20 top-notch untended titles

by Christopher Grant { Dec 6th 2005 at 12:30AM }

In an effort to outdo our own list of top 10 hidden gems of this generation, RetroGaming brings us the top 20 games of older generations. Wait a second, there's plenty of recent games on this list; Beyond Good and Evil isn't retro, even if it is a game that nobody played but should have. Take note: this list seems to be a little Sega platform-heavy; whether or not this can be attributed to the preferences of the writer or an abundance of quality titles for Sega's less popular systems like the Dreamcast and Saturn is a decision for you to make.

[Thanks, Nick]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

jago @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

Oh man...

"Pac-Man Vs. - Gamecube"

That game is F*CKING AWESOME!!!

I'd also like to add "Panzer Dragoon Orta" from the Xbox...MAN that game BEAUTIFUL and FUN!!!

Alkaiser @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

Er? Games that nobody played? Who hasn't played half the games on that list? River City Ransom? X-Com? Chu Chu Rocket? Virtua Tennis?! Virtua Tennis even had a sequel on the DC. You can't be unheard of if you get a sequel made while the console's still around.

Dig deeper guys. Seriously.

Captain Obvious @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

I think its pretty neat that I have four of the 20 under my belt - Shadowrun, Ogre Battle, Virtua Tennis and Phantasy Star 2. The first two give me some especially good memories. Ogre Battle was one of my favorites on the SNES - any chance for a GBA port or a DS remake? For some reason, I remember that Shadowrun on the Genesis was much better than the SNES version - anyone else recall this?

Alkaiser @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

I've never played the Genesis version of Shadowrun, but in the SNES version decking was this lame Minesweeper-lite type thing. I've seen screens of the Genesis version and it looks much cooler.

BigKountry @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

I think Shadowrun would be the ultimate MMO. Or make it at least a decent action RPG/FPS. I know that Microsoft currently has the rights to Shadowrun, and a game is in the works for the 360. Will they do it justice? I hope so. I never played the actual video game, by I did put a lot of time in the pen and paper version.

King of all media @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

Snatcher was the sweatest game ever.
I was (and am) a pervert and I played it again and again just so I can force myself on my dead partner's daughter!!---then later catch her sweet little ass in the shower!

demasque @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

The SNES version of Shadowrun was okay but the Genesis version was great! I break out my Nomad every so often just to play it.

Ninegauger @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

Rocket Knight Adventure is bad ass. I got that one as a random gift one Christmas and it's probably one of my favorite games of all time. A real masterpiece that one. It's pretty hard too... and don't try to play it with a keyboard as it makes liberal use of diagnols, as in they are absolutely necessary.

Sam @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

Gee, nobody played Phantasy Star II?

Then why was it a system-seller for the Genesis and why for Yuji Naka's sake did they make two more games in the series for the same console?

Cem @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

Panzer Dragoon Saga rocks!

ALH @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

'Rocket Knight Adventures - Genesis'

YESS. I was wondering when someone was going to shout out that this is a great game.Solid animation which still looks good today and an incredibly catchy soundtrack which beats the crap out of any Sonic games'.Great stuff :D

DG @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

I haven't played many games much better than Guardian Heroes. GH had one of the best features ever for a beat-em-up: There was an included fighting mode wherein you could have a six-player fight with every character in the game playable, including bosses. The graphics were amazing, especially considering just how much could be going on at any single time.

Wow...what a terrific game. If the Saturn had fared a bit better, Guardian Heroes would probably be considered one of the best games of all time, which I think it certainly is.

Denjinflash @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

"Snatcher was the sweatest game ever.
I was (and am) a pervert and I played it again and again just so I can force myself on my dead partner's daughter!!---then later catch her sweet little ass in the shower!"

haha yeah! greatest mega cd game imo.
this whole list is great, too. rocket knight adventures and guardian heroes too!!

bouncicles @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

I bought Cookies and Cream for my wife and I to play. It's fun, but it is HARD, particularly for a game geared to couples (in fact, you can play with one controller with each person using one analog stick and the shoulder buttons).

It wouldn't be so bad except it is timed, and my wife freaks out under the pressure. Also, it doesn't work as a one-player game. I challenge someone to finish it alone.

InvadErGII @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

Hmmm...good list, but it needs more Psychonauts.

Levi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

I don't think older games that go for more that $50 should be on any "overlooked" games list. If a game can be sold for that much on ebay, it obvious that there are a lot of people seeking the game and a re willing to spend that much money on it. I really wanted Guardian Heroes when it first came out, but there was no way I could afford a Saturn at the time. I also remember reading about Panzer Dragoon Saga and thinking, "This game is going to be awesome, and Sega is going to limit manufacturing of this game." And sure enough, the game fetches over $100 now on ebay.

As for this list, I don't think it is gamers overlooking them, it is a lack of marketing and limited distribution that minimalized the chances of some of the awesome games on this list.

One last comment, who hasn't played Beyond Good and Evil yet? If you haven't, what the hell is wrong with you? It is an amazing game! And every flippin' gaming website in the world has devoted at least one article on how it was one of the best games of 2003, and no one played it. And it is on every current gen system, so you have no excuse not playing it. The one big problem with the game is the length. I was COMPLETELY finished with it at around 11 hours. Nothing left to do other than beat it. And I don't remember there being a hard mode. But, like a good movie, you'll want to experience it again and again.