The trick is to completely withdraw your Pokémon between phases and just focus on fully dodging.

Took me too many tries myself, but once I put my 'mon away it clicked.

My romp through the "Illusion" series is almost done. Some people prefer Land of Illusion to Castle of Illusion, but not me. I definitely respect that it evolves various mechanics established from the first game, but I think both Genesis & SMS Castle of Illusion outdo it when it comes to charm.

I loved Crystalis on Game Boy Color as a kid. I wish I could tell you this was my childhood cart, but I was happy to add it to my collection anyway.

Parts of it certainly don’t age well. But it sure did teleport me back to the early aughts.

say that name three times out loud in a mirror and he appears behind you.

After a harrowing eBay journey, my relatively cheap & brand new copy of Deep Duck Trouble has been freed & completed. I'm honestly a fan of how this game handles its bosses—Donald only has to "battle against" the final one. For the rest of the game, he just funnily tries to run away!

One of a few instances where I get to say, “Told ya so!” :)

You don't earn anything for completing the Blue & Purple Grand Prix. The game ends (with credits) if you place first in all 6 White Grand Prix races & win the finale.

I grew up playing my copy of Sonic Drift 2, and I never actually saw the credits until now-ish. The game doesn't have a save battery. So if you're 7 years old or whatever, you just kind of assume, "Run a cup, then it's over."

Once I actually knew how to beat it, I ran the other cups just because.

My history with World of Illusion is funny. Sold the cartridge I've had since childhood to @hrg.tv, and he streamed it for his channel. In that time, he got the box & manual for it—then sold it back to me the other day.

I really dig how this one has slightly different levels depending on who plays!

After playing the Master System version of Castle of Illusion for the first time, I 100%ed both the Genesis & 2013 remake of the game one level at a time. Gosh, the remake is so dear to me. It's still for sale on Steam, but the console versions of the game have long been delisted. It's a dang shame!

I am truly gob-smacked.

That Trolls DOS game was....a formative part of my childhood. and this clone existed, and it's too late for me to pay the $3 on the eShop.

Someone in the PAL region scribbled in these manuals & played the snot out of these cartridges as a kid. Some 30+ years later, it was my turn.

I don't understand why only the Game Gear versions of these games ever get ported! SMS has more screen real-estate, so Sonic 2 especially is more playable.

gosh. the last time I had a "family thanksgiving" was....2011? Before?

Wouldn't dream of it these days, so beeest of luuuuck.

I remember when Mr. Iwata promised DLC for New Super Mario Bros. 2 wouldn’t even begin development until after the main game was completed.

Lmao, how times have changed.

I love Pokémon more than most things. But TPCi—and especially this game—has become so OUTWARDLY cynical. I want to like stuff. 😭

The main reason I buy this stuff is to add to my full Living Pokédex in Pokémon HOME, as well as hang out with my cherished 20-year-old past 'mons in a postgame setting. With neither of these things motivating me, maybe my time with ZA truly ends on a sour note.

I hope something changes my mind.

The next step up is Over 500, so there probably ARE 200+ hours for the games you think. :)