🔝 Top 6 Sega Game Gear Games Growing Up in the Philippines

by earlamante | Jan 29, 2023 | Top 6

The Game Gear is an 8-bit fourth generation handheld game console released by Sega. Developed under the name “Project Mercury”, the Game Gear was first released in Japan on October 6, 1990, in North America and Europe in 1991, and in Australia in 1992. Originally retailing at JP¥19,800 in Japan, US$149.99 in North America, and GB£99.99 in Europe, the Game Gear was developed to compete with the Game Boy, which Nintendo had released in 1989.

The decision to make a handheld console was made by Sega’s CEO Hayao Nakayama and the name was chosen by newly appointed Sega of America CEO Michael Katz. Both Sega’s chairman Isao Okawa and cofounder David Rosen approved of the name. The console had been designed as a portable version of the Master System, and featured more powerful systems than the Game Boy, including a full-color screen, in contrast to the monochromatic screen of its rival. According to former Sega console hardware research and development head Hideki Sato, Sega saw the Game Boy’s black and white screen as “a challenge to make our own color handheld system.”

To improve upon the design of their competition, Sega modeled the Game Gear with a similar shape to a Genesis controller, with the idea being that the curved surfaces and longer length would make the Game Gear more comfortable to hold than the Game Boy. The console’s mass was carefully considered from the beginning of the development, aiming for a total mass between that of the Game Boy and the Atari Lynx, another full-color screen competing product. Despite the similarities the Game Gear shared with the Master System, the games of the latter were not directly playable on the Game Gear, and were only able to be played on the handheld by the use of an accessory called the Master Gear. The original Game Gear pack-in game was Columns, which was similar to the Tetris cartridge that Nintendo had included when it launched the Game Boy.

With a late start into the handheld console market, Sega rushed to get the Game Gear into stores quickly, having lagged behind Nintendo in sales without a handheld on the market. As one method of doing so, Sega based the hardware of the Game Gear on the Master System, albeit with a much larger color palette than its predecessor: the Game Gear supported 4096 colors, compared to the 64 colors supported by the Master System. Part of the intention of this move was to make Master System games easy to port to the Game Gear. Though the Game Gear was designed to be technologically superior to the Game Boy, its design came at a cost of battery life: whereas the Game Boy could run for more than 30 hours on four AA batteries, the Game Gear required six AA batteries and could only run for three to five hours. With its quick launch in Japan, the handheld sold 40,000 units in its first two days, 90,000 within a month, and the number of back orders for the system was over 600,000. According to Sega of America marketing director Robert Botch, “there is clearly a need for a quality portable system that provides features other systems have failed to deliver. This means easy-to-view, full-color graphics and exciting quality games that appeal to all ages.”

In this episode, we are going to checkout the Best Game Gear Games Growing Up in the Philippines.

Why Top 6? Because Top 10’s are everywhere and Top 5’s are not rare. Do you know what sticks? It is my top 6!

But first, take a second to hit on the Subscribe button so you will never miss another episode of my weekly Top 6.

Now let us go through the list and let us see how many of your favorite Game Gear games I considered the best.

6. Paperboy (1991)

1991 | Tengen

Paperboy often sits forgotten in SEGA’s back catalogue. I mean, many of us resented having to get up and head out on our paper rounds as kids, so why would we want to do it virtually.

Well, there’s no chance of getting wet or chased by a dog in these virtual suburbs. It takes little brain power and is one of those addictive games that once started is impossible to put down.

Paperboy has a duration of seven in-game days. The aim of the game is to deliver papers properly; points are awarded for throwing papers into boxes and taken away if you damage houses.

Yeah, this kid throws hard!

Pull off slick tricks and make people’s mornings 10x better. Well, that is if you get the right papers to the right houses on the right days, of course!

5. Streets Of Rage

1992 | Sega

I still remember trying to convince my friend to let me borrow his SEGA Game Gear for a couple of weeks so that I could carry on playing this after I went round to his house.

It was button mashing heaven and a really great way to let off steam after a hard day in the playground (those early years of school can be tough!).

Streets Of Rage is one of the best side-scrolling brawlers ever made, and while I like a bit of Street Fighter when it comes to whooping ass and using insane moves, Streets Of Rage has that addictive allure that keeps pulling you back in to try and defeat the absurdly humongous enemies at the end of each round.

Having the ability to take S.O.R out into the open changed gaming for a lot of people and made it easier to carry on playing when you had to go home from your mates or head out to the supermarket.

With the SEGA Game Gear in tow, you didn’t have to admit defeat when your TV time was up; you could carry on playing in secret and keep the fight alive.

I often think about Adam, Axel, and Blaze trying to clean up the streets and rid the world of Mr X’s henchmen, and I wonder how many other ex-police officers have looked to Streets Of Rage as a light at the end of the tunnel after their career.

Probably none; no one in their right mind would try and take down bosses that big!

4. Road Rash

1993 | Electronic Arts

Before we had the luxury of whipping out Cro Mag Rally on our iPhones or kicking back with Mario Kart 8 on the Switch, good handheld racers like the next title on our list of the best SEGA Game Gear Games were few and far between.

Road Rash is a beastly little game based around Motorcycle racing, with many ‘road rage‘ inducing features that we would come to love in games such as SSX Tricky and Grand Theft Auto later on in life.

With levels based in some of the top locations in America, players must use quick steering skills in a series of five races to become king or queen of the asphalt.

And if you’re no good at steering, you can always punch, kick, or backhand neighbouring opponents as you speed towards the finish line.

Anything goes in Road Rash!

Instead of contending with bananas and chain chomps, players have to watch out for baseball bats and chains as they swerve in and out of the other racers, all while trying to avoid causing too much damage to their bike and themselves…

… which in a game like this is harder than it sounds!

This is one of the most high-octane racers on the SEGA Game Gear and a title in which anything can happen at any given time.

It’s not just enough to be able to know the course like the back of your hand, in fact, you can’t see the back of your hand because there’s a chain wrapped around it.

Electronic Arts, you are too good to us!

3. Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers

1995 | Bandai

I was considering just writing ‘because who doesn’t love Power Rangers’, and leaving it at that, but I figured you might be hoping for something a little bit more informative.

I lived and breathed Power Rangers growing up; I had the figures, the Zords, the swords, but I never had the game!

Yes, I know it’s shocking, but I can only hope that putting it in this list of best SEGA Game Gear Games as an adult will make up for the mistakes that I made as a child.

The Game Gear version was one of only two versions that allowed you to use the Green Ranger and the Dragonzord too, which makes it instantly better than the un-green SNES version.

Using a variety of classic and signature moves, you can work your way through a story mode, a link-up battle mode, or a single-player button mash battle mode.

You can play as your favourite character (or colour if you’re not a nerd), and face up to some of the enemies (of which there are a LOT) that you will have seen on the ever-popular TV show.

Oh, and you can play as the MegaZord; who doesn’t love the MegaZord?

2. Ristar

1995 | Sega

Ristar takes the 2nd spot in this list of the best SEGA Game Gear games of all time!

Would you believe that Ristar was actually supposed to go up against Mario? This little star was going to be SEGA’s mascot was well and truly ‘outshined’ (pun intended) by Sonic.

Still, we’re not here to poke fun of Ristar; this is a fantastic game that offers an alternative set of levels to the Genesis/Mega Drive version.

Fans will love the re-ordered planets and new additions to the Game Gear cart. There are also 100 little starts to collect on each level, giving the player a much-needed 1UP life to use on the later levels.

This game has a strong James Pond meets Sonic vibe to it, and that’s never a bad thing. It’s catchy and fun, albeit a little short.

Also, am I the only one who thinks those green columns look a little like The Grinch?

1. Sonic The Hedgehog 2

1992 | Sega

The results are in, and the people have spoken (by people, I mean myself); Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is the greatest SEGA Game Gear game of all time!

I love the first Sonic the Hedgehog game, but you just can’t deny how amazing the sequel is.

It’s the polished diamond, or in this case, the polished chaos emerald of Sega’s collection.

Out of every console console Mascot, Sonic is definitely the coolest. I love Mario, but come on, a supersonic Hedgehog vs a plumber… there’s no comparison.

The levels in this game are second to none, and being able to play as Tails for the first time in a Sonic game was a momentous moment. Where were you the first time you remember taking Miles out for a spin?

This timeless classic ported so well to the Game Gear too, with fans relishing the chance to take Sonic out into the world with them.

Until they could take Sonic & Knuckles out on the SEGA Nomad, this was the ultimate portable SEGA game experience!

And that’s it for my Top 6 Game Gear games growing up in the Philippines and a big thanks for watching. Did I miss some of your favorite games? Let me know by commenting below!

🔝 Top 6 Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Games Growing Up in the Philippines

by earlamante | Jan 22, 2023 | Top 6

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System or SNES, commonly shortened to Super Nintendo, is a 16-bit home video game console developed by Nintendo that was released in 1990 in Japan and South Korea, 1991 in North America, 1992 in Europe and Oceania, and 1993 in South America. In Japan, it is called the Super Famicom.

To compete with the popular Family Computer in Japan, NEC Home Electronics launched the PC Engine in 1987, and Sega followed suit with the Mega Drive in 1988. The two platforms were later launched in North America in 1989 as the TurboGrafx-16 and the Sega Genesis respectively. Both systems were built on 16-bit architectures and offered improved graphics and sound over the 8-bit NES. However, it took several years for Sega’s system to become successful. Nintendo executives were in no rush to design a new system, but they reconsidered when they began to see their dominance in the market slipping.

On September 9, 1987, then-Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi revealed the development of the Super Famicom in the newspaper Kyoto Shimbun. On August 30, 1988, in an interview with TOUCH Magazine, he announced the development of Super Mario Bros. 4, Dragon Quest V, three original games, and he projected sales of 3 million units of the upcoming console. Famicom Hissyoubon magazine speculated that Nintendo’s early announcement was probably made to forestall Christmas shopping for the PC Engine, and relayed Enix’s clarification that it was waiting on sales figures to select either PC Engine or Super Famicom for its next Dragon Quest game. The magazine and Enix both expressed a strong interest in networking as a standard platform feature. The console was demonstrated to the Japanese press on November 21, 1988, and again on July 28, 1989.

Designed by Masayuki Uemura, the designer of the original Famicom, the Super Famicom was released in Japan on Wednesday, November 21, 1990, for ¥25,000 (equivalent to ¥27,804 in 2019). It was an instant success. Nintendo’s initial shipment of 300,000 units sold out within hours, and the resulting social disturbance led the Japanese government to ask video game manufacturers to schedule future console releases on weekends. This gained the attention of the Yakuza criminal organization, so the devices were shipped at night to avoid robbery.

With the Super Famicom quickly outselling its rivals, Nintendo reasserted itself as the leader of the Japanese console market. Nintendo’s success was partially due to the retention of most of its key third-party developers, including Capcom, Konami, Tecmo, Square, Koei, and Enix.

Nintendo released the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, a redesigned version of the Super Famicom, in North America for US$199 (equivalent to $400 in 2021). It began shipping in limited quantities on August 23, 1991, with an official nationwide release date of September 9, 1991. The Super Nintendo was released in the United Kingdom and Ireland in April 1992 for £150 (equivalent to £330 in 2021).

Most of the PAL region versions of the console use the Japanese Super Famicom design, except for labeling and the length of the joypad leads. The Playtronic Super Nintendo in Brazil, although PAL-M, uses the North American design. Both the NES and Super Nintendo were released in Brazil in 1993 by Playtronic, a joint venture between the toy company Estrela and consumer electronics company Gradiente.

The Super Nintendo and Super Famicom launched with few games, but these games were well received. In Japan, only two games were initially available: Super Mario World and F-Zero. Bombuzal was released during the launch week. In North America, Super Mario World was launched as a bundle with the console; other launch games include F-Zero, Pilotwings (both of which demonstrate the console’s Mode 7 pseudo-3D rendering), SimCity, and Gradius III.

In this episode, we are going to checkout the Best Super Nintendo Games Growing Up in the Philippines.

Why Top 6? Because Top 10’s are everywhere and Top 5’s are not rare. Do you know what sticks? It is my top 6!

But first, take a second to hit on the Subscribe button so you will never miss another episode of my weekly Top 6.

Now let us go through the list and let us see how many of your favorite Super Nintendo games I considered the best.

6. Contra III: The Alien Wars

1992 | Konami

Contra and its sequel Super C were among the best games released on the NES, so expectations were high for the Super Nintendo follow up. Thankfully, Konami delivered a game that upped the ante with even more ridiculous setpieces (like riding a motorcycle and a missile), better graphics than ever, and the series’ trademark tough-but-fair difficulty. There’s a reason why The Alien Wars is often called the best game in the long-running series.

5. Donkey Kong Country

1994 | Rare

Donkey Kong was the original face of Nintendo during the early arcade days, but by the time the Super Nintendo had rolled around, the big ape had been overshadowed by a certain Italian plumber. Meanwhile, the big ape hadn’t starred in a game in years, and Donkey Kong Jr., the original baddie’s son, only had a supporting role in Super Mario Kart.

Fortunately, Donkey Kong Country used then-revolutionary 3D sprites to bring new life to the character. At the time, no other game had the same level of detail. In fact, there still aren’t many games that look like it. Admittedly, the gameplay isn’t quite as smooth as many of the other contemporary Nintendo titles. At times, the game can be downright frustrating, but DKC is still worth the occasional playthrough, as are its many sequels.

4. Street Fighter II Turbo

1993 | Capcom

The ‘90s were the heyday of fighting games, but with a few exceptions, most of those titles have been long forgotten. Then there’s the classic Street Fighter II. Capcom stumbled onto something big with this sequel’s combo system, allowing players to strategize like never before and eke out victories when defeat seemed all but certain. Add in a cast of instantly iconic characters from around the globe and a pumped-up soundtrack, and you have the recipe for one of the best fighters ever made.

There have been a ton of Street Fighter games since this one, including plenty of updated versions of the second game, but Street Fighter II Turbo on the SNES is the ultimate version of the game. It’s also the game that introduced the mighty Akuma to the fighting world, so points for that, too.

3. Super Mario World

1991 | Nintendo

Back in the ’80s and ’90s, the debut of each new Mario game was meant to completely change our perceptions of video games. We had all played the NES Super Mario Bros. games at this point, and as beloved as they were, nothing could prepare us for World’s massive interconnected map and its numerous secrets. While the cape power-up wasn’t as revolutionary as Mario’s raccoon costume, the addition of Yoshi created tons of new strategies for playing a Mario game. And it can’t be overstated how mind-blowing the graphics and sound were compared to anything on the NES.

There’s a very good argument to be made that Nintendo still hasn’t made a better Mario game since Super Mario World. Even the better graphics and four-player co-op of the New Super Mario Bros. games haven’t topped this legendary platformer.

2. NBA Jam

1994 | Midway

There was a time when sports games didn’t try so hard to simulate the real thing while squeezing every last penny out of players through microtransactions. You used to just pick an NBA star (or maybe a Mortal Kombat character or a U.S. president), head to the court, and proceed to repeatedly jump 50 feet in the air to dunk on your opponents while setting the ball on fire. It was a simpler time.

NBA Jam is basketball in only the loosest sense of the word, but by throwing out most of the rulebook and focusing on action and pure fun, it morphed into a classic game that even players who care little for sports can enjoy.

1. Mega Man X

1993 | Capcom

With a whopping six games released on the NES, the original Mega Man series was getting a bit stale by the early ‘90s. Mega Man X injected new life into the series with a more mature protagonist and faster gameplay that allowed him to dash and climb. Still, the basic combat and ability to choose which robot master to face next ensured that Mega Man X didn’t stray too far from its roots.

A ridiculous number of sequels have followed in the X series (and multiple other Mega Man subseries), and while X2 and X3 on the SNES are also fine games, there’s a very good argument to be made that Capcom still hasn’t surpassed the original Mega Man X as the best game in the entire franchise.

And that’s it for my Top 6 Super Nintendo games growing up in the Philippines and a big thanks for watching. Did I miss some of your favorite games? Let me know by commenting below!

🔝 Top 6 Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Games Growing Up in the Philippines

by earlamante | Jan 15, 2023 | Top 6

The Sega Genesis, also known as the Mega Drive, is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Sega in the late 1980s. It was one of the most popular consoles of its time and is still remembered fondly by many people today.

It was a very popular and successful video game console during its time. It was known for its high-quality graphics and sound, as well as its large library of games, which included many classic titles. Many people still enjoy playing Genesis games and the console has a strong following among retro gaming enthusiasts. In terms of its technical capabilities, the Genesis was slightly less powerful than some of its contemporaries, such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System or SNES, but it was still able to produce some impressive graphics and sound. Overall, the Sega Genesis was a well-regarded console that played a significant role in the history of video games.

In this episode, we are going to checkout the Best Sega Genesis or Mega Drive Games Growing Up in the Philippines.

Why Top 6? Because Top 10’s are everywhere and Top 5’s are not rare. Do you know what sticks? It is my top 6!

But first, take a second to hit on the Subscribe button so you will never miss another episode of my weekly Top 6.

Now let us go through the list and let us see how many of your favorite Genesis games I considered the best.

6. OutRun

OutRun is a classic racing game that was developed and released by Sega. It was one of the most popular games on the console and is still remembered dearly by many players today. The game features fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay, in which players must race through a series of stages while avoiding obstacles and trying to beat the clock. One of the key features of OutRun is its branching level design, which allows players to choose which path they want to take through each stage, adding an element of replayability to the game. Overall, OutRun is a fun and challenging racing game that is well worth playing for fans of the genre.

I cannot count the number of hours I played this game with the borrowed Mega Drive console from a neighbor. Since he is already bored with his games, he was kind enough to let me keep his console for the whole summer vacation!

5. Altered Beast

Altered Beast is a classic beat-’em-up game that was developed and released by Sega. The game is set in ancient Greece and follows a story in which a soldier is resurrected by Zeus to save Athena from the evil god, Neff. In order to defeat Neff and his minions, the player character must transform into various creatures, such as a wolf, a dragon, and a bear, by collecting power-up orbs that appear throughout the game. Altered Beast is remembered for its intense action, challenging gameplay, and impressive graphics and sound for its time. It is a beloved classic among fans of the genre and is still enjoyed by many players.

I was only able to play this game in an “Arcade” in my Grandma’s hometown. It is not your typical “Arcade” since it is in the mountains, but they were able to modify consoles to be inside arcade cabinets and a peso can give you 3 minutes of fun!

4. Golden Axe II

Golden Axe II is a side-scrolling hack-and-slash game that was developed and released by Sega. It is the sequel to the original Golden Axe game, which was also released for the Genesis. Like the first game, Golden Axe II features arcade-style gameplay in which players control one of three characters, each with their own unique abilities, and fight their way through a series of stages to defeat the evil Dark Guld and his minions.

Same with the Altered Beast, I was able to play this game in the same “Arcade” and I usually play with other kids who wants to finish the game. We would combine our coins since each coin enables both controllers.

3. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game that was developed and released by Midway. It is an updated version of the original Mortal Kombat 3 game, which was released for a variety of platforms, including the Sega Genesis. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 features improved graphics and gameplay, packaged with additional characters, stages, and game modes. The game is noted for its use of gruesome finishing moves, known as “fatalities,” which allow players to defeat their opponents in a particularly violent manner.

I have played this game a lot in the Arcade and SNES but I prefer the game in the Mega Drive because of the the gore and controls. Since the Mega Drive has 6 buttons in front, it feels like you have the arcade buttons in my hands.

2. Streets of Rage 2

Streets of Rage 2, also known as Bare Knuckle II in Japan, is a side-scrolling beat-’em-up game that was developed and released by Sega. Streets of Rage 2 features improved gameplay, as well as additional characters, stages, and moves. The game is set in a fictional city where the player characters, who are all former police officers, must fight against a criminal organization and its army of thugs to bring peace to the streets. The game is known for its fast-paced gameplay together with its catchy music and smooth animations.

Remember the neighbor who lent me his Sega Mega Drive? He has this game and I was lucky enough to enjoy this beat-’em-up game. When my cousin visits me while I have the console at home, we always resort to this game and kill enemies and time.

1. Sonic 3 & Knuckles

Sonic 3 & Knuckles is a platform game that was developed and released by Sega. It is an expansion of the original Sonic the Hedgehog 3 game, which was also released for the Genesis, and is a direct continuation of the story from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Sonic 3 & Knuckles features improved graphics, additional characters, stages, and moves. The game is renowned for its fast-paced and challenging gameplay, as well as its smooth animations and catchy music. One of the key features of Sonic 3 & Knuckles is its “lock-on” technology, which allows players to connect the game to Sonic & Knuckles, another Genesis game, and play as Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic 3 and Sonic 2. Sonic 3 & Knuckles is a classic title that is still enjoyed by many players today.

My neighbor’s Mega Drive was the Sonic 3 version, so it is normal that this game was bundled with it. Since I love platform games, this is automatically my favorite game in the Genesis not just because of the game music but also the game speed is also a new thing to me. Even though my eyes cannot keep up on some stages but it does not stop me from enjoying the game. Even if I usually end up failing in completing the game, I would still pick up the cartridge, insert it to the console and turn on the power for another round of sonic goodness.

And that’s it for my Top 6 Genesis games growing up in the Philippines and a big thanks for watching. Did I miss some of your favorite games? Let me know by commenting below!

🔝 Top 6 DOS Games Growing Up in the Philippines

by earlamante | Jan 8, 2023 | Top 6

It is Sunday that means, welcome to another episode of Top Picks.

Same as before, I am limiting 1 title per franchise to give a wider selection of titles. Why Top 6?

Top 10’s are everywhere and Top 5’s are also not rare.
You know what sticks? It is my Top six!

If you haven’t liked this video, hit on the thumbs-up icon and don’t forget to subscribe and be notified for future videos.

Before we proceed, you might be wondering What Is DOS?

DOS, which stands for Disk Operating System, is a type of operating system that was popular in the 1980s and early 1990s. It was originally developed by Microsoft for IBM-compatible personal computers. DOS was known for its simple command-line interface, which allowed users to enter commands to perform various tasks such as launching programs, managing files, and running system utilities. Although it has largely been replaced by modern operating systems such as Windows and Linux, some people still use DOS for certain tasks.

In the early days of gaming, many games were developed for DOS. These games were typically played on computers running DOS or a version of Windows that was built on top of the DOS operating system.

During this time, most computer games were played in a window on the desktop or in full-screen mode, and they were controlled using the keyboard and/or mouse. Many popular game genres, such as first-person shooters, role-playing games, and strategy games, were originally developed for DOS.

In the mid to late 1990s, as the popularity of console gaming began to rise and the capabilities of home computers increased, many game developers shifted their focus away from DOS and towards console platforms and newer versions of Windows. However, some DOS games have been re-released or made available through emulation, and they continue to be played by a dedicated group of gamers.

6. Battle Chess

Battle Chess is a computer game that was developed and published by Interplay Entertainment in 1988. It is a chess game that features animated chess pieces that come to life and battle each other when they capture each other on the board. The game is played using standard chess rules, and it includes options for different skill levels and computer opponents.

Battle Chess was originally released for the Commodore 64, Apple II, and PC (running DOS). Unfortunately in the Philippines, we are not that exposed to Commodore and Apple during the DOS era. The game was well-received and has been praised for its innovative blend of chess and animation.

I can still remember playing the 2-player mode because I want to see all the possible kill animation. Is it just me or the Queen is inspired by the Wicked Queen in Snow White?

5. Prince of Persia

Prince of Persia is a series of action-adventure video games that were developed and published by Brøderbund and later by Ubisoft. The original Prince of Persia game was released in 1989 and was developed for the Apple II. It was later ported to other platforms, including the PC (running DOS), Commodore 64, and Sega Genesis.

The game is set in ancient Persia and follows the story of a prince who must rescue the princess from the clutches of the evil Jaffar, with the double F, who has imprisoned her in the palace. The prince must navigate through a series of traps and obstacles, fighting enemies and solving puzzles along the way.

The game was well-received and has been praised for its new type of gameplay, challenging puzzles, and fluid animation. It has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs and has been released on a variety of platforms over the years.

As a method of checking if you have the original copy, in between each level, you will need to choose from multiple potions that has a corresponding letter. The game will then ask you the first letter of the Nth word of the Nth paragraph of the Nth page from the Game Manual. I have to scour from my neighbor and friends who has a copy of the Game Manual just to proceed to the later stages.

4. Jordan vs Bird: One on One

Jordan vs. Bird: One on One is a sports video game that was released for the PC (running DOS) in 1988. It is a one-on-one basketball game that features two of the greatest players in NBA history: Michael Jordan and Larry Bird.

In the game, players can choose to play as either Jordan or Bird and compete against each other in a game of one-on-one basketball. The game features simple graphics and controls, and the gameplay is focused on fast-paced, arcade-style action. Players can choose from a variety of different options, including different court types and difficulty levels.

The gameplay shown here might be fancier than our actual gaming experience back in the days because we only have monochrome monitors. We still had loads of fun playing the Slam Dunk contest and 3-point contest by tallying our total scores in a piece of paper.

3. SimCity 2000

SimCity 2000 is a city-building simulation video game that was developed and published by Maxis in 1993. It is the second game in the SimCity series and is the sequel to the original SimCity game.

In SimCity 2000, players assume the role of a city planner and must build and manage a city. They must build roads, houses, businesses, and other structures, and they must also provide services such as power, water, and police protection to their citizens. The game features a variety of different scenarios, each with its own unique challenges and goals, and players must make strategic decisions in order to keep their city running smoothly.

This is the only entry in my list that will require a mouse to play. I have zero knowledge on economy but I still play the game for its city development and DESTRUCTION phasing through your screen.

2. The Lion King

The Lion King is a popular animated film that was released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1994. Who doesn’t even know the existence of that movie? A video game based on the film was released for a variety of platforms, including the PC (running DOS). The Lion King is a side-scrolling platform game that follows the story of the film and features gameplay that is similar to other games in the genre. Players control Simba as he travels through the Pride Lands, fighting enemies and completing tasks in order to progress through the game.

I was only able to see the game played in a Console Rental shop and I my hands are itching to play the game. I do not own an SNES and my cousin who has an one does not have this game. But I was overjoyed when a classmate gave me a copy of the game that I can play in DOS!

1. OverKill

OverKill also known as OverKill: The Six-Planet Mega Blast is a vertical scrolling shooter that was developed by Tech-Noir and published by Epic MegaGames in 1992. The game was designed by Ste Cork with the assistance from Martin Holland.

The objective in Overkill is to destroy all enemies on a planet, thus restoring order. The ship has some basic necessities such as fuel, shields, and a weapon but it can be upgraded by picking up various goodies. Being hit by projectiles or running into enemy ships and walls damages the ship. Once the shield meter is depleted, the ship is destroyed and costs a life.

When we played this game, our immediate reaction was “Gradius + Galaga!”. We were not exposed to Raiden yet so we were not able to compare Overkill with Raiden. It is just a short game and since we have an ancient PC given by our school to play this game, we will need to wait for approximately 10 minutes for each stage to load!

And that’s it for my Top 6 DOS games growing up in the Philippines and a big thanks for watching. Did I miss some of your favorite games? Comment down below!

🔝 Top 6 NES Games Growing Up in the Philippines

by earlamante | Jan 1, 2023 | Top 6

A brand new year, a brand new series. I have seen a lot of top lists but I just want to share my top picks of a given topic as an individual who was born and raised in a province here in the Philippines!

I am limiting 1 title per franchise to give a wider selection of titles. Since I’m a Mega Man fan, I can’t just put all Mega Man games in my list. Why top 6? Well…

Top 10’s are everywhere and Top 5’s are also not rare.
You know what sticks? It is my Top six!

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6. Circus Charlie

Hearing the merry music of the first stage immediately nudges my nostalgia. Even if the game is just a simple one with 5 stages, I still have spent a good amount of time playing this game during my childhood. Jumping over the regular and blue monkey is still satisfying to this day!

5. Legend of Kage

When I was a kid, I got frustrated by this game. It is just so hard to beat and my weak little hands can’t keep up dodging all the projectiles. Stage 2 of this game gives me nightmares! Though I would want to restart the game back to the very beginning just to hear the opening music, before the princess got abducted.

4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game

Hearing the title screen BGM is an 8-bit masterpiece! I was not able to see the actual arcade game where this game was ported from but I can just imagine how great it was because this port was just perfect! Given that this was in an 8-bit format, but the gaming experience is really an Arcade in your Living Room!

3. Mega Man 2

I’m a fan of this series but I believe Mega Man 2 is the superior of all the Mega Man games in the NES. Even though the Slide is not introduced to the title yet, but I feel the game is balanced that it will frustrate you because it is difficult but not too difficult that you can’t just beat the game.

2. Contra

Can you still remember the thrill when you learned about the Konami code? Immediately pressing the button combinations while being serenaded by the epic opening music that rumbles your living room and the explosion SFX that culminates it? The glee when you can see 4 medals under your player name instead of the dreadful 2. Feeling invulnerable with your 30 lives as you rampage through the stages and save the world from an alien invasion!

1. Super Mario 3

The very first game I finished was the original Super Mario Bros. No matter how many times I beat the game, I still play it over and over. I can vaguely remember the days when my parents left a 5-year old me in the Console Rental place in a Department Store here in our province. I know it’s very dangerous leaving a 5-year old kid unattended today, but that’s how we roll in the early 90’s. Older kids and teenagers will gather around me while they watch me beat the game with my fragile little hands working my way around the controller to maneuver Mario and do the 1-2, 4-2 warps.

Just imagine how thrilled I am when a third and perfect installment was released. My mouth was just open the whole time I played the game because the game I loved was upgraded a thousand fold!