Canadian Psycho
Banned
Easy: Shadowgate, Déjà Vu and Uninvited.
P.S. Seriously, it took me hours to think of good Western games for the NES. ;-)
That being said, those three are awesome.
NES/Famicom Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter Teknoman
- Start date
P.S. Seriously, it took me hours to think of good Western games for the NES. ;-)
That being said, those three are awesome.
ToastyFrog
Inexplicable Treasure Hate
Come on -- what about Maniac Mansion?
Would've been that, but only if you dont have access to the PC version.
wondermega
Member
ok! I did a little research through my backlogs. Non-Rare dev'd Western games, as mentioned, were generally atrocious, although there were more than a couple which would qualify as at least "fun" back in the day. Most of these clearly don't hold up now, at the time they were passable however.
Solstice - by Software Creations, I've never ended up actually "liking" the game but back when it was making the rounds in magazines it sure looked pretty good. I believe it's still fairly well-remembered.
Sky Shark - same dev. This game plays like a bit better (?) version of 1943. It's actually fairly well made and still fun to play now, for an overhead 8-bit NES shooter.
T&C Surf - not 100% sure this is Western-developed but I'd be very shocked if it wasn't. This one definitely doesn't hold up as a "good game" at all but back in the days it was kind of a guilty pleasure. I was happy to have owned it.
Spy Hunter - 1st (?) Sunsoft release for NES? Of course Sunsoft is Japanese but the game was developed by a Western guy according to gamefaqs. Again, not a wonderful conversion (I had this on Atari 800 which was far superior, actually) but the game was serviceable and certainly pretty popular in it's day.
Gauntlet - Tengen released this, along with Pac-Man and RBI Baseball (at least one of those was Japanese dev'd I believe) Gauntlet may have been my first Western-dev'd purchase. It's absolutely not a great game and I doubt anyone would want to play this now, but when it released it was actually quite exhilarating to have a 2P home version of superstar arcade Gauntlet that you could play with your buddy! It looked prettttttty rough but the gameplay felt recognizable. I think Mindscape released a sequel on NES which I never played, but probably was superior to this as well.
Solstice - by Software Creations, I've never ended up actually "liking" the game but back when it was making the rounds in magazines it sure looked pretty good. I believe it's still fairly well-remembered.
Sky Shark - same dev. This game plays like a bit better (?) version of 1943. It's actually fairly well made and still fun to play now, for an overhead 8-bit NES shooter.
T&C Surf - not 100% sure this is Western-developed but I'd be very shocked if it wasn't. This one definitely doesn't hold up as a "good game" at all but back in the days it was kind of a guilty pleasure. I was happy to have owned it.
Spy Hunter - 1st (?) Sunsoft release for NES? Of course Sunsoft is Japanese but the game was developed by a Western guy according to gamefaqs. Again, not a wonderful conversion (I had this on Atari 800 which was far superior, actually) but the game was serviceable and certainly pretty popular in it's day.
Gauntlet - Tengen released this, along with Pac-Man and RBI Baseball (at least one of those was Japanese dev'd I believe) Gauntlet may have been my first Western-dev'd purchase. It's absolutely not a great game and I doubt anyone would want to play this now, but when it released it was actually quite exhilarating to have a 2P home version of superstar arcade Gauntlet that you could play with your buddy! It looked prettttttty rough but the gameplay felt recognizable. I think Mindscape released a sequel on NES which I never played, but probably was superior to this as well.
Gauntlet II supports four player with the four score attachment! It's a blast.
The only ones I've been able to come up with on my own are Nightshade (developed by Beam Software) and Micro Machines (developed by Codemasters, I think?), but to be honest I haven't played NES Micro Machines so I have no idea if it's any good or if NES was the lead platform.
I can tell you that Sky Shark is a port of a Japanese arcade game, originally developed by Toaplan.
I can tell you that Sky Shark is a port of a Japanese arcade game, originally developed by Toaplan.
Rygar 8 Bit
Jaguar 64-bit
micro machines is one of the best racing games ever and as far as my favorite western nes game would be solstice
Canadian Psycho
Banned
For my money, 1943 is the better game. I've played it extensively and the controls are really tight. Good gameplay/rhythm too. Sky Shark on NES is a bit sluggish/lacking IMO. (Never played the arcade original + I love Toaplan as well.)
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
It's funny to see people discovering Sky Shark, because that's one of my earliest gaming memories... my second game after SMB/Duck Hunt... I was probably 5 or 6 and it was near the end of the 80s.
Really freaky to identify "my second videogame", since I've certainly played thousands at this point, over 23ish years.
It's funny... I didn't really love shmups till the last few years.
Really freaky to identify "my second videogame", since I've certainly played thousands at this point, over 23ish years.
It's funny... I didn't really love shmups till the last few years.
It always makes me happy to see how many people played this game as a kid.
I started playing this again last week. I was surprised just how much I still enjoy playing the game.
Best skateboarding game ever? Well, obviously.
My goal was to figure out what on Earth was going on with the surfing. I had memories of getting to the "trees" when I was....geez, probably 6 years old, but on the rare occasions I'd revist the game as an adult, I never knew what the hell was going on with the surfing.
Maybe I'm an idiot, but I never realized (and still really don't get the feeling) that the wave is moving (and moving you) forward, and you just had to survive long enough, scoring points along the way, until you could reach the pier.
Since I only remembered/ever knew the Gorilla's name, I found, which was tougher than I thought it would be, the name of the full cast, included below as a public service.
Big Wave Encounter
Thrilla Gorilla
Kool Kat
Street Skate Session
Joe Cool
Tiki Man
Canadian Psycho
Banned
T&C Surf Designs and Gun.Smoke were the second and third NES games I played following SMB. 
I loved the skating bit but, like everyone else, I couldn't do anything in the surfing part (I was 11 at the time). I tracked the game down again and it now sits in the "nostalgia aisle" of my collection. Good memories.
There was a sequel released late in the NES' lifetime called Thrilla's Surfari. It looks pretty nice and only focuses on the skating from what I can gather (never played it).
I loved the skating bit but, like everyone else, I couldn't do anything in the surfing part (I was 11 at the time). I tracked the game down again and it now sits in the "nostalgia aisle" of my collection. Good memories.
There was a sequel released late in the NES' lifetime called Thrilla's Surfari. It looks pretty nice and only focuses on the skating from what I can gather (never played it).
blizzardjesus
Banned
I paid $25 at http://www.nesreproductions.com/
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
There are a few bonus games following each level that require reading Japanese, however, the game itself is easily playable without knowing any.
Diomedeskun
Member
While it wasn't a patch on the ass of the amazing PC original, I loved the NES port of King's Quest V. It introduced me to the series, as well as Sierra games in general, and it looked pretty good for an NES adventure game. Same goes for Maniac Mansion and Lucasarts games.
I liked T&C Surf Designs, but I seem to recall that the sequel, Thrilla's Surfari was better (it could have been worse and I just remember that one was good the other not so good). Some of Codemasters' unlicensed games weren't too bad, although they were pretty cheap feeling for the most part (especially the Quatro 4 pack games). I remember liking an attack helicopter game they made quite a bit, and Bignose the caveman was fun, if flawed.
Not Western made, but Darkwing Duck never released in Japan, and it was pretty fun. Not on par with a Megaman, but I still loved it (and the character).
I liked T&C Surf Designs, but I seem to recall that the sequel, Thrilla's Surfari was better (it could have been worse and I just remember that one was good the other not so good). Some of Codemasters' unlicensed games weren't too bad, although they were pretty cheap feeling for the most part (especially the Quatro 4 pack games). I remember liking an attack helicopter game they made quite a bit, and Bignose the caveman was fun, if flawed.
Not Western made, but Darkwing Duck never released in Japan, and it was pretty fun. Not on par with a Megaman, but I still loved it (and the character).
RoryDropkick
Member
That it is, and the menus are in English as well. Game's stupid hard too.
My latest NES acquisition just arrived...
I wasn't necessarily looking for a boxed specimen but it was in great shape and cheaper than the loose, cart only ones floating around. Fun little Puyo Puyo type puzzler and of course, a great novelty to own since it was the last officially licensed NES game Nintendo released in the US.
I wasn't necessarily looking for a boxed specimen but it was in great shape and cheaper than the loose, cart only ones floating around. Fun little Puyo Puyo type puzzler and of course, a great novelty to own since it was the last officially licensed NES game Nintendo released in the US.
Went to the Philadelphia Comic-Con today and found this for $2.50....
I need to start importing...Going to look over this thread again at the suggestions. Picked up a Mach Rider for the same price. You can definitely tell the weight difference between the carts with and without the adapters in them, but the L pins all but confirm it.
Then came home from Comic-Con and found this at the door. Looks like it just came out of the box, practically new.
I need to start importing...Going to look over this thread again at the suggestions. Picked up a Mach Rider for the same price. You can definitely tell the weight difference between the carts with and without the adapters in them, but the L pins all but confirm it.
Then came home from Comic-Con and found this at the door. Looks like it just came out of the box, practically new.
Very nice. I've been looking for one.
Rygar 8 Bit
Jaguar 64-bit
bartman meets radioactive man
Nostalgic Nightmare
Member
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Shit is crazy looking. Pretty sure it's been up for months, haven't paid enough attention to see if he's lowered the price at all.
Nostalgic Nightmare
Member
Yeah that kind of collection is a labor of love. I'm always amazed and impressed people have the patience to have so many CIB specimens, and that they are still around after all these years.
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
I can't believe anyone kept boxes. We literally just tossed that shit immediately. It blew my mind when my friend pulled his childhood NES out of a closet one day and I saw he had boxes for all his games.
My wife is looking into getting me a NES (it's the only classic system I don't have) and I'm kinda torn on which one to get.
I'd prefer the NES2, but NoA went stupid and pulled the RCA support from it, leaving coaxial as the only option (stupid move, btw).
A Famicom AV would be nice, but finding a 72 to 60 pin adapter is damn near impossible.
Which leaves me with the original model, and it's flashy blinking red light problem (I know it can be fixed).
Any tips or suggestions on what model I should go with.
I'd prefer the NES2, but NoA went stupid and pulled the RCA support from it, leaving coaxial as the only option (stupid move, btw).
A Famicom AV would be nice, but finding a 72 to 60 pin adapter is damn near impossible.
Which leaves me with the original model, and it's flashy blinking red light problem (I know it can be fixed).
Any tips or suggestions on what model I should go with.
Nostalgic Nightmare
Member
Honestly just get the original, as you said they have the Rca/composite and they are super simple to work on. If you realign the 72 pin connector in the console and clean your games you should be set for years.
sonikokaruto
Banned
my tv doesnt support my nes 
Mostly cart only. I remain unimpressed.
IrishNinja
Member
damn, wish they had a "best offer" so i could at least spam a few $150 tries, heh
last haul brought in blaster master, cobra triangle, dr mario, excitebike, fester's quest, jackal, ninja gaiden, RC pro am, skate or die, track & field, super dodgeball and T&C surf & design, which was awesome since the dude just tossed em in for the hell've it.
that leaves: bionic commando, kung-fu heroes, 1943, chip & dale rescue rangers, faxandu, gyromite (w/adapter), ikari warrios & karnov, POW, river city ransom, rolling thunder, rygar, solmon's key, super C, strider, duck tales and star tropics 2. most can be found on the cheap, and i never really find lots with most of em bundled for a good price, so i might just hold out for another lucky craigslist haul, i'm in no hurry.
last haul brought in blaster master, cobra triangle, dr mario, excitebike, fester's quest, jackal, ninja gaiden, RC pro am, skate or die, track & field, super dodgeball and T&C surf & design, which was awesome since the dude just tossed em in for the hell've it.
that leaves: bionic commando, kung-fu heroes, 1943, chip & dale rescue rangers, faxandu, gyromite (w/adapter), ikari warrios & karnov, POW, river city ransom, rolling thunder, rygar, solmon's key, super C, strider, duck tales and star tropics 2. most can be found on the cheap, and i never really find lots with most of em bundled for a good price, so i might just hold out for another lucky craigslist haul, i'm in no hurry.
I've got a Mario 3 box in pretty good shape and a Ninja Gaiden box that's seen better days (but I have my NES games in Universal Game Cases, so I don't use them).
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
my tv doesnt support my nes
What do you mean?
my tv doesnt support my nes
No AV connections? Huh?
sixteen-bit
Member
NinjaCatfish
Member
bartman meets radioactive man
That was the first NES game I owned. Finished it for the first time about 2 months ago, and actually had a lot of fun with it.
A lot of problems for sure (leaps of faith are particularly common in the first level) but I was surprised at the variety of gameplay on offer (swimming, shmup, somewhat interesting bosses, some interesting platforming).
Diomedeskun
Member
I didn't realize Big Nose Freaks Out was rare. I bought a copy from a pharmacy that rented games out when it was going out of business, and it was fun, but I gave it to a cousin a few years later (along with the Quatrro Action 4 pack and my NES Advantage) . It was probably the most substantial Code Masters NES game I played but, like most of them, it was still pretty rough around the edges. I seem to recall that it didn't have music, and I could get past the first two worlds easily, but I always ran out of lives around the third.
sonikokaruto
Banned
it doesnt have av inputs and the RF signal doesn't work.
it probably is the 240p resolution
You know, that's right...
I just remembered trying out my toaster on my five year old Panasonic Plasma when I first took it out, and even though it has AV inputs, the screen was whacked out.
Bummer! Have any Goodwill's or Salvation Army stores nearby? Cheap, and very nice CRTs can be found there.
CoachKevin
Member
Figured this might be a good place to ask if any of you guys want to come on a podcast about retro games.
First episode is Legend of Zelda: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=577505
First episode is Legend of Zelda: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=577505
I used to co-host Dual Screen Radio (the first Nintendo DS centric podcast ever) years ago, was a 'launch time frame' NES Zelda player and would love to chime in on this but what kind of time frame would we be looking at for recording?
I like to think I have a fun story about what got me involved in the game too.
CoachKevin
Member
I used to co-host Dual Screen Radio (the first Nintendo DS centric podcast ever) years ago, was a 'launch time frame' NES Zelda player and would love to chime in on this but what kind of time frame would we be looking at for recording?
I like to think I have a fun story about what got me involved in the game too.
Looking at this sunday at 4pm est. The thread has the details.
Sorry I took so long to respond, missed this post. I used a pair of needle nose pliers, some elbow grease and a bit of luck.
Took a while and got a nice blister on my hand, but it was worth it.
I was in my extra bedroom and I found my Famicom AV that I purchased when I was stationed in Japan (forgot I had it), so I'm thinking about looking into getting a 72 to 60 pin adapter and just using that. I'm not an a hurry to do so, though.
IrishNinja
Member
does anyone here have an RGB modded NES? i'm just curious, i wanna say one dude put up a mega man 2 pic a while back in another thread but it's been so long since i saw someone make the investment
how many were you at? ive got about eh 35-40 and was considering borrowing my brother's dremel to expedite the process, can't seem to find a better way to mod them online.
how many were you at? ive got about eh 35-40 and was considering borrowing my brother's dremel to expedite the process, can't seem to find a better way to mod them online.
Interesting. It doesn't have the Seal of Quality.My latest NES acquisition just arrived...
I wasn't necessarily looking for a boxed specimen but it was in great shape and cheaper than the loose, cart only ones floating around. Fun little Puyo Puyo type puzzler and of course, a great novelty to own since it was the last officially licensed NES game Nintendo released in the US.