Top 10, Underrated, Non-Franchise NES Action Platformers

[Robot2600]

Check out the Top 10 list here: http://8bitcity.blogspot.com/2011/05/top-10-underrated-non-franchise-action.html

 

Thoughts on this list? I'm interested in what you would change. If anyone can surprise me with an awesome game that should be on the list but isn't (Aside from Powerblade 1-2, which, honestly shouldn't count as a franchise but still, technically, is a franchise).

 

Not sure about the Fist of the North star games, but I really enjoy those. Anyway, You should check out this list if you're looking for some more obscure NES platform games.

[Algus]

I actually haven't heard of several of these games so if they're decent, they're definitely underrated!

 

I'm liking Metal Storm at the top of the list. It seems like it has gotten a lot of good attention over the last few years. I mainly started noticing when the Happy Video Game Nerd reviewed it (his first IIRC). So I dunno if it is underrated anymore, but I have seen some other people give bad reviews which makes me wonder if they played the same game.

 

Maybe it isn't underrated since everyone I know likes it, largely because they have fond memories of the cartoon, but I think Tiny Toons is an extremely competent (and pretty) late era NES game. Although jumping on things with a cartoon rabbit isn't as cool as beating people up with a sword, I will admit.

 

How about Street Fighter 2010? A bit of a learning curve but actually a pretty neat game once you get into it and learn how to play.

[DickNixonArisen]

Yeah, this might be a fair top ten... Vice and Shadow of the ninja (same abbreviation as a much more famous game, I note) are definitely the first I thought of. Metal storm I never got into as much... Werewolf the apocalypse was pretty good also, and I actually liked ninja crusaders quite a bit even though it had a bargainbin feel for sure.

[Sonic R]

maybe not the 'best' game or even top 10 material, one game I enjoyed that could fit in to this article was Dynowarz

[A2600]

Kickmaster, Clash at Deamonhead, The Kion Conquest could have neen added too

[StanJr]

Krion Conquest

Whomp 'Em!

 

Should have both been on the list.

 

I don't think Trojan makes that list and a couple of others are so-so, but not as good as some of the games mentioned in this thread.

[BrianC]

Not sure about the Fist of the North star games, but I really enjoy those.

 

I don't know how those can count has non-franchise games (I think the reasoning in the article is a bit weak). Based on anime and manga and more than one game in the series (the US Fist of the North Star is the second game in the series).

Edited May 31, 2011 by BrianC

[+thegoldenband]

Krion Conquest

Whomp 'Em!

 

Should have both been on the list.

 

I don't think Trojan makes that list and a couple of others are so-so, but not as good as some of the games mentioned in this thread.

Agreed. I'd also add Little Samson (mentioned in the comments), Captain Comic, and maybe the Adventures of Rad Gravity and/or Skull & Crossbones.

Edited May 31, 2011 by thegoldenband

[BrianC]

Whomp 'Em is a sequel, though. The JP one, Saiyuki World 2, has a different theme set in China with a monkey boy instead of the indian theme. The original Saiyuki World is an odd conversion of Wonder Boy in Monster Land.

[Robot2600]

Note that the list was underrated AND non-franchise. Some games are not underrated on that last--Shatterhand, for example has enjoyed a lot of popularity in the last 10 years online. FotNS games are underrated but are, admittedly, part of a huge franchise.

 

As far as the other games mentioned, I think Dynowarz probably has the best shot at making it onto a future list. I might expand this into a Top 20 at some point, but some of these games are crap. Others like Monster Party, Xexyz, Athena are garbage too, but fit the genre. I don't want to make a list of bad games though, lol.

 

Anyway thanks for the input, I'm having fun trying some of these other games out.

 

I like Trojan, and I'd keep it on my list. As I said in the comments, I simply forgot about Little Samson, and the more I think about it the more I want Powerblade on that list as well.

 

I'm honestly more concerned with finding good games with "serious" art styles. Little Nemo, while it's a cool game, is too cartoony for my tastes and I'm not a fan of the combat.

 

Totally unrelated, but if you want to play a PC Beat-'Em-Up parody, I uploaded a game I made, Fight Town, just yesterday: http://8bitcity.blogspot.com/2011/05/fight-town.html

 

If you like 8-Bit gaming, you'll probably enjoy it a lot!

[+thegoldenband]

Others like Monster Party, Xexyz, Athena are garbage too

Whoa, them's fighting words! Well, Athena is total garbage, but I like Monster Party, and I love Xexyz. One of my favorite "underrated non-franchise action platformers" on any system. Terrific tunes, a pleasure to play, well-balanced game mechanics, a sense of humor...what's not to like?

[Reaperman]

I liked the list, and am a big fan of vice project doom and shatterhand. Kabuki Quantum Fighter comes right to mind as something along similar lines.

 

Though it's cheating (since it's a famicom release), and it lacks the so-serious tone of most of the list, Cocoron is not to be underestimated either. It's kind of a build-your-own megaman, but with scrolling.

[n8littlefield]

Kabuki Quantom Fighter was the first that came to mind for me too. Nemo was great as well though.

 

I know it's not one of the greatest, but I really liked Yo Noid back in the day as well. The graphics were bright and colorful and the enemies were pretty large and detailed. Gameplay had some weak points and it was really hard, but still one of my favorites.

[StanJr]

And what about Low G Man. Another great one, and it has multiple endings!

[BrianC]

Rock 'n Ball is definitely underrated. Fun pinball game with some nice 2p tables.

[Armonigann]

Thanks for the Rock n Ball recommendation! I thought I had all the NES pinballs.

[Bloodreign]

Kickle Cubicle yes it's originally an arcade game, but Irem differentiated this one from the AC version. The games a tad linear, but the puzzles can get mind bending. Plus it has a hidden set of levels that are quite devious from the original levels.

[_rimusa_]

Could Street Fighter 2010 count for the list?

Sure, it is part of the Street Fighter saga (sort of), but it has nothing to do with it (apart from the title)

[DickNixonArisen]

Others like Monster Party, Xexyz, Athena are garbage too

Whoa, them's fighting words! Well, Athena is total garbage, but I like Monster Party, and I love Xexyz. One of my favorite "underrated non-franchise action platformers" on any system. Terrific tunes, a pleasure to play, well-balanced game mechanics, a sense of humor...what's not to like?

 

I agree with these statements compeletely.

[DickNixonArisen]

The great gatsby game! hehe. Puss in boots, etc, a billion of them. Out of all the games mentioned though I'm not sure they could really unseat too many from the this "top ten" unless we do kick the FOTNS out for cheating, and I think "whomp 'em" has the best chance. Conquest of the crystal palace and clash at demonhead are pretty good too. A lot of people like the wizards and warriors, the legend of kage and demon sword, etc, etc.

[BrianC]

Kickle Cubicle yes it's originally an arcade game, but Irem differentiated this one from the AC version. The games a tad linear, but the puzzles can get mind bending. Plus it has a hidden set of levels that are quite devious from the original levels.

 

The JP version, Meikyuu Shima, is less linear. It allows you to choose which levels on the map to go to. Some levels have more enemies and some levels are in different places than the US version. I love the game so far. Plays like a mix of Adventures of Lolo and Pengo.

[SoulBlazer]

I always really liked Karnov. Tough as nails game, good music, fun gameplay.

[Bloodreign]

BrianC, I've heard about this, not sure why the US version was altered to be linear, thankfully the game is still fun.

 

Don't think anyone's mentioned Rockin' Kats from Atlus, it's not a game that comes up in the average "hey remember what games the NES had that were awesome" conversations.

[retrorussell]

Shadow of the Ninja was a great game!

I rather liked Kabuki Quantum Fighter as well.

[Jess Ragan]

People actually LIKE The Krion Conquest? Geez, if you want to play Mega Man, just play a Mega Man game. There are six of them on the NES alone... no sense in settling for a weaksauce clone.

 

I certainly agree that Little Samson should have been on that list, though. It's a fun side-scrolling platformer with a tight feel, and the ability to switch between characters on the fly gives it a lot of variety, and makes the level designs more imaginative.

 

Would Cobra Triangle count? It's so close to R.C. Pro Am that it could count as a sequel, but there are key differences as well. Instead of just racing, you're guarding swimmers, launching off ramps, and gunning down monstrous bosses as well. Frustrating as hell in parts, but you're not likely to find a more tightly designed game on the NES. Eliminator Boat Duel is also pretty good... it's not up to the standards of Cobra Triangle, but it has its moments.