Underrated MAME/arcade games

[ssjtin]

It's been years since we fed coins into those never satisfied guzzlers just for another chance to blow shit up with a "HEAVY MACHINE GUN", or to dive kick just one more foot soldier.

Yet even now, through the magic of MAME we can relive those awesome days of TMNT, Metal Slug, Final Fight, and so on.

But I'd like some suggestions for those underrated MAME arcade games. You know the one that doesn't appear in any "Best MAME game" list, but you know is just plain fun and should be.

I'll throw one out, I don't know how popular it is Captain Commando is just an awesome beat 'em up. Great grab control, sick weapons and you beaut Capcom animation.

[Darkstalker]

That Sonic trackball game?

[final_cut]

Lucky and Wild! just got it. I can't figure out how to config the controls correctly though.

[panmarblic]

Anyone ever played this vertical-scroll shooter called twin cobra? I love that game. Used to play it after school everyday.

[Weta]

Here are some of my most played on MAME of late, aside from the obvious 'big franchises':

NBA Hangtime (too good with four created characters)
The King of Dragons/D&D: Shadow Over Mystara
Smash T.V/Total Carnage
all forms of Pang

[Darkstalker]

The King of Dragons? Is that different from D&D SoM?

[final_cut]

shit, I've been playing hangtime too.

[SNAAAAKE]

cadillacs and dinosaurs (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7255)


VERY underrated..nobody even know about this game :mad:

[ReXXXSoprano]

Battle Circuit is that business.

Every now and again me and family get four controllers and go do work.

And the game has a little girl riding an ostrich, and lil shawty is top tier to boot.

[SNAAAAKE]

^ that game is too good..random-ass pink ostrich with golden cuffs..kickin people in da nutz :confused:

[CD_Vision]

Holy Shit. Black Tiger. I can't believe that the first console port wasn't until the PSP. Such a great way to waste time.

Also, the ports of Shinobi were terrible. Only the original arcade version will do.

[Weta]

The King of Dragons is an old Capcom game... one of their better beat 'em ups imo, with the same sort of feel as The Punisher or AvP. It gets a lot of flak for being generic fantasy but I think the play mechanics are simple and effective. Some of the stages are really short, it's like a proto-D&D and quite similar to Tower of Doom.

Battle Circuit is sweet too. I vaguely remember some weird stages in that including a disco, I might put it on later tonight for a trip down memory lane.

[RPGv2]

Lucky and Wild! just got it. I can't figure out how to config the controls correctly though.


This game was fun in the arcade, always called it "drive-by". Usually had player 2 use both guns and have player 1 drive.

Other games, sunset riders, the combatribes.

[ssjtin]

Cadillac and dinosaurs is up there with Capcoms best beat em ups. Agreed and stamped.

[cain[e]]

Cadillac and dinosaurs is up there with Capcoms best beat em ups. Agreed and stamped.


I used to see people playing this on kaillera like crazy. and King of Dragon is amazing

[ChairHome]

Do you guys prefer King of Dragons over Knights of the Round? I love levelling up in Knights of the Round.

I love Capcom and Konami, so many good games out there. Feel like playing some Willow, and Magic Sword, or any 4 player Konami game. I just got my MAME cabinet up and running, and I love it.

[CyntalanMaelstrom]

seeing as MAME/arcade should include Neo-Geo, I gotta make mention of Windjammers. Single most underrated game on that system. It's the evolution of Pong disguised as a frisbee sport. Game's fun as hell on netplay too. Just make sure you adjust the game's default settings, as it's way too short otherwise.

[Mystic_bash]

That Sonic trackball game?
YES! This shit was endlessly fun. I wasted nickel after nickel on this game back in the day.

[rcaido]

Nice thread...

The game i always play on MAME is Wrestlefest...Its like the only game i constantly play & never get bored...Dont know if its underrated or not...

[final_cut]

I like the arcade versions of Super Dodgeball, and the Japanese Neo Geo version, Called nekketsu something or other. Lots of fun.

[Pablo_the_Mex]

seeing as MAME/arcade should include Neo-Geo, I gotta make mention of Windjammers. Single most underrated game on that system. It's the evolution of Pong disguised as a frisbee sport. Game's fun as hell on netplay too. Just make sure you adjust the game's default settings, as it's way too short otherwise.

I was just about to say this. I played the cpu hundreds of times. Shit, I think I need to track down the MVS for this...

[Shungokustasu]

Super Dodge Ball for the Neo-Geo

[nGuman]

The King of Dragons? Is that different from D&D SoM?

Oh yeah it is way different but that is an under-rated game as well.

[<EDT3K>]

warzard/red earth

[ben]

ninja baseball bat man

its worth playing on title alone.

[DS]

Twinkle Star Sprites. Suck it, bitches.

[woof]

Twinkle Star Sprites. Suck it, bitches.
suck on my Sweet Tacos

[thrust07]

[QUOTE=Deathscythe;5333151]Twinkle Star Sprites./QUOTE]

LOL.

As far as shooters go, Esp. Ra. De. Is great. Weird title, great gameplay. Even has a decent story for a shooter. Keep it up with these guys... always looking for new (old) games to play on mame.

[vokial]

Warriors of the fate
Knight of the Round
Captain Commando
Cardillacs and Dinosaurs
Avenger (w/o the invincible glitch)

[Hayama Akito]

My second favorite videogame genre is classic Shooting (the first is fighting games, of course), i recommend these:

- DoDonPachi
- ESP Ra De
- Guwange
- Battle Garegga
- Battle Bakraid
- Armed Police Batrider
- Dangun Feveron
- Vasara 2
- Gradius III
- Sexy Parodius
- Cotton
- Cyvern
- Blazing Star
- Strikers 1945 (1, 2, 3, Plus)
- Gunbird 2
- Gigawing
- Mars Matrix
- In The Hunt
- Progear no Arashi
- Raiden Fighters Jet

There are a lot more awesome Shooters on MAME, but thats some of my recommendations.

[Jion_Wansu]

old school Shinobi and Double Dragon. Damn, I can still remember at a local pizza place in California we had those two games right next to each other in 1991, along with a Street fighter II machine and that one 3-player race car game

[Satomiblood]

I like Mercs

[thrust07]

There was one Run n Gun game that for the life of me I cannot remember the name of... It was made in the early to mid nineties. In standard fare, you were shooting at a whole bunch of aliens and obtained powerups on the way, but the catch was that the joystick could actually rotate for your character to aim in 8 directions. Mind you, it wasn't Forgotten Worlds, which was pretty bad ass.

Anyone know the name of the game?

[Shinkuu Tatsumaki]

old school Shinobi and Double Dragon. Damn, I can still remember at a local pizza place in California we had those two games right next to each other in 1991, along with a Street fighter II machine and that one 3-player race car game

Shinobi indeed.... I remember when I was younger I'd head to the arcade with my older bro and some of his friends..... Beat that game with 1 quarter man!

[Ryu & Ken]

There was one Run n Gun game that for the life of me I cannot remember the name of... It was made in the early to mid nineties. In standard fare, you were shooting at a whole bunch of aliens and obtained powerups on the way, but the catch was that the joystick could actually rotate for your character to aim in 8 directions. Mind you, it wasn't Forgotten Worlds, which was pretty bad ass.

Anyone know the name of the game?

Midnight resistence ?

also a game I loved was Violent storm, beat em up and there is a level on a train and the end of boss approached you and says ''may I see your ticket'' before he beat the crap out of you

[Kuya]

Do you guys prefer King of Dragons over Knights of the Round? I love levelling up in Knights of the Round.

I love Capcom and Konami, so many good games out there. Feel like playing some Willow, and Magic Sword, or any 4 player Konami game. I just got my MAME cabinet up and running, and I love it.

King of Dragons was fun but not nearly as cool as Knights of the Round. Seing Percival go from under armored strong man to the Juggernaut was awesome...Heck - even Arthur and Lancelot looked awesome!

[Riot Guard]

Combatribes, gangwars, timber, crimefighters, rastan III.

[garetjaxx]

In terms of beat-em-ups, one title I never see mentioned in any MAME discussions is Vendetta. It's crazy... shotguns are usable weapons, one boss uses a chainsaw, the playable characters are a Hulk Hogan look-alike, a retarded version of Van Damme, a white-washed Mr. T, and this random black guy wearing shades... what's not to like? I think Konami made it, and that might explain why I enjoyed it so much.

[ShawnLoganownzu]

Mercs
sengoku 3
altered beast
tmnt
sunset riders
michael jacksons game

shit there are so many im forgetting

[ReggieHadoken]

This thread will help me find some sweet games to play on MAME. I'm new to it.

[The Lone Dragon]

It's crazy... shotguns are usable weapons, one boss uses a chainsaw, the playable characters are a Hulk Hogan look-alike, a retarded version of Van Damme, a white-washed Mr. T, and this random black guy wearing shades...

You mean the Wesley Snipes wannabe?

Game was a little too awesome. The best part was finding guys hanging onto ledges for dear life...and then elbow dropping their fingers until they fell. For great justice!

A moment of silence for a lost genre.

EDIT: "Bad Dudes vs Dragonninja"...the title is fairly self explanatory. Walk the streets as two guys in sweatpants punching and sweeping ninjas. Watch out for the ninjas that SET THEMSELVES ON FIRE AND RUN AT YOU. [/protip]

And, the spiritual sequel was "Two Crude" (or Two Crude Dudes for the Genesis Port). Lift tanks and throw them at supposed criminals. Punch vending machines for free drinks. "What a day, what a day..."

[EvilSamurai]

THE PUNISHER is the best beat 'em up ever

[Starhammer]

There was one Run n Gun game that for the life of me I cannot remember the name of... It was made in the early to mid nineties. In standard fare, you were shooting at a whole bunch of aliens and obtained powerups on the way, but the catch was that the joystick could actually rotate for your character to aim in 8 directions. Mind you, it wasn't Forgotten Worlds, which was pretty bad ass.

Anyone know the name of the game?

reminds me of time soldiers and heavy barrel. there's another one I think is called P.O.W., but I can't remember if the controller aims you or not.

speaking of games people slept on..... survival arts. I know. those of you who know about it will probably start sending the hate on me, but people DID sleep on it. that and Martial Champion. They aren't any SF2, but I liked them for the sheer cheapness of the final boss. you just get a feeling of satisfaction for stomping out some cheapass with overpowered moves.

-Starhammer-

[tl613]

I always loved Magic Sword by Capcom. No one else I knew did though.

[Starhammer]

I always loved Magic Sword by Capcom. No one else I knew did though.

I like it. I didnt' really get with it at first because all the arcades I found had a "no-continue" setting on it. once I got it on MAME, its true glory came through and I emraced it.

-Starhammer-

[ReggieHadoken]

Magic Sword was made of WIN! After I played the arcade version, I couldn't go back to the SNES version.

Oh MAME n00b here. There are like 30 different versions of MAME. Which would you guys recommend?

[Starhammer]

Magic Sword was made of WIN! After I played the arcade version, I couldn't go back to the SNES version.

Oh MAME n00b here. There are like 30 different versions of MAME. Which would you guys recommend?

me? I use mame UI since it's pretty much the easiest one to play. you can even save it on DVD or external and play it right off the disk. easy to configure, easy to play. I think it used to be called mame32 so if you see that name it's the same one. it should be up to version .124 if I'm correct.

-Starhammer-

[n8archer_XI]

Pocket Fighter

[bl4rg3s]

the simpsons game

[Chachi]

Baseball Stars 2

[manji187]

Games I've Been playing...

The punisher
Kof 94'
Last Blade 2
Daraku Tenshi

thats all i can think of.

[Rod Driguez]

Oh MAME n00b here. There are like 30 different versions of MAME. Which would you guys recommend?


[snip]



Let's not mess up a good thing. I am pretty damn surprised this thread was allowed to get anywhere to begin with. It's already pushing the line just talking about underrated games. Please take the specific engine questions to PM; thanks.


When I get in a puzzle-game mood, I'll kick around "Oh My God!" for a second. I think it's a good, underrated game.

If I had the right controller, it would be nice to play Gondomania. I used to love that game. Crime Fighter is fun.

Might add more later...

[majeh]

cadillacs and dinosaurs (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7255)


VERY underrated..nobody even know about this game :mad:

I played that fuckin game. I think that's one of the dopest games i've ever played. I played it in NYC once upon a time.

[ReggieHadoken]

me? I use mame UI since it's pretty much the easiest one to play. you can even save it on DVD or external and play it right off the disk. easy to configure, easy to play. I think it used to be called mame32 so if you see that name it's the same one. it should be up to version .124 if I'm correct.

-Starhammer-

This is the version I found a few nights ago and its pretty easy to use. Looks like I missed out on a lot of arcade games. Time to catch up!

[Malfreds]

cadillacs and dinosaurs (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7255)


VERY underrated..nobody even know about this game :mad:

Ufff...
I remember back to those days when the cornerstore where I used to play had three machines. Once, this game was in one cabinet, I think for 6 months, then it returned for more months.
Since then I'm still sick of that game. I can't stand it anymore :rofl:

[GeoG2]

Games I've Been playing...

The punisher
Kof 94'
Last Blade 2
Daraku Tenshi

thats all i can think of.

Yeah... Daraku Tenshi is the shit.

[ReggieHadoken]

So what's the best shooter on MAME? I've already got the DonPachi games thanks to you guys mentioning them, which are unfathomably DOPE! :amazed:

[Starhammer]

So what's the best shooter on MAME? I've already got the DonPachi games thanks to you guys mentioning them, which are unfathomably DOPE! :amazed:

it's always one opinion vs. the other, but I feel like you can't possibly go wrong with E.S.P.Ra De. If you want to really get your guns dirty, go to the shooters thread. EVERYBODY GETS SHOT!!!!

-Starhammer-

[mr. newbie]

gunforce 2 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Yy4o8EPu4cA&feature=related)

outfoxies (http://youtube.com/watch?v=NsLreOL0qy4)

[Shotokan Symphony]

No love for G.I. Joe? Or MetaMoqester? Or Zombie Raid(THANKS! YOU! SAVED! MY! LIFE! LET'S GO BREAK SOMEMONSTER BONES!)? or that OTHER shooter with the army of zombies you had to kill?

[BIGWORM]

My second favorite videogame genre is classic Shooting (the first is fighting games, of course), i recommend these:

- DoDonPachi
- ESP Ra De
- Guwange
- Battle Garegga
- Battle Bakraid
- Armed Police Batrider
- Dangun Feveron
- Vasara 2
- Gradius III
- Sexy Parodius
- Cotton
- Cyvern
- Blazing Star
- Strikers 1945 (1, 2, 3, Plus)
- Gunbird 2
- Gigawing
- Mars Matrix
- In The Hunt
- Progear no Arashi
- Raiden Fighters Jet

There are a lot more awesome Shooters on MAME, but thats some of my recommendations.


How you mention all that, but not Breakers Revenge, which is in your av?

[Humbag]

Beer.zip

[3b1r4h]

ninja baseball bat man

its worth playing on title alone.

i played that too just because it had batman in the title.

totally different kind of bat tho. that game is MAD fun. thank god for this list because we have s 1069 game mame cab at my arcade, this thread will keep me busy for hours.

[Yin]

How you mention all that, but not Breakers Revenge, which is in your av?

I just played that yesterday! I really like the speed/feeling of that game... But... Why is Sho's dive kick punishable by throw ON HIT?! Most unsafe move ever :D

Anyway, Silkworm is a nice little gem, especially for two players. Not sure if it counts as underrated.

[AdverseSolutions]

My second favorite videogame genre is classic Shooting (the first is fighting games, of course), i recommend these:

- DoDonPachi
- ESP Ra De
- Guwange
- Battle Garegga
- Battle Bakraid
- Armed Police Batrider
- Dangun Feveron
- Vasara 2
- Gradius III
- Sexy Parodius
- Cotton
- Cyvern
- Blazing Star
- Strikers 1945 (1, 2, 3, Plus)
- Gunbird 2
- Gigawing
- Mars Matrix
- In The Hunt
- Progear no Arashi
- Raiden Fighters Jet

There are a lot more awesome Shooters on MAME, but thats some of my recommendations.

I would pull Donpachi, Esp Ra De and Progear No Arashi out of here as particularly great shooters. Only problem is that Progear will be very difficult for beginners. I can barely get to the first extend on it and I've been playing it for a day now. Still, it's a really fun game once you figure out the bullet-cancelling mechanic.

[rush down]

"Camel try" and this puzzle game where you are a cat underwater and you drop glass marbles... I forget the name of the game.

[Weta]

Cameltry is amazing.. especially if you've got a trackball mouse. It's like Marble Madness vs. the Sonic 1 Special Stages.

[Taito]

Osman Cannon Dancer

[dn3000]

cadillacs and dinosaurs (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7255)


VERY underrated..nobody even know about this game :mad:

I know about this game.. used to play it all the time. btw mustafa pwns:wgrin:

[ReggieHadoken]

I just played Spider Man: The Video Game the other day. Man is that game fun!

[manji187]

Raiden Fighters/Jet is one of the best I've played for years. It's still annoying even on an easier setting. I 1 cc'ed it once.

Here's one worse than many...Psyvariar2- I 1cc'ed this too, but on easy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbaA1qIx-C4

[tl613]

How you mention all that, but not Breakers Revenge, which is in your av?

Breakers Revenge is not a shooting game.

Capcom Sports Club is pretty fun. Actually almost any Capcom MAME game is good.

I played an SNK game called Ninja Combat a lot as a kid. Playing it now it's kinda dumb, but still enjoyable. Same with a game called Street Smart, which is like a co-op fighting game.

[Dai_]

Fukin' BATTLETOADS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxPDhyy1_PE

[CD_Vision]

Black Tiger? No? How about Rolling Thunder...

[CD_Vision]

OMG, you all need to go try "Osman". It's by the same team that did Strider and it's awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bib8W6ouhA

[BIGWORM]

Black Tiger? No? How about Rolling Thunder...

How about I see your Rolling Thunder, and raise you a Rolling Thunder 2?

I remember playing that on the genesis back in the day.

[BudaFuka]

My second favorite videogame genre is classic Shooting (the first is fighting games, of course), i recommend these:

- DoDonPachi
- ESP Ra De
- Guwange
- Battle Garegga
- Battle Bakraid
- Armed Police Batrider
- Dangun Feveron
- Vasara 2
- Gradius III
- Sexy Parodius
- Cotton
- Cyvern
- Blazing Star
- Strikers 1945 (1, 2, 3, Plus)
- Gunbird 2
- Gigawing
- Mars Matrix
- In The Hunt
- Progear no Arashi
- Raiden Fighters Jet

There are a lot more awesome Shooters on MAME, but thats some of my recommendations.

My thumb is so fucking sore right now...

[Supremo]

Cadillacs & Dinosaurs - I 1 credited this game for the first time a few weeks ago... Mustapha is a bad mamba jamma.

MAME games I recommend:

Party Time: Gonta The Diver II (http://arcade.svatopluk.com/mitchell/partytime/)

Toobin' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toobin%27)

[BudaFuka]

Might as well contribute also, Sol Divide was an okay shooter...

[SF Punker]

One of my favs...Zookeeper. Just one of those quirky 80's games where you go through stages trying to get the most points (in this game, you run around the border of the screen encasing animals in a brick cage). Some other "similar" arcade games I also love are Timber, Root Beer Tapper and Mappy . A nice sidescroller-shooter is Aliens (based off the movie). The Flamethrower is totally broken in that game.

[thrust07]

I must second outfoxies. Gotta say the gameplay is great, characters are fun and the stages are something else. The only downpoint is the graphics. Had this game been made a little later in the life of arcade games, it would be more win. I'd love to play this against someone good some day.

[SNAAAAKE]

Cadillacs & Dinosaurs - I 1 credited this game for the first time a few weeks ago... Mustapha is a bad mamba jamma.



I did that when I was like 10 :nunchuck:

t-type leo is a solid shooter..dunno if its underrated or not..

[makmak!!!]

How come nobody mentioned X-men? It's the one that you could play dazzler in it. I used to play it with 7 of my friends at our local arcades.

Also been playing gunsmoke and sunset riders. Gotta love em cowboys.

[Virtua_Leon]

vendetta was made by konami, i think it was the sequal to crimfighters, imo it's the greatest beat em up ever, there's so many great little touches that make the game so memorable, like chucking buckets onto peoples heads or bags of flour and watching them cough, and probably the greatest way to kill somebody ever smashing a brick in there face, which is an instant kill, even on sub bosses, the sound was so good.

On a side note you need to play the asian version i think, it's not like the world or american or euro version which were all censored, the asian version has gay guys dressed in leather chaps that try to hump you from behind and when you're on the floor, stage 3 i think it is, they also try to hump lamposts which makes the bulbs drop down, and also the dogs try and hump you also on the asian version, it has to be seen to be belived.

actually seeing that list of shooters reminded me of sengoku by psyiko i think, it looks alot like sol divide but better imo, japanese themed great bosses it's hard as fuck though.

On shooters i have to agree with dangun feveron and guwange, if you aint played them you really should.

yeah outfoxies was a great great game, really strange, possibly a pre cusor to smash bros?


Elevator action returns is really good, shit i used to knows tons of really good games on mame but my mind has drawn a blank

[Darkstalker]

Whoo.

Outfoxies is hot. That's a great recommendation.

[watson]

skate or die - 720 (not sure what the name is)
forgotten worlds
heavy barrel
robocop
shinobi
shinobi 2 - shadow hunter
strider

not sure if any of those were listed but i do agree twin cobras is sick! blue weapon ftw played this game when sf1 was in the arcades

[FatalFuryD]

Progear is a hell of a shooter IMO. Best thing about it is the amount of detail. It's different from say, touhou or every extend where the stage background is just polygon wasteland model. The game's for CPS2.

[wakigatame]

Nice thread...

The game i always play on MAME is Wrestlefest...Its like the only game i constantly play & never get bored...Dont know if its underrated or not...

God that game is amazing.

[Virtua_Leon]

skate or die - 720 (not sure what the name is)
forgotten worlds
heavy barrel
robocop
shinobi
shinobi 2 - shadow hunter
strider

not sure if any of those were listed but i do agree twin cobras is sick! blue weapon ftw played this game when sf1 was in the arcades

wasn't it shadow dancer not shadow hunter, although it could be shadow hunter over there in the states, that one thing i'm glad has changed giving stuff other names for europe especially for films was really annoying in the 80's and 90's

[final_cut]

Oh no! Not 720. That game sucked! We used to have that at the skatepark. You have to use a messed up controller to play it with - kinda like a joystick that only moves in circles, not updownleftright. I dunno, i guess some people were into it, I for one was not.

[final_cut]

I think the NES version was way better, actually.