What [not shmup] game are you playing now?

[trap15]

I know G/S/C allows you to turn up the text speed and do some other similar things to speed stuff up. Might be worth looking into

[null1024]

Pokemon Red [GB].
Beat Misty, almost to Bill's house, explicitly fighting every trainer in the area because I don't feel like doing a billion wild encounters to level up.
The Exp. All messages take forever to scroll through, but I made it a condition that it would always be in my bag no matter what.

The time it takes to scroll through messages is why I've never been able to get through a Pokemon game. I'll have to see if I can find a romhack or something that speeds up combat. Want to play at least one of them all the way through.

Set text speed to fast, disable battle animations.
I'd say play Gold, it's rather no-nonsense [and it's probably the easiest Pokemon game too, if you know what you're doing, and even if you don't], but getting to the TLB [Red in Mt. Silver after getting 16 badges] extends the game length a fair bit compared to others [I beat his mid 70s/low 80s team in the mid 50s/low 60s, but used an asston of Revival Herbs [you can buy them on the weekend in the Goldenrod underground, it's like buying Full Revives, except your frendship value with your Pokemon will drop like a rock, so don't use it on a Pokemon with Return] and Revives]. I do like the battle animations in G/S/C, I'd hate to disable them, lots of very neat effects for the GBC.

The Exp. All text scroll takes too long because I have a full party, and I'm fairly certain that this was one of the reasons it was dropped in favor of the Exp. Share [apart from it also spreading experience way too thin], it shows an overlong message 6 times, each 3 lines long every time you down an opponent on top of the normal experience message.

Also, if you're playing on an emulator, just force emulation to go at 2x speed or something.

Still playing Red, about to enter rock tunnel, too lazy to catch more Pokemon so I'm ignoring Flash, especially since you can see the walls in the dark in RBY, haha. It's not like G/S/C's silly pitch-blackness [seriously, that was a poor design move] or later generations with that tiny circle of light you have [which was probably the best thing for them to do].

[Dragoforce]

Sweet Home.

Almost feels like a chinese 8-bit clone of the original Resident Evil. The random encounter battles and the possibilty to power level (despite limited replenishers) takes away most of scariness.

[Acid King]

Magical Drop 3. Playing Survival on Normal mostly, but topped out around level 17. I also made it to the final boss in Vs. but got housed pretty quickly. I just downloaded GGPO but haven't worked it out yet. I'm definitely will to take a beating if anyone is interested in playing.

[null1024]

Pokemon Gold [GBC].
Just got and installed a new save battery. Get one with tabs so you don't have to be so careful with the tabs on the old battery.

and now I have to go spend an hour to do the trick to get all 3 starters again, blah
I forgot how long it took, and worst of all, I forgot to give a Pokeball to my starter [twice!] last time, so it took a whole hour+20min to do the whole thing.

[Moniker]

Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (GBC)

I think I played and beat this way back in the day, but I really don't remember it so I'm like a virgin. It's been decent so far, although I don't really get the overwhelming praise it draws. Perhaps because it's still early on (just got the hookshot). It's really been criminally easy; I think the lack of a boomerang/bow/hookshot early on hurts it a good deal, since the combat is much less varied. Holding out hope for the late game.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Onimusha 3: Demon Siege (PS2) - some weekend gaming. Strikes me as a looker these days. Used to dislike the abandonment of Alone in the Dark-style engine, then the lame PC port, typical of its time (same polygon count and textures looked worse in high resolutions), would add insult to injury. Also, nothing was wrong with tank controls for my money and while I could use them in 3 as well, uncertainity as to whether or not I would be missing something new sticking to the old ways used to make me feel uncomfortably.
Thus it took me this many years to get busy to it properly, but the deferment paid off. Even the PS2-era Western Capcom voice acting doesn't rub me the wrong way this time around. Either Issening is easier in this one, or the tutorial trained me better than trial & error of yore. I intend to re-play 2 and 1 on Hard, so we'll see.

[BrianC]

Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (GBC)

I think I played and beat this way back in the day, but I really don't remember it so I'm like a virgin. It's been decent so far, although I don't really get the overwhelming praise it draws. Perhaps because it's still early on (just got the hookshot). It's really been criminally easy; I think the lack of a boomerang/bow/hookshot early on hurts it a good deal, since the combat is much less varied. Holding out hope for the late game.

I like it quite a bit myself, but it is a bit on the easy side. One warning, the boomerang is in the game, but it's more powerful than usual and kills more often. It's not obtained in the usual way either.

[null1024]

Tales of the Tempest [DS].

oh lord
why am I doing this

I have not seen a game with a more consistent lack of polish. I'm playing it just because Absolute Zero translated it, no other reason.
Apparently, they had to hold themselves back from trying to fix the game's problems while translating. Siiiiiiiigh.

The music is godawful too.

[iconoclast]

I've been playing Monster Hunter 3U on the 3DS for the last week or so. I've played Tri and MHP3rd before, but this is the first one that really hooked me. It almost makes me want to get a Wii U just so I can play in 1080p and go online, but I can wait until there's a price drop or sale. I also got Project Diva on the Vita, but I haven't spent a lot of time with it yet. Seems pretty good though, I just wish you could play the songs on Hard immediately. Unlockable difficulties in rhythm games are the worst.

My Monster Hunter addiction has also caused me to slack on Daioujou a bit. I'm still practicing a little each day though, and I've learned some new things since the last time I played. Just need to find the motivation to play some credits.

[powersoul]

Beautiful Katamari on the x360. Can't beat the original Katamari Darmacy, but its only on the PS system.

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

Playing Injustice. I having fun with it but it does have some cheesy combos. I guess most fighting games do though. But Injustice is appealing more to me than most of the recent Capcom games even if it may not really be any better. I guess I've just burned out on Capcom style fighting games.

Mario Kart 7. I like this one OK. I think it would be more interesting if it had the same drift boost like the Mario Kart DS. I enjoyed how the drift boost worked in MKDS and thought it really added a lot to the game. I was surprised to see that it was changed in MK7. Still it's a pretty good fun online and chasing time trial ghosts will probably keep me playing it for a long time.

I beat Super Mario 3D Land and now I'm going through the special worlds. I think this game is great. Probably the best thing Nintendo has done in years.

[Moniker]

Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (GBC)

I think I played and beat this way back in the day, but I really don't remember it so I'm like a virgin. It's been decent so far, although I don't really get the overwhelming praise it draws. Perhaps because it's still early on (just got the hookshot). It's really been criminally easy; I think the lack of a boomerang/bow/hookshot early on hurts it a good deal, since the combat is much less varied. Holding out hope for the late game.

I like it quite a bit myself, but it is a bit on the easy side. One warning, the boomerang is in the game, but it's more powerful than usual and kills more often. It's not obtained in the usual way either.

Just finished this. Yeah, that boomerang is a beast. Kinda don't need a sword or bow once you get it. Overall, I still ended up kinda 'meh' on this game. Maybe I'd like it better as a 3-heart challenge, but it was mostly just running from one goal to the next, getting occasionally befuddled by a dungeon puzzle, or forgetting how to get to Animal Village (way too many times). The bittersweet ending was great, though.

I'm still feeling the Zelda pull, so I'm thinking either one of the Oracle games or Minnish Cap. Like DX, it's been ages since I've played any of them. We shall see...

[Vexorg]

Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (GBC)

I think I played and beat this way back in the day, but I really don't remember it so I'm like a virgin. It's been decent so far, although I don't really get the overwhelming praise it draws. Perhaps because it's still early on (just got the hookshot). It's really been criminally easy; I think the lack of a boomerang/bow/hookshot early on hurts it a good deal, since the combat is much less varied. Holding out hope for the late game.

I like it quite a bit myself, but it is a bit on the easy side. One warning, the boomerang is in the game, but it's more powerful than usual and kills more often. It's not obtained in the usual way either.

Just finished this. Yeah, that boomerang is a beast. Kinda don't need a sword or bow once you get it. Overall, I still ended up kinda 'meh' on this game. Maybe I'd like it better as a 3-heart challenge, but it was mostly just running from one goal to the next, getting occasionally befuddled by a dungeon puzzle, or forgetting how to get to Animal Village (way too many times). The bittersweet ending was great, though.

I'm still feeling the Zelda pull, so I'm thinking either one of the Oracle games or Minnish Cap. Like DX, it's been ages since I've played any of them. We shall see...

Given those choices, I'd probably recommend Oracle of Ages. Seasons was good, but I liked Ages better of the two. Minish Cap, on the other hand, was really kind of average.

[BrianC]

I'm still feeling the Zelda pull, so I'm thinking either one of the Oracle games or Minnish Cap. Like DX, it's been ages since I've played any of them. We shall see...

lol

I liked both Oracle games myself. I think I preferred Ages overall, but I like Seasons too. The magnetic gloves are awesome.

[Mortificator]

I liked Seasons a bit more, except for the final boss. But I thought Link's Awakening was better than the Oracle games. *shrugs*

I just finished Soul Blazer, which had a neat concept, but was pretty limited on the game design front.

[Marc]

God Hand. Really not sure what I think. It goes without saying that the game is a aesthetic abortion. Visuals aside, what the FUCK is that soundtrack about? Why is the main theme a rip of an old Dire Straights' song? Camera is woeful, rotation is too loose, and in fairness I can understand a 'casual' game thinking it's a 1/10 game. The challenge on the second level in the wrestling ring was just frustrating it was untrue, and not just because of my inability. Then I pulled it off and wanted to punch the air. It's all about the fighting. It reminds me of Dark Souls, in that you dare not throw a move you're not confident with, and in the way you can simply throw out the ones you like until you find the stuff that suits. Not sure if I'll actually see this through, because it's nut-crushingly difficult, but I've enjoyed the hour I had tonight.

[Davey]

Magical Drop 3. Playing Survival on Normal mostly, but topped out around level 17. I also made it to the final boss in Vs. but got housed pretty quickly. I just downloaded GGPO but haven't worked it out yet. I'm definitely will to take a beating if anyone is interested in playing.

I love this game, but it's hard to find people on GGPO. Once in a while I idle there waiting for a match, but it's usually empty. If somebody finally challenges me, I have a heart attack when that music suddenly blares.

I'm DeepInTheHops on there; I'm up for playing pretty much any evening.

[rapoon]

God Hand. Really not sure what I think. It goes without saying that the game is a aesthetic abortion. Visuals aside, what the FUCK is that soundtrack about? Why is the main theme a rip of an old Dire Straights' song? Camera is woeful, rotation is too loose, and in fairness I can understand a 'casual' game thinking it's a 1/10 game. The challenge on the second level in the wrestling ring was just frustrating it was untrue, and not just because of my inability. Then I pulled it off and wanted to punch the air. It's all about the fighting. It reminds me of Dark Souls, in that you dare not throw a move you're not confident with, and in the way you can simply throw out the ones you like until you find the stuff that suits. Not sure if I'll actually see this through, because it's nut-crushingly difficult, but I've enjoyed the hour I had tonight.

God Hand is the shit. Clover was being shut down and rushed it out the door. Camera is a bit fucked up at times and you see through walls, etc. But the combat is excellent. It gets better
and better. Ya, it's a bit like DS, once you've gotten timing down and you've configured the moves you like it becomes much easier. After I beat that fucker, I played it on hard for about 5 minutes.
It was brutal. Never played it since.

[Leandro]

I don't like rpgs much but I just finished that Tales of Phantasia game. The bowman character is awesome in battle

[gbaplayer]

i started dragon slayer II: legend of heroes a few days ago.

so far i can tell it is as great as the first chapter.

[spadgy]

Thomas Was Alone Vita - finally I'm into TWA, and loving it! I've seen this kind of mechanic before, but never before delivered in this style or theme, which really adds to the game in this case.

[CStarFlare]

My brother grabbed Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask on the VC last weekend, and I thought it looked interesting. I've got the Zelda Collection for GameCube, so decided to give it a spin. It's astonishingly fresh for a game that recycles so much from OoT, a game that I'm way tired of by this point. The time mechanic can be a real pain, but the feeling that you have to make every cycle count adds a welcome sense of urgency. Every time I cut steps out of a task I repeat every cycle I get very happy.

It's a perfect example of the kind of Zelda game I wish Nintendo was releasing today - it's totally different, but totally Zelda. OoT/Majora's Mask/Wind Waker might be the best run they ever had.

[ryu]

F-Zero X
i started playing this for real for the first time in my life a few weeks ago (pretty late, yeah), and even though i've been playing for a while it's still a blast doing an x cup every now and then. totally wasn't expecting this to be even better than GX (i love the course designs that keep lifting you into the air and how that mechanic can be abused), although i might not beat any of the cups on master difficulty. that mode's just insane.

Zelda: Ocarina of Time
this one's always fun to screw around with. i've reached my main goal of getting the mirror shield before even getting to the adult section of the game, so i might just drop this soon after i've screwed around with some more breaks.

[Moniker]

Just beat Zelda - Oracle of Seasons (GBC)

Now that's more like it! Great challenge throughout, very cool items, interesting dungeons. Only a few puzzles/boss vulnerabilities were obscure enough to check a guide (A SILENT WATCH IS NEEDED). Really liked the throwbacks to Zelda 1 as well. Hopefully, some day, a proper sequel to the original will happen (probably not). The final boss fight is taken pretty much directly from Mega Man 3, which I've decided is pretty rad. As of now, this one's pretty high up in my ranking for best 2D Zelda. Roll on Oracle of Ages!

[Ruldra]

Every once in a while I'm playing a few credits of Captain Commando.

Being used to Final Fight, I miss some stuff in this game. Walking speed is really slow, you can't throw enemies in a combo sequence and and hitting while grappling takes too little damage. I like the game nonetheless.

The captain's flamethrower has the potential to be a gamebreaker if you can use it right. For that reason alone he's the best character of the bunch. And bosses can't escape from his combo sequence, unlike Ninja.

So far, managed to reach the stage 6 boss. No idea how to deal with two Shroms at the same time.

[Zaarock]

Guilty Gear XXAC+ [XBLA]

Still suck, but getting better and it's fun as hell so who cares. Online player base is really small for such a recent release (netcode isn't too great either), hope the +R update makes things better. Maining Millia and messing around with Eddie every once in a while.

Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram [XBLA]

Still a pretty competent Cypher player and keep learning new stuff after 4 years. Size of the japanese player base is starting to show some signs of decay now, sure took a while.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Just beat Zelda - Oracle of Seasons (GBC)

Now that's more like it! Great challenge throughout, very cool items, interesting dungeons. Only a few puzzles/boss vulnerabilities were obscure enough to check a guide (A SILENT WATCH IS NEEDED). Really liked the throwbacks to Zelda 1 as well. Hopefully, some day, a proper sequel to the original will happen (probably not). The final boss fight is taken pretty much directly from Mega Man 3, which I've decided is pretty rad. As of now, this one's pretty high up in my ranking for best 2D Zelda. Roll on Oracle of Ages!

Oracle of Ages is worth a go for what Capcom did to the Tree alone. 2001 is the year when they went nuts with Onimusha, DMC and those two.

[Ruldra]

I take back what I said about Captain being the best character in Captain Commando...the Mummy can attack so fast, even bosses can't hit you back during a combo. And he has excellent reach. Using him from now on.

Current record:

[Leandro]

yeahn, Mack the Knife is unanimously regarded as the best in this game