Ah…another week, another opportunity to break down what’s what as we cut through the crap to get the real deal on gaming industry today…awesome. Recently we’ve explored some rather interesting topics…ya know, things like the role of women in gaming, games that lived up to the hype, the impact of game delays, and so on…Well, this week we’re taking a bit of a break from all of the heavy topics so we can give you a chance to sound off on something you LOVE…something many of you have spoken about just because you wanted to…something that DESERVES a bit more attention…your favorite 2D games/franchises of all-time!
On skirmish 070 of EpicBattleCry we debate the relevance of 2D gaming in today’s virtual landscape while sounding off on the things we love the most out of the genre. Obviously, 2D gaming makes up a HUGE PORTION of the industry’s history, so there shouldn’t be a problem in coming up with a few favs…With that in mind, we pose the following question as this week’s MBC Topic Starter.
WHICH 2D GAMES/FRANCHISES DO YOU LOVE THE MOST and WHY?
Now, when a lot of people hear “2D” they think “retro”, but this week’s discussion isn’t just probing the past, but rather seeking to shed some light on current day 2D titles as well. Feel free to cry havoc (in a good way) about any 2D title/franchise from any era and be sure to let us know specifically what you love about it. We hope this discussion sparks a renewed sense of interest in all things 2D because, well, quite honestly, we FREAKIN’ LOVE 2D GAMES!!! As always, we’ll be selecting a new MBC each day here on EpicBattleAxe.com and then selecting one Member BattleCry of the Week that will be showcased on the next skirmish of EpicBattleCry.
So, there ya go…Think 2D and sound off with your most beloved games/franchises in the comments below! We’re looking forward to a fun (and somewhat nostalgic) week of MBCs here on the ‘Axe!!!
Cheers gang,
DK
My Epic BattleCry goes out to the Metroid Series, with Super Metroid being my favorite. It was one of the first games I played and beat. I loved the breadth of the entire world, the interesting weapons, and of course, the epic boss fights. Not to mention the “surprise” ending that Samus is a woman was quite a shock when I was 7. One of things I really liked about Super Metroid, in particular, was that it told a story almost without using words of any kind. Except for the initial opening, tutorial/acquisition blurbs, and occaisional “SELF-DESTRUCT ACTIVATED PLEASE FLEE” announcements, there are no text screens or spoken words to let you know what’s going on, yet the game does a fantastic job of telling you what’s going on and what you need to do.
What’s up, my desperados of douchebaggery!! My choice for the best 2D franchise has got to be the good old Mario games. He just Mariowns them all!! I just love going back to the old-school games of the franchise, and even though we had some fantastic 3D-Marios in the meantime, I am still looking forward to each announcement of a new 2D installment. You can always count on perfect gameplay, fantastic level design and just an overall experience that’s 100% worth your time and money.
However, I am also very pleased to have seen fantastic new 2D IPs like Braid or World of Goo over the last years. They show that there’s still a lot of room for creativity and innovation in 2D-gaming and that you don’t need 3D to come up with something fresh and fun.
Cheers from Switzerland and keep up the great work!
My battlecry goes to Kid Icarus for the NES.
Kid Icarus was like a combination of the best of Mario, Zelda, and Metriod, (needless to say an extremely potent combination) but at the same time it was an experience all on its own. Sadly the game was considerably overshadowed by by its sister game Metriod, which shared the same creator as well as release date. As a result the game is a sort of cult classic title, but it still manages to find its way onto many “best of” lists and Nintendo still believes it to be one of their key NES games.
The game was intended a sequel for the SNES but was canceled and finally had another game for the game boy, sadly it was once again overshadowed. Now the only thing fans of the series have to look forward to is a game that’s been rumored since around 06 but well.. lets take a look at the rumored concept art…. http://snagwiremedia.com/consolepatrol/Kid_Icarus_Wii.jpg
Its something truly cringe worthy when compared to the style of the original game, I think that Nintendo did it much better when they Revamped Pit for Super smash brothers.
My BattleCry would’ve gone to Metroid, but BrotherFluffy already said it so well! Great job, bro.
Metroid FTW!
My BattleCry goes to the original series of Prince of Persia games, as designed, coded and rudimentally mocapped by Jordan Mechner. In particular, the original game brought a lot of things to the platform genre (although 2D games are not to be considered limited to that, even isometric or bird’s eye games are “2D”…I guess we should’ve gotten a better definition of “2D games” for the purposes of this MBC). The implementation of inertial momentum when running or jumping was at the time what a good physics engine is today, a contribution to realism and a tactical consideration. The (rudimentary nowadays, but advanced at the time) AI the enemies possessed, challenging you to swordfights during which they would parry and dodge, not to mention place themselves strategically to impede your progress. The complex, multiscreen puzzles you’d need to solve not only to advance but also to power yourself up/improve your health meter. In all this, the unforgiving 60 minutes time limit that kept ticking all the time, forcing you to be quick about your choices.
Also, the animations of the crude sprites and the music allowed you to really feel for the characters, for the princess being held by the evil vizier, make you want to get up there so badly to slay him and win her back. Many other games have done some thing or the other in a similar fashion, but it’s this one that has become iconic as a synonym for acrobatic adventure with puzzles, strategy and swordfights. We wouldn’t have the modern, three-dimensional spin-offs if the Ubisoft developers hadn’t developed (heh) a much deserved respect for the original, pushing the envelope to create something that would live up to it. Remade and converted for every platform conceivable, this is a game you simply can’t ignore.
My Battlecry will have to go to Contra, old school to the core, difficult, and 2-D (ok, there was that one time, but everyone has that one time that they do not talk about…..).
Back in the day when the biggest thing to fight about was who got the guy in the red pants and the magic “S” (the only one that earned those angel wings), these challenging gems where not difficult because of broken gameplay, and made you feel like a 7 year old man when you beat it (ok, with a certain code, which I am sure DK will work into a title pun somehow if I’m chosen).
In addition to my battle cry just one quick question: why are Metroid and Mega Man absent from the poll? They still kick major ass!
my battle goes out to a popular 2d franchise which is castlevania series and here’s why: The haunting atmospheres, while every 2d may feel the same the castlevania games manage to find newer ways to make each game different like simons quest though annoying is the sunrise/sunset mechanic, castlevania 3 you can play multiple characters which each having unique abilities, each boss comes with constant change of strategy wheras in mario you jump on head or jump over them not to say mario isn’t good just with every boss you’re doing the exact same thing wheras castlevania each boss is a different challenge , emersive soundtrack which adds to the haunting environments, super castlevania 4, taking a line from the AVGN, you feel like you’re in control, symphony of the night which introduced a different style of exploration even though metroid uses the same structure style. The enemies themselves and bosses are freakin awsome to fight too. Castlevania is my choice overall as with every game feels like a new experience while maintaining the same style of gameplay tht all fans still enjoy today.
My battlecry goes out to blazeblue. I don’t play a lot of fighter’s, but I found blaze blue to be a uniquely accesible one. I always have a hard time with fighters, particularly because of their steep learning curves.
Also, the game was gorgeous. There is no better looking 2d game in HD. I’m also a huge fan of anime, and even though many people have a hard time discerning men from women in anime, I totally dug the art style. The music was pretty sick too.
It pains me to hear that I was pretty much the only one who bought the game.
My battlecry goes out to Einhander for the PS1. A little-known sidescrolling shooter made by Squaresoft, this game had EVERYTHING a good action game should have: tight controls, great graphics(for the time), great level design, good music and MASSIVE bosses. Couple that with a huge selection of weapons, three different Einhander gunships and a few secret ones and you’ve got a real winner.
Its a real shame then, that its pretty much the only game of its kind that Squaresoft bothered to make. They just went right back to making RPG’s. I dont think it sold too well either, so my hopes for an HD prequel/sequel/remake are pretty much dashed. Thats okay though cuz I still play the original to this day.
I know this is perhaps a bit late to sound off a battle cry but I just wanted to get my opinion out on this. My battlecry goes out to Morrigan from the recent Dragon Age: Origins.
Morrigan was a character unlike any other in the game, and even most people in real life. She had her own mind, and you couldn’t just make her believe what you wanted her to. She had a strong personality strengthed by strong and powerful underlying philosophies (the reason her opionions are so iron). This is a rariety among even the vast majority of people on real life. She had the ability to challange your decisions, and not just in game but in your real life. She shed a different light with things and was smarter than any other character and wasn’t afraid to be. If you did something stupid she said it to your face.
This is in contrast with how most men would want things to be. Most men would want to be smarter then their female partner. She was smart, she showed it, and that’s where her true strength lies as a character. (Yes, the developers just made her a pain in the ass in some cases, but I like to think of those as mistakes)
PS: Viking dude, listen to “into battle” by ensifeurm, though you likely already have.
Hello, axe men~
I’m particularly fond of 2D, so I got a little giddy when I spotted this discussion. One of the main reasons is because 2D games (for the most part) are hand drawn. And I like the overall feel 2D games have. Whether it be RPG, Fighting, or shmups 2D holds a special place in my heart.
So, instead of picking through the past, (Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Contra, ect) I’m going to give my battle cry to the underrated development studio Vanillaware. Yes, the creators of, imo, some of the best looking 2D games I’ve seen to date. Art direction is one of the many keys in 2D development, and Vanillaware has never seized to amazing me. Not only are these games beautiful to look at but they are fun and challenging. Vanillaware produced the unique games Odin Sphere, GrimGrimoire and Muramasa: The Demon Blade..all three I own and enjoy.
I feel like 2D is looked down upon, especially in this era of “Amazing Graphics”. So it’s always a treasure when I spot a fantastic 2D game hidden on the shelf of my nearest game department.
My battlecry would probably go to SOOO MANY GAMES, 2D era really marked our memories in so many ways… I’d probably go with monkey island because, really, I mean, a three headed monkey, where else have you seen that? but yes, metal slug, street fighter, vector man (which was 3drenders but hey, it was awesome) earthworm jim… all of them are great. What I wanted to say nontheless is that I think the comparison with cinema and colors and B&W was perfect, and this is why: even when it might actually be MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE to do a 2d game than a 3d game (making that amount of art per character is much more work than one model and a bunch of animations) 2d games can achieve a certain level of graphic and artistic detail with just a few artists and maybe two or three programmers while if you want a REALLY GOOD LOOKING 3D game, you need tons of shaders and animators soooo, if you see for example the first episode EVER of Get Smart, this episode is in B&W and the image is so much cleaner and better defined than the rest of the series because the B&W films were so perfected at that moment and color wasn’t…. I think the same is happening nowadays and It’s a trade off and it depends on your resources but if you have a nice group of artists a 2D traditional game is surely the way to go. if you have more programmers, you might wanna go 3D. just notice how FEW 2.5D games actually achieve a level of graphics that satisfy your eyes in the way a 2D game with the same gameplay would (I.E., I haven’t played shadow complex but it seems really awesome, whereas if you seethe matt hazzard game, which is also pretty well done, it seems kind of plasticky and stiff… mainly because of the lighting I think….
so there, a technichal point of view, sorry if it was too long, hope you find my words usefull for some discussion.
see ya next week!
My Battle Cry goes out to Little Nemo: The Dream Master. I can’t count the hours or the tears shed trying to conquer to this EPICally hard game. Playing as Nemo, you attempt to master the challenges offered in the highly imaginative world known as Slumberland. Unlike most 2D scrollers, the object of each level wasn’t to simply survive until the end of the level. You had to collect insanely hard to find and hard to reach keys throughout the level to unlock the door at the end, and you’re only aid was animals that would help you if you threw candy at them. Despite the game difficulty, I continued to play this game because of its amazing design and creativity. Also, the soundtrack to the game was very upbeat and helped keep my spirits up as falling balls of cotton quickly shortened my supply of lives
ps…the game was based on a great movie titled Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland
my battlecry goes out to the overkill in the 2-D market now. We enjoy seeing that classic gameplay come back every so often, but with it’s popularity going up I think we are seeing too many. It was ok when there are only a hand full like Shadow Complex and Braid, but beat em ups like Shank seem repetitive. It’s not that I expect indie studios to make innovative games all the time, but the 2-D market is very limited for a reason. People are either making shooters, beat em ups, or puzzle games. People need to explore with RPGs, more platformers like Splosion Man, and other stuff.
PLOK! That game was seriously awesome and I wish they would make another one or at least release it on virtual console
Brent, it was Muramasa: The Demon Blade [Mu-ra-ma-sa].
And this is a game that wasn’t only a breath of fresh air, but also proved that 2D (not the faux 2.5D) was in no way antiquated and 3rd party Wii games didn’t need to suck.
The visuals were stunning, actions well animated, character models well-detailed, and they even managed to exploit scale to their advantage. There is no better indication of a tough boss fight than having to face-off with a foot ten-times the size of your character!
Free of waggle gimmicks and trillions of polygons, Vanilla Ware brought art back into games.
My BattleCry goes out to the well-knowned 2D fighting game series,Street Fighter.Because of this game we have been playing them for countless hours,wasting our time figuring out combos,different moves and figuring out how to kick each others butts off.Because of this game we were addicted,created blisters in our hands and was happy for long hours beating your friends asses all day long
Capcom is famous for a lot of things like Megaman,Resident Evil,Devil may Cry and more but Street Fighter captured a large audience that liked 2D gaming and fighting and until now keeps developing Improved versions of it and the good thing is they Improve it by listening to the community on what should be Improve.So Capcom gets my respect by making an awesomely huge success in 2D Gaming on Creating Street Fighter
My battlecry goes to Full Throttle. A 2D adventure game from the days when Lucas Arts was a veritable juggernaut of gaming prowess. It was a time when seeing the ending credits end on “A Very Special Thanks to George Lucas” felt fitting and agreeable to the soul. In the years of it’s release this video game was vying for the attention of gamers who had experienced Doom 2 only 6 months prior to it’s release and still it succeeded, garnering not only a noticeable fan base, but also a legacy.
Full Throttle was a special adventure game that bore all the hallmarks all good games would be blessed to have – insane amounts of star wars easter eggs, classic & crass humor, violence, leather jackets, motorcycles, and a villain voiced by Mark Hamill, all this and more.
It taught us valuable lessons, for example that industrial fertilizer can make you go blind if thrown in your face. But more importantly, if you wanted to get rid of the junkyard dog in a harmless way, so you could get to a pair of forks you need for your bike unmolested (a situation we all have been through) you need but a piece of meat, a junk yard car and a powerful magnet attached to a crane, and viola a solution even Macgyver would approve of. Why schools don’t teach this I will never know.
Full Throttle showed us it was okay to hate minivans because they’re well…minivans, and that hordes of yellow battery operated bunnies can clear a mine field in a pinch, who knew?! Full Throttle did.
Forgive my levity my fellow axe wielders, but I do not think a battlecry of a more serious tone would have done this title the same justice.
It’s a shame that a sequel at this point is unlikely. But perhaps this is for the best.
Yo axeheads! my battle cry was going to be either ninja turtles: Turtles in time or the NES title Link & it’s Zelda sequels but after seeing some of them on the pole & many other comments on them my battle cry goes out to Earth Worm Jim! The epic hilarious platformer on snes that brought a great cartoon character and his hulk-like dog companion to gaming when at the time there weren’t that many gritty comedic titles around. The gameplay for this game wasn’t per say the most original but even to this day other than this game I cannot remember laughing so much with a controller in hand. This title brought some great laughs to my living room which is a great change from complete silence while trying to get that head shot off or trying to make it to the next platform. These days I am happy to see more comedic style games out and even more AAA titles throwing in some one liners here & there because we can never laugh too much
and can never have too many great 2D games!
Mrganj
My battlecry goes out to a little game called gang garrison 2, the addicting “demake” of valve’s team fortress 2. Made by some tf2 fans whose names I do not know, this is probably the best fan spin off of any game I’ve ever played. The game is basically what you would get if team fortress 2 were released for the NES. 8-bit versions of all characters from the actual game are present, and 2d renditions of the maps.
When I first downloaded this game and tee’d it up, I was skeptical. But I’ve probably wasted over 50 hours at work navigating my pint-sized heavy around the pixely maps, shooting scouts, and stopping for a sammich every now and then . I even got my boss and co-workers into the game and I feel like daily production hasn’t exactly been golden since.
If you guys don’t know about this game I suggest you all check it out. It’s great to play at work, fun, addicting, and exactly the kind of 2d game that suits me. Oh, and it’s free to play from ganggarrison.com which is great for cheap bastards such as myself.
I’m still hoping to lobby on the gg2 forums to introduce a gabe newell character to the line-up, whose abilties include sitting around, eating eclairs, and dissing the playstation 3. No luck so far.
I actually played this game a while ago & it is actually just a mod
its a modded version of Soldat which looks pretty much the same – TF2 skins but with all the same weapons etc. & I believe Soldat was made by just 1 guy 
great free 2d shooter! XD
My battlecry goes out to the Castlevania franchise. A superb series of games, with just two exceptions, a franchise that I grew up with that gripped my balls and didn’t let go. It brought all the staples of horror and macabre story telling like undead, Death and of course Dracula. But the ironic thing about these games is that any and all 3D games that have come are cursed to suck and be almost unplayable, that’s why it is a very special 2D game series.
And I also wanted to say that you do a marvelous job having just subscribed, and I hope to see more epic things coming from you guys.
Hello Axe Men (strange “axe” has been used before :p), this Battle Cry goes to Nintendo for making awesome games during the 2D era. Then making 3D sequels to those 2D games which turned out great!
Legend of Zelda Franchise, I loved Link to the Past, and then, Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask in 3D were awesome. They came with Windwaker, cell shaded 3D which gave such a nice view of the Zelda world. When they thought the time was right, they came back to 2D and released Minish Cap for GBA, my favorite Zelda game. They finally released, due to fan demand, a dark theme zelda game, Twilight Princess. Thumbs up for that Nintendo.
Mario, the character featured in most games was first released on NES, believe me I still play that game and there’s no other game I know better, I know every platform in that game! Then after 2D came Sunshine, I liked it, then came Galaxy which is a hot game! No one would deny it.
Metroid, we all know about Samus, awesomeness!
Nintendo, please make some more awesome franchises to make me buy a Wii!
My favourite 2D games would probably have to be the Contra or Castlevania series (pre-symphony of the night), games that were shit-hard but due to finely tuned gameplay rarely felt unfair. My Battlecry, however has to go to early Bioware RPGs (and similar titles) such as the Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale that created a gorgeous hand-drawn world for players to explore. Every screen in the Baldur’s Gate games made you feel as if you were trekking through a beautiful painting. In contrast, Neverwinter Nights, the first 3D Bioware RPG, made me feel as if I was trekking over a series of textured tiles and did not have anything clost to the magic of earlier titles.
Love the show. Keep it up!
My Battle Cry goes out to….Chrono Trigger!
Chrono Trigger is by far my favourite 2D game of all time. All aspects of the game fit together really well. It just causes this “it just flows”-sensation. The art style is timeless. Gameplay was and still is innovative but simple. I haven’t experienced anything like it in RPG’s up to now. The story, the characters and the setting are captivating and the perfectly fitting soundtrack rounds everything up. Chrono Trigger: it is the total package (that’s what she said)
Greetings again fellow axewielders.
Sadly my introduction to gaming only happend first with the release of the N64 so I missed out on most of the 2D goodness.
BUT I do have one I would like to sound off on and that would be Grand Theft Auto 1 and 2.
Yes, shockingly enough there it exsisted before it went 3D.
One of my most treasured memores from the PS1 was heading down one of the back alleys into an abandoned warehouse and finding the tank that was parked there.
And then releasing havoc upon the city.
Oh yes. The pixelated horror!
Not to mention, there is nothing more satisfying than entering “ERRHUH” as the player name and see THE king walk the streets again.
And light him on fire with my flamethrower.
Greetings my Fiends of Fracturization. My cohorts of carnage! How art thou! My Battle Cry goes out to Super Metroid. This is one of the few games that I can play over and over and over again and it never gets old. As side scrolling games go, it is absolutely perfect. It does everything right. It drips with atmosphere. The soundtrack really drags you into it’s world from point one. When Samus lands on the planet, the music makes it feel both deserted and foreboding of things to come, and it just throws one atmospheric piece at you after another for the remainder of the game.
Gameplay wise, it is fantastic. You get a real sense of progression as you uncover secrets that give Samus more power or cool new gadgets and weapons to play with. By the end of the game, you might feel like the ultimate badass, but it still keeps you in check by making the game challenging right up until the end. The varied environments keep everything fresh and make you want to explore farther.
Graphically, the game holds up pretty well for an SNES title. It’s creative environments and excellent art design ensure that it is still an appealing game generations down the line. It is a template that every 2D Metroid game has followed ever since, and it looks good to this day.
The game presents a cool background story, complete with some of the clearest voice work at that point in time in video games. It is very cenamatic, but, once it is down, the rest of the story is all done in game. It presents the rest of the story without a single word. It is all done through things you uncover as you travel through it’s world, and the ending still manages to deliver a powerful punch that left you in awe.
Greetings Axewielders, first timer here.
My Battle Cry goes to SNK Playmore, with their announcement as well as their first location tests of The King Of Fighters XIII at Akihabara last week.
Despite the mixed reviews of The King Of Fighters XII last year (even though I think its a good game & a good start for their future games ahead), they still keep their 2D roots at a positive from their gorgeous pixel backgrounds to hi-res character sprites as well as tuning up their gameplay & character roster.
Its great to see companies like SNK Playmore & Arc Systems still supporting 2D pixel/sprite graphics even to this day
Hey duderinos, hope you’re all well and stuff. My battlecry has to go to StarTropics on the NES. I know some people say it was a washed down Zelda but I think the ambient was a lot cooler and man that boss battle music was awesome. I’d just like to point out that a 3d-HD-motion control-bullshit doesn’t necessarily equate to a good atmosphere… maybe cause they’re leaving us less to imagine by ourselves (since 2D is about imagining space and 3D is more about filling it). Anyway, the graphics in StarTropics were pretty good at the time and any game that lets you use a yoyo as a weapon and that gets you swallowed by a whale is freaking sweet enough for me. (I’m sure Mastodon’s album Leviathan was a tribute to StarTropics and not Moby Dick)
P.S. we played a cover of your theme song with my band last weekend. It was a 10/10 on the riffter scale but it did not fall well because it was Easter. We did not get payed but it was worth it. take it easy dudes, riff on…
Gonzo
Good Morrow Axelords,
My Battle Cry goes out to Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers for the NES. Obviously, like pretty much every game ever made, having a co-op option makes it infinitely more enjoyable to play, which is case in point with this game. Chip n Dale is not only a great single player game, but is hands down the most fun co-op experience I’ve ever had.
It seems that most co-op games have two options of play: One where the players cannot hurt one another (boring), and a second where they can (mercilessly – Battle Toads anyone?). Chip n Dale seamlessly blended these two modes into one. Picking up the other player grants them invulnerability, which is useful when navigating difficult areas when your friend is a lousy player, but you can also throw them off cliffs when you want to be a dick. Projectiles also only stun your companion, which makes killing enemies easier, but in their stunned state they are weak to enemy attacks. It’s a perfect combination of psudo-lethality which keeps you on your toes, but doesn’t punish you too harshly.
And if all this wasn’t enough, the music is extremely catchy, the visuals are quite impressive for the system, and it has a sequel that doesn’t suck. All in all a recipe of win that few, if any, other games can equal.
My Battle Cry goes out to The Secret of the Monkey Island.
That is a franchise that I will always remember in 2D and with absolutely no voice over. It’s hard to remember such a masterpiece with such imaginative and absolutely out of mind characters wich are missing in today’s gaming world full of big badass action heroes. It had a crazy plot, crazy items and crazy dialogues that still makes me laugh out loud. And the art department deserves a mention too. Monkey Island 1 and 2 had great backgrounds, cool animations and some amazing musics wich holds a spot in the best gaming soundtracks of all time.
That to me is 2D gaming at its finest.
My EBC goes out to Street Fighter 4 for the Ipod Touch/Iphone. Its a great 2D game on a current platform that is the best for the 2D game experience. I have to say it’s a little pricy but what it has given me is priceless. The ease of controls is ‘epic’ the visuals are ‘epic’ and the fact that my non-gamer GF has picked it up and loves the games speaks volumes to its mass apeal (also epic!).
We take the train into the city a lot on the weekends and she gets a kick out of playing SF4 against me via bluetooth. I have to admit that I am now loosing to her now and again.
SF4 on the iphone nailed the controls so that everyone can play and pull off the special moves with ease. The game becomes a lot more strategy than just your ability to pull off the moves like on the console version.
My wish list to Capcom is that you would transfer over the same control options to the console game… That would be ‘epic’ too.
-zd-
was never much of 2d platformer fan, for whatever reason, but shooters, now that’s my bag.
of all side-scrolling shooters i gotta give R-type a heads up. the original game was awesome and goes in my hall of fame although later iterations blew. I really enoyed Truxton in the MegaDrive/Genesis days.
i know i said that i wasn’t much of a platformer, but Braid is an example of how the format of a game in no way dictates it’s quality. for me Braid out does Mario, although i appreciate there is a Jump-Man nod in the game which is another reason why it’s great.
i think it’s definately something to do with my age but i found Braid had a lot more depth than a lot of 3D games that have been released and i rate both that and Flower well over MW2 for example.
one interesting thing to observe is the relative success/failure of the Sonic and Mario titles when they forayed in to 3D, and then how they have reverted back to 2D. obviously Sonic never had the legs to make it very far : the franchise is just plain old fashioned inferior to Mario.
BTW, what’s with all the thumbs down for everybody? jesus.
My battle cry goes out to the 2D gaming gods over at Treasure.
Look at the track record these guys have: Gunstar Heroes, Dynamite Headdy, Alien Soldier, Guardian Heroes, Mischief Makers, Silhouette Mirage, Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga…
These are some of the finest 2D games in existence. Beautiful, hand drawn sprites with tons of animations. Ludicrous amounts of parallax. Backgrounds and enemies with realtime scaling effects. Rocking tuneage. Color, dear lord, color!
Treasure was on the cutting edge during the 90s. Their Genesis and Saturn games are the stuff of legend. I’d expect nothing less from former employees of Konami’s heyday.
I commend them for releasing Gunstar Heroes and Ikaruga on XBLA, but I’d like to see Treasure release some of their more obscure titles, as many of them are exceedingly rare. I am gloriously blessed with copies of Radiant Silvergun and Guardian Heroes, the world’s greatest schmup and beat em’ up, respectively.
Their recent 3D games are all right, but they pale in comparison to the gems they used to produce. Has any of the talent there noticed that 2D animation, in HD, looks spectacular? Drop this Sin and Punishment nonsense and give us another one of those crazy-ass 2D shooters or platformers. Hell, show the PS3 some love and I’ll import it in a heartbeat!
oh and i forgot to say that i’m gutted that Shoot1up is 360 exclusive
PS3 fanboy you see…
My Battlecry goes out to the game Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus.
What really captivated me with this title was the art style and unique gameplay. Nowadays I don’t get easily impressed by a game’s graphics or a different kind of setting, but Oddworld was, like its’ name implies, Odd. It was a really fresh and fun experience starting with the funny and imaginative characters, great visuals and simple but finely tuned gameplay.
With the Oddworld-series we can see the pressure that is put on the developers to always redefine the series with each coming game. The two first Oddworld games were great with their 2D-puzzles and painted backrounds, but the newer 3D-attempts are, well, nice attempts to bring the glory of the older games to this “next gen -quality”.
Greeting and salutations to all Ax Crazy Axeheads on EpiBattleAxe!
My BattleCry goes out to the quirky puzzle-platformer Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus by Oddworld Inhabitants for PlayStation and PC. Of course, it should also go by association to the first game in the series, Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee, but Exoddus was much better in every aspect.
Where Oddysee had 99 Mudokons to save, Exoddus had 300; where Oddysee had a few locations, Exoddus had about twice as many; where Oddysee was on one disc, Exoddus was on two; where Oddysee had basic GameSpeak, Exoddus expanded it and let You have more fun with it; where Oddysee’s Mudokons were green, bluish or pale, Exoddus’s Mudokons could also be angry, depressed, crazed or blind; where Oddysee made You chuckle or laugh, Exoddus could make You laugh and roll on the floor.
That game was FUN. From the way Abe and all other Mudokons talked, through the fart jokes, character designs, various GameSpeak to the weird bits like that tip-toeing was a lot noisier than running. I remember the times when I would lead a group of six Mudokons around a sleeping Slig guard and our sneaking would make so much noise it could wake up a dead man. Or when I would run head-first into a wall, fall on my back, Abe would groan and the Mudkons with him would laugh. Or when I would possess a Slig, go with him next to another Slig’s back, say “hi” and then shoot him into bits. It was all very enjoyable.
The game was also pretty challenging with its environmental puzzles, GameSpeak commands, possession machanics and demand for precision. That is something You talked about – that when the first pixel of Your foot did not land on the first pixel of a platform, You did not make the jump. In the Abe games, everything was crafted with precision in mind. One step would always take one “square”, one jump or one running jump would always cover the same distance and the whole game took place on separate screens. You had to be quick and precise or else You would fall prey to machine-gun fire, bombs, electricity or ferocious animals.
I’ll conclude this BattleCry with one of my favourite pastimes in Exoddus. I would collect a large group of Mudokons (5 or 6), lead them to a secluded screen, line them up one after the other and then slap one of them and walk away. The slapped Mudokon would get up and slap the Mudokon next to him, who would do the same, and in seconds everyone would be slapping everyone. I could yell at them “stop it” and then comfort each one by tapping them on the shoulder and saying “sorry”. But I would wait until they slap one of them one too many times and kill him. Then they would cry out “no” and get depressed. Then I would slap one of them again and he would cry out “no” and start hitting himself in the head until he drops dead. Then the remaining Mudokons would start hitting themselves as well until they all die. Then I would load up my save because I’m supposed to save the Mudokons and not kill them.
I’ve noticed a strange trend of XBLA exclusives that don’t make a whole lot of sense. Gunstar and Ikaruga have yet to make their way to PSN, despite the greater likelihood of PS3 owners having prior knowledge of said games.
I’ve even heard rumors of Radiant Silvergun coming exclusively to XBLA. If they translate it and not offer an option to revert it to the original Japanese, I’ll be sticking to my Saturn version…
Regardless, I own both platforms so it doesn’t bother me all that much. I just find it a strange anomaly.
My BattleCry goes out to Plok!
I’d be hard pressed to decide between 2D and 3D games, if I was put at sort point. Both types of games have their gems.
For the 2D type I have many favorites.
These included all 2D zeldas, most of the 2D marios, Donkey kong coutnry and many other games.
Most of these I have played on my old SNES and the others on the virtual console.
There are also more recent 2D games. For instance there is the amazing World of Goo.
Now finally for the reason why I chose Plok!
First of the gameplay is solid and I just love the artstyle. Furthermore it keeps being hilarious everytime I play the game. For those who know the game, my favorite thing is the grandpa world with it’s black and white look.
Lastly I want to mention the difficulty. Most of the recent games, be they 2D or 3D, are often too easy in my opinion. Plok is totally different. I’ve had plok for 16 years now and still I have not been able to complete it. Even though it might be too difficult, I keep on playing it again and again. Some times it takes a few months or even half a year, but I keep going back to Plok
I hope it will appear on the virtual console soon. Since my SNES isn’t in tip top shape anymore.
So to finish of: Plok! is awesome. If you haven’t played it yet, try to get your hands on a copy through any means neccesary.
Kind regards,
BJK
I have two 2D picks for you.
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was one of the few games that I owned as a kid, but the game was always fresh to me. I could come back after weeks (or as I got older years) and still enjoy my time with it. Above all else though, it really fostered my creativity and imagination.
Chrono Trigger holds a special place in my gaming memory. When it came out on the SNES, it blew my mind as to all of the cool stuff you could do in that game. Also, what game isn’t instantly improved with the inclusion of robots…am I right?
I think the point though is this: every game that is ever made stands on the shoulders of the game before it. When we think of the cool games we get to experience today, we need to remember the games that helped get us to this point.
Hey you weekly voices in my head!
I know that even though it’s not even on the market right now, nor have I played it I want to give a BIG shout-out to Sivak, the guy who made a new (!) game for my old NES System. It’s called Battle Kid and is straight up 8-Bit-Torture for everyone who hates himself. The guys over on ScrewAttack promoted the heck out of this game and it looks so incredibly retro awesome that I can’t wait to get my hands on it. It’ll be a small problem cause there’s now no support for my PAL-System but that’s not the point.
The point is that he prooved that is doesn’t take more than the pure love of 2D-gaming at its best (and thats when its HARD to beat) to create a new awesome game for us 2D lovers all over the world (and maybe some minor programming skills).
Love the show, sorry for my Engrish and also love DK’s puns. Really, you make me quite laugh sometimes. Very well. Thank you for listening.
Well first off, I was astounded to see that you didn’t mention the forthcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4. What better throwback to 2D gaming in this age than a new REAL Sonic?!
My Favourite 2D game would have to be Final Fantasy 6. It really proves that graphics make no difference, because as beautiful as FF13 is, 6 just destroys it. I’d choose 6 over 13 any day, the sprites, the music, the environments, the character design, it was all so damn good.
I also have to give a shout out to Xenogears. Whilst the traversal sections and titular Gears were in 3D, all of the character models were 2D sprites. This was particularly effective in battles where it looked unlike any other game at the time. Despite pressure to go full 3D with the game, they made a decision to keep the characters as 2D sprites and it really paid off. That’s easily one of my favourite games of all time and I’m hoping that some day it’ll make it on PSN so I can play through it all over again.
My BattleCry goes out to a little game called BlazBlue that some anime-philes may remember from last year. BlazBlue is a 2D fighter with the most beautiful hand-drawn characters I’ve yet seen. For awhile it seemed as though games like Soul Calibur and Tekken would reign supreme and phase out the good old 2D fighter, but then comes along an ambitious and ridiculously addictive fighter like BlazBlue that sparked my passion for the fighting genre again. This game is a testament that 2D games can thrive on the next generation consoles by providing HD capabilities to highlight the beautifully crafted sprites. It has a great and unique cast with a genuinely compelling story and fascinating universe. The combat is deep and satisfying and I still play it often to this day almost an entire year later after its release. Everything is fleshed out and the little touches to the whole package are what make it my favorite fighter around. Also, extra points for a kickass original soundtrack full of epic guitar awesomeness!
My EpicBattleCry goes to two games just because I’m not to sure if the second one counts, but I want to say the Donkey Kong series and StarCraft! Yes I said StarCraft…First to the Donkey Kong series because it was amazingly fun and entertaining to what a Gorilla ride various animals to attack crocodiles. Yeah, what other game has a Gorilla with a Chimpanzee friend riding a rhino or a swordfish attacking Crocodiles. Plus the series had a television series that had the most catchiest theme song ever!! Donkey Kong was my very first side-scrolling 2D Gameboy game on the Pocket I think…but that being carried onto the N64 was pretty fun as well.
Next StarCraft, well its a 2D RTS that has thousands of people playing it around the world. Currently there are still many users playing even if the beta is out. Just a bonus StarCraft pretty much became a national sport for the Republic of Korea, what other game becomes that nation’s national sport, not many. StarCraft is my most fav game not because I’m Korean myself, but I grew up playing it and awaiting the arrival of the sequel is killing me!
Just to add for all the axe heads, remember the days of Golden Axe! Epic fun!
my epic battle cry goes to Kirby’s adventure for the NES!!! this 2d game was THE game for me,I was the grand blob that send all to hell with a smile on my face. seriously!! ho the fU*k suck people in to the mouth and get superpowers!!!the musik was a little gay but ho cares. Oh, and did a mention that he can turn in to a UFO and shot the shit out off enemys!!!
Hi,
My Battlecry goes out to the worms series. My favourite one being Worms 2.
Worms 2 was at the stage in the series where it was looking good, the toonish graphics were perfect for the hilariously wacky weapons and voices and the level of customization was simply amazing, there were scroll bars for every aspect of the game plus the ability to make your own maps by simply drawing them (penis maps abound)
After worms 2 the series went downhill in my books, worms Armageddon and world party simply didn’t have the same customization as Worms 2 trading scroll bars for buttons. And the 3D versions just didn’t get the biscuit.
Scrollbars aside the benefit of the 2D series was the fully destructable terrain and swinging on the Ninja rope always felt best on the 2D versions. Especially when you could drill onto some poor worms head with the pnematic drill(shame there was no gore mode)
I unfortunately cannot say much about the return to 2D with the consoles because I am a PC guy but I am glad to see the series return to form somewhat even though I imagine that it still suffers the same problems as World Party and Armageddon.
… Bye
My 2D Epic Battle Cry goes out to Seiken Densetsu 3 (A “Secret of Mana” title which was only released in Japan but there is an English translation available on the web.) If you liked 16 bit RPGs like Chrono Trigger and FF6, this Squaresoft game is the ultimate. 6 main character choices with individual attributes and separate but interlaced stories that were epic yet down to earth, (OMG my pet wolf just got killed in a fight!) It also introduced me to BRANCHING CLASSES which made level-ups that much more addicting (simplified Final Fantasy job system.) Also a first was the ring-select menu system! (this was 1995!) Perfect real time battles and some of the most beautiful hand drawn graphics ever… if you haven’t seen this game before google it NOW.
My battle cry has to go to the Donkey kong country franchise, not only to allow DK make some sort of pun since he shares the name of the game, and not just because it has the most kick ass intro song ever, but because when i played it, everything just felt right. 3d platforming games like crash bandicoot,you can see how they took level design from the DK country series and translated them into a great 3d experience but the initial ideas were clearly taken from the DK series, collecting fuit, the underwater levels and riding on an animals back through a level. A great game leaves a legacy and inspires other games and Donkey kong country is definitely one of those games.
(oh and special mention to the 2d worms games, the best turn based games ever)
My BattleCry goes out to the XBLA game, Castle Crashers. Not only is it a fantastic looking game that has a fantastic art design, but it is also a balst to play with four friends.
I didn’t grow up when 2D games were the only games available, and so grew up on 3D platformers and fighters. Castle Crashers was one of the first 2D games I played, and I enjoyed every second of it.
I do believe that we do need more good-old 2D games and, like you said, certain game genres only work in 2D, just imagine Castlevania in 3D, ugh.
Great episode, and am looking forward to next week’s.
Hello my bohemians of bashing, my conquistadors of carnage, HOW ART THOU!!!!
My Epic Battle Cry goes out against(!!!) Pokémon heartgold and soulsilver. HUH Pokemon on the EBA community? well, not because I still play it.
Back in the day, my brother bought Pokemon (the very first. im not sure if it was blue or red) for the old very old Gameboy(!!). That game was, back in 1999 or something like that, awesome! It was the biggest RPG (maybe even my first) to play. searching, training, capturing and win contests to become the best trainer EVA!!!
Then whats my problem with Pokémon?
if there is a definition of milking a franchise, it would have the face of Pokémon. There has been numerous itterations of the game.
Dont get me wrong, they were all (not that i played all of them, i only played the first) rated very high, but it was constantly the same with the same critique, it was only more complete then the previous versions. That will keep on going up till now. Heart Gold and Soul silver might be the most complete itteration of the franchise, but there has been so many versions allready, offcourse this is going to be more complete then the prior ones…..
A while back we have discussed a wee bit about milking, but I really think this game is the face of it. not only the main game (which always has been solid), there were numerous ifferent and well bullshit games that used the idea of the creatures.
Yes Heart gold and soul silver might be the best itteration too jump in for the first timer, but this is milking to the BONE!!!
NINTENDO THINK MORE ABOUT THE GAME!!!!
My battle cry goes out to two things, 1st being the Metroid series. While being one of my many favorite 2D games (like Castlevania or fighting games in general), I just want to stress the fact of how better it was in 2D. Sure, many people liked the FPS metroids and it did look great and still maintained a sense of exploration. My bigger arguement is why did they also release a fps metroid on the DS. I still haven’t figured out how to play it … let alone holding the ds at the same time. Its so disappointing, especially when considering how good the gba Metroids were. The new Metroid looks great in keeping to that old school feel, while even catering to those that liked the fps aspect.
The 2nd would be to the 2D genre in general. I feel a lot of work goes into it (not to discredit 3D or anything). There are certain things that can only be done in 2d, there’s a certain style or effect or exaggeration that simply cant be done in 3d. I wouldn’t necessarily agree that fighting games works better in 2D (Tekken) but certain jumps to 3D (Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter EX) were not good compared to its 2D versions. I think that if the game can’t maintain its 2D look (King of Fighters), it should at least keep its 2D gameplay (Street Fighter 4).
I also appreciate cell-shading, for creating that artistic feel (despite not actually being 2D). Looking at something like Final Fantasy Tactics or most Shin Megami Tensei games, where the cg scenes mimics that of the artwork, I find that really cool. There are certain times where the style or personality of the game, or the characters specifically, aren’t translated well from the artwork to the actual 3D model.
My Battlecry goes out to Super Mario Bros NES. I don’t think any 2D game in history did as much to change video games as we knew them. While one could argue the Original Mario Bros nailed the mechanics SMB moved it from the confines of the square TV screen and gave us new things to do other than staying alive and racking up points. It added narrative, world advancement, Boss fights, and power ups just to name a few. I liked video games before SMB, but I loved them after. Sure the games released after were better and expanded apon the concept but SMB was truley the pioneer of all side scrollers. I wanted an Atari, but I needed a NES after that game
I wanted to point out a thing you meantioned in your skirmish 70, about full hand drawn artwork in games insint big market for is actually a exuse for being… in a slightly mean way to say it “lazy” for to draw and animate 2d work ussaly takes time and they are often requiering the work of 1 or a team of people to animate every motion of the character.
For every single animation is a completely hand drawn peice instead of vector one can cut the character upp and swap parts for whast siutable in the animation or 3d just make a mesh and then add a animation skeleton and your done.
I frankly asa artist that works on drawings want to se much more 2d art being used in games and it dosent have to be the still roll style that anime has introduced but more the old disney style to maybe why not have rotoscope animation like the first prince of percia did.
So mainly its perhaps just the atetude form makers that is still in the way.
I do enjoy me some 2D games, but I mostly enjoy me some 2D fighters, so I gotta give them my battlecry.
While I enjoy 3D games and fighters like Tekken and Virtua Fighter and the such, I grew up dumping quarters into games like KOF, the Capcom VS series, World Heroes, pretty much anything I could find that had two 2D people beating the crap out of each other. I have to admit, I was a little saddened when I started to notice that 2D fighters weren’t really getting much attention anymore. Each year seemed to have its 3D fighter coming out, but 2D was mostly in the dark.
But in the last year, with releases like BlazBlue and KOFXII (which admittedly could have been much better), it’s made something of a resurgence. I’m glad to see games like these making a comeback, because 2D fighting truly does have a unique style (both play-wise and visually) that can’t be reproduced in 3D. It brings me back to when arcades were still around where I live, and I saw people crowded around a new Guilty Gear XX machine. Watching the off the wall combos and over the top supers that were complimented by the unique character and art style reminded me just why I love 2D so much. Sometimes you just want to launch someone in the air, follow them up, hit them about five times, and send a beam of energy through them, you know?
I know my cry probably doesn’t resonate with that many people, and most are probably jaded after XII, but here’s looking forward to KOFXIII. Hopefully it’ll live up to “all that began in ’94″. (kudos to anyone who gets that reference)
My Battle Cry would go to Metroid III(SNES) and Castlevania: SOTN(Playstation). They both have great graphics, awesome gameplay and very good/memorable music.
My battlecry goes to the Donkey Kong Country Series. Those 3 games were a lot of fun, the platforming was tight, and the 2 character mechanic worked perfecty in single or multiplayer. The content in those games (specially 2 and 3) was huge, mounts, transformations, bonus levels, easter eggs, you name it Those games had everything. How often nowadays can you complete a game to a 103%?
My BattleCry goes out to a hidden gem titled BlazBlue. It is one of the few sprite-based current generation console fighting games and it deserves props for going the 2D sprite-based route instead of the 2.5D way because by drawing out each individual sprite, the developer(Arc System Works) shows their commitment towards their game. Besides being an incredibly balanced fighting game which matches the Street Fighter franchise, having an awesome metal inspired soundtrack and amazing fluid HD sprites, its characters are unique in every possible way in terms of looks and play-style
For me, I started out with good old Mario, however, My BattleCry goes out to good old blast processing Sonic The Hedgehog. Despite it’s recent trials in getting a note worthy sequel up and going past the gimmicks, the blue blur brought a new dimension to the table that helped increase the quality of what is a bad ass (with attitude) game, in a manner that at the time was seemingly unthinkable (I meen look at the many wannabees that spun off because of it aka Awesome Possum, Bubsy Bobcat ect..). Even Mario had a change (Mario 64) due to the results of.
Sure the console war is over, but I cant tell you how many times I’ve replayed Sonic games just for pure 2D bliss. AHH and with so many good memories aka the first time seeing Super Sonic, the first time seeing Hyper Sonic, Knuckles, (screw Shadow). I’ve probably beat Sonic 3 and Knuckles about 60 times now, and will probably do it again just for the love of the game.
It’ll be great to one day see SEGA finally get it right in the 3D realm (even though they have a Sonic 4 coming out for XBLIVE, and I rather liked the Unleashed game), I guess in that aspect, that’s there way of testing the market. Baffling though why on a test product they decided to go with a full sequel but hell, who knows what SEGA is doing anymore lol.
Last thing, lets not forget one thing SEGA always brings right to the table, A REALLY GREAT SOUNDTRACK.
This was the first episode of EBC that I’ve ever watched, and I feel like I have missed out!
In relation to the topic, my favorite 2D game of all time goes to Super Metroid. That game made me emotionally involved by the end, and once it was done, I remember telling my mother, an Air Force major at the time, how this game was going to change gaming forever. As far as modern games go, I’m still impressed with Trine. Although the game is short, it is incredibly fun!
However, I do have issues with Mega Man 9 and 10. Just because the 3D games suck, the franchise should not go back to a retro look. I’m all for Mega Man staying 2D, but it does not need to be 8-bit as well. I cannot believe that people bought these two games! It’s an insult to gamers! Can’t we have a 2D Mega Man with gorgeous graphics?
My Battlecry goes out to the indie game Doukotsu Monogatari, also known as Cave Story. The game is a throwback to the good’ol days of gaming with reference to classics such as metroid. This game not only shows us that high quality 2d-games can still be made in the modern days, but it also shows us that it doesnt take a huge sum of money or a big production company to do it. An outstanding game made by only one person over a few years. Simply amazing.
My EBC goes out to not one game or franchise as I feel this was something left behind during the step up yo 3D, but rather a genre of games which has been lost in past decade as no developer seems to make them anymore, but they were the most epic fun I could of had during my child hood and this of course my friends is the good old Side Scrolling Beat em’up!
Where you and your friends can just jump straight in and co-op kick the crap out of stuff, such as Cadillacs & Dinosaurs or some good old AvP Arcade. One franchise I’d love to see made into a HD 2D game would be Streets of Rage, as I’m sure we all remember the awesome back-up that had of a cop car pulling and launching an assault with either a bazooka or heavy machine gun of which can break the laws of physics and fly around corners on to an elevator. But these days are no more…..
Yo man(s), my EBC goes out to, in consideration to the 2-D game topic, Rayman.
This is one of the first games I remember playing on the PS1 but also one of the only 2-D games I remember playing on the PS1 seeing as it was capable of 3D graphics. Anywhoo here’s why I liked Rayman so much:
1. It was real trippy, Ubisoft must have been on acid when making this game, it’s ridiculously surreal but this is what made it stand out and made it so good.
2. It was so good-a-game that it didn’t matter it was 2-D, only years after playing did I look back and say “hey, that game was 2-D and like none of my other PS1 games were”.
3. It proves a 2-D classic because it’s move in 3-D, IMO, was a fail. Other franchises like GTA moved amazingly well into 3D, even worms 3D was an enjoyable game. Rayman on the other hand was so crazy looking and madly designed that the move into 3D made it bland and homogeneous in visuals.
Rayman is definitely a classic and honestly can’t be justified by me writing about it.
(I spent hundreds of hours playing Rayman as a kid however I didn’t even complete the game, did anyone? True challenge is what also makes this game a real game.)
My EpicBattleCry has got to go out to the guys over at The Behemoth. Granted there are a lot of really great games that still hit that nostalgia center, it seems that no recent developer has created 2D bliss the way they have. Alien Hominid was a fantastic arcade side scroller that was chaotic, hilarious, and beautiful (something few games have mastered). Castle Crashers is an amazing game that follows directly in the footsteps of Alien Hominid, but changes up the gameplay and mechanics to make it an entirely fresh experience. Both games are hand drawn and it really shows how talented those guys are. I can’t ever seem to give enough credit to independent developers, but when you have one that puts so many extras and mini-games into an already fantastic title, it simply can not be ignored.
(And that’s not even including the epicness that will be BattleBlock Theater)
My EBC for favorite 2D games of all time goes out to Capcom’s VS series.
As an avid gamer, and comic book reader, to walk in the arcade at a young age and see Wolverine slashing Ryu to pieces for the first time in “X-men VS Street Fighter” made me stop in my tracks and question whether I’ve been pulled in a wormhole into an alternate reality where all dreams come true. lol
And to go off on a tandem, I tip my hat to Devs like Arc Systems, Klei, & 2K Games who made Borderlands. Simply for going in a different direction graphically, in an age where everyone goes for photo-realism switching it up and just making a game look pleasing to the eye instead of going for a real life look is truly a stand out and appreciated artform within itself.
Hey axeheads and lords,
My battlecry goes out to the Mega Man series for bring the now common gaming conventions of actually choosing the levels/bosses you wanted to face off with and having some great,challenging platforming game designs that made the games just flat out 2D awesomeness(to be specific, Mega Man 2, 3, 7, and 9).
What really sticks out for me with this series is how abso-FREAKING-lutely amazing the soundtrack was on each of the Mega Man titles from the first titles on the NES to the amazing job the composers from the old NES Mega Man’s did for part 9 and more recently 10! If there was ever a series that had solidified my love for video game music and have challenge yet extremely fun gameplay, it was quite a MEGA-Blast to enjoy the Mega Man Series both gameplay and music wise.
Greetings my swashbucklers of slaughter!
My BattleCry goes out to Batman on the NES.
Growing up in an age of 2d games, I have played quite a few. Games such as Turtles, Metroid, the Super Mario series, Kid Icarus, and even the Tiny Toons game all left a great mark on me.
The were relatively simple, but deceivingly deep. 2d games are important for kids these days to remind them there was a time before modern warfare, before prince of persia, before Super Mario Galaxy. To remind these brats that 2d games are perhaps even more challenging, not because crappy 3d controls or more options make things harder, but sheer challenging gameplay that give a sense of reward everytime you finish a lvl.
Anyways, but being a youngster who loved superheroes, like any other healthy kid, I also loved movies such as Batman. And all of a sudden there was Batman, based on the movie… Now this was in a time where there wasn’t a curse bestowed upon licensed videogames, that we were aware of anyway. I rented the game dozens of times and eventually convinced my parents to buy it for me to save money
Point is, Batman was challenging, and rushing through the levels faster everytime gave a great sense of accomplishment. The soundtrack was amazing, and still is to this day. The graphics were awesome, and the cutscenes were jawdropping at the time.
To this day I can’t wait for an HD remake, and I mean HD2D, not 3d ofcourse. It brings me great joy to see that Arkham Asylum is called the best superhero game of all time, because that means the NES Batman is finally dethroned, and I can move on with the next Batman game. So there you have it, my BattleCry.
(PS: The AVGN really sucked playing Batman, no wonder he gets angry all the time
)
My BattleCry goes out to Jack Jazzrabbit! I like the gameplay and the freaky look of the game. Why is it my favroite 2D game? Because it was the first PC Game I’ce ever played and it is a part of my PC gaming history! And it is from Cliffy B.
No Joke! It is fucking similar who made this game. It’s AWSOME!!!
special greetings from Germany you guys are fucking awsome!
WHATS UP!, MY COMRADES OF SAVAGERY, MY AMIGOS OF CONQUEST, HOW ART THOU?! My battle cry this week goes out to the amazing “The Simpsons arcade game” by Konami. I used to love playing it back in the day. Everything, from the amazing Hi-Res sprites to the colorful backgrounds, to the very fun gameplay. I’ve spent tons of quarters playing it. Then about a couple of months ago, they made a remake of the game for the iPhone with updated visuals and new controls. It would be awesome for more and more developers to make remakes or even just re-releasing classic games that we used love and play, and distribute them through different outlets such as XBLA, PSN, Steam, itunes etc.
Really looking forward to next weeks episode.
My Battle Cry goes out to the original Sonic the Hedgehog trilogy. Sonic introduced me to gaming and i still consider his first games one of the best games ever made. Its a shame that hes having a difficult time in the 3D realm but hes still one of the kings of 2D gaming. I loved everything about the originals the speed,platforming,multiple routes,music, and mostly love the famous twitch responses you get. SEGA
My Member BattleCry goes out to Megaman, namely the Mega Man X series.
I grew up with Mega Man X on the SNES, one of the first 2D Platform/Shooters I’ve ever played, and definitely one of the most refined. Imaginative bosses, great levels, the best 16-Bit music EVER, adding your enemies weapons to your arsenal, and the ability to pick what order you tackle your missions.
Also it was just fun, with a simple saving system and addictive gameplay.
Hi Guys,
My BattleCry goes out to a game call MetalStorm for the NES !
Its a great shooter/platformer and for the first time (i think) we needed to use the gravity to make our way trough a level ! Oh boy how fun was it to shoot down at your enemies from the celling then pop back on the ground to shoot the one coming above you !
Plus it offered a great challenge !!!
Sure there was a lot of great 2d big brand titles/classics , but sometime a good underdog comes along and hit the spot !!
I really enjoyed this game back in the days and dont know if a lot of people are familiar with that awesome game that put a new twist and redefined the way to play platformers!
(also : screw you damn overbikes level of battletoads
My battle cry goes out to the original Castlevania on the NES. This is my favorite 2D game so far, and I say that because I just recently got into collecting classic video game consoles and games. There are still many many classics that I’m yet to experience (ie Metroid, Megaman, etc), but I think Castlevania is a masterpiece.
I used to own an NES when I was a kid, so I had some nostalgic value in games like Mario, Ninja Turtles and others, but I never played Castlevania as a kid. This is significant because I’m experiencing it now as an adult without any nostalgia to sugarcoat it. I have plenty of new (and great) 3D games that I play as well, but I find myself popping Castlevania into my NES at least once a week.
2D games like Castlevania are great because they’re simple, fun, addictive, and challenging. It makes you actually feel accomplishment when you can beat a game like Castlevania because its so difficult, whereas with the 3D evolution games have become very easy. Games like Castlevania and Batman (NES) are enjoyable every time I play, and they’re only 5 or 6 stages. There’s something to be said for simplistic experiences that don’t require you to become immersed in a world or storyline like Mass Effect. Castlevania stands out as the perfect example of how some games work way better in 2D, since if you look at the 3D Castlevania games they basically all munch on a bowl of my nuts.
Cheers,
testi
Oddworld Adventures: Abe’s Odyssee.
I never actually participated in the “bit wars”. Yes, my feudals of butt-kicking, I started playing video games a little too late: in fact, the rise of the 3D. I know that it doesn’t matter, seing how many people play some awesome games on their old school consoles still today, which is awesome in my opinion. I experienced this “Renaissance of 2D” as you called it in the last episode. And hell, it’s freaking awesome! I love games like Metroid: Zero Mission, Zelda: Minish Cap, New Super Mario Bros. on DS and other titles like that. I am at the moment investigating old games and I just love this change of pace. Those games are great. I am really impressed with the work that Nintendo is bringing to the table this days with slightly modified 2D, and I think that it absolutely fantastic. I am at the moment really happy with Super Paper Mario, a game that got overlooked, but it still fun and totally amazing. And it is in 2D. Keep it up, Nintendo. Even if your console is 97% shit, I still love ya.
My favorite 2D game of all time has to be Guilty Gear XX, either the Midnight Carnival or the Accent Core version. I’ve always loved 2D fighting games, and the Guilty Gear series just seemed to step it up a notch, bringing faster gameplay and longer combos.
I’m glad that it continued as long as it did, and I’m also grateful that BlazBlue continued the Guilty Gear tradition in HD. Here’s to more of either (or both!) series in the future!
My Battle Cry goes out to Lemmings, because clicking on characters that are more complex than 8 by 8 pixels is just retarded. No seriously though it goes out to James Pond 3, because it is a perfect example of one of greatest the advantages of 2D games, their simple controls. With a directional pad and two buttons you can: move, run, wall run, slide, duck, jump, punch, eat, fly, pick up stuff, drop stuff, throw stuff, wear stuff, shoot, arm bombs, and belly splash. Furthermore the game had about 120 levels and introduced new gameplay mechanics in pretty much each of them.
I still think Lemmings is an awesome game btw
My BattleCry goes out to companies that tank their sales multiplataform because of $$$$. It’s a competitive market out there, but companies that make their games in more than a console should consider what they do before they make promotions on their games.
The most recent example is Bizarre Creations Blur. The latest demo showcase how awesome the game is, but it’s focusing more on the release of the public beta demo “XBOX 360 Exclusive” all over the video. This kind of announcement video can turned off PS3 gamers in not buying the game, making them tank their sales on one console.
Why bother releasing a game multiplatform if you are concentrating your focus exclusive too one, might as well just had made the game in just one console.
My Battle Cry goes out to the best 2D games of all time in the Mega Man franchise. Me and my friends as well as many other gamers put hours and hours of time into these games. They were challenging and fun and captivating. Sure the games started to lose their way in the X series(Games 4-8) but the original Megaman games(1-10) and X games (1-3) were the best side scrolling experiences of my life. It is a shame that these games are almost extinct.
My battlecry goes out to Capybara Games and a PSN game released by them called Critter Crunch, though it doesnt have a big budget and is only a puzzle game it is amazing in that it has completely hand-drawn graphics.
Everything from the character models to the backgrounds is drawn by one guy, ONE GUY. This, I think, is amazing. Its hard to believe that not many developers have done something like this and I think they should.
Hey Axeheads! New listener here. Been catching up on this lovely show (that I somehow missed) and must say that I absolutely love it. It is all about crying havoc and making your voice heard, and that’s what I’m going to do… In a screaming hail of text!
Skirmish 70 had a good against the wall from Reuben Sweeney that in short agreed with you lot on “speaking up with your wallet”. But I feel that PC gamers can’t even do that…
The gaming industry is driving the PC as a gaming platform into.. the.. fucking… ground. And no one cares. Our console brethern have abandoned us and are even cheering for the destruction of the PC. And what makes me furious is that I cannot even speak up with my wallet, because even if I actually do buy a game on the PC, the DRM just screws me till I’m in a puddle of tears. The natural response is not to buy these games that consist of 80% DRM data/disc, speak with your wallet some might say. But what happens next is that the industry whines of piracy and punishes the evil PC gamers by making the DRM even more intrusive, delaying the PC release even more, basically taking our money and beating us with it!
And they are unfortunately suceeding in doing this because gamers are so busy tearing eachother apart over what system is the best, what DLC is exclusive to what console, where the graphics look better and so on and so on… that we miss the industry powers, in the shadows, counting the money, laughing their ass off at us whilst lazily throwing another DLC our way. Fanboys are truly the scourge of this earth, and I cannot stand these people gloating at the destruction of a major gaming platform whilst basically paying SONY or MS to paddle them…
An “argument against PC” (why the heck you’d want one of those) is always “well look at Killzone2, who needs PC. Best FPS in awhile works on console”. Yes, but why not have both? Think it’s great on PS3? Imagine Killzone2 on the PC with pinpoint precision… Diversity is never wrong for the consumer, for us!
My battlecry therefore commands YOU! to stop bashing fellow gamers, stop gloating in PC-delays and become mad instead. We, as gamers, have to band together if we are ever going to get up from this eternal bent-over position and actually get our money’s worth.
This concludes the wall of text. Appologies for major rant, had to get it out:)
Greets from sweden, keep on axing!!
My Epic Battle Cry definately goes out to Maniac Mansion: Day of the Tentacle (If you consider that 2d since it did have you moving up and down some). No game has ever made me laugh as much as it, not to mention it’s probably the best point-and-click adventure game of all time with it’s unique time travel mechanics. It perfectly embodies the early nineties point-and-click adventure craze, one of my personal favorite types of games. Heres hopin to more HD remakes like The Secret of Monkey Island.
My BattleCry goes out to ‘Heart of Darkness’ from old ’98. In its vibrant environments and lovely visuals lies my first recollection of any gaming experience. It wasn’t the best to play, neither did it have the most enthralling story, but the game for me goes further than its gameplay and visuals. It was a beautiful game to me and no matter what people say in reviews or others opinions, that can’t change.
I always look back on what might have been a horrible game to some, but will always have a place in my heart as the game that opened the door to gaming for me.
Wassup guys~
Anyway my choice for best 2D game would have to be the Metal Slug series. What I love about this game is that it didnt try anything new (and still hasnt) or has tried to best the newest titles. All it is is pure fun that doesnt require a tutorial, any past game knowledge, or any kind of story line to tie you in. You can just pick it up and have a great time with it. I have friends that never play games begging me to lend Metal Slug. It really is one of the base lines of simple but fun.
ANOTHER TOPIC I wish to talk about is mature scenes in video games. I recently played through God of War 3 (AND IT WAS EPIC) and came across a scene with Aphrodite. Now lets go back to Mass Effect 1. There were alot of people unhappy about its love making scene and found it inappropriate for a video game. Now keep in mind you didnt see very much (which was gay) and it was all in the context of the game and its romance. God of War 3 had me playing a sex mini game simply because I met a TOPLESS Goddess of love? The funny thing is I didnt hear any kind of rant from anyone on this game. I am not saying its a bad thing but I find it quite unusual that this game got past on its mature content and Mass Effect didnt… Has the community learned to accept this kind of thing in gaming? Or do they just rant on what they pick up on?
My Epic Battle Cry goes out for Secret Agent from APOGEE.. this game was extremely addicting and no one remember it anymore, I’ve crashed 2 joysticks playing it, trying to jump over the bridges without dying.
Another very very good 2d game is the first Price of Persia I believe every guy who have about 29 years already played once this game on PC.. and the new 2D version available on XBOX Arcade is very good.
Trials HD is a perfect expemple of a good new generation of the 2D games, of course we need more of these.
Thank you all very much…
My Battle cry would have to go out to 2D fighters. One of my favorite series, King of Fighters, is coming out with KOF 13, which will clean up the bullcrap excuse of a demo that was 12, and go back to it’s true roots of the multiple special bars, specials, a story, bosses, more characters and modes, and bringing back Mai, King and Yuri, who were randomly absent in KOF12, which with it’s crappy netcode on top of missing those characters made KOF12 fail utterly. They tried to SF4 it up by making everything too simple and took out 50% of the movelist which only angered it’s fans, but now, it seems they are back on track and trying to please their fans once again. I’m really looking forward to the console release of this game and my other favorite fighter, BlazBlue CS. BlazBlue CT was amazing and had 30hrs of story with anime cut scenes, great dialog, and epic style! CS when it comes out here, it will have 3 more fleshed out characters, greatly improved battle system and modes completely changing your fighting strategy. I have never played such a fighter that 200+ people can pick up the same character and use them completely different. Making up your own combos and links makes any character as great as the gamer’s imagination, which makes the game’s already epic battle system a crying shame to pass up on.
Hey Axe Lords, still kinda new to podcast, but I caught you with great timing on this subject. My Epic Battle Cry goes out to the game Vector Man for the Sega Genesis. Personally, its was not my favorite game (me being a Sonic Fanatic)but its deserve props for pushing Sega Hardware to its limits. With beautiful use of pre-render sprites, it proved to all Sega AND Nintendo fans that the SNES wasn’t the only system in achieving this feat. Vector Man gave Sega Fanboys a taste of what “3D” could look and feel like without having to buy those God damn expensive extension.
My battlecry doesn’t just go out to a single game or franchise, but I’d like to send a battlecry out to the Super NES and its library as a whole. I couldn’t just choose one (hope thats ok). To me, the Super NES represented the golden age of gaming, especially in regards to 2d games; Zelda, Metroid, Street Fighter, Mega Man X, Castlevania, Final Fantasy, Final Fight, Chrono Trigger… well, the list just goes on and on. The Super NES had some of the best games of all time, even to this day, and some of my fondest memories come from that era. Man, those games were PHENOMENAL! While a lot of these games have successfully made the transition into the 3d realm, it would still be great to obtain more 2d iterations in the future. Anyways, thanks for letting me share EBA, and thanks for the memories Nintendo… thats about all you’ve given me as of late (burn!).
My BattleCry goes out to the Street Fighter series. Street Fighter still keeps 2D fighting alive. With Street Fighter 4 they brought back a genre of gaming almost from the dead so to speak by introducing 3D models with 2D fighting. While by no means “revolutionary,” Capcom was able to reignite the fighting game scene as a whole. It brought the people who loved Street Fighter back for more and brought even more new players to the scene.
Street Fighter has always been about community and having fun with friends. No 2D game yet can match its prowess for capturing peoples attention so much so they’d go out of their house to play it!…and the hardcore still do!
My Battle Cry goes to DLC price reflecting the game. Now this is not about how the prices are currently, but how they could or should be in the future. I had recently purchased Fable 2. I really enjoyed the game, especially considering its $30 price. Than I got a good look at its DLC which was priced at 800msp and 560msp. We are looking at about $10+$7 roughly. So for 2 DLC for a game that is fairly old, reached Platinum Hit, and adding maybe 2 hours of gameplay seems like a painful hit to my wallet. Now I will still buy it because its a great game to increase experience on but it still hurts and quite odd. I would just like DLC to decrease in price as the game does, but maybe i’m just a self-centered customer….
What’s up my fellow Axemen!
My Battlecry goes out not to just one particular 2D game but a type of 2D game… A lot of love has been shown recently to 2D platformers, shooters, puzzle games and 2D action games.
The one 2D type to which I am a huge fan is one that I feel has some of the best 2D titles of all time and is something that simply does not work in 3D: The 2D Brawlers.
Now Castle Crashers shows it can be done, but there is so much more potential in there. I mean who of us doesn’t love the classics like Golden Axe, Double Dragon, Streets of Rage and Final Fight. And these games just don’t seem to work in 3D.
Now of all these games the one 2D brawler that is really something special is; Guardian Heroes on the Sega Saturn. That game had everything. Fast paced action, good fighting with combo’s and magic, outstanding levels and characters, 6 player co-op (that alone makes it more awesome than any other 2D game) and a whole bunch more.
Now if a HD version of that goodness with full online support doesn’t sound like a gamers wet-dream I don’t know what does.
So that’s my battlecry, a bit long, but Guardian Heroes deserves it!
My battlecry goes out to Donkey Kong Country.
I’m gonna go back in time, I was 5 and my father didn’t live with me at the moment. I had been longing for a Super Nintendo Entertainment System. So one day not only did my father come for a visit after a month of work, he had a Snes Donkey Kong Country bundle in his hands.
Til this day it’s one of my favorit games of all time and I played it on and off until I got PS1 in 2000. Even when I look back and play it on emulator on my pc it actually really holds up. The graphics where insane for a snes consol. The edgeds aren’t as smooth as todays game, but u could probably just do a few tweeks to the graphics, and it could easily have been a wii title.
The gameplay is classic 2D platforming and with varied levels and new enemies for each overworld + all the hidden bonus levels makes it an overall classic in my eyes.
I have both consols (xbox 360 and ps3) and after seeing Galaxy 2 and Metroid Prime I really want to get a Wii but what really would push me over the edge is the announcement of Donkey Kong Country 4.
My Battle Cry of 2D goes out to not only the best 2D game ever, but also the best JRPG ever made, which is Chrono Trigger. It really immersed me in the world, something which JRPGs rarely manage, because it did not stuff the player with 10 minutes of exposition in the very beginning, but slowly fleshed out the world, its history and the story. And this is the thing: it really gave the impression that I was the one responsible for the plot events, not the characters. With 13 different endings it has a ton of replay value, and can even end with SPOILER WARNING! the protagonist dead. The characters are wonderful and expressive, and it just wouldn’t work in 3D. Oh yeah, and the soundtrack is the best in games ever. Period.
G’day large cutting tool craniums,
My astronomical combat vocalisation of the best ever 2d game goes out to Another World!
Sure, I had seen plenty of sprites on the Atari, C64 and in the arcades but when I first saw the atmospheric an cinematic goodness that was Another World, I knew electronic gaming would one day be the premier form of entertainment for our species. It blew me away. It was an adventure and a platformer and a shooter that was challenging but not impossible, had a narrative that didn’t need dialog and told a story that could almost bring a tear to a players eye by the time the credits rolled.
Writing about it has inspired me to go fire it up and play again.
My epic member BattleCry goes to StarCraft. It was (and still is) the top achievement of 2D based RTS, with great support from map making community keeping this game Battle.net servers constantly alive over 10 years now. It become the national sport of south Korea, thanks to its complexity the game meseares the manliness of player by forcing him to focus on several things at a time. The great 2D maps and unit sprites heven’t got old by one bit for all this time, and thanks to its depth and timeless mechanics it is still good pick to date (especially since SC2 is on its way).
I’m not english native speaker, so I apologise for any language errors I might’ve made.
A lot has been said on this already, so I just wanted to give a quick shout out to the epiphany CAPCOM had, in resurrecting 2D fighting gameplay in Street Fighter IV.
When everyone seemed to have dropped out of 2D, for what I can only imagine to be fear of not appealing to the recent hordes of graphically spoiled gamers, CAPCOM went on a limb and brought together the best of both worlds with their revolutionary SFIV engine – which almost immediately spawned a series of new and revived 2D fighters.
2D fighting became mainstream once more, and brought back a legion of new players to the awesomeness that is beating each other up in these type of games. More than that it showed every other developer that there is still a 2D audience out there.
My Battle cry goes out to Super Metroid. When this game came out 3D Games were just over the horizon, and yes they were probably out by then but no one got it right at first; this game proved that you didn’t need 3D to make a great game and that we did not have to go to 3D if a game was done right. To this date for all its subtlety, style, and intelligent design it is still adored by fans.
[...] an experience that set the standard for 2D gaming. As we continue our discussion this week on your favorite 2D games of all time, we’re turning things over to EBA Member Valereth for some insight into exactly what made [...]
[...] it’s we’re discussing all things 2D this week on the ‘Axe I thought I’d react to a news tip (thx Joe!) regarding this [...]
Hola, my Tormentors of frolickers
My favorite would have to be Super Mario Land for the original Game Boy. I first got this game when i was 4 or 5 years old when i found it in a lost and found box with a red Game Boy Pocket. I use to and still do play this game after all these years. This game is such a big part of my life that it has inspired me to go to college to become a video game designer in hopes to make a game that would have the same affect on another person.
Greetings from Germany,
my Battlecry goes out to the Donkey Kong Country series for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. You see back in the days when nobody talked about Sony or Microsoft, Nintendo ruled the console market.
They had awesome franchises like Mario, Zelda, Metroid and also Donkey Kong. The others lived on and still got great games for todays consoles but what happend to DK (hahaha).
I mean Donkey Kong Country 3 was the best looking game for the SNES (in my opinion)and it just made fun.
But after part 3 the whole series went down the toilet, DK64 was okay but ugly and the sequels (if you wanna call them like that) dind’t had to do anything with the original.
Imagine how cool a new DK Country game could be for the Wii…
At least just because Rare isn’t producing no more Games for Nintendo doesn’t mean that we don’t want a new DK Country!!!
(sry for my lick of english)
by the way great joke(pun) by DK last episode: “sticking to it”
My Battle Cry goes out to Cave Story which was created by Daisuke Amaya, a.k.a. Pixel, and released for free on the PC back in 2004, and just recently got re-released with some new modes and graphical upgrades on Wii Ware.
The game is excellent, with perfect metroidvania-style gameplay with pixel perfect accuracy, a fantastic art style and a story that was shockingly involving (seriously, I did not see the quality of that story coming.)Oh, and the music, multiple endings, and weapon upgrade system are all awesome too. To top it all off, it was made by one guy.
But the quality of the game isn’t the only reason why I’m giving it my Battle Cry. I think that this game, more than any other 2D release in the current generation, really harkens back to the spirit and charm of the days of the NES. I doubt I’m the only person who felt that, as they were playing the game, they had stumbled upon some gem from a lost era. There are plenty of remakes and sequels(Mega Man 9,10), but those do not manage to capture the originality and creativity of games in the days of the NES the way Cave Story does.
If you haven’t played it yet, please do. I highly recommend it.
My Battlecry is…
It is true that PC gamers such as my self are kinda getting screwed, but theres a big but. We see big fps games and action adventure games are mainly beeing focused towards the consoles right? That isnt necceseraly a bad thing. Now i see RTS titles coming back to the PC (Thank god) Supreme commander 2 truly made my day when it came out. I have a consoll asvell as a Gamer PC but im picky about what i play on either.
The RTS genre and “others” are great for the PC.
The consolls can have the others because its become so well suited for it. I hope developers soon break the thinking cap and comes up with great ideas for PC games
My point being…just because the PC is sleeping doesnt mean the beast wont rise again
Oh yeah the best 2D games… commander keen and duke nukem 2D!!! Hell yeah!!! (PC Oldtimers will know i`m right)
My axewielders of assassination, my Bladeholders of Beheading You arth awesome.
Ello, ok then, dramatic musik,, Castlevania Symphony of the Night! Nuf said right?, well maybe not but hell this is one awesome game i still play it to this day.
Alone with starcraft it is without a doubt the game i have played the most in my life, its not a coincidence that all the good castlevania games after sotn have been copies of just sotn,
and all the crappy ones have been in 3d and like coff coff castlevania 64 coff coff (here’s hoping lords of shadow ´can change this)
I’m not going to rant about the games features its been done to the death all over the net, no all i will say is that it is truly a awesome game
While I’d love to give this to Mario, honestly, my battle cry could only be given to Viewtiful Joe. I’m a person whose first video game period was Super Mario World, so I had been around platformers all my life, and when this game came along and just simply spoke to my gaming, comic-book, movie-goer nerd mindset so well, it blew me away. The gameplay was revolutionary, the characters were all memorable and lovable, and wouldn’t you know it, it even had a decent story to go along with the ride as well. A story buried in a metric ton of cheese, but a decent story nonetheless.
I’d also like to point out that you may notice something in Viewtiful Joe that’s not in a lot of games today. Hmmm, what is it? Oh, that’s right: COLOR! This game was the whole package, and its sequel was just as studly.
My BattleCry out goes out to the Castlevania series and to Symphony of the Night in particular.
Currently, I own a PS3 and do most of my gaming on that system. Recently, with all the “heavy” titles like Uncharted 2, God of War 3 and other 3D, high-end graphics and all that stuff I got my hands on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for PSX. After I booted it up I fell in love with this game; couldn’t play anything else till the end credits of SotN rolled out. The game is 13 years old and is still on par with new titles in terms of pure fun you get while playing. Freakin’ sweet game.
Another game I want to shout out to is Mirror’s Edge. I bought it quite recently, played through and to be honest I didn’t like it all that much. I’m writing about it here because of a small flash (I think its flash) based game called Mirror’s Edge 2D. It’s a 2D version of a current gen hit and for me it’s far better than the 3D version. Dice wanted to make something new with the whole FPP look of the game and quite frankly they screwed up. They should’ve made the game 2D like in that flash game and it would be way better.
Check it out at http://www.mirrorsedge2d.com/ it’s a load of fun.
My battlecry goes to… ahhh what is that name agien….. oh right GTA 2. You see when i was young ( will soon turn 18) I never played games and it was first in 1998 or something like that i started to play. But GTA 2 was awsome!
My battle would have to go to Sonic 2. When I was little i played the hell out of that game. I we and my friends would sit down and play it, one life each, and I’d go first there was a good chance they wouldn’t get to play at all before we’d finished it because I wouldn’t die. (Yes, I was that much of a douche). I was little when I played this and is brings me over to another thing I’d like to mention. I think 2D games are easier for kids to get a grip on. Children don’t have that good multitasking skill and with current 3D games navigating an environment with difficult controls could be quite off putting and frustrating. So I guess what I’m trying to say is, I think 2D games now are a great way for children to enjoy the medium. (Not only for this reason of course)
I’d also like to mention “Fist of the North Star” or “The Last Battle” as my copy was called that’s got a remake coming up. I had great fun with that.
My BattleCry goes to Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, this was and still is my favorite game to date I really loved the how the 2 monkeys interacted with each other, it was one of the best co-op games there was back in the day.
I also didn’t say the Donkey Kong Country series because I really hated playing with Donkey Kong in the first and third game, he was a brute and very slow character to play with.
I am also very angry at Nintendo for making only more “good” Super Mario games and they left out the Donkey Kong series, or at least a Diddy Kong series. Nintendo has only included them in those stupid party games, I’m glad I sold my stupid Wii.
edit: walls of text hurt my eyes.
Hey there guys, My BattleCry goes out to Diablo II, it might be more of a 2.5D game but what ever close enough. This is easily one of my most play games ever and one of the funnest out there. I would just toss hour after hour with my buddies fighting through the same five acts over and over.
The creative geniuses over at Blizzard found the perfect formula with some interesting characters and a cow level or two to keep people playing this beast of a game a decade later. This series is forever set in “rune” and with the release of Diablo III sometime in the next 20 years it will only become an even bigger idol for those who say 2D can be just as great if not better than any 3D game.
Hey Guys how are you? After listening to your last EpicBattleCry about 2D gaming I couldn’t resist commenting on it.
Looking back on all those wonderfull years of gaming history, I realise that most of my favorite games are 2D. From the old school point and click, to classic shoot and run games, and legendary beat’em ups. It was hard for me to select between the adventures of a crazed dog and Rabbit police duo, and a plumber jumping toads, to the shocking uterus punching intro of Double Dragon.
Suddenly a game came to mind, that I’ve completely forgotten about. Contra 3 a.k.a Probotector in Germany (leave it to the Germans to take the fun out of something.) Why did I pick it? Well 7 reasons
1: You are blasting enemies like giant-robot-alien-dinosaur-things.
2: Co-Op
3: Vehicles and awesome power up
4: Different styles of gameplay (like top down view)
5: Visually amazing for the time.
6: Did I mention HUGE FFING ROBOT ALIEN DINOSAURS? AND WHATNOT!!?
7: Games like Matt Hazzard and Shadow Complex feel and play similar like that game used to, so in a way it did something right, that is still considered the proper way to go.
Hence I tip my hat to Contra 3
My BattleCry goes not to a game franchise, but to the staff of BYOND.com. Those guys have been working on a set of developer tools which allow anyone with little to no programming knowledge make 2D NES/SNES games with built-in multiplayer support. The project has been in active development for over TEN YEARS and has remained free since day one, they pay for everything out of their own pocket!
I feel they don’t get the respect and recognition they deserve for such a monumental effort. Their Wikipedia page was even deleted last year for not being notable enough, which is complete bullshit. I’ve used their tools to make my own game and I know a lot of other hobbyist developers who save a considerable amount of time and money using it as well.
My first ever Battle Cry goes to the great game of Chrono Trigger. It was one of the best games to define the RPG genre in that era and it innovated it by using the combo system in turn based gameplay. Chrono Trigger also had a fascinating time traveling plot which told the story of each and every character the player played with, had lush backgrounds and vistas that were so beautiful and unique, an awesome soundtrack that I’m always humming from time to time, and multiple endings that will have a player replaying this masterpiece again. I would say more but, as they always say, seeing is believing.
Even thought there were more RPGs on the SNES, this was the game that got me into the RPG genre. My wish came true when Square finally decided to put it on the DS so I can play it on the go. Im still playing this game again and again. If anyone wants a great retro RPG, I encourage them to pick up the DS version cause Chrono Trigger can stand the test of time. That pun was for you DK
Day Of The 2D Tentacle
There was a bit of talk in this weeks EBC about the endless discoveries of originality that are still available in 2D gaming today. I was a hugely huge fan of “Shadow Complex” (oddly I’m not a Metroid fan at all) and there’s hasn’t been a 3D render made yet that has massaged my eyes and ears and brain more than the 2D platform/puzzler “Braid” (I still listen to the mind blowingly chill soundtrack).
If the only rule for this battle cry is that the game must be in 2D, well then I must cry out in honor of the masterful “Day of the Tentacle”. If you have a second, read this next slice of rant closely. If what other game can you…
capture the escaped chattering toy teeth in the air vent, steal an exploding cigar by switching the novelty toy salesman’s cigarette lighter gun with a novelty “bang” gun so he can’t light it for you, then using the time machine give the chattering teeth, cigar lighter and exploding cigar to your friend Hoagie who’s stuck in the past, then while playing as Hoagie, give George Washington an exploding cigar and light it for him so it explodes and his wooden teeth go flying out of his mouth. Give him the chattering teeth as a replacement, thus convincing Thomas Jefferson that the father of our nation is cold so he’ll light a fire with his precious collectable log, steal John Hancock’s blanket that he was using to keep warm before the fire was made, then place the blanket on top of the chimney to block the smoke so they’ll all run out of the room thinking there’s a fire, run in after and steal Thomas Jefferson’s precious golden pen so you can give the gold to Red Edison to finish the super-battery to attach to your broken time machine so you can get back to the present and STOP PURPLE TENTACLE FROM TAKING OVER THE WORLD!?!?!?!?!?!?!
The answer, none. This Tim Schafer helmed 2D point-and-click adventure has the craziest situations you’d ever find yourself trying to puzzle your way out of. Ingeniously enough, as crazy as the puzzles got, they always made an incredibly deep amount of sense. Along with a very endearing art style and soundtrack that was as catchy as it was fitting, this is a game that you can leave for 15 years, but it wont leave you.
I recently downloaded this game (sorry, it wasn’t available otherwise, I did try using some sweet-ASS-GOG-action!), beat it in about four hours, and it gave me the same child like sense of adventure and discovery that it gave me when I played it AS a child. Looking at my stack of 360/PS3 games that are bursting with graphics & violence, I find my gaming self more satisfied with this nostalgic, hilarious 2D adventure than I have in a long while. Sometimes, less is oh so much more.
I am so glad you guys had an episode on 2d gaming, the industry leaders really need to pull their heads out of their asses and understand that gamers still love 2d games and in some cases more than 3d games. Specifically I want to single out Konami and their Castlevania series. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is one of the best 2d games I have ever played and in my opinion one of the best games i have ever played. I really REALLY wish they would stop trying to reboot the series in 3d and realize their potential in the 2d market.
[...] I’d highlight a few of the many comments pertaining to the game that have surfaced during this week’s discussion on your most beloved 2D titles of all-time. So, hit the jump for some Chrono-love and don’t forget to sound off with your own thoughts [...]
Hello EBA!
I’m so glad you picked this subject. Gaming wouldnt be half as popular as it is now with out the fantastic 2-D game experiences and their creators. I hope it stays forever!
My BattleCry goes out to my favorite, Super Mario Bros. 3. I love the first SMB and all the others, but 3 had a magic about it. Some people were probably dissappointed with 2. I know I felt it didnt feel quite right but couldnt put my finger on it. I still love the game, but I’ll never forget firing it up the first time and saying “This doesnt quite feel like Mario” heh heh. THAT feeling is what has always made Mario special, his level of control and response. The height of his jump, the speed at which he runs.
Super Mario Bros. 3 was a return to form and a tour de force of all of the things we loved about the first Mario, but improved on every level. The idea of 8 kingdoms, the worlds not just blank screens proclaiming “World 8-2″ but an actual map,was much more immersive. The power ups, being able to fly, being able to utilize Koopa shells, the mini games, and best of all the secrets. Its the one game I can play over and over and over and not get tired of.
Tied with: Legend of Zelda, Legend of Zelda:Link to the Past, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy III (6),Metroid,Super Metroid,Mega Man 2, and 3. The list goes on and on….
I believe the high point of 2d gaming for me was Castlevania SOTN. It’s melding of the metroid free world and RPG elements is one of finest under used 2d gaming elements. Finding new equipment or items that would totally change my playstyle of the game. I wish there were more games that follow this formula. I know there are the hand held castlevania games as well as the ocassional game to follow this format (Shadow Complex), but I quite frankly want more.
Hey guys,
my BattleCry goes out to “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time” on the SNES. You could choose between all the turtles and play co-op with a friend…man, that game was fun.
Although the “Re-shelled” version on XBL couldn’t come up to the expectations, it shows that these days 2D-games live to see a revival. In my opinion, this can be seen as some kind of counter movement to the stunning, almost photo-realistic, 3D graphics this generation of consoles achieved.
Many new 2D-games emphasize less and less on graphics, some of them even seem a bit too simplistic, but make up for that in the matter of innovative gameplay or art style.
I also think platforms like Steam, XBL or PSN made it possible that Indie-developers with small budgets are able to succesfully distribute those kind of games these days.
Greetings from Germany.
btw your show is ‘axe-traordinary’ (you’re welcome, DK ^^)
[...] we explore the once dominant but currently often overlooked genre of 2D gaming. This week’s MBC Topic Start tasked you with telling your fellow Axe Heads about your favorite 2D games/franchises of all-time! [...]
My battle cry goes out to Street Fighter 3 Third Strike. An absolute great game that changed the way I look at 2D. I can still remember when I saw it in motion for the first time, thinking to myself, wow! 2D is not dead, but alive and flourishing. The quality of the game was not only in the beautiful art direction, but in the control as well. Then something happened. And that something was absolutely nothing! I expected as hardware became more powerful, frame rate and the level of detail in the drawings would continue to get better. Not that we don’t have good 2D fighters or other titles that are in 2d today, but the market is a barren wasteland for this overlooked gem of dimension.
My Battlecry goes out to Cave Story. Most people probably know about this game since it has just been released for wiiware. But this game was first released at the end of 2004 for the PC (its also available for the mac). This game is fucking awesome for many reasons. One would be its story, which is probably on par with some of the best games of this decade (2D or not). Another reason is that its gameplay is addictive and just flat-out fun, which is always a good reason to play a game. And then theres my favorite reason of all… ITS FREE!!!!!!! Yes, you dont need to spend a penny for it! This is like being able to download a game as good as castlevania for free, without pirating. I can’t recommend this game any higher. Anybody craving a great 2D game this generation needs to check this game out. I just wouldn’t suggest the wiiware version. It costs $12 and has minor touches that dont add much to the experience.
[...] the timely announcement considering all the 2D gaming talk going on this week, eh? Feel free to share your thoughts on this project in the comments section [...]
My Battle Cry goes out to Sheep Man from Mega Man 10. I may be going out on a limb here, but I think this robot master is a nod to “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” by Philip K. Dick, the book that Blade Runner was based off of. Makes ya think, are the Mega Man games just a dream in Mega Mans mind? Is Mega Man a really blade runner? Was Cutsman relly evil, or just a robot that wanted freedom from his slave master Dr. Wily?
And also a big pat on the back to Capcom for bringing my favorite series of all time back to its roots. Mega Man is a perfect example of a game that just works so much better in 2d, gameplay wise and artistically.
Wonderful episode, keep it up!
[...] when I asked the EBA Community to sound off on their favorite 2D games of all-time earlier this week, I should have expected that it would be super, SUPER tough to pinpoint one [...]
Hey fellow Axe heads! My battle Cry goes out to the side scrolling shooter genre. I really had a lot of fun with Gradius 3 and Darius Twin when I was younger. I recently picked them up cheap on ebay to see if they still held any nostalgia and found out they do a lot more then that! They are both packed full of enough flashes, bangs, and mayhem to send anyone into a seizure! Also I totally love the old school sounds and sound tracks. It was a time when subtle little things in the game go a long way! Cry Havoc!
My BattleCry goes to the old school 2D RPGs (FF4, FF6, Chrono trigger,etc). I used to love thoses as a kid (and i still enjoy them) I found that with 2D games theres still somme room left for your immagination as for 3D game well… what you see is pretty much all there is.
I also think that game developpers used to spend less time on graphics and more in some other places. For instance the sound track, back stories,etc. But maybe thats just me.
My BattleCry gose out to Metal slug franchise, because it has over the top gameplay, the Characters are ok but the it has to be the boss, the Story and my favoure is Metal Slug 3.
I like 2D game to the 3D game of this year beause they just foce on the online in game not on Story because they kill some game like that.
My Battle Cry goes out to Splinter cell conviction and ubisoft. I just happend to notice that the box art of the game has no exclusive stamp even though developers have already stated its exclusivity 4 360 and PC. but when u look at gears 1 and 2 which are on PC and 360 it has the exclusive stamp. So this means that splinter cell conviction will come to the ps3 this year or eventually
My battlecry this week goes out to the Cliffy B EPIC FAIL of a surprise announcement on the Gears of War 3 announcement on Jimmy Fallon. Not only was the game announced by accident on XBOX Live but then old ‘Dude Huge’ tried to cover by saying, “Oh, no. We had ANOTHER game we were announcing as well…” Sure you did. I’m glad to see the expensive marketing ploy blow up in their faces here, not because I have anything against Epic Games, but rather what I hate is the announcement of games so far before their release date that we gamers become like addicts waiting for a fix that’s 2 years away. We all have other things in our lives but games take the edge of and that’s important. It’s definitely better for you than alcohol. These stupid pump-the-gamer-up antics add to our already tense shoulders. Nice to see them fail in it every so often… especially when it’s a douchebag who gives himself his own nicknames.
My battle cry goes out to Final Fantasy VI (or III, if you got it on the SNES like I did).
This game will forever in my mind be the epitome of JRPG’s in the 2D era. Maybe it’s just due to nostalgia, maybe otherwise, but this is my favorite RPG of all time, and my favorite game of all time. I still vastly prefer it to any of its 3D-era counterparts, so I think it fits perfectly in with this past week’s debate.
This game pushed the SNES to its limitations, utilizing almost ever facet of the technology, really showing what amazing games the system was capable of. Beyond this, FFVI was a triumph in storytelling and broke the mold for the Final Fantasy series.
It had everything: memorable characters, engaging plot, beautiful music, a feeling of tremendous depth and weight achieved by few other games of the time. This was the first FF game that, for me, had a truly memorable (and frightening) villain — not just some nebulous evil, but a deranged human, bent on chaos — and a storyline that addressed more personally-relatable and real-world subject matters.
Truly, it was a fantastic game to wind down the 16bit age of both Nintendo and RPG’s alike.
My Battlecry goes out to Mega Man. With the release of Mega Man 9 and 10 in true 8 bit old school quality, it raised this question to me: Why not do a new 2D Mega man title, but with today’s graphics?
Some of my most memorable days as a kid was dash-jumping all over the place in the Mega Man X titles for the SNES. Take back the old formula, add some crazy robot bosses, FORGET attempts into 3D and give us an amazing action platfomer!
Love the show!