Under rated 8bit games, gameboy, nes, MSX, SMS. Video of the game would be nice too. Two games I feel are extremly under rated are Metal Storm for the NES by Irem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72YmfetJVlA and Holy Diver for Famicom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOpLJF-QRSE
Most people skip gimmick for the pal nes/famicom because it's expensive, but the famicom game is one of my favorite side scrollers. It has a fancy music processor which makes it sound technically great, but I really only like a couple of the songs so it feels like a waste of extra hardware to me. I think the graphics and gameplay is why the game is great: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8iRqMT9YI8&feature=PlayList&p=DB38508B75DF5E5D&index=0 Also Don Doko Don 2 (pirated version called SMB 8). Great split screen 2 player for NES! I couldn't find a video of the split screen so I gave up.
Gimmick is certainly a gem. Others I think worth mentioning: Bio Miracle Bokutte-upa (Famicom Disk & Cartridge, jp-only) Such a lovely game. Slightly repetitive bosses, but the graphics are cute, stages have a lot of variation in them and the music is, as you'd expect from Konami, very good. Abadox I think graphicwise and regarding the "deep space alien" atmosphere, this one is better than Salamander. It is a little too tough, but there's an invulnerability cheat to see it all. Amazing boss sprites, too. I'd think of more, but I'm already in my pyjamas..
WOW! I've never seen that game! It looks AMAZING! Holy shit, my jaws dropped - I love the graphics and music. This is definatly going to be bought by me. 700 dollars for CIB PAL copy on FleaBay...I'm assuming this never came out in America right? as for Abadox, I own that and love it.
the journey to silius, NES. always mentioned only because of its WONDERFUL, kick ass music, but it'a great, well balanced game if you actually try and play it to the end.
Looks like it was released on the PSX, too. Might be cheaper, if you can find it... http://vgrebirth.org/games/game.asp?id=33642&redirect=%2Fgames%2Fsearch.asp%3Fkeywords%3DGimmick%2521%26x%3D0%26y%3D0 http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MEMORIAL-SERIES-SUNSOFT-VOL-6-PLAYSTATION_W0QQitemZ290261080981QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Vintage_Video_Games?hash=item4394e89b95&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
I tried to play it, it was alright. I'll give it another go. I found a place with Gimmick! for Famicom for 40 bucks, but they're out of stock. I emailed asking if they expect more. I'm hoping so. I'm DYING to try it. It's beautiful!
The sunsoft collections are perfect if you just want to play some of the really sought after Famicom games. There's also one volume with Battle Formula, a really rare and expensive Famicom shooter/racer that totally kicks ass. Maybe another underrated game although I don't think it's underrated, rather unknown: Has a great cover artwork, too:
Shatterhand is a really good platformer for the NES that reminds me a lot of Sunsoft's Batman game. I think both Shatterhand and Abadox were by the same company. For SMS, Zillion is a way underrated Metroidish game. Zillion II is pretty good too, even though it lacks any of the "adventure" elements from the first game.
I want to find the Famicom version of Shatterhand, Shatterehand was originally a licensed platformer for a Japanese Power Rangertype Show called Solbrain. Great metal Hero tokusatsu. ^_^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9OvyVoj7I0
Whoa, I never knew that. I know that there was a Famicom version of Power Blade with drastically different sprites too. Guardian Legend is probably one of my favorite NES games: a really good Zelda/vertical shmup hybrid. And speaking of hybrids, Pinball Quest for the NES gets some points for originality at least: a pinball/RPG hybrid! Also, Compile's Gun Nac or however it's spelled and Capcom's Crisis Force are some of the best if not the best shooters on NES/Famicom.
GunNac IS an amazing Shmup on Famicom. I'm not sure Why, but when I was playing and got to the last level either my Game, my Famicom, or my TV messed up. and the screen split in half and then inverted. So i had an upside down bottom of the screen on top, and upside down top of the screen on bottom! I stil finished the game though xD I had spent too long to reset and try again
If you have a famicom, the famicom music is much better than the pal version and cheaper too (don't get the extra famicom music on a nes with converter unless you hack your converter and nes). Cart only in ok condition is about $60 ($100-$150 for cib if I remember correctly). I might have an extra cart if you're really interested, but I'd have to figure out where it is.
Kabuki Quantum Fighter on the NES was great http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3RMKE8JeqU Jakal by Konami was kind of like choplifter. That was fun too.
I think that Ms. Pac Man for NES by Tengen is underrated. It came CLOSER than the official version from Namco! And it gets some of the music slightly better, not to mention the maze shapes. The better Pac Man. With footage.
Wow Henners Metal Storm reminds me a lot of Metal Warriors for SNES! Looks good! Solar Jetman looks awesome too.
Quinty by Game Freak for Famicon (also known as Mendel Palace for NES). I don't play 8-bit games often (I'm a 16-bit generation gamer) but I love this one. Simple yet original gameplay idea on a quick, addictive arcade style. And I love its soundtrack, it reminds me Pokemon a lot (it's from the same creators, after all). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qebyLqwOWHU&feature=related
