Embarassingly, I apparently pre-ordered the wrong version of the Asian mini, and didn’t realise until it had shipped.
Seems that for the Asian editions there are the Genesis Mini and the Mega Drive Mini, the first being basically the same as the Western version, and the latter being the one that I actually wanted (which swaps out most of the bad games for stuff like Alien Soldier, Shining Force II etc).
So now I have 2 minis on the way, one of which I could have just picked up at EB Games for like $40 cheaper. I guess I might just trade it in or sell it. Unless I decide I really really want it for Ecco and Dynamite Headdy
Where did you order your proper one from? I’m also interested in that model. Proper asian one I mean, with the different line up. Also does it come with the six button pad?
This is weirdly the game I beelined to as well. I never played it back in the day because it looked insanely dry from screens but it has a lot more character than I would’ve thought (which i mean of course, it’s Treasure). The terrible piano playing lady, the hidden shop you posted about, it’s quirky. It also lets you move around quickly and superman dive from room to room so it’s paced way better than I would’ve figured as well. I hated the dragon boss but beat him and that’s where I left off. Love the voice samples when you save someone and “SOLVE THE RIDDLE”. Highly recommend checking it out anyone that hasn’t.
Landstalker is one of my favorite games of all time! One of these days I’ll try Lady Stalker and Dark Savior!
Anyways I love the menu music and being able to swap the art to show all the spines. It’s very slick. I hope it gets broken soon because I really want Shining Force 2 and Alien Soldier. Still a really cool collection. Darius is a neat port too!
I got the Japanese version yesterday and played it a good bit today. Slap Fight MD rules. Also, Snow Bros is pretty fun. I’d never even heard of it but it is a bit like Bubble Bobble.
I got around to beating Light Crusader some time last week, and then immediately started playing Landstalker. I was sick the other day, so I was able to stay home and beat that game as well. They are both rather enjoyable (but very different) games.
The time on my final save file for Light Crusader was like 5 or 6 hours, and I never needed a guide. For Landstalker that number was 17 hours, and there were like 3 or 4 different spots I have to reference a guide.
I can see why so many folks place Landstalker quite high in the Genesis canon, though if I had an itch for an isometric action RPG for the Sega Genesis I’d probably reach for Light Crusader first.
LC is quite a generous and forgiving game in spite of its jankiness, and having the game take place in a big multifloored superdungeon helps keep the experience tight and focused in the long run. Also, none of the puzzles felt too execution-heavy, and the platforming was honestly pretty light.
LS on the other hand starts off as a nearly-too-demanding action game, and by the end transforms into a nearly-too-demanding isometric platformer (without shadows!). I love it to pieces, but thinking about going through it again stresses me out a bit. Like, the final action-puzzle where you make a moving bull statue walk over your head nearly broke me — I had to use a savestate to get past it.
The game was best when it put aside combat and platforming and focused instead on delivering absolutely bonkers 3D mazes. Green Maze and the Lake Temple were the best areas of the game for that reason (sorry I didn’t make any paper maps I just used my head). The final dungeon came close, but a few of the triggers needed to activate things in other rooms were too well-hidden for my taste.
(Actually, the game was best when it was being immensely charming and charismatic, but that almost goes without saying. I knew I was in for a fun ride right from the opening cutscene.)
I’m tempted to try Beyond Oasis next, though I might try something that’s not yet another action-adventure game. idk.
I think I gave up on Light Crusader about an hour in, so if it’s only 6 hours long that’s probably another reason to give it another shot. Did you find the combat frustrating due to the short range of your sword? Does it get better later on with longer blades or anything?
Beyond Oasis was another one that I bounced off of the first time I tried to play through it, but when I tried it again on the PS4 collection it finally clicked with me better and I actually found it pretty enjoyable. It’s a lot more combat focused IIRC, with a range of attack moves instead of just repetitive slashing like in Landstalker.
Tiger’s right though, Crusader of Centy is the best
I always seem to forget just how frustrating Ecco the Dolphin is. Trying to maneuver a block past several jellyfish filled pits while an infinitely respawning spider crab chases you through walls and your air gradually dwindles is some kind of bullshit. Ditto for being chased indefinitely by trilobites that respawn every time you view the sonar map.
I’m up to the part where you have to fight the asterite who instakills you at the slightest touch and screw trying to play this game without save states. I’m dreading the later level where you have to swim at the exact right speed through his rotating double-helix without touchin’ his balls lest you die a horrible death.
I’d never played Alisia Dragoon before now, and while it seems decent enough and the music is awesome, some of the levels feel like bullshit and it feels almost impossible to avoid getting hit most of the time.
I assume Super Fantasy Zone was made before all the photosensitive epilepsy incidents of the 90s, because that electricity level is super unpleasant on the eyes. The level after that with the rainbow bubble land is pretty amazing though
What’s the deal with the AI in Eternal Champions? It seems like no matter what, I can never manage to make a dent in them. I’m not exactly great at fighting games but usually I can at least fudge my way through the first couple rounds, but not in this one
it won’t help you with regards to getting hit, but you should know that finding secret places with upgrades for your health/weapon/pets is a big part of alisia dragoon, and it’s pretty much impossible to get through without doing that
Oh yeah, I’ve managed to get the monster buddies up to like level 3 each, and I think level 5 for the main weapon. I haven’t really been going too far out of my way to find the secrets though so I have probably missed a lot. I think I was up to the wrecked spaceship stage, where I was getting a bit frustrated with the enemies just coming to life and exploding at me constantly.
Your sword stays the same length the entire game. It’s a bit annoying, but I just got used to using the jumping slash for most purposes. The fact that most enemies don’t do contact damage is quite helpful.
Magic becomes more viable as the game moves on. There’s a well-hidden green potion on floor 2, which gives you a full 99 of each element. Also, there’s a minigame on floor 3 that nets you ~200 G per play. After those things I didn’t have to worry too much about running out of magic.
I will admit that there are a couple of fights that are still utter nonsense. For instance, there’s a boss fight against a giant spider on floor 3 where I couldn’t figure out how to consistently register hits. Also, there are fights against groups of wizards later on that are just pure chaos.
Mega Drive Mini is nice. Odd there isn’t any filter options. Mega Q is super intense and has a lot of questions about manga and baseball between 1985 and 1992.
Old Sega USB Saturn controller did not work.
My Retrobit USB Saturn Controller did. But with SF2’ it gave me dropped inputs which I did not find on the included six button controller.
I said I would play through Landstalker on this thing and I am. Everyone talks in Kansai-ben!
I like how as a hilarious joke you get all the way to Mercator and the officers say their feet hurt and you are stuck going Rhuma. Back through a gauntlet of enemies you barely survived.
It has a lot of charm but the simple combat is also stressful and Unfun.
Darius 1 is vicious (and boring) as an arcade game. This took out the boring it seems and left the viciousness as I died three times to a game over.
Slap Fight…well I have never liked Slap Fight and while I am fine with learning a game. The particular die and lose all your powerups so you might as well start over is demoralizing. Always has been. It takes a kind of determination that I do not have for video games. Give me Zero Ranger or Deathsmiles. No powerups always full power.
Also felt like Slap Fight kept tricking me with that item placement.
Yeah I have been abusing the hell out of save states in the shmups because they’re so unforgiving and I suck at reflex-intense games. I bashed my head against the first boss in Slap Fight MD’s special mode for an hour until I switched to easy and now I am up to area 1 - 50 or something. Seems level one goes forever
Ah right that makes sense, so I guess it’s just one long stage that loops when you complete it
I tried playing a whole match of Wrestleball and lost 15 - 0. The only goals I scored were own goals. No idea what I am doing or what the buttons do. Just like high school PE I guess