Games that relax you

[mimic]

THERE ISN'T ANY! They make me angry, make me cuss, pound with fist on my control panel or even worse I take out my inability to play on joysticks or trackball. Why do I keep coming back then?


Btw does any one know proper trackball settings for centipede? I play that game all the time and I peeked out at 50 some K and can't get anywhere near that not to mention past it. I play rev3. Anyone tips on that game... must... abuse... myself... more...

[mytymaus007]

Defender and Robotron

[scofthe7seas]

Defender and Robotron

Is that a joke? Those games are pretty stressful! Let's add Super Puzzle Fighter to those two..

Also, I think if you do a google search, there's a thread on here (it's old) where they talk about some of the settings for various trackball games. If I recall, the centipede trackball settings are a whole lot lower than you'd expect.

[SavannahLion]

Also, I think if you do a google search, there's a thread on here (it's old) where they talk about some of the settings for various trackball games. If I recall, the centipede trackball settings are a whole lot lower than you'd expect.

I think I know the thread you're talking about. It's an ongoing debate with the record holders since, IIRC, the game has two or more trackball settings to accommodate for different trackball sizes. Apparently the dispute lies with using a setting/trackball combination that results in a higher speed and that is where the record holder sits now?

Personally the argument is moronic. It doesn't take a genius to figure out the correct settings if you know you have two (or three or whatever) trackball sizes. A little experimentation would quickly determine the correct settings to get the expected behavior.

To answer the OP.

Arcade games are rarely relaxing.

Console games are more suited for relaxing games. To that end, I prefer Secret of Mana and Secret of Evermore. Shining Force I or II are good. Castle Crashers isn't too tense (though I can't play the full version now, ---fudgesicle--- you SONY and your ---smurfy--- security measures).

[ark_ader]

Counter Strike

[cw]

hard drivin/race drivin ... something about being able to blow by people at 110 and not worry about it...

[Harakiri]

The only arcade game that felt soothing to me was Prop Cycle. Mah-Jong games also transmitted that relaxing feel but turned out to be quite stressing after playing them for a while...

[DCsegaDH]

Area 51 and The House of The Dead, I can get almost to the ending with one quarter.

[Spacejack]

Spy Hunter   

I actually can "zone" in Robotron at some times and become quite relaxed. It results in some of my better games (but not my best). I'm not really that good though (avg. 200-250k "good" game).

Sports games can be relaxing. The constant need to feed quarters into arcade ones is annoying though.

And Gauntlet puts me right to sleep. Not kidding. ZONK.

[Xiaou2]

There are very few games that have ever made me angry.

  I think its just that everyones reactions are based on a combination of brain chemistry, and personality traits.

 Im a very relaxed person most of the time, and a happy-drunk when I do drink.
I dont really get that upset over traffic / people cutting me off..etc.  I love challenging games and dont really get upset by them.  But I wouldnt want to be too relaxed, as to me thats too boring for a game, for me.

 Ive got a friend that is even more happy-go-lucky, to the point of almost being ridiculous. IE: he cant see the downside of anything.  Which can, and has gotten him into some bad situations.

 On the other hand, Ive got a friend whos like an Angry troll.  If hes behind the wheel of a car, theres constant cursing, negative commentary, ride-bumper action, and aggressive (destructive) driving.   Of course, it goes way beyond that.  Almost Anything sets him off.  He does have a few good moments here and there.. and he means well, but a lot of the time, hes miserable and or angry. He cant stand to play most games, because he cant stand losing at all.  He only gets happy about playing, when theres some god-cheat code he can enter and do whatever he pleases.

 Op, you may wish to consider doing daily meditations.  It will work wonders in only a few months time.

[mgb]

I find Ladybug to be somewhat relaxing. But I think games aren't really meant be relaxing. Maybe you could cut down on coffee or something
I also find Lolo (on nes) to be relaxing

[Donkbaca]

Hide the Chorizo

[DirtyDachshunds]

Area 51 and The House of The Dead, I can get almost to the ending with one quarter.

That's impressive, I can't do that on either game with 10 quarters

[HaRuMaN]

Hide the Chorizo

Beat me to it 

[Bender]

I know these aren't arcade games, but I find both Portal games relaxing as well as The Pilot Wings series, especially the N64 one

[DCsegaDH]

Area 51 and The House of The Dead, I can get almost to the ending with one quarter.

That's impressive, I can't do that on either game with 10 quarters

Thanks, I use to play it every weekend at a arcade in a mall, I use to be the only one in there most of the time, It's no wonder it shut down 5 or 6 years ago. Those two arcade games are the only ones I'm actually good at, I suck at every other game. I can get kind of far in House of The Dead 4 like 2 or 3 levels if I'm lucky

[mimic]

Op, you may wish to consider doing daily meditations.  It will work wonders in only a few months time.

WHAT!? What are you some Zen ---Bad words, bad words, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when saint censors you?---, wake up, check your testosterone level dammit! Grrr

[RandyT]

...The Pilot Wings series, especially the N64 one

I wholeheartedly agree with this one.  I think it may be the only game I ever really found to be relaxing, without being boring.

[popsicle]

Utopia for Intellivision is relaxing to me.  The random bings and bongs of slow but persistent fishing, the gentle shuuuuuush sound of your crops being watered on, the fact that you can (later in the game) do a few actions and then sit back and watch the weather and pirate boats float around...

mesmerizing

[Xiaou2]

In addition to my 3yr dabble in meditation, Ive also been in the martial arts for far longer.. with plenty of full contact bouts.

 Videogames are like sleepwalking, when compared to the combat arts.


 The arts, are about will-power, control, and mastery of the self.
Meditation is much the same, except that it requires much more internal strength and much greater willpower to remain still and mentally focused.

 If a person cant play a video game without breaking down into a screaming & smashing fit, then it shows they need some work.

[Silverwind]

Utopia for Intellivision is relaxing to me.  The random bings and bongs of slow but persistent fishing, the gentle shuuuuuush sound of your crops being watered on, the fact that you can (later in the game) do a few actions and then sit back and watch the weather and pirate boats float around...

mesmerizing

Love that game.. yes the fishing and rain on your crops is relaxing.

[Jack Burton]

Puckman

When I would be up all night procrastinating finishing an essay in college I usually ended up in the darkened living room on the cab playing a series of very low scores in puckman while rambling on with my roommate while he was on his computer. 

[Blanka]

Nobi Nobi Boy 

[mimic]

In addition to my 3yr dabble in meditation, Ive also been in the martial arts for far longer.. with plenty of full contact bouts.

 

Yo, internet tough guy. I sprinkle my yogurt with martial artists like you. Beside knowing how to play Mortal Kombat doesn't make you one.
Check this move out...

* mimic slaps Xiaou2 around a bit with a large trout

ha! Didn't see that "move" coming, have you!


Back on subject. What was the game that pissed you off in your most recent memory (that question is for you too Xiaou2, and don't claim there isn't one, you already mentioned that not many do=some did!)

For me it was nibbler in the competition.
But the game that made me seething with anger was that kart game for Wii, some mario kart garbage or something. I was playing against my buddy, I knew I'm not gonna win but I came last! And that's what made me so angry... there is a tree now outside my window... Not at him but at the game that's supposedly for children and was so disturbingly vicious throwing crap at me. I was literraly sick to my stomach I was so angry.

p.s. wow irc commands work in html?

[Xiaou2]

To be honest, I was being a bit kind.

 The game that sorta angered me as a kid, was maze hunter 3d (sms). 

 You had to run one square left, then immediately diagonal for two squares, then jump over the chasm of space.   The floor was slick, and you needed to run to get over the gap.

 The problem was not so much the game, but that being so accurate with the sega gamepad was nearly impossible.   I later got one of those handheld epix ergonomic sticks (for the C64, but was compatible) which had Microswitches in it, and was able to beat the level nearly every time.

 However, even with the worst games, I dont smash a control panel, start cursing up a storm..etc.   Eventually, I realize I cant handle the game anymore, and switch to a different game.  If the game that kicked my butt was good, Id come back to it another day and try again.

 In fact, I enjoy a game that thrashes me... such as Spy Hunter (arcade).   It really challenges me, and I love the way the AI manages to take me down in a series of random catastrophic events.

 One of the most memorable games I have is of  Thunderforce II  for the sega genesis.  As a kid, I spent like 1.5 yrs of  "off and on"  playing, before I was able to beat it.
(One of the bosses is actually harder to beat than the original x68000 version)

 Unlike you, I can handle losing, and I can handle coming in last...repeatedly.  I can handle and deal with losses with good grace, and most importantly...
I enjoy the experience of playing much more than the final result of winning or losing.

 And thats the real point here.   You are taking a simple game, and making it way too personal.  Associating a loss (or merely poor performance) as something egotistical and personal.  And putting too much value on results, instead of focusing on the 'now' and enjoying the experience....  Concentrating and enjoying the Good... instead of the bad.


 But as Ive said, its more than just about games.  Its about enlightenment and self control.  As a kid, I used to curse like a drunken sailor.  It took me years of effort to cease my foul tongue.. but now, it takes a lot to make me curse, and its always with conscious control that I decide to let it out, or keep it held back, change it to something less foul..etc.

 Also, as a kid I used to push/beat my younger brother around/up.  Hitting him when he pushed my buttons.  Eventually, he imparted some words that Id never forget.  He said something like this: "You may be physically strong, but inside, you are Weak."  And he was right.  Back then, it was extremely easy to make me go off the handle.  I literally had no self control, at all.   Yet years later, with tons of effort, and Ive talked at least 2 raging men down from a fist fight with me, rather than the typical ego & emotionally fueled rage ending in physical actions.

 I would never claim to be perfect... nor would I would I claim that Meditation will work for everyone.  It was merely one thing (of many) that happened to help me.  The biggest thing is having proper attitude, and ability to accept you are flawed, and that you want, and try, to make changes.

 My buddy cant play a single game without a string of curses and negative comments. He rolls thru life in pretty much constant anger and bitterness.  And while I can sorta relate, its hard to be around for any length of time.  Its very sad to see, and if he does not change soon... hes going to destroy his entire life. (as well as possibly his family members lives)   Hopefully one day I can get through to him, before its too late.
Sadly, hes stubborn as a mule. Choosing to be Deaf as a doornail.  Defiant and challenging, like no video game could ever be. And way too comfortable in his condition.

 PS: The toughest guys, are the ones who fight/counter without ANY emotion.  A sort of robotic precision and focus.  Emotion draws ones attention away from the task at hand, and thus failure rate is pretty high as a result.  These guys usually are the last to get into a situation.. and the first to walk away without damages...  (Even against a surprise virtual Trout attack)

[Mikezilla]

Cmon Xiaou nobody is going to read all that. 

Marvel vs Capcom 3 has started to piss me the hell off. I hate how you cant counter getting juggled in the air. Some punk ass did that to me 3 times in a row because I wasnt blocking down, and he launched me, used his other 2 characters to slam me into the ground, then repeated it. I couldnt do a ---smurfing--- thing. I hate that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. I also hate that holding back doesnt just block, it has to be some stupid angle. I was so pissed off, I didnt even kill one of his guys, and I was K the ---fudgesicle--- O'ed. Not to mention EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON LINE likes to play with Dante, who cheeses you to death, or with Deadpool, who is practically the same guy. 

Im getting mad just thinking about it.

[HaRuMaN]

Sounds like you've been playing against SNAAAAAAAAAAAAKE...   

[Mikezilla]

Sounds like you've been playing against SNAAAAAAAAAAAAKE...   

Oh god he does that?!  Ugh. People CONSTANTLY assisting drives me nuts too! So sad. I used to kick so much ass on MvC2 in the arcades it was retarded. I hate when times change. 

[DCsegaDH]

Sounds like you've been playing against SNAAAAAAAAAAAAKE...  

Oh god he does that?!   Ugh. People CONSTANTLY assisting drives me nuts too! So sad. I used to kick so much ass on MvC2 in the arcades it was retarded. I hate when times change.  

I kick ass in older Street Fighter and Darkstalkers games, but I'm not that good at anything new these days.

[vintagegamer]

Most of my stress these days comes from work, my commute, and my kids so, getting to play any of the games in my garcade relaxes me!

[Spacejack]

One of the most memorable games I have is of  Thunderforce II  for the sega genesis.  As a kid, I spent like 1.5 yrs of  "off and on"  playing, before I was able to beat it.
(One of the bosses is actually harder to beat than the original x68000 version)

I'm still working on that one after twenty-two years

[Xiaou2]

I'm still working on that one after twenty-two years

 A tip...  Press A+B+C+Start at the title screen to get the option menu.  You can choose to start at a later stage, I think level 6 max.  That gives you a fighting chance.

 On the final side scrolling cave boss, at least once, I had to sort of cheat.  I kept pressing start to pause the game rapidly... so it was like a slowdown effect.  Even then, it was a real bear.

 One day I vow to complete the entire game from level 1 to end.  And one day I plan to do the same with the x68000 version... which is soooo much harder (but so much better in looks, and sounds... as well as having more levels).

 
 Also, Note that on the top view levels, your bombs have limited range.  That really thru me off at once point.. cause you think its all forwards weapons, but there are in fact bombs as well, which fire at the same time.  The circles are where they extend to, so its no more than like 2.5 inches range... which makes it a real bear to take out the guns.
 
 If you think that games hard, how about  "Target Earth"  ? 
I cant believe that games difficulty.  But man, its just so damn Epic.

 I think it took me an hour to figure out how to beat the first level.  Its "arcade-hard", and I bet if would have racked in the dough it were put into the arcades back in the 80s.