#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.33 Breath of Death VII -The Beginning- Reanimated (PC). A humerous RPG that has a brisk pacing, clever writing, and streamlined combat. It turns JRPG nostalgia into something sharp, modern, and consistently engaging. Recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.32 - Disney's Aladdin (MD). A visual standout for sure. Virgin Games and Walt Disney Animation Studios delivered fluid, hand-drawn animation that looks amazing. Stiff platforming and sharp difficulty spikes hold it back from true 16-bit greatness.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.31 X-Men vs Street Fighter (PS1). Released in 1998. While many consider this game to be much better than Marvel Super heroes, I didn't enjoy this very much. Looks great and plays decent, but I found it to be tough and the final boss very annoying.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.30 Mickey Mouse: Magic Wand (GB). Released in 1998. Is it objectively a good game? Probably not. Is it subjectively a good game? Definitly! Sure, it's slow and the later levels are very tedious, but I liked it as a teenager and still do to this day.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.29 Legend of the Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (GB). Released in 1998, it's a game I had on the backlog for years and I'm sorry to say, it should have stayed there. It has some charm but stiff controls and lack of variety make this game just plain boring.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.28 King of Fighters: Heat of Battle (GB). Released in 1998, this is actually of port of King of Fighters '96 to the Game Boy. Most of the Takara developed GB ports were excellent, and this no exception with good animations and great controls. Recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.26 Bust-a-Move 3 DX (GB) Released in 1998, this third outing preserves the series’ tight puzzle mechanics, smart level design, and competitive edge despite hardware limits. In my opinion, it's one of the system’s strongest pure puzzle experiences.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.26 Bust-a-Move 2: Arcade Edition (N64). Released in 1998, I thought I might as well play the N64 version. Again, an excellent title, though I did find it to be tougher for some reason. It was hard for me to line up the shots properly. Still, a lot of fun!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.25 Bust-a-Move 2: Arcade Edition (GB). Released in 1998, this is actually my first ever Bust-a-Move playthrough. And man, was I having a ton of fun. Getting that one shot to topple the whole screen gives a big dopamine rush for sure. Check it out!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.24 The Smurfs (GB). Released in 1998 (in the USA at least), this is one of the better platformers on the system. While not particulary long, the controls are tight, graphics are nice and the music absolutely slaps. A childhood favorite of mine.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.23 Yoshi's Story (N64). Released in 1998, this game was a disappointment for me as a kid, mainly because it was so short and the gameplay very shallow. Mediocre as it may be, I've since come to appreciate it more, as it's undeniable very charming.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.22 Guilty Gear (PS1). Released in 1998, this is an awesome fighter with fluid animation, explosive special moves, and a blistering metal soundtrack! Beneath its flash is a deep, execution-heavy system that rewards precision. Be sure to check this one out.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.21 Bomberman World (PS1). Released in 1998, it's a pretty unremarkable entry. The core bomb-laying mechanics remain solid, yet the single-player mode feels shallow and repetitive, lacking variety and momentum. It's serviceable, but rarely memorable.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.20 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64). Redux patch by Maroc. Released in 1998, this isn't just a game, it's an experience! I have beaten it dozen of times, but it remains as amazing as ever. An absolute masterpiece and my favorite game of all time!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.19 Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter EX (PS1). Released in 1998 in Japan, this is a compromised but fascinating port. The tag mechanics and crossover roster survive, but load times, and uneven audio dull the arcade impact. Still, I enjoyed it.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.18 King of Fighters '97 (PS1). Released in 1998 (in Japan), this is yet again an excellent SNK fighter. While this port has load times and minor audiovisual compromises, its strategic depth and great gameplay remain undeniable.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.17 Metal Slug 2 (ARC). Released in 1998, this game is a visual and musical standout with lush sprites and iconic tracks. Unfortunately, heavy slowdown and bullet-sponge bosses undermine the pacing, dulling an otherwise sharp run-and-gun classic.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.16 Pocket Fighter (PS1). Released in 1998, this fighter wraps Capcom’s fighting pedigree in a playful style with real depth. Beneath the chibi art are tight mechanics, smart systems, and sharp balance. Be sure to check this one out!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.15 Pocket Pyuo Sun (GBC). Released in 1998, this Pocket version of Pyuo Pyuo Sun is a very decent port of the arcade game that sadly was only released in Japan. I suck at the Pyuo Pyuo games, but the inclusion of an easy mode let me see an ending at least.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.14 Tetris DX (GBC). Released in 1998, this is actually a pretty good version of Tetris. Very similar to o.g. Teris for the GB, but the different modes spice things up a bit. You can even play against the cpu if you would want to.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.13: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (GBC). One of my favorite game series on the Game Boy, made even more fun by playing along with members of the Polykill community. Graphics are great. Music is great. Gameplay is great. What more do you want? 😀

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.12: Donkey Kong Country (SNES). The first of the DKC trilogy and a yearly rebeat for me. Yes, I've played it a million times already and it holds little challenge for me anymore, but it's still one of the best platformers on the system.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.11: Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog (NSW). It shines with sharp writing, smart gameplay loops, and striking visuals. I would have liked a more conclusive ending though. Thanks to @captaindrachma.bsky.social from the @indiequestpod.com for the recommendation.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.10 Mario Kart 7 (3DS). I never realized how close it actually was to MK 8. But that game is great and so is this game. Tight controls and great track design keep it fresh. Maybe not the flashiest in the series anymore, but still endlessly replayable!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.08 Mario Kart DS (NDS). It's been years since I last touched my DS and the PolyQuest provided a good opportunity to dust it off. I've never played this game before, but it's great! It's a fast racer with tight controls and memorable tracks. Recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.07 Poko Nyan! (SFC). For the thumbs bingo square I wanted to do something special. What's better than one thumbs up? Four thumbs up! My 4-yo daughter, her best friend, my 9-yo son and myself all played it. It's a great game for kids (or kids-at-heart 😉). 👍

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.07 Kirby's Dreamland DX (GBC). Color patch by GreenAndACat. Taking place on the planet Popstar, it's a neat little adventure and still my favorite Kirby game. Nostalgia plays a big role, but it's also just a charming, accessible classic.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.06 Super Mario Bros. Special (NES). Developed by Hudson and originally released on the NEC PC-8801. In 2021 it was fan ported to the NES by Frantik, who did an amazing job! It's a fun licensed sequel, but pretty tough, especially the later worlds.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.05 Mission in Snowdriftland (NSW). Graphics & gameplay are fine, music is forgettable (I listened to a podcast). I was having fun until the second-to-last boss. It's so stupidly hard, that beating it it took longer than the rest of the game combined.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.04 The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe (NSW). PolyQuest working as intended: I never would’ve played this without the bingo square, and that would’ve been a huge miss. Hilarious, existential, brilliantly written, and expertly narrated. Highly recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.03 Cyber-Lip (NSW via Hamster). Similar to Contra, Cyber-Lip is a run-and-gun that exemplifies early ’90s cyberpunk design. Its detailed pixel art, aggressive pacing and weapon choices are pretty good, though nothing particulary stands out. Check it out!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.02 DoReMi Fantasy: Milon no DokiDoki Daibouken (SFC). Patch by RPGONE. I really wonder why this was never brought over to the West. It has greath graphics, great music and great gameplay. Definitely check this one out if you love retro action platformers!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.01 Parodius (SNES). I recently talked about Parodius, which got me in the mood to play it again. My favorite shmup ever. I love the little touches, such as the umbrella on Vic Viper when it starts to rain. Highly recommend, also for shmup novices!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.258 Athenian Rhapsody (NSW). Have Undertale, Megami Tensei and Mother 3 smoke weed and you get this game. A strange, but fun RPG with dodge mechanics. The dialogue and whimsical nature does gets grating, but the game is short enough it's not gamebreaking.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.257 Burning Angels (PCE). A solid vertical shmup with a few nice twists. Long stages and mid-bosses stand out, but enemy patterns lack variety and visuals can feel blocky. The generous health bar is nice, but no lives or continues are brutal.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.256 Donkey Kong Land 3 (GBC). Patch by Blaziken257 (only the Japanese version was released on the GBC). Just as it's predecessors, it's a really fun game, even if it's basically just a summery and remix of the SNES game. Be sure to check it out!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.255 Donkey Kong Land 2 (GBC). Color patch by Specialagentape. Not an exact port, but more of a remix of the SNES DKC 2 game. I liked it a lot. It's plays well if you are used to DKC2. It's well worth checking out, if you desire a more bite-sized adventure.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.254 Daze Before Christmas (MD). It's basically the same game as the SNES port, but it plays faster and rope climbing actually works properly. While the SNES game looks a bit nicer, this is a rare occasion where I actually prefer the MD version.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.253 Santa's Chimney Quest (NSW). You play as Santa, delivering presents into chimneys and try to reach the end of the 25 levels before the timer runs out. It's very easy and barebones, but I'm a sucker these kinds of games and it's perfect for the season.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.252 Daze Before Christmas (SNES). This or the MD version is a traditional yearly Christmas time playthrough for me. While it's nothing really special, it is a fun game with nice sprites and backgrounds. The stage title cards are also very nicely done.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.251 Seiken Densetsu 3 (SFC). With this third playthrough I have now finally beaten all three final bosses. Graphically and musically unmatched on the SFC. Gameplay-, and story wise it's a little slow and tedious and not all that great. Still, recommended!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.250 The Legend of Santa (NSW). This b̶l̶a̶t̶a̶n̶t̶ ̶r̶i̶p̶o̶f̶f̶ homage to the Mario games tries hard to mimic the classics. Steeped in generic design and weak music, this short game never becomes more than a cheap holiday diversion. Not too bad, but entirly forgettable

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.249 The Flintstones - The Surprise at Dinosaur Peak (NES). Very similar to the first game, but it plays just as well, if not better. The challenge is more even this time around, but I really dislike the final stage. Overall, a decent enough game.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.248 Monster Maulers (ARC). This fighter is amazing. It’s got tight controls, great sprite work, and over-the-top action. Add in a fantastic soundtrack (including some cheesy vocal tracks), and you’ve got a clear winner. Konami goodness at its finest!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.247 The Flintstones: The Rescue of Dino & Hoppy (NES). A surprisingly polished platformer with vibrant sprite work and clever level variety. Its difficulty spikes can frustrate, but its charm makes it one of Taito’s stronger licensed titles on the system.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.246 Joe & Mac (GB). Rough around the edges, with uneven difficulty and some cramped stage layouts, but it still comes together better than the NES version. The tighter controls and more focused structure make it the stronger, if still modest, way to play.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.245 Joe & Mac (NES). I beat the SNES one a few years ago, so I tried the NES port. It’s short and tougher to make up for it. Figuring out enemy/boss patterns is satisfying, but overall (coupled with iffy controls) it’s not really worth your time.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.244 Warrior Blade (NSW via Hamster). This sword and sorcery brawler is nothing short of a spectacle. Sliding down a mountain, riding a horse, flying on a Wyvern, all while slashing hordes of wizards and demons? Sign me right up!

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.243 Chuck Rock 2: Son of Chuck (Mega CD). The platforming is serviceable and the visuals are solid, but nothing truly stands out. The funny intro video is the highlight, adding charm the gameplay doesn’t fully match. Decent, but far from essential.

#JustBeatIt @polykillpodcast.bsky.social No.242 64th Street: A Detective Story (ARC). A Jaleco beat ’em up where two detectives brawl through six gritty stages to stop the “Legacy” gang and rescue a kidnapped girl. It's good, but not a top-tier brawler. The death sounds are amazing, though!