Mastodawn

Classic #retrogaming is a deep rabbithole. I'm at #MISTerFPGA level and it's getting serious.

Multi-player (4+ players) on any platform < N64 is now possible, and I'm combing through the archives looking for interesting multiplayer gaming experiences.

I have FIFA (MD), Beetle Adventure Racing (N64), Dungeon Explorer (PCE), and Smash Tennis (SNES) to try out as well as the more common (but great) experiences like Mario Kart and Bomberman.

** Any suggestions? **

I'm in the process of setting up Saturn (4P) for the what's regarded as the perfect game of Bomberman.

#retrogaming_history #classicgames #multiplayer #multiplayergames #videogames

A friend recommended Bishi Bashi on PS1, a game I know nothing about. So, I'm looking forward to that.

I also setup all the 4P Capcom & Konami arcade games like D&D, Knights, Simpsons, Turtles and the apparently under-rated Captain Commando.

CheekyMcB 6d ago

@zorrobandito I know of Bishi Bashi. Sadly never played it.

If you are looking for retro multiplayer I always loved Super Twintris on Amiga (equally brilliant in single player too).

@hischeekiness oooh, good idea! I do love a good Tetris. I remember Twintris on Amiga, I'll fire it up!

There's a great write-up on the author and the game I read a few months ago.

https://spillhistorie.no/2024/11/27/the-story-of-the-amiga-cult-classic-twintris/

The story of the Amiga cult classic Twintris - Spillhistorie.no

We spoke with developer Svein Berge, as well as another Svein Berge, about Twintris on the Amiga.

Spillhistorie.no

CheekyMcB 6d ago

@zorrobandito Also, another was Drip, also Amiga. I usually played it in single player, but there was a 2 player.

I only ever played the demo, but Parasol Stars was fantastic.

@hischeekiness Parasol Stars is a good idea, I think I'll play it on it's native format, the PC Engine / TurboGrafx 16, since I have that option.

I did find out that the handful of > 2 player games on NEO-GEO used a link cable connected to the cartridges. Unlikely to be emulated any time soon.

4 player League Bowling can go on to the Holy Grail pile.

Adrian Morales Apr 8

@zorrobandito You can't mention SEGA Saturn without Burning Rangers and Sakura Wars 1&2, which have both received an English translation. Of course, there's always the original Tomb Raider and the seminal metroidvania first-person shooter, Powerslave.

@adrianmorales thanks Adrian, good recommendations, but I'm looking for 4+ player games specifically.

Adrian Morales 6d ago

@zorrobandito Well, the big ones are Saturn Bomberman, Saturn Bomberman Fight!! and Guardian Heroes. There's a bunch of sports games, too.

sverx🗩6d ago

@zorrobandito BOOM! for the #SEGA #MasterSystem maybe? It needs a custom adapter... https://www.smspower.org/Homebrew/BOoM-SMS

BOoM - Homebrew - SMS Power!

@sverx an SMS homemade multiplayer tap!? That escalated quickly.

Seriously though, that is an awesome goal but, like the C64 accelerator, I'll have to wait for someone to be bothered to code add it to a core.

COMPU73E ❄️6d ago

@zorrobandito @chris 4 player Micro Machines on the MegaDrive was super fun back in the 90s, the cartridge had 2 extra controller ports in it

Out of Print Archive (meppi64)6d ago

@COMPU73E @zorrobandito @chris

One that comes to mind is Unirally on SNES. Takes a bit of getting used to, but I had a ton of fun with it.

If you want one of the more offbeat PSone titles, I highly recommend Ore no Ryouri.
It looks at first glance like one of those Cooking Mama games, but this one predates it and is completely different.
Pure arcade style goodness, more alike to Tapper than those games.

One of my favourite multiplayer games ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrLYTJDYr4

Ore no Ryori (My Cooking) is a Certified Japanese PS1 Classic

YouTube

@outofprintarchive @COMPU73E @chris Unirally is so good! One of my favourite games on SNES.

I'm intrigued by Ore no Ryouri, I'll have a look at it this weekend. Do you need Japanese? I have none at all.

Out of Print Archive (meppi64)6d ago

@zorrobandito @COMPU73E @chris

Just a little for the menu, but only the tiniest amount.
It's incredibly easy to get through them with a little trial and error.
If you really need them, I can always do a quick translation and post the photos.

The game itself uses just the two analogue sticks.
Orders come in and you need to manipulate the sticks to cut vegetables, tap beer, etc.
Trying to do it all as fast as possible, while trying to get it just right, that's how score is determined.

It's genuinely one of my favourite games.
Just a pure joy to play.

Out of Print Archive (meppi64)6d ago

@COMPU73E @zorrobandito @chris

Oh and Beach Spikers on GameCube by Sega!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKLFfdXWAg4

Beach Spikers Review - "MASSIVE Hidden Gem?" | GameCube Galaxy

YouTube

@outofprintarchive @COMPU73E @chris the Gamecube will have to wait until next generation. MISTer seems to cap out at N64/Jag.

I only ever used my GC to play Pool Paradise anyway. RIP Archer Maclean.

@COMPU73E @chris the J-Pac! Yeah, I've got a few J-Pac bangers on MD - General Chaos being a good example.

The MISTer just configures the extra USB controllers on whatever multi-tap the system needs. It's so elegant!