16/32-bit Consoles Worth Picking Up for Platformers/Action?

[Lawfer]

Plenty of retro consoles whose library is still quite obscure to me, I just checked the Neo Geo library and it's basically like 75% 2D fighting games, 20% shooting games and 5% other, definitly not the console for me as the only game that interest me on this console seem to be Magician Lord and maybe Blue's Adventure as well as Ganryu, that's basically it.

I already got my eyes on the SNES and Genesis as I know these have a varied and plentiful library.

But what about all the others more obscure ones? Like Turbografx, Turbo CD, Supergrafx, PC-FX, Sega CD, Sega 32X and such?

[Syntax]

I find the pc engine games to have a high quality selection.

Best Castlevania came out on it.
https://youtu.be/Ln2lQWKs7aE

[WelshMegalodon]

Best Castlevania came out on it.

Funny, I wasn't aware the X68000 was a console.

Lawfer, I've seen praise for Top Hunter and Shock Troopers in addition to the obvious Metal Slug games. Not a fan, I presume?

[pegboy]

Best Castlevania came out on it.

Funny, I wasn't aware the X68000 was a console.

Lawfer, I've seen praise for Top Hunter and Shock Troopers in addition to the obvious Metal Slug games. Not a fan, I presume?

Spinmaster is pretty good too.

[speedlolita]

Best Castlevania came out on it.

Funny, I wasn't aware the X68000 was a console.

Lawfer, I've seen praise for Top Hunter and Shock Troopers in addition to the obvious Metal Slug games. Not a fan, I presume?

Aren't you clever.

[Sumez]

Well, if PC Engine (or "turbografx", but please get the Japanese version, as the US only got like 2% of the games for it) really counts as obscure, I'd say that's the most obvious route to go. Lots of good stuff here, as well as some solid arcade ports. You can't go wrong with stuff like Legend of Hero Tonma, Parasol Stars, Ninja Spirit, Legendary Axe, and of course the aforementioned Castlevania masterpiece. As a bonus, it has a really good library of shooters as well.

Apart from the SNES and MegaDrive, though, I think the best course of action for the action/platformer route would be the NES/Famicom.
If you're curious about a lot of these titles, the Ninja Gaiden thread in the off-topic forum is really any 2D action game worth playing, and you might wanna stop by.

[Lawfer]

Well, if PC Engine (or "turbografx", but please get the Japanese version, as the US only got like 2% of the games for it) really counts as obscure,

Well it's definitly obscure, at least outside Japan. People in the West owned NES/Nintendo, MegaDrive/Genesis, SNES/Super Nintendo, stuff like NeoGeo, Turbografx were really niche in comparison.

Did the US version of the Turbografx/CD only get 2% of the console library!? I knew it was going to be low, but not that low, is this console region-blocked?

Apart from the SNES and MegaDrive, though, I think the best course of action for the action/platformer route would be the NES/Famicom.

Not a fan of 8-Bit at all though, I don't like how they look or sound, 16-bit is as low as I go.

[Sumez]

2% was just a random number that I threw out there, and even if it were true, it doesn't really matter, since what matters is WHICH games made it
As usual Japan got a lot of crap that you don't need to care about, such as quiz games and a plethora of mahjong, etc. However, the US/European TurboGrafx never got a lot of the best titles for the console, so you'll have a hard time finding genuine fans of the console who will recognize it as anything other than the PC Engine.

Not a fan of 8-Bit at all though, I don't like how they look or sound, 16-bit is as low as I go.

That's your loss really. I don't see why you should judge a game based on the technology it's built with. Mega Man, Ninja Gaiden, etc. are some of the best action platformers ever made. Does it make a difference that their sprites can only hold 3-color palettes?

[neorichieb1971]

32 bit platformers are expensive. Even Rayman on ps1 goes for a pretty penny in good condition these days.

[bobrocks95]

I don't doubt that 32-bit platformers are getting expensive, but Rayman isn't a good example of that from the looks of things, at least in the US.

[orange808]

Not really a hardware thread. Now, we get to watch it become the longest thread here--and watch it hover around the front page for weeks--with all its off topic derivative ad nauseum.

[Lawfer]

Does it make a difference that their sprites can only hold 3-color palettes?

Actually? Yes.

16-bit is the lowest i'd go, anything below that is just not atractive to me wether it be in the visual or sound department, my first console was actually the NES/Nintendo but many decades later and since I have the choice now, artistically speaking I just don't like it, while I really like the colorful japanese 2d sprite games from the 16/32-bit era. 8-bit? Not so much.

32 bit platformers are expensive. Even Rayman on ps1 goes for a pretty penny in good condition these days.

I wasn't really looking for platformers-only, anything like that interest me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE6v8FYPGH4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJNEfPimU40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFu_uJz5r2Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mTaYFgTlGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHHfdeFZRoU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln2lQWKs7aE

[Sumez]

Yup, you'll definitely feel at home in BIL's ol thread

[Steamflogger Boss]

Well, really all of them that got many games (so not counting total failure consoles). Genesis, PCE, SNES, PS1, Saturn. Can't go wrong finding games you'd want on any of these systems.

If you haven't played much SNES, maybe start there. Super Mario World 1/2, Super Metroid, Contra Spirits, Super Castlevania IV are all must plays and that is keeping the list super short. The library is vast but I prefer to play any multiplats on Gen or PCE instead.

[Lawfer]

Well, really all of them that got many games (so not counting total failure consoles). Genesis, PCE, SNES, PS1, Saturn. Can't go wrong finding games you'd want on any of these systems.

Just asking because I don't want to end up wasting money getting yet another console with a questionable library.

Also I wouldn't even count the Saturn, as it's library isn't so great for non-japanese speakers as most of the good Saturn exclusive games were never localized, apparently from what I read online, a guy called Peter Moore is to blame for that.

However if you are a japanese speaker, then the Saturn is definitly worth it as it has plenty of great exclusives and it's also worth it for the price as the JPN Saturn games don't cost hundreds like the US versions do.

If you haven't played much SNES, maybe start there. Super Mario World 1/2, Super Metroid, Contra Spirits, Super Castlevania IV are all must plays and that is keeping the list super short. The library is vast but I prefer to play any multiplats on Gen or PCE instead.

Yeah as I mentioned in the opening post, SNES and Genesis are already obviously on my to-do list, since they are basically mainstream consoles and their library is quite well known for the most part, (not to mention the SNES library got quite increased in the last decade with all the japanese exclusives getting fan-translations) my question was mainly aimed at the more "obscure" or "niche" platforms, like PCEngine/TurboGrafx/Supergrafx/TurboDuo/TurboCD, 3DO, PC-FX, Sega CD/Mega-CD, 32X and such as I have never been familiar with these platforms library never ever played any of these ever.

Obviously I am not going to mention stuff like the Bandai Pinpin, Playdia or LaserActive, since the library for these consist of like 10 games at most.

[WelshMegalodon]

Not really a hardware thread. Now, we get to watch it become the longest thread here--and watch it hover around the front page for weeks--with all its off topic derivative ad nauseum.

Moving threads to the appropriate subforum isn't something a member can do...

Also I wouldn't even count the Saturn, as it's library isn't so great for non-japanese speakers as most of the good Saturn exclusive games were never localized, apparently from what I read online, a guy called Peter Moore is to blame for that.

I think most people here will agree with me when I say there aren't many action games on the Saturn with enough text for the language barrier to be an issue. Princess Crown is the only one I can think of off the top of my head.

Maybe Gekka no Yasoukyoku if you really want to play as Maria.

[Steamflogger Boss]

Oh if you aren't wanting to get Japanese games, I'd skip Saturn and PCE. The US libraries are such a small fraction.

If you are willing to get Japanese games PCE has loads of great shootuns and a wide range. For platformers/action type games, it has all 4 Valis games, 3 Bonk games, Wonder Boy III (Adventure Island/Dragon's Curse), New Adventure Island, Wonder Boy III Monster Lair, Legendary Axe 1/2, Ninja Spirit, Wonder Boy in Monster World (Dynastic Hero), Castlevania Rondo of Blood etc... These are all well worth playing. Then there is a secondary tier with stuff like the Shubibinman games. Actually I think most of the games I mentioned were localized, but as you mentioned with the Saturn, the US versions generally cost way more. It has a very strong library that is definitely worth exploring.

I'll give my opinion on some more systems you listed. I've owned them all and still own most.

PC-FX. You'd be buying it for less than 5 games unless you like Japanese visual novels and can play them in Japanese. I'd say to avoid that one, especially with how much the hardware costs.

32x, you will probably never play it. It has some solid ports but they are just as enjoyable on other systems. Really just about no sense in having this system.

Sega CD has a lot of trash. Buuuut it also has the only US version of Popful Mail and Snatcher, both are fantastic games. Then some more quality in Lords of Thunder, Shining Force CD, Android Assault, Robo Aleste, Keio and Lunar Eternal Blue. You'd likely be getting it for less than 10 games, but it just might be worth it.

3D0 is another system you are unlikely to play much. It has one average exclusive RPG. After that, it doesn't really matter everything else that is good is on PS1 or other consoles.

[Lawfer]

Oh if you aren't wanting to get Japanese games, I'd skip Saturn and PCE. The US libraries are such a small fraction.

I actually already have a US Saturn though, I managed to get Astal, Dark Savior, Blazing Heroes and Enemy Zero aaaaaand that's pretty much it, all the other stuff I am interested in getting have become way too outside my price range (Panzer Dragoon Saga, Burning Rangers, Shining Wisdom, Shining the Holy Ark, Dragon Force and such).

If you are willing to get Japanese games PCE has loads of great shootuns and a wide range. For platformers/action type games, it has all 4 Valis games, 3 Bonk games, Wonder Boy III (Adventure Island/Dragon's Curse), New Adventure Island, Wonder Boy III Monster Lair, Legendary Axe 1/2, Ninja Spirit, Wonder Boy in Monster World (Dynastic Hero), Castlevania Rondo of Blood etc... These are all well worth playing. Then there is a secondary tier with stuff like the Shubibinman games. Actually I think most of the games I mentioned were localized, but as you mentioned with the Saturn, the US versions generally cost way more. It has a very strong library that is definitely worth exploring.

Is the PC Engine Region-locked though? I know it has a few US version of game too, like Valis II and III. As I mentioned I don't know much about this console, though I know that the most well-known PC Engine title, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood was never released outside Japan.

II'll give my opinion on some more systems you listed. I've owned them all and still own most.

Thanks!

PC-FX. You'd be buying it for less than 5 games unless you like Japanese visual novels and can play them in Japanese. I'd say to avoid that one, especially with how much the hardware costs.

Yeah, that seems to be the main consensus based on the comments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kwYUpByTsU and beside as you mentioned the steep price is an issue too.

32x, you will probably never play it. It has some solid ports but they are just as enjoyable on other systems. Really just about no sense in having this system.

No worthwhile exclusives at all!?

Sega CD has a lot of trash. Buuuut it also has the only US version of Popful Mail and Snatcher, both are fantastic games. Then some more quality in Lords of Thunder, Shining Force CD, Android Assault, Robo Aleste, Keio and Lunar Eternal Blue. You'd likely be getting it for less than 10 games, but it just might be worth it.

Haha, funny that you would mention Popful Mail and Snatcher, those are the two games I was imterested in. For Lunar, I already got the PS1 versions.

3D0 is another system you are unlikely to play much. It has one average exclusive RPG. After that, it doesn't really matter everything else that is good is on PS1 or other consoles.

Would that "average exclusive RPG" you mentioned be Lucienne's Quest?

[Sumez]

PCE is region locked for HuCards (but can be modded). There's no protection at all on the CD-ROM games.

[Steamflogger Boss]

As Sumez mentioned, hucards are locked. I can't think of a hucard game where you'd NEED the US version. Best to just stick to a Japanese system here. I used to have a core grafx that was modded with a switch, but I literally had 2 or 3 US hucards. I sold/traded that system and the US cards, never looked back.

32x exclusives well...there are some. One of the oft-cited better ones, Metal Head, is a pretty bad game I'd say. In terms of decent ones, Knuckles Chaotix, Kolibri and Tempo. That's about it, maybe someone else can offer up another opinion on the system.

Correct, Lucienne's Quest. Which is pretty overpriced for what it is now.

Edit: Popful Mail and Snatcher are both fantastic games. I would call them must plays for a gaming historian.

[FinalBaton]

I think the Sega-CD has a bunch of good-to-excellent titles once you discard the sea of bad FMVs. Just don't expect to get 25+ games worth your while though. So your choice will depend on how many worthwhile games you need for your shinny(or old and dusty)new console.

Apart from the previously mentionned Popful Mail, Snatcher, Lords of Thunder, Shining Force CD, Android Assault, Robo Aleste, Keio and Lunar Eternal Blue, I'd add :
Final Fight, Lunar The Silver Star, Devastator, Vay, Annet Futatabi, Sengoku, and The Terminator.

While these next 2 games are also on Genesis, I really recommend picking up the Sega CD version of the 2 Ecco the Dolphin games. exclusive to them are amazing redbook-audio ambient soundtracks. Add that on top of solid games and you've got 2 great releases

And lastly(and this is just for shits and giggles, as while this appeal to a weirdo, hockey fanatic like me, it probably won't appeal to you ), the best sports game of all-time in my book, the one that transcends the genre of sports game, and I have named NHL '94, has the best version on Sega-CD with expanded audio and commentaries






And good god, yes, it is absolutely worth it to pick up a PC Engine. And you don't even have to shell out for a CD unit at first, even the base HuCard machine has a ton of great action games that have no text whatsoever, so very import friendly.

[Sumez]

Yeah, the only PCE games that I would want in an English language version for whatever reason are all CD games, and thus have no region lock. Basically, the Ys games.

[Lawfer]

It appears there are quite a few fan-translated PCEngine/Turbografx games, see list:

Turbografx-16: https://www.romhacking.net/?page=transl ... ssearch=Go

Turbografx-CD: https://www.romhacking.net/?page=transl ... ssearch=Go

Can you play these whitout modding?

There is even Castlevania: Rondo of Blood in this list.

[Steamflogger Boss]

It appears there are quite a few fan-translated PCEngine/Turbografx games, see list:

Turbografx-16: https://www.romhacking.net/?page=transl ... ssearch=Go

Turbografx-CD: https://www.romhacking.net/?page=transl ... ssearch=Go

Can you play these whitout modding?

There is even Castlevania: Rondo of Blood in this list.

Yes. Hucard roms in an everdrive and you can just burn a patched cd. Just this last year I played through Ys IV and Rondo in English.

There are a couple more on the way, if you like RPGs.

[creamygarlicdip]

its not on an old system, but i highly recommend shovel knight if you like action/platformers

[creamygarlicdip]

personally i was looking at getting a gamecube with the gameboy player because i enjoy this genre alot. the gameboy advance has alot of quality 2d action games - metroid games, castlevania, gunstar heroes, astro boy, sonic, etc.. from what ive seen on ebay it doesnt break the bank either and u can get nice 240p from the gameboy player

[Ikaruga11]

Pretty much any 4th Gen and 5th Gen consoles.

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
SNES / Super Famicom
SNK Neo-Geo AES
NEC TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine

Sega Saturn
Sony Playstation
Nintendo 64

Also the GameBoy Advance and Nintendo DS to some extent.