Thoughts on good "quick pick up" games?

[tjsnh]

So looking for some thoughts and opinions.

I'm trying to make a small list of games to look out for that are good for 15-20 minute pick up gaming. As an adult gamer, I only occasionally get the time to sit down and enjoy a longer game like Ys or Dragon's Curse and more frequently get gaming time in smaller chunks. So I'm looking for games (platformers, shooters, whatever - the only genre I'm not really interested in is sports/racing) that I can pick up for 20 minutes and not feel like I've missed out by not being able to put more time into an individual gaming session.

Does that make sense?

Examples of games fitting this kind of niche would be stuff like Tetris, SMB1, Blazing Lazers, Dynasty Warriors, Pinball, etc)

Any thoughts on good turbo games that might fit that bill?

[lukester]

Hope I don't get flamed for this...but...

A large proportion of the best PC Engine games are short games. Of course, even some platformers like Bonk are at least an hour each.

Blazing Lazers doesn't really make sense...it's a 50 minute game if you don't die. So your criteria is kinda confusing.

But let's see what we got. I'll try to name literally 15-20 minute games.

Ninja Spirit
Legend of Hero Tonma
Salamander
Super Dodgeball
Vigilante
1943 Kai (if you only play Original Mode 7, 7, 7, 7, 9, 3, 10)
Soldier Blade (Caravan)
Gradius
Parodius (Caravan)
Galaga 88
Shinobi
Devil's Crush (pinball)
Spin Pair (Tetris type game)
Puyo Puyo 1 and 2

PCE Super CD has a game like Dynasty Warriors called "Dynasty Wars" or "Tenchi Wo Kurau" by Capcom. Highly recommended!

The most SMB1 like platformer on the Turbo is New Adventure Island. I personally believe it is one of the best 16-bit games out there, has a certain type of vigor you don't see in most platformers. It's also got unlimited continues but it's very possible to beat in one credit if you are cautious.

[tjsnh]

To clarify, I didn't mean "expect to finish the game quickly" just that the game isn't generally multi-session etc etc.

Good start - I'll look into those. :-)

[majors]

Any shooter with caravan.

I like any golf game, just shoot a few holes...no need to do a full 18.

Klax...not like ANYONE can last long in that one. Outrun since it's very arcade-y.

[Necromancer]

Hatris!

[Punch]

Monster Lair!

[esteban]

Le Splatterhouse
Le Gomola Speed
Le Tricky Le Kick (especially fun on TirboExpress)

[Gypsy]

Hope I don't get flamed for this...but...

A large proportion of the best PC Engine games are short games. Of course, even some platformers like Bonk are at least an hour each.

Why would someone flame you for this? I know we have some JRPG aficionados here but those aren't going to be for everyone and most of them are not translated and thus require knowing Japanese or having a translation guide which is a pretty big chore.

PCE Super CD has a game like Dynasty Warriors called "Dynasty Wars" or "Tenchi Wo Kurau" by Capcom. Highly recommended!

This looks pretty damn good.

[Necromancer]

It's not something to flame over, it just doesn't make much sense.  For most genres (RPGs, shewties, pinball, sports, puzzlers, etc.), there's not much difference in game lengths, especially when it's a cross platform title.  The only serious deficiency is the lack of lengthy platformers with save options (like Super Mario World).

[wildfruit]

I think the Ys games are good for short or long sessions. You can easily pick up where you left off or just have a 20 minute grind. Hnnnfgh

[Gypsy]

True. Not much time variation when most games are under an hour to clear anyway. The only really long games are the JRPGs and those are obvious.

[martinine]

I agree on the Ys sentiment. I often put in Ys 1, and I have a save on the first field just to grind and listen to the music. This and Blazing Lazers are my 20 quick hits. I can't leave Keith Courage out of this discussion. It doesn't get enough love!

[tjsnh]

I can't leave Keith Courage out of this discussion. It doesn't get enough love!

It is true that blind jumping into spikes does, in fact, not get much love. ;-)

[Lost Monkey]

I can't leave Keith Courage out of this discussion. It doesn't get enough love!

It is true that blind jumping into spikes does, in fact, not get much love. ;-)

If you don't like blind jumping on to spikes,try Impossamole!

Cheap hit after cheap hit will eventually guide you onto spikes that you could see the entire time and had no intention of going near...

[SavagePencil]

Aero Blasters is good to fill you with a short bout of rage.