shmups.system11.org

I know a lot of people on here pursue clears of arcade style games outside of the STG genre, and I thought it would be nice if we had a sister thread to the existing shmups 1cc lists thread. There are no particular rules to what kind of clears you can log, just think of it as a personal journal of non-shmup 1cc accomplishments. Can't wait to see what people have accomplished!

All clears were done on default difficulty and settings unless stated otherwise in the notes. The list is organized by date of the first clear of a particular title, and then divided into sub-clears of various modes, versions, and characters which may have occurred at later dates.

Titles Cleared: 7
Sub-clears: 12


Splatterhouse

　・　Splatterhouse Classics: Splatterhouse - 360
Arcade Mode - ALL - February 1st, 2015
Notes: My first non-shmup 1cc (at least since starting this list). This game is almost entirely memorization, but the randomness of stage 6 can screw you out of a 1cc very quickly.

　・　Splatterhouse - PCE
Arcade Mode - ALL - February 11th, 2015
Notes: A bit easier than the arcade version since you get two additional health per stage instead of 1, but there are a few points here and there that are a bit more annoying than the original. Overall a pretty good port, but the heavy handed censorship is unfortunate.

　・　Splatterhouse - PCB
Arcade Mode - ALL - May 4th, 2015
Notes: Done in the retro arcade above Super Potato in Akiba. I cleared it a few times back to back as I was relaxing, but the initial clear was intense. Somehow after barely clearing the bubble stage with 1 health and 1 life to spare, I wasn't paying attention as I celebrated and was killed by the boss' death animation. By some miracle I still managed to clear the game on my last life.


Splatterhouse 2

　・　Splatterhouse Classics: Splatterhouse 2 - 360
Arcade Mode - ALL - February 15th, 2015
Notes: After only a few days of Darius II, I've been sucked back into the Splatterhouse series. Splatterhouse 2 lacks the randomness of the first game that made the clear difficult, but makes up for it with a somewhat higher execution barrier.


Splatterhouse 3

　・　Splatterhouse Classics: Splatterhouse 3 - 360
Arcade Mode - ALL (Worst Ending) - February 17th, 2015
Notes: And with this the series is finished. This was actually done back to back with 1ccs of Splatterhouse 1 and 2, with no restarts on any of the games involved. In a sense I 1cc-ed the series itself, so I'm pretty proud of it. I intentionally timed out to get the bad ending, as I felt it was the most fitting finale to such a dark trilogy of games. Alone... All Alone...

　・　Splatterhouse Classics: Splatterhouse 3 - 360
Arcade Mode - ALL (David Dies) - February 18th, 2015
Notes: I was actually attempting to get the good ending here but apparently I'm too stupid to read a map and lost a ton of time to respawning enemies in stage 4 resulting in David's death. Though this isn't really so different from my initial clear, I'm logging it since I achieved a different ending.

　・　Splatterhouse Classics: Splatterhouse 3 - 360
Arcade Mode - ALL (Good Ending) - February 20st, 2015
Notes: Payed a bit more attention to where I was going this time and easily cleared with a good ending. Pretty lame compared the the bad ending, I've gotta say.


Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti

　・　Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti - FC
Arcade Mode - +EX1 - ALL - February 20th, 2015
Notes: Parody Splatterhouse game for the Famicom. This one plays similarly to the first two main series games except with a much faster pace and a heavier focus on combat. Not very difficult, but a fun game.


Hokuto no Ken

　・　Hokuto no Ken - FC
Arcade Mode - 1-ALL - April 30th, 2015
Notes: Amusingly violent FC side scrolling beat 'em up. Not too hard once you figure out how things work; took only two evenings of play to clear.


Super Mario Land

　・　Super Mario Land - GB
Arcade Mode - 1-ALL - December 29th, 2015
Notes: Bizarre thing to add to a 1cc list I know, but technically this game is arcade structured, so for the sake of completion it's here. Not at all difficult, but a fun game. Despite being a Mario game, this one actually includes STG stages, including the final stage and boss.


Bare Knuckle

　・　3D Bare Knuckle - 3DS
Arcade Mode - ALL – April 2016
Notes: I've loved this one since childhood so it was nice to finally get the clear.

　・　Sega Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage - 360
Arcade Mode - ALL – April 17th, 2016
Notes: A quick follow-up to clearing the portable version. No real differences of note.

tbh, i feel like there's enough non-shmup enthusiasm on here to warrant an additional forum section in off-topic to other games. would help divorce this kind of talk from all the political threads and whatnot, too. i am but a wee lass on this age-old forum, but it doesn't seem like a particularly reaching suggestion.

i'll go ahead and reserve a spot if this thread ends up taking off - i had a bunch of non-shmup clears in the original thread and ended up removing it, might just lump all my clears in here. i think i broke 200, recently.

Yeah, unfortunately won't be happening anytime soon . It's already been pushed a few times. Back in the dark days there was even talk of abandoning Off Topic completely. Aye, troubling times...

I think the 1CC list thread is used for shooting and non-shooting.

Lately, the vast majority of my gaming has been console stuff (or console ports of arcade stuff). Basically because I'm as much a collector as a gamer, and I like road-testing games that might be worth adding to my stash! I ain't no shelf queen, I demand quality.

Naturally most console games aren't arcade-tough, but here's a few recorded clears I consider worth mentioning in H4RDCOR£ action context - some due to interesting regional differences, or deceptively rich content, others because they're just uncommonly hard. None of these are particularly polished runs; I think of them as basic demos and proofs of concept for prospective players.

---

2010 Street Fighter [FC] No-miss (Alien Soldier 0. approach this like it's Ninja Gaiden or Mega Man and you'll get slapped, hard - get to grips with the idiosyncratic character and methodical yet relentless rhythm, and it'll provide a boss rush safari like nothing else)

When weenies attack

Spoiler: show

When Obligatory Shmup Snakes attack

Spoiler: show

Akumajou Dracula [FC] 1-ALL No-miss, knife-only ("wah wah its impossible" SCRUBS BTFO) ( )

Akumajou Dracula XX [SFC] Nomiss + Best End (this game has its shortcomings, namely sluggish walk speed and a very silly attempt at nonlinearity - but it's not without some oldschool method Dracula action! Clock Tower/Death is GOAT Dracula stage/boss design! And for the love of god, noobs, it's not a Rondo "port!" Just a very confused sequel )

Sadly, unlike CT/D, you gotta eat BAD END for this goodness

Spoiler: show

Alien Soldier [MD] ALL @ SUPERHARD (more like SUPERDEFAULT, but the term bears mentioning given this game's undeserved rep for merciless difficulty. Don't be scared, noobs! It ain't lookin' to victimise you, all it wants to do is tantalise you! Landmark Assault Course Sidescrolling with ravenous carnage, a towering performance ceiling, and fathomless technical/strategic longevity)

You don't need to stunt or die, but you may well want to!

Spoiler: show

Either way, technique and strategy are fundamental to handing out the bitch-slaps!

Spoiler: show

Assault Suits Valken [SFC] Nomiss + Good End (an easier game that still benefits from a little demonstration - as the developers once remarked, don't ignore the Punch weapon! Fist 'em real good!)

"ITS TO BIIIG!" "NO ITS NOOOOOT!"

Spoiler: show

Contra [FC] Pea Shootin' 1ALL ("wah wah its impossible" SCRUBS BTFO x2 )

Contra [FC] Loop 7 nomiss (research run but also SCRUBS BTFO x3 )

Contra Spirits [SFC] Nomiss @ Hard (a legendary fan favourite that's genuinely arcade-tough in its de-facto second loop)

Attack aggressively, you pussies

Spoiler: show

Even when they're trying to drill your bum

Spoiler: show

Double Dragon II [FC] Nomiss @ XTREEM MASTER (see description - this ain't NES DDII! Play like it is, and you'll be looking for your missing teeth with a black eye and a pair of broken arms )

Dragon Fighter [FC] ALL @ Hard (underrated, excellent Natsume slash/blast - the hidden Hard mode should be considered its default)

Firemen, The [SFC] "Legend" class ALL (don't be fooled by the novel, seemingly-pacifistic premise! 110% hardcore topdown seek/destroy)

El Viento [MD] ALL (an easy game, but it's also known as terminally sloppy. I hope this run shows its high-speed, high-explosive, extra-chunky pixelled joie de vivre can be played entirely respectably)

Holy Diver [FC] Nomiss (infernally alluring, criminally broken action/platformer from Irem... see description for details. True to its rock n' roll namesakes, the no-miss is a hatefuck conquest that'll leave you angry, empty and possibly diseased. Yet undeniably satisfied. )

METAL BLADE Records Present

Spoiler: show

Metal Storm [FC] 2-ALL+Nomiss (this is more like it, Irem! Or rather, Tamtex! Good job somebody in that outfit knew how to code action games. Image Fight On Foot, second loop is arcade loop-tough. No not "arcade tough," ARCADE LOOP TOUGH. Hardcore. )

Ninja Warriors Again, The [SFC] (ancient, extra-crusty run. Natsume singlehandedly define and excel at the sidescrolling brawler. Masterpiece. Do not pass up this game. Kamaitachi is EZMODE, Ninja+Kunoichi are where it's at)

Use your i-frames nubcaek

Spoiler: show

Senjou no Okami II [MD] Original Mode Nomiss @ Hard (ancient run. just a quick preview of a hidden gem - one of the most extensive, generous home arrange modes ever. Ultra-manful topdown shooting ARPG!)

An ARPG that'll murder the faces offa level grinding nubs

Spoiler: show

Splatterhouse Part 3 [MD] Nomiss+Best End @ Game Master (ancient, extra-crummy run. ala Double Dragon II FC, a much harder and more technical beast than the easier US ver)

There are no free bombs here noob! Use ur fuckin moves!

Spoiler: show

Super Shinobi, The [MD] Nomiss @ Hardest (Alien Soldier 0.5; another initially-restricting assault course to master and tear apart at progressively higher speed & firepower)

Use your i-frames nubcaek PART II

Spoiler: show

Vampire Killer [MD] Nomiss @ Expert (ancient run. my assault course performance is pitiful, but this should give a glimpse of the game's immense potential for high-speed carnage that never forsakes its methodical Dracula roots)

Air control that's hard yet subtly flexible, just like my nerdboner

Spoiler: show

Castlevania NES(1LC)

Ninja Gaiden NES(1LC) -No firewheel, no spin attack on bosses

Shadow Dancer Genesis(1LC) standard difficulty, first loop

Castlevania : Bloodlines Genesis(1LC) standard difficulty, first loop

Contra NES(1CC) (I remember doing a 1LC of this one, but I'll wait till I get a cart again and record a 1LC before chalking it up here)



I'm sure there are a couple others but I forget. PLenty of adventure games, RPGs and survival horror games cleared with bravado as well, but those don't count here

I still have hopes for a non-shmup high score forum, but this will do until then. All clears are on defaults.

Arcade
Akumajou Dracula (Haunted Castle)
Cannon Spike (2-3)
Contra
Diet Go Go
Ghostlop
Metal Slug
Out Run (all courses)
Pang 3 (Panic mode, lvl 99)
Puzzle Bobble 3
Puzzle Bobble 4
RC de Go!
Super Hang-On (Africa, Asia, Americas)

Console
Akumajou Dracula
Akumajou Special: Boku Dracula-kun
Calcolo
Castlevania II Simon's Quest
Castlevania III (US)
Castlevania: The Adventure (GB)
Contra
Contra Hard Corps
Contra III Alien Wars
Contra 4 (Easy and Normal)
Crisis Beat
Douga de Puzzle (Novice and Expert)
Dracula X (PCE)
Kid Dracula
Ninja Hayate
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Super Castlevania IV
Super Ghouls n Ghosts
Time Gal
Vampire Killer (MSX2)

I wish victolyscores.com stuck around.

Here's my list, which is girly shit compared to BIL's.

Akumajo Dracula X [PC-E]
Alien Syndrome [AC]
Cannon Dancer [AC]
Chippoke Ralph no Daibouken [PS]
Contra [AC]
Diet Go Go [AC]
Dogousouken [AC]
Golden Axe [AC]
Gunstar Heroes [MD]
Gussun Paradise [PS]
Heavy Barrel [AC]
Ikari [AC]
Joe & Mac Return [AC]
Magical Drop F (Taisen Mode) [PS]
Magical Taruruto-kun [MD]
Midnight Resistance [AC]
Mr. Driller [AC]
Night Striker [AC] (JPN Version)
Panzer Dragoon Zwei [SS]
Purikura Daisakusen [SS]
Rastan Saga [AC]
Rodland (Story 1, Story 2) [AC]
Rolling Thunder 2 [AC]
Shinobi [AC]
Shinrei Jusatsushi Taroumaru (No Miss) [SS]
Silhouette Mirage [SS]
Space Harrier [AC]
Space Harrier II [MD]
Star Trigon (Beginner, Easy, Regular, Maniac) [AC]
Strider Hiryuu [AC]
Super Contra [AC]
Super Ninja-kun [SFC]
Tumble Pop [AC]
Umihara Kawase Shun [PS]
Vampire Killer [MD]
Wonder 3 (Roosters) [AC]

I got none.
Nothing I can particularly remember. Though me thinks I'm a fighter, not a lover.

Well, yet I know that I cc'd Viewtiful Joe, 'cause the save game marks Game Over in numbers next to a skull.

It's a fine starting point for me to stop being a skinny lad and bulk up. Gasping at the exploits of others will not give me any physique of my own.

Will start with some self-imposed VJ stuff, which, on a side-note, has the benefit of subliminal harassment to get BIL to actually play the game. Maybe even in 2018.

I dunno, Rod Land sounds pretty mantastic as per your usual fabulous form! ^_~

Ralph's probably as tough if not tougher than a lot of the stuff I listed, tbh. On pure survival, the only real murder machines in my deck are Holy Diver (which is at least 75% bullshit, sadly) and Metal Storm (loop is a head crusher).



It may happen, I religiously collect Kamiya stuff even if I lack the hardware to play it. TBH I've been itching to revisit DMC1 with a more performance-geared mindset... all the NG+ stuff went completely over my head back in the day, along with much of its more esoteric techniques.

All about the rod! Actually this list is definitely not exhaustive. I thought I kept it up to date. I 1CC'd all three of the Data East single-screen platformers: Diet Go Go, Tumble Pop, and Joe & Mac... none of which are listed. Oh well... gotta embrace immediacy I guess.

A fine idea.
New Game>Normal>No saves>No blue orbs>No yellow orbs for starters sounds fun.

I remember now clearing Onimusha 2 in the day with an S ranking. Requiring under 4h and no saves.
Thinking about it gives me the itch for an katana-only, no saves assault. Even save-free Issen mode.

i'm going to just list shmups in here so i don't have to keep two lists. most of my clears are non-shmup, even though a substantial portion are shmups. if someone wants me to make a 2nd post i'll separate it but i'd really prefer to have just one because upkeep on this shit is a nightmare, as-is.

- - -

all ports of arcade games simply listed in "arcade" section (e.g. the raiden fighters games were played via raiden fighters aces for X360). all games played via virtual console (very few i've not replayed on the real deal, at this point) are listed as their appropriate console.

games ended at 1 loop unless otherwise noted.

games that require a 1cc to beat them are listed, even if it's easy. just trying to be thorough/complete. might have missed a couple of these. the thing i usually use to keep notes on a game has me mark special runs, and i don't mark those as such, so they're easy to fall through the cracks.

difficulty is to be assumed default unless otherwise mentioned.

high scores when mentioned are assumed to not use any farming techniques and end at specified loop/stage (by choice, usually). i very frequently forget to write down high scores or more frequently probably don't care, lots of these games have unmitigated farming points, anyway.

autofire used in shmups in many cases. autofire NOT used in most action games where it would create an unfair advantage (e.g. mega man, dynamite batman, etc.)

will denote region difference if meaningful, and if there is not a unique category for the console to indicate region already. entries are titled by version of game i own (or played, in the very rare instance it was burned game or rarer instance it was emulated)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arcade (18):



Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System (65):



Super Family Computer/Super Nintendo Entertainment System (27):



Game Boy (23):



Game Boy Advance (1):



Wii (2):



Nintendo DS (1):



PC Engine/Turbografx-16 (11):



PC Engine CD/Turbo CD (13):



Sega Master System (1):



Sega Genesis/Mega Drive (17):



Playstation (5):



Playstation 2 (3):



Playstation 4 (2):



Neo Geo Pocket/Color (1):



Xbox 360 (12):



Total: 202

Belt-scrollers:

Platformers and run 'n gun:

Fighters:

Other:

Nice lists...
Okay, I found my complete one... updated. How could I forget Ikari, Dogousouken, and Heavy Barrel? Good times.

The list of non-shmup arcade games I've 1cc'd is in my sig. If I were to include all the PC and console games I've finished in almost 30 years of gaming, then that list would be absolutely enormous.

Some notable achievements I recall at the moment:

- Thexder Neo (PS3): Finished all 100 levels in one sitting and currently at #2 on the leaderboards. The run took me 8 straight hours, craziest thing I've ever done
- Karateka Remake: I'm 99% sure I hold the speedrun WR for this game. Years after release my run is still the fastest clear registered on the PS3 leaderboard. Wish I could check the times registered in the PC and 360 versions.
- Shiren the Wanderer (SFC): No warehouse clear
- DoomRL: Finished hardest difficulty setting (I did use an overpowered trait that gave you unlimited plasmagun ammo, which doesn't exist anymore) and second hardest difficulty level using only shotguns
- Kid Chameleon: Finished in one sitting (took about 2 hours). I did use one continue but I just wanted to make it to the end
- Shadow Dancer (Genesis): No-miss, no-ninjutsu, no-shuriken level 3 clear

...and probably some more I can't remember now.

Nice. I need to experiement with the harder loops in Shadow Dancer.

Fckn shiz, putting this on the first page among such impressive company is absolutely pitiful.

It's been in my sig for years anyway and I'm of the thinking that there's no need to create a thread specifically for non-shmups. At the same time, if it's here it's here, so here's the copy paste of my very very modest list of non-shmup clears. Fuck you for laughing, I'm a busy man:

I hadn't really thought about this before but I've done all of the classic Castlevanias (before Symphony) excluding Simon's Quest.
Contra Spirits
Valken
Leynos
Gunstar Heroes
Alien Soldier
Altered Beast
Daimakaimura (mega drive)
Chomakaimura

At the top of my head.

[Arcade]

Guardians/Denjin Makai II
Big Fight : Big Trouble In The Atlantic Ocean
New Zero Team
Tenchi Wo Kurau II
Captain Commando
Cadillacs & Dinosaurs
The Punisher
Alien vs. Predator
Sengoku 2
Mutation Nation
Metamorphic Force (no miss)
Violent Storm 1-All
Knuckle Bash
Shadow Force
Double Dragon
Golden Axe
Strider Hiryu
Ninja Commando
Metal Slug
Elevator Action Returns (no miss)


[FC/NES]
Contra (2-All)
Super Contra (1-All)
Contra Force
Kabuki Quantum Fighter
Ninja Crusaders (1-All)
Ninja Cop Saizo
Choujin Sentai Jetman
Spartan X 2 (1LC)
Double Dragon
Double Dragon II
Double Dragon III
Mighty Final Fight
Tokkyuu Shirei Solbrain
Vice : Project Doom
Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Gaiden II
GI Joe : The Atlantis Factor
Kickmaster (1-All)
Castlevania (1-All)
Dragon Fighter
Mega Man 2
Mega Man 6
Juoki
Trojan
Heavy Barrel
Super Mario Bros. (2-All)
Super Mario Bros. 2
Super Mario Bros. 3
First Of The North Star
Bad Dudes
Demon Sword
Shadow Of The Ninja
CrossFire
Ikari III
Kid Niki
Castle Of Dragon
Guevara
Power Blade 2
Power Blade (1LC)
Daiku no Gensan 1-All

[SFC/SNES]

Final Fight
Final Fight 2
Final Fight 3
Final Fight Guy
Return of Double Dragon
Ghost Chaser Densei
Ninja Warriors
Cosmo Police Galivan II : Arrow of Justice (1 LC)
Turtles in Time
Hagane (2-ALL)
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Movie
Mega Man X
Sonic Blast Man II
Gourmet Sentai Bara Yarou
Marvel Super Heroes : War of The Gems (1 LC)
Sengoku Densyo
Edono Kiba
Super Castlevania IV (1-ALL)
Contra III : The Alien Wars (1-ALL)
Run Saber
Captain Commando
Ultimate Fighter
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy (Ninja Gaiden II)
Castlevania : Dracula X
HyperZone (3-ALL)
Rushing Beat Ran
Skyblazer
Super Ninja Kun
Ganbare Daiku No Gen-San
Pocky & Rocky 2
Kendo Rage
The Peace Keepers
GS Mikami : Joreishi wa Nice Body
Super Adventure Island
Battle Zeque Den
Kishin Douji Zenki Rettou Raiden (2-ALL)
Mega Man X2
Sparkster
Super Bonk
Magic Sword
Wild Guns
Spanky's Quest
Legend of The Mystical Ninja
X-Men Mutant Apocalypse
Mega Man X3
Assault Suits Valken
Knights of the Round
Psycho Dream
The King of Dragons
Mega Man 7
Musya (1 LC)

[MD/GEN]

Revenge of Shinobi
Super Shinobi II
Shadow Dancer
Contra : The Hard Corps
Golden Axe
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Altered Beast (5-ALL)
Mercs (Arcade + Original)
Valis
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 3 + Bare Knuckle III

[PC-E]

Ninja Spirit
Akumajou Dracula Chi no Rondo
Kaze Kiri
Iga Ninden Gaiou
Ane-San
Crest Of Wolf

[SAT]

Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru
Nekketsu Oyako
Crows : The Battle Action for Segasaturn
Guardian Heroes
Shin Shinobi Den

[PSX]

Rockman X3

98% of the console games were cleared on normal/default. Maybe 2% on hard?
I know I'm forgetting other titles, especially for the SAT/PSX.

I recently 1-LC'ed Night Slashers, the gloriously difficult Data East horror beat'em up.
I was unemployed for a staggering one month and collecting welfare in between jobs (and countries...), so I thought of using my time wisely.

By the way, does anyone remember if I ever had a full list of 1-CC's? Of late, when I try to remember anything games-related, I feel like I am trying to reminisce about past lives...

The way I found mine was searching through the High Score forum for my posts, and showing results as posts (not threads). Took a bit of sifting from there, but mine in there. That's about about all I gots.

Thanks, it took me a while but I found it.
I wonder if i could retrieve the list of all 1-CC's I had, somehow.
Did we have those somewhere on this site?

(Alzheimer seems to be round the corner, I know).

My 1cc list consists of a lot of racing and fighting games.

Arcade:
18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker
Contra
Capcom vs Snk 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001
Daytona USA (Beginner/Advanced/Expert) (1st place)
Daytona USA 2 (Beginner/Advanced/Expert/Mix) (1st place)
Dragon's Lair
Double Dragon
Marvel Super Heroes
Marvel vs Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
Metal Slug Supervehicle-001
Mr. Driller (500m/1000m)
Operation Wolf
Out Run
Outrun 2
Outrun 2 SP
Outrunners
Paperboy (Easy Street)
Pole Position
Puzzle Bobble
Puzzle Bobble 3
Renegade
SCUD Race (Beginner Day/Beginner Night/Intermediate) (1st place)
Sega Rally Championship (1st place)
Space Ace
Star Wars
Street Fighter 2: The World Warrior
Street Fighter Alpha 3
Street Fighter III 3rd Strike
Street Fighter IV
Super Hang-On (Beginner)
Super Street Fighter 4
Wrestlemania The Arcade Game

NES:
Castlevania
Super Mario Bros

Super NES:
Street Fighter 2: The World Warrior
Super Ghouls'n Ghosts
Super Mario World

Nintendo GameCube:
Crazy Taxi (Crazy Rank)

Xbox 360:
Guardian Heroes
Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds
Street Fighter IV
Street Fighter X Tekken
Super Street Fighter IV
Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition
Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
Ultra Street Fighter IV

The release of the brilliant Ninja Warriors Once Again a few months back inspired me to upgrade my crummy, SCURRED ol' Ninja SFC 1CC with a more authoritative face & ass smasher, plus get a Kunoichi 1CC up. Two halves of an immortally challenging brawler masterclass. We don't talk about Kamaitachi! I tried to really attack the game in both cases, and was quickly reminded of what an absolute pressure cooker its smaller playfield creates! Although TNWOA's enemies are every bit as assholic, the wide playfield and powerful combos facilitate escape, nudging the focus from raw survival to high-performance style. Either way, these are games for attackers - they'll humiliate the weenies! Use them i-frames!

Also got a Saigo no Nindou 1LC up, plus 1LCd the lovely PC Engine conversion for comparison - ending a long-held grudge, with this being the lone member of my IREM Hellscroller Trilogy (alongside Holy Diver and Metal Storm) to remain un-1LCd. Been haunting my ass since 2013 - when I first raised the banners of Biruford and summoned the Super Task Force to cast down Edmond The Mad, in a fierce Internet Dance Battle for the soul of Off Topicshire.

Spoiler: show

I hope I did okay Jesus ;-;7

Saigo is hands-down the deadliest of the three, as you'd expect with it being an arcade game (not that Holy Diver and Metal Storm would be at all out of place in a cab), but its ultra-lean runtime takes the strain off, even as the brutally high bang/buck yield piles it on. Three minutes in and hell is raining down (st3/VALLEY OF TSUKI), eight and you're in the most convincingly merciless one man war I've seen in any videogame, period (st6/BATTLE OF RONIN). Twelve, either your or the last boss's corpse is hitting the floor. Game is 99% a sustained withering barrage of RNG terror and an eternal test of adaptive strategy, though you'll want a Ninja Pit Killer for the legendarily unfortunate endgame pratfall. The last boss is a legit motherfucker, fortunately!

Messed about with overdubbing the PCE conversion with the arcade soundtrack - very basic effort, tbh those PCE zako explosions are annoying and need pitch-shifting down. Still I got a kick out of it, the OST being the single biggest weakness of the conversion. The pulsing lurking bloodlust of Stage 3/MOON is amazing once again. You must play this game with decent bass! Them low frequencies are 110% murder.