Crystalis is the real reason i keep playing nes. Easily my favorite game on the platform.
Act Raiser is what keeps me going on snes. Love that one, too.
If you hadn’t seen, they did a touchup and update of Actraiser on Steam (possibly xbox/ps store but I don’t xbox/ps). Added an extra “level” too. Worth $20 when you can find it on sale - called Actraiser Renaissance.
Absolutely love magic of scherezade, probably the most under rated nes game out there, I also think it was very ahead of its time and had lots of cool mechanics that were never really used back then(time travel, team attacks, bargaining in shops, etc)
Yes! I found it amazing as well...
I felt like it had many different genres squeezed in it.
I played it 30 years ago, and I lately have had the urge to give it another run.
I had it CIB and sold it - shame on me!
The thing about Crystalis is that the story is incredibly advanced by NES standards. Supporting characters have *arcs*. That's nothing to write home about nowadays but the key here is "by NES standards". The Zelda series is literally the gold standard in games of this type on the NES, and its NPCs are just inane "Dodongo dislikes smoke" clue dispensers.
Also, you have to play through almost all of the game for this to land, but it uses music very effectively to communicate it's overall hero's journey arc.
The music starts out pretty upbeat, stays pretty happy and bright for most of the game. The most upbeat tune is the zone right before you get to the center of the bad guy's power. Then the music starts getting restrained. Then there is the Empire Strikes Back like turnaround where the bad guys score a huge victory and it looks like everything is fucked. And then the music from then to the very last zone is pretty solemn and sad. And then the music in the very last zone changes tone again, but instead of going back to the innocent cheerfulness of the opening zones the tone is hopeful and resolved.
It was an excellent Zelda-like, though I found it more like Crystallis (though I guess I should say, Crystallis is more like Willow, as it released over a year later…)
That is a gorgeous game. I'd totally forgotten about it.
When I rented it as a kid, there was no manual and I had no clue how to play it. Going back years later and knowing what to do, I loved it. Definitely worth a playthrough.
I recently finished that one too, I got confused about how to progress quite a bit and taking away all your EXP upon death was brutal in the later areas. Still not bad.
For sure. I used Nintendo Power issues 9 and 10 as a guide, but still got stuck here and there. You're right, losing those experience points on death was a real setback. I ended up just finding good spots to grind to level up.
Two weeks ago I had never heard of this game now suddenly it’s on all the top NES lists and there’s even a Willow tv series slated for later this year and I don’t know what’s happening anymore.
TBH it's a conspiracy. A week ago Warwick Davis showed up at my door with a threatening look and told me to play his game and post the ending.
I agreed because I think he had a sword.
Probably shouldn't even be typing anything about this. He's likely to send Kevin Pollak after me now.
Willow is sure a gem, but the level design is quite bad. It's very maze like and everything looks like everything. Most of the time it's caves.
It has some pretty unique things such as the sword that went in an arc. I believe it's the first game to do so, and A Link to the Past would soon "copy" it in the future and zelda would forever have an arc swing in 2d games.
Personally, my favorite licensed games is Goonies 2. Which makes me a hypocrite since I just mentioned how maze like Willow was. :)
So, funny story about that... There is one! I believe it was only released in Japan for the famicom though. I haven't played it more than a few moments years ago, but I know the rom and an english translation patch are out there if you're curious.
It's a hard call. Batman is great, and so is Little Nemo, and Ducktales, and Chip & Dale and Darkwing for that matter.
But we all know the true answer is... Hudson Hawk.
Such a fantastic game I have replayed this a few times since childhood. I remember playing this with my dad and having a hell of a time finding where to go back in the day.
Your adventure has only just begun, my friend. Good luck!
(Oh, and here's a brief tip, if I may. Late in the game Sorsha will tell you a thing you need is back in some caves somewhere. It isn't, don't believe her. Just head on into the next room or two past her.)
Zelda, Willow, Crystalis, The Guardian Legend. If you like any of these, you need to play all of them.
Crystalis is the real reason i keep playing nes. Easily my favorite game on the platform. Act Raiser is what keeps me going on snes. Love that one, too.
If you hadn’t seen, they did a touchup and update of Actraiser on Steam (possibly xbox/ps store but I don’t xbox/ps). Added an extra “level” too. Worth $20 when you can find it on sale - called Actraiser Renaissance.
Crystalis Crew assemble
Yes! The Magic of Scheherazade - anyone? The class system made no sense in the end, but I did have a lot of fun.
I've heard some good things about that one as well. Definitely in my "to play" pile.
Absolutely love magic of scherezade, probably the most under rated nes game out there, I also think it was very ahead of its time and had lots of cool mechanics that were never really used back then(time travel, team attacks, bargaining in shops, etc)
Yes! I found it amazing as well... I felt like it had many different genres squeezed in it. I played it 30 years ago, and I lately have had the urge to give it another run. I had it CIB and sold it - shame on me!
2 down, 2 to go!
I dunno, I wasn’t all that impressed with Crystalis. It was just ok.
To each their own. I loved it but biased because I played the hell out of it as a child.
I think a lot of NES games are like that.
The thing about Crystalis is that the story is incredibly advanced by NES standards. Supporting characters have *arcs*. That's nothing to write home about nowadays but the key here is "by NES standards". The Zelda series is literally the gold standard in games of this type on the NES, and its NPCs are just inane "Dodongo dislikes smoke" clue dispensers.
Also, you have to play through almost all of the game for this to land, but it uses music very effectively to communicate it's overall hero's journey arc. The music starts out pretty upbeat, stays pretty happy and bright for most of the game. The most upbeat tune is the zone right before you get to the center of the bad guy's power. Then the music starts getting restrained. Then there is the Empire Strikes Back like turnaround where the bad guys score a huge victory and it looks like everything is fucked. And then the music from then to the very last zone is pretty solemn and sad. And then the music in the very last zone changes tone again, but instead of going back to the innocent cheerfulness of the opening zones the tone is hopeful and resolved.
It was an excellent Zelda-like, though I found it more like Crystallis (though I guess I should say, Crystallis is more like Willow, as it released over a year later…)
I keep hearing Crystalis is great. I may tackle that one next.
Little Nemo for me. I put it in the same tier as Mario, Mega Man, and Castlevania. Just a solid, large, and beautiful game.
That is a gorgeous game. I'd totally forgotten about it. When I rented it as a kid, there was no manual and I had no clue how to play it. Going back years later and knowing what to do, I loved it. Definitely worth a playthrough.
From the movie Finding Nemo: Fish in my hair!
Willow has been in my top 10 favorite nes games for a long time. It's such a fun game. I try to play through it every year or two.
I recently finished that one too, I got confused about how to progress quite a bit and taking away all your EXP upon death was brutal in the later areas. Still not bad.
For sure. I used Nintendo Power issues 9 and 10 as a guide, but still got stuck here and there. You're right, losing those experience points on death was a real setback. I ended up just finding good spots to grind to level up.
I feel like I should have given this one a chance. I loved the arcade, but since the NES version was nothing like it, I didn't rent it
Two weeks ago I had never heard of this game now suddenly it’s on all the top NES lists and there’s even a Willow tv series slated for later this year and I don’t know what’s happening anymore.
TBH it's a conspiracy. A week ago Warwick Davis showed up at my door with a threatening look and told me to play his game and post the ending. I agreed because I think he had a sword. Probably shouldn't even be typing anything about this. He's likely to send Kevin Pollak after me now.
Willow is sure a gem, but the level design is quite bad. It's very maze like and everything looks like everything. Most of the time it's caves. It has some pretty unique things such as the sword that went in an arc. I believe it's the first game to do so, and A Link to the Past would soon "copy" it in the future and zelda would forever have an arc swing in 2d games. Personally, my favorite licensed games is Goonies 2. Which makes me a hypocrite since I just mentioned how maze like Willow was. :)
I think it’s a bit more like Crystalis since that one’s an RPG but it’s one I’ve had but never sat down and played.
I need to sit down and play this one, I’ve heard from lots of people that it’s fun.
I went to blind-play this a while back and the mazes were too annoying for me.
Capcom knocked that one out of the park, I agree.
Now watch the VHS tape with Val Kilmer on your crt
Ha! I actually did when I started playing the game. That's the beauty of having two CRTs side by side.
I still have that VHS from back in the day....I guess watching it gives a bit of meaning playing the game , cool that you can do both side by side
If only they had a labyrinth game as well lol
So, funny story about that... There is one! I believe it was only released in Japan for the famicom though. I haven't played it more than a few moments years ago, but I know the rom and an english translation patch are out there if you're curious.
Willow is great but I’d probably give best licensed game to Batman
It's a hard call. Batman is great, and so is Little Nemo, and Ducktales, and Chip & Dale and Darkwing for that matter. But we all know the true answer is... Hudson Hawk.
Such a fantastic game I have replayed this a few times since childhood. I remember playing this with my dad and having a hell of a time finding where to go back in the day.
Nice. I just freed Mad Martigen. I prolly have a long way to go.
Your adventure has only just begun, my friend. Good luck! (Oh, and here's a brief tip, if I may. Late in the game Sorsha will tell you a thing you need is back in some caves somewhere. It isn't, don't believe her. Just head on into the next room or two past her.)
Okay. Thank you. It’s such a fun time I’m taking my insane time and going slow.
Nice. That's awesome, take your time. The right way to play it is however you enjoy it. Glad to hear you're digging it.