Board 8 > B8 NSO Crew Plays Every NSO Game - Part 6

(+) Yeah! (+)

Most arcade games ported are better on arcade when it comes to early generations. In the things on NSO it's mostly true for NES.

Wrecking Crew is something I would also almost certainly have enjoyed more if not trying to beat eveey level. Puzzle solving is fun, avoiding enemies and fireballs is not.

Speaking of avoiding enemies, I'm currently playing Mystery Tower. I actually enjoy it quite a bit, but the enemies can be a real pain. Also feel like the power limit is kind of unnecessary. That's why I like Fire n' Ice so much. No enemies, no time limit, no block limit, just player versus puzzle. That's how puzzles games should be imo

Still pretty fun though. I'm on stage 26 so still got a ways to go

Enemies can get super annoying, I would have it way higher without them, they didn't add much value but took away a lot of enjoyment.

It had done secret ending that I looked up.

MZero posted...

Speaking of avoiding enemies, I'm currently playing Mystery Tower. I actually enjoy it quite a bit, but the enemies can be a real pain. Also feel like the power limit is kind of unnecessary. That's why I like Fire n' Ice so much. No enemies, no time limit, no block limit, just player versus puzzle. That's how puzzles games should be imo

Still pretty fun though. I'm on stage 26 so still got a ways to go

I don't mind the enemies or the time limit, they add some challenge to it. The power limit seems pointless though when you can just collect items which will continue to pop up that increase it. But I really liked Mystery Tower. Though I don't know why they changed the title from Tower of Babel.

Speaking of Mystery Tower... back to my NES countdown. Now we're getting into games I really love.

21) Ice Hockey

This is a game I played a ton back in the day. I think one of the best multiplayer games on the system. So simple and controls so well. Making sure to have at least one fat guy on your team to pulverize whoever you're playing. One of my favorite sports games on the system.

22) Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

I probably like this a lot more than most people but I think, much like Zelda II, it gets tossed aside too quickly when players get easily frustrated with it. It's certainly tougher than the previous game but the only sections that I get really frustrated with are the parts where you have to time the trampoline jumps that send you off screen and figuring out hidden pathways toward the end of the game. Otherwise I still find this a lot of fun to just pick up and play and the difference in Mario and Luigi's physics add some variety to its gameplay. Underappreciated gem if you ask me.

23) NES Open Tournament Golf

This was a big playthrough for me because I never spent a whole lot of time with it before. It's basically a much better Golf and it rules. They add more courses and play modes and they let you customize which clubs you take with you. Some great animations, nothing like the feeling for the rare times you can get a hole in one. It's so much fun. I probably put at least another week into it after playing through the whole thing because I was having such a good time with it. Another one of the best sports games on the system.

24) Star Tropics

Great little adventure game. I don't think it's quite as good as the Zeldas of the world, it's too linear and the grid based movement can feel a little stiff and some of the invisible enemy and dark room puzzles can get annoying but otherwise it's a rather enjoyable top down adventure game. They need to add the sequel to the service already.

25) Vice: Project Doom

The level variety is a neat element even if the driving and shooting sections aren't quite as good as the side scrolling platforming levels. It adds a little personality to the game to help it standout when there are just so many other side scrolling action platformers on the NES. Solid game.

26) Dr. Mario

Great puzzle game. Rather addictive. Maneuvering pieces through jumbled messes of viruses is one of my favorite things to do in it. Might have been higher but there are a couple of other classic puzzle games that I think it's just a tier below.

27) Joy Mech Fight

Another really interesting surprise for me. I'm surprised how well this thing runs and the variety of moves you can perform with the NES controller's limited buttons. I mostly used the fire guy. He has a good variety of attacks like the ball spiral and that like fire wall ability to play defense with. Really cool little fighter that I originally didn't expect from the system.

28) Journey to Silius

Another great little side scrolling action game. Can be kind of tough at first but is much easier once you get used to enemy layout and play with a little caution. I've had this game before and I've had the first like 3 levels pretty memorized so it didn't take long to cruise through it. Some of the platforming in the end is where I died the most. Also, it's a pretty good looking NES title. Would highly recommend if you're a fan of the Mega Man series. Fun little piece of info, I believe this was originally going to be a licensed Terminator game.

29) Super Dodge Ball

I had one of these Dodge Ball games on the GBA back in the day and loved it. The power throws reminded me of something like Mario Super Strikers but for dodge ball. Admittedly it gets kind of easy when you get the hang of your power throws and there's some glitchy slowdown at times but otherwise this is just a lot of fun.

30) Mystery Tower

And here we are, Mystery Tower. Really like this too. As I said, I think the power limit is kind of pointless but I do like the inclusion of enemies. Some levels needing to deal with them or having to corner them off onto some section of the level adds an extra challenge to the game that I appreciated. And more importantly I love that some of the levels can have multiple solutions. It really opens the game up to letting you think on your feet. Great little puzzle game. I also used to have a Famicom cart of this somewhere, I might still have it actually.

31) Wrecking Crew
32) Balloon Fight
33) Eliminator Boat Duel
34) Earthbound Beginnings
35) S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team
36) Gradius
37) Solomons Key
38) Double Dragon II: The Revenge
39) Double Dragon
40) Rygar
41) Snake, Rattle n Roll
42) Ghosts n Goblins
43) R.C. Pro-Am
44) Dig Dug II
45) Nightshade
46) Mario Bros.
47) Star Soldier
48) Ninja Jaja Maru-kun
49) Yoshi
50) Downtown Nekketsu March: Super-Awesome Field Day
51) The Mysterious Murasame Castle
52) Clu Clu Land
53) City Connection
54) Twin Bee
55) Mighty Bomb Jack
56) Donkey Kong Jr.
57) Donkey Kong
58) Devil World
59) Donkey Kong 3
60) Mappy-Land
61) Baseball
62) Pinball
63) Tennis
64) The Immortal
65) Ice Climber
66) Tecmo Bowl
67) Daiva Story 6: Imperial of Nirsartia
68) Pro Wrestling
69) Volleyball
70) Mach Rider
71) Xevious
72) Urban Champion
73) Cobra Triangle
74) Soccer
75) Donkey Kong Jr. Math
76) Kung Fu Heroes
77) The Mystery of Atlantis

rockus posted...

figuring out hidden pathways toward the end of the game

Basically the only reason I have ranked it below the first. It's basically just as good otherwise.

it's the invisible blocks for me lmao

MZero has beaten Mystery Tower

Not much to say that I didn't before. It's pretty fun but would be better without the enemies or power limit (especially because you can just wait for a recovery item to spawn). I get that the enemies add difficulty but for me I want the difficulty in a puzzle game to come from actually solving the puzzle, not execution. I still like it though, better than Solomon's Key but not as good as Solomon's Key 2.

Grade: B

NES - 41/79
GEN - 6/50
GB - 20/39
SNES - 11/74
N64 - 5/39
GBA - 3/25

Total - 86/306

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VOcz6Z5PRY

Loved Strikers.

If I had a Switch 2 it would be the first addition to the GCN set that I don't already own.

Seems like a surprising first Mario game on there, but I guess Mario Football didn't exist before. It's a good game. I've played it a lot back in the day. It might be the best of the three because the others are too extreme.

Would not be surprised if the next additions on here were simply the announced Gamecube games.

I might finish a game today. I hope so, but that will be the last for me for at least 10 days.

Hopefully they add Mario Baseball so we can get a good baseball game for once! I like Strikers but I don't have a Switch 2 yet

ctesjbuvf posted...

I might finish a game today. I hope so, but that will be the last for me for at least 10 days.

Now's my chance to take the lead

Yeah, I didn't mange to finish. Playing The Peace Keepers. I'm trying to get the best ending and I'm far but it'll have to wait a while now. Trying to get into Nobunaga completely walled me.

You catching up would be fantastic. Obviously 10 days isn't enough but with the current pace you can definitely make a good push.

MZero posted...

Hopefully they add Mario Baseball so we can get a good baseball game for once! I like Strikers but I don't have a Switch 2 yet

Now's my chance to take the lead

I think youre all forgetting a dark horse to take the lead

clears throat

Mario Baseball might be functional but how is it gonna make up for the fact that baseball is a trash tier sport?

I haven't played it though so I wouldn't mind it. Only GC Mario I sat out lol.

I'm expecting then to start with what has already been announced first though of which Coloseum and XD has me the most hyped.

I think Im gonna play River City Ransom tonight

ctesjbuvf posted...

Yeah, I didn't mange to finish. Playing The Peace Keepers. I'm trying to get the best ending and I'm far but it'll have to wait a while now. Trying to get into Nobunaga completely walled me.

You catching up would be fantastic. Obviously 10 days isn't enough but with the current pace you can definitely make a good push.

My goal now is to get to 99 in the next 10 days, and then... Breath of Fire 2?!

wallmasterz posted...

I think youre all forgetting a dark horse to take the lead

clears throat

You're right, I think Hobo is still ahead of me.

ctesjbuvf posted...

I'm expecting then to start with what has already been announced first though of which Coloseum and XD has me the most hyped.

Colosseum would be great. I might play along on GameCube if you end up playing it before I get my hands on a Switch 2

wallmasterz posted...

I think Im gonna play River City Ransom tonight

Don't look now, but wallz is making a run at the crown!

13 more games would be great! I will happily join Breath of Fire 2 by then.

I have no plans to start any of the Gamecube ones anytime soon. I haven't been able to get a proper case for my Switch 2 yet, and I usually play these on the go and play games at home that can't be played on the go. In any case, I'm thinking to just keep knocking SNES and Genesis out for a while!

Also River City Ransom is fun. I actually played it coop somewhat recently as well.

Out of curiosity ctes, which are your last two NES games?

Kirby's Adventure and Wario's Woods

I can't speak on Wario's Woods but Kirby's Adventure is great

MZero has beaten Rygar

This one was also surprisingly good! Two good NES games in a row, am I dreaming?! It's kind of like a primitive Metroidvania, even more so than Metroid 1, and unlike Mega Man my guy can actually duck and attack. There are definitely some issues caused by hardware limitations I'm sure, like flashing sprites and the Pulley thing being very unresponsive at times. I had to grind a bit at the end because the last boss was wrecking me, but after that I took him down pretty easy. Also, didn't love the top down sections. The overworld was fine but the two dungeons weren't great. Still, the rest of the game was pretty fun and I enjoyed playing through it. I could see myself playing this again one day.

Grade: B

NES - 42/79
GEN - 6/50
GB - 20/39
SNES - 11/74
N64 - 5/39
GBA - 3/25

Total - 87/306

MZero posted...

I can't speak on Wario's Woods but Kirby's Adventure is great

Yeah I've played it before a bunch of times

MZero has beaten Altered Beast

The streak of good games ends at two. The best thing I can say about this game is that it took me less than an hour to beat. Of course, like 30 minutes of that was just wailing away on the bosses. Why do they have so much HP? They don't even take much strategy, just patience as you smack them 100 times. Also, it's soooo slow. You walk slow, the screens scroll slowly, it's just so slow all around. At its best it's boring and at its worse it can be kind of annoying. The powers are cool at least.

Grade: D

NES - 42/79
GEN - 7/50
GB - 20/39
SNES - 11/74
N64 - 5/39
GBA - 3/25

Total - 88/306

I appreciate knocking out a bunch of things I have played. This isn't good but was saved by its length to some degree.

On that note I think I'll go with River City Ransom next. You've played it, wallz is playing it (maybe), and it fits into my ~Mystery Theme~

MZero has beaten River City Ransom

Beat up is not my genre. I do like how they incorporated RPG elements and how it's more open, but the progression is kind of ambiguous at times. Also there are tons of shops and stuff to buy but no way to see what any of it does which would be a real pain without a guide. Anyway, the end was extremely anti-climatic cause I got this chain whip attack that can't be blocked and just went ham. The AI can't do anything about it so I just steam rolled the whole place.

It's not bad but definitely shows its age in areas.

Grade: C+

NES - 43/79
GEN - 7/50
GB - 20/39
SNES - 11/74
N64 - 5/39
GBA - 3/25

Total - 89/306

Im officially rejoining this project (kinda) with a caveat

Its very unlikely Im going to 100% every game. I may not beat every game. But I am going to play every game at least once, share some thoughts, and have fun gaming.

Eventually I might try to beat or complete a game here or there, but my goal is just to enjoy playing games

I mean the title says "B8 NSO Crew Plays Every NSO Game" not beats or complete so you're good tbh

you are good at reading mzero

Once I play everything I can always set my sights a little bigger but yeah. This seems like a fun way to rejoin you all. Im sure Ill knock out a few beats/completes along the way if a game sucks me in

MZero has beaten Strider

This game is hot garbage. Where do I even begin? What's with Capcom and making heroes that can't attack in any direction besides right in front of their face? It's even worse here because there are all these sloped surfaces everywhere that make it a pain to actually hit anything. And speaking of sloped surfaces why does Strider suck so much that he can't even run unless he's going downhill? He's a freaking ninja for Pete's sake. The hit boxes are some of the worst I've ever seen in my life. Good luck getting up on any platform you're hanging off of without taking damage from an enemy 100 meters away. Then there's that flying boss that camps off screen and shoots at you while your precious timer ticks away, but you can't hit him because he's not even on the screen. Then there's the jumping, you can either jump straight up or halfway across the screen, no in between. The claw thing that lets you grab walls and stuff is also super inconsistent. The controls just feel super clunky over all and Strider isn't fun to control. I guess the graphics are pretty good for the time but that's the only nice thing I can say about this abomination.

Grade: D-

NES - 43/79
GEN - 8/50
GB - 20/39
SNES - 11/74
N64 - 5/39
GBA - 3/25

Total - 90/306

Zero Signal has beaten Metroid: Zero Mission (again)

Still a fucking classic and exactly what a remake should be

S tier
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Super Mario Bros 3
Super Mario World
Metroid: Zero Mission

A tier
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Banjo-Kazooie
Super Mario 64
Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
Super Punch-Out!!
Super Mario Bros
Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts
Pokemon Puzzle League
Streets of Rage 2
Gunstar Heroes

B tier
Super Mario Bros 2
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie's Double Trouble
Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins
Super Mario Advance
Comix Zone
Street Fighter II: Special Championship Edition
Donkey Kong Country
Ghouls 'N Ghosts
Mega Man V
Kurukuru Kururin
Joe and Mac 2
Mega Man IV
Dr. Mario 64
Kirby's Star Stacker (GB)
Mario's Picross
Gradius: Interstellar Assault

C tier
Mega Man III
Killer Instinct
Donkey Kong Land III
Yoshi's Story
Shinobi III
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong Jr
Dr. Mario
Dr. Mario (GB)
Ninja Gaiden
Columns
Super Mario Land
Kirby's Avalanche
Kirby's Dream Land
Wario's Woods
Donkey Kong Land 2
Mega Man II
Sonic Spinball
Solomon's Key
Donkey Kong Land
Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge
Mario Bros
Yoshi
Journey to Silius
Alleyway
Strider
Gradius
Magical Drop II
Ice Climber
Burger Time Deluxe
Super Dodge Ball
Eliminator Boat Duel
Tecmo Bowl
Vs Excitebike
Excitebike
The Immortal

D tier
Rival Turf
Donkey Kong 3
Virtua Fighter 2
Pinball
Castlevania Legends
Tuff E Nuff
Pro Wrestling
Ice Hockey
Tennis
NES Open Tournament Golf
Ghosts 'N Goblins

F tier
Donkey Kong Jr Math
Super Soccer
Soccer
The Mystery of Atlantis
Urban Champion
Doomsday Warrior
Baseball
Baseball (GB)

MZero has beaten Joe & Mac

This one wasn't too bad. Some of the hit detection isn't great and the platforming is really rough. Like falling through platform you clearly landed on. It's really bad on the last level where there's a series of tiny platforms you have to jump across. I died like 3 times in 5 seconds ugh. But Joe/Mac can actually swing their club upwards so it's better than Strider and some of the Mega Man games right there. My first run I died near the end and ran out of continues I guess, so I stocked up on lives on stage 3. Has there every been a game with bee enemies that weren't the most annoying enemy in the game? Anyway, it's not great but it's a decent little action-platformer with some solid visuals.

Grade: C

NES - 43/79
GEN - 8/50
GB - 20/39
SNES - 12/74
N64 - 5/39
GBA - 3/25

Total - 91/306

I am back home. I can finish The Peace Keepers soon.

I did beat it, I just haven't updated

I started Metroid 2

at first I was like this is so much better than Metroid 1

but then I got bored. Still better than the first one though imo

It's impressive for a Game Boy game but it's too linear for me. But I also really love the original Metroid.

Controls are better for most part but it's more linear and repetitive.

Almost a week later but Ctes has beaten The Peace Keepers

I enjoyed it. Like most games of the genre at the time it has its rough edges, but it gets points for several paths you can take leading to seemingly different ending. I made an attempt at getting the best one. I played as the one girl the whole way, just sticking to one character. Maybe this write-up had been more elaborate had I not had a two week gap between playing and then another week waiting.

C Tier (Decent)
Donkey Kong Land
Mercs
Coloums
Eliminator Boat Duel
Alleyway
Ninja Gaiden
Smash Tennis
Super E.D.F. Earth Defense Force
Rival Turf!
Golf
Mega Man III
Ice Hockey
The Peace Keepers
BurgerTime Deluxe
ESWAT: City Under Seige
Flicky
Ice Climber
TwinBee
Yoshi
Nightshade
Side Pocket
Mach Rider
Mystery Tower
Downtown Nekketsu March: Super-Awesome Field Day!

NES - 77/79
GEN - 28/50
GB - 18/39
SNES - 30/74
N64 - 4/39
GBA - 1/25
GC - 0/4

Total - 158/310

I'll probably be making some solid process next week again but who knows maybe you will see me knock something out over the weekend as well.

Well I have been playing Battletoads in Battlemaniacs.

There is a special place in hell for whoever designed this getting chased by a buzzsaw on rails level.

I only had a few minutes to play last night but I started Super Mario World. Having not participated for a while, I would like to dedicate this playthrough to a guy who loves Super Mario World and is crushing NSO games, my PAL ctes.

(yes that is a video encoding standard joke because hes European, but also I consider him my pal)

You may remember before this topic series began, I played several of the early mainline Mario games. I eventually dropped that project, but I played a couple of the games for the first time, including Super Mario World.

I dont have a lot of nostalgia for anything SNES, having transitioned from NES straight to N64 in 98. But the polish and level design are obviously impeccable. Graphically, the game has aged amazingly well.

I recall thinking the game felt a bit too easy, given Yoshi giving you an extra hit, the power-up box, the cape, the save feature, and so forth, but I suspect the difficulty wont stand out so much this time. Last time I had just played all four NES/Famicom titles and had suffered through all 13 worlds of The Lost Levels. The last couple worlds here are a nice challenge, and a few levels in Special humbled me.

I also am playing with achievement support which adds a layer of fun for me, Im not sure Ill bother getting them all but there are some fun challenges, such as beating each world as mini Mario, not getting hit or dying once. That might be above my skill level right now, but just to give an example. And yes I know I just mentioned the game is too easy shhh

Im going for all exits. Last night I finished Yoshis Island, so Im only at 6/96. I learned that under certain conditions, some of the green blocks actually yield a 1-up instead of a coin. Id imagine theres a lot I dont know about this game, having only beaten it once before, and playing bits and pieces when the game was released for GBA.

21/96 exits now. I forgot how much there is to do in Donut Plains, with a whopping 15 exits compared to Yoshis Islands six.

Its a fun world. Nintendo doesnt always get enough credit (imo) for how brilliantly they develop the difficulty curves in their games.

But yeah. I have made it to Vanilla Dome and the first two worlds are complete. Ill admit I dont remember this game all that well, but many levels are coming back to me as soon as I start them.

That's very wholesome!

wallmasterz posted...

I recall thinking the game felt a bit too easy, given Yoshi giving you an extra hit, the power-up box, the cape, the save feature, and so forth, but I suspect the difficulty wont stand out so much this time.

This is often said but I think it's overstated a lot. In particular because Yoshi can't be used in ghost houses and castles and the cape also can't be used the same way in those the vast majority of the time. Besides they are both nice for finding secret exits. Saving is a qol addition.

Lost Levels is much harder yeah, but the idea that 3 is particularly harder to finish than World has always been lost on me. They're not that different in difficultly to finish simply because you can fly over the easier levels in one of them. And you can also just... not use those tricks.

Ctes has beaten Battletoads in Battlemaniacs

This was a tough one. Gameplay varies a decent bit but not all levels are good. The one I complained about the other day was the worst but there are other offenders and it heavily drags the game down. The last one with the parts where you chass a rat to TNT suck as well. You basically just need to learn the stage layout by heart to do well so it's not very fun.

Now watch Battletoads for NES being added soon. I think this one recycles a lot.

C- Tier (Fine but with drawbacks)
Solomon's Key
Star Soldier
Super Mario Land
Wrecking Crew
Ghouls n Ghosts
Super Ghouls n Ghosts
Double Dragon
Congos Caper
Devil World
Space Harrier II
Pilotwings
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs
Xevious
Clu Clu Land
Brawl Brothers
Super R-Type
Super Tennis
Kunio-kun no Dodgeball da yo Zen'in Shg!
Strider
Shadow of the Ninja
Streets of Rage

NES - 77/79
GEN - 28/50
GB - 18/39
SNES - 31/74
N64 - 4/39
GBA - 1/25
GC - 0/4

Total - 159/310

Ctes youre nearly two-thirds done with the pre-N64 titles.

NES, Genesis, GB, SNES: 88 games left
N64, GBA, GC: 63 games left

I think I'm going to start using a map for Metroid 2 because the last few times I turned it on I just ran around in circles making zero progress. No map in a Metroidvania is criminal, one of the best parts is filling in the map!

Yeah I think the early 90s have the highest amount of titles on here for the time being.

I started playing the second ToeJam and Earl because I read it was (controversially) very different from the first and I didn't like the first so that sounded nice. I do think I dislike it less but I still don't enjoy it.

Most of Metroid II is pretty linear but I see it for the two large ruins segments.

I think I have gotten used enough to everything to make it passable. Humor and style are a big part of the presentation and it doesn't really click. I can see the case for this being controversial because while I disliked the first I'll give it that it's super unique and this one really isn't. But to me this is better lol. A little bit repetive though.

https://youtu.be/Ok8hd9D6ImM