Author Topic: RetroActive #11 Poll -- Second Chance Edition (Read 17503 times)

Jonnyboy117 · « **on:** January 16, 2010, 01:27:47 PM »

The theme for this edition of RetroActive is "Second Chance". The nominees were all runners-up in previous, console-specific polls. There was a tie for second place in the Super Nintendo poll, hence the presence of two games from that platform. Also note that Bonk's Revenge actually came in third on the TurboGrafx-16 poll, but the true second-place game, Cho-Aniki, has been disqualified under our "Three Strikes" rule. (Cho-Aniki was also included in two other early polls.)

All five of these games are available on Virtual Console at the usual prices.

Please use this thread to discuss the nominees and argue for your favorite. The poll results will remain hidden until voting has ended.

Killer_Man_Jaro · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2010, 02:01:17 PM »

Woo. Now this is a poll I can get on board with.

I would like a good excuse to try out Bonk's Revenge, so I'm voting for that. Bonk: Brink of Extinction is coming to WiiWare in a couple of months and I don't even know if I should be excited about it. No better way to find out than to play one of its ancestors.

If I am totally honest with myself though, I'll bet that Super Mario RPG wins. That's not so bad; it's still fun to play through; that said, I feel the Mario & Luigi and Paper Mario series have surpassed it in most respects. Plus, nearly everyone has already played SMRPG. It's nice to go for something most people haven't experienced and it isn't such a risk when it's something well renowned like Bonk's Revenge (which is meant to be the best of the TG-16 trilogy if I'm not mistaken).

Mop it up · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2010, 02:11:59 PM »

I voted for Super Mario RPG: Legend of The Seven Stars, though I wouldn't mind if StarTropics won. I don't own the other games or systems.

BeautifulShy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2010, 02:51:51 PM »

Out of the ones listed I have Star Tropics,Comix Zone and Super Mario RPG.Haven't played Actraiser or Bonk's Revenge yet.

Jonny what happens to the losers of the poll? Is there a chance of them coming back in another poll?

Jonnyboy117 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2010, 03:36:28 PM »

Quote from: Maxi on January 16, 2010, 02:51:51 PM

Jonny what happens to the losers of the poll? Is there a chance of them coming back in another poll?

The losers of this poll do have a chance to come back eventually, although it would probably be a while. Super Mario RPG might be on its third chance, but I'd have to confirm that.

Halbred · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2010, 04:06:21 PM »

Totally going with Super Mario RPG. I've been looking for an excuse to play that again.

vudu · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2010, 05:39:32 PM »

Super Mario RPG is boring. It hasn't held up well, especially compared to the other Mario RPGs available. It's also been discussed to death on RFN.

ActRaiser is unique--and I'd love an excuse to finally play it--but it's already been discussed on RFN several times.

Bonk's Revenge is a fun game, but it's pretty much a straight-up early 90s mascot platformer, so there's not a whole lot to talk about.

My vote's for either Star Tropics or Comix Zone. I haven't decided yet. Probably wait until the poll gets closer to ending so I can see which has a chance of winning (assuming either can compete with the juggernaut that is sure to be Mario RPG).

NWR_DrewMG · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2010, 08:38:48 PM »

I think Super Mario RPG holds up far better than the Paper Mario series, personally.

Halbred · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2010, 08:58:11 PM »

Hell yes it does. Paper Mario is...Fisher Price's My First RPG. Aside from Superstar Saga, SMRPG is my favorite Mario-themed RPG (because there's been so many).

Stratos · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2010, 05:23:03 AM »

I voted for Star Tropics. I think some people talking about the difficulty of Comix Zone turned me off of that one. I never finished playing through SMRPG when I got it on VC so I'll probably just pick up where I left off if it wins.

I knew I had some points sitting around on the shop for a reason! I have gone in and almist spent it several times but I kept thinking it had a specific reason for being there.

Killer_Man_Jaro · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2010, 07:54:22 AM »

Quote from: Halbred on January 16, 2010, 08:58:11 PM

Hell yes it does. Paper Mario is...Fisher Price's My First RPG. Aside from Superstar Saga, SMRPG is my favorite Mario-themed RPG (because there's been so many).

Honestly, Super Mario RPG couldn't be more aptly named. That's all it is: an RPG with Mario. I'm happy that Paper Mario and its successors only contain light RPG elements because, at heart, they are puzzle platformers. That's the bulk of the gameplay and I personally find it more interesting.

Don't get me wrong, I like SMRPG. However, bear in mind that whatever gets picked is talked about at length twice on RFN. As Vudu pointed out, it has already been discussed ad nauseum on earlier episodes. I fear discussion on it could quickly lean towards "been there, done that".
Hey, you know what hasn't been talked about yet and hasn't been played by many people? Bonk's Revenge.

BeautifulShy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2010, 07:58:22 AM »

I'm waiting on Jonny to let me know if Mario RPG is on its 3 chance before voting. If it is than I'm voting for it. The other games will have another chance.

Stratos · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2010, 04:01:21 PM »

Its on its second run. I'm pretty sure the SNES poll was its first chance.

TJ Spyke · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2010, 07:00:31 PM »

Super Mario RPG is the worst of the Mario RPG games (the Paper Mario games are so much more fun and the Mario & Luigi games are really fun too), but it's still a good game. In the future I would like to talk about Comix Zone and StarTropics, but for this poll I am going with Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.

happyastoria · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2010, 08:29:57 PM »

two words: Comix Zone

- NintendoFan - · « **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2010, 08:40:03 PM »

StarTropics all the way. I quite enjoy the Americanized Zelda-style.

GearBoxClock · « **Reply #16 on:** January 17, 2010, 08:41:14 PM »

Man, I just bought Cho Aniki a few days ago. I'd love to hear your guy's thoughts on it. Oh well

Jet Pilot · « **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2010, 08:53:31 PM »

Super Mario RPG has dated visuals and is a slow, boring and repetitive game. In addition the game is just too long.

Actraiser has beautiful 16-bit visuals with a soundtrack that pushes the SNES to its limit. In addition, the gameplay combines two genres for an exciting game with an enjoyable story. The simulation is fairly basic but serves its purpose in the story well. The platforming has crisp controls, well designed levels and challenging bosses. The length of the game is perfect as well. Long enough to be a great experience, but no so long that it feels like the developers put in filler material just to extend the length of the game.

I vote for Actraiser.

broodwars · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2010, 09:32:12 PM »

Whatever does get picked, I hope it's neither Actraiser nor Startropics because those games have been discussed to death on this podcast. Bonk's Revenge I couldn't care less about (I wasn't interested in the TG-16 when it came out, and I'm even less interested now), and Comix Zone is just cruelly difficult (but I would play it if it won, as I already own it). I chose Super Mario RPG as the lesser of all evils. It's by far my favorite of the Mario RPGs (and I'd argue it's the only good console Mario RPG), but I wouldn't be likely to play it now since I already gave it a replay back in September.

AV · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2010, 10:12:53 PM »

COMIX ZONE FTW !!!!!!!!

Sorry Jonny. I am curious what you guys think about the 'puzzles'.

Jonnyboy117 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 17, 2010, 11:10:59 PM »

I think some people are exaggerating how much we have discussed any of these games. I know most of them have come up in New Business, probably when they first hit Virtual Console, but that means we spent at most ten minutes discussing them, probably over a year ago. The great thing about RetroActive is that we can get all four crew members, plus the listeners, playing together and discussing the detailed mechanics, aesthetic choices, progression, etc.

TheYoungerPlumber · « **Reply #21 on:** January 17, 2010, 11:32:58 PM »

I'd be happy with any of these except Comix Zone.

TJ Spyke · « **Reply #22 on:** January 17, 2010, 11:42:22 PM »

I am not sure how much fun Comix Zone would be. I actually did own the Genesis original (I don't know if I still have it) and I played it on Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection. It's just so frustratingly cheap and difficult. I never could get that far in the game. I liked the look of the game though.

MarioIsFrench · « **Reply #23 on:** January 18, 2010, 12:15:18 AM »

Bonk's Revenge! Bonk's Revenge! Bonk's Revenge!

freezestar · « **Reply #24 on:** January 18, 2010, 02:56:07 PM »

I vote choaniki and you can't stop me!

noname2200 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 18, 2010, 03:23:05 PM »

The only one there I haven't played before is Bonk's Revenge. In a twist on my usual practice, I'm going to vote for that one, just to see what all the fuss was about.

vudu · « **Reply #26 on:** January 18, 2010, 03:30:52 PM »

Bonk's Revenge is a fun, cute mascot platformer, but it's nothing revolutionary. I honestly don't think there would be much to discuss. It's competent, but it doesn't take too many risks and there's nothing to make it stand out from dozens of other games just like it.

gojira · « **Reply #27 on:** January 18, 2010, 04:59:03 PM »

I'm going with ActRaiser. I've never played it, but have always heard good things.

I didn't really care for Bonk's Adventure. Bonk's Revenge is supposed to be better, so I would probably still play it, but I'm not that ecstatic. I don't really find Comix Zone or StarTropics all that much fun. Super Mario RPG is a great game, but just a bit more interested in ActRaiser.

Stratos · « **Reply #28 on:** January 19, 2010, 05:56:03 AM »

Now I want to vote for Actraiser instead...is there any way to change my vote?

vudu · « **Reply #29 on:** January 19, 2010, 01:43:04 PM »

Quote from: Stratos on January 19, 2010, 05:56:03 AM

Now I want to vote for Actraiser instead...is there any way to change my vote?

There is if Jonny set it so you can change your vote. Knowing his feelings about these polls, you probably can't.

However, I can reset the poll so everything's back to zero. Would that help?

Jonnyboy117 · « **Reply #30 on:** January 19, 2010, 10:15:32 PM »

I have no problem with people changing their votes and usually check that box. This time was mere oversight, and it has been corrected now.

Stratos · « **Reply #31 on:** January 19, 2010, 10:22:32 PM »

Yay! Thanks Jonny.

Go Actraiser!

noname2200 · « **Reply #32 on:** January 21, 2010, 12:46:06 AM »

In light of the Bonk's Revenge hate, I guess I'll change my vote too. Thanks for the heads-up!

gojira · « **Reply #33 on:** January 21, 2010, 05:55:51 PM »

To be fair to Bonk's Revenge, it's supposedly a lot better than the first one (which I disliked). And the most recent post of 1up's Retronauts Blog they talk about how good Bonk's Revenge was. If it won, I would definitely download it.

vudu · « **Reply #34 on:** January 21, 2010, 06:33:40 PM »

I'm not saying Bonk's Revenge is a bad title. I had quite a bit of fun with it. It's a bright, cheerful, 2D platformer. But there's simply nothing worth talking about except maybe the ridiculously difficult bonus stages.

Fatty The Hutt · « **Reply #35 on:** January 21, 2010, 08:14:32 PM »

Well, I've read up on all these games now and decided to vote for ActRaiser. I was initially thinking I'd vote for StarTropics as I'd heard about it but ActRaiser just sounds so intriguing. I'm not much interested in Bonk and I'm not in the mood for MarioRPG. ComixZone just sounds too hard for my liking. But ActRaiser sounds trippy and well executed so I hope it wins. I haven't played any of the candidates so whatever is chosen, at least it'll be new to me.

BTW, the opportunity to vote caused me to finally join the NWR Forums instead of just lurking. This is my first post. This will also be my first participation in RetroActive. Looking forward to it. I adore the podcast.

vudu · « **Reply #36 on:** January 21, 2010, 08:44:54 PM »

There you have it, people! If you don't vote for ActRaiser you not only hate good games, you also are driving away new people from the forums!

Stratos · « **Reply #37 on:** January 22, 2010, 04:09:13 AM »

Yay Fatty Da Hutt! Yay Actraiser!

Killer_Man_Jaro · « **Reply #38 on:** January 22, 2010, 12:01:38 PM »

Stupid democratic process. Well, now that Bonk's Revenge has virtually no chance of winning, I guess I have no choice but to switch my vote to Super Mario RPG.

greybrick · « **Reply #39 on:** January 23, 2010, 03:34:38 AM »

I voted for Super Mario RPG, on my most recent playthrough I put down the controller when I remembered just how much of an insufferable wretch Mallow was but I have been wanting to get back into it after Mario and Luigi 3.

Halbred · « **Reply #40 on:** January 23, 2010, 05:09:35 AM »

Mallow is kind of a crybaby. The awesomeness that is Geno makes up for it, though.

greybrick · « **Reply #41 on:** January 23, 2010, 12:25:29 PM »

Quote from: Halbred on January 23, 2010, 05:09:35 AM

Mallow is kind of a crybaby. The awesomeness that is Geno makes up for it, though.

Someone without a soul created Mallow. Since I don't remember Geno, I am looking forward to replaying the game all the more!

iDraTion · « **Reply #42 on:** January 23, 2010, 12:28:27 PM »

Plus playable Bowser, it was like Godzilla joining up with with his first enemy, Anguirus, to fight Gigan & King Ghidorah, exciting stuff

kraken613 · « **Reply #43 on:** January 23, 2010, 11:56:29 PM »

No Cho-Aniki no vote.... I need an excuse to buy it... lol

vudu · « **Reply #44 on:** January 24, 2010, 11:37:32 AM »

... That's not lol-worthy. It wasn't even funny.

noname2200 · « **Reply #45 on:** January 24, 2010, 01:47:29 PM »

Quote from: vudu on January 21, 2010, 08:44:54 PM

There you have it, people! If you don't vote for ActRaiser you not only hate good games, you also are driving away new people from the forums!

Bah, I joined the forums specifically to vote for Ogre Battle, and it still wound up in last place. He'll get over it too.

Suffering builds character!

Quote from: Killer_Man_Jaro on January 22, 2010, 12:01:38 PM

Stupiddemocratic process. Well, now that Bonk's Revenge has virtually nochance of winning, I guess I have no choice but to switch my vote toSuper Mario RPG.

You don't have to do that. You can spit in the eye of The Man and tell it like it is! If people can vote for Ron Paul, you can vote for Bonk's Revenge!

Quote from: kraken613 on January 23, 2010, 11:56:29 PM

No Cho-Aniki no vote.... I need an excuse to buy it... lol

What, the Man Beam isn't enough reason?!

Stratos · « **Reply #46 on:** January 24, 2010, 04:29:47 PM »

Quote from: noname2200 on January 24, 2010, 01:47:29 PM

You don't have to do that. You can spit in the eye of The Man and tell it like it is! If people can vote for Ron Paul, you can vote for Bonk's Revenge!

A vote for Bonk is a vote for Ron? Bonk Paul 2012?

vudu · « **Reply #47 on:** January 24, 2010, 05:45:06 PM »

Keep the politics-talk out of this thread.

Bonk's Revenge is more like Nader--you know he's not going to win and any votes he does get will hurt the next-best candidate who might otherwise stand a chance.

Stratos · « **Reply #48 on:** January 25, 2010, 03:57:37 AM »

LOL. Now I want to assign each game in this poll a politician for fun...but even if I do it in a non-partisan and silly way I'm willing to bet that someone who can't control themselves will jump in and diss one of them and cause a minor scuffle that ends in tears, bans and thread locks...

nitsu niflheim · « **Reply #49 on:** January 25, 2010, 11:44:42 AM »

Star Tropics got my vote, because I have fond memories of playing it. Super Mario Bros RPG and Actraiser are both great games and I enjoyed the Hell of out them, Star Tropics and ST2 has always felt to me like the black sheep in Nintendo's lineup.

DmentD · « **Reply #50 on:** January 25, 2010, 04:18:13 PM »

Since I barely remember ever playing Bonk, and since they are releasing a new Bonk game for Wiiware, I voted for Bonk's Revenge.

Jonnyboy117 · « **Reply #51 on:** January 27, 2010, 02:16:03 PM »

Okay, Super Mario RPG is the winner! (Not my first choice, but I abstained from voting and tried to avoid influencing the vote.)
I'll start a thread for the game in this section, so please concentrate your comments on it there.

vudu · « **Reply #52 on:** January 27, 2010, 02:18:14 PM »

Out of curiosity, what was your first choice?

Jonnyboy117 · « **Reply #53 on:** January 28, 2010, 02:14:33 AM »

I love SMRPG, ActRaiser, and StarTropics (and have already downloaded all three on VC). I have played Comix Zone and do not like it. So, my first choice would be Bonk's Revenge, because it would be new to me, and because I liked the GameCube remake of the first one, and because Bonk is about to become relevant again with the WiiWare game.

Fatty The Hutt · « **Reply #54 on:** January 28, 2010, 01:57:07 PM »

Super Mario RPG, huh? Why is it anything with "Mario" in the title always gets the popular vote? I think Nintendo may be on to something here. Someone should tell them. Maybe they'll make Mario their official mascot or something. like Mickey Mouse! Everyone loves Mickey Mouse, right?

Anyway, here we go with SMRPG.

BeautifulShy · « **Reply #55 on:** January 29, 2010, 02:20:12 AM »

Quote from: Jonnyboy117 on January 27, 2010, 02:16:03 PM

Okay, Super Mario RPG is the winner! (Not my first choice, but I abstained from voting and tried to avoid influencing the vote.)
I'll start a thread for the game in this section, so please concentrate your comments on it there.

When are you going to post the topic for Super Mario RPG?

Fatty The Hutt · « **Reply #56 on:** January 29, 2010, 09:30:57 AM »

I downloaded and started playing last night. Good game so far.

I have things to say. Where's our thread?

Jonnyboy117 · « **Reply #57 on:** January 29, 2010, 12:39:30 PM »

Thread is coming up right now. By the way, I talked this over with the RFN guys last night, and we are going to try to avoid putting mega-hits like Mario on future polls. I didn't have much choice this time, since the nominees were pre-selected. From here on, I want to have games in the poll that find a balance between not being too obscure (we want something people will actually play) and yet be less obvious and well known than a Mario game, of which SMRPG is our second so far.

noname2200 · « **Reply #58 on:** January 29, 2010, 03:05:25 PM »

Quote from: Fatty_The_Hutt on January 28, 2010, 01:57:07 PM

Super Mario RPG, huh? Why is it anything with "Mario" in the title always gets the popular vote? I think Nintendo may be on to something here. Someone should tell them. Maybe they'll make Mario their official mascot or something. like Mickey Mouse! Everyone loves Mickey Mouse, right?

Great thinking! While it's unlikely that the Mario Craze will last long, you've got to capitalize on your IPs while you can! He'll never be as cool as Sonic, who captured over a third of the top 20 NPD slots recently, but maybe he can become a cult hit?

Stratos · « **Reply #59 on:** January 29, 2010, 03:08:01 PM »

Quote from: Jonnyboy117 on January 29, 2010, 12:39:30 PM

Thread is coming up right now. By the way, I talked this over with the RFN guys last night, and we are going to try to avoid putting mega-hits like Mario on future polls. I didn't have much choice this time, since the nominees were pre-selected. From here on, I want to have games in the poll that find a balance between not being too obscure (we want something people will actually play) and yet be less obvious and well known than a Mario game, of which SMRPG is our second so far.

I appreciate that, Jonny. Though I suppose we could do a 'Mario' themed poll down the road and that could level the playing field a good deal.

Fatty The Hutt · « **Reply #60 on:** February 01, 2010, 10:05:42 AM »

Quote from: Jonnyboy117 on January 29, 2010, 12:39:30 PM

Thread is coming up right now. By the way, I talked this over with the RFN guys last night, and we are going to try to avoid putting mega-hits like Mario on future polls. I didn't have much choice this time, since the nominees were pre-selected. From here on, I want to have games in the poll that find a balance between not being too obscure (we want something people will actually play) and yet be less obvious and well known than a Mario game, of which SMRPG is our second so far.

This is an excellent idea. I support it (even though I have never played Super Mario RPG and may not have but for this RetroActive. At least you've got one newbie for this round.)

And thanks for putting up the thread. I should get a-posting soon.

broodwars · « **Reply #61 on:** March 29, 2010, 10:14:39 AM »

Heh, looks like the N64 pickings just got a hell of a lot better.

Stratos · « **Reply #62 on:** March 29, 2010, 11:16:54 AM »

It also opens up a whole world of possibilities because this is the first 3rd party title to be released for the N64 VC. Here's hoping they really are opening it up.

Mop it up · « **Reply #63 on:** March 29, 2010, 08:51:39 PM »

The game was published by Nintendo in Japan, so it isn't wholly a third-party game. I'd imagine that this is the only reason the game is on the service, and otherwise it wouldn't be there. There still are no 100% third-party Nintendo 64 games on the service.

Stratos · « **Reply #64 on:** March 30, 2010, 04:39:47 AM »

But it gives hope. Especially if Square is impressed with the sales of the VC version and support it with more stuff.

News:

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Which game should be played and discussed on RFN for the next RetroActive?

Author Topic: RetroActive #11 Poll -- Second Chance Edition (Read 17503 times)