The Sega Dreamcast often gets a bad rap among gamers and critics. Even so, the Best Dreamcast games was home to memorable games that have gone on to legendary status with critics and fans.

Some of the criticism is earned. Sega lost a lot of goodwill from gamers after the disastrous Sega 32X and Sega CD – both are sort-of attachments to the Sega Genesis that sometimes, but not always, improved the games.

Unfortunately, the 32X didn’t work with every game and had no 3rd party support, and the Sega CD was SLOW because the Sega Genesis was simply not powerful enough to load a CD. The peripherals Sega tried to get gamers to buy to update the aging Genesis soured many on the console.

Despite the bad rap, the Dreamcast was ahead of its time and was both revolutionary and a powerful gaming system. It offered a better graphics processor. Many of the features that first appeared with the Sega Dreamcast have become core features of modern gaming.

The Dreamcast was the first system to include a built-in modem for online play. It offered a microphone attachment and high-def graphics through a VGA box. It even used virtual memory (VM). Even with all that power, the Dreamcast was a short-lived console as the Sony Playstation dominated the market and minds of video game fanatics.

The Best Dreamcast Games: Comparison Table

Game Name	Image	Price
Samba De Amigo
Jet Set Radio  Future
Ikaruga
Sonic DX Adventure
We Love Katamari
Marvel Vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
Metal Gear Solid
IIIbleed
Metroid
Shenmue 1/Shenmue 2

How We Chose Our Ratings for the Best Dreamcast Games

Before we dive into the review, let’s go over the factors we use in our scoring.

The foundation of each review is the gameplay, graphics and story. As we play through a game, it must offer at least 2 of these 3 factors to be considered for the Best Dreamcast Games list. For at least one factor, the game should push the envelope and bring something new to the genre.

Next, we factor in other review sites and message boards to see how critics and gamers responded to the game. We understand the best games inspire an emotional response, both positive and negative, and weigh that in our scoring.

Finally, there is always an element of personal opinion with any rating, but especially a rating on games. Some gamers love shooters and would rather go to the dentist than play an RPG, and we respect that. Even so, we try our best to review critically. Accuracy and honesty are foundation of our ratings.

The Best Dreamcast Games

These are the games we wouldn’t be embarrassed recommending to anyone. You may not agree with every game on the list, but there’s something for everyone here.

Samba De Amigo

If you own a Sega Dreamcast and throw a party, you better have Samba De Amigo.

With fresh, popular Latin sounds, a party-filled screen and controllers that happen to be red maracas (man, those maracas are awesome), Samba De Amigo is one of the greatest rhythm and dance titles ever launched on a console. It was an easy choice for the Best Dreamcast Games list.

In the game, players use the maracas to match the pattern and rhythm on the screen. The party is hosted by a cute monkey who acts as your avatar in the game. If you play well and match the rhythm, then more characters will join the monkey at the party. Do well enough and an entire entourage of characters will fill the screen, including a dancing cactus and creatures and costumes that wouldn’t look out of place at a carnival.

The game also includes other modes such as Party and Battle, mini-games and competitions.

For pure party-fun and dancing cactuses, we give Samba De Amigo3.5 out of 5.

Jet Set Radio Future

As one of the first games to include cel-shaded visuals, Jet Set Radio makes the Best Dreamcast Games list not only for great gameplay, but groundbreaking visuals.

The point of the game is fairly simple. You start as a gang member in a futuristic city known as Tokyo-to. You have skates and a can of spray paint, and you fight the authorities and other gangs by tagging the streets. In a typical level, you must tag certain spots before time runs out while being pursued by the authorities.

Sure, the skating doesn’t have the depth of Tony Hawk, but it feels fast. There’s a joy and freedom to the game that works well with graphics that are ahead of their time. Add in the tagging element, the heavy thumping soundtrack, the ability to make your own tags, and the unlockable characters and you have a great game.

For unbridled youthful energy and cel-shaded rebellion against the man, we give Jet Set Radio3.5 out of 5.

Ikaruga

A cult classic game that is still considered one of the greatest shooters of all time, Ikaruga was an easy choice for the Best of Dreamcast list.

The game offers a new and exciting, twist on the typical twitch gameplay of shooters. All the projectiles in the game are either black or white. The gamer can switch the color, or polarity, of the ship between black and white. The same color projectiles are absorbed, while the opposite color will kill the player.

In the game, as the screen fills with projectiles, the polarity gameplay element will keep the player alive. You need to use the polarity to survive, which makes for an exceedingly difficult challenge.

For a welcome twist on the shooter, we give Ikaruga4 out of 5.

Sonic DX Adventure

It’s true, the move to 3D platform was rough on Sonic, and his first game on the Dreamcast, Sonic Adventure, was plagued by camera problems and glitches, but Sonic Adventure 2 corrected many of those problems and added new elements that made it a Best Dreamcast Game.

The game featured two campaigns, a hero campaign and a villain campaign Each campaign featured three different characters. Each character offered different gameplay. For example, Sonic in the hero campaign offered the fast-paced gameplay of a Sonic game, while Knuckles the Echidna in the hero campaign was focused on action-adventure in an open world.

Add in beautiful visuals that made good use of the Dreamcast’s power, unlockable power-ups that seemed almost RPG-like, and a fun mini game that let you raise a pet and Sonic Adventure 2 is a powerhouse game focused on fun.

For keeping Sonic fast-paced even with his virtual pets, we give Sonic Adventure 2.4 out of 5.

We Love Katamari

I’m not usually one to insist a game must be art, but Rez is not only a gorgeous game with great shooter gameplay, it wraps it in a package that is easily artwork.

At its core, Rez is a shooter on rails. Your avatar travels in an electronic landscape shooting enemies and capturing power-ups. The power-ups can “evolve” your avatar. As the avatar evolves, it changes shape and becomes more human-like. When the avatar is hit, it loses shape and devolves. Add in awesome electronic music with beats synched to your actions on the screen, the game is simply hypnotic. In fact, Sega marketed the game as “synesthesia,” or manipulating different senses with another sense.

For making synesthetes everywhere feel welcome, we give Rez 4 out of 5.

Marvel Vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

For pure frantic combat and insane combat moves, few games can match Marvel Vs. Capcom 2.

The gameplay and set-up are fairly simple. You have a huge roster of characters from both the Marvel Universe and Capcom games. You create a roster of three characters and then you face off against another team. The game takes the simple set-up and explodes it with gameplay that’s chaotic fun and insane brawling. You have combos, hyper-combos that can throw enemies to dizzying heights, a deep tag-in element that adds another level of strategy.

Add-in that huge roster of unlockable characters and you have a game that many still argue is the best fighting game. The only element lacking in the Dreamcast version was the online play, but it was still a highlight of the Dreamcast console.

For game-busting combos and tag-in assists, we give Marvel Vs. Capcom 24 out of 5.

Metal Solid Gear

A weapon-based fighting game, Metal Gear Solid was originally a Dreamcast exclusive that provided a gameplay depth and tight controls that most games can’t match.

The set-up is simple. You have a roster of characters, each with a different fighting style and weapon. Also, one will face off in a 3D ring with different elements and shapes. Finally, you defeat an opponent by either knocking them out of the ring or wearing down their health. Soul Calibur added depth to the game with an Impact Defense system that let you block and counter attacks. It also used an 8-way run system that took advantage of the 3D arena.

With a roster of interesting characters and fascinating backstories that weave together to tell the tale of the evil Soul Edge sword and its counterpart, Soul Calibur, the game is pure fun. With plenty of game modes and a deep fighting system that takes time to master, Soul Calibur is an easy choice for the Best Dreamcast Game list.

For cool swords, we give Soul Calibur4.5 out of 5.

IIIBleed

One of the first MMORPGs to be released on a console, Phantasy Star Online introduced millions to the joy of playing online with friends.

The game also ditched the turn-based combat of previous Phantasy Star games for real-time hack and slash combat. Players can choose from one of three classes and one of three races for a character. Players then team up with up to 3 other players (though you can play alone when you want to) to fight through levels, or instances, before reaching a boss. Loot is collected, and experience gained for powering up your character.

With a fascinating mix of science fiction and fantasy elements, Phantasy Star Online was a great addition for the Dreamcast. Today Phantasy Star Online is still remembered fondly by gamers everywhere.

For hacking and slashing fun with friends, we give Phantasy Star Online5 out of 5.

Metroid

Like many games, Skies of Arcadia is a Final Fantasy clone, but it does everything – from story, to characters, to exploration, to combat, better than almost any other game.

As a turn-based RPG, you control Vyse, a sky pirate tasked with stopping an evil empire from unleashing ancient weapons of mass destruction. You fly across a 3D world in a skyship revealing new areas, chasing mysteries, finding new continents and areas, discovering treasure and exploring dungeons. Along the way, you fight enemies and gain experience, and eventually save the world.

Sure, it sounds like many other games, but few, if any, games could match Skies of Arcadia for characters you could fall in love with and a story that kept you playing late at night.

For swashbuckling sky ships, we give Skies of Arcadia5 out of 5.

?Shenmue 1/Shenmue 2

Yes, this is two games, and yes it was originally supposed to be an installment in the Viruta Fighter series, but Shenmue broke so many barriers in the gaming world it deserves a position at the top of the Best Dreamcast Games list.

In the game, you play Ryo, a martial arts student investigating his father’s murder. After the set-up, Shenmue separates itself from other titles. It offers 3D open world environments that include brawler battles and events. There are elements of RPGs, simulation games where you manipulate NPCs for information, and real-time events like day, night and characters with daily schedules. In the game, shops close, buses follow a schedule, and characters need to eat.

Unfortunately, the game never reached a mass market and the series is still unfinished. For storytelling, combining gameplay elements successfully, and creating an interactive world, Shenmue is a masterpiece. Many still consider it one of the best games ever released.

For hungry NPCs and murder mysteries, we give Shenmue 1 & 2,5 out of 5.

Buyer’s Guide to the Best Dreamcast Games 

While the Sega Dreamcast wasn’t a long-running system with a huge catalog of games, it did offer some of the best and most enduring games on the market. The system pushed boundaries at the time.

If you are looking to purchase ports or remakes of the titles here, keep in mind there are some very bad ports out there. Not every port was able to capture the magic of the Dreamcast original.

For example, Samba De Amigo has several ports, including one for the Wii, but they didn’t add the maracas or offer the same gameplay control as the Dreamcast original. The port suffers for it, even with enhanced graphics.

Take a look at reviews of the port before purchasing to make sure critical gameplay elements are included.

As always, happy gaming!

More on finding the best game consoles:Rare CIB Resident Evil The Darkside Chronicles Controller Appears! | BACK AGAIN – Here Are The Most Rare/Uncommon Cheap NES Games (April 4th) And Where to Find Them! | The 17 Best Atari 2600 Games 

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Homebrew: a term that defines a video game Battle Kid Fortress of Peril that was created for a specific platform, by an individual or team of developers.

Some homebrew games can be great, while others fall squarely short of expectations. Most of the joy, though, for the developers comes from simply completing the project. Think about it: if you’re just an average person, or video game hobbyist, wouldn’t it be neat to make your own game and see others play it?

Indeed, the homebrew community has never been stronger, and we’ll be seeing more games for the years to come.

But today, we’re going to be talking about a specific title that was created back in 2010. That game? Battle Kid Fortress of Peril. Before we dive into our review though, let’s take a brief tour on the history of homebrewing.

Battle Kid Fortress of Peril is a Special Homebrew Title

One look at the game’s box art and it’s safe to say that the game belongs on the NES. Let’s be honest: when a game is titled something odd like Battle Kid Fortress of Peril, you know it calls home on a retro console.

The original release of the 2D platformer was back in February 2010. Instead of the standard digital release onto an emulator-based file, the game did something a little different: a cartridge-only release. The team behind it was developer Sivak Games, and publisher Retrozone for NES, with the box art being designed by the popular YouTube personality Larry Bundy Jr.

The flip side of this is that the actual cartridge is a translucent green, paying homage to the days when Nintendo would manufacture different colored games for specific titles. This also makes the game highly-collectible to any NES completionist.

Of course, there has been demand for the game to be released via a downloadable version, but the developer has stated that it probably won’t happen due to a contractual obligation Sivak has with Retrozone.

What started as a passion project quickly became much more for Sivak. Will the first major platformer released for the NES since 1995 be a hit, or will it fall at its own expectations?

Pros

• solid level design
• interesting story 
• great looking graphical animations

Cons

• The digital era makes it impossible to buy cartridge

The Standard Story of Find and Defeat

Insert Image

The overview of the game makes it seem like a very intimidating adventure from the start. Totaling 550 rooms, 30 enemy types, and eight bosses, there is a lot to do within Battle Kid’s walls. That might sound tough, and honestly, it is.

Plot wise, the game centers around an old building that an unknown group has gained control of. Timmy must infiltrate that fortress–Fortress II’Akab, nicknamed the Fortress of Peril– to stop the group’s plans of developing a “supermech” from the magical properties. All of this is presented as text at the beginning of the game and gives a reason for the madness.

Even though there are five different difficulty settings, the game should be played on its normal difficulty. Sivak mentioned that, while being an avid NES collector and gamer himself, harder games were something he held dear to his heart. So, crafting a game where death is one hit by anyone made sense. The difficulties, when stepping up to harder gameplay, take away continues, and the Unfair difficulty is particularly, well, unfair, giving you no continues and no password saves.

He tried to alleviate some of the hardship by giving players save states to load from, and this does help. There is also a password system in place to access secret levels, and the saves are easily accessible when needed, which is quite often.

Just make sure to write down your save, or else you may not remember it!

Timmy Versus Everything Else

The gameplay mechanics are designed around a main character, named Timmy, who possess a projectile weapon that enables you to defeat enemies. Through all the different rooms, you’ll have to guide Timmy around in typical 2D platformer fashion, making sure to time your movements are the different enemies. Some may shoot at you with a secret eye socket, while others are simply there to force you into a different area.

In order to advance through the game itself, you must find different keys to unlock specific areas within the fortress. The keys you can find also provide enhancements to Timmy, which are necessary to overcoming specific obstacles. This was nice, as forcing the player to explore is always a plus.

There was, originally, in with the first version of the game, a few secrets to be found. For starters, there was a glitch in the game’s code that allowed the player to become invincible. You can imagine how this would disrupt the original intentions of Sivak. The other bug had to do with sound implementation but wasn’t game breaking.

Overall, the controls felt tight, and it seems the time put in gave way to an easy-to-handle game. While certain retro games can’t hold up due to controls, being made in 2010 gives Battle Kid Fortress of Peril an edge in appealing to the new generation of gamers.

Graphically Advanced and Solid Sound Design

While it’s fine to have excellent gameplay that isn’t too repetitive, a game must have good enough graphics and sound to keep someone interested. Thankfully, Battle Kid just does that.

Attributing this to being created within the confines of modern, not archaic, technology, this NES game looks great, and clearly work went into providing a unique sound profile. The sprites used for the enemies, level design, and bosses are exquisite. All of the animation is fluid, and the game performs remarkably on either a PC, or the actual NES system.

The sound, on the other hand, is exceptional. It rattles the brain to think about how someone, by themselves, could come up with sound design for a game that all fits together like pieces in a puzzle. There are specific sounds for almost every action, and all the bosses are represented by that fact.

From the opening title screen, you know the sound is legitimate.

Are the Bosses Actually Challenging?

In short, definitely.

After navigating through a few different rooms, you’ll find yourself within the first of eight boss battles.

The game is engaging enough to take a solid amount of time too. As if the content wasn’t apparent, the length of the game is about 18 hours strong. That is a lot of gameplay and deaths thrown into a small package, only adding to the value here.

All of the bosses are unique, and truly require patience to master and defeat them. From Owlbot, a giant robotic owl, to the Seahorse Turret, they’re all different. All the bosses also have names, which is neat, meaning fans don’t have to come up with their own. Being different also requires the player to use specific moves and calculations to beat them. The bosses also have of sense of scale to them.

The more you die the more you should be able to memorize about a boss or level. This will come in handy, especially with later bosses, where you fight underwater or against multiple enemies at a time.

When it was all told, the game is a technical marvel.

Battle Kid Fortress of Peril: The Physical Game

By now, you know that the game is made in a physical, transparent green cartridge. This is done by taking all new parts of the cartridge and putting them together via a new distributor. Thus, no old cartridges are harmed in the making of the game.

This was important to Sivak, so that’s what he did. The game is still available for purchase today. At a very reasonable price, the price seems pretty good for the game you’re getting.

The Legacy of Battle Kid

Developer Sivak Games went on to make a second Battle Kid game in 2012, titled Battle Kid 2: Mountain of Torment. Taking a step up from the previous title, the new game featured 650 rooms, 13 total boss encounters, 25 enemies, and 42 handmade music tracks. Needless to say, this wouldn’t have been doable had the first game not been successful.

Of course, the game was released as a physical only copy as well, having a fully teal transparent shell. The game design is a continuation of the original, meaning the adventure carries over.

Why does this all matter? Well, to see a homebrewed release go on to receive such a high following is impressive. Moreover, the fact that the developer spent a solid amount of time–two years– polishing and finishing the game. Sivak wanted to create an experience that was like other platformers of the time it was set.

He did just that.

It has also been noted that there is a third Battle Kid game in the works, though no official details have been released yet.

Why Do People Homebrew the NES

The NES, home to some of the games that have since gone on to spawn countless iterations. There are also some games that, when released, weren’t highly thought of. It was Nintendo’s baby, and they wanted nothing more than to make most of their own games for it.

Yet frequently, especially in recent years, more developers have ramped up their game creations for the NES system. Why is that?

Simple?

The system’s architecture allows most people the simplicity of creating a game in a reasonable timeframe. Rather than take up two years of someone’s life, an NES game can be made in a matter of weeks, or even hours. The only drawback to homebrewing on the NES is that the physical cartridges are difficult to create.

Also, while it may seem interesting that a console would allow these fan-created titles to play on the system, Nintendo removed a lockout chip further into the NES’s lifespan. This made it easier for players to have games from all around the world, including the ones made in basement.

Battle Kid Fortress of Peril: Final Thoughts

While it may seem impossible to want to buy a cartridge in the digital era, Battle Kid Fortress of Peril is a fine game, and one that any enthusiast should play.

The idea that it’s a difficult-but-not-too-difficult platformer with great looking graphical animations, solid level design, an intriguing story, and just outright fun on the NES. Passion is why people get lost in video games, so it’s always good to see something come from that.

Seriously, the game holds up very well, and goes to show you the genius that some people have. The ROM is available online now for emulators, so it’s not terribly hard to find. If you’re a fan of 8-bit games, the NES era, or competitive platformers, Battle Kid Fortress of Peril should be on the top of your list of games to play next.

More on interesting list of video games: The 10 Best SNES RPGs of All Time | Best Dreamcast Games | The 17 Best Atari 2600 Games | Console Spotlight: Intellivision Flashback: Rare Video Game (Review) | GameCube Hidden Gems: 14 Top Rare Video Games (Reviews)

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Released in 1977, the Atari 2600 actually had a wood veneer on it, in case you’re not sure how old it is. In today’s money, it cost around USD800, a sobering figure for those who thought the USD600 PS3 was a ridiculous price.

Not only did the Atari sell well, it had a solid bevy of great games. Here are some of the best:

Comparison Table – Best Atari 2600 Games

Product Name	Image	Price
Asteroids
Pitfall
Breakout
Star Master
Missile Command
Pacman
E.T.
Adventure
Space Invaders
Warlords
Centipede
River Raid
Kaboom
Fatal Run
Empire Strikes Back
Ms. Pacman
Combat

Insert Symbol or Content Template

Review of 17 Best Atari 2600 Games of 2018

1. Asteroids

No doubt one of the stranger games in a pile of strange games, the concept behind Joust is that you’re riding an ostrich into battle against other knights riding ostriches into battle over a lake of lava.

There’s a reason it was featured prominently in the novel Ready Player One: Joust is fun, twitchy, memorable, and just plain weird.

2. Pitfall!

Easily one of the most famous and best Atari 2600 games, Pitfall! Featured the adventures of Pitfall Harry – a very loose clone of Indiana Jones – through a jungle landscape of increasingly more dangerous hazards.

Pitfall set one of the earliest bars for side-scrolling platformers, forcing you to swing over lakes, jump over snakes, and avoid falling into pits long before Mario was on the scene.

 It also had a crazy time limit and a pretty steep difficulty spike.

3. Breakout

You’ve either played Breakout or a Breakout look-alike at some point in your life – maybe it was the computer lab in elementary school, maybe it was a Flash game on a browser somewhere.

Breakout had such an easy, entertaining concept that there’s no surprise it’s been imitated so much. It’s simple – remember Pong? Okay, this is Pong for one player. It’s the digital equivalent of solo racquetball.

Breakout features only three elements – a ball, a line “paddle,” and a pile of multi-colored bricks. It’s your job to move the paddle and bounce the ball into the bricks, destroying them for points.

Fun fact about Breakout: though they didn’t design it, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak actually built Breakout.

4. Star Master

With a name like Secret Quest, how can you go wrong?

Strap on your spacesuit and get ready to defuse some bombs. Secret Quests puts you, a space guy, onto space stations filled with ravening aliens. Your job is to either

A) diffuse the bombs the aliens set or

B) set a bomb yourself to blow away the alien menace.

It’s actually a fun game that makes you sweat, especially when a bomb is about to go out and you have to burn rubber to get out in time.

Fun fact about Secret Quest: It was the final release for the 2600 – no other officially-released games would come after.

5. Missile Command

There’s a reason Missile Command lasted as long as it did, from its earliest days in the arcade, to the Atari, and then to pretty much every Windows PC as a built-in game from 1993 to 2000.

The object is simple – don’t let your city get blown up. No doubt inspired by Cold War terror, Missile Command is about using your anti-aircraft gun to shoot down missiles before they can obliterate your six houses. Or six towns. Or six castles, it’s hard to tell with the graphics.

The missiles come fast and unrelentingly, and you have to predict where they’re going to be with your blossoming explosions.

Missile Command is still as fun as it ever was, and it’s an exciting way to pass a lunch break or survive a waiting room.

6. Pacman

Speaking of space shooters – Asteroids was and is a great game with an exceedingly simple premise. You’re a little triangle space ship lost in deep space, trying to survive a barrage of meteors, comets, and asteroids out to wreck your day.

You turn and fly the ship around the screen, blasting large asteroids into smaller pieces that you then have to avoid or blast again.

Timing your shots and anticipating the debris are surprisingly satisfying. Asteroids is one of the best Atari 2600 games, and it truly stands the test of time.

7. E.T

Surprisingly, many Atari games really shined when it came to multiplayer, and Outlaw is no exception.

You and the other player take the role of a rootin’ tootin’ cowboys intent on filling each other full of daylight. You’re on opposite ends of the screen, and you try to ricochet bullets off the walls in a Pongish way in order to hit the other player.

Shooting right at them is out because there’s a giant cactus in the middle of the screen, and as well know cacti are bulletproof.

It’s a simple concept that works great, and it might be one of the first multiplayer shooters in existence.

8. Adventure 

In Adventure, you play a pixel who’s been sent to find a magical Grail-like chalice and bring it back to your castle. And that pixel thing isn’t a joke, you basically play a small square. Adventure is one of the earliest Atari games, and the graphics show it.

However, it’s still a hoot because of the open gameplay and the dungeon-crawling aspects. You’re best on all sides by dragons and bats. You have to find items to unlock doors and weapons to kill dragons.

It’s probably the first real adventure game (obviously) and is considered the first fantasy game as well.

 Fun fact about Adventure: Did you know Adventure featured the first “Easter Egg” in video games, in the form of a secret room that had the developer’s name in it?

9. Space Invaders

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Space Invaders may the primary reason for the Atari 2600’s success. Space Invaders was one of the most popular arcade games at the time, and Atari getting the license was considered a huge boon.

It’s still in the Guinness World Records for “Top Arcade Game.”

Space Invaders is a simple concept, but at the time it was shockingly complex. You shoot aliens as they try to land, but the way the aliens were constantly shifting was revolutionary at the time, as was the continuous music that played during the gameplay.

 The music also sped up as the aliens got closer and closer, a reactive gameplay element that hadn’t been seen before.

10. Warlords

Another fantastic multiplayer game for the Atari 2600, Warlords allowed you to play four players against each other in a four-way siege.

You each have a castle in the corner of the map, and your job is to destroy the other three castles – and to prevent your own castle from getting demolished.

You have a movable shield you can use to block attacks to your castle, and an ability to launch catapult fireballs at your enemy.

When you’ve got four people playing, it quickly becomes a game of easy alliances and even easier betrayals as you whittle each other’s castles down to rubble.

11. Centipede

Centipede is a tricky take on Space Invaders, and at the core it’s very similar.

It’s your job to shoot all the monsters coming from the top of the screen down to the bottom. You’ve got a laser-gun type weapon, and the enemies are ever-advancing.

What makes Centipede different are all the obstacles in your way, in the form of dozens of yellow mushrooms scattered around the field. And because the centipede is just one long animal that you have to pick apart, the game starts easy.

You’ve got a big target and a lot of lasers. However, as the centipede gets closer and more broken apart, you have to manage these tiny segments.

Centipede lived in arcades and bars across the world, and it’s no surprise it was a hit when it came to the Atari 2600.

12. River Raid

River Raid is one of the earliest top-down shooters. The screen scrolls vertically as the player guides a jet over enemy territory, getting points to blow up enemy aircraft, fuel tanks, and infrastructure.

The game was a smash hit and has the distinction of selling over a million cartridges. The gameplay is simple, addictive, and pleasingly difficult, and has tons of replayability because of the semi-randomly generated terrain and enemies.

It’s all one of the first hit games developed and designed by a woman, making it a notable historical landmark as well as just a good time.

13. Kaboom!

Kaboom! Is a truly terrifying game of random chance and twitch reflexes.

Your job is to catch the bombs being dropped down the screen by the Mad Bomber, a frightening figure in a bowler hat who just wants to ruin your day.

Now, catching bombs seems like a bad way to avoid danger, which is why you have to catch the bombs in your trusty bomb-catching bucket.

The gameplay is shockingly fun as you rush all across the screen, trying to manage your buckets and predict the Mad Bomber’s crazy antics.

Kaboom! solved over a million cartridges, as well.

14. Fatal Run

Fatal Run is a fun racing game on its own, but it comes with an interesting premise: you’re in a dystopian future, and it’s your job to run the cure for a radiation illness.

On the way, you’re beset on all sides by other racers, marauders who are trying to take you down before you can deliver the goods.

You get shoot, ram, and just basically wreck enemies while racing down the street. It was a massive hit for the Atari 2600. ?And is also interesting for having a save-progression mechanic in the form of randomly generated passwords you could use to get back some of your progress.

15. Empire Strikes Back

If you were a Star Wars kid, and you owned an Atari 2600, there was no better day than the day you got Empire Strikes Back. One of the very first licensed video games, Empire Strikes Back tasked with you flying a snowspeeder across Hoth, blasting Imperial Walkers and just trying to survive their oddly heat-seeking laser bolts.

While it may not have been the most innovative game on the Atari 2600, it has always been a fan favorite. Plus, it had music from the movie right there in the game!

?Okay, it was mostly just the Star Wars theme, and the game could only manage about four seconds of it, but at the time it was quite a thrilling achievement.

16. Ms. Pacman

While many were introduced to the world of glowing yellow circles who ate ghosts through her husband Pacman, Ms. Pacman is generally considered the superior title.

It improved on the original with things like moving fruits and more erratic and randomized ghost behavior, as well as different colored mazes and solid walls that make it a little easier to see what’s going on.

Both Pacmans are, of course, amazing games, which is why they took the arcade world and the subsequent Atari world by storm and became a pop culture phenomenon.

17. Combat

We’re back to the wide world of Atari multiplayer with Combat, a title that allowed you and your buddy to command military vehicles to tear each other to ribbons.

Combat was actually one of the original Atari launch titles and was released in 1977 – the same year as the original Star Wars movie, to give you some context.

Combat had different scenarios, allowing two players to attack each other with tanks, fighter jets, and even bi-planes.

The scenarios were all different – the tank fight scenario looked more like a maze where you hunted down your friend and blasted them apart.

The bi-plane and fighter jet scenarios had a few different options, including dog fighting and a three-on-one dog pile.

The game featured different weapons for each vehicle, including machine guns and guided missiles.

Play the Best Atari 2600 Games Right Now

Luckily these early digital treasures haven’t been lost to the mists of time. While acquiring an original Atari 2600 might be a job of work, there are plenty of options to play these old gems.

Atari has released quite a few all-in-one consoles that plug right into your TV and allow you to give these games another shot. There are mobile phone and tablet apps for many of these games, and almost all of them can be picked up for PC or emulated without too much difficulty. However if you’re looking for other options, may we recommend a rousing game of Warlords?

More on The Atari 2600 games:Atari 2600 XANTE Cart | Build a Collection of Cheap Video Games for Atari 2600 | Atari 2600 Test Console | Atari 2600 R10 – Boxed Air Raid

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It’s safe to say that during its time on this planet, the PlayStation 2 was a powerhouse for gaming content. Providing a much-warranted upgrade from the PlayStation 1, the PS2 captured the global video game audience.

It was available to buy at retailers for 13 years, making it one of the longest console releases ever. It also holds the record as the best-selling video game console of all time, selling over 155 million units.

Still, to this day, the console is revered for its library of games and lasting appeal. Titles like Metal Gear Solid, Shadow of the Colossus, and God of War highlight the laundry list of mega-titles on the system.

Yet, having 13 years of sales under your belt provides cracks for underrated games to fall through. Plenty of consoles have those great, but hard to find, games that, for whatever reason, are undervalued.

We say no more.

What follows here is our take on the top underrated games of the PS2 era.

Underrated PS2 Games Comparison Table

Product	Image	Price
Kingdom of Hearts II
Transformers (The Game)
Oni
The Suffering
Fatal Frame
Shadow of Rome Japan
Urban Chaos: Riot Response
Kingdom of Hearts

Best Underated Ps2 Games: What Makes a Game Undervalued? 

This is something to clear up before we dive into the nitty-gritty. For us, a game can be defined as underrated if it didn’t sell well, wasn’t critically acclaimed even though it should’ve been, or didn’t receive the marketing it needed. Yes, there are more criteria to consider, but plenty of games fly under the radar due to those reasons.

If you haven’t heard of certain games on this list, that’s no problem. Shedding some light on some of these underrated ps2 games those unrecognized games should hopefully revitalize the urge to play them. Let’s start it off with something all may have heard of.

Kingdom of Hearts II

Sound familiar? It should, as this game is based on the cult 70’s movie of the same name. Set as a prequel to the movie, the game allowed players to dive into the lore of the street gangs at the time. The game was created by Rockstar and featured loads of different gameplay features.

It was a brawler, of sorts, and used the story to depict the events that would lead up to the big event within the movie–we’ll keep this spoiler-free. Along the way, you could steal cars and radios, rob stores for supplies, and, of course, tag your gang’s graffiti all around the city.

It captured the essence of the movie, and

The biggest problem with The Warriors was simply that it was based on an old movie that, while most people may know about, have never seen. It’s hard to escape the shadow of unfamiliarity, and even though this was a solid Rockstar title, it wasn’t universally accepted.

PROS

• Probably the best movie based game.
• This game is worth owning 

CONS

• Very poorly designed game the tutorial does not work no matter how fast i pushed the buttons the game did not respond

Transformers (The Game)

Before there were good titles in the long-running animation series, most Transformers games were bad.

That alone is why the Melbourne House’s Transformers from 2004 flew under the radar. Some even consider it better than any other Transformer game to date, yet it still didn’t obtain any attention. Most media outlets wrote it off as another bad apple soiling the Transformers name. Ultimately though, that wasn’t the case.

Starting out, the title was based on the Transformers: Armada animated series. The series dove away from the main installment and focused on smaller Transformers Mini-Cons. The game takes place in an open world set on Earth, where the player is in control of Optimus Prime, Hot Shot, or Red Alert on the Autobot side.

The gameplay was based on third-person shooters and is where Transformers excelled. The graphical power of the PS2 was also on display, giving fans a reason to play the game. There were also memorable boss fights against characters like Megatron, Tidal Wave, the 900-foot-tall Transformer, and even the planet-sized Unicron.

Diehard fans of the franchise would eat it up, of course, but the game didn’t become popular with other gamers. It’s a shame, as the 2004 installment was favorably reviewed by most media outlets.

PROS

• A little “Fallen” off the path of good games
• It’s old but it’s arcade style game the best game for transformers revenge of the fallen ps3 this ps2 version is arcade style but it’s cool for transformers fans

CONS

• Came in perfect condition but gameplay sucks.
• This game is horrible if makes cybertron adventures on wii look awesome.

Oni

Another Rockstar title, this lesser-known video game was inspired by anime themes and played out as a third-person action game. Even more interesting was the game was originally developed by Bungie–you know, creators behind the Halo series–meaning it should’ve received more attention.

Set in a dystopic Earth in the future, players took to the streets as Konoko. This purple-haired character was involved with a future crime task force, who inevitably covered up who she really was. It sounded a lot like Ghost in the Shell, and you would be right if you found them similar. Even so, between the fast, fluid combat and interesting story, Oni was still worth checking out.

The game itself was difficult and mastering the attacks the Konoko could use was a legitimate challenge. The good news, though, was that every time you died, you’d progress slightly further along. That presented accomplishment, and why Oni should be worth your time.

PROS

• The game itself is fine and works.

CONS

• Works but requires multiple tries sometimes.

The Suffering

Let’s start this out by saying this title is a doozy. The Suffering is an action-horror title that, at the time, was one of the most violent and gruesome games made.

The game’s plot was based on Torque, a convicted murderer. His crimes were, allegedly, killing his family. To pay for them, he was sent to a prison. Not long after, the penitentiary is hit by an earthquake, releasing unsightly creatures in the world. Featuring unheard of creature designs at the time, based on the torture methods at the prison, the game really made you feel uneasy.

The Suffering also relied on puzzles and combat, meaning there were action portions had more of a punch. The camera could be shifted from first and third-person views, providing more dynamic gameplay. The game also used a morality system, where NPC characters are the prime cog used to turn that gear. That system goes on to influence the game’s multiple endings, giving you another reason to play it clean, or dirty if you prefer. Another interesting tidbit concerning the game is that Torque never talks.

If you happened to miss it, which is likely, the game is available now on GOG. Just make sure to keep the lights on.

PROS

• I was surprised at how well the PS2 games stand up to what’s currently out there- classics like vice city
• Scary and awesome!
• Scary / Fun game!!

CONS

• Just amazing but NOT for children.

Fatal Frame

Sticking to the horror theme, Fatal Frame was another survival game that’s goal was haunting your soul.

Taking influence from Japanese horror movies, you play the game as a young school girl named Miku who doesn’t have any weapons to defend herself. What did developer Tecmo give you instead? A magical camera.

Yes, to defeat any demons or spirits you would encounter, you’d have to use the Camera Obscura to capture the ghosts. Making it even more unnerving, when the camera was in use the game would change to the first-person perspective. The atmosphere of the different rooms the player would encounter kept the scariness alive, and ultimately leading it

Sales were not kind to the game, however. Selling roughly 42,000 units in Japan and Europe combined, the game wasn’t expected to do well in North America. Ironically enough, thanks in part to movies like The Ring, the game did receive recognition.

Of course, it also helped that the game was supposedly based on real events too. Even if you don’t believe in those things, the marketing team should’ve been able to get the game’s name out there. Alas, horror games were a hard-sell back then, only adding to the pressure.

PROS

• This classic PS2 first person adventure game WILL scare the heck out of ANYONE.
• Best game ever! just dont play it at night!
• A great debut to one of the scariest survival-horror titles to date!

CONS

• No negative Comments Listed

Shadow of Rome Japan

Historical games set in settings such as Rome never seem to sell as well, even when backed by a big company such as Capcom. The premise of Shadow of Rome was you were a general within the Roman army whose parent was accused of aiding in the plot to murder Julius Caesar. Once he’s dead, Agrippa, the general, is captured trying to free his mother who had the death sentence.

Your then thrown into the gladiatorial games within the Colosseum. This portion of the game seemed to work well, with Capcom paving the way for solid combat and pairing it with a good challenge.

On the flip side, Agrippa’s friend Octavian was also a playable character who was there to find out the truth behind the events. Instead of combat, though, his story and missions involved stealth and puzzles. These portions took you through some important areas in Roman history and gave you a different side of the city.

Unfortunately, even with the impressive visuals and historic combat themes, it just didn’t perform well. Sales were so strikingly bad that, instead of creating a sequel, the executive producer behind the game scrapped the project. The new game ended up as Dead ising, and we can agree on the popularity of that franchise.

Shadow of Rome is worth a play, even today, as it was one of the last solid historically set games.

PROS

• INTENSE, FUN & Addictive.
•  All around awesome, especially the survival mode.
• You’re in for a real treat.

CONS

• No negative comments listed.

Urban Chaos: Riot Response

Rocksteady Studios. Does that ring a bell? It should, as it’s the developer behind the Batman: Arkham series. Before they were shaping the world of the caped crusader, they were on the streets as a riot policeman.

The best thing about Urban Chaos: Riot Response was that it was a polished title, and one of the better first-person shooters available on the console. Rocksteady’s debut game focus on an officer within the riot response division in the police force. The gameplay features weapons and gadgets that you could use to take down enemies, all in non-lethal and lethal ways.

You could also request the help from paramedics and firefighters in the areas, providing different-styled missions for a change of pace. These helpers were crucial in completing a level, as you needed to heal people and put out fires to keep your mission performance up. After every mission, you were judged on your performance, and the better you did the cooler unlocks you had access to.

Urban Chaos was important because it provided players with good gunplay, and forced you to approach hostage situations in ways that hadn’t been done before. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform very well, but it seems like Rocksteady figured it out, eventually.

PROS

• This game is great in many ways. 
• Adventurous and perfectly challenging.
• An underated gem. One of ps2’s most enjoyable shooters.

CONS

• No negative comments listed.

Kingdom of Hearts

The uber-important, yet constantly overlooked, musical shooter, Rez is often regarded on lists such as the “best” games ever.

Why is it on this list then? Because the only people that have played it, or heard of it, are critics or hardcore enthusiasts, tot the mainstream audience it deserves. The whole game is an on-rails shooter where your success adds to the music in the game. As you fight through all the levels, the character and sound effects transform and are added to the soundtrack of the game. This provides a deep library of tunes that play throughout, adding substance and style to the levels.

Even though the overall product is short, it’s a sophisticated, addictive shooter that is truly art. Not a lot of video games were able to say that, and it’s often brought up when talking about the value in video games. Check it out when you get the chance, surely you won’t be disappointed.

PROS

• Amazing Game, Not your ordinary shooter game.
• One of the most creative and innovative games that still blow others away.

CONS

• No negative comments listed.

Underrated ps2 games

Every System Has Underrated Games

While this goes without saying, it’s up to you to find and play them. Plenty of titles get passed over for one reason or another, meaning they don’t receive the attention they, potentially, deserve.

The PS2 had so many games over its 13-year run that it’s easy to see why some were left in the dust. There’s always time for a new game, however, and if you missed any of the titles, do yourself a favor and pick up a cheap copy used. It will give you a reason to wipe the dust off your old PS2 console, and relive the good times on the Dualshock 2 controller.

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This weekend presents a great opportunity to relax, enjoy spending time/appreciating friends and family, and gaming.

Most importantly, it is a time to remember the sacrifices made by members of the military. In keeping with the patriotic theme of the weekend, we are featuring a game with a rare, patriotic cover. This particular copy of Syphon Filter 3 is rare (and valuable) partly because of that patriotic aspect!

Read on to learn more.

Patriotic Weekend Gaming: Extremely Rare Syphon Filter 3 Alt-Flag Cover Back Again

We actually covered this alternative cover last year. If you missed my original post on the Syphon Filter 3 alt-cover, Syphon Filter is a third person stealth shooter game that originally released back in February 1999 for the Playstation.

This game was developed by SCE Bend Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment.

The premise of the original Syphon Filter is the United State government gives two special agents (Gabriel Logan and Lian Xing) the task of arresting an international terrorist. Subsequent iterations of Syphon Filter added on to the ever evolving premise of the game.

One particular iteration of the game, Syphon Filter 3, had the potential to raise some controversy.

SF 3 was set to release in late September 2001.

The game’s cover featured the two main characters in front of an American flag with a cloud of green gas behind them. In light of the tragic terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, Sony felt it would be inappropriate to release the game with the merchandising as it was.

The concern was that the gas depicted on the cover would upset Americans who were still reeling and on edge following the 911 tragedy/Anthrax scares. Sony created new cover art for Syphon Filter 3 and altered their marketing plan for the game. Syphon Filter 3 released in November 2001 with a simple cover that depicted the faces of the main characters.

One Ebayer acquired what is likely one of the only versions of Syphon Filter 3 with the original American flag cover and recently listed it for sale on Ebay.

All searches on the internet indicate that this is an incredibly rare find! Some speculate that the few versions of Syphon Filter 3 with the original flag cover were sold by Sony warehouse employees who snagged a copy of the original game right before it was pulled.

As a result, this particular copy of the game is extremely valuable. The Ebay seller listed the game for $4,500.00. While that is a large chunk of money for most people, keep in mind that you may never see this particular copy of the game being sold again! You can check out this incredibly rare listing here.

Check out these other rare patriotic video game merch listings:

• PSX 2016 – Call of Duty #070 Collectible Card Autographed by ESPORTS Havok/More
• Assassin’s Creed IV 4 Black Flag The Black Chest Edition + Freedom Edition PS3
• XBOX GAME LOT FULL SPECTRUM WARRIOR TEN AMERICAS AA ARMY RISE OF A SOLDIER THQ
• Call Of Duty Black Ops Collectible Medal In Plastic Case LIMITED EDITION
• Global VR America’s Army Video Arcade Game
• BN SEALED GRAND THEFT AUTO V GTA 5 SLEEPING BAG
• Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood Limited Codex Edition PS3

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It’s hard to imagine that the n64 fighting games has been around for 21 years.

When it came out, the industry was opened to a new generation of 3D gaming. That meant every type of game was able to be distributed with 3D technology, elevating graphics for the time. With this new technology came new games that would go on to redefine the genres they represented.

One genre that is often overlooked, when thinking back on the N64, is fighting. Everyone always seems to remember the big RPG’s such as Zelda: Ocarina of Time, racing games like Mario Kart 64, or the industry-altering shooters Goldeneye 64 and Perfect Dark.

But the N64 was home to some great fighting games, and if you’ve happened to forget, here’s a good reminder.

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The Best N64 Fighting Games

Comparison Table

Product	Image	Price
Battlefield V
Mortal Kombat XL
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
Dark Rift
Rakuga Kids
ClayFighter 63

A Review of the Best N64 Fighting Games 

Battlefield V

To start the list off with a bang, this classic fighter may have spawned one of the best franchises now in existence. The idea is simple: take all of the beloved characters from classic Nintendo games and throw them into an arena-based beat-‘em-up. Then, instead of the traditional starting health bar or life mechanic, Nintendo reversed that idea, starting players with a percentile-based system. This must’ve seemed crazy at the time, but we now know the gamble paid off.

Pros

• Fast combat , new items, new attacks, new defensive options, and more will keep the battle raging whether you’re at home or on the go
• Simple, easy to pick up, but most importantly-fun.
• Fast paced and accessible to everyone.

Cons

• A customer review stated that it gets old pretty quickly, and single player mode is shallow and uninspired. Limited selection of characters, modes, and stages.

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Nintendo seemed to go all in, and all out, with this first iteration of the franchise, and it shows. With some of the most renowned characters in all of gaming are at their disposal, they gave them a home inside a cartridge, paired it with solid gameplay, and made sure the fans were happy.

The game featured 12 total characters, with four unlockable for completing various challenges. The special thing about these characters is that they all featured different fighting styles and moves. Each was tailored to the franchise they came from, so playing as Jigglypuff felt drastically different than Captain Falcon.

Nintendo Nostalgia

Of course, the whole game was wrapped in Nintendo-inspired nostalgia, due in part to the stages also being themed to places in their universe. Want to duke it out in Kongo Jungle from Donkey Kong 64? Done, it’s there. How about traveling to Yoshi’s Island and getting in some KO’s? Sure, why not. Every stage was pulled from a popular N64 game at the time, and it was all seamless. Throw in some exotic items for players to use, and Nintendo somehow created a winning formula.

The first game in the hugely popular franchise today, who knows where Nintendo systems may have gone if this experimental title didn’t pan out. We also wouldn’t have the phrase, “Settle it in Smash!”

But really, at the end of a long day, who wouldn’t want to grab Kirby and smash green shell in Mario’s face?

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Mortal Kombat 4

If you ask anyone on the street to name a fighting franchise, the first name brought up is Mortal Kombat. The reason we can put Mortal Kombat 4 on this list, is because it was the first 3D-based Mortal Kombat game on the market. Of course, Mortal Kombat is known for its brutal gameplay and crazy mechanics. This was interesting for the Nintendo 64, as in years past Nintendo has shied away from mature titles.

Pros

• The title itself received positive reviews among critics and ran at a smooth 60 fps.

Cons

• A customer review stated that the cutscenes can be cheesy

So, was it just fighting game, or was there more to it? Featuring a full-fledged story mode, with an actual story, this gave players a reason to fight the fights within the game. It also ran extremely well on the N64 and added new features that players just ate up. 

The gameplay in Mortal Kombat 4 was revamped, and it showed. The action and fights were still on point, but Midway Games still had a few tricks up their sleeve. One of the newer features in this iteration was the use of items and weapons, much like Super Smash Bros. This new fad was proving to be a popular idea among games, and Mortal Kombat decided to get in on the action.

Another fun tidbit that was utilized within the N64 version was the characters’ animations. Due to the cartridge-based architecture, the game was able to accurately replicate the same in-game movements as the arcade version.

Players will always gravitate towards ultra-violent games, and Mortal Kombat 4 gave that to players on the N64.

Monster Hunter Generation

Now we’re into the traditional fighters, and this is where the goodies start to roll in.

With Killer Instinct, you had one of the only fighters that was strictly available on the Nintendo 64. Developed by Rare and published by Nintendo, you knew that something was brewing. This series, originally released on Game Boy back in 1994, was pushed out to compete with the Mortal Kombat series.

Pros

The music, audio, and visuals were all upgraded for the newest release.

Also coming in on the cartridge were added like practice and knockout tournament modes. This helped the game appeal to fans of the series, as well as gave newcomers a way in to the basics.

Cons

The main draw to this standard fighter–that is, one on a 2D plan where 3D characters duke it out–was the big push of combos. Killer Instinct utilized memorization-based combo sequences, meaning players had to know the moves of the character they were playing.

A good result of this was that there weren’t any infinity combos or 100% fatalities for you to use.

This also meant that all moves could be blocked, contributing to some increasingly challenging fighting at a higher level or in tournament play.

With Gold, the game was, essentially, an updated form of Killer Instinct 2. While it may not be the most critically-acclaimed game on the list, it’s still a good fighter. It had its own niche crowd, and really aided Nintendo in keeping the fighting genre alive and well on its Nintendo 64.

Dark Rift

Here’s one you may not have heard of. Dark Rift was a fighting game that, at the time, was the first to a few different milestones. The game was the first N64 game to use a full 60 fps and was the first inherent fighting game for the console.

Pros

• Great competitive play

Cons

• Throw system can be improved

The original game was based on developer Kronos Digital Entertainment’s Criticom, being their first fighting game. The game, like others on this list, did feature a story that continued the events of the first game, but wasn’t anything to write home about. The game was decisive among critics, but still holds merit with fans. That would go on to matter as the game has since developed a cult-like following.

The biggest reason why it is one of the best fighting games for the N64 really comes down to competitive play. This was a highly played fighter at the tournament level, and the only problem was the throw system. Combos, moves, and knowing the fighters were key to success, and players liked the challenge.

Rakuga Kids

Yes, this game is quite literally titled “doodle” kids, if you translate the Japanese word, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the better fighters on the N64.

Rakuga Kids was developed by Konami and was never actually released in North America. The Japan and EU-only game was one of only two fully 2D fighters (more on the second later) for the system, and it had the title of interesting graphics choices. Using characters that resembled children’s drawings, once you played Rakuga Kids you’d be sure to remember it.

Pros

• The game had such a lighthearted feel to it, including the fighting characters being drawn by kids, that it’s hard to believe the high level of seriousness that came with it. When your special “magic” meter fills up by crayons, you know it’s a quirky title.

Cons

• Never released in the US
• Many considers the game as a book you’d read to a toddler

But even though the game looked like a book you’d read a toddler, it was still highly competitive. The gameplay was based on the standard six button fighter layout, but also featured aerial combat. The aerial combat added a second layer to the standard fighter, and because all the characters were unique–names like Beartank, Robot C.H.O., Darkness should provide some clarity–and played differently. Thus, it was up to the player to figure out the best fighter to go into combat with.

It’s a shame that the game never received a full release in the US, but that shouldn’t stop you from playing it.

Clay Fighter 63

As we mentioned before, the only other fully 2D fighter for the Nintendo 64 console was ClayFighter 63. The whole game was, basically, a caricature of other fighters at the time. First though, let’s talk about the name.

Pros

• Quality stage designs
• High resolution game animation

Cons

• Even though the title was met with negativity, it still held true with fans, becoming a classic at higher level play. 

Whenever games were released, generally as sequels, the marketing teams were coming up with names that suffixed the number “64”. This was to, apparently, separate the titles from others out in the world, but got so out of hand that almost every franchise had a “Blank Blank” 64 named game.

The team at Interplay Productions decided to parody that and drop the number down to 63. What made ClayFighter special was the use of stopmotion animation and Claymation as the techniques to produce the graphics. Instead of computers, actual people were responsible for moving an arm or leg to get the game’s animations into place.

That was cool.

Adding to the special animation were the stage designs. Instead of staying put on one plane and the camera panning around players, the fighters could be thrown into a different portion of that stage. These rooms kept the stages fresh, and with 26 of them in total there was plenty of variety.

The combo system also poked fun at games like Street Fighter and Killer Instinct. Using names like “Itty Bitty Combo”, the represented actions were hilarious.

If you haven’t tried the game out yet, it’s a must play. You might have some trouble though, as there is a limited amount of copies in existence, and the rental-only ClayFighter: Sculptor’s Cut is one of the rarest N64 games of all-time.

A Look at the Best Fighting Titles of N64 Fighting Games 

Sure, it may seem like a tall task to talk about the best games on N64, for any genre, but it can be done. There were plenty of different titles released for the N64 that paved the way for the future of the console, and their respective titles. Many games on this list should spark some memories of long sessions with friends, provided you’ve played them.

 The one caveat here is that the games listed must be true fighters. Games that feature fighting elements, such as wrestling or shooters with fighting elements, were not considered. Yes, even though the first game on the list may rattle some knockers, we still consider Super Smash Bros. essential to the fighting franchises.

N64 Fighting Games Were Unique 

While there were plenty of fighters to choose from on the N64, the biggest takeaway here is that there were some unique, truly special titles released during this time. Sure, other games may be interesting fighters, but our list combines high level play with lasting appeal. Many games may not hold up over time, but we feel the titles above do.

So that’s our list of the best fighting games released on the N64. We may have missed your personal favorite, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be your favorite fighter. It may not even be considered a fighting game, by some.

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When Did Atari Come Out?

image via: pixabay

So when did Atari come out? The original Atari home console, called the 2600, came out in October 1977. Pioneering in the home game console business kept Atari on the top of the industry for years to come with famous game titles such as Pong, Asteroids, and Pac-Man. The retro-revival led to an Atari rebirth announced in 2017.

With such a long-standing history from 1977 to 1993, what happened to this home entertainment giant? Our flashback into Atari history shares wins and losses and the stellar accomplishments only they have earned in the industry.

How Many Atari Consoles Have There Been?

image via: pixabay

When answering the question “when did Atari come out,” the first follow-up question should be “which one?” Believe it or not, there have been several releases throughout the entertainment giant’s reign. Some of these were in the video industry, but Atari also delved into the computer realm for a short time. Though none have ever come close to the original, a couple of the others have enjoyed a decent degree of success.

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This original console seems to be what most people remember when they think of the name Atari. With the joystick controllers, wood-grained console, and games like Asteroids, Pong, and Pac-Man, millions of units took the world by storm. Without question, this was Atari’s greatest success.

Aside from the financial success enjoyed by the company, the Atari 2600 created an industrial movement never matched since. The system housed the best graphics and sound to date and brought the concept of changing out games with cartridges to life. The 2600 holds the record for the longest running manufactured console after 15 years on the production line.

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Atari technicians and programmers were mid-stream on their next release/upgrade to the 2600 when the home computer revolution took root and exploded. This led them to a quick regroup and redirect into the home computer world.

The 800 and 400 were both such units, one only smaller than the other. In 1980, the Atari home computer was released to moderate acceptance and success. However, Atari could never quite leave the video game image behind or compete in the rapid-paced computer world.

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When the Atari 5200 came out as the second generation Atari game system in 1982, it very much undersold its predecessor. With a modernized cabinet, computer hardware, and an upgraded joystick, the 5200 had a short two-year run and only sold about a million units.

The early demise of the 5200 is believed to be due to the home PC revolution and its lack of adaptability in playing cartridges from Atari’s previous model. With a few glitches in the joystick and lack of backward game mobility, the 5200 didn’t have much of a chance.

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Wondering when the Atari 7800 came out? Well, in 1986, the 7800 debuted with new technological backward mobility for most of Atari 2600 games. Despite the improved graphics and compatibility, the 7800 could not gain traction against their competitors Sego and the Nintendo ES system. With sales estimated at only 100,000 from 1986 to 1990, the Atari 7800 could never come back to the fame of the 2600. Atari’s demise seemed imminent.

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Wondering when the Atari 7800 came out? Well, in 1986, the 7800 debuted with new technological backward mobility for most of Atari 2600 games. Despite the improved graphics and compatibility, the 7800 could not gain traction against their competitors Sego and the Nintendo ES system. With sales estimated at only 100,000 from 1986 to 1990, the Atari 7800 could never come back to the fame of the 2600. Atari’s demise seemed imminent.

Atari VCS

Announced in 2017 is what will be the first Atari sold in 20 years once it gets to market. Delayed because of a processor upgrade, this hybrid of game console and gaming PC is set to hit the market in late 2019. If all the hype and pre-sales are any indication of the Atari VCS success, children years from now will talk about this unit when asking “when did the Atari come out?” Pre-sales have exceed $3 million and counting. When the VCS hits the market later this year, we’ll all be flashing back to the past as we soar into the future.

What’s All the Hype about Nostalgia and the Atari VCS?

With the retro movement in clothing, gaming, decor, and more, Atari is set to benefit from society’s trip down memory lane. Nostalgia is a strong driver of behavior and the combination of this with new technology has potential for huge success.

Image Source: Pexels

Atari Nostalgia

We’ve heard a lot of questions lately in chat rooms and forums about the nostalgia surrounding the Atari game system. Not only are people asking, “when did Atari come out?” but they are asking about the experience of playing it as well. Most likely, people are referencing the Atari 2600 which held worldwide domination for many years.

This was the gaming console that recreated a new industry and led to what now has become a commonplace occurrence (running someone off of a game system). Atari enjoyed many years at the top of the helm due to creating something that had not been done before.

For many years, the console was a part of children and family entertainment as well as the creator of memories. The original wood-grained cabinet is as much a part of Atari as the games themselves.

Atari VCS – Reality or Hyperbole?

When it comes to the 2019 Atari VCS release, there is much anticipation. From the first hint of a new Atari in June 2017, gamers have not been asking when did the Atari come out, but instead, when will the Atari be out? The initial images brought back memories to millions who spent their youth attached to a similar console and they are eager to get their hands on this one.

Atari has guarded all the details carefully. There are a few announced and/or expected details that gamers are excited for.

• Ability to play classic games
• Use of the Linux operating system
• Affordability
• Nostalgic add-ons

Atari Classic Games

With the name Atari on a game system, all gamers have certain expectations. Who wouldn’t want to play the classics? Namely Pac-Man, Asteroids, and Pong amongst others.

Though no guarantee has been announced on which games will be included, this is one of the most desired features for the Atari game system. Besides, it would be a great touch to combine the nostalgia and modern gaming.

Using the Linux Operating System

When the new Atari comes out with the Linux operating system, there are immediate benefits to the end user. Using an open source operating system allows for improved security. However, the best benefit of using open source is that there are likely to be more games, more developers, and an overall better product. Using Linux has great potential to expand the life of the Atari VCS and, therefore, our ability to stroll down memory lane in the modern world of gaming. It’s just a win-win situation!

How Affordable Will the Atari VCS Be?

Anytime new technology marries up with nostalgia there’s the potential for price gouging and unaffordability. However, estimations put the new Atari VCS at under the $300 line, depending on what accessories and add-ons buyers select.

At this comparable price point, the VCS may bring Atari back into the market and make them a household name once again. After all, there are a lot of gamers out there who want to see what all the nostalgia is about and why parents are prone to swoon at the mention of the Atari name.

What Nostalgic Add-Ons Will Be Available?

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Atari would not be Atari without the option of the classic joystick. Supposedly, the beloved joystick will be available in the wood grain so many of us came to love and expect. Of course, Atari isn’t holding back from coming into the modern age. They will also have updated modern controllers as options and likely a cabinet as well.

The absolute best part of the nostalgic touch for the Atari VCS will surely be the games. We are assured the console will come with 100+ classic Atari games pre-loaded with potential for so much more. That means Centipede, Pong, Missile Command, Pac-Man, and more. One thing is for sure, there is a lot of nostalgia and new fun to be had when this new Atari hits the market.

So, When Did Atari Come Out and When Will It Again?

Beginning in 1977 and coming full circle back to 2019 is an impressive range for any game system or other electronic entity. Will 2019 be the year the pioneer is reborn? Only time will tell. But, we’re sitting on pins and needles waiting to find out. The next time you hear some of your gaming buddies asking about when did Atari come out or talking about that old fogie, tell them “let’s wait and see,” because 2019 may be their best year yet.

The post When Did Atari Come Out? Flashing Back to the Past to Discover Its Roots appeared first on Rare Video Games Auctions, Sales & Pricing.

What Are Some Tips on How to Stream Nintendo Switch to Share with Others?

image via: Unsplash

If you are interested in how to stream Nintendo Switch to different platforms, you will need to know what kinds of platforms are available for streaming. The two main platforms you have access to are Twitch and YouTube. Now, Twitch is made specifically for streaming gameplay. So if you want a community of gamers watching you (or a community of individuals who enjoy watching video game play), Twitch is the option for you.

YouTube, on the other hand, is another option. Many individuals have channels for both YouTube and Twitch because, while Twitch is for gamers, YouTube has a substantially larger audience; therefore it is possible to connect with more subscribers through YouTube. YouTube will not let you live stream immediately to its platform, though. You need to establish your channel before you’re given the live stream feed. It’s an additional step, but it’s designed to make sure you provide content that doesn’t break YouTube’s stricter guidelines.

You will need to feel out the different platforms to see which works better for you, and whether you want to stream on either or both.

How Do You Stream Nintendo Switch to Twitch?

image via: Unsplash

As you are looking into how to stream Nintendo Switch, you will likely want to create a Twitch account first. There are fewer pitfalls and rules for what you can and cannot live stream. YouTube is always changing what it allows to be live streamed and what content will accept advertisements (if you’re interested in making money off of the platform later on). When starting out with Twitch, you will naturally need to create an account first.

Creating a Twitch Account

You don’t need anything special to create a Twitch account. First, you’ll want to go over to the twitch.tv website and click the “Sign Up” option (located in the top-right corner of the screen). This will bring up a new Log In / Sign Up screen. Click the “Sign Up” option and then fill out the required information. It is all basic material, including your name, age, email account and some other basics.

Submit the required information, then head over to your email account and open the email you received from Twitch. Confirm your email account and your Twitch account will go live. You can now head over to Twitch and fill out any of the required information and update your profile to include a profile picture and any other information you might want it to feature (you can always add this later on if you’d like).

Equipment You Need

When it comes to how to stream Nintendo Switch, you’ll discover that the Nintendo Switch gaming system does not have the same features as a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. These other platforms have an available Twitch streaming application. So with these systems, all you need to do is sign into the application and connect your Twitch account. Nintendo does not have this. Due to this, you’ll need to perform a workaround in order to pair your Twitch account with the platform. This also means you’ll need some additional equipment to make it work.

The equipment you’ll need to have access to includes:

• Computer
• OBS Studio software
• Gaming Capture Card
• Microphone/headset
• Webcam

Chances are you’ll already have a computer. The computer will probably already have a webcam. Now, you don’t need to have a webcam, but if you want to live stream yourself playing the game you’ll need one. Most modern computers have a webcam, although you may want to invest in a new webcam for improved video quality (and for the ability to move the camera around for better placement).

The same is true with your microphone/headset. The headset is easier to use than a microphone, but picking up this secondary device will give you improved audio quality over what the computer’s built-in microphone can offer.

OBS Studio is free software you can download to either the Windows or macOS operating system. Just head over to the OBS Studio website and download it to your computer system.

The final piece of the puzzle is a gaming capture card. You ideally will want a card that will support at least 1080p with a frame rate of 60 frames per second.

Connecting Nintendo Switch to Your Computer

The next step in how to stream Nintendo Switch is to connect the Nintendo Switch to your computer system. To do this, you will need to make sure the Switch is in its dock. With it in the dock, take an HDMI cable and plug it into the back of the Switch, then insert it into the gaming capture card on your computer.

The gaming capture card can either be installed internally (which is easiest if you have a desktop tower), or if you have a fast enough laptop, you can connect the gaming capture card to the computer via a USB 3 cable (anything older than a USB 3 will not have the processing speed to keep up with the HD live stream video feed and won’t work).

Streaming Your Gameplay

Now that you have everything set up, you need to activate the application to continue with how to stream Nintendo Switch. To do this, you will need to launch the OBS Studio software and then log into your Twitch account.

Once logged in you will also need to let Twitch know you are going to be streaming with the OBS Studio system. To do this head over to the Twitch website, log onto your account, then click on “Dashboard,” “Settings,” then “Stream Key.” Twitch will now give you a unique code. Copy the code, then return to your OBS Studio software. In the software, click “Settings,” “Streaming,” “Service,” then finally “Twitch.”

Now, paste the number you copied to connect the Twitch account to your OBS Studio application. You will now need to import your Nintendo Switch media to your OBS Studio software. To do this, right-click within the OBS Studio software window (it doesn’t matter where), then choose “Add,” followed by “Video Capture Device.” Name the layer you will create, as every new bit of media you’ll be importing to OBS Studio will need to have a unique layer.

From here, click on the drop-down menu, then choose the capture device and click “Okay.” This will load a box that shows the live footage from your Nintendo Switch platform. You can click and adjust the size and move it about to better fit your needs.

Adding Secondary Equipment

At this point, you can add your webcam feed. (If you’re looking to gain more followers on Twitch you should have a webcam feed as people want to see who is talking when the game is going on). Connect your webcam to the computer, then repeat the same steps for adding a device through the “Video Capture Device” drop-down menu. A new window will appear and you’ll be able to adjust it, just like you would with the gaming feed.

Once you are ready to begin your gameplay and start the feed, you can click the “Start Streaming” button found in the lower-right corner of OBS Studio.

Can You Go Straight to the Internet with Nintendo Switch?

image via: Unsplash

The Nintendo Switch does not have the same kind of processing power as the other major gaming systems. However, Nintendo is not attempting to compete with these platforms. This system is designed to play different games. So if you’re new to the platform you may have noticed there is not a native Internet browser built into the platform. With the lack of an Internet browser, you might wonder if it is possible to go to the Internet on Nintendo Switch. The answer is yes, but you’ll need to work around a few roadblocks.

Accessing the Hidden Internet Browser

The Nintendo Switch does connect to the Internet. After all, there is the Nintendo e-shop on the Switch that allows you to download content. As there is an Internet connection, it means there is also a way to access the Internet.

So if you’re beyond how to stream Nintendo Switch and you just want to use the Internet, you can do so by following these steps. First, you’ll want to power on your Nintendo Switch and choose “System Settings.”

Once you’re in the new window choose “Internet.” From here select “Internet Settings,” then select the Wi-Fi network you have inside of your home (you should already have the Switch connected to this Wi-Fi network as it was requested when initially setting up the gaming platform, so you shouldn’t need to type in the network password again). 

From the display window, select “Change Settings,” then scroll down and choose “DNS Settings.” You will want to change the DNS settings to “Manual.” Choose your Primary DNS, then you will need to set it to “045.055.142.122” (it will be a displayed option) and click “Save.”

The Switch will now connect to the Internet. You will need to register the network by clicking “Next.” Wait a few seconds and eventually Google will load on the screen, giving you Internet access.

Conclusion

Sharing your video game content is an extremely popular activity in modern gaming. People all around the world enjoy sharing content with others. Many of the top YouTube channels in the world are those of gamers. Twitch was created almost exclusively for video gamers. If you’ve been wondering how to stream Nintendo Switch, all you need to do is follow these instructions. While Nintendo Switch does not have a native application designed to let you live stream, you can work around the problem with these instructions. As long as you follow the provided information, you’ll be good to go with all your future Switch live streaming.

The post How to Stream Nintendo Switch and Share Your Sessions with Fellow Gaming Enthusiasts appeared first on Rare Video Games Auctions, Sales & Pricing.

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A few months back, we ran a list of the rarest, uncommon, cheap SNES games.

It was a pretty comprehensive list, but we decided it was time to add to it. If you have not already done so, you can check out our original list of rare and uncommon SNES games that are also affordable.

Believe it or not, there are even rarer, cheap SNES games out there if you take the time to look for them.

Some of these rare SNES games are more readily available than others.

But, if you do some digging and keep an eye out, you may be able to find them fairly easily. Without further ado, we give you the extended list of cheap SNES games (that are also uncommon or rare)

6 Even MORE Hidden Gems – Uncommon, Cheap Super Nintendo Games:

• Final Fight 3 – Final Fight was given a rarity score of 72%, and has an average loose price of $20.00. This game has decent availability on Ebay if you are looking for a reproduction. Those are currently listed for around $27.00. However, an original cart of this game will set you back about $85.00 or more.
• Romance of the Three Kingdoms III – Romance of the Three Kingdoms III which released in 1994 has a rarity score of 64%. The average loose list price for this game (according to Rarity Guide) is right around $16.00. However, current listings on Ebay for the loose cart start at nearly $37 and go up from there. This is one of those games that is, evidently, becoming more in demand and is, therefore, experiencing an increase in its value. If you want this game, your best bet is to snag it whenever you find it being sold for a reasonable price. Then, hang onto it!
• Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom – This game was given a rarity score of 63%. True to it’s average loose cart list price of $7.00, you can currently find copies of this cart on Ebay for just $5.99 and up. If you are looking to invest in cheap Super Nintendo games that are also somewhat rare, this is a good option. You won’t have to empty out your bank account in order to get your hands on a copy of this game.
• Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends – This childhood favorite has a rarity score of 62% and an average loose list price of just $9.00. This game was based on the popular book and television series about a tank engine named Thomas and his friends. You can currently find this cart listed on Ebay for $9.99 and up. This could be a very good game to invest in if you are looking to collect games simply for the purpose of collecting. No guarantees that you will enjoy playing it since the age demographic for this game is rather young.
• Snow White in Happily Ever After – This particular rare Super Nintendo games may be of interest to all those Disney fans out there. Snow White in Happily Ever after has a rarity rating of 62% and an average loose list price of $18.00. There is currently one cart of this game listed with a starting bid of $0.99, but other carts go from $22.99 and up from there. If you can find this game for a decent price, it would probably be a smart idea to invest in. Disney games like this may become increasingly valuable as time passes.
• Lethal Enforcers – Lethal Enforcers earned a rarity score of 62%, and has an average loose list price of only $9. You can currently find this game listed for sale on Ebay with prices starting at just $7.67. Currently, this game is readily available on Ebay in both U.S. form and Japanese. If you want it, now is a great time to get it!

Check Out Additional Hidden Gems on the SNES

The post Cheap SNES Games | 6 Even MORE Rare/Uncommon Hidden Gems appeared first on Rare Video Games Auctions, Sales & Pricing.

Every. Single. Console.

If you’re a gamer, you know what we’re talking about. It’s the unfortunate truth, and today it’s an even bigger problem than back in the day. However, back when video games were finding their footing, games would come out that never had marketing. That meant no one knew about games that had potential to become the new Mario or Zelda.

We use those names because we’re going back to the time of the SNES. The titles on our list are surely mixed deep into fan culture, but not so much anywhere else. What does that mean for you? Simple: dust off your SNES, or borrow a buddie’s, and catch up with some secret games that will improve your gaming credentials exponentially.

SNES Hidden Gems Comparison Table

SNES Hidden Gems 

Everyone Has a Different Meaning of Secret Games

Before we begin, we thought it would be nice to go over some of our ground rules for this highly subjective list. Everyone has a different take on what a hidden gem might be, or what could even be considered for this list. So, we came up with some guidelines.

First, these are our hidden titles. Some you might have heard of, and others probably not. What that means, though, is nothing more than our opinion. If you have a 200-game collection of SNES games, chances are you’ll have heard of most of them. If you’ve never owned a SNES and have only played a handful, this list will surprise. Just keep that in mind when reading them.

Second, we are including games that have been released in North America, as well as anywhere else in the world. There are tons of Japanese-only games that no one would know simply due to them never coming to the West. To keep it simple, they must’ve been released in NA.

Other than that, anything is free game. Let’s dive in.

Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts

This one isn’t a super-sleeper, as most enthusiasts will know of the Capcom franchise. That doesn’t mean it is popular, however.

If you fancy yourself for a challenge, look no further than the old-school version of Dark Souls. It’s punishingly hard. So much so that, like many challenging games before it, the developers didn’t even change the gameplay for it. Based on the NES title Ghost ‘n Goblins, Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts is an insane moniker to the SNES system.

If you have heard of it, it’s simply due to its rebellious nature. The game sees you playing as the knight Arthur, who is sent to rescue a princess from demons. Seems easy right? Wrong.

PROS

• ?Must have for a SNES library
• So great game

CONS

• No negative comments listed.

Philosophy of the Game

The whole game is backed by the philosophy of death. Two hits, at any time and from anything, and your character dies. It doesn’t matter that there are power ups included in the game, because while they will help you, they won’t make you stronger. But, to find the power ups, you must uncover the hidden chests throughout the game. Oh, and say you make it to Emperor Sardius’s castle, the end boss, guess what? You must play the game a second time with a specific weapon that is needed to defeat him.

Talk about tough luck.

Developer Capcom didn’t change much for its SNES version, but that’s fine. It’s still one awesome addition to the console, and should be played by everyone, if simply to remember a time where video games were difficult.

E.V.O.: Search for Eden

A game where play as creatures simply trying to survive? No wonder you haven’t heard of it.

A side-scroller with RPG elements, E.V.O.: Search for Eden is based upon evolution and solving a mystery. The player takes control of different animals, which are created by Gaia, daughter of the Sun, and must compete with an unknown entity. This force is toying with planet and player, forcing them to evolve or die. The title spans the course of time, literally a billion years, and is all about choices.

That all sounds sort of interesting, but it’s really the way E.V.O. works that makes it so cool. The game is based on five chapters. Each chapter starts with an evolution to the current player body, starting them out weak. It’s then up to you to fight your way and collect points to grow your character. These upgrades include body parts that alter what creatures you can evolve into, and what abilities are gained from the evolution.

Sounds a bit better, right?

PROS

• The game came out in 1993 & after all these years it still holds up very well.
• An oddly satisfying game that is so different than most others on the SNES
• Great classic game

CONS

• No negative comments listed.

Evolution Mechanism of the Game

Using evolution as a gameplay mechanism was a huge step at the time, and the game gathered a solid following. Starting out as a fish and ending up a full-fledged human is indeed interesting, and especially so with the mystery thrown in. The game has been known to be a grind, but how many games do we know of today that are grinders?

Not much marketing was given to it, but that doesn’t mean you should let it slide now. Go ahead and see if you can change the world and bring peace to your planet.

Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen

Ogre Battle is a franchise that has been continuously beloved and praised by critics, yet still the gaming community may not know any of the games.

A real-time strategy game combined with RPG elements, the story, gameplay, and graphics are where it shines. The game’s writers delivered a story about the harsh reality of war and was even named after Queen songs of the titles “Ogre Battle” and “The March of the Black Queen.”

The short version of the story is you control a band of rebels tasked with leading a revolution against the corrupt empire. The game starts with a tarot card reading, which will determine your abilities out of the gate. To help the rebels as their leader, you travel around the world, recruiting allies and battling your way to evolving your troops.

PROS

• The best strategy game on the SNES.
• What a great game.

CONS

• No negative comments listed.

Experience the Game’s Multiple Endings

There is also an alignment system, which is your moral standing as a leader. The scale is set from 0 to 100, with higher numbers representing a purer figure. How good or evil you are will determine the reputation you set forth and how you conquer the towns within battles is a huge part. If you fight dirty by attacking religious figures, your moral can slide down quickly.

A great feature of any game is multiple endings, and due to the various stages that the player can complete, Ogre Battle has 13 possible scenarios. It’s always nice to see different endings that are based on your actions throughout the game.

By today’s standards, the game sounds like it has a ton to offer, so we can imagine what it was like during the 90’s. So much on a little SNES cartridge is amazing.

Yet still today, the game is a hidden gem due to demand. There weren’t many cartridges made, meaning it’s literally been immobile for people to find and play the title. It’s a solid USD100 game across the internet, but if you can find it Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen won’t leave you disappointed.

Super Mario Bros. – Duck Hunt

Let’s see, a 2D side-scrolling racer where you control a unicycle and race other unicycles? Yeah, makes sense why you don’t know this title.

Uniracers was conceived to show that the SNES could compete with fast moving games like the SEGA Genesis could. Even though it’s a racer, the game’s focus is on stunts. The stunt system is where players must focus their attention if they wish to win

If you were successful in performing a stunt, your cycle would move faster down the track. If you could string together a few stunts, the unicycle could really catch speed. However, if you miss the landing and rotate your axis to far, you’ll crash. Wiping out meant losing all your previously gained speed, costing valuable seconds in the race.

PROS

• An underrated charm. Simple and fun.
• Fun game.
• Uniracers Is a Great game.

CONS

• Uniracers Is a Great game.

SNES Fast Moving Game

It was tricky to master, and harder to play after a legal battle finished up. Pixar, a rising animation studio at the time, sued DMA Design for stealing the unicycle design from their short film. Once lawyers become involved, it’s only a matter of time before a game becomes cult-like. The developer lost the lawsuit, forcing Nintendo to seize production of Uniracers cartridges.

But, it can easily be found for about USD10 online, meaning if you haven’t played it for a few hours with some friends, the jokes on you. Any racing fan should check it out, and if nothing else Uniracers proves to be a unique game in the history of Nintendo.

Axelay

This title was, quite literally, begged for an NA release by critics and consumers, as the original game was only released in Japan. They got their wish though, and soon the SNES found another hidden gem to call home.

The game is a scrolling shooter, featuring horizontal and vertical levels. This is noteworthy because the gameplay shifts force the player to equip the right weapon styles to suit the level’s style. Yes, you read that right. Instead of the traditional scrolling shooter where powerups drop from fallen enemies, the player acquired new abilities at the end of a level.

PROS

• This game is a combination of two great things: Konami and SuperNintendo. With very few exceptions, if you see those two words, you know you have something great.
• Among the best SNES shooters out there.

CONS

• No negative comments listed.

Impressive Graphics and Sound Design

This meant that there were no in-game powerups to utilize. You simply had to equip the new weapons before the level would start and hope you could make it through.

Axelay was also challenging. Instead of the standard, at the time, one-hit-kill model of most sci-fi shooters, the game improved that mechanic. When hit, the player’s ship would be weakened, along with the weapons, making it difficult to stay alive and shoot enemies if struck. A second hit would destroy your ship.

The game also featured impressive graphics and sound design for the time, making it easy for people to enter its world. The Mode 7 effect was used to create a fake 3D perspective and forward rolling of the levels. This was done to simulate a wider playing field.

The name comes from the titular spaceship, the Axelay, which has made appearances in Konami’s other games.

SNES Hidden Gems

There’s Always a Game You’ve Never Heard Of

Yes, while it may seem like a fool’s errand to try and play all games for a system, that shouldn’t stop you from searching to find new titles.

It’s so enthralling when you can be one of the first to play an amazing game, especially one that no one may know about. Video games are experiences that can’t be had in any other medium. As such, finding the best can be a tall task. Luckily,

The SNES Has Many Hidden Gems

Remember, our list here isn’t exhaustive.

There are plenty of other video games out there that have a legacy, yet still go unnoticed. If you consider yourself a gamer or purist, playing any of the snes hidden gems on any console should come as a challenge. Plus, there are plenty of pride points that come with playing those secretive titles.

The ultimate pride, though, is discovery a new-found respect for a developer and publisher who worked tirelessly on a game, only for it to bomb. For every big, AAA title released, there’s a small studio made up of 6 people who may have to remortgage their homes to complete their game.

It’s fair to give all games a chance, especially the ones you haven’t heard of.

The post The Top SNES Hidden Gems appeared first on Rare Video Games Auctions, Sales & Pricing.

Hold your hats, ladies and gentleman.

The rarest Playstation 1 console IN THE WORLD was recently listed for sale on Ebay.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Straight Outta the 90’s – One Of ONLY 10 Playstation 1 Formula 1 Team Jordan Console Appears

Right now at this very moment, you can purchase the Playstation 1 Formula 1 Team Jordan. There are only 10 of these babies in the entire world. You could be the proud owner of one of them!

This yellow Formula One Playstation console is still in excellent condition considering that is was used. Of course, that’s really no surprise given this pieces sheer rarity.

There is some slight wear and tear to the sticker that is on the lid of the console. The original box is not included in the sale of the Playstation console. It is still a great collector’s piece to invest in!

Another great thing to consider with this exotic console is that it is still in working condition.

So, What the Heck Is The Team Jordan F1 PS1??

The history behind this console is actually very fascinating.

It was given away as an exclusive prize by the Irish racing team, Team Jordan, back in the late 1990’s. It was such a special prize that only 10 were given away (making it a very cool collector’s piece now)!

Due to the extreme rarity of this console, there is not a lot of information out there about it on the internet.

In fact, the Playstation museum does not even possess this console in its seemingly infinite collection!

The snake design on the top of the console is custom spray painted and is not a decal or sticker. Not surprisingly, the PS Formula 1 Team Jordan console has a greater value if it comes with its original box, the original controllers, user guide, etc.

Gimme the Deets For This Formula One Playstation

As mentioned previously, this particular listing for the PS Formula 1 Team Jordan console does not include those items. It is still extremely valuable nevertheless and an awesome piece for any serious collector to own!

This listing has a hidden reserve price on it that has not yet been met.

Who knows. You may be able to scoop it up at a decent price.

If you are serious about owning this rare collectible console, you may want to place a bid that you feel is reasonable. Who knows, you may become the next owner of this incredibly rare console!

Assuming the reserve isn’t too high, this item is so rare it may end up flying under the radar of many serious collectors.

If you are on the fence about whether or not you want to place a bid, you have some time to think it through. This auction does not end until Saturday, May 13. Remember, you may not see another sale for this rare console anytime soon.

Other Rare Playstation/Sony Merch for Sale on Ebay:

• RARE NIB Sony Playstation 4 Anniversary Limited Edition GRADED by VGA 90+ NM+/MT – This listing is for a rare NIB Sony Playstation 4 that was graded by the Video Game Authority at 90+. Purchasing this Sony Playstation will set you back $19,000. However, this cool collectible and limited edition Playstation is one not to be passed up by the avid collector!
• Resident Evil (PS1 PSX Playstation) NEW SEALED LONGBOX, MINT VGA 85, RARE GRAIL! – This listing is for a factory sealed and Video Game Authority graded copy of Resident Evil! The VGA gave this game an 85, which is pretty impressive. If you want to own this rarity, be prepared to shell out $13,999.99. If you are a huge fan of Resident Evil and Playstation, then this collectible might be a worthwhile investment for you!
• Crash Bandicoot Holy Grail Denim Jacket Promo Rare Vintage Jean Playstation 1 98 – Check out this fun, retro Crash Bandicoot denim jean jacket! If you love all things Crash Bandicoot, then you have to check out this collectible jacket. This jacket was available in the late 1990’s, but it was only distributed to a select few people who helped create the game. The jacket was supposed to be worn to trade shows as a fun way to represent and create interest in the game. Buy this Crash Bandicoot rarity now for just $1,492.00,

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The Turbografx 16 was powerful console system with an impressive library of games that, unfortunately, got steamrolled by the Nintendo juggernaut. It was the first 16-bit console to be released in America. It was also the first system to offer a CD-ROM attachment, putting it in direct competition against the Sega Genesis. We’ll dive into the Best Turbografx 16 games in this article.

Unlike the Sega CD, the Tubografx 16 actually offered games and a system powerful enough to make good use of the CD-ROM. With a better graphic processor and impressive video output hardware, the system offered much more colorful and vivid graphics than competing systems.

The Turbografx 16 also offered different games from other systems on the market. With bloody horror games filled with shock value like Splatterhouse, and edgy games pushing the envelope like Devil’s Crush and its Satanic imagery, chanting monks and waves of demons, the Turbografx wasn’t focused on kids. Many saw the console as the “adult” of the 16-bit video game systems.

Despite the impressive hardware and rich (though not extensive) library of games, the Turbografx 16 eventually faltered and succumbed to Nintendo. Its death was helped by the reluctance of 3rd party developers to anger Nintendo by releasing games in America for the Turbografx.

Let’s take a look at our list of the Best Turbografx 16 games.

The Best Turbografx 16 Games: Comparison Table

Game Name	Image	Price
Super Star Soldier
Cadash
Ninja Spirit
Military Madness
Legendary Axe
Blazing Lazers
Xenoblade 2 Chronicles
Bonk’s Revenge
Bomberman ‘93
Splatterhouse

How We Chose Our Ratings for the Best Turbografx 16 Games

While everyone has different criteria, it’s important to understand how we rate games.

Personal opinion will always guide a review, but we balance opinion with research and outside reviews. We take a deep dive into the reviews and forums for outside opinions. We look at how successful the game was, both in the market and as a gaming title.

Most importantly, we play the game. For most of the games, we try to use the original system rather than an emulator (which can be difficult).

Finally, we looked for games that were not only fun (though fun is a critical factor) but also pushed the envelope. We’re looking for games that provoke a reaction and kept people talking long after the game was over

Let’s dive into our review of the Best Turbografx 16 Games.

The Best Turbografx 16 Games

While the Turbografx 16 was most famous for shooters (in fact, almost half the games released were shooters), we’re showing the full depth of the library with our list.

Super Star Soldier

Sure, it’s a shooter, but Super Star Soldier was also one of the fastest and most colorful shooters of the time.

A vertical scrolling shooter that was both challenging and colorful, it offered graphics that make full use of the Turbografx 16 processor. With unique and powerful weapons, like flamethrowers and heat-seeking missiles not typically found in other shooters, Super Star Soldier was challenging and difficult, but not frustrating. The massive bosses, with destructible elements, were memorable and required a level of strategy not seen in other shooters. Players had to be careful, as bosses would often use weapons from previous bosses to keep gamers on their toes.

For flame throwers on a space ship, we give Super Star Soldier3 out of 5

Pros

• Features high-quality visuals
• A good option for 600 Wii points

Cons

• A customer review stated that it does have a way of breaking the difficulty as you can keep trying until you get it perfect

Cadash

More than just a blatant rip-off of Dungeons & Dragons or Final Fantasy, Cadash successfully combined role playing and platforming elements.

Many other games borrowed the combination of side-scrolling gaming and platforming elements with RPG functionality like experience, gold, statistics and item, but Cadash is an early example that did it successfully. It also offered a story, with a demon lord named Balrog who wants to be all-powerful and a kidnapped Princess who needs rescuing, but the story isn’t the focus. Gameplay and fun is the focus.

Your quest, find villages, explore dungeons and defeat enemies. The key to Cadash is getting together with friends to quest and conquer, and Cadash does it well. The game has a fast pace and is quick to punish you for mistakes. Each class has different abilities, and there’s plenty of loot to steal and buy.

For demon lords and kidnapped princesses, we give Cadash3 out of 5

Pros

Cons

Ninja Spirit

Pros

Cons

Ninja Spirit started as an arcade game, but the port to the Turbografx 16 is extremely close to the original, making it an easy choice for the Best Turbografx 16 Games list.

In the game, you play a ninja named Moonlight battling to avenge his father’s death. With 4 different weapons and plenty of ninja skills, you’ll take on enemies like other ninjas and monsters, as well as endless traps. You’ll need to strategically use your weapons and skills to overcome the enemies and levels. Chose the wrong weapon, and you’re in trouble.

Ninja Spirit capitalized on the power of the Turbografx 16 to impress with its gameplay and scintillating graphics. It felt like you were playing an arcade game in your home.

For awesome shuriken and shadow ninjas, we give Ninja spirit3.5 out of 5.

Military Madness

Pros

Cons

Tactical military and combat games were rare on consoles, but Military Madness gave the genre a new twist that made the game fresh for the Turbografx 16 audience.

In the futuristic game, the Axis and Allied forces battle on the moon for vital resources. You’ll start by maneuvering for position on a hex-based map. When your forces engage the enemy, the game switches to a side view so you can see the results of the fight – both good and bad. It’s visceral as you see your units slowly destroyed by the enemy.

Military Madness sounds easy, and it’s quick to start, but the difficulty ramps up fast. Players are pummeled hard as they learn the game. There’s a lot of complexity and strategy, and little forgiveness, to the game.

For giant space robots and moon tanks, we give Military Madness4 out of 5.

Legendary Axe

Pros

Cons

Legendary Axe is a side scroller that encourages strategic thinking and fast twitch gameplay in a way that’s rarely been replicated.

Legendary Axe has a simple story and set-up. You have an axe, and your girlfriend has been captured. Getting through the waves of enemies to rescue her is challenging and requires both strategic thinking and gaming skill.

You have a meter that slowly charges. The meter determines the strength of your swings with the axe, and slowly fades as you swing. You want a fully-charged meter to take on big enemies and need to use quick hits to take on smaller enemies. As you take damage, your axe gets smaller and charges slower. You can also collect different power-ups along the way. The pace of the game lends itself to plotting each move, before suddenly attacking before the meter depletes. It feels good as you take out enemies and conquer a level, and Legendary Axe rewards you when you do well.

For skillful axe-work, we give Legendary Axe4 out of 5.

Blazing Lazers

As one of the first releases for the Turbografx 16, Blazing Lazers really set the tone for the system.

Before Blazing Lazers, shooting games on systems like the NES were mediocre and confusing, with a graphic flicker that could make tight and skillful gameplay difficult. Blazing Lazers showed how sharp graphics could take shooters to the next level. With crisp shapes and sharply defined colors, the game was a dream come true for fans of the shooter.

Gameplay was fairly simple, with a combat system that included 4 main weapons and 4 secondary weapons. The different combinations would change how you played. Otherwise, gameplay was fast, tight and relentless with no lag time and slow down. Blazing Lazers set the bar for all the shooters that followed.

For crisp graphics for our lazers, we give Blazing Lazers4 out of 5.

Pros

Cons

Xenoblade 2 Chronicles

As one of the very first CD-ROM games for a console that actually worked like it should, Ys I & II (both games were released together) make our list of the Best Turbografx 16 Games.

Gameplay was a little different. It’s not a traditional RPG, but a top-down game that used action elements, such as ramming enemies to attack. Gameplay wasn’t the focus on the game, though, it was utilizing the power of the CD.

Ys came with full-screen cinematic stills, a beautiful, heavily-orchestrated soundtrack, and full speech and voice-over work that combined to advance the story elements. With Ys I & II, gamers could finally see what a CD-ROM could do for gaming.

For ram attacks and an orchestra, we give Ys I & II4.5 out of 5.

Pros

Cons

Bonk’s Revenge

Pros

Cons

Consoles quickly realized they needed exclusive franchises to compete in the market – a game series and character that would make gamers go out and buy the system. They needed a mascot.

The Turbografx 16’s first mascot, Keith Courage, wasn’t a good game or mascot. So, the system went back to the drawing board and came up with Bonk’s Adventure. Bonk was a lovable caveman with a big head and a tendency to headfirst dive into action to bonk enemies. All Bonk wanted was to rescue his girl, and he had the head to do it.

More than just a thick skull, Bonk also offered some truly fun and interesting gameplay elements. You can climb cliffs and waterfalls, then slam back to the ground to bonk an enemy into submission. If you aren’t in the mood to headbutt, you can float and move to the ground by starting a dive and then pulling out. Bonk’s Adventure was a tight platformer with enough new elements to keep gamer’s excited. Plus, Bonk was a great mascot, at least an equal to the ones found on other systems.

For dinosaur headbutting, we give Bonk’s Adventure5 out of 5.

Bomberman ’93

While Bomberman, and variations on the different Bomberman games, can be found on many different systems, few can match the fun and glory of Bomberman ‘93 on the Turbografx 16.

Before the Turbografx 16, Bomberman offered fun games. You had levels, stuff to bomb and power-ups to collect. The Turbografx 16 showed how much more Bomberman ‘93 could be with improved graphics and effects, more power-ups, larger and more complex levels, great sound, and (best of all) support for up to five players at once. Suddenly, Bomberman went from a fun game to a fun party game – one of the first games really meant to be used with family and friends over.

Pros

Cons

Every gamer who had Bomberman on the Turbografx 16 had stories about epic games. They included the requisite strategy, trickery, and massive explosions the series was known for – all against people sitting across the room from you.

For power-ups and explosions, we give Bomberman ‘935 out of 5.

Splatterhouse

The Turbografx 16 was known for shooters, but everyone also remembers the video pinball games on the system. Devil’s Crush was easily the best video pinball game on the Turbografx 16.

Devil’s Crush was pinball taken to the next level. It featured a creepy and scary demon-theme, with pinballs that slowly become dragon-esque demon faces, and a woman’s face trapped in metal in the center of the table. The more you hit the ball, the creepier the game gets. The demon faces begin leering, the setting degenerates. There are skeletons, skulls, chanting monks. The music is genuinely creepy, setting the mood perfectly.

Pros

Cons

Add in great pinball gameplay with a table that’s free scrolling and a full three screens high. You have three pairs of flippers and plenty of ways to increase the score with targets to shoot and hidden bonus rooms. You fight back against the demons and occult by crushing them with your ball. It’s pure fun.

For leering demon pinball and changing monks, we give Devil’s Crush 5 out of 5.

Buyer’s Guide to the Best Turbografx 16 Games

It’s unfortunate the Turbografx 16 never reached the critical audience it needed to support the system.

In its day, it was a powerful console with better graphics than any other on the market. It had a target audience older than other systems at the time. There were plenty of great games with improvements making them markedly better than what any other system offered at the time.

Today, there are plenty of ports or remakes, and even cheap knockoffs of original Turbografx games. Don’t be fooled. The focus of a Turbografx 16 game was always the gameplay, and many don’t translate well to other systems. When reviewing other games, take a close look at the gameplay elements – the strength of the system.

Enjoy!

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