11. Battletoads
Type: Side-Scroller, Action
Platform(s): NES
There are few titles that bring back such an overwhelming sense of nostalgia as Battletoads. The amount of time and effort I spent on this game is virtually unparalleled and rightfully so. Battletoads had all the makings of a true classic. Original game design, tons of action, trademark sound, a splash of lighthearted humor, incredible graphics (for the time), and just the right amount of gimmickiness to suck you in. Unfortunately there was one aspect that the developers overlooked. The game was virtually impossible to beat without the help of cheat codes. Even at my best I could only manage to get to the indomitable snake level and never any further. And I'm almost positive that if I were to attempt such a feat today, the results would be quite the same. This tale was not unique among games of the day however. There are a plethora of games that were released for the NES that were equally or more frustrating. While this was not the only release in the franchise, (it also included an awkward but nonetheless fairly enjoyable Double Dragon crossover), the original is the one that still gets my veins twitching with desire to see the end credits.
10. Bushido BladeType: 3-D Fighter
Platform(s): PSX
In the cookbook of fighting games there is a pretty simple recipe. Take a bushel of uninspired characters, mix them together with a hackneyed reason to fight, sprinkle in an inhuman ability to take a hit, and stir in some super attacks. At first taste, it is clear that Bushido Blade is not your average dish. While it does stay true to your typical fighter (no one really cares about who the characters are or why they are fighting, but who says this is important anyways?) it strays in the last two steps. There are NO fireballs, super-uppercuts, deathfists, or massive combos. Instead you get a game that is the closest thing to a real fight outside of a High School cafeteria. Characters duked it out with your choice of bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing weapons and one good hit could instantly kill. The best thing about the game obviously came down to those heart skipping moments when neither player was sure who was going to come out on top. Even when your opponent had landed enough glancing blows to render you to a kneeling position you could always pray that you'd land a lucky blow and make it out alive. It was a shame though that the subsequent sequel wasn't able to recapture the same level of intensity and then some. Instead you got a game that was superfluous in much of its execution. Even the unadmitted sequels of the Kengo line for the PS2 were never as good as the original. In a genre riddled with formulaic production, Bushido Blade is one of the few that deserves to be resurrected.
-RaiNny
hk_newbie said...
Let's not forget that Rainny and I played bushido blade until our thumbs ran red with blood...and, god help us, unlocked the dude with the flintlocks.
RaiNny said...
"Let's not forget that Rainny and I played bushido blade until our thumbs ran red with blood...and, god help us, unlocked the dude with the flintlocks."
*Ahem* I believe I unlocked the flintlock guy BY MYSELF. Let's face it Newbie, YOU ARE NO SAMURAI!!! Only a samurai could hope to defeat that lot of 100 ninja without dying.
RaiNny said...
" Sorry Rainny. Battletoads is already too low on the list. Absolutely right on about the way the game drew you in!
And let me get this correct, I am to, "insult his mother."
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I'd prefer clashing swords myself. Bring on the pain!!"
I might be able to respond to this if I could decipher what the hell you were talking about.
hk_newbie said...
allow me to elucidate: Brian is a co-worker of mine. He told me, through our internal IM service, that battletoads should be way up the list. I responded by asking him to make that comment, and "insult Rainny's mother" to garner your attention, rainny. Brian also enjoys swordfighting (apparently) and is calling you out to a duel. Which, given the disparity in geographic locations between the two of you, probably won't occur until cheap teleportation is in place. I imagine you two will make do with verbal sparring, however.
RaiNny said...
Tell him he can shut up AND die...in whatever order he prefers.
hk_newbie said...
I thought as much. Typical belligerent rainny.