^ Thirded. New Corp knew their hardcore action/platforming.
Gradius Gaiden is beyond essential to go with the Deluxe Packs, I had to triple-check to make sure it wasn't there.
R-Type Delta the same for R-Types. It's polygonal but ho ho hoooly fuck does it know how to work it. Immense atmosphere with coinop pacing and intensity. Might as well chuck in
Einhander too, solid and super charismatic hori from ex-Konami staff.
Silent Bomber will forever remain a ruinously gratifying polygonal take on classic topdown destructioning.
Omega Boost is a harder sell with its combination of blunt score attack simplicity and tricky interface curve, but it's one I recommend grappling with.
The Namco Museums (Vols 1-5 + Encore) and Capcom Generations (Vols 1-4... and I guess 5, but I can't abide by SFII with loadtimes) are generally excellent for straight-ish arcade ports with a focus on the early/mid-80s (and a bit of the late 70s/early 90s). Some of NM's ports vary significantly from the AC games (ie Pac-Man) but they're very likable.
Assault highly recommended for super-idiosyncratic topdown seek/destroy tank action.
What a great console. Give the port of Taito's RC Pro Am-esque
RC De Go! a look too. Also I always recommend
Rage Racer for a startling example of
ageless intensity and impeccably dark yet cool art/sound design. Listen to the wind roar whenever the wall is about to tear that guy's lap time a new one!
FinalBaton wrote:Cotton Original
Kind of a letdown, this port. Default difficulty is nerfed way down, Hard is a new suicide bullet mode that's not necessarily bad, but doesn't reflect the AC game. Not worthless but the PCE one's a more substantial production.
Good pick with Klonoa, always a good time that one. The small-scale polygonal environments have aged beautifully, they have a papier mache solidity and presence I find absolutely charming in conjunction with the on-rails camera. Never particularly tough, but mechanically sound and cleverly designed, plus it has a cool post-game assault course. And the ending is some FOTNS-calibre stuff.