Poll of the Day > Can you Recommend really fun, obscure 2d 90's games

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'm in the mood to play a bunch of short 90's games, but I play a lot of em in general, and I don't want to play something that I've played half a dozen times already.

Already played through 2 of them today with Cadash on the Genesis, and Wolfchild on the SNES.

Feel free to recommend anything, as long as it's either from the 90's, or something inspired by the 90's, 2d, under 3 hours, and not too hard.

Oh, and if I've played it before, I'll give you my thoughts on it.

Aero the Acrobat series and Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel

C-Raine posted...

Aero the Acrobat series and Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel

Tried them both a few times. The controls are super super super slippery.

klonoa

the Joe and Mac games are fun

Rocky Rodent and Congos Caper both have a lot of charm to them

a lot of the Disney games from that era are good like Aladdin and The Lion King. For Aladdin its a completely different game on the SNES compared to the Genesis, but theyre both fun games.

Gunman's Proof

"Bonkers!" is short but fun. I can definitely recommend "Joe & Mac 2", and the game that came before it, "Congo's Caper". You might also try looking into some others like "Super Widget" and "Super Adventure Island II". All of these are on the SNES.

"Rocket Knight Adventures" is also really good (my favorite game on the Genesis). It's never been re-released any any point, so I guess it might count as obscure. I want to recommend "High Seas Havoc" (same system), but that game can get obnoxiously difficult by the last few stages.

FreezinIceKirby posted...

"Bonkers!" is short but fun. I can definitely recommend "Joe & Mac 2", and the game that came before it, "Congo's Caper". You might also try looking into some others like "Super Widget" and "Super Adventure Island II". All of these are on the SNES.

"Rocket Knight Adventures" is also really good (my favorite game on the Genesis). It's never been re-released any any point, so I guess it might count as obscure. I want to recommend "High Seas Havoc" (same system), but that game can get obnoxiously difficult by the last few stages.

I second Rocket Knight Adventures thats a really good one!

Doki Doki Panic

Going to suggest some Mega Drive games I used to enjoy
Alisia Dragoon - Amazing action platformer, was really happy it was on the Mega Drive Mini
Ex-Mutants - Beaten this several times, not the best game but I still had fun
Gauntlet IV - The series isn't really that obscure, but this was a really good one with a quality Arcade mode and a Quest mode that is a sort of RPG
Global Gladiators - McDonalds platformer which was surprisingly good
Hellfire - Amazing shoot em up, my favourite for the system
Mega Turrican - If you haven't played anything in this series before, I recommend giving it a look, the first two games were also on the system as Turrican and Universal Soldier (which is an edited Turrican 2) and SNES got a game as well
Ranger X - Great action game which I wish was better known, I've never actually found more than a couple of people who played it
Radical Rex - Was also on the SNES, I have that version on Steam, but Mega Drive was the one I played
Red Zone - Like the Strike series but more technically impressive

And while not a short game depending how you are with the puzzles, look up Puggsy as well.

Hook for Genesis
Toejam and Earl 2
Wild Woody
X-Men 1 & 2 on Genesis

Sunset Riders is fun

If you haven't played Little Samson, give that one a try - super fun!
Power Blade is fun.
Zanac is a great SHMUP on the NES.

Terranigma is a good one.

Tutoria posted...

klonoa

@Tutoria

Really put off by the visuals of the PS1 game. I had a lot of fun with the PS2 version though.

VampireCoyote posted...

the Joe and Mac games are fun

Rocky Rodent and Congos Caper both have a lot of charm to them

a lot of the Disney games from that era are good like Aladdin and The Lion King. For Aladdin its a completely different game on the SNES compared to the Genesis, but theyre both fun games.

@VampireCoyote Yeah, probably played the OG Joe and Mac game a couple dozen times. It's really fun. Dear god is it sexist though! It takes it to such an extreme that I have a hard time playing it now. I tried the sequel recently, even with save states it feels fucking impossible!

I'll look into Rocky and Congo.

Yeah, played the SNES Aladdin a dozen or so times. It's one my faves on the system. Can't stand the Genesis version. Aladdin using a sword doesn't change the fact that the sound quality is BAAAAAAAAD, and the fact that there's so sound effects for when you hit someone with your sword makes it feel like I'm hitting air. The latter of which has killed my immersion in so many games.

The Lion King is something that really should be played on the Genesis, as IIRC you can play the whole game on easy. Same thing for The Jungle Book.

FreezinIceKirby posted...

"Bonkers!" is short but fun. I can definitely recommend "Joe & Mac 2", and the game that came before it, "Congo's Caper". You might also try looking into some others like "Super Widget" and "Super Adventure Island II". All of these are on the SNES.

"Rocket Knight Adventures" is also really good (my favorite game on the Genesis). It's never been re-released any any point, so I guess it might count as obscure. I want to recommend "High Seas Havoc" (same system), but that game can get obnoxiously difficult by the last few stages.

@FreezinIceKirby First of all, everything that you've mentioned absolutely counts as obscure, so good job there, no worries.

I'll look into Bonkers, so thanks.

Already covered Joe and Mac 2. Even with save states it's way too hard! I'll look into congo's caper and Super Widget. Super Adventure Island 2 I've played some of, IIRC I finished it once, but I have a very hard time avoiding damage for some reason. Mgiht give it anotther shot.

Rocket Knight was something someone else recommended in another topic. I played a lot of Sparkster and enjoyed it, but Rocket Knights music repels me, and as a result I've never finished the second level. Thanks for being honest about High Seas, too many good games that don't pull annoying curve balls difficulty bosses.

DeSantis2024 posted...

Terranigma is a good one.

@DeSantis2024

Oh yes, Terranigma is totally easily beatable in 3 hours! :P

EchoBaz posted...

Really put off by the visuals of the PS1 game.

It was remade for Wii, and next month in a compilation with the second game on Switch. There are also some GBA games worth a look.

I used to own a Genesis years ago. Picking my brain for titles I had there's-

Gaiares
Dinosaurs for Hire
Viewpoint
Road Rash 1,2 & 3
Super Hang On
After Burner II
Shadow Dancer

For SNES (aiming for fun, short, easy, obscure):

HyperZone
The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang
Jurassic Park
Star Trek: TNG
Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose
Pocky & Rocky
EVO (except everyone here already knows about it)
Cool Spot
Out of this World
Flashback
Smart Ball
Chuck Rock
True Lies (can't remember how easy or long which means I probably didn't beat it which means maybe hard)
Spanky's Quest

I keep forgetting that these new people didn't have the childhood us 80s kids did... with the good games.

Busy on SNES was actually good, but felt a bit unfair at several points. I haven't played Zool since I was a kid, but I remember liking that.

Gunstar Heroes?

Barbie Supermodel is fun

Metalsonic66 posted...

Gunstar Heroes?

I second this.

That was supposed to be Bubsy, not Busy

I played a lot of obscure PC games... from the shareware bin

I rather liked Solarwinds

Metal slug
earth worm Jim
eternal champions
grratest heavyweights

Ill stop now

Karate champ

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/5/0/AAQwHjAADP7C.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/5/1/AAQwHjAADP7D.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/5/2/AAQwHjAADP7E.jpg

DeltaBladeX posted...

Going to suggest some Mega Drive games I used to enjoy
Alisia Dragoon - Amazing action platformer, was really happy it was on the Mega Drive Mini
Ex-Mutants - Beaten this several times, not the best game but I still had fun
Gauntlet IV - The series isn't really that obscure, but this was a really good one with a quality Arcade mode and a Quest mode that is a sort of RPG
Global Gladiators - McDonalds platformer which was surprisingly good
Hellfire - Amazing shoot em up, my favourite for the system
Mega Turrican - If you haven't played anything in this series before, I recommend giving it a look, the first two games were also on the system as Turrican and Universal Soldier (which is an edited Turrican 2) and SNES got a game as well
Ranger X - Great action game which I wish was better known, I've never actually found more than a couple of people who played it
Radical Rex - Was also on the SNES, I have that version on Steam, but Mega Drive was the one I played
Red Zone - Like the Strike series but more technically impressive

And while not a short game depending how you are with the puzzles, look up Puggsy as well.

@DeltaBladeX

Delta! What's up friend?

Played a bit of Alisa. It's fun!

Isn't Ex-Mutants really hard?

Gauntlet 4 I played some of. Doesn't it literally go on forever until you die? IIRC that's the way it is for all of the 8 and 16 bit Gauntlets outside of the OG NES game.

Played an endless amount of both Mick and Mack games. God they're fun! Love them so much!

Hellfire is a shoot em up? hmm, maybe.

Turrican is another shoot em up, right?

Yeah, 3 or 4 people have recommended Ranger X at this point.

Hmm, I love Desert Strike, but I couldn't get into the other games.

===

Anyways, played a few games:

Congo's Caper (Good Side-scrolling Platformer, SNES)

15 minutes in I was thinking "Yeah, this is really good. It's got the whole joy in its simplicity, while not being more frustrating than fun going feeling that I love from the SNES." It's also really cute in a way that doesn't feel cheesy. Felt that way the whole game, although I was hoping for a little something more with the ending. Ah well.

Thanks everyone that recommended this!

===

Super Bonk 2(Okayish Side-Scrolling Platformer, SNES)

Eh, it's ok I guess. Guess It was kinda cool to play another SNES Bonk game, but I don't really know what to say about this game. It's just sorta there. It's also kinda cheesy in a distracting way.

===

-. (Did not like SNES Speedy Gonzales)

Seemed promising at first. People were calling it the Sonic of the SNES. Then I got on these moving bridges, and they made the most maddening sound. Aw well, moving on!

Legend of the Mystical Ninja is low-key the best SNES game in the world. Yes, better than Chrono Trigger, Super Metroid, and Super Mario World. Combined.

EchoBaz posted...

Isn't Ex-Mutants really hard?

I managed to beat it a few times when young.

So yes, probably impossible for old people.

EchoBaz posted...

Gauntlet 4 I played some of. Doesn't it literally go on forever until you die? IIRC that's the way it is for all of the 8 and 16 bit Gauntlets outside of the OG NES game.

Arcade is, Quest is 5 dungeons of 10 floors each.

EchoBaz posted...

Turrican is another shoot em up, right?

Not the same kind as Hellfire, action platformer where you shoot stuff.

EchoBaz posted...

Yeah, 3 or 4 people have recommended Ranger X at this point.

Nice. Clearly you should listen to us. :D

jazz jackrabbit
EVO the search for eden

Rocky Rodent (Good Side scrolling platfomer, SNES)

This was a lot of fun, I thought it was a clever idea to implement hair as a weapon while still letting you jump on most enemies. I enjoyed most of the soundtrack. I liked that there's a little bit of dialogue in between levels, and while it's not deep or anything, it's usually interesting.

The thing that I LOOOVE about it more than anything is the art style. It's very similar to the art style of the director behind Cool World and the animated Lord Of The Rings.

Also, this!

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/3/0/AAAAQsAADQA-.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/3/1/AAAAQsAADQA_.jpg

Hehehe, of course she kissed his hair!

Nade Duck posted...

jazz jackrabbit
EVO the search for eden

@Nade_Duck

Jazz jackrabbit? What platform do you recommend?

I never see it brought up, probably because no one played it as the first 2 games were not great, but James Pond 3 Operation Starfish was pretty good from what i remember.

5/20/22

1. (E)Young Souls (ONE OF the best indie games that I've ever played! MERCIFUL Souls-lite side scrolling Beat em up RPG)
2. (E)Nefarious(Amazing side scrolling Megaman love letter)
3. (PF)Rogue Legacy 2 (Oh my god I beat a fucking rogue-lite! Great Side Scrolling SNES Style Action-RPG, PC)
4. (B)Die Hard Arcade(Bad port of the Arcade game, 3d Beat em up, Saturn)
5. (PF)Wolfchild SNES (Good SNES action platfomer)
6. (B)Cadash(So-So Arcade port of a Gauntlet-like side scrolling ACTION RPG, Genesis)
-. (Did not like SNES Speedy Gonzales)
7. (B)Super Bonk 2(Okayish Side-Scrolling Platformer, SNES)
8. (PF)Congo's Caper (Good Side-scrolling Platformer, SNES)
9. (PF)Rocky Rodent (Good Side scrolling platfomer, SNES)
10. (E)Toziuha Night: Dracula's Revenge (Great SNES era Classic-Vania, PC)

Toziuha Night: Dracula's Revenge (Great SNES era Classic-Vania, PC)

First of all, to the people on my recommend short 90's games to me topic, I guess I didn't make something clear, and I wanna try to now. When I said "or 90's Style" I was referring to things like indie games with a 90's art style. This very much feels like SOTN, if it wasn't a Metroidvania(Or Igavania or whatever.)

I'm gonna talk about what I really liked about this game, and what sadly keeps it from being great. What I really liked about this game is that during gameplay segments the atmosphere really draws you in, both with the combat, visuals, and audio. Its all great stuff, and makes me very glad that I played this. The problem however is that this game decided to add a lot of dialogue, and not only is it badly translated, it's anime in a very bad way.

Characters misunderstand each other, and they don't even try to explain it. And yet at the same what is discussed isn't all that interesting, so I'm almost glad that they pull this tropey bullshit. That's how bad it is at taking me out of the experience! Again, it's not enough to make me regret playing this, but that might be because of my strong love for Castlevania gameplay.

So yeah, I liked it, but I'm not sure if I'd recommend this game to anyone outside of fellow diehard fans of Classic-Vanias...

is what I was going to say originally, but the more I think about it, god the god is so much fun, and towards the end the dialogue does sorta get more interesting. Fuck it, the whole game is fun, and the final 2 levels made me look past the bad dialogue, of most of the game. The game is great, play it! A couple plot twists at the end make it a bit more memorable too

Spoilers: The MC is kinda petty, but in a way that actually makes her interesting. And yes, I know that makes so little fucking sense, but if you play it you'll see what I mean. Also, it turns out that Dracula wasn't actually resurrected, the demon that he sold his soul to was pretending to be him to gather state alchemists so they could take their blood and resurrect him. The last boss was actually his wife!

Anyways, I didn't really need it, but I was sorta using this as a walkthrough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sps2FnHJleA&list=PLMeONOh3XtrOFBuPq-72PpgoyVIL3AjV-&index=1

EchoBaz posted...

First of all, to the people on my recommend short 90's games to me topic, I guess I didn't make something clear, and I wanna try to now. When I said "or 90's Style" I was referring to things like indie games with a 90's art style.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/603530/A_Robot_Named_Fight/

DeltaBladeX posted...

https://store.steampowered.com/app/603530/A_Robot_Named_Fight/

hmm, roguelike.

Is it like Hades and Rogue Legacy 2 where you can select options to make the game MUUUUUUUUCH easier @DeItaBIadeX ? Because if it doesn't, I'll probably find it more frustrating than fun.

EchoBaz posted...

hmm, roguelike.

Is it like Hades and Rogue Legacy 2 where you can select options to make the game MUUUUUUUUCH easier @DeItaBIadeX ? Because if it doesn't, I'll probably find it more frustrating than fun.

It isn't too difficult, and I have one Steam key for it, IF you promise to play it and attempt to finish at least one run. So you will get it at the best price of free, at least.

A Robot Named Fight is good. I wouldn't call it a roguelike or even roguelite even though it qualifies... it's more like a metroidvania with a randomizer. I mean, you wouldn't call Super Metroid Randomizer a roguelike, would you?

If you do... then nvm