09-01-2008, 10:08 AM
How about Armored Core as a dead franchise? Haw haw haw.
Here's some blasts from the past:
Streets of Rage series
Known as Bare Knuckle in Japan, SOR was the beat 'em up series for the Genesis, much like Double Dragon was for the NES. I've written on this before, 2 was the best in the trilogy. Still, all three are very good, even to this day. And though I no longer have the Genesis machine, PSP emulation goes a long long way.
---
Vectorman
A run and gun adventure also on Sega's beloved machine. The two games in the series were wildly successful, but since they were released at the end of the console's life they didn't get as much attention and playtime as they could have. Which is a shame, since this is probably the best run and gun 'shmup since Contra - expansive levels, great graphics, lots of secret areas.
---
Earthbound
When you think of the great SNES RPGs, you think of Chrono Trigger, Link to the Past, Legend of Mana. But for those of you who've played Earthbound know that a good, funny and engaging story can make up for a rather archaic battle system as well as simple graphics. Made by Shigesato Itoi, the game revolved around a couple of kids who save the world from a malevolent life-form known as Giygas. What sets it apart is the way it handles this oft-used plot: it's set in the present, and it doesn't take itself too seriously. If you go to that link above you'll see some people still creating fan art for it 13 years after it was released.
Earthbound was actually the second game in the series, Earthbound 0 (the first game) was released for the NES. Earthbound 3 is currently being fan translated.
---
Some more franchises I'm looking at, but haven't played yet:
ToeJam & Earl
Adventures of Lolo
Here's some blasts from the past:
Streets of Rage series
Known as Bare Knuckle in Japan, SOR was the beat 'em up series for the Genesis, much like Double Dragon was for the NES. I've written on this before, 2 was the best in the trilogy. Still, all three are very good, even to this day. And though I no longer have the Genesis machine, PSP emulation goes a long long way.
---
Vectorman
A run and gun adventure also on Sega's beloved machine. The two games in the series were wildly successful, but since they were released at the end of the console's life they didn't get as much attention and playtime as they could have. Which is a shame, since this is probably the best run and gun 'shmup since Contra - expansive levels, great graphics, lots of secret areas.
---
Earthbound
When you think of the great SNES RPGs, you think of Chrono Trigger, Link to the Past, Legend of Mana. But for those of you who've played Earthbound know that a good, funny and engaging story can make up for a rather archaic battle system as well as simple graphics. Made by Shigesato Itoi, the game revolved around a couple of kids who save the world from a malevolent life-form known as Giygas. What sets it apart is the way it handles this oft-used plot: it's set in the present, and it doesn't take itself too seriously. If you go to that link above you'll see some people still creating fan art for it 13 years after it was released.
Earthbound was actually the second game in the series, Earthbound 0 (the first game) was released for the NES. Earthbound 3 is currently being fan translated.
---
Some more franchises I'm looking at, but haven't played yet:
ToeJam & Earl
Adventures of Lolo
"Let's fight... like gentlemen." - Dudley, SF3
