Hidden gems?

[tiktektak]

By the way afair Marvel Land was released in english in the EU under the name Talmit's Adventure.

[scarmullet]

Mob Rule on PC....I only know about this because it came with one of my old computers. You play as a mobster, and you have to buy up dilapidated city blocks, and build a mafia empire with Mafia run businesses which produce mobsters and cash. Its like a RTS and Sim mixed into one.

Actraiser SNES

Retro Game Challenge on DS

Star Trek: Starfleet Command III on PC...easy game to hack and customize...very fun when you do.  With some skillful tweeking, you can make a ship that can fly through planets (instead of crashing).

[gru3som3rick]

I am more into the RPG games, dunno if you are or not or have much interest in playing an old PS1 title but my family picked up Guardian's Crusade when it came out for i think $20 (at the time)

 Its graphics are NOTHING to brag about but it seemed to be fun with a halfway decent story line.  I remember looking for all the living dolls and feeding the Baby Dragon thing my excess armor and weapons to improve its attributes.

This looks like an amazing RPG, one that would that would bring back the nostalgia of playing RPG's like Grandia II and such. I'm REALLY interested in this one, added to my list!

If I had to pick one game, I'd go with Shadowrun on the Super Nintendo.  I've said in other posts that it's my favorite SNES RPG, and it's the truth!  That game gets overlooked pretty often, since there's so many other 16-bit RPG's with critical acclaim, but for my money, it's just as good as any Final Fantasy or Phantasy Star game.  Look it up!!

Edit:  Upon looking at prices, egad, this game has skyrocketed!  It's not exactly affordable, but if you can get it on the cheap, look into it!

One game that *is* cheap, and often overlooked, is Hybrid Heaven on the Nintendo 64.  It's a pretty cool sci-fi RPG, with fighting game elements.  Definitely one of my favorite N64 games, and pretty unique, too!

I actually own Shadowrun on the Genesis and SNES and completely agree with you. It's definitely in my top 10 RPG's for the system, I was fortunate enough to buy my copies in a $20 lot on eBay. I have heard of Hybrid Heaven and have seen it, but really knew nothing about it until right now. I looked up some videos and it looks so unique. The run gun scenes remind me of Metal Gear for some reason (probably the camera view) and the boss fights have that really interesting RPG mechanic so I'm definitely picking this one up. Gonna check out the flea market this weekend and see if I can get it for cheap - if not, ebay - here I come!

Mob Rule on PC....I only know about this because it came with one of my old computers. You play as a mobster, and you have to buy up dilapidated city blocks, and build a mafia empire with Mafia run businesses which produce mobsters and cash. Its like a RTS and Sim mixed into one.

Actraiser SNES

Retro Game Challenge on DS

Star Trek: Starfleet Command III on PC...easy game to hack and customize...very fun when you do.  With some skillful tweeking, you can make a ship that can fly through planets (instead of crashing).

I remember Mob Rule, I used to play that at my buddy's house all the time! Great game! I own Actraiser and it's DEFINITELY amazing, one of my favorites on the SNES. I just looked into Retro Game Challenge and it looks so fun! I can't believe I haven't heard of this one, the storyline sounds crazy and the game play looks like the best of everything the 80's had to offer! Added to my list, thanks! 

[madrocsz]

Blaster Master! - Worst storyline ever but great music and gameplay

[JDavis]

I just looked into Retro Game Challenge and it looks so fun! I can't believe I haven't heard of this one, the storyline sounds crazy and the game play looks like the best of everything the 80's had to offer! Added to my list, thanks! 

It's actually based on a Japanese TV series called "Gamecenter CX". A Japanese comedian (who isn't especially good at games) takes on a challenge from a different game in each episode. They're working on a US DVD release of some of the episodes.

A second game was also made, which improves on the first, but it never got a US release because the first one sold abysmally.

[AO007]

A'lot of what I posted I wouldn't consider a "gem". Hidden, sure, but "gem" is debatable.

Anyways, I feel Monster Tale fits the Hidden Gem title quite well. It didn't sell a whole lot last year, but despite that it's an excellent metroid-esque DS game. Definitelly filled that 2D Metroid niche I felt was absent, considering the GBA had two of them. Sprite work is also pretty amazing imho, and that's coming from a pixel artist.

[gru3som3rick]

Blaster Master! - Worst storyline ever but great music and gameplay

Haha it did have an oddball storyline, I still own that one - GREAT game.

but it never got a US release because the first one sold abysmally.

It's a shame it wont make it to the states. I understand why stuff like this happens though. 

A'lot of what I posted I wouldn't consider a "gem". Hidden, sure, but "gem" is debatable.

Anyways, I feel Monster Tale fits the Hidden Gem title quite well. It didn't sell a whole lot last year, but despite that it's an excellent metroid-esque DS game. Definitelly filled that 2D Metroid niche I felt was absent, considering the GBA had two of them. Sprite work is also pretty amazing imho, and that's coming from a pixel artist.

You had me interested @ "metroid-esque"  . I agree the animation is excellent and the monster you adopt could add some really interesting elements to puzzle solving. Added to my list - this is right up my alley.

[AO007]

You had me interested @ "metroid-esque"  . I agree the animation is excellent and the monster you adopt could add some really interesting elements to puzzle solving. Added to my list - this is right up my alley.

The main protagonist is female, even. It's too much of a coincidence.

[Superchop]

I just recently finished playing Asura's Wrath on the Xbox 360.  Reviews weren't so great and sales for this game I hear were pretty bad...but I had a fun time playing it.  Although, if you're not a fan of anime then this game might not be for you :\

The game really is more cut scenes then anything else with a bit of actual gameplay here and there.  It's also very short, took me somewhere between 5-6 hrs but not including any dlc.  I only rented it, but I will eventually buy it once it's a bit cheaper.

Another game that comes to mind that I played long long ago was "The Bouncer" on the ps2.  It was another game that had a lot of cut scenes and it was very short.

But in terms of beat em ups, those 2 games really were fun.

[AO007]

Modern Capcom games should be mostly ignored, honestly. After the Street Fighter X Tekken incident, it really put some perspective of my opinion of Capcom. As a result, I went through my game collection and decided to get rid of everything that didn't have Mega Man, Ace Attorney, or VS in its name. Which left me with the Ace Attorney games, every Mega Man, Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, Legends, and Battle Network game, Tatsunoko VS Capcom on Wii, and Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3.

And that last one gets a pass due to Phoenix Wright. :p

[gru3som3rick]

I just recently finished playing Asura's Wrath on the Xbox 360.  Reviews weren't so great and sales for this game I hear were pretty bad...but I had a fun time playing it.  Although, if you're not a fan of anime then this game might not be for you :\

The game really is more cut scenes then anything else with a bit of actual gameplay here and there.  It's also very short, took me somewhere between 5-6 hrs but not including any dlc.  I only rented it, but I will eventually buy it once it's a bit cheaper.

Another game that comes to mind that I played long long ago was "The Bouncer" on the ps2.  It was another game that had a lot of cut scenes and it was very short.

But in terms of beat em ups, those 2 games really were fun.

I actually picked up Azuras Wrath and loved it as well, another very unique game where the story line is just nuts! I have the Bouncer as well, I think I picked that one up during the PS2's launch day way back when - I may pop that one back in because I remember really enjoying it. I'm interested in seeing if it has aged well.

Modern Capcom games should be mostly ignored, honestly. After the Street Fighter X Tekken incident, it really put some perspective of my opinion of Capcom. As a result, I went through my game collection and decided to get rid of everything that didn't have Mega Man, Ace Attorney, or VS in its name. Which left me with the Ace Attorney games, every Mega Man, Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, Legends, and Battle Network game, Tatsunoko VS Capcom on Wii, and Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3.

And that last one gets a pass due to Phoenix Wright. :p

I know it sounds crazy, but the on disc DLC didn't bother me at all. I still love SXT and play it a whole lot with some of my fighting game buddies. All of the games you listed that you still play are the BEST of what they have to offer for this generation of consoles/ handhelds. Even if you leave their more recent titles alone - you pretty much have the "must haves", which isn't too shabby.