Monday, December 23, 2013

Four Japanese retro games I'd like to buy (and play, of course) in 2014

I know I've complained once or twice (or 24 times) over the last few months about the size of my gaming backlog, but that doesn't mean I can't add a few more titles to the pile in 2014 if the fancy strikes, right? Right?!

As for which retro games I'll be stalking on eBay should the "need" arise, here are the four that currently top my "consider buying in 2014" list:


Wario Land Advance (GameBoyAdvance)--Also known as Wario Land 4 in the West, this GBA title is a fairly recent addition to my lengthy "to buy" list. I'm sure this will sound strange to some of you, but I've never been a huge fan of this Nintendo character outside of the WarioWare series--although I bought and played a bit of the first and second Wario Land games. I hardly loved either of them, though, which is the main reason why I passed on this 2001 sequel. For a whole host of reasons, though, I think 2014 may be the year I finally give it a go.


Mesopotamia (PC Engine)--It's been some time since I've added a PC Engine game to my collection, and that's a real shame--in part because it's kept me from picking up ones like this Atlus-made oddity (which was released in North America as Somer Assault). I mean, it isn't often that you can play a platformer-ish game that stars what can only be described as a Slinky with a gun. Bonus: its cover art (see it here) is as appealingly unique as its gameplay.


Pajama Hero Nemo (Famicom)--This title, which was renamed Little Nemo: Thre Dream Master when it was brought to the US, is one of my favorite games of the 8-bit era, no question. Admittedly, I was better able to meet its challenges back when I was a teenager, but I still get a kick out of it today. It helps, of course, that it features some of the best sprites to appear in the medium. Anyway, I've been meaning to pick up a complete-in-box copy of the Japanese release for ages now, and I'm hoping I'll finally go through with it sometime this year.


Rhyme Rider Kerorican (WonderSwan)--Here's another game I've had my eye on for some time. The main reason I've yet to get it: I still don't have a WonderSwan system to play it on. Other than that, though, it's a pretty attractive import-only retro title, as it's readily available and it almost always has an accessible price tag attached to it. (By the way, if you're curious to know more about this funky portable rhythm game, whose art style has long reminded me of the PaRappa the Rapper series), read the review of it over at stuckinthe90s.webs.com.)

Which retro games (Japanese or not) are you guys and gals hoping to acquire sometime next year?

15 comments:

Zaphod65 said...

I should try Wario Land 4. It was one of the free GBA games they gave to 3DS Ambassadors, so I don't have much of an excuse.

In terms of retro gaming, I'll probably play through A Link the Past when it lands on the Wii U's Virtual Console, and I'm holding out for Blaster Master (NES) on the 3DS.

michaelstearns said...

This is kind of vanilla but recently I've been thinking I'd like to pick up a Mario 3. I played it a lot when I was a kid (we all did I'm sure) but I never owned one (not even an All Stars or Advance version). I don't own a Famicom but I'd like to get a Japanese version, if I were getting a boxed one. (The US box is a cool icon but the Japanese one is more fun to look at!)

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, so you'll be new to Wario Land Advance/4, too? Good to know I won't be alone when it comes to that one :)


Also, both A Link to the Past and Blaster Master are awesome games in my opinion, Terry. Have you played either of them before?

thegaygamer.com said...

Hey, Michael, SMB3 is one of the best games ever made, so I'd never call it a "vanilla pick." Also, although I agree with you that the Famicom's box art is fun to look at, so is the NA version's box art, if you ask me. Like you said, it's iconic!

michaelstearns said...

I don't mean "vanilla" anything to do with the game itself, just that it's such a normal video game to have! When I think of buying retro games I'm not usually thinking of super-common Mario titles. :)

thegaygamer.com said...

Well, both SMB3 and SMB USA are on my extended "to buy" list, Michael, so don't feel too bad :)

michaelstearns said...

Well, I guess I won't, then! :)

Sean said...

Nice choice with Pajama Hero Nemo. I added that one to my collection about 2 years ago and its pretty good, I didn`t know that it had also been released on the NES. Anyway, good luck with the Ebay hunting!!

Zaphod65 said...

I've played both multiple times. Blaster Master is my favorite NES game, so I'd like a 3DS version that ISN'T the GBC's Enemy Below.

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, that's good to know. I'd have shamed you if this were to be your first run-through of either :)

thegaygamer.com said...

Yay!

thegaygamer.com said...

Oh, yeah, Sean, it was released on the NES about 6 months after the Japanese release, I believe, and was quite popular among gaming mag editors (and hopefully gamers, too) of the day.

michaelstearns said...

I remember when it came out, or at least playing it when it was newish. it was definitely well-received in my group, at least! :)

thegaygamer.com said...

In mine, too! You never really know how such games did among the masses, though, do you?

Jeff's Wall of Beef said...

Wario Land 4 is really great. Also, a 600 page eBook was just released analyzing the game. http://stolen-projects.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/game-design-companion-a-critical-analysis-of-wario-land-4