The Wonder Years 4.10.08: Week 50 - The 16-Bit A to Z
Posted by Owain J. Brimfield on 04.10.2008
Celebrating a year of the column with a look at the best Wonder Years games of the alphabet!
Welcome to the column where all gamers of a certain age come to wallow in 16-bit nostalgia. I'm your host, Owain J. Brimfield, and it's hard to believe I've been here writing for a year. Well, a little more than that technically speaking, but hey, who's keeping score? Anyways, I've decided to celebrate a half-century of "The Wonder Years" with a very special look at the best 16-bit games of the alphabet. Read on good folks - if you're wondering what on earth 'X' is going to be then by all means skip ahead, and if you disagree with any of this then do let me know, I'm bound to have forgotten something. Keep it polite, mind.
The Best Wonder Years Games of the Alphabet
A is for... ActRaiser
If you're any sort of gamer you've undoubtedly played some form of god sim in your time, and how often have you wished you could just abandon your birdseye perspective, dive in to your world and kick some ass on a one-to-one basis without the need to fanny about with resource management? Well, ActRaiser gives you that opportunity. Half world-building fantasy-based Sim City-alike, half hack-n'-slash platformer, the game is a dichotomy of seemingly disparate styles that somehow manage to fuse into a cohesive, and damn entertaining whole, and the epic storyline only helps matters along.
I covered ActRaiser in week 34 of "The Wonder Years" - click here to read the column.
A is also for... Adventures of Batman & Robin, Alien Soldier, Axelay
B is for... Breath of Fire II
Fantasy RPGs are two a penny on the 16-bit systems, but the ones that are good quality are invariably very good quality. BoF 2 is arguably the most enjoyable of a series that has gained quite a fan following, as evidenced by its multiple re-releases on the Gameboy Advance and Wii. Attempting to prevent a flood of demons from overrunning the world has rarely been as enjoyable as it is here, and the game remains one of the finest Nintendo-exclusive RPGs of the 90s.
B is also for... Battletoads & Double Dragon, Bubsy the Bobcat, Burning Force
C is for... Chrono Trigger
I'm going to go out on a limb and call this the most indisputable choice on the list. Even people who've never played the game (poor you!) know of its reputation as one of the finest RPGs of all time, and it's well deserved. With one of the most memorable plotlines in gaming history and the finest MIDI soundtrack of all time, the game is an absolute delight from start to any of its thirteen finishes, and is fully deserving of its exalted place in the 16-bit gaming pantheon.
I covered Chrono Trigger in week 21 of "The Wonder Years" - click here to read the column.
C is also for... Cannon Fodder, Castlevania: Dracula X, Cybernator
D is for... Donkey Kong Country
Possibly a controversial choice as there are some who will deny the game's merits, but there's no arguing that it's one of the most unique platformers on the Super NES, and the digitized graphics are still impressive even now, over a decade later. The game makes a fair attempt at reinventing all the classic platform archetypes, the secret room system provides a constant challenge, and the ambient score is the perfect complement to playing with a bunch of monkeys. Plus, I defy anyone not to enjoy the minecart levels.
D is also for... Desert Strike, Dungeon Master, Dynamite Headdy
E is for... EarthBound
EarthBound is one of those games that has all the hallmarks of a cult classic, until you realize it's bigger than that - the game seems to be almost universally beloved, and its protagonist Ness is still finding new fans through the Smash Bros. series. As far as RPGs go, this is probably the most atypical entry in the genre you'll ever play, but it succeeds not in spite of this fact, but because of it. It's a glorious two-fingers-up at the establishment, endlessly inventive and with the most colorful cast of characters you're ever likely to meet.
I covered EarthBound in week 3 of "The Wonder Years" - click here to read the column.
E is also for... Earthworm Jim, Ecco the Dolphin, Equinox
F is for... Final Fantasy VI
No introduction needed, surely? The finest entry in one of gaming's most acclaimed franchises (yes, a bold claim I know, but if you prefer FF VII feel free to bite me), FF VI is a game that should be used as a template by any developer who wants to learn how to make a good game. It's got all the ingredients across the board to qualify as one of the best RPGs of all time - epic plotline, marvelous soundtrack, top-notch graphics, a seemingly endless playing time and one of the most infamous villains in gaming history.
F is also for... F-Zero, Fatal Fury 2, FIFA Soccer '96
G is for... Gunstar Heroes
Any time Treasure releases a side-scrolling shooter gamers have to sit up and take notice, and Gunstar Heroes is one of the foremost examples of the genre to be found on the Genesis. Despite being inherently Japanese the game has a pleasingly colorful western feel, and contains some of the most satisfying boss battles committed to cartridge, and for fans of run-and-gun titles this game is often considered mana from heaven.
G is also for... Gain Ground, Golden Axe, Gradius III
H is for... Herzog Zwei
Arguably the most obscure title on this list, Herzog Zwei was in fact one of the premier real-time strategy games released when the genre was in its original gestations at the very start of the 1990s. It's certainly more of a cult title these days, but its importance to gaming can't be underestimated - chances are if there's a particular feature you admire about a contemporary RTS, Herzog Zwei got there first. Combine that with an absolutely cracking two-player head-to-head mode and you have yourself with one of the most unlikely hits on the Genesis.
H is also for... Harvest Moon, The Humans, Hybrid Front
I is for... International Superstar Soccer Deluxe
The finest sports game the 16-bit consoles ever saw? I'd give that a hearty 'yes'. The fact that the game is still immensely playable and still feels fresh is astounding given the advances in football games over the past decade, and the game modes on offer (including the notoriously lengthy Master League) ensure that this is one of the longest-lasting sports titles ever to hit the market. Even if you don't like football, or you just make the mistake of calling the sport "soccer" due to ignorance and/or cultural misunderstanding, you should check this game out to see how a console sports title should be executed. Masterful.
I covered ISS Deluxe in week 5 of "The Wonder Years" - click here to read the column.
I is also for... Illusion of Gaia, The Immortal, Imperium
J is for... John Madden Football '93
'J' is the first letter in our alphabet that really offers slim pickings, but while Madden '93 is by no means as legendary as some of the other games discussed here, it was the first indicator that NFL games would become immensely important to the console sports arena, with polished execution and tight game mechanics, and built on its predecessor's successes to help pave the way for one of gaming's most lucrative franchises.
J is also for... James Pond 2: Codename Robocod, Jewel Master, Jungle Strike
K is for... Killer Instinct
The most technically impressive fighter to make its mark on either 16-bit console also happened to be one of the best - KI is a fantastic example of a quality arcade port, with the game retaining much of the depth of its daddy coin-op (40-hit combos included!) along with a surprising degree of the graphical stylings as well, thanks to Rare's visual technology that also produced the aforementioned Donkey Kong Country. The title received a huge amount of acclaim on release, and retains much of its status in the hearts of fans today, despite some ill-advised sequels.
I covered Killer Instinct in week 25 of "The Wonder Years" - click here to read the column.
K is also for... Kick Off, Kirby's Dream Land 3, Knights of the Round
L is for... The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
I think this is another one of those choices that needs no justification. Although Zelda 3 would go on to be eclipsed by its ever-so-slightly superior 64-bit siblings, the title remains one of the pinnacles of 16-bit gaming and, frankly, demands to be played. As action RPGs go, there is little here that can't be found elsewhere, but the key is Nintendo's execution - the game plays virtually flawlessly and there's not a single respite in the action/adventuring. Plus, if the Hyrule theme doesn't stir your soul, you're probably dead inside.
L is also for... Legend of the Mystical Ninja, The Lost Vikings, Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
M is for... Mega Man X
One of the very best titles in the apparently endless Mega Man franchise, X is the best game the blue bomber starred in on the Super NES and is a high plateau for action platforming. The formula may be a little staid to contemporary eyes, but it's implemented superbly, and the little touches (including Capcom's inclusion of Ryu's hadouken as an unlockable attack) make this indispensable gaming, even if you are one of those games who still complains about Mega Man's inability to duck. If that's the biggest criticism you can level at this game, it surely says something about its quality.
I covered Mega Man X in week 19 of "The Wonder Years" - click here to read the column.
M is also for... Metal Marines, Micro Machines '96, Mortal Kombat II
N is for... NBA Jam Tournament Edition
Funny how the vast majority of titles beginning with 'N' are sports games, but when you've got the NBA, NFL and NHL all competing for the same category it's bound to get crowded. NBA Jam was always a gamers' favorite, and the sequel upped the ante by including everything the original lacked (well, okay, with the exception of a proper league, but the hectic arcade gameplay more than compensated). It's an instantly accessible game and still one of the most straightforwardly fun sports games ever released. And hey, any game with Bill Clinton as an unlockable character is alright in my book.
I covered NBA Jam TE in week 4 of "The Wonder Years" - click here to read the column.
N is also for... Ninja Gaiden Trilogy, NFL Quarterback Club, NHL Hockey '96
O is for... Ogre Battle
More properly known as March of the Black Queen, you're more likely to have played this title on a 32-bit system than on the Super NES, where it was originally released. Still, it was 16-bit first, and thus it shall remain. The game is intensely tactical and remains the best in the series, despite the later Tactics Ogre titles becoming more well known. The characterization and story are both immensely polished, and its rarity in the US is indicative of the game's acclaim, as it can be regularly found trading hands at exorbitant prices.
O is also for... Obitus, Olympic Summer Games, Out Run
P is for... Phantasy Star II
It was a close call between this and Pilotwings for the top 'P' spot, but PS II edges it by virtue of being on of the true ancestors of modern console role-playing titles, with its emphasis on character-led stories and turn-based battling paving the way for the genre going into the 90s. For a game released in 1989 to still hold its head above titles over the following seven/eight year lifespan of the Genesis is remarkable, and Phantasy Star II is rightly acclaimed as a pioneering videogame.
P is also for... Pilotwings, Populous II, Prince of Persia
Q is for... Quackshot Starring Donald Duck
I didn't plan this one ahead, did I? Quackshot is legitimately the only game I know on either Super NES or Genesis to begin with the letter 'Q', and its this fact that proves the game's sole merit when inducting it into the Wonder Years alphabet hall of fame. A generic, if relatively stylish, Indiana Jones-ripoff platformer starring Donald Duck (I guess perennial gaming favorite Daffy must have been busy), Quackshot's punning title is pretty much indicative of the game's own quality. Seriously, are the no other words beginning with 'Q' that would have made a good game title?
Q is also for... er... well, I guess they must have released Q*Bert at some point...
R is for... R-Type III: The Third Lightning
The side-scrolling shooter is a vast genre, but Irem's R-Type games certainly know how to do it justice. The third time's the charm, and entry number three into the series is a classic action videogame. Utilizing the characteristic tripartite weapon system, the game puts on a veritable shoot 'em up clinic, with some truly astounding set-pieces and memorable boss encounters, and is one of the most well-balanced shooters money can buy.
R is also for... Ristar, Rock N' Roll Racing, Romance of the Three Kingdoms
S is for... Super Mario World
It's quite bizarre how stacked with quality the letter 'S' is when it comes to 16-bit titles, even disregarding the plethora of 'Super'-prefixed mediocrity on the Super NES. Nevertheless, SMW is the right choice for superiority. Making a convincing claim to the accolade of "best 2D platformer ever", as well as a slightly more dubious (but no less legitimate) claim to "best Mario game ever", Super Mario World is the definition of platforming perfection, and I think you'd find very few gamers who don't recognize the esteem with which this title should rightly be held.
S is also for... Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Street Fighter 2 Turbo, Super Mario All-Stars
T is for... Terranigma
A perfect example of a game that doesn't do anything extraordinary, but does what it does extraordinarily well. Terranigma is a superbly accomplished RPG, and while it may not break any new ground, it sets out to deliver an intensely polished gaming experience and achieves that goal with style and élan, and remains one of the best "unsung" RPG titles on any console in recent memory.
I covered Terranigma in week 46 of "The Wonder Years" - click here to read the column.
T is also for... Tetris Attack, TMNT: Turtles in Time, Twinbee: Rainbow Bell Adventures
U is for... Ultima: The Black Gate
AKA Ultima VII, this game is an adaptation of the most acclaimed entry in Lord British's famous Ultima RPG series, somehow rewritten to provide a genuinely impressive version of the PC original on a SNES cartridge. Despite the obvious limitations, the game remains of undeniable quality and is generally considered a landmark entry in the genre, as well as remaining Richard Garriott's (the developer's) favorite chapter in the series, so it's surely worth checking out on those merits alone.
U is also for... Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Unirally, Urban Strike
V is for... Vectorman
[Spoiler: I'll be covering this one in next week's "Wonder Years", so stick around folks!]
V is also for... Valis III, Virtua Racing, Vortex
W is for... Worms
I don't think there's much that can be said about the Worms phenomenon that most gamers don't already know, except to say that if your only familiarity with the franchise is the modern lackluster 3D entries, you should really check out how it all began to see the true definition of pure gameplay. It may be more traditionally associated with the Amiga, but the 16-bit ports of Worms were fine games in their own right, and the title remains as addictive now as when it was first released way back in the 17th century.
I covered Worms in week 11 of "The Wonder Years" - click here to read the column.
W is also for... Wild Guns, Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits, WWF Royal Rumble
X is for... X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse
Another of the "weak link" letters, 'X' nevertheless provides us with a decent action blast through the Marvel universe courtesy of Mutant Apocalypse, a defiantly un-sophisticated game that sees a team of heroic mutants slash, laser and otherwise murderize their way through hordes of bad guys in an attempt to... well, I'm sure there's some central plot thread, but I can't for the life of me remember it. Still, the X-Men always make for engaging company and there's a good few hours of mindless diversion on offer here.
X is also for... Xardion, X-Caliber 2097, Xenon 2: Megablast
Y is for... Yoshi's Island
I know, I suppose technically this should class as an 'S' (Super Mario World 2 and all that), but screw you tradition, I'm going to give the otherwise unfortunately lacking 'Y' a boost with the inclusion of the Super NES's second greatest platformer, the childishly easy but otherwise thoroughly superb Yoshi's Island. If video games made history through charm and nothing else then this would be the best game ever made, but as it stands it's merely very, very good.
I covered Yoshi's Island in week 26 of "The Wonder Years" - click here to read the column.
Y is also for... Yoshi's Cookie, Young Merlin, Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
Z is for... Zombies Ate My Neighbors
Rounding out the alphabet comes B-movies' most beloved video game, which we'll call Zombies for short. A simple (but not simplistic) arcade cheese-fest featuring small-town America under attack from a host of movie monsters, the game's endearing facade belies its difficulty, and by the time the twentieth level has rolled round you realize you're stuck in there for the long haul. Thankfully, you'll also find you really don't want to leave.
I covered Zombies in week 2 of "The Wonder Years" - click here to read the column.
Z is also for... Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel, Zool, Zoop
And finally…
Phew! Hard work, that. As always, reader feedback and suggestions are welcome, I respond to everything so just drop me a line or leave a comment. You can also check out my science fiction column "The Flux Capacitor" over at 411 Movies. Next week in "The Wonder Years" - we're heading back to the usual format with another forgotten gem. Until then - keep it real, keep it retro.
