No complaints with your list, though I'd add Jaleco pushed out a fair amount of D-tier dreck for the platform. Tuff E Nuff and Brawl Brothers come to mind.
The worst SNES game I can recall playing is The Ignition Factor, an unenjoyable and baffling attempt at a firefighting game from a top-down perspective.
I'm happy to see Granzella is still making good use of the R-Type license. I would love to see them revisit R-Type Leo, R-Type III, and R-Type Delta, since those games are hard to come by (legitimately).
Even as a kid in the late 1980s / early 1990s, I managed to steer clear of most movie-licensed games. The only ones I can recall actually owning were Rambo, The Karate Kid, and The Hunt for Red October, all for the NES. None is particularly good.
I can recall renting and playing Back to the Future, Part II & III for the NES, and finding it incomprehensible and bizarre.
Again, I absolutely love stories like John's reporting here, and they keep me coming back to Time Extension. Thank you for the great writing!
I saw and loved the movie as a kid, and long wondered why there wasn't a "real" version of the arcade machine in the film. Thanks for clearing that up!
Items like this one are why Time Extension has quickly become one of my favorite gaming websites. Thank you!
My only Rambo game experience is with the NES version, which I received as a gift when I was around 8 or 9 years old. I loved (and still enjoy) the music, but that's about it. I never got very far in the game.
I kind of want a full-size framed poster of the Super Rambo Special cover. It's so delightfully weird.
My favorite Game Boy game, and one of my all-time favorite games, period! I wish Nintendo would produce a true sequel, or a remastered version with additional courses and a level constructor.
Next to zero chance of that happening, but I can dream!
In a former job, I was responsible for media licensing - making sure videos, photos, music, and other creative products were properly licensed before distribution to clients or use in television broadcasts and online videos. So yeah, I cringe a lot when I see the rampant abuse of copyright that many content creators engage in every day, and generally get away with.
I imagine some of my favorite YouTube channels are one lawsuit away from being shut down forever. I stopped watching Lady Decade after the "crying video" mentioned above, because I could tell that she and THGM had made a mistake but were refusing to accept accountability.
Bottom line: artists, photographers, videographers, musicians, and other creators are entitled to be paid for the use of their content. "Fair use" is a doctrine, not a legal defense.
Great story. I think Americans and Brits tend to overstate how successful SEGA was in the hardware business, because of the strong performance of the Mega Drive / Genesis in both territories.
In reality, as Soto said, SEGA was never really a particularly strong competitor from a global perspective. The MD was a distant third to the Super Famicom and PC Engine in Japan, for example, and no SEGA console apart from the Genesis / MD sold exceptionally well anywhere. (Besides the Master System in Brazil, I suppose.)
My takeaway from the article is that Sony never really took SEGA seriously because it (correctly) viewed SEGA as an also-ran in the console business that was doomed to exit the market.
It's just as well. He would not have prevailed in U.S. court anyway, as American copyright law explicitly does not protect the rules and mechanics of a game.
I have an Egret II Mini... but I'll pass on this. The games are all really obscure, at least here in the USA, and while some look interesting, none justifies the asking price.
@sdelfin I haven't played the PS1 version. Didn't realize it was so different! At any rate, I am optimistic Mad Stalker will be on the X68000 Mini... seems like a no-brainer, and Columbus Circle has the rights now so it's obtainable, unlike some of the other games that are in Japanese IP hell
Really great list here! I am a bit surprised that Mad Stalker isn't included beyond a brief mention, but it's on PlayStation and even Mega Drive nowadays anyway.
If I had to guess, developers pressured Intellivision to let them out of the exclusivity agreement or risk not getting any games at all, since it's now clear to everyone involved that no party will make a dime on the console or its software.
I do think there will be a "release" of the Amico, in that at least some (but probably not all) crowdfunding backers will get theirs. But we'll never see these stupid things on store shelves or available for mass-market purchase online.
In a world with Apple Arcade, smartphones, tablets, and Nintendo Switch, the Amico concept failed to answer the questions "Who is this for?" and "What makes this better than existing alternatives?". Too bad for anyone who invested money in this project.
@BloodNinja the 3DS version is perfect and one of my favorite games on that platform. I replayed it again earlier this year, and it still holds up great. I'll definitely be snagging it for the Switch, since my 3DS is getting worse for wear these days.
Modern consoles when available, original hardware otherwise. I just really enjoy the convenience of HD ports, even though they're almost always emulation, especially considering the headaches I have to deal with involving my old consoles + upscaler + UHDTV. The input lag is often very problematic. (I don't have a CRT nor the space to keep one.)
I can't say whether it's the best, but 3D is my favorite and the one I played the most. However, a lot of that is because there weren't many 3DS games available for a while after launch, and it was the best racing game on the console until Mario Kart 7 came along.
I was very young at the time, so I was unaware of the crash at all, even though I'm an American. I got my first console, an NES, in 1988, and by then the market had fully recovered.
I have noticed that in recent years, video producers and writers have done a much better job of correctly framing the event as the "North American Video Game Crash" and not simply the crash, as it was clearly limited to the U.S. and Canada. The home console market was absolutely booming in Japan at the time, and Europe was an entirely different story. Of course, creators who grew up in the USA view everything through that lens, and forget that there are other places where things went very differently.
Is it possible that both responses could be true? In other words, what if the Stamper Brothers did in fact work on the Commodore 64 port of Gyruss, or another version?
I love these historical gaming research pieces you're doing, and I would be delighted if you could get in touch with the Stampers and ask them for their take.
@gingerbeardman this sort of writing seems to be a "house style" for Hookshot Media (and it might be a British thing). I've noticed writers do the same thing at NintendoLife and Push Square.
If nothing else, I'd like to see Sunsoft republish some of its great classic NES and arcade games on modern platforms. Their willingness to license Sunsoft IP to other publishers has produced great stuff like Blaster Master Zero, so perhaps more of that is in the cards.
If you're interested in starting a SEGA Saturn collection with these games, buying all 40 will set you back about $9,200 US / €8900 / £7500. You can save a little bit of money if you buy loose / disc-only (no cases) and only Japanese editions.
Anyway, since most of these games have never had an official re-release, emulation is the way to go.
I've long been fascinated with the nostalgia British gamers have for the Spectrum. To my American eyes, the games look so garish and low-spec, especially when compared to contemporary platforms like the Commodore 64 and even Atari 2600 and 5200. I guess one had to grow up with it in order to appreciate it!
Pretty solid list, and nothing omitted to which I would strenuously object, though I'm intrigued by your inclusion of ISS, Super Tennis, and Arcana. I at least have access to Super Tennis, so I'll have to give it a try on the Nintendo Switch.
I've long been amused by these games' titles, mostly because I was required to read an unrelated book of the same name when I was in high school. From what I remember of "Rumble Fish" the novel, it is an inscrutable coming-of-age story set in the 1950s or 1960s about teenage American boys running around in "gangs" and hitting each other with motorcycle parts or some such nonsense. I found it entirely unrelatable and absolutely hated it.
Anyway, I love the fact that "Rumble Fish" is also the name of a couple of completely bonkers Japanese fighting games, and I like to think that the games and book all take place in the same universe.
"Company That Blew Millions of Dollars in Investor Funds, Fired CEO, Missed All Delivery Dates, and With No Proof of an Actual Product Insists Through Third Party That it is Definitely Not Defunct" isn't a message that exactly inspires confidence.
Great list. It's a real pity that so many of these games sell for hundreds of dollars nowadays, especially Power Stone 1 & 2 and the Capcom and SNK fighting titles.
@Deanster101 great points for sure. I actually like the convenience of downloading your own ROMs and storing them locally on the base, though it's not a whole lot different than using something like an Everdrive.
Polymega is a good product for people looking for that sort of thing. If you just want to play Nintendo 64 games on a modern TV, I encourage you to compare these options:
Polymega Ultra Base unit - $450 U.S. Ultra (N64) Module + controller - $80 TOTAL - $530 Compatibility: ~90% of games; no Everdrive support
Original hardware Used Nintendo 64 in good shape - $80 N64 HDMI upscaler - $150 N64 controller (OEM, Brawler64, Commander) ~ $50 TOTAL - $280 Compatibility: 100% of games, works with Everdrive
Original hardware is a better choice for many, and is much less expensive. I have the setup described above, with an EON HDMI adapter + upscaler and a Brawler64 controller. The picture is excellent - almost as good as an HDMI mod to the console (which is the best possible image but VERY expensive).
If picture quality is less important to you, you can save even more money with a simple N64 to HDMI adapter cable, available for around $30 U.S.
Final note: if it's not clear from the article, Polymega is software emulation, not hardware emulation. It downloads the game ROM from the cart and runs it through an emulator, similar to a RetroN console. True FPGA hardware emulation for N64 (similar to Analogue products) is probably still a few years off.
It's literally a low-spec PC. It even offers a "PC mode" and supports Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS. I won't fault anyone for buying what they like, but this is a bafflingly bad value proposition if I've ever seen one. Remember the Ouya?
I imported one from Playasia a little while ago, and it's great. All the menus are available in English, and the Japanese ROMs don't really pose any significant barriers. The overall build quality is excellent, and a few of the games are hard to find elsewhere by legal means (looking at you, Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder).
If you do decide to grab one from Limited Run, I highly recommend picking up the six-button controller as well, since the built-in joystick and buttons are a bit cramped.
Comments 260
Re: New Video Examines The Many Lofty Claims Of Tommy Tallarico
He should collaborate with Peter Molyneux to make the greatest game of all time that doesn't actually exist
Re: The Worst SNES Games Of All Time
No complaints with your list, though I'd add Jaleco pushed out a fair amount of D-tier dreck for the platform. Tuff E Nuff and Brawl Brothers come to mind.
The worst SNES game I can recall playing is The Ignition Factor, an unenjoyable and baffling attempt at a firefighting game from a top-down perspective.
Re: Random: How Licensor Concerns Led To The Weirdest Barbie Game On Nintendo Consoles
Yes, more like this! I love weird stories from the history of game development
Re: Elevator Action Returns Is Coming To Modern Consoles
Definitely checking this out! I have it on my Taito Egret II Mini, but I love the idea of having it on my Switch for portable play as well.
Re: Sega Removes Controversial Character From Bare Knuckle 3 On Mega Drive Mini 2
Good call. Sometimes, removing content that has aged poorly is the right move.
Re: Review: Mega Drive / Genesis Mini 2 - Sega's Sequel Scores CD Support
I pre-ordered the North American version, and just got my shipping notice today. I'm really looking forward to trying it out next week.
Great review as always, Damian!
Re: Both R-Type Tactics Games Are Getting A Re-Release
I'm happy to see Granzella is still making good use of the R-Type license. I would love to see them revisit R-Type Leo, R-Type III, and R-Type Delta, since those games are hard to come by (legitimately).
Re: Ever Wondered Why Japan's Die Hard And Predator Video Games Were So Unusual?
Even as a kid in the late 1980s / early 1990s, I managed to steer clear of most movie-licensed games. The only ones I can recall actually owning were Rambo, The Karate Kid, and The Hunt for Red October, all for the NES. None is particularly good.
I can recall renting and playing Back to the Future, Part II & III for the NES, and finding it incomprehensible and bizarre.
Again, I absolutely love stories like John's reporting here, and they keep me coming back to Time Extension. Thank you for the great writing!
Re: Tecmo's Tōkidenshō Angel Eyes Is Coming To Nintendo Switch And PS4
Looks interesting... I will probably pick this one up when it comes to the North American eShop.
Re: Flashback: Why Did We Never Get A True 'Last Starfighter' Video Game?
I saw and loved the movie as a kid, and long wondered why there wasn't a "real" version of the arcade machine in the film. Thanks for clearing that up!
Re: Flashback: Unravelling The Confusing History Of Rambo On Japanese Computers
Items like this one are why Time Extension has quickly become one of my favorite gaming websites. Thank you!
My only Rambo game experience is with the NES version, which I received as a gift when I was around 8 or 9 years old. I loved (and still enjoy) the music, but that's about it. I never got very far in the game.
I kind of want a full-size framed poster of the Super Rambo Special cover. It's so delightfully weird.
Re: Best Donkey Kong Game Gets An Impressive Fan Patch With Barrel Load Of New Levels
My favorite Game Boy game, and one of my all-time favorite games, period! I wish Nintendo would produce a true sequel, or a remastered version with additional courses and a level constructor.
Next to zero chance of that happening, but I can dream!
Re: Top Hat Gaming Man, Lady Decade And A Photo Of Ray Harryhausen
In a former job, I was responsible for media licensing - making sure videos, photos, music, and other creative products were properly licensed before distribution to clients or use in television broadcasts and online videos. So yeah, I cringe a lot when I see the rampant abuse of copyright that many content creators engage in every day, and generally get away with.
I imagine some of my favorite YouTube channels are one lawsuit away from being shut down forever. I stopped watching Lady Decade after the "crying video" mentioned above, because I could tell that she and THGM had made a mistake but were refusing to accept accountability.
Bottom line: artists, photographers, videographers, musicians, and other creators are entitled to be paid for the use of their content. "Fair use" is a doctrine, not a legal defense.
Re: Flashback: What If Sega And Sony Joined Forces To Battle Nintendo In The '90s? Well, They Nearly Did
Great story. I think Americans and Brits tend to overstate how successful SEGA was in the hardware business, because of the strong performance of the Mega Drive / Genesis in both territories.
In reality, as Soto said, SEGA was never really a particularly strong competitor from a global perspective. The MD was a distant third to the Super Famicom and PC Engine in Japan, for example, and no SEGA console apart from the Genesis / MD sold exceptionally well anywhere. (Besides the Master System in Brazil, I suppose.)
My takeaway from the article is that Sony never really took SEGA seriously because it (correctly) viewed SEGA as an also-ran in the console business that was doomed to exit the market.
Re: Flashback: "Nintendo Won't F**k EA, Because EA Is Big" - Puzz Loop, Zuma, And All The Clones
It's just as well. He would not have prevailed in U.S. court anyway, as American copyright law explicitly does not protect the rules and mechanics of a game.
Re: Feature: Video Gaming's Most Famous Anecdote Might Not Be True After All
This is extremely important. I hope your future book(s) will continue to shed light on the poorly-documented early history of gaming!
Re: Taito Bringing Arcade Memories Vol. 1 Collection To The Egret II Mini
I have an Egret II Mini... but I'll pass on this. The games are all really obscure, at least here in the USA, and while some look interesting, none justifies the asking price.
Re: Best Sharp X68000 Games: 20 Titles We Want On The X68000 Z Mini
@sdelfin I haven't played the PS1 version. Didn't realize it was so different! At any rate, I am optimistic Mad Stalker will be on the X68000 Mini... seems like a no-brainer, and Columbus Circle has the rights now so it's obtainable, unlike some of the other games that are in Japanese IP hell
Re: Best Sharp X68000 Games: 20 Titles We Want On The X68000 Z Mini
Really great list here! I am a bit surprised that Mad Stalker isn't included beyond a brief mention, but it's on PlayStation and even Mega Drive nowadays anyway.
Re: Review: Retro Fighters Defender - A Wireless Wonder For PS1, PS2 And PS3
This is my second RetroFighters purchase, and I am exceedingly happy with it! It's now my go-to controller for PS1 and PS2. Highly recommended.
Re: Intellivision Is Allowing Amico Exclusives To Release On Other Systems
If I had to guess, developers pressured Intellivision to let them out of the exclusivity agreement or risk not getting any games at all, since it's now clear to everyone involved that no party will make a dime on the console or its software.
I do think there will be a "release" of the Amico, in that at least some (but probably not all) crowdfunding backers will get theirs. But we'll never see these stupid things on store shelves or available for mass-market purchase online.
In a world with Apple Arcade, smartphones, tablets, and Nintendo Switch, the Amico concept failed to answer the questions "Who is this for?" and "What makes this better than existing alternatives?". Too bad for anyone who invested money in this project.
Re: Pac-Man World: Repac Reopens Conversation About Crediting In Games
That is really unfortunate. It's not like he's asking for payment / residuals or anything like that, just credit! Hopefully BN makes this right.
Re: Sega Steampunk Shmup Classic 'Steel Empire' Is Coming To Nintendo Switch
@BloodNinja the 3DS version is perfect and one of my favorite games on that platform. I replayed it again earlier this year, and it still holds up great. I'll definitely be snagging it for the Switch, since my 3DS is getting worse for wear these days.
Re: Poll: How Do You Play Your Retro Games?
Modern consoles when available, original hardware otherwise. I just really enjoy the convenience of HD ports, even though they're almost always emulation, especially considering the headaches I have to deal with involving my old consoles + upscaler + UHDTV. The input lag is often very problematic. (I don't have a CRT nor the space to keep one.)
Re: Sunsoft Announces Rebirth Plans, Reveals Three New Titles
I'm quite excited for all three games. Ikki Unite looks to be inspired by Vampire Survivors, and I am absolutely here for it.
Re: Poll: What's The Best Ridge Racer?
I can't say whether it's the best, but 3D is my favorite and the one I played the most. However, a lot of that is because there weren't many 3DS games available for a while after launch, and it was the best racing game on the console until Mario Kart 7 came along.
Re: Here's How UK Magazines Covered The "Great" Video Game Crash
I was very young at the time, so I was unaware of the crash at all, even though I'm an American. I got my first console, an NES, in 1988, and by then the market had fully recovered.
I have noticed that in recent years, video producers and writers have done a much better job of correctly framing the event as the "North American Video Game Crash" and not simply the crash, as it was clearly limited to the U.S. and Canada. The home console market was absolutely booming in Japan at the time, and Europe was an entirely different story. Of course, creators who grew up in the USA view everything through that lens, and forget that there are other places where things went very differently.
Re: Did The Stamper Brothers Really Work On Gyruss?
@JackGYarwood I had no idea! I wish a prototype or sketches existed somewhere for the elusive portable NES...
Re: Did The Stamper Brothers Really Work On Gyruss?
Is it possible that both responses could be true? In other words, what if the Stamper Brothers did in fact work on the Commodore 64 port of Gyruss, or another version?
I love these historical gaming research pieces you're doing, and I would be delighted if you could get in touch with the Stampers and ask them for their take.
Re: Feature: How We Helped Solve A 30-Year-Old Mystery In Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge
@gingerbeardman this sort of writing seems to be a "house style" for Hookshot Media (and it might be a British thing). I've noticed writers do the same thing at NintendoLife and Push Square.
Re: Sunsoft Announces Digital Event For Upcoming Games
If nothing else, I'd like to see Sunsoft republish some of its great classic NES and arcade games on modern platforms. Their willingness to license Sunsoft IP to other publishers has produced great stuff like Blaster Master Zero, so perhaps more of that is in the cards.
Re: Ultimate Guide: Atari Jaguar - The Death Rattle Of A Pioneer
Excellent work. Easily the most comprehensive write-up of the Jaguar I've ever seen. Bravo!
Re: Best Sega Saturn Games
@carlos82 great call. Looks like one could grab a working Saturn and ODE for around $250 total. Throw in an HDMI mod and you've got a fantastic kit.
MiSTer supports Saturn now, too
Re: Best Sega Saturn Games
If you're interested in starting a SEGA Saturn collection with these games, buying all 40 will set you back about $9,200 US / €8900 / £7500. You can save a little bit of money if you buy loose / disc-only (no cases) and only Japanese editions.
Anyway, since most of these games have never had an official re-release, emulation is the way to go.
Re: Poll: What's The Best Street Fighter?
Ultra II and Super IV for me, though I voted for Ultra II since I've played it more.
I probably have hundreds of hours on my original SFII SNES cart, but as great as that game is, it doesn't hold up well compared to later itirations.
Re: Review: Astro City Mini V - Amazing Library, Horrible Lag
I was on the fence about this one, and your review settles it: I'll pass. Too bad!
Re: Best ZX Spectrum Games
I've long been fascinated with the nostalgia British gamers have for the Spectrum. To my American eyes, the games look so garish and low-spec, especially when compared to contemporary platforms like the Commodore 64 and even Atari 2600 and 5200. I guess one had to grow up with it in order to appreciate it!
Re: Best SNES Games
Pretty solid list, and nothing omitted to which I would strenuously object, though I'm intrigued by your inclusion of ISS, Super Tennis, and Arcana. I at least have access to Super Tennis, so I'll have to give it a try on the Nintendo Switch.
Re: This Obscure 1994 Sonic Game Is Back From The Dead
I played Triple Trouble on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console several years ago. It's pretty good!
Re: 'The Rumble Fish' Series Is Finally Coming To The West
I've long been amused by these games' titles, mostly because I was required to read an unrelated book of the same name when I was in high school. From what I remember of "Rumble Fish" the novel, it is an inscrutable coming-of-age story set in the 1950s or 1960s about teenage American boys running around in "gangs" and hitting each other with motorcycle parts or some such nonsense. I found it entirely unrelatable and absolutely hated it.
Anyway, I love the fact that "Rumble Fish" is also the name of a couple of completely bonkers Japanese fighting games, and I like to think that the games and book all take place in the same universe.
Re: 24 Years Later, The Dreamcast VMU Is Getting A Much-Needed Upgrade
Absolutely, I'll buy one... but if this is still in the design phase, I imagine it won't be available to purchase for a few years, at least.
Re: Intellivision Amico Isn't Dead, Claims Head Of Stainless Games
"Company That Blew Millions of Dollars in Investor Funds, Fired CEO, Missed All Delivery Dates, and With No Proof of an Actual Product Insists Through Third Party That it is Definitely Not Defunct" isn't a message that exactly inspires confidence.
Re: Best Dreamcast Games
Great list. It's a real pity that so many of these games sell for hundreds of dollars nowadays, especially Power Stone 1 & 2 and the Capcom and SNK fighting titles.
Re: Welcome To Time Extension
As a gamer born in 1980, I feel like this site was created with folks like me in mind. Thank you!
Re: Gallery: Unpacking Retro-Bit's Mega Man: The Wily Wars Collector's Edition
I ordered mine from Limited Run, so I expect to receive it sometime in the next 3-5 years
Re: Exclusive: Polymega's Next Module Brings Nintendo 64 Support
@Deanster101 great points for sure. I actually like the convenience of downloading your own ROMs and storing them locally on the base, though it's not a whole lot different than using something like an Everdrive.
Re: Exclusive: Polymega's Next Module Brings Nintendo 64 Support
Polymega is a good product for people looking for that sort of thing. If you just want to play Nintendo 64 games on a modern TV, I encourage you to compare these options:
Polymega Ultra
Base unit - $450 U.S.
Ultra (N64) Module + controller - $80
TOTAL - $530
Compatibility: ~90% of games; no Everdrive support
Original hardware
Used Nintendo 64 in good shape - $80
N64 HDMI upscaler - $150
N64 controller (OEM, Brawler64, Commander) ~ $50
TOTAL - $280
Compatibility: 100% of games, works with Everdrive
Original hardware is a better choice for many, and is much less expensive. I have the setup described above, with an EON HDMI adapter + upscaler and a Brawler64 controller. The picture is excellent - almost as good as an HDMI mod to the console (which is the best possible image but VERY expensive).
If picture quality is less important to you, you can save even more money with a simple N64 to HDMI adapter cable, available for around $30 U.S.
Final note: if it's not clear from the article, Polymega is software emulation, not hardware emulation. It downloads the game ROM from the cart and runs it through an emulator, similar to a RetroN console. True FPGA hardware emulation for N64 (similar to Analogue products) is probably still a few years off.
Re: Hardware Review: Evercade VS - A Low-Cost Gateway To Past Nintendo Classics And Much More Besides
Evercade VS:
Intellivision Amico:
Tough call if you're looking for a new console option this Christmas.
Re: Random: Even If We Don't See Switch Pro Today, At Least We've Got The Atari VCS, Right?
It's literally a low-spec PC. It even offers a "PC mode" and supports Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS. I won't fault anyone for buying what they like, but this is a bafflingly bad value proposition if I've ever seen one. Remember the Ouya?
Re: Sega's Astro City Mini Is Getting A Limited Run Games Release In The US
I imported one from Playasia a little while ago, and it's great. All the menus are available in English, and the Japanese ROMs don't really pose any significant barriers. The overall build quality is excellent, and a few of the games are hard to find elsewhere by legal means (looking at you, Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder).
If you do decide to grab one from Limited Run, I highly recommend picking up the six-button controller as well, since the built-in joystick and buttons are a bit cramped.