Organization: Penn State University
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 00:41:57 EDT
From: <JPE1@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: Games NOT for Trade

     I've been doing a lot of selling and trading here on the net recently,
and this led me to consider those games that I'm not trading and why. I thought
it might be interesting to find out what games people will probably _never_
trade.  Some games I play through and trade, some I trade before I even finish
them (where there is an ending - otherwise consider this kind those that I just
don't play much before trading), but some games I will probably keep forever.
Here is a list of some of the games I will keep in my permanent collection
and a few reasons why.  Please continue the thread with your own lists (though
please don't include mine when you followup - unless, of course, you want
to add comments to specific titles or something like that.)  And, while my
list is just Genesis and SNES games, feel free to list games from other
systems.


Genesis:

Sonic the Hedgehog:
     Well, I've just abhout played it to death, but it's a real classic, so
I'd keep it just for that.  But also it's an ideal game for those visitors to
my apartment who aren't "in to" video games (e.g. most females).  I've yet to
have a guest who didn't enjoy playing Sonic.

Target Earth:
     I don't know what it is about this game; I rarely play it anymore, but
something about it really appeals to me.  Also something of a 'classic'.

Thunder Force III:
     Another classic, with good replay value and excellent graphics.

Gaiares:
     Again, a classic (are you seeing a trend here?)  My vote for best side-
scrolling shooter graphics, though the gameplay is a little hard, which
hampers replay value.  But I do go back to it for the sheer pleasure of
its beautiful graphics [oh, and don't forget the HUGE BOSSES! :) ]

MUSHA:
     Another shooter that's a sheer pleasure to watch.  I still get a thrill
every time that floor drops out from under me and I fly over that _deep_
canyon - my all time favorite backdrop.  Also, as has been noted recently,
very good music.  Gameplay is fast-paced and intense, though a little
'mushy' - i.e. getting hit too much without instant death - but still high
replay value.

Fire Shark:
     For some reason, this $15 game is the shooter I go back to most often.
The gameplay is just perfect for my tastes.  Nice graphics too.

Road Rash:
     Best racing game I've ever played on any platform.  Excellent feel for
hills, and the ability to bash other players adds a welcome element to the
already fantastic gameplay.

Herzog Zwei:
     Another classic.  Two-player simultaneous strategy, well-implemented,
loads of fun - what more can I say?


SNES:

SmashTV:
     High replay value, excellent gameplay and graphics.  The game that most
adequately represents back to me my own reaction to the game - e.g. I almost
always find myself saying "Aaawww" with the crowd as I die and "Dude!" when
I get an extra man.  Somehow this adds immensely to my enjoyment of the game.
(Although I'm always annoyed by the "I love it!" quote since in the movie
Robocop - which is obviously where these quotes (i.e. this one and "I'd buy
that for a dollar!") were inspired - the line is really "I like it!" (I
wonder if the latter phrase was copyrighted for something?))

Street Fighter II:
     Well, in spite of all the hype, it really is a great game.  And it's
one of those games that inspires you to improve your skills rather than
just try to get to the end (I couldn't believe someone actually complained
about the endgame sequence - to me, that person totally 'misunderstood'
this game).


     Well, that's my list for now.  I hope others find that interesting, and
that it wasn't just for my own pleasure.  It would probably mean more if you
also knew what games I _have_ owned and traded away or sold and why, but
that list would obviously get too long!  Suffice to say, they were mostly
shooters with low replay value, RPGs (which, I think, have inherently low
replay value), or games that I thought were just plain bad.  Anyway, I'm
looking forward to seeing what other people consider 'keepers'.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 John Emmer               "...reason has no dictatorial authority; its verdict
 Philosophy, Penn State    is always simply the agreement of free citizens..."
 JPE1@psuvm.psu.edu                       - Immanuel Kant, CPR, A738/B765
------------- The Emmer Arcade:  Amiga, Genesis, SNES, Vectrex ----------------