CVD's Top 25 Arcade Games Of All Time - Picks 16-20
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Jan 21 2010, 11:01 PM
Sorry for taking so long with the second round of the Top 25, but my computer is been acting crazier than Dr.Wily. I apologize.
20. Shinobi(1987)
--------------
After such quality titles like Fantasy Zone, Wonderboy and Congo Bongo, Sega decided to get a little more violent - using their new System-16A engine Sega would score big with SHINOBI.
It was also perfect timing as many other companies were having success with the martial art/ninja genre.
Shinobi still stands the test of time(I try to play it at least once a month). Everything from
the musical score to the amazing controls made this an instant classic in arcades everywhere.
Shinobi would also show off an effect similar to what SEGA would later build on with GOLDEN AXE; A special power that would annihilate all enemies on screen. It would also be the engine they would use for their cop shooter E-SWAT.
If your going to get your hands on this game, make sure it's the arcade one - the
master system and Nes versions are a disgrace.
19. NARC(1988)
--------------
I don't remember a single ARCADE that didn't house this puppy when it came out. The
FBI warning at the beginning, the prostitutes, killer clowns, petifiles... they were
all there... and it was your job to blow the frickin crap out of them!
Not the best game ever made.... but for an arcade experience you couldn't beat NARC during it's glory days.
I had never seen that much over-the-top violence in my life(oh, wait... I had. Thanks Robocop!).
18. Ninja Gaiden(1988)
-----------------
No, not the hugely successful Nes trilogy, I'm talking about the arcade classic those games were based off. Ninja Gaiden was truly a unique game when it was released: The controls were tough to get used to, but once you got comfortable with them, it quickly became one of the coolest games I ever remember playing in the arcade. I even had to get a card your parents had to sign so you could play it at 7-11 because of their stupid under sixteen rule.
Ninja Gaiden was a two player beat-em-up that built on the idea of Double Dragon and gave the player the opportunity to do a few more moves and add agility that were not in the king brawler's arsenal.
17. Champion Wrestler(1989)
----------------------
This is probably the only game I've selected that would never be in anyone else's top 25 list. I can beat this game on one quarter anyday of the week. Thats' pretty much why I chose it - what other game can give you that kind of bang for your buck?
I never had to spend a lot but that didn't stop me from enjoying this game for hours on end at the local convenience store.
Had Wrestlefest not arrived on the scene, I would even go as far as saying that this was
my favorite wrestling title in arcade history.
16.Golden Axe(1989)
-----------------------
A classic on every level. From the amazing controls to the outlandish magic and musical score and sound effects(which I think were taken from Conan: The Barbarian), Golden Axe was the best brawler on the market, and also another huge hit for SEGA(who was on a huge winning streak in the arcades when this game was released).
Choosing between three different warriors, it was your job to reach DEATH ADDER and rescue the king and Queen from certain death.
This game also gets props for the fact that it really wasn't a quarter muncher - I can't
remember spending more than $2.50 to beat it.
Out of all the games I've finished in the arcades, I've always found Golden Axe's
finale to be my favorite in the history of my arcade experiences. I love seeing those kids get chased out of the arcade by the various villains that were in the game.
------------------------------------
Stay tuned for picks 11-15 - Coming Soon to GeekWeek. Hope you enjoyed your time with me.
Here are last weeks picks:
25. Dragon's Lair
24. Mortal Kombat
23. Mario Bros.
22. Ghosts N' Goblins
21. Wonderboy
Sorry for taking so long with the second round of the Top 25, but my computer is been acting crazier than Dr.Wily. I apologize.
20. Shinobi(1987)
--------------
After such quality titles like Fantasy Zone, Wonderboy and Congo Bongo, Sega decided to get a little more violent - using their new System-16A engine Sega would score big with SHINOBI.
It was also perfect timing as many other companies were having success with the martial art/ninja genre.
Shinobi still stands the test of time(I try to play it at least once a month). Everything from
the musical score to the amazing controls made this an instant classic in arcades everywhere.
Shinobi would also show off an effect similar to what SEGA would later build on with GOLDEN AXE; A special power that would annihilate all enemies on screen. It would also be the engine they would use for their cop shooter E-SWAT.
If your going to get your hands on this game, make sure it's the arcade one - the
master system and Nes versions are a disgrace.
19. NARC(1988)
--------------
I don't remember a single ARCADE that didn't house this puppy when it came out. The
FBI warning at the beginning, the prostitutes, killer clowns, petifiles... they were
all there... and it was your job to blow the frickin crap out of them!
Not the best game ever made.... but for an arcade experience you couldn't beat NARC during it's glory days.
I had never seen that much over-the-top violence in my life(oh, wait... I had. Thanks Robocop!).
18. Ninja Gaiden(1988)
-----------------
No, not the hugely successful Nes trilogy, I'm talking about the arcade classic those games were based off. Ninja Gaiden was truly a unique game when it was released: The controls were tough to get used to, but once you got comfortable with them, it quickly became one of the coolest games I ever remember playing in the arcade. I even had to get a card your parents had to sign so you could play it at 7-11 because of their stupid under sixteen rule.
Ninja Gaiden was a two player beat-em-up that built on the idea of Double Dragon and gave the player the opportunity to do a few more moves and add agility that were not in the king brawler's arsenal.
17. Champion Wrestler(1989)
----------------------
This is probably the only game I've selected that would never be in anyone else's top 25 list. I can beat this game on one quarter anyday of the week. Thats' pretty much why I chose it - what other game can give you that kind of bang for your buck?
I never had to spend a lot but that didn't stop me from enjoying this game for hours on end at the local convenience store.
Had Wrestlefest not arrived on the scene, I would even go as far as saying that this was
my favorite wrestling title in arcade history.
16.Golden Axe(1989)
-----------------------
A classic on every level. From the amazing controls to the outlandish magic and musical score and sound effects(which I think were taken from Conan: The Barbarian), Golden Axe was the best brawler on the market, and also another huge hit for SEGA(who was on a huge winning streak in the arcades when this game was released).
Choosing between three different warriors, it was your job to reach DEATH ADDER and rescue the king and Queen from certain death.
This game also gets props for the fact that it really wasn't a quarter muncher - I can't
remember spending more than $2.50 to beat it.
Out of all the games I've finished in the arcades, I've always found Golden Axe's
finale to be my favorite in the history of my arcade experiences. I love seeing those kids get chased out of the arcade by the various villains that were in the game.
------------------------------------
Stay tuned for picks 11-15 - Coming Soon to GeekWeek. Hope you enjoyed your time with me.
Here are last weeks picks:
25. Dragon's Lair
24. Mortal Kombat
23. Mario Bros.
22. Ghosts N' Goblins
21. Wonderboy
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