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Post by Ex on Jan 30, 2020 12:27:14 GMT -5
February is all about playing games from SEGA's Game Gear library. If it's a SEGA Game Gear release, it fits the theme! Throw on your Handy Gear and buy a crate of AAs, 'cause it's time to escape.
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Post by Sarge on Jan 30, 2020 13:05:51 GMT -5
I wonder if I shouldn't play on my actual Game Gear to increase authenticity... nah, 'cause that screen is pretty junk by today's standards. And I even have the "better" screen from the Majesco re-release! Also, I'd have to chain myself to the wall, 'cause AC adapter. (In all seriousness, I probably will pull it out and play on it a bit before I go full emulation.)
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Post by Ex on Jan 30, 2020 13:10:25 GMT -5
I'll be emulating on my laptop and smartphone.
I had a real Game Gear at one point. Gave it to my daughter. She left it in a closet for years with batteries still in it. The batteries leaked and corroded the terminals really bad. Ended up selling it for parts on eBay, because it wouldn't boot. It'd turn on briefly, then shut right off. I'm sure it was repairable, but I wasn't going to put in the effort. Not when it's a system I'd rather emulate for the screen advantage.
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Post by Sarge on Jan 30, 2020 13:15:19 GMT -5
Yeah, it's really hard to go back to those original screens. To be honest, most of those systems have stopped working (at least from my informal polling) due to bad caps in them.
I did actually play through the entirety of Defenders of Oasis on the system, though! And if anyone is looking for a really solid JRPG for this month, I recommend it. I'll also toss out Sylvan Tale in the ARPG category. It might not be Zelda, but it's still quite enjoyable.
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Post by toei on Jan 30, 2020 14:49:36 GMT -5
I'm going to throw a few recommendations by genre. There are more good games on the system than maybe you might think (or that I'm going to list):
RPG - Defenders of Oasis - the gold standard for RPGs on the Game Gear. It doesn't just look like a 16-bit RPG, it's basically written like one, so even if you don't like NES RPGs, I'd recommend it. Royal Stone - A solid strategy RPG with actual towns you can walk around, similar to the mainline Shining Force game. Fan-translated. Shining Force Gaiden 3: Final Conflict - No towns in this one, but the same solid SF gameplay and a pretty decent story, with references to the main series. For the other two Gaidens, you're better off playing the Sega-CD version, but this one was made after and there is no other version.
Platformer - Coca-Cola Kid - You might not expect much from a licensed game based on a sweet beverage, but this was made by the same team as the better GG Sonic games, and the character has a nice arsenal of moves. I might try to finish it this month, as it's the only one on this list that I haven't. GG Shinobi & GG Shinobi 2 - A duo of surprisingly elaborate games with their own gimmick. There are multiple color-coded ninjas that you must rescue before you can play as them, each with their own special abilities. Once you've got them all, you move on to a giant non-linear level where each of them is necessary. I preferred the second game, but they're both good. Ninja Gaiden - Like the Master System game and the arcade game and the X-box game and the cancelled Genesis prototype, this Ninja Gaiden is not a port of the NES game but an original. It's actually much closer to the OG Shinobi games in spirit, with various levels paying tribute to the series. It's also much easier. I'm fond of this game, even though it's too short, and even though the final battle sucks due to a time limit and the boss having a dubious hitbox. Zenki - I reviewed that one before. There are two protagonists, one which uses projectile magic and the other turns into a ball when jumping on enemies like Sonic. During the boss battles you play as the grown version of Zenki, who fights with a staff. The pace is a bit slower, and there is more focus on exploration, as there is a non-linear element to the game with some important things to find through the levels. I really recommend that one.
The Batman Returns game is decent, too, and if you want something mindless, easy and colorful - what I like to think of as a car-ride game, like the GB TMNT game - the Sailor Moon game might be worth a quick play.
Beat-'em-up - The GG is not a beat-'em-up console (nor is any handheld system, actually), but Yu Yu Hakusho isn't bad. The semi turn-based boss battles might take a while to figure out, but at least they're pretty novel, and they look great.
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Post by Sarge on Jan 30, 2020 15:31:05 GMT -5
Yeah, I played through the first GG Shinobi, and plan on taking on the second game for this month.
Also, I really should make a run at Final Conflict. I've beaten the Sega CD versions of the first two, even if I don't sadly own the game legit. I always wanted Sword of Hajya (the second game on Game Gear, and the one we officially got here), but never found it for a price that seemed reasonable at the time, and after playing the Sega CD version, it kinda dropped off my radar.
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Post by Ex on Jan 30, 2020 22:20:42 GMT -5
Gonna be interesting to see what you guys pick to play.
I've got a pile of prospective ROMs in a directory. I won't beat all of them, but I'll try all of them. I'm sure I'll beat a few though.
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Post by Chainsaw Bilqis on Jan 30, 2020 22:48:06 GMT -5
I have never tried Game Gear emulation and my actual Game Gear no longer works but one game I would like to play one day is Tempo Jr. because I love Super Tempo (I also like Tempo for 32X, it was my first 32X game, but Super Tempo is one of my favorite Japan-only Saturn games). I remember an interesting Virtua Fighter game on Game Gear I wanted to play too. My fondest Game Gear memory is probably seeing the Coca Cola Game Gear at the Coca Cola Museum though haha.
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Post by Ex on Jan 30, 2020 23:02:19 GMT -5
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Post by Xeogred on Jan 30, 2020 23:13:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the recs toei , that's exactly what I was looking for. Probably going to hit up some Compile first though! I have never tried Game Gear emulation and my actual Game Gear no longer works but one game I would like to play one day is Tempo Jr. because I love Super Tempo (I also like Tempo for 32X, it was my first 32X game, but Super Tempo is one of my favorite Japan-only Saturn games). I remember an interesting Virtua Fighter game on Game Gear I wanted to play too. My fondest Game Gear memory is probably seeing the Coca Cola Game Gear at the Coca Cola Museum though haha. KEGA Fusion, by far one of the ultimate emulators. You'll have to dig up some bios' but we can help I'm sure if needed.
Everything this one emulator supports: System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Mega-CD, 32X, Master System, Game Gear, SG-1000, SC-3000 I still want to get a Saturn USB variant too: www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-Official-Controller-Genesis-Nintendo/dp/B07SN9XKZK
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