Steven's Obscure Super Famicom Impressions Thread + Top 50
Oct 23, 2006 17:04:15 GMT -5
Post by steven on Oct 23, 2006 17:04:15 GMT -5
I remember Ranma ½ Hard Battle on SNES fondly. It was a big guilty pleasure. Earlier this year I learned a sequel was released in Japan only.
RANMA ½: CHOUGI RANBU HEN is pretty cool. The crazy combo video is a riot. It was because of this video that I found out about the game. I'll let the video do the talking!
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RANMA ½: OUGI JAANKEN is not your average run-of-the-mill puzzler. Featuring a rock paper scissor (RPS) theme, you can pick from six Ranma characters; each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
3 pieces, aligned horizontally, descend (you can only switch them horizontally) and to dispense with a piece, you must place its proper destroyer on top. For example, if you have five scissor pieces stacked on top of each other, a rock will dispose of them one by one, dropping each time. The more pieces you clear in one move, the more debris you send over (which come in the form of colored blocks)
Side to side connection has no effect by the way.
In addition to RPS pieces dropping, you get the garbage ones mixed in as well. They obviously work differently from RPS. You rid of these garbage blocks by clearing adjacent RPS pieces, or lining them in a straight line of the same color.
By pressing "Y" you'll send down the water bucket. This not only takes out whatever piece and its army you decide to drop it on -- but it also "curses" your opponent, making their attacks not as strong as status quo during this temporary state. Each player starts with 1 to use at their own discretion, and may gain another by filling the bar with cleared pieces. Multiple can be stored.
wash bucket on top of purple block
The game takes some getting used to -- I came in expecting 2 pieces to fall at a time, a la Puzzle Fighter. The horizontal restriction of the pieces and vertical restriction of the elimination system perplexed me initially, but the more I play it the more I like it. Fun little puzzler. Don't overlook it. The chains you can create are astonishing!
you're looking at a 15-hit chain, minimum
Shoot... I never seen Ranma, read Ranma, or cared for Ranma. Yet I can't help but love these silly games. OUGI has colorful graphics that's easy-going on the eyes as a bonus. Good stuff all-around
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MAGICAL TARURUUTO-KUN
This early 1992 platformer is simple. For me at least, that's part of the charm. Sporting bright cheerful graphics, you control a little dude who loves to gobble up blocks. When he isn't doing that he uses his long tongue to bat away enemies.
the pipes remind me of another platformer, hmm
I can't shake this deja vu feeling...
The main screen is a map. Along the way you play mini games such as a card game SPEED as we old kids used to call it.
have we met before?
This game definitely has the SNES look/style down pat
he doesn't actually eat them, don't worry
Plus... you can't beat "The Three C's"
Cheap
Common
Competent
All which apply to this delightfully basic platformer
----
MAGICAL POP'N was one of three SFC games I credit for really intriguing me to start importing. (Godzilla Dai Kessen I knew for years so I don't count it) The other two were DoReMi Fantasy and Majyuuou. They are actually quite well known in SFC circles, especially Majyuuou and Magical Pop'n. I've heard the immense praise for Magical Pop'n, and was very thrilled the day the game arrived in the mail.
It's a platformer with traits that are more or less reminiscent of timeless classics such as Metroid, Zelda, Castlevania, Megaman etc. You attack with a sword but have subweapons, each requiring a certain amount of stars (your 1st one eats up two)
Here's a look at the game's first two levels...
Sensing something foul in Denmark, your quest begins one dark rainy night atop a roof
A stroke of lightning reveals in the distance endless and ominous-looking hills
You fall through a chimney where danger aplenty still lurks
A healthy boost sends you sky high to the next floor
As you navigate the mansion you uncover creepy dungeons
Your 1st mid-boss encounter comes with this occult heathen
I bet he has no problems moving *rimshot* *crickets*
Eventually you head back up, with this dirty little goblin trying to impede your expedition
Prepare for battle with level 1's end guardian
Level 2's setting is the woods... on the surface at least... literally
Not before long our heroine must enter a dank cave filled with critters of all shapes and sizes
Where have I seen those before...
You must cross this to meet the mid-boss of the cave and claim your next sub-weapon
It's not quite as tricky as it may appear
Here she is. First blow her limbs off, then be careful as she spazzes like a crackhead
Now you may claim your Bionic Commando-like extension grappler
NOW WHERE HAVE I SEEN THIS BEFORE?!?!
Swing with the greatest of ease
it has unlimited use, but is used strictly for swinging purposes
Magical Pop'n has six stages and no password/save feature. Therefore you must beat it in one sitting. It gets pretty damn tough later on. I know it may sound weird but the underground section reminds me slightly of the recent horror movie THE DESCENT. I kept expecting to find a pile of bones. But seriously, it does have some strange creatures underground...
Honestly, I couldn't help but come in expecting a masterpiece gem... a 9 plus out of 10 video game. I was a little disappointed but don't get me wrong, it's a fine game. I know those who absolutely LOVE it. Some prefer it over DoReMi. Here's my personal ranking of "the big three"
1. DoReMi Fantasy
2. Magical Pop'n
3. Majyuuou
For me DoReMi was just... almost as good (and charming) as a platformer can get. Magical Pop'n has some nifty things working in its favor, and I like it. But in my book, it's not in DoReMi's class. Since these three games for me are "linked together" for eternity, I can't help but compare them just a little bit.
Having said that, all serious SNES owners should have Magical Pop'n in their collection. It's slightly hard to find from what I understand but doesn't fetch as high a figure as DoReMi
BEST COMBO VID EVER
Ranma Puzzle How-To-Play
Ranma Puzzle sample
Magical Taruruuto Kun 1-1
Magical Pop'n gameplay
RANMA ½: CHOUGI RANBU HEN is pretty cool. The crazy combo video is a riot. It was because of this video that I found out about the game. I'll let the video do the talking!
------
RANMA ½: OUGI JAANKEN is not your average run-of-the-mill puzzler. Featuring a rock paper scissor (RPS) theme, you can pick from six Ranma characters; each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
3 pieces, aligned horizontally, descend (you can only switch them horizontally) and to dispense with a piece, you must place its proper destroyer on top. For example, if you have five scissor pieces stacked on top of each other, a rock will dispose of them one by one, dropping each time. The more pieces you clear in one move, the more debris you send over (which come in the form of colored blocks)
Side to side connection has no effect by the way.
In addition to RPS pieces dropping, you get the garbage ones mixed in as well. They obviously work differently from RPS. You rid of these garbage blocks by clearing adjacent RPS pieces, or lining them in a straight line of the same color.
By pressing "Y" you'll send down the water bucket. This not only takes out whatever piece and its army you decide to drop it on -- but it also "curses" your opponent, making their attacks not as strong as status quo during this temporary state. Each player starts with 1 to use at their own discretion, and may gain another by filling the bar with cleared pieces. Multiple can be stored.
wash bucket on top of purple block
The game takes some getting used to -- I came in expecting 2 pieces to fall at a time, a la Puzzle Fighter. The horizontal restriction of the pieces and vertical restriction of the elimination system perplexed me initially, but the more I play it the more I like it. Fun little puzzler. Don't overlook it. The chains you can create are astonishing!
you're looking at a 15-hit chain, minimum
Shoot... I never seen Ranma, read Ranma, or cared for Ranma. Yet I can't help but love these silly games. OUGI has colorful graphics that's easy-going on the eyes as a bonus. Good stuff all-around
------
MAGICAL TARURUUTO-KUN
This early 1992 platformer is simple. For me at least, that's part of the charm. Sporting bright cheerful graphics, you control a little dude who loves to gobble up blocks. When he isn't doing that he uses his long tongue to bat away enemies.
the pipes remind me of another platformer, hmm
I can't shake this deja vu feeling...
The main screen is a map. Along the way you play mini games such as a card game SPEED as we old kids used to call it.
have we met before?
This game definitely has the SNES look/style down pat
he doesn't actually eat them, don't worry
Plus... you can't beat "The Three C's"
Cheap
Common
Competent
All which apply to this delightfully basic platformer
----
MAGICAL POP'N was one of three SFC games I credit for really intriguing me to start importing. (Godzilla Dai Kessen I knew for years so I don't count it) The other two were DoReMi Fantasy and Majyuuou. They are actually quite well known in SFC circles, especially Majyuuou and Magical Pop'n. I've heard the immense praise for Magical Pop'n, and was very thrilled the day the game arrived in the mail.
It's a platformer with traits that are more or less reminiscent of timeless classics such as Metroid, Zelda, Castlevania, Megaman etc. You attack with a sword but have subweapons, each requiring a certain amount of stars (your 1st one eats up two)
Here's a look at the game's first two levels...
Sensing something foul in Denmark, your quest begins one dark rainy night atop a roof
A stroke of lightning reveals in the distance endless and ominous-looking hills
You fall through a chimney where danger aplenty still lurks
A healthy boost sends you sky high to the next floor
As you navigate the mansion you uncover creepy dungeons
Your 1st mid-boss encounter comes with this occult heathen
I bet he has no problems moving *rimshot* *crickets*
Eventually you head back up, with this dirty little goblin trying to impede your expedition
Prepare for battle with level 1's end guardian
Level 2's setting is the woods... on the surface at least... literally
Not before long our heroine must enter a dank cave filled with critters of all shapes and sizes
Where have I seen those before...
You must cross this to meet the mid-boss of the cave and claim your next sub-weapon
It's not quite as tricky as it may appear
Here she is. First blow her limbs off, then be careful as she spazzes like a crackhead
Now you may claim your Bionic Commando-like extension grappler
NOW WHERE HAVE I SEEN THIS BEFORE?!?!
Swing with the greatest of ease
it has unlimited use, but is used strictly for swinging purposes
Magical Pop'n has six stages and no password/save feature. Therefore you must beat it in one sitting. It gets pretty damn tough later on. I know it may sound weird but the underground section reminds me slightly of the recent horror movie THE DESCENT. I kept expecting to find a pile of bones. But seriously, it does have some strange creatures underground...
Honestly, I couldn't help but come in expecting a masterpiece gem... a 9 plus out of 10 video game. I was a little disappointed but don't get me wrong, it's a fine game. I know those who absolutely LOVE it. Some prefer it over DoReMi. Here's my personal ranking of "the big three"
1. DoReMi Fantasy
2. Magical Pop'n
3. Majyuuou
For me DoReMi was just... almost as good (and charming) as a platformer can get. Magical Pop'n has some nifty things working in its favor, and I like it. But in my book, it's not in DoReMi's class. Since these three games for me are "linked together" for eternity, I can't help but compare them just a little bit.
Having said that, all serious SNES owners should have Magical Pop'n in their collection. It's slightly hard to find from what I understand but doesn't fetch as high a figure as DoReMi
BEST COMBO VID EVER
Ranma Puzzle How-To-Play
Ranma Puzzle sample
Magical Taruruuto Kun 1-1
Magical Pop'n gameplay