CCIV: Game of the Year 1996 Round Five

[Neon Ignition]

Ploughing on through the winter days we push through the mid-section of the mid-90's in this fifth round of titles to choose from.


Which of the above games was amongst the best released in 1995?

[DeathAdder]

Lords of the Realm 2 is utterly brilliant. A superb mix of turn-based and real-time strategy. The turn-based side is better, but the real-time is fun, and can be skipped by people who just want to play the turn-based part. It’s one of my most played steam games.

[Atticus]

Metal Slug! Mixed feelings on this iconic masterpiece ... one of the finest 2D blasters ever made and the peak of my Neo Geo collecting insanity

Also got a real soft spot for Mario Kart 64. Remember getting the Japanese big box release that came with an extra controller. Loved playing it with friends over that Christmas and Bowser's Castle is still one of my fave circuits

[Asura]

Mario Kart 64, close the competition My favourite game of the series and probably in my top 20 favourite games of all time.

EDIT: Before anyone points it out, I can agree that the original and MK8 are objectively better in various ways. But subjectively, I will always have a soft spot for 64.

[Solar]

MK64 and Metal Slug are the clear winners here!

[Neon Ignition]

Yep, same two for me

[Hirst]

I have to vote for MS Flight Sim 95 as I devoted absolutely hours to it on my Pentium 100. When I got my PC upgraded (to a Cyrix 333 and 128MB RAM) I was able to turn the detail settings up to max. New York looked mad, hundreds of tower blocks on screen at once.

I remember getting a few unofficial add-on packs too, big box releases. I had one to add Concorde and one of some scenery round Italy.

I know it's laughably dated now, but back then with the settings up doing a night flight in a 747 with the engines humming away... it had a certain atmosphere.

[Colin]

The original Metal Slug, for my personal gaming taste, is nigh on perfection. Still play it nearly every week to this day and it still looks absolutely stunning. A real 2D superstar that the current old school revivalists can't hold a candle to graphically or gameplay wise for my money.

[CMcK]

Metal Slug is the clear winner there it's an utter classic. I really enjoyed Mechwarrior 2 BITD as well.

[Hirst]

I feel something which might be controversial - am I alone in thinking Metal Slug is the pinnacle of the entire series? I do like the sequels, but I think the original is the best one. I like the levels and the design is very lean with no extraneous stuff.

[Neon Ignition]

I've always been somewhat partial to Metal Slug 3 out of the full line up

[Colin]

I feel something which might be controversial - am I alone in thinking Metal Slug is the pinnacle of the entire series? I do like the sequels, but I think the original is the best one. I like the levels and the design is very lean with no extraneous stuff.

I'm with you on that Hirst, with X close behind, then 3.

[Asura]

I honestly confuse all the Metal Slug games. I forget which one is which.

EDIT: That is to say, I find them all really entertaining and have never really picked.

[CMcK]

I'd go for X as the pick of the bunch very closely followed by 3 then the original.

[phillv85]

My Metal Slug for the Neo Geo order is 2, 1, 3, X, 5, 4.