Ryan
@shadowdx.bsky.social
Believe Women. Trans rights are human rights. Black lives matter. Video games are art. (I tweet about video games and social justice) (he/him)
on a later version like the Game Boy Color. Wario Land though I remember obsessively grinding for coins and searching for all the treasures while riding in a car. You can bet I earned my castle.
January 1, 2026 at 5:44 AM
on a later version like the Game Boy Color. Wario Land though I remember obsessively grinding for coins and searching for all the treasures while riding in a car. You can bet I earned my castle.
44. Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Game Boy 1994)
I don't remember when I first got my original Game Boy, but I was probably the only kid who had one and didn't play Tetris on it.
I have several favorites on the Game Boy, but most of them I either played on the Super Game Boy device or...
I don't remember when I first got my original Game Boy, but I was probably the only kid who had one and didn't play Tetris on it.
I have several favorites on the Game Boy, but most of them I either played on the Super Game Boy device or...
January 1, 2026 at 5:44 AM
44. Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Game Boy 1994)
I don't remember when I first got my original Game Boy, but I was probably the only kid who had one and didn't play Tetris on it.
I have several favorites on the Game Boy, but most of them I either played on the Super Game Boy device or...
I don't remember when I first got my original Game Boy, but I was probably the only kid who had one and didn't play Tetris on it.
I have several favorites on the Game Boy, but most of them I either played on the Super Game Boy device or...
due to the limited nature of the early gamepad controls.
I remember being disappointed that the DualShock controllers did not work with it, but considering how early it was ported I was not surprised.
I know those polygons look ancient today, but it's still beautiful to me.
I remember being disappointed that the DualShock controllers did not work with it, but considering how early it was ported I was not surprised.
I know those polygons look ancient today, but it's still beautiful to me.
January 1, 2026 at 5:36 AM
due to the limited nature of the early gamepad controls.
I remember being disappointed that the DualShock controllers did not work with it, but considering how early it was ported I was not surprised.
I know those polygons look ancient today, but it's still beautiful to me.
I remember being disappointed that the DualShock controllers did not work with it, but considering how early it was ported I was not surprised.
I know those polygons look ancient today, but it's still beautiful to me.
43. Cyber Sled (Arcade 1993)
This was a 1 on 1 arena tank combat game with dual joysticks.
It was probably the first arcade game I played where you had your own screen.
The PSX port did not do it justice...
This was a 1 on 1 arena tank combat game with dual joysticks.
It was probably the first arcade game I played where you had your own screen.
The PSX port did not do it justice...
January 1, 2026 at 5:36 AM
43. Cyber Sled (Arcade 1993)
This was a 1 on 1 arena tank combat game with dual joysticks.
It was probably the first arcade game I played where you had your own screen.
The PSX port did not do it justice...
This was a 1 on 1 arena tank combat game with dual joysticks.
It was probably the first arcade game I played where you had your own screen.
The PSX port did not do it justice...
42. Aerobiz Supersonic (SNES 1994)
Unlike Liberty or Death, I rented this game and so I only really scratched the surface. Still, I enjoyed my time with it.
Honestly, I didn't remember that this game was also made by Koei, but in hindsight that seems kind of obvious.
Unlike Liberty or Death, I rented this game and so I only really scratched the surface. Still, I enjoyed my time with it.
Honestly, I didn't remember that this game was also made by Koei, but in hindsight that seems kind of obvious.
January 1, 2026 at 5:28 AM
42. Aerobiz Supersonic (SNES 1994)
Unlike Liberty or Death, I rented this game and so I only really scratched the surface. Still, I enjoyed my time with it.
Honestly, I didn't remember that this game was also made by Koei, but in hindsight that seems kind of obvious.
Unlike Liberty or Death, I rented this game and so I only really scratched the surface. Still, I enjoyed my time with it.
Honestly, I didn't remember that this game was also made by Koei, but in hindsight that seems kind of obvious.
41. Maximum Carnage (SNES 1994)
Kind of a funny coincidence, but I read the book and played the game for both Maximum Carnage and the SNES Lord of the Rings game.
My best friend was all about this game, and was a big fan of Green Jelly who composed the soundtrack.
Venom > Spidey
Kind of a funny coincidence, but I read the book and played the game for both Maximum Carnage and the SNES Lord of the Rings game.
My best friend was all about this game, and was a big fan of Green Jelly who composed the soundtrack.
Venom > Spidey
January 1, 2026 at 4:52 AM
41. Maximum Carnage (SNES 1994)
Kind of a funny coincidence, but I read the book and played the game for both Maximum Carnage and the SNES Lord of the Rings game.
My best friend was all about this game, and was a big fan of Green Jelly who composed the soundtrack.
Venom > Spidey
Kind of a funny coincidence, but I read the book and played the game for both Maximum Carnage and the SNES Lord of the Rings game.
My best friend was all about this game, and was a big fan of Green Jelly who composed the soundtrack.
Venom > Spidey
40. The Lord of the Rings (SNES 1994)
This game was a colossal disappointment.
I remember generally being annoyed by the slow attacks and the difficulty in hitting fast enemies like wolves.
Inevitably your CPU controlled companions would get killed.
Permanently.
Oh well.
This game was a colossal disappointment.
I remember generally being annoyed by the slow attacks and the difficulty in hitting fast enemies like wolves.
Inevitably your CPU controlled companions would get killed.
Permanently.
Oh well.
January 1, 2026 at 4:41 AM
40. The Lord of the Rings (SNES 1994)
This game was a colossal disappointment.
I remember generally being annoyed by the slow attacks and the difficulty in hitting fast enemies like wolves.
Inevitably your CPU controlled companions would get killed.
Permanently.
Oh well.
This game was a colossal disappointment.
I remember generally being annoyed by the slow attacks and the difficulty in hitting fast enemies like wolves.
Inevitably your CPU controlled companions would get killed.
Permanently.
Oh well.
39. The Incredible Machine (PC 1993)
Although I went through my own brief Minecraft phase in my late 20's, this was a similar experience in 1993.
Poor Bob the fish's bowl was always getting broken.
I'm not sure when I learned the term 'Rube Goldberg Machine,' but I sure loved making them here.
Although I went through my own brief Minecraft phase in my late 20's, this was a similar experience in 1993.
Poor Bob the fish's bowl was always getting broken.
I'm not sure when I learned the term 'Rube Goldberg Machine,' but I sure loved making them here.
January 1, 2026 at 4:31 AM
39. The Incredible Machine (PC 1993)
Although I went through my own brief Minecraft phase in my late 20's, this was a similar experience in 1993.
Poor Bob the fish's bowl was always getting broken.
I'm not sure when I learned the term 'Rube Goldberg Machine,' but I sure loved making them here.
Although I went through my own brief Minecraft phase in my late 20's, this was a similar experience in 1993.
Poor Bob the fish's bowl was always getting broken.
I'm not sure when I learned the term 'Rube Goldberg Machine,' but I sure loved making them here.
getting a 'Persuadertron' and using it to amass a huge crowd of brainwashed people. I don't think I knew what to do with them though.
Definitely a game that made you feel like there was a lot going on, even if you couldn't quite follow it.
Definitely a game that made you feel like there was a lot going on, even if you couldn't quite follow it.
January 1, 2026 at 4:23 AM
getting a 'Persuadertron' and using it to amass a huge crowd of brainwashed people. I don't think I knew what to do with them though.
Definitely a game that made you feel like there was a lot going on, even if you couldn't quite follow it.
Definitely a game that made you feel like there was a lot going on, even if you couldn't quite follow it.
38. Syndicate (PC 1993)
I'm not going to say that I had no idea what was going on in this game, but I spent a lot of time being very confused.
Still, the cyberpunk aesthetic and ability to research and use new weapons was very engaging, even if I always seemed to hit a dead end. I remember...
I'm not going to say that I had no idea what was going on in this game, but I spent a lot of time being very confused.
Still, the cyberpunk aesthetic and ability to research and use new weapons was very engaging, even if I always seemed to hit a dead end. I remember...
January 1, 2026 at 4:23 AM
38. Syndicate (PC 1993)
I'm not going to say that I had no idea what was going on in this game, but I spent a lot of time being very confused.
Still, the cyberpunk aesthetic and ability to research and use new weapons was very engaging, even if I always seemed to hit a dead end. I remember...
I'm not going to say that I had no idea what was going on in this game, but I spent a lot of time being very confused.
Still, the cyberpunk aesthetic and ability to research and use new weapons was very engaging, even if I always seemed to hit a dead end. I remember...
This game is kind of amazing, but also kind of really difficult.
Maybe it was bad timing or poor marketing, but for whatever reason, I don't think that Plok ever got his due.
"Ha! Haaa! I showed them! I was Ploktastic back there!"
Maybe it was bad timing or poor marketing, but for whatever reason, I don't think that Plok ever got his due.
"Ha! Haaa! I showed them! I was Ploktastic back there!"
January 1, 2026 at 4:16 AM
This game is kind of amazing, but also kind of really difficult.
Maybe it was bad timing or poor marketing, but for whatever reason, I don't think that Plok ever got his due.
"Ha! Haaa! I showed them! I was Ploktastic back there!"
Maybe it was bad timing or poor marketing, but for whatever reason, I don't think that Plok ever got his due.
"Ha! Haaa! I showed them! I was Ploktastic back there!"
37. Plok (SNES 1993)
I loved the intro music to this game so much that I recorded it off my TV using a cassette recorder.
Just think about that for a minute.
My memory is a little fuzzy, but I think Nintendo gave me a copy of this game for free as part of winning a contest.
I loved the intro music to this game so much that I recorded it off my TV using a cassette recorder.
Just think about that for a minute.
My memory is a little fuzzy, but I think Nintendo gave me a copy of this game for free as part of winning a contest.
January 1, 2026 at 4:16 AM
37. Plok (SNES 1993)
I loved the intro music to this game so much that I recorded it off my TV using a cassette recorder.
Just think about that for a minute.
My memory is a little fuzzy, but I think Nintendo gave me a copy of this game for free as part of winning a contest.
I loved the intro music to this game so much that I recorded it off my TV using a cassette recorder.
Just think about that for a minute.
My memory is a little fuzzy, but I think Nintendo gave me a copy of this game for free as part of winning a contest.
36. ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron (Genesis 1993)
I rented this game and enjoyed it for the short time I spent with it. I never played the first one, so I had no idea that the sequel was completely different.
Sure, it's just another platformer. But it's got style.
I rented this game and enjoyed it for the short time I spent with it. I never played the first one, so I had no idea that the sequel was completely different.
Sure, it's just another platformer. But it's got style.
January 1, 2026 at 3:47 AM
36. ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron (Genesis 1993)
I rented this game and enjoyed it for the short time I spent with it. I never played the first one, so I had no idea that the sequel was completely different.
Sure, it's just another platformer. But it's got style.
I rented this game and enjoyed it for the short time I spent with it. I never played the first one, so I had no idea that the sequel was completely different.
Sure, it's just another platformer. But it's got style.
35. ClayFighter (SNES 1993)
"Hit'em, smack'em, they don't care!"
What a silly game. I remember the characters feeling heavy compared to Street Fighter, and the game being a bit sluggish, but it was still a lot of fun.
One of my friends owned this one, I think.
"Hit'em, smack'em, they don't care!"
What a silly game. I remember the characters feeling heavy compared to Street Fighter, and the game being a bit sluggish, but it was still a lot of fun.
One of my friends owned this one, I think.
January 1, 2026 at 3:38 AM
35. ClayFighter (SNES 1993)
"Hit'em, smack'em, they don't care!"
What a silly game. I remember the characters feeling heavy compared to Street Fighter, and the game being a bit sluggish, but it was still a lot of fun.
One of my friends owned this one, I think.
"Hit'em, smack'em, they don't care!"
What a silly game. I remember the characters feeling heavy compared to Street Fighter, and the game being a bit sluggish, but it was still a lot of fun.
One of my friends owned this one, I think.
using my healing rune to just heal every turn until a boss ran out of magic points, and then I was able to go on the offensive. It felt like a cheese strategy, but you had to do whatever you could in this game.
Beautiful soundtrack. Incredible story. I am still chasing the way it made me feel.
Beautiful soundtrack. Incredible story. I am still chasing the way it made me feel.
January 1, 2026 at 3:19 AM
using my healing rune to just heal every turn until a boss ran out of magic points, and then I was able to go on the offensive. It felt like a cheese strategy, but you had to do whatever you could in this game.
Beautiful soundtrack. Incredible story. I am still chasing the way it made me feel.
Beautiful soundtrack. Incredible story. I am still chasing the way it made me feel.
34. The 7th Saga (SNES 1993)
This game holds a special place in my heart.
I remember the struggle. This game was famously MORE difficult than the Japanese version, but I had no idea at the time. I just thought it was really hard, and I had to use every trick available to prevail. I remember...
This game holds a special place in my heart.
I remember the struggle. This game was famously MORE difficult than the Japanese version, but I had no idea at the time. I just thought it was really hard, and I had to use every trick available to prevail. I remember...
January 1, 2026 at 3:19 AM
34. The 7th Saga (SNES 1993)
This game holds a special place in my heart.
I remember the struggle. This game was famously MORE difficult than the Japanese version, but I had no idea at the time. I just thought it was really hard, and I had to use every trick available to prevail. I remember...
This game holds a special place in my heart.
I remember the struggle. This game was famously MORE difficult than the Japanese version, but I had no idea at the time. I just thought it was really hard, and I had to use every trick available to prevail. I remember...
33. Doomsday Warrior (SNES 1993)
I remember renting this game.
I think between this and Shaq-Fu, I didn't seriously play any other fighting games other than the many incarnations of Street Fighter II until the release of Tekken.
Check out these hitboxes: x.com/ShadowDx/sta...
lol
I remember renting this game.
I think between this and Shaq-Fu, I didn't seriously play any other fighting games other than the many incarnations of Street Fighter II until the release of Tekken.
Check out these hitboxes: x.com/ShadowDx/sta...
lol
January 1, 2026 at 1:38 AM
33. Doomsday Warrior (SNES 1993)
I remember renting this game.
I think between this and Shaq-Fu, I didn't seriously play any other fighting games other than the many incarnations of Street Fighter II until the release of Tekken.
Check out these hitboxes: x.com/ShadowDx/sta...
lol
I remember renting this game.
I think between this and Shaq-Fu, I didn't seriously play any other fighting games other than the many incarnations of Street Fighter II until the release of Tekken.
Check out these hitboxes: x.com/ShadowDx/sta...
lol
was still many years away. I can't imagine convincing someone to play it by passing the controller.
Still, I appreciate what KOEI was doing, and I'm grateful this game wasn't as 'ambitious' as some others.
Maybe I inflict this on my students in an alternate universe where I am a history teacher.
Still, I appreciate what KOEI was doing, and I'm grateful this game wasn't as 'ambitious' as some others.
Maybe I inflict this on my students in an alternate universe where I am a history teacher.
January 1, 2026 at 1:25 AM
was still many years away. I can't imagine convincing someone to play it by passing the controller.
Still, I appreciate what KOEI was doing, and I'm grateful this game wasn't as 'ambitious' as some others.
Maybe I inflict this on my students in an alternate universe where I am a history teacher.
Still, I appreciate what KOEI was doing, and I'm grateful this game wasn't as 'ambitious' as some others.
Maybe I inflict this on my students in an alternate universe where I am a history teacher.
32. Liberty or Death (SNES 1993)
I remember reading about this game and thinking it sounded like the coolest idea ever.
In practice... I really liked this game. It was slow and tedious, and the battle tactics were pretty limited, but I enjoyed it. Truly a shame that console online multiplayer...
I remember reading about this game and thinking it sounded like the coolest idea ever.
In practice... I really liked this game. It was slow and tedious, and the battle tactics were pretty limited, but I enjoyed it. Truly a shame that console online multiplayer...
January 1, 2026 at 1:25 AM
32. Liberty or Death (SNES 1993)
I remember reading about this game and thinking it sounded like the coolest idea ever.
In practice... I really liked this game. It was slow and tedious, and the battle tactics were pretty limited, but I enjoyed it. Truly a shame that console online multiplayer...
I remember reading about this game and thinking it sounded like the coolest idea ever.
In practice... I really liked this game. It was slow and tedious, and the battle tactics were pretty limited, but I enjoyed it. Truly a shame that console online multiplayer...
fondly at all. I think I still have those Gamepro trading cards in a box somewhere.
Also, we've made it to 1993. Phew.
Also also, I propose we call the system the 'Mega Genesis' from now on to unite the regions.
Also, we've made it to 1993. Phew.
Also also, I propose we call the system the 'Mega Genesis' from now on to unite the regions.
January 1, 2026 at 1:06 AM
fondly at all. I think I still have those Gamepro trading cards in a box somewhere.
Also, we've made it to 1993. Phew.
Also also, I propose we call the system the 'Mega Genesis' from now on to unite the regions.
Also, we've made it to 1993. Phew.
Also also, I propose we call the system the 'Mega Genesis' from now on to unite the regions.
31. Mutant League Football (Genesis 1993)
I got a Sega Genesis / Mega Drive several years into its life cycle, and I only played a fraction of its library compared to the NES & SNES. One of those was Mutant League Football.
As cool as the concept seemed, I don't remember the gameplay very...
I got a Sega Genesis / Mega Drive several years into its life cycle, and I only played a fraction of its library compared to the NES & SNES. One of those was Mutant League Football.
As cool as the concept seemed, I don't remember the gameplay very...
January 1, 2026 at 1:06 AM
31. Mutant League Football (Genesis 1993)
I got a Sega Genesis / Mega Drive several years into its life cycle, and I only played a fraction of its library compared to the NES & SNES. One of those was Mutant League Football.
As cool as the concept seemed, I don't remember the gameplay very...
I got a Sega Genesis / Mega Drive several years into its life cycle, and I only played a fraction of its library compared to the NES & SNES. One of those was Mutant League Football.
As cool as the concept seemed, I don't remember the gameplay very...
it was a decent puzzle game starring a blue egg guy who kinda resembles the mascot of the 1996 Olympics. I understand isometric games are not for everyone, but I never had a problem with them. Twitchy action games were not my dad's thing, so this is the sort of game we played together.
January 1, 2026 at 12:51 AM
it was a decent puzzle game starring a blue egg guy who kinda resembles the mascot of the 1996 Olympics. I understand isometric games are not for everyone, but I never had a problem with them. Twitchy action games were not my dad's thing, so this is the sort of game we played together.
30. Ka-Blooey (SNES 1992)
Get Ready!
Unlike other extremely memorable 'Ready' soundbites from games like Mega Man X4 or Super Monkey Ball, Ka-Blooey's was attached to a less memorable (and less exciting) game.
Still, I am surprised to see coverage calling it "the worst SNES game." I recall...
Get Ready!
Unlike other extremely memorable 'Ready' soundbites from games like Mega Man X4 or Super Monkey Ball, Ka-Blooey's was attached to a less memorable (and less exciting) game.
Still, I am surprised to see coverage calling it "the worst SNES game." I recall...
January 1, 2026 at 12:51 AM
30. Ka-Blooey (SNES 1992)
Get Ready!
Unlike other extremely memorable 'Ready' soundbites from games like Mega Man X4 or Super Monkey Ball, Ka-Blooey's was attached to a less memorable (and less exciting) game.
Still, I am surprised to see coverage calling it "the worst SNES game." I recall...
Get Ready!
Unlike other extremely memorable 'Ready' soundbites from games like Mega Man X4 or Super Monkey Ball, Ka-Blooey's was attached to a less memorable (and less exciting) game.
Still, I am surprised to see coverage calling it "the worst SNES game." I recall...
in my mind.
Getting stuck bouncing off those bumpers or not having the momentum to break bricks and having to backtrack was super frustrating. Yet, I could never get enough.
Continue? Yes, I think I will.
Getting stuck bouncing off those bumpers or not having the momentum to break bricks and having to backtrack was super frustrating. Yet, I could never get enough.
Continue? Yes, I think I will.
December 31, 2025 at 11:00 PM
in my mind.
Getting stuck bouncing off those bumpers or not having the momentum to break bricks and having to backtrack was super frustrating. Yet, I could never get enough.
Continue? Yes, I think I will.
Getting stuck bouncing off those bumpers or not having the momentum to break bricks and having to backtrack was super frustrating. Yet, I could never get enough.
Continue? Yes, I think I will.
29. On The Ball (SNES 1992)
Although it would probably give me motion sickness today, I had an incredible time with this on the SNES. It was (sadly) another rental game that I could not fully explore until many years later, but the zany music and sound effects are always just below the surface...
Although it would probably give me motion sickness today, I had an incredible time with this on the SNES. It was (sadly) another rental game that I could not fully explore until many years later, but the zany music and sound effects are always just below the surface...
December 31, 2025 at 11:00 PM
29. On The Ball (SNES 1992)
Although it would probably give me motion sickness today, I had an incredible time with this on the SNES. It was (sadly) another rental game that I could not fully explore until many years later, but the zany music and sound effects are always just below the surface...
Although it would probably give me motion sickness today, I had an incredible time with this on the SNES. It was (sadly) another rental game that I could not fully explore until many years later, but the zany music and sound effects are always just below the surface...