I’m trying my best to dive back into the past and play all the gems that I missed as a kid because I was either born too late or too much of a kid to consider playing them. I found myself really disappointed going back to the old mario nes/snes titles because they felt really bad to play as I’ve become accustomed to modern platformer design sensibilities (like coyote time and responsive movement).
Are there any oldies+goldies that have stood up to the test of time and not shown their age in the same way? Or are so good that they’re worth playing despite showing their age? Preferably avoiding racing, sports, and final fantasy-esque titles. Not really interested in anything more recent than PS2 era either.
I already have Earthbound in my sights as it isn’t one I’ve played before but it comes highly recommended.
Kirby’s Adventure just feels the best to control. I don’t like the way they changed how powers work in Superstar, and I think the variety, controls, and level design aren’t as good. Sometimes, more isn’t always better.
FFTA is the best in the series, but it’s also the most unique story. FFT is still the usual “fantasy” universe you’re familiar with, but there’s an interesting element of isekai in FFTA.
Battletoads is hard, but not impossible. Everyone remembers the third level with the bikes being a pita, but I did it as a kid. Tip: towards the end, there’s a part where walls will come at you faster and faster, but if you try to stick to the middle and move just enough out of the way, you can weave back and forth. Don’t overcorrect; light touch. If you get really good, there’s even a secret in that part that lets you skip several levels. Look for a sparkle!
Little Nemo is based on a comic, and it’s a really unique puzzle/action platformer. I haven’t played anything quite like it, but it was one of the first NES games I owned.
Mega Man 2 unequivocally has some of the best chiptunes in any game. There’s a reason there’s so many remixes on OC Remix just from that game.
Starfox 64 is the original SNES Starfox but with better graphics, gameplay, and story. There’s also multiple endings…
Hope you have fun!
Someone else mentioned that they liked the GBA remake of Adventure more - would you say it’s worth going that route or sticking to the OG?
I suppose I’ll have a look at FFT and FFTA both and see what’s up.
Ah I remember how painfully unforgiving those old side scrolling games could be, I’ll find my way through battletoads :D
Definitely excited to try Little Nemo, it’s one of the few recommendations people have posted that I genuinely just have never heard of
Man I have always enjoyed when I heard Mega Man soundtrack pop up in other places, the tunes are sublime. Just never played the actual games the music is from lol.
Looking forward to Starfox 64 it sounds like a good one!
The GBA port is…okay. It has some of the “improvements” that the SNES got, and the balance just feels off, to me. I would say that it still controls better than the SNES version, however.
Give them all a try, though. Maybe the NES version will feel lacking to you and you’ll love the SNES ones!