Anyone else into modern retro-inspired gaming?

[shponglefan]

Having recently beaten Axiom Verge, an awesome Metroid-inspired platformer, I was wondering if anyone here is into modern retro-games?

A few of my favorites:

Axiom Verge - As mentioned, it's a Metroid-inspired platformer and impressively was built by only one person.  Especially cool is the inclusion of deliberate graphical glitches which riff on the types of glitches you'd find on early consoles like the NES.  The difference here is there is gameplay built around them.

Super Meat Boy - IMHO, one of the best modern retro-platformers.  While it is a rage game, it has possibly the smoothest control in any platformer I've ever played.  Features lots of references to earlier 80's and 90's games.

Life of Pixel - Not very well known, but a fun platformer that is based around replicating various early console and computer platforms including the C64, Sinclair ZX81, NES, etc.

Anyone else into these kinds of games?  Any recommendations for good ones to check out?

[vwalbridge]

Does Shovel Knight count?

I never finished it but it had a Mega Man feel to it.

[shponglefan]

Shovel Knight most certainly counts. 

Haven't played it yet, but only heard good things about it and it's on my short-list of titles to pick up.

[Howard_Casto]

I think it's a loaded question tbh.  Modern era retro games often just equates to "crappy flash game with pixel art"

The way I would put it is this... I'm into fun games.  The genre or visual style of the game is irrelevant to me.  I consider the recent Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter games to be retro as they have abandoned all 3d gameplay in favor of the 2d style.  I think a lot of people would call them modern though. 

[vwalbridge]

How about Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime?

Clearly has a modern look but gives a nod to Asteroids.

[pbj]

Rogue Legacy is pretty fun.  I am TERRIBLE about it.

[vwalbridge]

TowerFall

[thomas_surles]

never heard of axiom verge. I will have to check that one out. The other 2 wet great.

Vulgar The Viking:
a great (hard) game by adult swim games for pc. it is a side scroller with some platforming. very cab friendly.
most recently ported to dreamcast.

You have to win the game & super win the game:
a really fun platformer with metroid like exploration.

[Xiaou2]

Eternal Daughter

 Is Awesome.  Huge.  And flippin hard as hell.

Author Derek Yu:

"Eternal Daughter is an epic platform game that took myself and my friend Jon two years to make and nearly destroyed our immortal souls. It's an homage to some of our favorite games from our preteen years, like Super Metroid and Castlevania: SOTN.

Even though the gameplay is familiar, the world, the characters, and the story are all our own. The game also marks my first teaming up with Swedish music virtuoso, David Saulesco, who produced an original soundtrack for the game. We've been happy together ever since."



Egames -  MiniCar Racing

 I guess you could say its similar to RC Pro Am?     Its a real blast with a group of friends.  (up to 4 human racers)

Platypus

 Claymation based horizontal shooter.   Cool look,  good gamplay.  Love the C64 inspired soundtrack backing too.

[vwalbridge]

Speaking of RC pro Am...

Check out Reckless Racing

[danny_galaga]

 I quite like modern games made for old hardware. That makes it modern, but not contrived (as Howard pointed out) since you have to work within limits. Super Breadbox for the C64 is a good one. I even have it on cart (",)

[jdbailey1206]

Super Meat Boy and Shovel Knight look fun.  Just too lazy to download them.  Maybe in another six months.

[Token]

Speaking of RC pro Am...

Check out Reckless Racing

That looks great! Is it cab friendly?

EDIT-

To use this game, upgrade to Windows 10.

Nevermind... 

[vwalbridge]

Speaking of RC pro Am...

Check out Reckless Racing

That looks great! Is it cab friendly?

EDIT-

To use this game, upgrade to Windows 10.

Nevermind... 

Yea, unfortunately no it's not cab friendly. And even if the Win10 thing was not a problem for you, navigating the menu system probably would be. (Lot's of mouse clicks and sub-menus while customizing your car)

It's a damn shame too, because once you actually start racing, the controls are pretty simple and straightforward like RC PRO AM.

[vwalbridge]

Speaking of RC pro Am...

Check out Reckless Racing

That looks great! Is it cab friendly?

EDIT-

To use this game, upgrade to Windows 10.

Nevermind... 

Yea, unfortunately no it's not cab friendly. And even if the Win10 thing was not a problem for you, navigating the menu system probably would be. (Lot's of mouse clicks and sub-menus while customizing your car)

It's a damn shame too, because once you actually start racing, the controls are pretty simple and straightforward like RC PRO AM.

A better modern alternative to RC Pro AM would probably be Bang Bang Racing. Only requires Windows 7 and the menu system is easy to navigate. I believe it only requires 2 buttons. However, I don't know for certain if the controls can be re-mapped.

Only one problem I guess...the camera angle and movement is bazaar. The camera sort of swings around and wobbles. It can make you a little sea sick. If you recall, in RC Pro AM, the camera stayed fixed and that was perfect.

[shponglefan]

Speaking of RC pro Am...

Check out Reckless Racing

That looks great! Is it cab friendly?

EDIT-

To use this game, upgrade to Windows 10.

Nevermind... 

Dang, Windows 10 exclusives already?  Although I guess it is Microsoft so...

[eds1275]

I'm enjoying the Deer God, #IDARB, Super Meat Boy. I get annoyed I spent all that money on an Xbox One and the majority of the games coming out are "retro pixel art" style. I dont care for graphics,. but when something is competing with Jumpman for details on a $500 machine I'm pretty annoyed.

[Xiaou2]

Just thought Id mention,  the  Minicar Racing is not merely racing.   Cars are equipped with weapons. A LOT of weapons!

 If you win races,  you earn money.   You can also pickup money on the track at times.   

 Then you can buy cars,   car upgrades,   and or weapons.

 Upgrade the   Engine, Tires,  Armor... 

 Add Oil slicks,  mine droppers, spiked bumpers, missiles, heat seeking missiles, nitro boosters, lasers, EMP energy weapons,  and more.

 Certain cars can only be upgraded to certain capacities... where as others can carry more weapons.   (As well as the standard limits of things like top speeds,  acceleration..etc)

 4 players can play at the same time, via a slip screen.

 There are certain environments that effect the race... such as the Moon... where gravity is lower.   If you take a jump too fast, or get blasted by a weapon... you could be sailing off the screen for some time. 

 The AI is done really well..  with a good balance of challenge.   You wont easily whip them.  Yet they are not overly "cheap" either.
As you upgrade the car a few times, it gets faster and better.  Initially it starts out a little slow and clunky... as to be expected for the basic model.

[knave]

My favorite retro inspired indie game: Twin Tiger Shark

[voltz]

Project Y for the genesis has been in development for a long time.  I haven't checked up on it lately.

[vwalbridge]

I'm kinda surprised this game hasn't been mentioned yet: Downwell



If you have been playing this game, then you know what I'm talking about. This game is begging to be installed on your arcade machine. I could totally imagine this game as a real arcade machine from the 80's. I'm officially addicted to it. It combines so many great aspects that make a great arcade game.

It's only $3 on Steam. It only requires left and right movement and a single button. It's semi-cab friendly in that the character's movement is either A or D on the keyboard or the L and R arrow keys. And the 'fire' button is either space bar or shift. (However, there is a rumor the developer is going to make custom inputs so that it's fully cab-friendly.) Oh and it supports horizontal and rotated screens.

Why are you still reading this? Go try this game!

[Aceldamor]

Anyone heard of shadowcrypt?

http://store.steampowered.com/app/316810/

[BadMouth]

Anyone else annoyed by how small the characters are on these throwback platformers?

IMO, larger characters was one of the big improvements when the 16-bit era came along.

[woosdom]

UnEpic is a good game. Teleglitch is another.

[Rattus]

I'm s huge fan of the arcade classic Defender and I think this remake of it Refender is pretty cool http://norrish.force9.co.uk/refender/ I have played it on my desktop but sadly the PC in my mame cab doesn't support OpenGL 2.0 so I will have to wait untill I upgrade that, which might be awhile

Early release on Youtube, collision detection was fixed later

[Slippyblade]

Anyone else annoyed by how small the characters are on these throwback platformers?

IMO, larger characters was one of the big improvements when the 16-bit era came along.

Yeah, I've noticed that as well.  I shouldn't have to squint at my screen to see my character.

[vwalbridge]

Time to bump this thread.

I'll add INVERSUS to the list.

If Robotron and Pac-Man had a baby, it would probably be this game.