The original Playstation is one of the most important video game consoles in the history of electronics. Many changes to the way video game development was conducted took place during these years. While big budget 3D blockbusters were marketed to the sky and back, some other companies realized they could target lower price points. Before the Playstation, most lower priced games were re-releases of older, successful games, but the cheaper manufacturing and shipping costs of CDs and jewel cases persuaded some companies to just develop and release lower priced games, which would come to be known as a budget title. The PC gaming market had been doing this since its inception, but consoles could finally get in on the small priced release train. Lower the scope of the game, don't add too many features, and focus like a laser on what will be in the game, and these developers and publishers could release a rather competent game for $20. BursTrick Wake Boarding!! is one such game.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game originally came out way back in 2010 but has been unavailable to purchase for several years. It's a shame since it's a fun multiplayer beat 'em up that takes heavy inspiration from the likes of River City Ransom. It also has an excellent soundtrack that was composed by Anamanaguchi. Fortunately, the game was recently re-released for modern consoles so more people can experience it. With the recent re-release, the time seemed right to try my hand at covering my favorite track from the game. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!
Have you ever been playing a game and gotten to the point where you know you can approach the final boss and finish the game any time you want to, but are having so much fun that you don't want the game to end? That's where I was with Cat Quest, a light, relaxing RPG developed by Gentlebros and released in 2017. This is a game I picked up on the Playstation 4 based only on the title and cover art. It took me a while to get around to playing it, but the comfort food RPG gameplay and addictive feedback loop were just what the doctor ordered for a relaxing winter playthrough.
I don't think I can give a better elevator pitch for this game than the developers themselves did. From the game's official website: "This is a game heavily inspired by Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy and Skyrim. It aims to provide a streamlined and concise open world experience. Think of it as the overworld of Final Fantasy, the combat and exploration of Zelda, and the open world of Skyrim all in one package!" In the game, you play as a cat trying to rescue his kidnapped sister. All the NPCs are cats and the game is littered with cat puns (see what I did there?).
Collectors of retro video games, as collectors of all media, stand against the ravages of time's arrow. Said arrow only goes in one direction and as it inexorably pushes all forward it simultaneously leaves all behind. As the the grand philosophers in Spaceballs once posited:
Col. Sandurz: Now. You're looking at now, sir. Everything that happens now is happening now. Lord Dark Helmet: What happened to then? Col. Sandurz: We passed it. Lord Dark Helmet: When? Col. Sandurz: Just now. We're in now now. Lord Dark Helmet: Go back to then! Col. Sandurz: When? Lord Dark Helmet: Now! Col. Sandurz: Now? Lord Dark Helmet: Now! Col. Sandurz: I can't! Lord Dark Helmet: Why? Col. Sandurz: We missed it! Lord Dark Helmet: When? Col. Sandurz: Just now! Lord Dark Helmet: When will then be now? Col. Sandurz: Soon.
So after taking much of 2020 to look at some of the best games for several different home console systems of the 70's, 80's, and 90's, it only seemed natural to kick off 2021 with a list of the best of the best.
The results are based off of 5 participants:
Crabmaster2000 EZ Racer DisposedHero Fokakis79 Wempster
Voters were encouraged to list all their best games if they couldn't get it cut to 20, and a few lists took advantage of that. Games from all systems released as 5th generation consoles (N64, Playstation 1, Sega Saturn) and prior were eligible. Japan exclusives were also eligible, along with PC titles released in 1999 or earlier.
In all, there were 89 games that were considered among the best of the early video game generations, and rather than list the also-rans separately, I thought it woulld be fun to list every game in order. My thought is that all these games are considered exceptional by at least one person, so if your looking for ideas for something to try, it might be for you as well.
Before getting to it, thanks to those who participated this month, and all who made lists in 2020. It's been a lot of fun, and look forward to a lot more in '21! If you're a GameCube fan, check out the link for the next list coming up- http://www.rfgeneration.c...m/index.php?topic=19495.0
So here are your Top 20...er top 89 games as voted on by RFGen members!
We interrupt your regularly scheduled panicked, last-minute candy and flower shopping to bring you the February 2021 edition of RF Generation's Site News! In this issue, we provide you with an update for our Annual Fund Drive, announce our March Community Playthrough title, reveal our shoot 'em up club game, and of course, thank those members who sent in submissions to our site and registered approvals last month. Thanks for keeping it on Channel 3 and please continue to keep you and your loved ones SAFE!
REMEMBER: If you have any news about upcoming events or topics that you think the site needs to hear about, please PM singlebanana and put "RFG Site News" in the subject line. Who knows, maybe your news will make our front page!
I just started playing the Suikoden series recently. The first game was a pleasant surprise that I ended up really loving. It is concise and well-paced for a JRPG, full of memorable characters and great moments. After I played it, so many people told me that the sequel was just like this but better in every way. I disagree.
In December 1982, over the holiday break, from my 1st year in school, most of us on my dad's side of the family gathered at the home of my grandparents, to celebrate Christmas. Like any year, it was a time filled with candy, kids playing in the living room, while the adults sat around the dining room table, regaling stories new and old, and of course, Christmas presents. And like every Christmas, though grandpa and grandma didn't have much money, their gifts were thoughtful, and their house full of love. Those times were always magical. Little did I know the magic I was to discover during this particular holiday gathering.
If you guys don't know me already, I drive a custom Super Mario Kart Car. It's a 2005 Scion xA and its painted Red, White, and Blue with yellow wheels just like Mario's car in the game. I am constantly working on it, and recently I have been making appearances at kids' birthday parties with it.
Well, I upgraded my shift knob which was a BaBomb for a while, and decided to make one out of a plastic banana to resemble the bananas you throw in Mario Kart.
It's a new year (perhaps you've noticed) and things are a lot different. Many things are the same, including many of the problems, but we've got a changing of the guard, vaccines coming in hot and ready, and hopefully an end to at least some of the wretchedness that has gripped this country for some time now. With that, I'm finding myself cautiously poking my head out of the miasma of societal hopelessness I've been in since last summer. I've started doing weekly gaming nights with some friends from my local book club and have a renewed interest in gaming, which has helped my mood tremendously lately.
I've never been much for New Year's resolutions, personally, but I do like the idea of setting goals as a tangible intent to get things done. In that vein, and in lieu of a top 10 of 2020 list, I thought it'd be a good idea to set some goals for checking out some of the games I was too distracted to play last year, as well as check some games off my backlog. I won't commit myself to finishing every one of these, but as a means to hold myself accountable, here are the games I want to play this year.
In this episode Chris is the Atreus to Kelsy's Kratos as we discuss the much loved God of War (2018) in depth. Also a bonus at the end where we talk about the HBO sci-fi series Raised by Wolves first season.
On February 1st, we officially kick off our annual RF Generation Community Donation Drive (though all donations today also count toward our total raised!). Our goal again this year is to raise at least $1500 by February 28, 2021. This money will be used to pay server costs. We hope that you will consider contributing to keep RF Generation a free, fun, and useful site for yourself, other members, and those who haven't been fortunate enough to find us yet. We only ask that you donate what you can and even a small amount, like a few bucks, goes a long way and is very appreciated.
Donations are accepted via PayPal and you can donate through the following link: http://www.rfgeneration.c...m/index.php?action=paypal. PLEASE be sure to PM me (singlebanana) your RF Generation handle and the email address you used to donate (or include your screen name with your donation via PayPal) so that we can thank you on the front page and determine your number of raffle tickets; only your handle will be used and all donation amounts are private.
Raffle tickets you ask? For those of you who donate at least $10, you will be entered into a raffle for some fantastic prize lots. We currently have several items donated by some of our generous members (prize lots to be posted soon). We are still accepting donations for prize lots, so if you have any items to donate, please reach out to singlebanana via PM. Rules for this raffle are listed below.
Thank you for your donations to the site and we hope that RF Generation will remain your #1 choice for tracking your collection for years to come!
In Episode 030, Addicted and MetalFRO look at our December Shmup Club selection, Flight of Pigarus! This SMS homebrew surprised us in a good way. We also take a look back at the shmups we played during 2020, and choose our top 5 games we played, out of all the games for the year!
In this month's episode of the Playcast, Rich (singlebanana) and Shawn (GrayGhost81) play the highly-anticipated sequel to 2K's Bioshock franchise, with Bioshock 2. You'll get full insight into the story, gameplay mechanics, graphics, and the game's haunting OST and sound effects. In their final thoughts, the guys will also discuss how this sequel stacks up to the original that they played and covered two years ago. In the Concertcast segment, we time travel once again and take on the BEST OF THE YEAR IN MUSIC for 2001. Which albums are must owns for this year, tune in and find out!
As always, we are happy to hear your thoughts on the games we play on our discussion page (linked below). We will respond to your comments and are always happy to discuss the games in detail. Please be sure to rate and write a review of the show on iTunes and/or Podbean to help us increase our listenership. Thanks for the listen, we hope you enjoy the show!
