Issue 34: The Others, Part 1

There’s no question it’s best when your favorite video game machine is also the most popular worldwide, if only because you’re insured to receive more developer attention. And when there are more companies making games for your console or handheld of choice, that means a more crowded market, which means a greater likelihood of original game ideas.

But there’s a dark side to this embarrassment of riches: more games usually leads to too many games, and everyone is forced to make difficult choices, especially when the console in question comes from Nintendo. Do you want to spend your cash on an intriguing, atypical third party title like Lost in Shadow or A Boy and His Blob, or are you going to get the newest Mario, Zelda or Donkey Kong game instead, because you feel you’re more likely to make a better investment? We know how this kind of question is answered for most people, and that’s how The Others are born. They’re third party games that suffer from a difficult release window, a low marketing budget, or a concept just far enough from mainstream to make mass market consumers confused or uncertain.

And yet there are so many gems to be found in this list of unsung titles. When we were brainstorming as a staff the possible games to highlight in this week’s issue, we came up with dozens of ideas, many titles you’ve probably heard of but few that you actually own. Yet rather than overwhelm you with recommendations, we’ll keep this first edition of The Others simple, looking back to a batch of exclusives that couldn’t all find a footing on a Nintendo console, and championing some more recent, released titles that you should still try to track down. We hope you enjoy reconsidering these titles and hope to hear some of your own favorite overlooked games.

Enjoy,
Noah

Issue 34: The Others, Part 1

As the World Ends by Andrew Hsieh
The World Ends with You is a pretty good role-playing game, but it’s a shame to think of it just in video game terms.

The Capcom Five: Requiem for a Dream by Adam Sorice
The failed legacy that promised to change gaming. And managed to do it anyway.

Nester64x: Babes + Zombies = WINZ!! by Nester64x
Nester64x knows that this generation’s most overlooked game features lots of zombies, plenty of blood, and very few clothes.

Hot Air: Overlooked by Aaron Roberts
Don’t be bullied into only liking unpopular games!

James Stank’s Burning Attack: Up, Up and a-Kweh! by James Stank
Don’t be dissuaded by the cute artwork. Chocobo Tales rocks.

Additional features in this issue…

Monday

• Nightly News Roundup by Francisco Naranjo

Tuesday

• Nightly News Roundup by Matthew Tidman
  

Wednesday

• Dojo-Show-Go! Episode 127 by M. Noah Ward
• Nightly News Roundup by James Stank

Thursday

• Nightly News Roundup by Andy Hoover

Friday

• Nightly News Roundup by M. Noah Ward

Coming Up Next Week…

Issue 35: Nintendo IRL
What happens when Nintendo characters have to face real-life problems? We strive to answer that question in next week’s issue.