Best non-classic games

[SodaPopinksi]

When I was a kid, there was a pizza shop in my neighborhood that had it. After I pitched a game of Little League, we stopped in for dinner. I was rocking the game like I never had, but had to go to the bathroom like you wouldn't believe.

I was like 10, and didn't want to leave my high scoring game, which was achieved while doing a serious pee-pee dance.

Unfortunately, my bladder won out. It was quite embarassing.

Baby Pac-Man is the oft-overlooked game in the Pac-Man family, but it rocked. It was hard to find where I lived.

That is so funny, when I was about 8 or 9 I was rocking Kung Fu like never before at the local arcade and had to pee so badly. I got to like the third or fourth level, I was doing better than ever before, and the bathroom was across the street.

I thought I could hold out, but no lol. I had on dark corduroys though and looked down at my shoes to see this small puddle that no one around had noticed. So I just kinda walked out and all the way home defeated lol.

[theCoder]

My favorites are
1)  Star Castle
2)  Rip-off (the ultimate 2 player game)
3)  Qix

[leapinlew]

attaxx

Cheyenne (I played a lot, wasn't good at it and not sure if it could be considered a non-classic)

chicken shift

[Donkey_Kong]

I can provide some history for this likeness as the likeness was intentional as it was the same character. Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo created him and is perhaps one of the most influential game designers ever and concieved Mario in Donkey Kong as a future star of other games. There is a wicked interview with him in the coffee table book 'High Score' that explains the entire Mario Story and how he evolved.

Mordt...Thanks for the tip on the book...I guess it's off to Barnes & Noble for me...or Amazon or something.

Guys- I have been over active in a thread that I don't really belong in. I apologize for that. The problem is I consider myself a 'classic arcade' FAN, but unfortunately was grossly deprived of title variety (non classic) growing up. Crosby, MN population 2000...arcade games were far and few between, but oh so appreciated when available. Very few 'non classics' and 'off titles' made it our way...we were lucky to have what little we had. Thanks again 'Park Arcade' ('81-'85?) and 'Bodega Pizza('70's-'96)...you did your best with what you had and damn it...there is one kid that will never forget IT!! 'Bodega Dick' you are a pizza LEGEND in Crosby and one day I will get your recipe for the sauce!

I want to buy the old 'Park Arcade' building someday...about 800 sq. ft. ran down yeeassh fix-er upper. It's where I first played some great games including DK. Where I pestered and begged for quarters. Where I hung out and didn't belong (too young 7-8ish). Where I cashed checks from my mom for like .50. It is where it all started. It is where 'it' all went down. This is where it was AT baby!

81-85 why did you have to end? 

My nics back then-Lil' Jonsey A.K.A. 'Skin', 'Skinner', 'Lil Eraser' to name a few... (Crosby circa '75-'00)

[fgh]

My non-classic favourites:

Super Sprint
Cabal
Final Fight

We've been playing Super Sprint (3 players) for hours and hours on the mamecab lately.

And thanks for the tip on the "High Score!" book. Just ordered the second edition (only $7!). I can't wait..

[leapinlew]

81-85 why did you have to end? 

I'll tell you why it had to end! I would've exploded if I had to stay a virgin much longer.

[davieboynj]

both in the vein of bubble bobble:
nightmare in the dark
penguin brothers

digdug / drmario hybrid:
mr driller (run in Zinc)

[ahofle]

81-85 why did you have to end? 

I'll tell you why it had to end! I would've exploded if I had to stay a virgin much longer.

    

[Mordt]

Mordt...Thanks for the tip on the book...I guess it's off to Barnes & Noble for me...or Amazon or something.
[/quote]

NP DK, there is an edition 2 out now also I believe they added a few more years to the history of video games but not sure as I havent bought it yet. I've got edition 1

[needlesmcgirk]

Smash TV, both TMNT, Simpsons.

And if you like overhead flyers like 1944, Gigawing is awesome.  Has a sweet reflection ability that adds a lot to the same ol' same ol' of arcade action flyers.

[Lilwolf]

LOL - love what some of you think of non-classics...  Classic to gamers or classic to the masses might be a real good question.

But for what I don't think of classics are

Mr Driller - might be one of the best and simplest games made in recent times

LOTS of vertical shooters are great!  One of the themes that seemed to really get better as time went on.  Some of the classics have good memories... but I like the newer ones better.

But I still spend 95% of my time on Robotron, Rygar, Moon Patrol, ect... and these are classics.

[mvolke1]

Anyone check out my suggestion of "The Blob?" It's a really great game, and a lot of fast-paced fun. I haven't had anybody I suggested it to say they didn't like it.

A definite "Non-classic classic."

I've got to check out Mr. Driller. I'd never heard of it until today.

[Donkey_Kong]

81-85 why did you have to end? 

I'll tell you why it had to end! I would've exploded if I had to stay a virgin much longer.

OTOH hmmmm

Word. 

[sez]

Black Tiger
Eyes
Kid Niki
Moon Patrol

Moon Patrol stole many coins from me back in the day.  I'd consider it a "classic" but that's just me. 

[MYX]

We used to play Moon Patrol on the apple IIC. Played it for hours. Played it until we got totally sick of it. Until I built my cab, I never played the real thing (about 2 weeks ago). Funny, but the sound on the IIC was very gritty in comparison.

[Texasmame]

One from the "classic" timeframe that I'm surprised wasn't a big hit - Flicky.  Very "cute" and good gameplay.

And probably my fav from the post-classic era - Assault.  Just something about hitting that jumppad and raining down nukes - makes me scream GET SUM inside everytime!   

[MYX]

Assault is a great game. I almost got one at an auction about a year and a half ago. There are so many times I want to take both joys to the right or left in Battlezone. I got spoiled in Assault. It is sort of a surreal game. No real music to speak of, you are just sort of in the midst of battle from the get go and it can get pretty intense.

[ahofle]

Assault is a great game. I almost got one at an auction about a year and a half ago. There are so many times I want to take both joys to the right or left in Battlezone. I got spoiled in Assault. It is sort of a surreal game. No real music to speak of, you are just sort of in the midst of battle from the get go and it can get pretty intense.

I always liked the music in between stages on Assault.
And agreed on Flicky.  Great game.

Regarding "The Glob", does anyone know if the sounds in MAME are accurate?  They sound terrible (that buzz when picking up the fruit).  The version that runs on 'Pacman hardware' sounds much better.

[mvolke1]

I don't know if the Pac hardware is more accurate, but it does sound much better.

Go Go Mr. Yamaguchi, made by the same programmers as Kid Nikki, is pretty fun. Found that one today.

[um3k]

x2.

I need a trackball to play it though! 

There is a clone called "ramprt2p" that uses Joysticks for the controls.

[mvolke1]

I was overcome by the irony of "Michael Jackson's Moonwalker" when I played it this morning before heading to the office.

You are Michael Jackson, trying to collect small children as you make your way through streets beating up bad guys with a magical lazer that comes out of your finger and a special dance move that kills all bad guys on the screen. Also, if you collect Bubbles the monkey, you turn into Robo-Michael, and shoot more powerful lazers, all while a clunky version of "Smooth Criminal" babbles in the background. 

A true non-classic classic.

A-he-he! Ow!

[willburz]

I was overcome by the irony of "Michael Jackson's Moonwalker" when I played it this morning before heading to the office.

You are Michael Jackson, trying to collect small children as you make your way through streets beating up bad guys with a magical lazer that comes out of your finger and a special dance move that kills all bad guys on the screen. Also, if you collect Bubbles the monkey, you turn into Robo-Michael, and shoot more powerful lazers, all while a clunky version of "Smooth Criminal" babbles in the background. 

A true non-classic classic.

A-he-he! Ow!

Heh, I was playing that earlier today.  It's a really strange game, and very ironic.

[dbaleckaitis]

Here are a few of my favorites not mentioned yet!

Mat Mania
Ring King
Jungle Hunt
Crystal Castles
Gladiator

 

Dan