The Classic Video Game Players Thread

So I assume this counts as "classic" at this point, but I've had my Dreamcast and my original copy of Shenmue sitting around for a long time, and for some reason I've suddenly gotten the urge to dive into it again. Back in 2000, I could never get into the game..like literally, I never got past the first area and never found the first people you are supposed to talk to. On my VMU (which has easily replaceable batteries--score!), my last save game date is 5/2001.

Playing it again now, if you overlook the difficult controls and some of the obvious localization issues, I think I know what has brought me back to this game: the reminder of what the video game industry was back in the day, a time when a big company would (foolishly or not) throw that kind of money at a game this ambitious--not in terms of being THE BEST GAME EVER MADE, but in pushing envelopes, defying genres and attempting something so outside of what has been done before, all under one unifying vision. Maybe I've just grown more patient as I've gotten older, but I even appreciate leaving the game running and letting Ryo hang around while I go do other things so I can come back at the right time of "day" and find my way into a bar or wherever. Thinking of what games were like back in 1999/2000, it is striking me even harder that things we take totally for granted today were implemented into a game back then.

My wife got me a PS4 and a bunch of Wii U games for Christmas, but I've been playing Faxandu, Jade Empire and now this most of the time. Anyone else play Shenmue?

Warriorpoet897 wrote:

Anyone else play Shenmue?

I have it in my backlog (along with its sequel), and I've been meaning to get to it but, for some reason, I find the game daunting. Not sure why.

Warriorpoet897 wrote:

So I put about an hour and a half into Faxandu last night. Really enjoying it. The difficulty is not overly racheted up unlike many NES games, and the world and story are minimalist and charming. Then I spent about 30 minutes farming experience and gold off of some of the first creatures in the game only to suddenly die when my wife unexpectedly came in unannounced asking me a question. When I was revived, 8000 of my 9000 gold was gone as well as 2/3 of my XP. Game got shut off for the day.

I have fond memories of Faxanadu. Can still hum the music in my head. I also remember that the priests had some bug eyes that blink pretty often. Remember your mantra...

Warriorpoet897 wrote:

Anyone else play Shenmue?

I did around 2003/2004, but the game kept freezing very early on. I seem to remember being on the streets and having just passed a cat when it would lock up every single time.

....according to the internet, that sometimes happened, depending on your game disc and Dreamcast system combination-luck-of-the-draw.

Played some Shenmue II on that system without any problems.

bobbywatson wrote:
Warriorpoet897 wrote:

Anyone else play Shenmue?

I have it in my backlog (along with its sequel), and I've been meaning to get to it but, for some reason, I find the game daunting. Not sure why.

I don't blame you. It's definitely daunting. It's an open-ish world game with no sense of time compression for the benefit of the player. Even the ability to fast travel from your home is off in the options by default. The fact that that was part of the design with the goal of total immersion as the character is part of what I find so ambitious about the game, and also so intimidating as a time sink.

Looks like the RetroN5 may be shipping finally according to Polygon.

Hyperkin Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/HyperkinGames) confirms June 6. There is some skepticism as to whether it will be widely available on that date, or if certain retailers will get them first, and even speculation that gray units will be available but not black ones... but it is heartening that somewhere, some customers will finally be able to exchange money for these consoles.

Although exactly how much money, hard to say... although I still have an open preorder at Amazon for $99, I think it's been hiked to $139.

Lots of frustration out there at how uncommunicative Hyperkin has been. I'm trying to be a patient grown-up about it.

I picked up "Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection" a while back and finally got around to playing some of it. Since I've never played ANY Metal Gear game before, I'm trying to play each one in order. This might take awhile.

First I went all the way back to 1987 with the MSX2 version - and let me say, I would not have predicted its success. I almost followed Big Boss' advice:

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/pIOrRL6l.jpg)

But I wrapped it up last night, with more than a few trips to gamefaqs. I remember as a kid being able to find secrets like completely unmarked destroyable walls in random places, but as an adult I guess I'm unable to stumble upon such things without help.

I'm a short way into Metal Gear 2 and I'm enjoying it much more. The persistant map and the tiered alarm level make for more varied gameplay, while Snake's ability to crawl and hide gives him pluck, and a much needed boost as a covert ops agent. Also the 1990 intro is still cool as balz.

And MSG2: Solid Snake falls. Goodbye, MSX. Onto the Playstation.

Arise and listen to Jeremy Parish.

IMAGE(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10547738_10152652749938110_6125122630333500723_o.jpg)
I'm about 4 weeks into my Retro setup. Have SNES, Gamecube, N64 and PSOne. (never owned a Nintendo before!)
Top games so far - Perfect Dark N64, Rogue Squadron 2 Gamecube and Super Mario All Stars on the SNES.
However the PSOne is getting most of my attention - NHL 2000, Grand Torismo 2, Final Fantasy VII and Metal Gear Solid have been well and truly scratching my nostalgia itch.
Have the Zelda Gamecube Collectors Edition to get through after FF VII. Need to get Silent Hill for the PSOne next.
Off on Christmas holidays from tomorrow, so some serious gaming is on the way, followed by a shopping trip to a few retro shops in London.
Good times.

Zelda Gamecube Collectors Edition? Whoa. I didn't even know that existed. That's a great disc!!

Just be aware that the version of Majora's Mask on the disc is notoriously prone to locking up.

garion333 wrote:

Zelda Gamecube Collectors Edition? Whoa. I didn't even know that existed. That's a great disc!!

I bought my good ol' GC when they launched that bundle. Still have the disc and, arguably, the GC, though the console no longer works :(. Still, got the Wii so I can still play it legitimately.

shoptroll wrote:

Just be aware that the version of Majora's Mask on the disc is notoriously prone to locking up.

Never happened to me back when I played it on the disc, but I have heard stories.

pinkdino99 wrote:

I'm about 4 weeks into my Retro setup. Have SNES, Gamecube, N64 and PSOne. (never owned a Nintendo before!)
Top games so far - Perfect Dark N64, Rogue Squadron 2 Gamecube and Super Mario All Stars on the SNES.

As much as my friend and I were absolutely rabid for Perfect Dark back in the day, I'm amazed it is the first on your list of top games. That funky bounding box aiming style, among other things, is so tough to go back to without knowing exactly what you're getting into.

garion333 wrote:

Zelda Gamecube Collectors Edition? Whoa. I didn't even know that existed. That's a great disc!!

I have this too! One of these days, I'm going to beat Ocarina and Majora's Mask, I swear!

Had to be kind of a jerk to a friend who borrowed it and hadn't returned it for several years. When I heard it was a rare(ish) disc, and he had just put a ton of gaming stuff in storage, I had to get it back!

My disc was in his storage unit. Glad I rescued it.

Zoso1701 wrote:
garion333 wrote:

Zelda Gamecube Collectors Edition? Whoa. I didn't even know that existed. That's a great disc!!

I have this too! One of these days, I'm going to beat Ocarina and Majora's Mask, I swear!

Had to be kind of a jerk to a friend who borrowed it and hadn't returned it for several years. When I heard it was a rare(ish) disc, and he had just put a ton of gaming stuff in storage, I had to get it back!

My disc was in his storage unit. Glad I rescued it.

It is your friend who was being a jerk; having a game that is not his for years and putting it into storage rather than returning it to its rightful owner? That stinks, I say!

Good move on your part, though!

mrtomaytohead wrote:
pinkdino99 wrote:

I'm about 4 weeks into my Retro setup. Have SNES, Gamecube, N64 and PSOne. (never owned a Nintendo before!)
Top games so far - Perfect Dark N64, Rogue Squadron 2 Gamecube and Super Mario All Stars on the SNES.

As much as my friend and I were absolutely rabid for Perfect Dark back in the day, I'm amazed it is the first on your list of top games. That funky bounding box aiming style, among other things, is so tough to go back to without knowing exactly what you're getting into.

Only n00bs used the Z targeting (or whatever it they called it)

I too loved this game back in the day, but can't stand it or the HDish version. I wish Zero had been good. Maybe at some point they will try to reboot this series.

Wait, I have Zelda on a GameCube disc, but it's only Ocarina of Time and OoT Master Quest. Is MM hidden here somewhere?

Warriorpoet897 wrote:

Wait, I have Zelda on a GameCube disc, but it's only Ocarina of Time and OoT Master Quest. Is MM hidden here somewhere?

No they made 2 versions of it. One is as you described but the other includes Zelda, Zelda 2, OoT & MM (no Master quest). I have this one which I bought from eBay but I think it came as a Wind Waker bonus or something.

brokenclavicle wrote:

It is your friend who was being a jerk; having a game that is not his for years and putting it into storage rather than returning it to its rightful owner? That stinks, I say!

Good move on your part, though!

Yea, I'm glad I got it back!

radaxian wrote:

No they made 2 versions of it. One is as you described but the other includes Zelda, Zelda 2, OoT & MM (no Master quest). I have this one which I bought from eBay but I think it came as a Wind Waker bonus or something.

Just looked it up. Was a promotion for buying a GameCube, or subscribing to Nintendo Power.

Zoso1701 wrote:
radaxian wrote:

No they made 2 versions of it. One is as you described but the other includes Zelda, Zelda 2, OoT & MM (no Master quest). I have this one which I bought from eBay but I think it came as a Wind Waker bonus or something.

Just looked it up. Was a promotion for buying a GameCube, or subscribing to Nintendo Power.

Yeah, I got mine bundled with a gamecube for a neat $100 new, sealed, on the week said bundle released. The disc also contains a 20 minute demo of Wind Waker.

Interesting. I got my Master Quest version with Wind Waker, but I think I would have much rather got the MM version.

mrtomaytohead wrote:

As much as my friend and I were absolutely rabid for Perfect Dark back in the day, I'm amazed it is the first on your list of top games. That funky bounding box aiming style, among other things, is so tough to go back to without knowing exactly what you're getting into.

The thing I like about Perfect Dark is how much it reminds me of the first couple of Star Wars FPS that came out.
I knew nothing of Nintendo games, apart from what I have read and heard over the years.
I went through a bunch of retro forums, and retro reviews and compiled a top ten list of games to buy for each platform.
Hasn't let me down so far !

pinkdino99 wrote:
mrtomaytohead wrote:

As much as my friend and I were absolutely rabid for Perfect Dark back in the day, I'm amazed it is the first on your list of top games. That funky bounding box aiming style, among other things, is so tough to go back to without knowing exactly what you're getting into.

The thing I like about Perfect Dark is how much it reminds me of the first couple of Star Wars FPS that came out.
I knew nothing of Nintendo games, apart from what I have read and heard over the years.
I went through a bunch of retro forums, and retro reviews and compiled a top ten list of games to buy for each platform.
Hasn't let me down so far !

Would be interested to see said list.

A few years ago I decided to try to figure out what my favorite games for each platform I owned or played was. I went through GameFAQs page by page for each console writing down my favorites. I still have the Google Doc of them all but never got around to shorting it.

I have both of those Zelda discs but I definitely didn't sub to Nintendo Power and I definitely bought a Platinum Gamecube with Metroid Prime to replace my launch system, not one with a Zelda bonus. So now I'm trying to remember where I got the other disc. Maybe it was an early Club Nintendo thing?

Found mine used at Funcoland. Back in my 'I'm in high school and have a job and no responsibilities' days. Impulse buying games, ftw!

Rykin wrote:

Would be interested to see said list.
A few years ago I decided to try to figure out what my favorite games for each platform I owned or played was. I went through GameFAQs page by page for each console writing down my favorites. I still have the Google Doc of them all but never got around to shorting it.

Gamecube ;
The Legend Of Zelda - Collector's Edition
Beyond Good and Evil
Burnout
Burnout 2: Point of Impact
Eternal Darkness
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Resident Evil
Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil Zero
Resident Evil Zero
Star Wars Rogue Leader
Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Smash Bros. Melee

PS1 ;
Bishi Bashi
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Cool Boarders 3
Dino Crisis 2
Doom
Doom 2
Driver
Echo Night
Fear Effect
Final Fantasy 7
Final Fantasy 8
Final Fantasy 9
Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo 2
Grand Theft Auto 2
Mega Man X4
Metal Gear Solid
Myst/Riven
NHL 2000
Resident Evil
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 3 - Nemesis
Silent Hill
Spider-Man
Tenchu
Tenchu 2
Tomb Raider II
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation
Tony Hawk's Skateboarding 2
V-Rally
Wipeout 3 Special Edition
Worms Armageddon
X-Com: Terror From the Deep

PS2 ;
Deus X
Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry 2
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition
Fatal Frame
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy XII
God of War I
God of War II
Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec
Gran Turismo 4
Grand Theft Auto III
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
NASCAR Thunder 2004
Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2
Okami
Project Zero / Fatal Frame
Red Faction
Resident Evil 4
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill Origins
Star Wars: Starfighter
Tekken 5
The Suffering

Dreamcast ;
Metropolis Street Racer
Phantasy Star Online
Quake III
Resident Evil: Code Veronica
Shenmue II
Silver
Soul Calibur
Unreal Tournament
Virtua Tennis 2
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

SNES ;
Chrono Trigger
Donkey Kong Country 2
Final Fantasy I
Final Fantasy II
Final Fantasy IV
Final Fantasy VI
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, The
Mega Man X2
Star Fox
Street Fighter II
Street Fighter II Turbo - Hyper Fighting
Super Empire Strikes Back
Super Mario All Stars
Super Mario World
Super Metroid
Super Return of the Jedi
Super Star Wars
WWF Royal Rumble
X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse

N64;
1080 Snowboarding
GoldenEye
Perfect Dark
Rogue Squadron
Star Fox 64
Star Wars Episode 1: Racer
Star Wars: Battle For Naboo
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
Super Smash Bros

X-Box ;
Burnout 3: Takedown
Call Of Cthulu: Dark Corners Of The Earth
Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
Doom 3
Fable
Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly
Forza
Grand Theft Auto: San AndreasThe Suffering
Halo
Halo 2
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
Hitman: Blood Money
Jade Empire
Judge Dredd: Dredd Vs Death
Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix
Ninja Gaiden
Project Zero II: Crimson Butterfly (a.k.a. Fatal Frame II)
Rogue Trooper
Star Wars: Battlefront
Star Wars: Battlefront II
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords
The Punisher
The Thing
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
X2: Wolverine's Revenge
Crimson Skies
Dead Or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball
Max Payne
Need For Speed Underground
Need For Speed Underground 2
Sid Meier's Pirates
Silent Hill 4: The Room
Steel Battalion
The Suffering
The Suffering: Ties That Bind

Zoso1701 wrote:

Found mine used at Funcoland. Back in my 'I'm in high school and have a job and no responsibilities' days. Impulse buying games, ftw!

That must have been one of the last shops to retain the name Funcoland. I started working there the Autumn of the release of the Xbox and GameCube, and they were just beginning to change the sign outside to GameStop.