an order dependant on the combat between giant mechs called Standing Tanks (ST), Mike Anderson trains himself in everything ST-related to seek out Anubis to avenge his father's death. But first, Mike must fight his way through Anubis's 8 subbordinate Battle Chiefs.
Primarily a first person title that utilized the Super Scope 6 for firing either rapid or charged shots at opponents, seeking out particular weak points to inflict the most damage on.
Would be later followed up by the sequel Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge (which apparently is considered to be a superior title as well as the best SS6 title) that, interetsingly enough, was only released in the US and Europe due to the unpopularity of the SS6 in Japan.
T2Q's take: I really dug this (plus, the Super Scope 6 rocked! It was a damn bazooka! )- I remember having such a challenge to make it to Anubis. This will be a great title to have with the Revolution controller (and I can only pray someone makes a Super Scope 6 shell for it!  ) and I'm really hoping MC:FR comes out eventaully since that sounds pretty interesting.
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
Is your Death Magnetic?
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
son_of_the_tear
Registered:
Jun '99
|
Date Posted:
2/20/06 10:25pm
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Ice Climber" & "Battle Clash")
- Date Edited:
2/20/06 10:33pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
son_of_the_tear
|
Battle Clash was such an awsome game. I
I will say... The Super Scope 6 was a lot of fun, cool as hell and seriously underrated. It never took off much, and it's a shame. Very fun and Battle Clash was proof of that. Even the games that came with the Super Scope were fun for pick up and play.
As for Ice Climbers... it's a fun little game... but not one of my favorites. I was always more into Bubble Bobble and then Bubble Bobble 2: Rainbow Islands.
But Ice Climbers is still fun and still holds up well in terms of gameplay even today. Because there are games that hold up strong after all these years, such as Super Mario 1-3, Castlevania 3, Zelda, Metal Gear, Punch Out, etc, etc.
Then there are games that do not hold up well, such as Metroid. I went back and played it the other day and wow, a heavily flawed game. I admire it's scope, innovations and what it tried to do. But gameplay wise and it's wonky control mechanics.... not so well. Not being able to crouch and lack of a simple map feature really hurt it. Yet Goonies, which plays just like it... still holds up very well gameplay wise.
Ice Climbers to me, falls in between. Doesn't hold as well as other games.... but it works for what it is.
-----signature-----
"The U.S. under Bush is nothing like the Empire. For starters, Palpatine was intelligent." I am Spartacus!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
FlareStorm
Registered:
Nov '00
|
Date Posted:
2/21/06 1:39am
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Ice Climber" & "Battle Clash")
|
|
Didn't play either of those. And I never saw the Bazooka IRL
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Darth_Omega
Title: Substitute RICHARDSON
Forum Feud Champion
Registered:
May '02
|
Date Posted:
2/21/06 2:44am
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Ice Climber" & "Battle Clash")
|
I haven't played either game.
son_of_the_tear posted:
Then there are games that do not hold up well, such as Metroid. I went back and played it the other day and wow, a heavily flawed game. I admire it's scope, innovations and what it tried to do. But gameplay wise and it's wonky control mechanics.... not so well. Not being able to crouch and lack of a simple map feature really hurt it. Yet Goonies, which plays just like it... still holds up very well gameplay wise.
I love Metroid but I have to agree with this same goes to Return of Samus for the gameboy (which I have yet to beat). Super Metroid really improved the series and that never gets old.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
2/21/06 7:33am
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Ice Climber" & "Battle Clash")
|
|
Return of Samus was the first of the series I beat Zero Mission corrects some of the flaws you mention, I believe.
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
Is your Death Magnetic?
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Boba_Fett_2001
Registered:
Dec '00
|
Date Posted:
6/4/06 4:51pm
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Ice Climber" & "Battle Clash")
|
|
Hey what happened to this thing? Let's get some retro gaming discussion going!
-----signature-----
Everyone is entitled to my opinion.
Go Leafs Go!
All Hail Cliegg's Blue Leg!
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
6/4/06 7:30pm
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Ice Climber" & "Battle Clash")
|
|
I'd been meaning to update this, just kept forgetting. I'll try an update later tonight or tommorow.
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
Is your Death Magnetic?
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
The2ndQuest
Title: :
-Games
-LACWAC
-Lit Mod of Death
Registered:
Jan '00
|
Date Posted:
6/5/06 2:40pm
Subject:
RE: Retro Gaming Retrospective (Now Discussing "Ice Climber" & "Battle Clash")
|
Next up: "Balloon Fight" and "Mega Man 2"
-Balloon Fight (1984)
 
 
An arcade-style game where your Baloon Fighter (with two Balloons strappd to his back, allowing him to float) must pop the balloons of your enemies, trying to drown them or have them eaten by a fish once they fall- however they can parachute to land safely and re-inflate their balloon. If one of your balloons pops, you rise slower than before and if you lsoe both balloons, you lose a life. Alternate game modes have you dodging bubbles emerging from pipes.
The game was ported to the NES, Gameboy Advance (via the e-Reader cards), was unlockable in Animal Crossing for GCN and was one of the themes used for modes in Tetris DS.
T2Q's take: Haven't played this one all that much, but I did give it a few plays in Animal Crossing. Simple design, but fun and tricky at times.
-Mega Man 2 (1989)
 
 
 
I don't think we need a description of the gameplay- everyone knows what to expect from a Mega Man game, even if they haven't played one or a particular one. This particular entry hit on the NES and was part of the Mega Man Anniversary Collection on PS2 and GCN (though the GCN had a terrible design error of flipping the A & B button functions) and may or may not see a PSP port in the future.
T2Q's take: The Blue Bomber's finest hour. I'm a late convert to MM2, having primarily access to only Mega Man 3 and 4 when I was younger, but it really is a masterpiece that solidified the mechanics of the series and still remains the gold standard the sequels try to live up to. Refining the gameplay from MM1 and adding the password system and energy tanks was just the start- the (now 8) bosses provided some tricky levels and you got some huge minibosses and, well, you just cannot talk about MM2 without mentioning that it has one of the most memorable video game soundtracks ever made- easily in the top 5.
Notable MM2 Music Cover links:
Project X: The Rock Tribute to Mega Man 2 &3
The Minibosses have a great cover medley for MM2, but don't currently have it available for free download, but you can watch them perform it live here or you can order the CD with the track here.
File listings on OverClocked Remix
-----signature-----
K'Kruhk, 140 ABY: "Why haven't I come forth earlier to share my Jedi knowledge with Skywalker?
Well, it's kinda a long story, see, I had this freaking sweet hat..."
Is your Death Magnetic?
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
