Anatomy Of 2D Side-Scroller Lecturer Picks Favorites 104
Thanks to GameSpy for its column discussing some of the choicest 2D side-scrolling games of all time, as discussed in a lecture at the recent Game Developer's Conference in San Jose. Some of the "ten games from the past that have something to teach the aspiring platform game designer" listed included "Batman (1989, NES): Best wall jump ever (and game over music, he noted)", as well as "Ghouls 'n Ghosts (1988, AC/Gen/etc.): 'If your game is harder than this, you're in trouble.'", and even "Super Mario All-Stars (1993, SNES): Everything you need to know in one cart." What are your favorite 2D side-scrolling platformers of all time?
Viewtiful Joe (Score:4, Interesting)
It really is great
Quite hard but very rewarding
Lots of Cool moves
Great cutscenes
Stylish cellshaded graphics.
Best platformer on the GC, no doubt about it.
I also have a fond memory of supermarioland on the GB but it also was one of my first games so I might be biased
Re:Viewtiful Joe (Score:2)
Re:Viewtiful Joe (Score:2)
Re:Viewtiful Joe (Score:2)
Re:Viewtiful Joe (Score:3, Interesting)
It's a great game 'tho. Best platformer to come out in years. The thing is, production values DO count for soemthing, and VJ had that in spades.
Re:Viewtiful Joe (Score:2)
I'm currently taking a break from the game, but I have a game at Fire Leo on Ultra-V mode, which is probably the hardest thing in the game according to GameFAQs, because his pattern is somewhat chaotic, and the only way to get good damage on him is to dodge his tornado attacks to make him dizzy, and in Ultra-V rated, there are no skull marks to warn you whether he's
Re:Viewtiful Joe (Score:2, Informative)
This method is slow as molasses, but easy to repeat once you've had a little practice, and it works just fine for me to defeat Fire Leo.
Re:Viewtiful Joe (Score:2)
Wow, I hadn't even thought of that. That's the thing I think most people find hard about VJ, there are lots of places that seem hard until you know the trick to them. Charles the 3rd can be defeated very quickly with Voomerangs and/or the Dragon Kick, Hulk Davidson is a pussycat if you use a simple pattern on him, Gran Bruce goes down *much* faster if you manage to pummel him out of the water. Another Joe is a bit trickier, but I've beaten Alastor (who is usually difficult for me) in less than a minute,
Re:Viewtiful Joe (Score:1)
ack! (Score:1)
Man did that game give me nightmares.
Why do people always reference Ghouls 'n Ghosts? (Score:5, Insightful)
In all fairness, Ghouls 'n Ghosts was a better game. But that doesn't make it the harder of the two.
Missing options (as usual) (Score:5, Insightful)
It'd have been nice to see a nod to the Commander Keen series, too... very different to anything on a console, and truly remarkable given that the PC of the day still wasn't taken seriously as an arcade platform.
Re:Missing options (as usual) (Score:2)
Re:Missing options (as usual) (Score:2)
Castlevania introduced on-the-fly variable difficulty (RPG-style levelling system) and moderately independent computer-controlled allies (familiars), as well as demonstrating how a wide range of playstyles, including dozens of very different weapons, fighting game-style magic attacks, a
Re:Missing options (as usual) (Score:2)
Not true, other games did it first. Zelda II for the NES, bastard stepchild of the Zelda series, for example.
and moderately independent computer-controlled allies (familiars),
Maybe.
as well as demonstrating how a wide range of playstyles, including dozens of very different weapons, fighting game-style magic attacks, and even multiple different character transformations could work well together.
I agree that the whol
River City Ransom (Score:1)
Double Dragon is the innovator, but River City made the fighting side scroller genre complete.
What?!? No Sonic? (Score:1)
my write-in vote (Score:1)
Another stand-out feature was the board-game level, where you threw the dice to move along the board, fighting different mini-bosses, solving puzzles, and getting bonuses on the way to reaching the level boss at the End.
Great game. I've played through it several times.
Re:my write-in vote (Score:1)
Don't forget throwing in general (Score:5, Insightful)
The two player aspect was also well-played. Like all of the best multiplayer cooperative games, you could really tick off your friends. Despite the fact that it doesn't really hurt them, very few people like to be spiked into enemies. Likewise, the spacecraft level had one player controlling the ship and one controlling a rotating turret, but the turret had the ability to jerk around the main craft for short, annoying distances. Furthermore, any dead player was entitled to 1/2 of the surviving player's life. It was this ability to irritate though not destroy that made Gunstar Heroes one of the best side-scrollers of all time.
Still, it is rare that Strider and Bionic Commando get their dues, so to see this Hardcore favorite left off of the list isn't too heartbreaking.
Re:Don't forget throwing in general (Score:2)
It's a brilliant game -- from my FAQ on it [gamefaqs.com]:
Bangai-O! What a great game! The level exploration and e
Re:Don't forget throwing in general (Score:2)
On the Genesis, don't miss Dynamite Headdy, it's a definite classic of 2D gaming.
I Second (Score:3)
Gunstar Heros
Raidant Silvergun
Guardian Heros
Bangai-O!
Ikaruga
Sin and Punishment (import this game! one of the best shooters ever)
I mean, they have had some bombs too (stretch panic anyone?), but who hasn't?
Re:my write-in vote (Score:1)
Re:Who Could Forget? (Score:2, Funny)
Re: your sig (Score:2)
Cosmic Avenger? (Score:2)
Psygnosis... (Score:3, Informative)
P.S.: I'm talking about these games on the Amiga. I cannot address, nor condone, any PC ports that might have taken place.
Re:Psygnosis... (Score:2)
Re:Psygnosis... (Score:2)
I probably played PocoMan (a sokoban clone) roughly 100 times more than Shadow of the Beast, and Monkey Island for the Amiga is my standard for adventure games to this day.
Re:Psygnosis... (Score:2)
Psygnosis released a game called Wiz 'n' Liz for the Genesis. Man, that game was awesome.
The premise was that you played as one (or two in horizontal-split-screen) wizard(s) who had to run around levels collecting their lost rabbits. When collected, the rabbits would grant random items like extra time, stars (money), or fruit. The wizards could then use the fruit to cast spells, which did all sorts of cool things. As I recall, there were twelve kinds of fruit, and 144 specific
Re:Psygnosis... (Score:1)
My best... (Score:2)
McDonaldland Adventures on the Genesis. Yeah, you heard me. A licensed MCDONALDS game, and it was great. Why? It was developed by none other than... TREASURE! Developers of such greatness as Gunstar Heroes, Alien Soldier, and Radiant Silvergun. I beat it the second day of my rental, but it wasn't easy (I was just DAMN good at the time.
Re:My best... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:My best... (Score:2)
Please note I make no claim as to my platforming skills right now. It's been years since I last bounced on an enemies head.
Re:My best... (Score:1)
Megaman (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Megaman (Score:1)
Coincidentally, that very game took up so many hours of my Saturday and Sunday a few weeks back.
Re:Megaman (Score:1)
Re:Megaman (Score:1)
Re:Megaman (Score:1)
Blaster Master and Rocket Knight Adventures (Score:5, Interesting)
Rocket Knight Adventures was a greatly underrated Konami game for the Genesis. It had an excellent gameplay hook, the jetpack, but it also implemented many things that a modern designer would be well-heeled to abide by. For example, while taking damage enemies cannot damage you. This leads to many circumstances where you jump in with a hope and a prayer, and slice the enemy to shreds. Another example is the raw strength of the player. Everybody enjoys playing a character that mows through enemies, though not one whose power is so unlimited as to present no challenge. RKA handled this exchange very well, and to this day one of my favorite images of gaming are the hordes of pigs in underwear running from our intrepid hero.
Bionic Commando (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Bionic Commando (Score:2)
They actually made a "new" version for the Game Boy Color, a semi-rare cartridge that featured the gameplay we love and truly terrible artwork. While the level designs aren't quite as inspired as the first, they are still a lot of fun. Now if it only would stop corrupting my saves...
There is also the Arcade game which can be Mamed, featuring even better artwork but far worse gameplay.
And yes, it is time for a 3D update. All of the people I've spoken to in the
Re:Blaster Master and Rocket Knight Adventures (Score:1)
Re:Blaster Master and Rocket Knight Adventures (Score:2)
I've often wondered how people decide what graphics are good and what's not. These days people might complain about Mario 64's dated look, considering were a generation beyond it now, but I still think it looks perfect
The stills were good but the blitting was terrible (Score:3, Informative)
Sun took a shortcut that caused a terrible, co
Re:The stills were good but the blitting was terri (Score:2)
As for putting a lot on the screen at once, well, to do al
Dropzone (Score:1)
Top Hat Willy (Score:2, Insightful)
Based on good old Jet Set Willy (play it in java here [twinbee.org]) which WAS goddam impossible. (One had to hack the code to win the first ZX Spectrum and C64 versions, which were originally impossible as released.)
Midnight Resistance (Score:2, Funny)
Ecco the Dophin (Score:2)
Those where the days.
Somebody loved their Nintendos (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Somebody loved their Nintendos (Score:3, Insightful)
This isn't a list of best... (Score:5, Insightful)
In that spirit, I'd offer Lode Runner or Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle as a variation on the sidescroller/platformer that really works, but isn't mentioned.
I would argue MegaMan is important. (Score:3, Informative)
Castlevania 2 would be the other one worthy of mention be
I haven't read the article so... (Score:2)
Re:I haven't read the article so... (Score:1)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Score:1, Informative)
The Killing Game Show (Score:3, Interesting)
1. Presentation. Two 880K floppies, and a 3 minute FMV at the beginning (although most of that was time spent loading from disk...). This was one of the first FMVs ever to begin a credits sequence.
2. Graphics. This was available on the Atari ST and Genesis, but the platform of choice was the Amiga, which used the Copper extensively. Parallax scrolling and acid-pool effects were outstanding.
3. Gameplay. When you died, you could replay your movements through the level and take over at any point. The replay supported three different speeds.
4. Concept. You were a prisoner sent to fight your way through a deadly prison with a rising acid pool beneath you. Your legs were cut off, your flesh sand-blasted off, your head encased in a new skull and your bones coated with titanium and steel. You ran around on your hands, ferchrissakes. Twisted.
Beautiful game. Screenshots are an adventure in frustration. Try GIS, or read the developer riff on the game here:
http://www.nostalgica.nu/k/killing_game_show-th
aka: Fatal Rewind (the worst game ever made) (Score:1)
Honestly, I've never heard of anyone actually "liking" this game, let alone hyping it in this way. I own the Genesis version. This particular game just so happens to be my absolute *least* favorite game of all time. Rock bottom. My mini-review on ign.
Cybernator never gets the love it deserves. (Score:4, Insightful)
Cybernator [gamefaqs.com] for the SNES, and its unofficial sequel Metal Warriors [gamefaqs.com].
Re:Cybernator never gets the love it deserves. (Score:1)
More than nearly any game, the characters were so truly different. They had nothing alike, so much replay value.
For my money (Score:5, Informative)
The game itself was gorgeous, the first SNES that really had a really different art style (outside the crappy Donkey Kong country games), as it sported this pastel/children's story book look. The puzzles were classic Miyamoto (read: subtle yet fun) and the game had the charm of Mario 3 and Super Mario World. It had the great aspects of the Mario series, but added a new twist to the whole affair. It was probably the one of the last great games for the SNES - unfortunately it came out at the same time as Donkey Kong Country 2 and it didn't get noticed much. I ended up renting it and wishing I had bought YI2 instead of DK2. The joke's on Rare now though; YI2's on the GBA and a whole new generation of gamers are enjoying it - DK2's not on the gba (I heard some talk of a port) and Rare's with Microsoft.
There have been some other great 2D games (Castlevania, Metroid, though they're not really platformers in the truest sense), but to me, Yoshi's Island 2 has been the pinnacle.
Re:For my money (Score:1, Interesting)
The details of the game are among the best of any game ever:
1. The timer you mention is actually extended by the number of star pi
Sega (Score:1)
Hello? Ninja Gaiden? (Score:2)
Re:Hello? Ninja Gaiden? (Score:2)
The game's basically double-speed Castlevania with no whip, annoying wall-jumps, no shot-multipliers, too-expensive subweapons and (even more) annoying enemies. And I've played through the both first two (though not since their original release).
I recently watched a friend play through a few levels, and had to say to myself, "I used to like this?" Because I did like it, back when I first played it, but I can't say it h
My Top Three That Weren't Mentioned (Score:2)
2. Wonder Boy 3 -- RPG meets Action Side-Scroller. Great story, and with the use of powerups, each level has several paths through it, depending on your form. Absolutely gorgeous graphics, even on the Sega Master System version.
1. Abuse -- Not a console game, but probably the damn hardest side scroller I've ever played. Keyboard contr
My list... (Score:2)
Prince songs not included. (Score:2)
Batman? I thought i was about the only person that remembered and loved that game. Sure, besides having characters from the comic/first movie it had almost nothing to do with the film, but it was fun. And hard as hell.
Ghouls And Ghost -- Difficult? (Score:1)
Hell no.
Robotron: 2084 and Actraiser were both exponentially more difficult. And that's for example.
- IP
Re:Ghouls And Ghost -- Difficult? (Score:2)
If you're going for hard, go for something like Super Cobra...
Re:Ghouls And Ghost -- Difficult? (Score:2)
Mario Allstars? (Score:3, Informative)
Super Mario Bros and The Lost Levels (Super Mario 2 in Japan) were fine games, but AFAIK did nothing all that revolutionary.
Mario 2 (US) was not originally a mario game, but was a different game in japan that was reskinned with mario characters and sold outside of japan as Mario 2 because they thought the lost levels would be too hard.
The game which became Mario 2 in the US (I can't remember the name of it, anyone else know?) was certainly revolutionary, although it wasn't untill Klona and Klona2 that I saw another game use a similar formula.
Mario 3 was, in my opinion, the best 2D mario game ever, though it was deffinitely more evolutionary than revolutionary. The overworld that it introduced was a first for mario games, but had been done before in a number of games (Bionic Commando sticks out in my mind), and the 357 or however-many powerups were nice, but just taking the concept farther than the series had taken it before. Even the idea of selectiong powerups before entering a stage and the semi-linnear level design (choices between going to stage 3 or 4 for example) had been done in previous games.
In fact, the first mario game that I can think of that had any real huge and lasting effect on the rest of the industry was the first forey into the world of 3D with Mario 64, which I think is one of the best games ever made.
I don't think anyone would argue that the NES/SNES mario games were fun, but their fun came from good level design, and very refined play, though they were never more than evoultionary.
Re:Mario Allstars? (Score:2)
Doki Doki Panic [nesplayer.com].
Re:Mario Allstars? (Score:2)
Maybe you or someone else happens to know... Was Doki Doki Panic a Japan-Only release, or was it skinned as SMB2 just for the US?
In other words, did the eurpoeans get this game under the name Doki Doki or SMB2?
Re:Mario Allstars? (Score:1)
Re:Mario Allstars? (Score:3, Insightful)
For the record, Lost Levels *was* too hard. Period. One of the most frustrating things I've ever seen Nintendo produce.
Mario 2's very good, but not as interesting to me now a
Re:Mario Allstars? (Score:1)
I consider Super Mario Bros. to be the definitive 2D side scroller. Great then. Great now.
Re:Mario Allstars? (Score:3, Insightful)
The fact is that there were sidescrollers before Mario Bros. and Mario Bros. did not add any revolutionary features to the genre, the only thing it did was take existing ideas and refine them to make one hell of a good game.
In general, revolutionary games are not the games we remember, because they tend to su
my favorite... (Score:2)
Bucky O'Hare (Score:1)
Re:Bucky O'Hare (Score:2)
No Metal Slug? (Score:2)
Apple II+ games (Score:2)
authentic NES price? (Score:2)
4. Go on ebay and sell my soul for $400+ for an authentic NES
Is NES really so expensive on ebay?
Here in Poland on auctions you can buy them for price of Atari/C64/Amiga. Funny thing is that ZX Spectrum is much more expensive (cost of cheap PC mobo) than Amiga.
Re:authentic NES price? (Score:1)
MetalStorm and the Halfshell (Score:1)
What about Duck Tales? (Score:1)
wizards and warriors (Score:1)
THIS ARTICLE IS WRONG (Score:1)