Alisia Dragoon (4.24.92)
Developed by Game Arts, Alisia Dragoon features striking box art by Mariko Uemura and was one of the Mega Drive's hidden gems until reaching wider availability on NSO.
(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by user odino.)
Lightning flashes! The 'attractive fighter' is now here, departing for battle!!
Alisia Deena Rain, a young woman burdened with the fate of saving the world. The journey of her boundless adventure begins.
(Caption 1) [Lightning Magic] Praying with all her heart, the enemies are struck down!
(Caption 2) Exhilarating! Enemies are mowed down [Omnidirectional Auto-Aim Lightning]
(Caption 3) Calling upon her 4 servants, she can escape a tough spot!
(Caption 4) What does fate have in store for Alisia when she arrives?...
Just Breed (12.15.92)
With it's hip artwork and impressive graphics for the Famicom, this Enix SRPG must have made quite an impression on Japanese game fans when it finally went on sale in 1992. I never even heard of the game until running into the commercials a few years back, but it had some interesting trivia associated with it such as a 3 year development cycle (Extremely unusual in the early 90s) and utilizing a 6 megabit cartridge.
(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Starwolf_UK and DeadsideSerpent.)
Won't you join us? The password is always 'Team Spirits'.
The towns living in times of peace are suddenly attacked in a mysterious incident. Monsters wander around the towns, and finally the Priest protecting the church has been abducted by someone. In order to rescue the ones they love and restore peace to the towns, various brave youths from all over have stood up to fight.
Each clinging on to various thoughts in the wide open fields, multiple teams have set out on a journey. What secrets are within the 7 Holy Stones? What is the truth about the legend of the Giant Gods, passed down since ancient times?...Adding new team members while continuing their adventure, just what will the warriors discover on their journey...
What is the new type of RPG, Team Spirits?
A single team is composed of a leader and five members. Up to 4 teams can simultaneously progress and be controlled in this new type of game system. In this system, the key to victory is decided by skillful team play and the manner in which you assemble formations.
Samurai Shodown / Spirits (Mega Drive) (11.19.94)
The Mega Drive received a port that was surprisingly superior in both sprite size and even audio, but the largest character, Earthquake is missing.
Blades meet and the sparks scatter! It's a SUPER EXTREME katana battle!
Caption 1: Amakusa is included in the 12 characters you can choose from in the VS. mode.
Caption 2: You can even assemble a group for team battles!
Caption 3: With the "anger gauge," your attack power will increase for a massive counter attack!
Slice, Rage, Punch, Kick.
Castlevania / Evil Demon Castle Dracula (MSX2) (10.30.86)
This little known MSX2 version of the original Castlevania features more RPG elements and differing graphics from the NES, such as the striking portrait of Dracula in the background of the final battle. This version of Castlevania is considered highly flawed, but fascinating nonetheless. I first found out about the game from Jeremy Parish's excellent report on the Retronaughts podcast.
The Demon King, Dracula, resurrects!
The thrilling and suspenseful RPG Adventure will have you unable to sleep.
The Demon King, Dracula, resurrects! At an ancient castle in the small, medieval European country of Translvania, the darkness is suddenly torn apart by lightning, marking the revival of evil beings. Followers of a heretical religion begin their 'Black Mass'. A young warrior named Simon shares the blood of the great hero Christopher Belmont. Because of the approaching crisis with the resurrection of the Demon King Dracula, Simon stands up to protect his tiny country. Inheriting his father's secret whip, containing a mysterious power, he alone has headed off towards the Evil Demon Castle.
Bahamut Senki / War Chronicles of Bahamut (3.8.91)
Developed by Sega, this real time strategy game has some of the simplest graphics seen on the Mega Drive, not coming close to the the evocative packaging. Otherwise highly obscure, it was also released on the Wii Virtual Console in Japan.
(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by RFH, Oversuperfluous, and Guard_Master.)
To the chosen one: Come to Bahamut, and open the door of destiny! The history of the continent is with you...
Chrono Trigger (PlayStation) (11.2.99)
Brought to the PlayStation by popular demand, as well as serving as an appetizer for the eagerly awaited Chrono Cross set to arrive just weeks later...many hardcore Chrono Trigger fans were willing to endure some load times in exchange for the gorgeous new animated movies.
(Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by FAM.)
Spine Card:
The legendary RPG which transcends time. Now with anime movies...the emotional impact has further enlarged.
Back:
The legend, in action.
Fly towards a forgotten past. Head towards a far off future. Outrageous events and various encounters await you...
Anime movies have been added to this masterpiece which transcends time. The huge adventure of Chrono and his friends, has now been brilliantly resurrected!
Ganbare Goemon 2 / Let's Go! Goemon 2: Very Strange General Magginesu (12.22.93)
Goemon, Ebisumaru and new playable character Sasuke ward off foreign invaders in this underrated platformers. Possibly the best Goemon game not to get officially localized, go out of your way to play a fan translation if you enjoy the series. Translation Note: O-Edo (Large Edo) is a eulogistic name for Edo, the former name of Tokyo.
Darkstalkers / Vampire: The Night Warriors (Playstation) (3.22.96)
The perfect game for Halloween, or any time really, Capcom's Darkstalkers is still one of the pinnacle works of 2D animation. Gorgeous in the arcade, and surprisingly solid on the PS1. If you have any modern system, definitely spend the $1-2 to download this classic.
(Images taken from GameFaqs.)
Front:
Astounding animation, thrilling special moves! This is super fighting action from the warriors of darkness!!
Back:
The grand, life or death struggle of the Darkstalkers...now begins!
The Darkstalkers are the warriors of darkness that humans call monsters out of fear. A mysterious, compelling voice has woken them from their slumber. "Awaken, and bare your fangs!" The resurrected monsters have been called to tear through the night.
* Super beautiful graphics and animation create extra-ordinarily dramatic fighting!
* 10 distinctly individual playable characters. Vampire, mummies and more!
* New system: Charge your gauge to unleash special desperation moves. Tear through the darkness!
* Executing the powerful "Chain Combo" attacks depends on your timing. This will make all the difference in battle!
Mega Man 2 / Rockman 2: The Mystery of Dr. Wily (Famicom) (12.24.88)
More beautiful manga style artwork to contrast the less offensive than the first, but odd coverart for the American version. Excellent choice in showcasing Anko on the back screenshot. I remember first discovering Mega Man 2 in Nintendo Power and being suprised the system could generate such a large sprite.
Rockman has come back!
Dr. Light's creation, the Super Robot 'Rockman' has put blocked the plan of the mysterious genius scientist Dr. Wilys to take over the world, restoring peace.
However, even though that was a big blow to Dr. Wily, he's again giving "Rockman" a new challenge. 8 powerful robots have been sent...
Musha Aleste (12.21.90)
This well loved Mega Drive shmup boasted some excellent anime cut scenes all the way back in 1990, topped only by the even more colorful box art. The American packaging wasn't bad either.
(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Published by RFH.)
Front:
Intense Fighting Robot SHooting
Warrior Aleste
Back:
Set to a Japanese-style, strange enemies are on the fierce attack! Defeat the evil rival who's controlling things from the shadows!
Hey Aleste, now's the time to head off and attack!
Marvel Super Heroes (8.8.97)
Ghost In The Shell (Mobile Armored Riot Police) (PlayStation) (7.17.97)
With the police action being overshadowed by quotes from philosophers across the centuries and eerily on-point predictions concerning technological singularity, Ghost In The Shell was particularly difficult to adapt to a game, but nevertheless released to a decent reception.
(Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by j.raido 【雷堂嬢太朗】)
Spine Card:
Freely running through Cyber Space, a new kind of the action shooting game begins.
Back:
A sophisticated fusion of a dizzying cyberspace world and digital animation, this is the new dimension of 3D action shooting!
Sliding, Clinging, Jumping
Take control of the AI loaded robot, the "Fuchikoma," which can freely move throughout the field and reign in the terrorists!
X-Men: Children of the Atom (Sega Saturn) (11.22.95)
I have many fond memories of enjoying this at several arcades upon release and being blown away by how far 2D graphics had advanced. While not quite arcade perfect, the Saturn port was quite solid. The PS1 version of the other hand, was plagued by problems and delays, to the degree that it didn't even release in Japan. As of this writing in early 2024, I'm still hoping Capcom can muster up a Marvel collection for modern systems.
(Images taken from Gamefaqs.)
Super Mario Land (4.21.89)
Cowboy Bebop (PlayStation) (5.14.98)
The PS1 received an obscure on-rails shooter to go along with the original Japanese TV run of the anime classic, Cowboy Bebop. The back of the box describes a rather unusual plot. While the series is very heavy in Sci-Fi elements, nothing quite as nuts as interdimensional travel happens.
(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by odino and famicomdank.)
While navigating through the astral gate, an accident suddenly occurred. Spike and his friends aboard the Bebop have found themselves transported to another world, where an empire and the rebel army are at war. Will they be able to return from this other world...?
Street Fighter II (Super Famicom / SNES) (10.10.92)
Featuring striking artwork and a rousing description, Street Fighter II was one of the most remarkable arcade to console ports seen yet. Despite just a month's wait for the American version, hardcore gamers of the early 90s were eager to pay a premium and import it early.
Seeking to become true fighters, the powerful have assembled from all over the world!!
The road towards becoming a true warrior. Those words mean precisely that to the winners of the Street Fight. Training their bodies to the utmost limit, sharpening their spirits, winning means everything as the most monumental of fights unfold across the world. Your eyes won't be able to stop moving as you dodge attacks, followed by UNLEASHING your refined skills!
Wash away your own blood with the blood of those you've defeated. For this never-ending fight, the keg has been lit off with a bang! LET'S FIGHT!!
(By connecting the CPS Fighter (A compatible, separately sold joystick), play and enjoy battles with the most realistic (arcade) feel.)
Castlevania: Dracula X / Akumajou Dracula XX (7.21.95)
Chrono Cross (11.18.99)
Featuring breathtaking cover artwork, amongst many other qualities, the hype for Chrono Cross was off the charts. Most would agree it missed the mark for being a worthy sequel to the legendary Chrono Trigger, but on its own merits, Cross was still one of the 32-bit era's most impressive RPGs.
(Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by Starwolf_UK, ShinraCloud, and DeadsideSerpent.)
Spine Card:
A person crosses dimensions, in a grand planetary drama.
Back:
Resembling (your world) quite closely, this is a slightly different place. Why was this parallel world created?
People live two lives at once, crossing over and intertwining with the dimensions.
In the center of this, a young man learns his true fate.
A grand total of over 40 party members in a huge adventure spanning the dimensions.
An overwhelming sense of immersion in 'Cross Sequence' battles.
Presenting a world of dreams...at an unprecedented scale.
Double Dragon II: The Revenge (Famicom) (12.22.89)
Sporting some of the coolest box art available on the Famicom, this title is still on my bucket list to try. I put dozens of hours into my copy of the NES prequel, but could never beat the final stage...
(Images taken from Gamefaqs.)
Simultaneous 2-Player enabled!!
Burning with revenge. The Dragons have returned....
(Left) Billy
(Right) Jimmy
(Upper left caption) Cut-scenes have been added, UPPING the story!
(Upper right caption) Unique enemy characters are gradually introduced!
(Lower left caption) Master using the three types of special moves to make progress...with a bang!
(Lower right caption) This isn't just a fight! Various traps impede your way.
* Choose from three difficulty levels!
Skilled, and also not-so-skilled players can both enjoy playing.
* When both players attack, they have the ability to hit, or not hit one another!
Will you play by cooperating smoothly? Or shall you agitate and disturb?
* Don't fret over a Game Over. Using an unlimited number of continues is OK!
Even more, while continuing, you can also make adjustments to the difficulty level and player lives!
Final Fantasy VI (Super Famicom) (4.2.94)
Still in high contention as the best JRPG ever created, the 6th edition undoubtedly combines everything Square learned from the first 5 games, and then some. From the incredibly powerful soundtrack to the distinctively gloomy world and tragic story, FFVI barely trails Chrono Trigger and Link to the Past as my favorite title on the system.
(Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by Densy.)
The War of the Magi. Everything was scorched off the earth. By the time of the war's end, the power of 'Magic' was erased from the world.
A thousand years have passed...iron, gun powder, steam machines fill the land. The people, using the power of machines, have revived the world.
Now, once again, the legendary power of 'Magic' is being resurrected and fused with machines to create 'Sorcery'. Using this power, there is one who seeks to rule the world...
A huge storage size of 24 megabits.
A world with thoroughly drawn graphics.
Ever-changing scenery, dynamic battles. With 24 megabits of space, the finely detailed graphics draw players into the world of Final Fantasy.
A dynamic story unfolds.
Extravagantly filled with drama, love, friendship and adventure...this is SUPER ENTERTAINMENT! This game delivers the feeling of experiencing a film or a novel.
Introduces characters brimming with personality.
All established with a profound depth, any of your characters can play the role of the protagonist. Responding to your progress throughout the game, the allies during your journey ever increase.
Legend of Zelda, The: Majora's Mask (Nintendo 64) (4.27.00)
The colorful, yet sinister box packaging features a beckoning sales pitch. The beginning of the game is unbelievably stressful for a Zelda title, but once you get your ocarina back a truly wonderful adventure begins.
(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by RFH, odino, and prominos)
Link has wandered his way into a world...over there...it's a world that ends in three days.
Link has wandered his way into a mysterious world. There, the world shall be decimated when the moon comes crashing down in three days. Within this limited time frame, Link encounters the world's inhabitants going about their daily lives, attempting to discover whatever he can from them. There, you'll embark on a new adventure, be taken aback by the scenery, and perhaps even change the fate of the world.
Masks are what hold the key to this world. There are masks all throughout. A mysterious power resides within them. Those who don a mask shall have their form completely changed. Not only their form, but their abilities will completely transform. As this world enveloped in mystery unfolds, the tale revolving around masks begins, begins...
Secret of Mana / Seiken Densetsu 2 (8.6.93)
Yoshi's Island (Super Famicom) (8.5.95)
Drawn onto canvas, the story of our heroes' birth.
Yoshis of various colors play a big part in some new action! The the latest game within the series you've been looking forward to...a world with a hand drawn touch opens up. The tale of the two heroes' birth!
***Super FX Chip***
The Super FX Chip was developed to make the display of richer images a reality. It’s a micro computer exclusive to the Super Famicom.
Street Fighter Alpha 2 / Zero 2 (Super Famicom) (9.14.96)
Really wild to see a CPS2 game ported to a 16-bit system when even the PS1 or Saturn couldn't quite pull it off. Released shortly after the 32-bit versions, the back of the package contains some additional text.
The beginning of ZERO, and also the continuation towards the infinite...
- The popular arcade game 'Street Fighter Zero 2' has been faithfully ported! Enjoy the 'taste' of the arcade game at any time!
- Zero 2's original female high school student, Sakura, gets her start here...one of 5 new characters!
(Secret characters) Vega (Bison), Gouki (Akuma) and Dan from the previous game have also been added (to the main roster), bringing the playable characters to a total of 18.
-A polished game system! Ease of play and strategy has been thoroughly inspected! Previous techniques are brought over, such as the Super Combo and Zero Counter.
- There are limitless possibilities with the 'Original Combo System'! What fighting game fans have been waiting for, the ability to create your own chain combos, is a reality!
- An extreme evolution of the Super Combo [Original Combo System]. You're free to combine the greatest amount of hits and force into a chain combo of your own making!
King of Fighters '97, The (Neo Geo AES) (9.25.97)
In one of the most stylish of SNK's cover arts, three KOF newcomers mingle with three of the more established cast. It turns out one of these characters if the surprise final boss...
An army of 29 characters appear! The King of Fighters 1997...begins.
Two new teams have been added to the regular seven. Two names also join the new, 'special edit' character line-up. The choices have broadened, with an astonishing 3,654 possible team edit patterns.
Two type of control modes are included!
The more strategic Advance mode and simple Extra mode, which will you choose to fight with?
Wonder Project J2: Josette of Koruro Forest (11.22.96)
Another piece of art worthy of a poster of wall scroll. With even richer 2D animation, this is one of the least likely N64 games. I remember seeing coverage of it in American magazines, but knew even back then it would never get localized.
(Images taken from GameFaqs. Contributed by Starwolf_UK, Samthesamurai, and RFH.)
Front:
Communication Adventure
One Player
Controller Pak Included
Controller Pak Compatible (72 Pages)
Back:
Realized on the Nintendo 64. The world's first "Artificial Personality" is inside!!
Josette is an artificial girl of boundless cheer and purity. Her fate shall be decided in your communication with her!
Crying, laughing, anger, and worrying. According to how you treat her, she will show all sorts of expressions.
Josette will always be by your side...
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (Super Famicom) (10.6.95)
Featuring somber striking artwork by Akihiko Yoshida, Tactics Ogre is to this day in the conversation of the greatest SRPG games.
Hope accompanies despair, sorrow accompanies glory.
[Ogre Battle Saga] Chapter 7, from the teachings of Ishtar.
Now, the legend resurrects again. The seventh chapter of Ogre Battle (Tactics Ogre). Located far away from the continent of Zeteginia, the Valerian Isles of the West Obero Sea have been shaken by a bloody battle. And now, a single boy has stood up to fight. His name is Denam Pavel...
Implementing the new HERMIT technology, a notion of height is splendidly conveyed across three dimensional maps. Beautiful visuals are illustrated down to the minute details. A ground breaking battle system is enabled though the use of the revolutionary NATS (Non-Alternate Turn System).
Even more realistic and filled with intensity, this completely new Tactics Ogre game is overflowing with immersive charm. Now, games have stepped out towards a new era.
Wonder Project J: Machine Boy Pino (12.9.94)
Check out that incredible box art, worthy of a Studio Ghibi cover! Released in 1994, the middle of the Super Famicom's life cycle, Wonder Project J is quite a feat with its rich animation.
(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by Samthesamurai and RFH.)
Greetings, I am Pino, the Mechanical Boy! Right now, my home of Koruro Island is in a big pinch. The simulated people and the humans are at each other's throats. If the "J Circuit" inside my body were to activated...!? This...is where I need your help. Make good use of me and the power communication to rescue the island...please!!
(Left Caption) Master the use of the sword! At times, you'll need to put up a brave fight!
(Center Caption) Making your circus debut, you'll need a good sense of balance!
(Right Caption) Will Pino ever make friends with the robber duo?
Koruro Island is full of enjoyable friends!
* Game Design (Almanic (Company))
* Animation Direction (Umanosuke Iida)
* Music Production (Mint (Company))
* Pino's Voice (Noriko Hidaka)
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night / Akumajo Dracula X: Gekka no Yasokyoku (PlayStation) (3.20.97)
Front:
Devil's Castle Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight
Back:
Once again, the souls of fate gather at Dracula's Castle...
The graphics and action have been reborn, with a grand soundtrack suitable for "Gothic Romance". For the first time, the 'true form' of Dracula's castle appears before us.
The legendary horror action has finally been resurrected, on the series' grandest scale yet!!
Super Mario World (11.21.90)
What busy, yet fun and welcoming packaging! The globe illustration kinda makes you wonder how long Nintendo was envisioning Super Mario Galaxy...
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