Which Parodius game is generally regarded as the best?

[Milkgoat]

I plan on getting all of them on Saturn eventually, but which is considered the best?

[shinsage]

Tough call, but from the ones I've played (never got around to Chatting or Sexy) I'd say Gokujyo.

[DJ Incompetent]

trick question.
Depends on how you judge yer shit.


I look for multiple paths and objectives instead of just "beat the stage"...I also pop a boner at any possible PG-13 suggestive image.: Best = Sexy Parodius

I look for the most depth and most selectable characters: Best = Jikkyō Oshaberi Parodius

I look for the greatest presentation values (graphics, music, flow, etc.): Best = Gokujō Parodius!

I look for nothing but total game length or #-of-1C stages...also I'm bias to Gradius II: Best = Parodius Da!

The first to do it is always the greatest!! Or "OMG!!! MSX!!!Z" Or "I like my shit portable": Best = Parodius (or portable ports)

I hate shooting games: Best = Paro Wars

I hate video games..but loooove gambling!: Best = CR Gokujo Parodius (Pachinko)



I'm for the Gokujo most....but I play Jikkyo more. Get it?

[ave]

I only played the first part and Gokujou Parodius. Always wanted to grab Sexy Parodius for the Saturn though... it seems to have the nicest graphics and gags (which is a big issue for a game like parodius imo).

[Klatrymadon]

The Parodius Da! is still my fave, but I think the safest bet for any newcomer would be to pick up Sexy. It's nicely paced, the rank is sensible, and it has the highest concentration of that much-coveted wackiness!

The presentation is awesome, too, and I think it has the best characters and weapon set-ups of the lot.

[futurebiblehero]

While others have done well to explain the differences, my personal favorite is Sexy. After playing them all, that's the first one I truly latched onto and played the hell out of (as did my girlfriend, strangely. She's better than me).

[Turrican]

Gokujou, best soundtrack!

[BrianC]

The first to do it is always the greatest!! Or "OMG!!! MSX!!!Z" Or "I like my shit portable": Best = Parodius (or portable ports)

I don't agree with this sentiment since it undermines both the MSX and portables, even though the Parodius games for them aren't the best. The MSX Parodius is definitely not the best of the series, but it did introduce many of the concepts that are used in later installments and it is a good game. The GB Parodius is quite impressive for the system and has an exclusive level that parodies the crystal level of Gradius II.

[Seb@s]

i just wanna say about the Gokujō Parodius (snes) have an extend ship with "Dracula" i love its "needle" weapons
this snes versions is my second favorite & the first is teh "Sexy" for sure!

[DJ Incompetent]

The first to do it is always the greatest!! Or "OMG!!! MSX!!!Z" Or "I like my shit portable": Best = Parodius (or portable ports)

I don't agree with this sentiment since it undermines both the MSX and portables, even though the Parodius games for them aren't the best. The MSX Parodius is definitely not the best of the series, but it did introduce many of the concepts that are used in later installments and it is a good game. The GB Parodius is quite impressive for the system and has an exclusive level that parodies the crystal level of Gradius II.

I don't quite understand the undermine-ness in your view, as the list points out what that version had going for it. While this listing is fair enough to include the original as an option and show what uniqueness it has to bring to the table, even you describe it doesn't stand a chance. So why get so technical on it? An extra level wouldn't be enough to segregate these into two radically different games in my opinion regarding this question. If the issue is tone, I wouldn't hate on the light-heartedness of my statements...especially for a parodius thread

[elbarto]

DJI beat me to making a list, so I'll just say "buy all of them"
(and don't forget about the score threads *cough*)
Be warned that the Saturn port of the MSX game has very choppy scrolling (like all the shooters on the MSX disc), so the PSP port of that is possibly preferable.

If I had to pick, I'd probably go with Da! or Oshaberi, they're the ones I go back to the most.

[Icarus]

Sexy > Jikkyo Oshaberi > Gokujyou == Da!

[Rob]

I plan on getting all of them on Saturn eventually, but which is considered the best?

Parodius has about the least consensus of any series.

I like the first the best. After that they just keep getting more bloated with characters and gags. A panda in a tutu - hehe!

[Milkgoat]

Thanks everyone.

[Bloodreign]

I play them all, each is unique in it's presentation, plus it's nice to see, if you can, all the little things going on in both the foreground and background.

[Ayanami]

Sexy all the way.

[roker]

Sexy

no doubt about it

I voted it as one of my top 25

Jikkyo is good also, but just not as good as Sexy

[BrianC]

One thing that I'm surprised wasn't mentioned yet. The non-SNES versions of Gokujo and later all have two player simultaneous modes (except for the PSP ports of them. The website lists the collection as 1p only), even Jikkyou Obsari Parodius, which first appeared on SNES with only alternating two player. Apparently, at least in Gokujo, you can even shoot at the other player and destroy him/her for more bells.

[Bloodreign]

What always gets me in Sexy is that damned last stage, it's either 1 life it, or forget it. The green pigs that add 10 seconds of time to the timer seem far apart, and dying only makes for less time on the next life (because you're trying to evade bullets and recover powerups). This is one game I can forget ever even coming close to a 1CC on, but I won't give up trying (I credit feed this one because it's too addicting).

[elbarto]

Apparently, at least in Gokujo, you can even shoot at the other player and destroy him/her for more bells.

I knew you could shoot the other player and turn them into an all-direction firing "ball of rage", but I've never actually seen players killing each other off.. will have to try that next time I have the chace to play 2 player, hehe.

What always gets me in Sexy is that damned last stage..

This is the one time that AUTO power-up comes in really handy, as you'll respawn where you died, and not get sent back to a checkpoint. AUTO does have a drawback though, if like me, you like having 2 speed-ups, as it only gives you a second at one point in the game. Die after the speed stage, and you're stuck with one speed-up for the rest of the game.

[jp]

Gokujyo gets my vote.

[JoshF]

I liked Gokujou's Moai and Special stages.

[j^aws]

Best all round for me is Gokujyo. The driving, thumping soundtrack is the icing on the cake... and it has a cake 'boss' for real too!

[Bloodreign]

elbarto I always go semi auto, collecting those 300 coins or 200 ladies is likeliest the toughest goals in the game (besides beating the timer in the last stage), sometimes I'll suicide to get more coins. Other than the speed stage I usually stick with one speed up (I was wondering how to respawn where I died, thanks for the help on that, never figured it was by setting the game to auto powerup) because with two I tend to run into things I shouldn't.

[Klatrymadon]

collecting those 300 coins or 200 ladies is likeliest the toughest goals in the game (besides beating the timer in the last stage)

These aren't that bad, captain. Getting enough coins is just a matter of finding the best 'big coin' route. You'll spot most of 'em on the fly anyway, but I find that I get more than enough if I take the upper route just before the bathtub section, because there are 3 sitting-duck coins there. There are also 3 in a row in the section with the scrolling bathtubs, so as long as you get those, and as many as possible in the 'open' section immediately after the bathtubs, you're sorted - the boss will drop another 40 or so.

The 200 ladies thing isn't too bad, either - just make sure you let the dragons emerge fully before killing them, because each segment of their bodies becomes another girl. If you mean the level with the girls inside the boxes, just going apeshit should land you enough of those.

Hope that helps, mate.

[echan00]

Definitely Sexy Parodius. Suggestive content, you can't beat that

[Bloodreign]

Ah the girls in the boxes goal is pretty easy, I never fail that one (but as Bal Sagoth, or Klatrymadon said about the best route for coins, reminds me of the best route for a Gradius speed stage, cause after all, it basically is a speed stage, just with a goal), took elbarto's advice about the auto powerup, got to the end, got the best ending, but due to dying in the boss rush (or a failed goal or two) didn't get the special stage, hence why I bought the PSP Parodius Portable, plenty of time to practice and owning the real thing (all Parodius things that is, already owned the first two on the PSX Deluxe Pack, legit copy, but what the hell). Just can't get enough of the damned series, and thanks to Parodius, I've got a sudden urge for Twinbee as well (need those last two PSP packs, Salamander and Twinbee left, got Parodius and Gradius already covered).

[BulletMagnet]

While it's my least favorite in terms of presentation (the main draw of the series, imo), Jikkyo Oshaberi is my favorite in terms of its gameplay.

[captain ahar]

Jikkyo Oshaberi Parodius (chatting) definitely, though i've only played the super famicom version. i just love the whole package.

i'd say sexy parodius is the weakest. the branching paths concept is interesting, but i don't think it works all that well.

[Herr Schatten]

i'd say sexy parodius is the weakest. the branching paths concept is interesting, but i don't think it works all that well.

Sexonded.

IMO: Da! > Gokujyou >> Jikkyo Oshaberi > Sexy