Poll December's Retro Game of the Month

Here's the crop of nominations for December's RGOTM.

This time we've got a C64 game in the bunch, although it's also available on NES so it's still pretty accessible. A 2000 Windows game, too, which has no nostalgic value for me but it got some solidarities so I included it. There are also a few lengthy RPGs there, if we feel like tackling a game that'll take more than a few sessions to complete. And I grouped Metroid & Super Metroid together because why not.

Personally, I wouldn't mind tackling Demon's Crest. It's a fine game that went under the radar for a lot of people. Having said that, there are plenty of great choices here so get voting!

Szlia said:

Getting the game is no issue (couple bucks on Steam), it's just the Murphy's Law effect that I found amusing. I also don't have Maniac Mansion, Nox and Earthworm Jim, but that's less surprising

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Earthworm Jim is available on Steam, but unfortunately it's the worst possible version of the game. You get the graphics of the Genesis version with none of the Genesis-exclusive levels and none of the Sega CD Special Edition features, and it ain't cheap either (11 bucks CDN). Very disappointing. The game deserves much better.

Ruhl said:

Golden Axe Warrior or Golvellius were 2 of my most favorite games for the Master System, along with Phantasy Star 1. All great choices for January

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I was a SNES guy, so I only played a few Genesis RPGs at my Sega buddys' house once in a while. My first Phantasy Star was III, and I loved it. The graphics were crisp and vibrant, the soundtrack was impactful, and it had a sense of progress (at least for the bit I played). It wasn't until many years later that I learned III is considered one of the weaker entries in the series.

I bought Phantasy Star Collection for GBA years ago specifically so I could start the series proper with the original game. Unfortunately, there's a weird bug in this port where any time you save the game you run the risk of the game freezing and forcing you to restart from your previous save. Every time you make progress you risk losing that progress just by trying to save your game. Apparently you can work the system by timing your menu selection with certain points in the BGM to ensure your game won't freeze. I haven't tested that yet though. I'm still pissed that I was essentially playing Russian Roulette every time I wanted to save my game. Really soured me on the Phantasy Star 1 experience.

Having said that, I hear PSIV is the best in the series and I'd be happy to give it a good go. I own both the cartridge and the Steam Genesis Classics version (which is the one I'd almost certainly end up playing). I haven't JRPGed in a while but this would be as good a reason as any to dive into a game I know very little about but hear is great.

2 lengthy RPGs in a holiday month? No thanks. I'll flip a coin!