Retro Game Hall of Fame - NOMINATIONS thread

***** Currently soliciting: Sega Genesis/Mega Drive nominations (Deadline Dec 6th) *****

We are creating a Hall of Fame for the best-of-the-best, "must have" titles from our beloved retro platforms!

We want you, the experts, to create this list.

This thread is for NOMINATIONS. List "must have" games here, with the platform, and when we get enough entries for a platform we will host a poll allowing the community to choose 1) what makes the cut and 2) what is the top dog on that platform! The winning titles will go into the Hall of Fame, which will be a must-read for anyone looking into collecting or just re-experiencing what these old platforms have to offer!

Required information:

For your entries to be useful, we need

1. the name of the title
2. the platform it was on
3. why you believe it should be in the Hall of Fame if it is a more obscure title - one that needs some background for voters to consider

You can nominate more than one title, and provide nominations for more than one platform, but you are limited to your 3 per platform! You can be strategic - if a game you love has already been nominated you can vote for another gem you'd like to see instead. Any genre is welcome. Please don't list games compiled together - E.g. "the Final Fantasy series" or "Sonic games" - we need specific individual titles and you should pick the ones you most want to see on the poll. It's ok if your 3 votes are 3 games from one series - that's your call.

You can return another time and post a separate list of nominations for another system(s) - no need to do it all at once, since we are aggregating nominations across posts on a per-system basis.

Once a poll has been created for a system, we will start with a ranked top 10 for that system in the Hall of Fame (we may expand this to a longer list if the nominations for a system are extensive enough).

Here are the unique Genesis/Mega Drive nominations so far:

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Here were the unique SNES nominations

Voting is completed for:

• SNES Retro Rumble: Part I
• SNES Retro Rumble: Part 2
• SNES Retro Rumble: Part 3
• SNES Retro Rumble: Part 4
• SNES Retro Rumble: Part 5
• SNES Retro Rumble: Part 6

Two questions:

What's considered enough votes to be qualified as a HOFer? Like is this going to be a formal thing that requires a specific number, or a 75% majority vote in favor like in the MLB, for example?

Secondly, is there a faster way to do this? For most of these systems there's a lot of given HOFers. I mean does Sonic 2, Mario World, Halo CE, or FF7, really require an explanation as to why they're deserving? I feel like explanations should only be required for games that are more obscure.

how many votes are we allowed to give?

Popular nominations will make it into the HOF - it's not like one title wins per genre per platform or something. The idea behind the poll will be to establish a ranking for must-haves.

I'm fine with explanations being limited to titles that require one

Guess I will start with the obvious ones, although I do think there should be 2 threads, one of the established classics that all of us already know and love, and a separate thread that is more of a hidden gem thread. Having said that I will start with some of the blatantly obvious ones that I don't think anyone will disagree with:

genesis:

streets of rage series(especially 2)

sonic series(especially 2)

phantasy star series (especially 4)

ghouls n ghosts

gunstar heroes

castlevania blood lines

shinobi series

castle of illusion

SNES

super castlevania 4

contra 3

super mario world

super mario rpg

chrono trigger

ff 2 and 3

yoshis island

zelda link to the past

super metroid

turtles in time

super punch out

nes:

super mario 1-3

castlevania 1 and 3

contra

ninja gaiden trilogy

double dragon 1 and 2

mega man series (especially 2)

metroid

punch out

zelda

I know I am not following the thread rules here but do I really need to explain why the ninja gaiden series should be here? or zelda? mario? etc. I feel like before we construct a list we should just get the obvious ones out of the way because I can't imagine someone trying to argue that any of these titles should not be included.

Nintendo 64

Mario 64

paper mario

starfox 64

Star wars-shadows of the empire

wave rave 64

ocarina of time

majora's mask

goldeneye

perfect dark

diddy kong racing

pokemon snap

pokemon stadium

smash bros

star wars rogue squadron

yoshi's story

banjo tooie

conker's bad fur day

mario party 8

mario kart 64

@xantufrog: Was this supposed to be for the Platform genre only? or any HOF worthy retro game? I see others have listed games from other genres, I read the title as HOF Platforming games(i.e. mario and sonic)

Thanks so much for asking, @suicidesn0wman - I meant platform as in system! I will clarify above

Hi @pook99, I understand where you're coming from. Since there's a lot of back-end work needed for the polls and aggregating data, I propose we start with this general "competition", and then if it seems like hidden gems are wildly underrepresented in the HoF we could look into a second Hall of Hidden Gems list. Does this seem reasonable? For now, I think people should feel free to nominate the hidden gems that come to mind - given that we are enthusiasts, you might be surprised how well games you assumed only you cared about would do.

Okay now I'm ready and here's the top 10 N64 games I like to mention and they are:

1. Goldeneye
2. Quest 64
3. Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
4. Super Smash Bros.
5. Donkey Kong 64
6. Turok 2: Seeds of Evil
7. WWF: No Mercy
8. Star Fox 64
9. Command & Conquer
10. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards

@xantufrog Let me know if this is good or bad. Or do I need to add more?

It's just a rolling thing - once we get enough for one platform to make a poll, we'll do so :-) So if NES takes a while to fill in entries, we'll just hold off on NES for a while.

Super Metroid - SNES - Man is this game timeless, the graphics still look great, along with excellent art direction, the levels are masterfully designed to make you think about your abilities and how to use them to make progress/obtain hidden items, thoughtful bosses, oh yeah awesome music, one of, if not the only game I can consider perfect

should we start with one system and just slowly pan out each one?

That might make it easier on our end to aggregate nominations, but if it would discourage people from contributing for, say, a less common system that we might not think to "roll out" for nominations then I would say no. Thoughts?

@pook99: Good list! I would add to those:

NES:

Battle City

Bomberman

Lode Runner

Yie Ar Kung Fu

Dragon Warrior III

Road Fighter

SNES:

Battletoads in Battlemaniacs

Donkey Kong series

Final Fantasy IV, V and 6

Genesis:

Gain Ground

Earthworm Jim

Multiplatforms:

Lost Vikings

Smash TV

PC:

Rayman

Master of Orion 2

Then, I don't know where the ground is with "retro". Are 32 bit consoles considered retro? Is there a year limit?

I'd say we should just follow the same criterion for the retro forum in general - if the system is no longer getting new games, it technically qualifies (so, more or less, PS2/XBox and below). For PC, let's go with the same era as a cut-off - seem fair?

Agreed, even though dreamcast is still seeing releases (good ones too). I still consider it retro. It's gen has passed.

Ok, fair enough. I'll start with some of the PS1 games that can't be missed imho (many of these may be multiplatforms, but I put them under the PS category mainly because that was the console I had).

PS1:

Chrono Cross

Final Fantasy VII, VIII and IX

Crash Bandicoot 1, 2, 3

Crash Team Racing

Gran Turismo 1 and 2

GTA 2

Spyro 2 and 3

Marvel Vs Capcom

Driver

Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3

Castlevania Simphony of the Night

Tomb Raider 2

Metal Gear Solid

Resident Evil 1, 2 and 3

Hi Folks,
after discussing the logistics of this, we have added a few more instructions to the initial post. Please consider these before adding nominations! (those who have already contributed don't worry about going back and editing - we'll take those contributions as they are)

Here are my SNES 3:

1) Chrono Trigger

2) Mega Man X

3) Super Mario World

Your suggestion is going to work out better in the long run.

ATTENTION EVERYONE: soliciting SNES nominations right now. In a couple weeks time we will move on to another platform! SNES only at this time (if you already cast some votes for other systems, don't worry - we'll keep them for when that time comes :-)

Thanks everyone for your patience as we figure out this complex undertaking (and for your suggestions!)

SNES:

1. Final Fantasy VI

2. Chrono Trigger

3. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

SNES: Top 3 first. Then rest I would suggest getting into your collection.

1. Earthbound

2. Chronotrigger

3. Link to the past.

-------------------------------------------

4. Secret of mana

5. UN squadron

6. Super mario World

7. Super metroid.

8. Mega man 7

9. Mega man X

10. Final Fantasy II

11. Final Fantasy III.

12. Donkey Kong 1-3

13. F-zero

14. Star fox

15. Mario Kart.

16. Mario paint.

17. Aladdin.

Will think of more later.

Aladdin?

I remember the Sega Genesis Aladdin version was awesome. That was a fun Disney game. And I also like the Lion King SNES game.

snes version is the better game but neither are "hall of fame" worthy.

Not this again ;-) http://www.gamespot.com/forums/games-discussion-1000000/aladdin-genesis-vs-snes-26898248/

Fun aside, though, we should avoid commentary besides our own justifications for a game in here... it's going to make the organizer's jobs rough sifting through conversation to find nominations

i used to think the genesis was better because of the flashy graphics. Snes plays better. Level design in Genesis one is kind of bad, actually.

SNES top:

1. Donkey Kong Country

2. Super Mario World

3. Zelda: A Link to the Past

4. Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers

5. Super Metroid

6. Spider-Man and Venom: Maximum Carnage

@Heirren: It's a classic to me and a lot of people I know. Just my opinion though :)

1. Mega Man X2
2. Mega Man 7
3. Sparkster

I don't know if Sparkster is obscure or not, but it's part of the excellent Konami platformer series, Rocket Knight, (two are on the Genesis, and a new game came out a few years ago for the PC/360/PS3). In the Rocket Knight games, you play as an opossum named Sparkster who wields both a sword and a jet pack, which when used together, create some very fast and fun gameplay. Visually, the games are terrific, and the soundtracks are pretty catchy too, and Sparkster is no exception to either. Here's gameplay of Sparkster if you've never seen it before:

SNES Top 3

1. Killer Instinct
2. Kirby Super Star
3. Super Bomberman

@xantufrog The list is shaping up to be real good. Excited for the voting.

Super Mario RPG

Legend of Zelda

Chrono Trigger

Shadowrun

Mario Paint

I never owned a NES (Commadore child here) so you guys are much more qualified than I to vote.

@dannyodwyer never fear, we'll hit up the Commodor systems at some point in this process!

Nominations are officially closed for SNES. We are preparing the polls to filter that awesome list into the top 10 for the hall of fame!

We are now soliciting Sega Genesis / Mega Drive nominations.

@xantufrog: All three of these get my support, great list. Chrono Trigger especially. And I would add Super Metroid as well.

Sega Genesis-

• Sonic 1
• Aladdin
• Streets of Rage
• Revenge of Shinobi
• Ristar

PS1-

• Final Fantasy IX
• Metal Gear Solid
• Vagrant Story
• Crash Team Racing
• Tekken 3

Edit: Three per platform!

Sega Genesis:

• Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Sonic 3 & Knuckles
• The Lion King

Genesis
Phantasy Star IV
Shining Force II
Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar (US title, also goes by Thunder Force IV) - It's a great shmup, I'll just include a video for it instead of trying to explain it.

Most of favorite Genesis games have already been nominated, so I'll nominate a few others that I liked (though I doubt they'll get anywhere in the voting rounds).

1. Splatterhouse 3

2. Road Rash II

3. Mutant League Football

How the hell is Secret of Mana not on the list?! Seriously! Not the most popular but definitely the best!

Since Streets of Rage 2 and Sonic 1-3 & Knuckles have been nominated, I'll go with:

1. Streets of Rage 3
2. Gunstar Heroes
3. MUSHA

I'll put some extra ones down too in case we need more picks for the polls:

• Alien Soldier
• Battle Mania Daiginjou
• Contra: Hard Corps
• Gley Lancer
• Herzog Zwei
• Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master

There was one or two omissions on the Sega Genesis nominations:

1. Ghouls n' Ghosts

2. Gaiares

3. Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine

NES:

• Portopia Serial Murder Case
• Sweet Home
• Final Fantasy III

Sega Master System:

• Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
• Ninja Gaiden
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sega Mega Drive / Genesis:

• Shadow Dancer
• Super Street Fighter II
• Wonder Boy in Monster World

SNES:

• Dragon Quest V
• Secret of Mana
• Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals

legend of legaia's awesome too, psone represent.

Some Genesis nominees from me:

Genesis for me would be Road Rash 2 with SOR2 as a very close second. (Cannot believe Toejam and Earl wasn't there).

Snes would be Shadowrun.