|
|
Post by Colonel Kurtz on Apr 5, 2015 0:21:24 GMT -5
Seeing as the thread about the best super scaler SEGA games turned into an informal poll, more or less, let's ask for a top 3! Or a top 5 if you want to, because the games you can choose from are almost infinite: I'm talking about Beat'em ups released in the end of eighties and the nineties. They can be arcade games or console release, but they can't be recent remakes, they must be the originals. If you feel like it, don't hesitate to state your reasons. There are so many games to choose from! Everybody tried their hand at this genre.
Of course Capcom is the first game that springs to mind, followed by, surely, Konami. But the choice is so vast, everyone must have a joker (Mine is the arcade version of Sailor Moon by Banpresto!)
So many games! This thread should be much more varied than the super scaler one.
So let's start this free-form Survey, and see if Final Fight, Streets of Rage 2 and Mutant Ninja Turtles win, or if emulators have opened your eyes to forgotten gems!
PS: Do it as a top 3 or a top 5, but mostly, please explain WHY you choose this or that game!
As always: "Don't be shy, contribute!" It's becoming my motto.
I have a weakness for Sailor Moon beat'em ups; also applies to the Genesis version. What can I say? I've always wanted to be a pretty princess...
This thread should be interesting...
|
|
|
|
Post by Weasel on Apr 5, 2015 0:34:09 GMT -5
Violent Storm is the pinnacle of the 90s beat-em-up. It is immensely satisfying to play as Boris and piledrive absolutely everything.
|
|
|
|
Post by Colonel Kurtz on Apr 5, 2015 0:46:01 GMT -5
I must put "Battle Circuit" in my top 5. One of the last Capcom arcade beat'em ups, everything was refined like a good wine.
It plays like a dream. The enemies are a bit too goofy, but it works.Enjoy the longplay.
I also know that "Revenge of Death-Adder" will be in my top 5. It's a masterpiece.
I liked Golden Axe well enough, but this is a whole new level. What a perfect game. Enjoy the longplay
- "Armored Warriors" was also a perfect beat'em up. Loved how you could loot parts of the mechas you just destroyed, and graphically it was superb.
For once, giant robots move very fast. A different taste from Final Fight, for sure. Enjoy the longplay!
|
|
|
|
Post by Philo Beddoe on Apr 5, 2015 8:58:58 GMT -5
The Punisher (Capcom) 1993. I always enjoyed this one the most, for it's variance of moves, plenty of weapons and really just a slick, refined gameplay.
Knights of the Round (SNES): This one kind of follows a template of many other Capcom beatemups, but I just like the setting here. Arthur, Excalibur, horseback riding etc.. I do enjoy the xp building and leveling, even though you realize eventually that you almost always level up at the same rate every game, so it's kind of pointless. But it's cool to see your character get higher quality armor. One of my favorites. SNES was a fantastic console for this genre.
Also, TMNT arcade (1989, Konami). What's not to like? Sure the move list is very limited, but you do have 4 distinct characters to choose from, with great weapons. Also, there's so much going on graphically in this game, it's all eye candy, and just overall great presentation. This was so fun with a group of friends at the arcade.
|
|
|
|
Post by zerker on Apr 5, 2015 14:03:05 GMT -5
I'm fond of the less straighforward beat-em-ups. RPG elements, platforming, branching paths, etc. With that in mind, here are my picks: Dungeon Magic/Lightbringer (Taito) Pretty much all of the above elements, plus isometric perspective, make this a rather interesting game to play. Available on Taito Legends 2 for PS2, PC and XBOX. Dungeons and Dragons: Shadow over Mystara (Capcom): Four players, classes, spells, items and the works. Tower of Doom is pretty great too. Both are available on Steam, Xbox 360 and PS3 nowadays. Actually choosing a slot 3 is pretty hard, but I think I have to give it to Double Dragon 2 (NES). I know the platforming elements get a bad rap, but I find they add some nice variety to the game. And damn if that isn't some fine NES music  |
|
|
|
Post by r0ck3rz on Apr 5, 2015 18:23:40 GMT -5
<-Well, I'll always throw a vote for that.
What counts as "early" though? If '95, and let's face it, you brought up Battle Circuit from '97 yourself, then easily Guardians/Denjin Makai 2.
Irem's 1993 title, Ninja Baseball Bat Man is way better than anything that goofy has a right to be.
Data East's 1994 title, Night Slashers is way up there as well.
Those are my picks as the absolute best of the genre, aside form IGS(Taiwanese arcade developers)'s late '90's/2000's stuff.
|
|
|
|
Post by alphex on Apr 5, 2015 23:38:28 GMT -5
Wasn't Battle Circuit released in 1997? I'm all for extending the timespan, but you know...
My top beat 'em ups released in the late 80s to early 90s (descending order - I'd recently compiled a top 10, but since this was limited to the early 90s, it's not quite 10. It's also a bit more than 5, so bear with me.)
Streets Of Rage 2
This is the most complete game on the list. Pretty much all the criticism stems from its prequel and sequel: Part 1 has even better atmosphere and music, and part 3 has dashing and rolling, which lends it a faster pace. But in terms of design and balance, Streets Of Rage 2 is just awesome. The sheer amount of enemies coming at you at all times also helps to never ever let it get boring. (The fan remake is my favourite beat 'em up ever, so it was only truly bested much later.)
Vendetta (Arcade)
This one only applies when playing this with 3 other players. Then it is pure carnage, mindless fun and a ton of action, with the whole team aspect still in full swing. It's a great game and kinda plays like you are in a cheesy 80s action movie where the hero cannot be hurt by anything. Well, as long as you have credits. There's a shortage of moves I guess, but you know, that's besides the point for this game.
River City Ransom (NES)
See Vendetta - this is pure mayhem. The RPG elements and open world elements as well as the fantastic music and charming characters are big pluses, which also helps with the lack of moves. It's not as big and over the top, and it's not as frenetic, but it works, as the actual gameplay is quite different.
Golden Axe: Return Of Death Adder (Arcade)
Pretty much NOTHING wrong in terms of mechanics - but I'm not a huge fan of the setting. Otherwise, this is just a nearly perfect game, with impressive technology to boot. Well, it could play a bit faster. I don't think there's much in terms of combos for this game.
Turtles In Time (SNES)
No combos for this one either, but boy does it play fast. Super simple, but a ton of fun, especially since I grew up with the Turtles. The stages all have their own gimmicks, which causes the game to never ever get stale, and it's also rather short, which works in its advantage. Always fun to play through with a friend.
Final Fight 3 (SNES)
Super solid all-around; even offers a CPU controlled second player! Love the branching paths, love the atmosphere, but the enemies are rather bland and it's got some slowdown. Probably the first beat 'em up I finished, so it's a sentimental classic for me as well. I prefer it over part 1 for the more nuanced controls and less bullshitty difficulty.
Return Of Double Dragon (SNES)
A tad slow and sadly unfinished, but still has some extremely memorable moments. I love the Double Dragon series, and I'd much rather play this than part 2 on the NES, since it's a lot easier and has no ill-fit platforming sections. The slow pace actually works for the fighting system, as it's pretty intricate, with counters and all, but it's still weird at first. If this were finished and played more fluid, it'd be much higher - as it is, it's still a very good game.
However... this is a BEST list, not a FAVOURITE one. I never ever play Streets Of Rage 2 anymore since the remake features its levels but allows for dashing. There's no reason to play the original anymore for me. So it'd be weird to call it one of my favourites ever. (Which is also why Blood Storm is not on the list - I just prefer Vendetta over it, and they're quite similar.) I also barely ever play River City Ransom since it's not fit for quick playthroughs with a friend - it's a bit longer and more complicated than other installments in the genre.
As for personal favourites that I regularly play with friends that were released in the early 90s: Vendetta, Turtles In Time, Return Of Double Dragon, Final Fight 3. Hell, for some reason I like Return Of Double Dragon best out of these four, but I know it's not the best.
|
|
|
|
Post by X-pert74 on Apr 6, 2015 0:01:55 GMT -5
I haven't played too many beat-em-ups in general, but I really love the first Streets of Rage on the Genesis. It's one of the most fun action games I've played; even in single-player, I find its combat mechanics really engaging and intense enough to keep me absorbed the whole way through.
|
|
|
|
Post by Colonel Kurtz on Apr 6, 2015 1:36:10 GMT -5
<-Well, I'll always throw a vote for that. What counts as "early" though? If '95, and let's face it, you brought up Battle Circuit from '97 yourself... I was not really aiming for "early", I was aiming for the "Golden Age", when beat'em ups reigned supreme. Armored Warriors, was a late comer, and "Battle Circuit" came well after the golden age; I consider it Capcom's last hurrah. I don't know, I'd say from Final Fight (double dragon was a bit early, it was the fondation of the genre, really", I'd say from Final Fight to the mid-nineties. But if you have a late comer, like Battle Circuit, that you really love, just go ahead and add it, just like I did - except this is not my top five, but more a list to get things started. Ooops,no, I said it was my top five. So there you go. Let's make this your fave beat'em ups ever... The examples I gave in the the second post were very weak. Sorry. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2015 2:39:04 GMT -5
I guess I like my beatemups with small sprites, tight, simplified mechanics and blithe humor. So...
River City Ransom
Mighty Final Fight
And Shonen Ninja Sasuke:
Which Sunsoft evidently thought we wouldn't prefer to Aero the Acro-bat. (I'm also fairly sure one of the bosses is based on Sho'nuff)
|
|
|
|
Post by alphex on Apr 6, 2015 8:54:23 GMT -5
Let's make this your fave beat'em ups ever... 1. Streets Of Rage Remake 2. Vendetta (Arcade; 3+ multiplayer only) 3. Double Dragon Advance 4. Turtles In Time (SNES) Not sure about #5 yet, so I'll post it later. Double Dragon Advance plays like a finished Return Of Double Dragon (although not 100% identical), so it replaces that one. Vendetta's pure sensory overload is still not bested, though, and SOR Remake is so polished it's easily the most complete game on the list. It warrants multiple playthroughs which will still feature a ton of new content. |
|
|
|
Post by Colonel Kurtz on Apr 6, 2015 8:59:39 GMT -5
Let's make this your fave beat'em ups ever... 1. Streets Of Rage Remake 2. Vendetta (Arcade; 3+ multiplayer only) 3. Double Dragon Advance 4. Turtles In Time (SNES) Not sure about #5 yet, so I'll post it later. Double Dragon Advance plays like a finished Return Of Double Dragon (although not 100% identical), so it replaces that one. Vendetta's pure sensory overload is still not bested, though, and SOR Remake is so polished it's easily the most complete game on the list. It warrants multiple playthroughs which will still feature a ton of new content. I'll never forgive myself for lending my flashcart to a psycho girlfriend who took it with her when I asked her to leave... DDA was such a great favorite of mine... Great list.  Streets Remake is astonishingly good; but as I said in the OP, no remakes. So this one should be out... |
|
|
|
Post by Lash on Apr 6, 2015 11:18:15 GMT -5
I keep saying Battletoads & Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team when similar questions pop up but my knees get shaky after I think about level 4.
|
|
|
|
Post by r0ck3rz on Apr 6, 2015 11:29:25 GMT -5
Streets Remake is astonishingly good After 8 years of development, one wouldn't think the quality should ever be in question. As it hasn't been mentioned yet, I'll say Undercover Cops is excellent too. |
|
|
|
Post by Reiji-kun on Apr 6, 2015 12:18:05 GMT -5
I still love Mutation Nation to this day. One of the much better beat 'em ups on the Neo Geo, IMO, and one I saw fairly often in arcades as a kid. Plus I like the freakiness of the enemies you beat up.
Other than that, I can name three others I'm sort of fond of: Karate Blazers, Night Slashers and Undercover Cops.
I always thought the latter's name was ironic: The three cops in question are beating up everybody they come across right there in the open. That's not what I'd call "undercover". But eh, no one said the name of the game had to make sense.
|
|
