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What are the best Famicom and Super Famicom games worth playing today (read OP)

Cindi Mayweather

Cindi Mayweather

Member
I swear to God, please read the OP. If you suggest Mario or something you will crush my heart because I will know you didn't read!

Alright, so these days I try to play games in Japanese as much as I can. Playing games in Japanese and playing games I missed over the years and not having to worry about waiting three years for a Dragon Quest remake is why I did it.

So next year I'd like to play in Japanese as much as possible. The great thing about Famicom and SFC is that there's no voice acting. So I can practice my reading comprehension and get better at reading faster without having to read fast Japanese subtitles. At the same time, reading a lot will help with reading JP subtitles faster too. So win win.

It helps that I just generally have some weird fetish for FC and SFC games that I don't for the NES and SNES. I really like the general look of games like Famicom Defective Club and similar graphic adventures. So I'd like to get my hands on some good JP only Famicom and SFC games that are preferably dialogue heavy (typically graphic adventure or rpg) but are still good to this day, even if they've aged a bit.

Japanese level ranking would also be nice. For example, Dragon Quest games to me are maybe a 2 1/2 to maybe 3 stars in terms of the Japanese required to play them without much effort. Whereas something like Silver Case or Snatcher or Trails in the Sky are probably 5 stars. I'm willing to play a 5 star game. A dictionary and Anki go a long way and have helped me in the past. In fact, I'd prefer the games have kanji. Kana only JP dialogue makes me want to die a quick death. Kanji is the savior for all. This makes things tricky because for example, DQ1 FC has like no kanji, probably due to the FC visual output limitation? I dunno. But the SFC version totally does.

I have no clue about JP N3ds virtual console but the NA one is pretty sparse. Since Nintendo don't want me to play JP games without buying a second 3ds I'll have to play their awful, awful game and get a JP 3ds. I'm unfortunately not currently capable of finding the list of 3ds FC and SFC JP games on vc because I'm on mobile but it's definitely something I'll be looking into soon.

Some games I'm thinking of trying.

Famicom Detective Club and its sequel. I have played them in English long, long ago. More graphical adventures please. I am dying to play Yuji Hoori's FC adventure game. I love Japanese adventure games especially if horror is involved.

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Goemon RPGs. Are these good? Which is the best?

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Mother 1 and 2. More RPGs!

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Portopia. More adventure games period!

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SMT1 or 2.

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More suggestions would be great. Please don't try to suggest basic, usual stuff like Final Fantasy's or Dragon Quests. I've already got that covered.

Also what is the best way to play them?
 
RX-78-2 said:
I'd give me my personal list, but this video was killer when I started importing Super Famicom games. SNES Drunk in general is pretty great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjmwE-fHd0Q
Click to expand...

The problem with taking import suggestions from most westerners is that they generally avoid dialogue heavy stuff and go for action based games because there's less of a barrier, when I'm trying to do the opposite. Still a good video though. I had no idea there was an Iria SFC game?!
 
Not text heavy (I know), but if you like horror jaki crush is a horror pinball game based on japanese mythology. Its the sequel to devil's crush on the turbo.
 
ghibli99 said:
Do you not have a Super Famicom?
Click to expand...

I'm asking the best way to play certain games. Are they on VC and if they are, is it better to play that or the SFC original? How rare is it? Is it expensive? Was it ported to other systems like the playstation? Etc.

But I currently don't. Not yet at least.
 
Cindi Mayweather said:
The problem with taking import suggestions from most westerners is that they generally avoid dialogue heavy stuff and go for action based games because there's less of a barrier, when I'm trying to do the opposite. Still a good video though. I had no idea there was an Iria SFC game?!
Click to expand...

Sorry lol. I missed the entire point of what you're after.

Anyway here's what I cosign. My friend highly recommends Langrisser II

OlDMwK8.png
 
I would be MUCH more use to you if you were dipping into the Saturn and the PCE. I have only really collected the super well known Japanese games for the Famicom systems.

So, I will recommend the few I have played through...

For the Famicom the only RPG I have played is Sweet Home. It is awesome. It is a modern, horror themed, RPG. That being said, you have probably heard of this one already.

On the Super Famicom side I can stand firmly behind Seiken Densetsu 3, Bahamut Lagoon, and Far East of Eden Zero (not the best of the series, but the rest are on the PCE). However, unhelpfully, everyone knows those.

So yeah... sorry?

Cindi Mayweather said:
I'm asking the best way to play certain games. Are they on VC and if they are, is it better to play that or the SFC original? How rare is it? Is it expensive? Was it ported to other systems like the playstation? Etc.

But I currently don't. Not yet at least.
Click to expand...

Not rare, not expensive. You can pick one up for nothing. However, if you are looking to play on a modern TV you should get the framemeister. That IS quite expensive. However, it makes most (all with mods to some) retro systems look great on a modern flatscreens.

Here is a great introduction into why it is a great purchase...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43dzrCAfU3A
 
Treasure of Rudras is a Square RPG that's definitely text heavy, especially since the magic system involves you actually spelling out words.
 
Spman2099 said:
I would be MUCH more use to you if you were dipping into the Saturn and the PCE. I have only really collected the super well known Japanese games for the Famicom.

So, I will recommend the few I have played through...

For the Famicom the only RPG I have played is Sweet Home. It is awesome. It is a modern, horror themed, RPG. That being said, you have probably heard of this one already.

On the Super Famicom side I can stand firmly behind Seiken Densetsu 3, Bahamut Lagoon, and Far East of Eden Zero (not the best of the series, but the rest are on the PCE). However, unhelpfully, everyone knows those.

So yeah... sorry?



Not rare, not expensive. You can pick one up for nothing. However, if you are looking to play on a modern TV you should get the framemeister. That IS quite expensive. However, it makes most (all with mods to some) retro systems look great on a modern flatscreens.

Here is a great introduction into why it is a great purchase...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43dzrCAfU3A
Click to expand...

When I talk about rarity and expense I'm talking about games. Not the SFC. Should have specified.
 
Cindi Mayweather said:
When I talk about rarity and expense I'm talking about games. Not the SFC. Should have specified.
Click to expand...

Yeah, VERY few Japanese RPGs are expensive. It seems to me like the only retro games that have huge value are the ones that can be sold to people from Western nations.
I have purchased a few hundred games in Japan and most of them cost about a dollar to five dollars. I have purchased a decent amount of ten dollar games as well. That being said, a copy of Harmful Park or Elevator Action Returns (which are very western friendly) will run you up hundreds and hundreds of dollars.
 
RX-78-2 said:
Sorry lol. I missed the entire point of what you're after.

Anyway here's what I cosign. My friend highly recommends Langrisser II

OlDMwK8.png
Click to expand...

Nah, you're good buddy. If I only wanted RPGs and adventure games I would have put best FC/SFC RPGS/adventure games in the title.

I'd like ANY suggestion so long as it's not overly common and obvious (Mario!). It's just I emphasize RPGs and adventure since they're my favorite genre haha. But anything is fair game. It was just an aside comment and initial disclaimer was there only because I didn't want the thread to turn into MARIO 3!!! FINAL FANTASY VI!!! SUPER METROID!!! because people couldn't bother to read.

For example, the other day I found an SFC game I've never heard of but is apparently coveted: Ninja Warriors and it looks amazing.
 
Cindi Mayweather said:
Nah, you're good buddy. If I only wanted RPGs and adventure games I would have put best FC/SFC RPGS/adventure games in the title.

I'd like ANY suggestion so long as it's not overly common and obvious (Mario!). It's just I emphasize RPGs and adventure since they're my favorite genre haha. But anything is fair game. It was just an aside comment and initial disclaimer was there only because I didn't want the thread to turn into MARIO 3!!! FINAL FANTASY VI!!! SUPER METROID!!! because people couldn't bother to read.

For example, the other day I found an SFC game I've never heard of but is apparently coveted: Ninja Warriors and it looks amazing.
Click to expand...

Oh, if that is the case...

Super Famicom

Popful Mail Great 2D Action/RPG, but it is a little on the expensive side (maybe around $50). There are two other versions on different consoles. They are all very different and this is the cheapest game in the Popfulmail series.

Jaki Crush It is part of the awesome crush pinball games. Definitely worth buying. Not as good as the first two, but those are on the PCE. Cheap.

Demon’s Blazon Amazing game, it is part of the Gargoyls Quest games. Also expensive ($50 or so), but WAY cheaper than the English copy.

Hagane Another great side scrolling action game. It is also not exclusive to Japan, but it is way cheaper to buy there (maybe $30 or so).


Famicom

Kokoron Very cool sidescrolling action game. This is the Japanese version of Little Samson, but it doesn't cost a million dollars (closer to $30).

Holy Diver Crazy Hard, cool side scroller. Worth owning, but it isn't cheap ($60 or so).

Konami World 1&2 Multiple characters from classic Konami series are recruitable. It is a sidescroller. Very solid. Also cheap ($1-$5).

Pinball Quest Pinball Pinball RPG. Cheap($1-$5). Interesting.

Getsu Fūma Den Awesome game that plays like a Castlevania (probably because it is made by the same people). Not that expensive ($10).
 
Cindi Mayweather said:
Nah, you're good buddy. If I only wanted RPGs and adventure games I would have put best FC/SFC RPGS/adventure games in the title.

I'd like ANY suggestion so long as it's not overly common and obvious (Mario!). It's just I emphasize RPGs and adventure since they're my favorite genre haha. But anything is fair game. It was just an aside comment and initial disclaimer was there only because I didn't want the thread to turn into MARIO 3!!! FINAL FANTASY VI!!! SUPER METROID!!! because people couldn't bother to read.

For example, the other day I found an SFC game I've never heard of but is apparently coveted: Ninja Warriors and it looks amazing.
Click to expand...

Here's another round then. There's probably some crossover from the video I posted.

dqM94Ni.png
 
Sweet_Home_Japanese_Famicom_box_art.jpg
Click to expand...
Sweet Home is arguably the best aged RPG on the Famicom, and one of the best period, imo. I'd definetly put it above MOTHER or any Final Fantasy game.

Akumajo_Special-Boku_Dracula-kun!(cover).jpg
Click to expand...
Famicom version of Kid Dracula is pretty cool too, though the Game Boy version is a tad better, PON!

220px-Kainobouken_thequestofki_boxart.png
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The Quest of Ki can be a fun weird platformer game after you get used to it's controls, don't hope to beat it though!

On rather popular games, if you want to play the original Metroid, get that Disk System version, nothing beats battery saves.

Can't recommend much on Super Famicom regarding obscure games, Umihara Kawase maybe.
 
Sweet Home looks hardcore.

Why's it the best rpg of that era? I'd like to read your thoughts.

Speaking of Okami, Okami seems like a game to play too.
 
Goemon 3 for the SNES is supposedely an amazing Zelda-like but hasn't recieved a fan translation, so you could be one of the few to spread it's good name.

*Ninja Warrior released in the west though. But speaking of rare games then, Hagane only released in America as a Blockbuster exclusive so it's ridiculously expensive, but rather accessible for the SF.

Game is amazing sunsoft at it's best
http://youtu.be/ZqVf-jhS0Dc
 
There's that awesome Godzilla fighting game on Super Famicom. Godzilla Kaiju Daikessen.

I love the SNES/Super Famicom. The region locking on the SNES is the dumbest thing ever. It's just two pieces of plastic that prevents the cart from fitting!
 
Just take it with you. said:
if you're considering the SMT games, you'll probably also want to consider the Famicom MT 1 and 2 or the Super Famicom remake Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei.
Click to expand...

Good tip.

I'm actually worried about SMT games because at this point it'd probably be the most advanced Japanese game I've played in terms of language barrier.

And yeah it's a blast from the past for sure. Iria on Sci Fi channel!
 
Cindi Mayweather said:
Sweet Home looks hardcore.

Why's it the best rpg of that era? I'd like to read your thoughts.

Speaking of Okami, Okami seems like a game to play too.
Click to expand...
The big problem with most 8 bit RPGs is that they age poorly, the can feel clunky, archaid, difficult and extremely slow if you aren't used to playing them.

To put it simply, some of the biggest problems with games like Dragon Quest I - IV, Final Fantasy I-III and Mother.

- No battery back up (Dragon Quest), games used passwords, and not the cool 4 character passwords like Zombies ate my neighbours, instead 16 digit passwords like the ones found in Metal Gear or the international versions of Metroid, this in is in turn made worse by
- Very high difficulty, bad difficulty curves, and as a whole not giving you much room to mess up. For instance, the final dungeon of Final Fantasy III is insanely long and difficult, not giving you many breaks, Dragon Quest II sees and insane difficulty increase in the last section of the game.
- Heavy grinding is stuff that can make stuff like Final Fantasy II nearly unplayable, sure most games have ways to avoid grinding, but you can of need to beat them before figuring out.
- Fighting multiple enemies, now that's not an issue in itself, but the problem with these older games is that when an enemy dies, a party member that was to attack an enemy doesn't then switch to another enemy, instead it attacks at nothing which wastes a turn (and MP) couple that with difficult, and well.

Sweet Home has none of those issues, you can save anytime anywhere, and it's recommended to save often. Difficult? Not unfairly, game keeps it's challenge at a good pace, it's not too hard nor too easy. Grinding is barely there, and you only fight one enemy at any given time.

Sweet Home is also, essentially, the first survival horror game, if you've played the original Resident Evil games, well they play similar to sweet home. There's item management and limited resources, not being a fantasy game there are no spells or anything of the sort, you attack enemies with weapons found throghout the mansion, healing items are limited and rare, they have to be rationed and you have to ration how many you carry considering you need space for stuff like keys, weapons and other items.

Not being a fantasy game, when a character dies, he/she stays dead, and you'll have to manage the rest of the game without him/her.

On another note, you don't have one, but two parties, and you can switch between the two of them as you see it, due to this you can be exploring two opposites areas of the world at the same time (not recommended, but you can).

The exploration, combined with the quick combats, survival mechanics, and a great story told at a good pace makes Sweet Home a fast paced addicting game that's hard to put down once you get into it. It's also pretty short.

The game very much would deserve an M rating today, the story of the game (which is not told in cutscenes or characte dialogue) is very dark, and you'll get some very disturbing events ouf of it; it's probably the most disturbing story on an 8bit game, so if that's an issue then don't play it.

Pretty sure my explanation is a mess, so here's a great review of the game (no spoilers)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw06V-fcjfA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNz93wC7W68

And yeah, Okami is great alright.
 
You sold Sweet Home well! Just what I'm looking for!

Ummm...didn't Nintendo make an FC/SFC combo system or am I going bonkers and just totally imagined it? I guess I have to get one of each!
 
Cindi Mayweather said:
Good tip.

I'm actually worried about SMT games because at this point it'd probably be the most advanced Japanese game I've played in terms of language barrier.

And yeah it's a blast from the past for sure. Iria on Sci Fi channel!
Click to expand...

Funny, a full translation patch for that Iria Super Famicom game just hit this week!
 
Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World and Yoshi's Island.

Now that I have broken your heart, you will have no problem playing the Famicom and Super Famicom Fire Emblems. I have only played the two Famicom games so far (SNES ones coming as soon as their proper English translations are done), but they were really nice, especially for this early console. I'm not too fond of most NES games (other than the Mario series), but the Fire Emblem games are seriously fun and well worth their time and money. Considering the NES Fire Emblems are actually quite cheap - I could get both for 60€ either, including exchange of ROM to put English translated versions on there, NES modules and converters to put them into my NES and whatever profit my repro expert of choice made of them - you should certainly get them.
 
Sweet thread! I love little niche interests like this. I don't speak Japanese but I bet you're gonna have a blast
 
Spman2099 said:
Not rare, not expensive. You can pick one up for nothing. However, if you are looking to play on a modern TV you should get the framemeister. That IS quite expensive. However, it makes most (all with mods to some) retro systems look great on a modern flatscreens.

Here is a great introduction into why it is a great purchase...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43dzrCAfU3A
Click to expand...

Just got home and holy fuck I want to throw money at my screen towards these guys.
 
ファミコン文庫 はじまりの森 (Famicom Bunko: Hajimari no Mori) seems like a good choice for you. It's basically an early Animal Crossing / My Summer Vacation type game for the SFC.
 
Yoshi said:
Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World and Yoshi's Island.

Now that I have broken your heart, you will have no problem playing the Famicom and Super Famicom Fire Emblems. I have only played the two Famicom games so far (SNES ones coming as soon as their proper English translations are done), but they were really nice, especially for this early console. I'm not too fond of most NES games (other than the Mario series), but the Fire Emblem games are seriously fun and well worth their time and money. Considering the NES Fire Emblems are actually quite cheap - I could get both for 60€ either, including exchange of ROM to put English translated versions on there, NES modules and converters to put them into my NES and whatever profit my repro expert of choice made of them - you should certainly get them.
Click to expand...

I'll consider it. I'm thinking of just playing Fates in Japanese when I get my New 3ds.
 
You can also get some great recs from the Nintendo and Super Nintendo appreciation threads.

I say Chronicles of Radia War for the Famicom. Its a cool RPG with a sorta action/real time battle system.
 
What about Mario
RPG
?

Or Dragon Quest
on the super Gameboy
?

Other than that, idk, Terranigma? Or if you want something that was never localized there is always the Metal Max SNES games. Oh, and then Takeshi's Challenge for fun.
 
Sure thing, Tekno.

I've got a tentative starter list. I may have to ask friends in Japan to ship me some games. :(

1. Popful Mail

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Heard about this being a Sega fan and it's always listed as a big Sega CD game, but always figured it was something weird or dumb because of the Popful in the game title. I was wrong. Looks like a great Zelda 2 side scroller rpg. I thought Genesis had that market on lock but it seems SFC had some good ones too. There are other versions of this but I'd like to start on the SFC version to see if I like it. Helps I love Ys and Falcom's approach to rpgs.

2. Sanma no Meitantei

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3. Hokkaido Rensa Satsujin

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4. Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken

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5. GOEMON GOEMON GOEMONGOEMONGOEMOEJAOAODFADF;J KONAMIPLZ

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6. Sweet Home

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7. Akumajo Special Boku Dracula Kun

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8. Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei series

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9. Fire Emblem

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10. Ys V

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Ready your butts! I can only hope that my impeccable taste in games means I've got some winners. If not...

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I'll ask some people on 2ch for some more adventure games but I think that's it.

Aside from the rpgs and possibly the visual novels, these won't take a long time to get through.
 
Affeinvasion said:
Live a Live is one of my favorite rpgs ever.
Click to expand...

It sounds amazing. I may put it in the list.

One thing I like about learning Japanese is pronouncing stuff. I thought it was Live (as in, to live) A Live (as in to be alive) for the longest before learning it. Knowing it's Live (to be alive) A Live (to be alive) felt good. Christ, English. Have some consistency.
 
Spman2099 said:
Kokoron Very cool sidescrolling action game. This is the Japanese version of Little Samson, but it doesn't cost a million dollars (closer to $30).
Click to expand...

Actually Cocoron is made by the Little Samson guys, but it's a different game. You're thinking of Seirei Densetsu LICKLE, which is Little Samson.
 
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