Steve's Obscure Super Famicom Games Thread

Good use of colors.

 

Speaking of the boogeyman and monsters...



When I was a little kid, I was absolutely obsessed with monsters. Fascinated by these morbid, curious creatures. Remember the ole boogeyman in the closet, or the monster under the bed? In 1989, there was a little strange movie geared toward kids that was all about that. It dared to push the cinematic envelope by asking the most important question of our time: What if, JUST WHAT IF, there were truly monsters living underneath our beds?

Brian Stevenson (played by Fred Savage, AKA Kevin Arnold from The Wonder Years) is new to town. He hates it. Absolutely detests moving towns. But one night his life is forever altered when he discovers a wild, fun-loving monster lives under his bed. Maurice (played by Howie Mandel) and Brian form a unique friendship where they travel through the monster underworld by night. They also warp to other kids’ homes via some serious “bed hopping.” There they cause all kinds of mischief and pranks to unsuspecting, sleeping punks. It’s the stuff kids dream about: traveling through space with a monster causing all kinds of good-natured suffering and hi-jinx.



The film used a brilliant mix of bright lights and colors to show off its energetic alternate monster-verse. It was a world teeming with life and energy. It was where you go to escape from the doldrums of the world and to recharge your batteries. Down there there were no limits, and a kid could freely be a kid. But of course…



There lied a real terrifying dark side to this alternate universe. Jagged stairways, dark corridors and foreboding denizens roam about the hellhole. For as much fun as it presented, there also permeates a sense of dread and the fact that something just isn’t right. Something you can’t quite put your finger on, but you know it’s a place you shouldn’t be. The recipe for every kid’s dream but also for their nightmares.



It’s funny looking back at the things we watched and loved as kids. Although it’s rated PG, this movie is exactly the kind of film we would never get in today’s politically correct world. It was full of bizarre sights and oddly subtle spine-tingling visuals and costume designs. Just look at those 3 monsters up there. There is something unnerving about the fact that they’re glaring at a baby with the purpose of making the baby shit its pants. Hell, this movie gives me the creeps more than 90% of the R-rated horror movies released today!



Man, the stuff we watched as kids back in the day...


Thanks for the memories

[Wait a second... this is Little Monsters, NOT Little Magic! -Ed.]

Oh bloody hell. I'm getting too old for this shit.

#48: LITTLE MAGIC



Little Magic is a single screen puzzle affair where players take control of a young witch-in-training. As May, your goal is to transport the fire stone to the pedestal of each level as well as guide May to the exit gate. Obviously you can move the stone around simply by pushing it, but May has two other ways to assist her. 1. Psychic power (which basically operates as a sort of "Finger Poke of Doom") and 2. The magic ball blast off. Players need to use and master both in order to get through the levels. The bubble pops after a couple seconds. It's important to understand the timing of these explosions, because it gives the player time to position themselves into various nooks and crannies in order to advance. May can also form multiple magic balls thanks to the time it takes for one to pop. You can create some nice chain reactions so it's one of those chess games where you need to plan 3-4 moves ahead.

Things start out basic and simple but naturally increase in complexity and difficulty. Later levels introduce warp points, spikes, gaping holes and even enemies. With 100 levels in all, this is one game you won't be beating overnight or even in a few weeks. Some of the later levels are downright brutal. If you enjoy staring contemplatively at the screen until inspiration breaks through with the resolute “AH-HA!”… then Little Magic is right up your alley. The thing I love about these type of games -- they're fun to relax with for 20-30 minutes after a long day of work. Sure, sometimes you just want to pop in a mindless beat 'em up, but there's something rather rewarding about staring at the screen trying to solve a puzzle until that light bulb moment strikes. A six-character password tops off this cake. One of those games you can pick up and play at any time, leave for 3-4 months and come right back to. One of these days, I'm going to help May pass her graduation exam and become a full time witch. Even if it takes me an entire lifetime! *shakes fist*

 

#47: RENDERING RANGER: R2



If yesterday's game was too "tame" and civilized for your tastes, then perhaps today's game will pique your interest. Full of explosive mayhem that would make even Arnold proud, Rendering Ranger: R2 is an action-packed game that switches between Turrican-esque run and gun stages and a horizontal space shooter. In fact, it originated as purely a SHMUP, but sometime through development Manfred Trenz (Turrican creator) decided to add in run and gun stages due to the rising popularity of that genre. As a result, R2 spent nearly 3 (!) years in development before finally seeing the light of day in 1995. And rumor has it only a few thousand copies were ever produced. That's why the game goes for an arm and a leg. I've seen cartridge only copies go for well over $600, and a complete in box copy? You're talking at least one thousand dollars. It's freaking insane. Shame about the price tag. A water cooler holy grail type game among diehard Super Nintendo collectors, Rendering Ranger is, thankfully, pretty solid.

There are several different guns to employ, and each one can be powered up, whether you're playing one of the Contra or Gradius levels. You can absorb up to five hits in either mode, which is nice since most games of either genre see you dying after one hit. Also, when you lose a life your last used weapon downgrades only one level, rather than going back to square one. Therefore, there is some strategy in switching off to a level 1 gun right before you know you're likely going to die, in order to come back to use a level 3 gun (rather than die with the level 3 gun and have it drop down to level 2). You also have 3 bombs to use, and the bombs regenerate slowly, meaning you can use one early on and gain it back by mid level or so. Pretty cool system that I don't recall seeing used much in other games. Speaking of the bombs, they're not generic like in Contra III but rather each gun has its own unique bomb. Some, as you can imagine, are more effective than others in certain situations. Figuring out the best place to use a specific bomb is all part of the strategy. Good stuff. The game is an impressive display of the SNES' capabilities. There are better examples of either genre on the SNES, but R2 does a nice job of blending them in one package. To boot, there are even simple 8-character passwords given after each level, ensuring that you're likely to revisit R2 in order to play through a favorite level, or even re-tackle it years later trying to finally beat it. It doesn't become hard until stage 8. That's when the game becomes a bitch. But it's pretty damn fun while it lasts. More than just a flashy gimmick, Rendering Ranger is a solid mix of two different genres and is certainly worth experiencing (somehow) at least once.

 

#46: VIOLINIST OF HAMELIN



For something a little different, quirky and odd, try out Violinist of Hamelin (AKA Hamelin no Violin Hiki). It's a puzzle action platformer where you play as Hamel and must guide a girl named Flute safely through each level. Flute will follow you throughout the level and is computer-controlled. Pressing "X" deactivates her, which is necessary at certain points. Hamel can shoot musical notes at enemies to dispose of them. You can use Flute in a variety of entertaining ways. From standing on her head to even tossing her through bricks. The big gimmick of the game comes in the form of Flute being able to transform into one of 16 different forms. Each form has its own special purpose, and using the right form at the right moment is key to success. Some transformation examples include: Ostrich, Punching Robot, Frog, and even a Curling Stone (!)

On the downside, there is no save or password, and the game isn't super short. It sucks having to play back at level 1 each time you turn the game on, but it's a fairly minor nitpick, but something definitely worth mentioning. Other than that, Violinist of Hamelin is quirky fun and something fresh and different from your typical SNES game. It's cute and charming but with a healthy splash of black humor. Poor Flute. She gets quite abused! Her reactions and expressions are absolutely priceless. And might be worth the price of admission alone.

 

Whoa man, I was just a few days ago having the faintest memories possible of this very weird TV show I saw as a kid of a monster under a bed and then just kind of put it out of my mind. Imagine my surprise suddenly seeing this thread! I'll have to check that out.

Not game related, but thanks for solving that mystery!

 

Looking forward to your third review of Little Magic another ten years down the line

 

You should make a youtube show mate, trust me.

 

HA! Maybe by then I'll be able to say I've completed all 100 levels. Not likey

Dude! That's awesome! I love random stories like this It's why I sometimes like to veer slightly off topic and do things the way I want to see things done. It's fun for me and you never know when something you write will strike a certain chord with someone else. Thanks for sharing this. Really awesome stuff, man.

Ha. I'm good. I actually own a YT channel of 10 years, but I definitely prefer to write. I respect all the YouTubers with the mad editing skills and splicing of gameplay. I've always been a "write it down" kind of guy.

The list so far:

50: Battle Cross
49: Mickey Tokyo Disneyland
48: Little Magic
47: Rendering Ranger: R2
46: Violinist of Hamelin

#45: SUPER BACK TO THE FUTURE II



Yesterday's game, Violinist of Hamelin, was developed by Daft. Their very first game was, coincidentally, Super Back to the Future II. This Super Famicom exclusive exploded in popularity after the Angry Video Game Nerd published a video of it December of 2011. That video, to date, has 4.5 million views. Guide Marty McFly (almost a Super Deformed version) on his hoverboard throughout the various levels. The game boasts a rich, colorful look. The classic BTTF overture has been replicated perfectly, and anytime I listen to it, I still get the chills. That alone makes this game a must for any diehard BTTF fanatic.

The game is far from perfect. The control takes some getting used to, there is a bit of slowdown at certain sections and there are some cheap moments where you can't seem to avoid being hit. But you know what, there's just something about this game that I enjoy popping in and kicking back with for 20-30 minutes. A simple four character password system allows you to revisit favorite levels or continue where you last left off. I remember playing this game 10 years ago and being quite impressed by it. 10 years later, the novelty has worn off, but the music is still awesome. And bloody hell, I still enjoy playing it quite a bit, warts and all.

 

This is exactly what happened to me, I don't understand why I never tried searching for the key words there "Monsters Under Bed"

 

50: Battle Cross
49: Mickey Tokyo Disneyland
48: Little Magic
47: Rendering Ranger: R2
46: Violinist of Hamelin
45: Super Back to the Future II

#44: NANGOKU SHOUNEN PAPUWA-KUN



Capcom, Konami, Square. Undeniably 3 of Super Nintendo's most respected and beloved 3rd party developers. But when you talk about underrated companies, you'll hear names like Natsume and Hudson Soft. Hey, why not add DAFT to that list? Sure, they only made 3 SNES games, but I found all 3 to be rather entertaining. And coincidentally, tonight we're completing the Daft SNES trilogy. Their 3 SNES games were Violinist of Hamelin, Super Back to the Future II, and this, our next game in the countdown, Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun. Based off the manga, it appears at first glance to be ye standard ole platformer. The biggest difference? Nangoku features a level up system like you would find in an action RPG. There are 8 kooky worlds to navigate, with odd enemies to battle along the way such as a one-legged umbrella (!) mid-boss. There's even a character that looks an awful lot like Link, hmmm.

Nangoku, along with Violinist of Hamelin, has long been erroneously credited by various gamers as being developed by Enix (including yours truly 10 years ago, my apologies to Daft). Enix published them only. It should be noted too that there is a slight bit of dialogue in this game (as was the case with Violinist of Hamelin), but it won't hinder a non-Japanese reading gamer from progressing. However, there is a fan translation floating out there if you want to get the full Nangoku experience. So if you're looking for a fun platformer that stands out from the 16-bit crowd, then check out Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun. It’ll likely put a smile on your face. Everyone I’ve talked with who has ever played Nangoku liked it quite a bit as well. Odds are, you will, too.

 

50: Battle Cross
49: Mickey Tokyo Disneyland
48: Little Magic
47: Rendering Ranger: R2
46: Violinist of Hamelin
45: Super Back to the Future II
44: Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun

November 10, 2006, was a day for the ages. It was the day I received my last package of "ultra rare" Super Famicom games. It took a month of collaborating but finally my mercenary over in Japan finished the job, and what a job he did. With that score, I was pretty much set.

But I had no time to revel in its magnificence. For it was also the day I was on my way to a wedding banquet with my good friend, Eddie. Who got hitched? Our old high school friend Christina, Eddie's old flame. And despite his efforts in coaxing me otherwise, I knew he still had feelings for her.

She's the one he let get away, folks… and man… she's a keeper.

By the time we got off the freeway it was dark and pouring. We were forced to stop at a train track. As the heavy rain drops pelted the roof of Eddie's car, with the loud rumbling of the train roaring past us, it happened.


Oh God no. Please say it ain't so. Don't do this to my friend!

JESSIE'S GIRL blared on the radio. Its cheesy yet classic 80s pop rock, not to be outdone by the tumultuous train, sliced through the cold night air with fierce vengeance.

I expected him to change the station, but he never did.

As the train roared on for what felt like an eternity, we sat there in silence, taking in the ambiance. I feared the lyrics would drive him over the edge…



Jessie is a friend
Yeah, I know he's been a good friend of mine,
But lately something's changed; it ain't hard to define
Jessie's got himself a girl and I wanna make her mine

Y'know I feel so dirty when they start talkin' cute,
I wanna tell her that I love her but the point is prob'ly moot



And I'm looking in the mirror all the time
Wondering what she don't see in me,
I've been funny I've been cool with the lines;
Ain't that the way love's supposed to be?



I WISH THAT I HAD JESSIE'S GIRL!
Tell me, where can I find a woman LIKE THAT?

I don't know if it was the tranquility of that moment or some epiphany he later reached while parallel parking, but the night was full of fun and frivolity. He showed no signs of lamenting her. That night he finally put the past behind him. A good time was had by all.

Capping the night off, I arrived home tired but with enough energy left to eagerly open the big box. These games took me forever to find. Christina was a keeper, and so is this game. Literally.

#43: KEEPER



Keeper is a puzzle action game jam packed with charm and a healthy dose of brain-bending conundrums. Players control an adorable Gizmo-like creature. Your goal is to clear the 5x5 grid of all the stones. Match 3 or more stones. You can get rid of stones via same colors or by same shapes. I love that they gave you two options here. There are four modes of play, including a fun co-op and 2-player versus mode. The 2-player options give Keeper the edge over the somewhat similar Little Magic. Keeper doesn't have the level variety as Little Magic has, but at the end of the day there's something about Keeper's gameplay that pulls me in a little deeper than Little Magic's. But make no mistake about it, both games are definite must haves if you love your single screen action puzzle games. Those games where even just conquering one level after staring at the screen for 20-30 minutes is enough to satisfy.

Interestingly enough, EGM previewed this game back in the day as Cyber Slider. It was slated to come out to American soil, but never saw the light of day. Thankfully, we got Keeper. And judging strictly on the outer appearance of the dull looking generic robot compared to the too-cute-for-words Gizmo knockoff, I'm glad we got Keeper instead of Cyber Slider. Although, there is an option to change the Gizmo creature into either a human boy or a human girl. Why? Oh just because. Because, reasons! You can't knock a game for providing more options to choose from. You know I can't help but say it -- you bet your ass Keeper is a keeper.

 

I had no time for now, but i'll really have to read this thread fully, and set my Everdrive...

 

50: Battle Cross
49: Mickey Tokyo Disneyland
48: Little Magic
47: Rendering Ranger: R2
46: Violinist of Hamelin
45: Super Back to the Future II
44: Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun
43: Keeper

#42: GHOST SWEEPER MIKAMI



Based off the anime/manga by Takashi Shiina, Ghost Sweeper Mikami is an old school action platformer. It's pretty straight forward and what you see is what you get. It reminds me of the dozens and dozens of action platformers we saw on the 8-bit NES back in the day. If you're into that sort of thing, then definitely check out Ghost Sweeper Mikami. It's got a nice atmosphere -- it's slightly goofy yet somewhat spooky. Perfect to play during Halloween season with the lights out on a cold, stormy night.

Evil spirits, zombies and all assorted manner of monsters have popped up all over town. It's up to you, Ghost Sweeper Mikami, to sweep the streets and clear out the demons and demented. Armed with her trusty magic baton and athletic agility, Mikami can upgrade her baton to shoot projectiles. It's a fun little game. Nothing earth shattering here -- just a good old fashioned solid action game akin to the kind we saw in the late '80s-early '90s. Good job, Natsume.

 

50: Battle Cross
49: Mickey Tokyo Disneyland
48: Little Magic
47: Rendering Ranger: R2
46: Violinist of Hamelin
45: Super Back to the Future II
44: Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun
43: Keeper
42: Ghost Sweeper Mikami

#41: GO GO ACKMAN



Based off the manga by Akira Toriyama, Go Go Ackman is a traditional action platformer. Well, starring a very non-traditional anti-hero. And therein lies part of the fun/charm of playing through this game. As Ackman, you fend off enemies by way of swordplay, boomerangs and even some gun slinging. The game is on the shorter side of things and is not challenging much, but damnit, sometimes a game is just bloody fun to play through. And that this is. BTW, I'm not a fan of the sequel (also on Super Famicom). The third game goes back to basics and is pretty good, but I prefer the original.

In many ways I find Go Go Ackman somewhat similar to yesterday's entry, Ghost Sweeper Mikami. The reason I prefer Go Go Ackman slightly is because its gameplay is just a little bit more polished and refined. That and I prefer the smaller sprite of Ackman over Mikami's rather large sprite size. Plus Ackman has a wider variety of attacks which makes taking out the enemies a whole lot more fun. Go Go Ackman also has that "doesn't take itself seriously at all" charm to it. Things can get rather bizarre, and fast. If you've yet to give this game a try, I recommend doing so. It won't set your world on fire, but it's another example of a quality game on a quality 16-bit machine. Besides, there's a real sense of black humor when you're shooting cute little angels right between the eyes. No way in hell that would ever fly in America. God bless you, Japan, you crazy old bastards you.

 

50: Battle Cross
49: Mickey Tokyo Disneyland
48: Little Magic
47: Rendering Ranger: R2
46: Violinist of Hamelin
45: Super Back to the Future II
44: Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun
43: Keeper
42: Ghost Sweeper Mikami
41: Go Go Ackman

#40: POKO NYAN!



Poko Nyan! is a platformer based off the 170-episode anime show that ran from 1993-1996. Poko Nyan is also known as Rocky Rackat (a cross between a raccoon and a cat). This game is clearly geared toward kids, with its super colorful visuals and extremely easy gameplay. Hell, you CAN'T even die. So why is this ranked #40 on my countdown? Because it's damn fun. It's got a charming protagonist that can transform into various other critters at anytime. This ranges from a kangeroo who can jump super high to a bird with unlimited flight to a hedgehog that can do a spin attack (hmmm). It's a perfect game for kids or anyone who is still, deep down, a kid at heart.

The scrolling is a bit herky jerky at times, though, especially when changing directions on a dime. It's not a deal breaker for me, however. There are only 15 levels and if you rush for the exit, the game can be beaten in about 40 minutes without breaking a sweat. Where this game excels -- the set pieces. Just take a look at some of them. They're gorgeously drawn, and best of all, they usually have multi-tiers to them. Meaning, there are a ton of ledges to jump on and jump off of. You can kill enemies by simply dropping off a ledge and bouncing off their heads. This is deceptively satisfying. I love all the many set pieces and the ability to interact with them. Poko Nyan! is just a fun, relaxing and whimsical platformer. Yeah I wish it were harder but gaming is ultimately about having fun. And I enjoyed playing this one tremendously. Oddly satisfying. There's something innately charming and innocent about this game that takes one right back to their early childhood years. Poko Nyan! is perhaps the poster child for a "kiddie game" but damnit if it ain't bloody fun.

 

I think i saw a few episodes of the Anime Ghost Sweeper Mikami and for what i can remember it's really close to the anime in looks... Mikami sprite is really well done.

 

Ghost Sweeper Mikami was such a cool game. I always enjoy your reviews so I'm glad you covered it.

 

50: Battle Cross
49: Mickey Tokyo Disneyland
48: Little Magic
47: Rendering Ranger: R2
46: Violinist of Hamelin
45: Super Back to the Future II
44: Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun
43: Keeper
42: Ghost Sweeper Mikami
41: Go Go Ackman
40: Poko Nyan!

#39: ARAIGUMA RASCAL

With Poko featured yesterday and Rascal today, it confirms what we've felt all along: raccoons are freaking awesome.



There are lots of cute games out there, but there might not be one that will induce more heartfelt "awwws" than Araiguma Rascal (AKA Raccoon Rascal). This action puzzle game is based off Rascal the Raccoon, which was a Japanese anime series based on the 1963 autobiographical novel "Rascal, A Memoir of a Better Era" by Sterling North. If nothing else, no other SNES game can claim it was loosely based off a 1963 classic American memoir. Thankfully, the game is noteworthy for more than just that. It puts a unique spin on your typical falling piece puzzler. Players control Rascal, an adorable raccoon whose sole job is to discard of the various jars coming his way. Match 3 or more like jars to make them disappear. Rather than simply moving the D-Pad left and right and rotating pieces, as Rascal you must grab one jar at a time and maneuver your way through the field. This includes jumping and requires some heavy forethought. There is a bit of a learning curve as it's not your typical puzzle game. Therein lies the charm and fun of it all. It's something just different enough that catches your fancy and leaves something of an indelible mark.

The game features 3 different entertaining 2 player modes to boot. In 2 player mode one controls Rascal and the other player controls Sterling -- the author of the 1963 memoir "Rascal." The graphics are unique. Yes they're colorful but they really invoke the spirit of Wisconsin (the setting of the memoir). There's an old school "throwback" feel to the visuals... almost vintage in style. Just take a look at the screenshots here and you can see the care that the developers put into this game. It all adds up to one extremely adorable and appealing package.



BTW, Super Play Magazine (a UK Super Nintendo-dedicated publication) gave it a decent score back in the day:


Love the detail of the squirrel pushing the jars!

 

50: Battle Cross
49: Mickey Tokyo Disneyland
48: Little Magic
47: Rendering Ranger: R2
46: Violinist of Hamelin
45: Super Back to the Future II
44: Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun
43: Keeper
42: Ghost Sweeper Mikami
41: Go Go Ackman
40: Poko Nyan!
39: Araiguma Rascal

#38: SUPER TEKKYU FIGHT!



At a cursory glance, Super Tekkyu Fight! appears to be a Bomberman clone. However, play it for a few minutes and you'll quickly notice it's quite different. For starters, players can take up to 8 hits (therefore battles last much longer than your average Bomberman match). You can also jump around the field. In addition, there are lots of gaping holes where if you fall through you will lose four health bars. Instead of bombing your foes, you attack them with a spiky ball. You can flip tiles and stun your opponent. Naturally, power-ups can sway the tide of war. There's also the 1-2P mode where you go through 6 worlds with 8 levels each (the 8th featuring a big nasty boss). It's not a shabby little mode, thanks to the awesome looking bosses, but the meat is definitely the four player mode.

On the downside, the 8 battle arenas aren't incredibly diverse. They're not as varied as most Bomberman games. Nonetheless, this is a blast to play with 3 like-minded friends. If you're lucky enough to still occasionally host the random 4-player gaming night here and there, I definitely recommend picking this one up. And even if you're more of the "One Player" type, you can always set the 3 players to be computer controlled and still have a good time. It's no Super Bomberman, but Super Tekkyu Fight! is certainly a solid alternative when you're in the mood for something Bomberman-esque while also being a little different.

 

50: Battle Cross
49: Mickey Tokyo Disneyland
48: Little Magic
47: Rendering Ranger: R2
46: Violinist of Hamelin
45: Super Back to the Future II
44: Nangoku Shounen Papuwa-kun
43: Keeper
42: Ghost Sweeper Mikami
41: Go Go Ackman
40: Poko Nyan!
39: Araiguma Rascal
38: Super Tekkyu Fight!

#37: GANBARE DAIKU NO GENSAN



Ganbare Daiku no Gensan is the one and only SNES appearance for Irem's Hammerin' Harry. You might remember Harry from the arcade scene of the early '90s as well as his 8-bit Nintendo adventure (unfortunately PAL release only). Well, once again Harry gets the American shaft, as "Super Hammerin' Harry" never left Japan. Thankfully, SNES players can still experience it in all its glory (well, there's a small bit of Japanese text but nothing you can't overcome). Run around the various levels using an almost Super Deformed Harry, crushing everything in sight with his trusty hammer. There are fun upgrades available as well as special attacks that Harry can do.

It's also Japanese bonkers. It never takes itself too seriously, or at all, really. From fighting a man dressed in a cat suit (WTF) to knocking the hell out of octogenarians (!), Ganbare Daiku no Gensan promises a wacky experience that while short, is certainly enjoyable while it lasts. Nothing too fancy here, folks. What you see is what you get. It's nowhere near the level of the elite SNES platformers, but it's one of those quirky little action games that could easily entertain ya for an hour or two on a lazy Friday night. And damnit if it ain't fun smashing a monkey upside the head with a giant mallet. Gallagher would surely be proud.