talk about ~Gimmick!~ perfectly lost

• Gimmick! is a late-era Famicom platformer released by Sunsoft in 1992, known for pushing the console's technical limits.

• The story follows Yumetaro, a toy creature who enters another dimension to rescue a young girl kidnapped by jealous toys.

• Players control Yumetaro using a unique star-shooting mechanic; stars defeat enemies and serve as platforms for navigation.

• The game features high-quality graphics and audio, utilizing an expanded sound chip for a rich, multi-genre score.

• The European version, Mr. Gimmick, had downgraded music and eight lives instead of the four in the Japanese original.

• Reaching the true ending requires finding all hidden items and completing the game without using a single continue.

• It is famous for its extreme difficulty, with critics calling it a "sleeper hit" that demands high skill to master.

• Modern re-releases include the Special Edition and a sequel, Gimmick! 2, which launched in late 2024.

• Original cartridges are highly expensive collector's items, with prices reaching hundreds of thousands of yen for mint copies.

• Overall, it is a masterpiece praised by creators like Masahiro Sakurai for its physics and polished gameplay.

talk about ~Legacy of the Wizard~(Dragon Slayer IV) A protagonist who only shines at the very end

• Legacy of the Wizard(Dragon Slayer IV) is an ARPG where the Worzen family must collect four Crowns and the Dragon Slayer sword to defeat the dragon Dilgyos.

• The family consists of Zemn (Dad), Mayna (Mom), Roas (Son), Lyll (Daughter), and Pochi (Pet), each having unique abilities like flying, breaking blocks, or moving rocks.

• Players choose one member at home to explore a non-linear dungeon. Survival depends on managing LIFE and MAGIC while using character-specific items to clear obstacles.

• The Western NES version is titled Legacy of the Wizard. Character names differ (e.g., Royas/Roas), and it is the version included in modern Namco collections.

• The game features masterful level design that emphasizes character roles and a highly acclaimed soundtrack by legends like Yuzo Koshiro and Mieko Ishikawa.

•Its high difficulty, lack of mini-maps, and cryptic progression often frustrated younger players who were unfamiliar with complex PC-style exploration games.

• Long, error-prone hiragana passwords made saving difficult, and the "Scroll" item can actually reduce damage output due to the game's hit detection mechanics.

• Roas is the only one who can slay the final boss, yet he is often seen as "useless" because he can't do much until all four Crowns are collected.

• While challenging and at times unforgiving, it is regarded as a well-crafted "hidden gem" that successfully blended action and intricate puzzle-solving.

talk about ~Wrecking Crew~ Mario the demolition worker can't jump.

• Action puzzle game where demolition worker Mario must destroy all walls across 100 fixed stages.

• Core gameplay requires deep strategy to avoid soft-locks, as incorrect demolition order often halts progress.

• Mario cannot jump; his hammer is for demolition only. Limited actions require strategic enemy avoidance.

• Dynamite creates satisfying chain reactions, destroying adjacent structures and awarding continuous bonus scores.

• Pillars and Drums add complexity. If Mario is trapped by a falling drum, a complete system reset is often required.

• The rival Blurry/Spike constantly interferes by destroying walls from the back side, attempting to knock Mario down.

• The Super Hammer allows faster movement and one-hit destruction of all walls, but its power can destabilize game balance.

• The Famicom version features a high volume of content: 100 stages and a Design Mode for creating custom levels.

talk about ~Mendel Palace~(Quinty) original "flipping" action, Game Freak's creative roots

• Game Freak's 1989 debut indie title, published by Namco. Developed from scratch without official kits.

• Carton must rescue his girlfriend Jenny from his jealous sister Quinty and three older brothers.

• Players flip floor panels on a 5x7 grid to launch enemies into walls. Includes unique items like Star and Sun.

• Supports co-op or rivalry. Players can launch each other, leading to "real fights" like Balloon Fight.

• NA version "Mendel Palace" features Bon-Bon saving Candy from nightmares. Title and difficulty vary.

• Praised for original "flipping" action, fluid animation, and Masuda's music. Even Miyamoto gave high praise.

• No password or save for 100 levels is tedious. Initial player speed is slow, requiring Star collection.

• Some levels are "first-time kills," and bosses can feel weak compared to fast-moving standard enemies.

• Its success funded Game Freak's incorporation and led to Pokemon. Now on Switch Namcot Collection.

• Seen as the first commercial indie Famicom game, representing the peak of 80s otaku culture.

talk about ~R-TYPE~ A strategic STG featuring an Invincible Force and Charge-Shot

• Irem released this iconic side-scrolling shooter in 1987, now considered a masterpiece alongside Gradius and Darius.

• Players pilot the R-9 "Arrowhead" to destroy the Bydo Empire, a biological-mechanical alien threat to humanity.

• A signature charge-shot system allows players to store energy for a devastating blast that penetrates multiple enemies.

• The indestructible "Force" orb acts as a shield and remote weapon, which can be attached or detached for strategy.

• Known for extreme difficulty, the game requires strict pattern memorization and strategic positioning of the Force.

• Renowned for its H.R. Giger-inspired biological designs and huge bosses that often span the entire screen.

• The PC Engine version was split into two parts in Japan, while the US version contained all 8 stages on one card.

• It received high acclaim for its innovation, including a Gold Hall of Fame award from Japan's magazine.

• The series expanded with sequels like R-Type Final and spin-offs like the strategy-focused R-Type Tactics.



• The "R" in the title stands for "Ray," and the Force's movement was famously inspired by the behavior of dung beetles.

talk about ~Ys I & II~ A heartwarming and moving RPG with the half-character shift

• A landmark ARPG series by Nihon Falcom, famous for the slogan "Now, RPGs are entering an era of kindness".

• Follows Adol Christin as he seeks the six Books of Ys to save Esteria and reaches a floating civilization.

• Features the adventurer Adol, the goddesses Feena and Reah, and the kind heroine Lilia.

• Combat relies on "bumping" into enemies; a "half-character offset" lets you attack without taking damage.

• The TurboGrafx-CD version reached North America as Ys Book I & II, featuring pioneering voice acting.

• Highly praised for its exceptional music by Yuzo Koshiro and detailed pixel graphics for its time.

• While "kind" to beginners, boss battles are notoriously hard and often require maximum levels to win.

• The Famicom(NES) port suffered from cryptic riddles, poor camera scrolling, and slow health recovery in towns.

• The series is based on Adol's travelogues; Makoto Shinkai directed openings for later PC remakes.

• It redefined ARPGs by prioritizing accessibility and narrative over grinding, leaving a massive legacy.

talk about ~DragonBuster~ The Cave Shark is traumatizing

• Released in 1985 by Namco. Clovis travels through dungeons to rescue Princess Celia from dragons.

• Features a map to choose routes and side-scrolling dungeons with a Vitality system and bosses.

• Combat includes swordplay and magic. It is famously known for being the first game with a double jump.

• In international FC versions, the "Yellow Jewel" is renamed "Red Jewel", unlike the Japanese version.

• Praised for exhilarating action and iconic BGM, with complex skills like the "Kabutowari" thrust.

• High difficulty is a mixed point. Routing and mapping are essential for navigating complex dungeons.

• Arcade controls are tough on 4-way sticks. Enemies and dungeon layouts often feel repetitive.

• Spawned sequels like Dragon Buster II and Dragon Valor, plus a mini-game in Tales of the Abyss.

• The title was almost "Dragon Quest". Clovis's unique pose was a trick to save memory.

• A "timeless masterpiece" that blended action and RPG elements, influencing many future platformers.