Best plain-old CDROM2

[guyjin]

best CDROM2 (not super) released in America - what is it?

[nat]

Very, very hard poll.

But I had to go for Monster Lair (Wonderboy III) since I have a special place in my heart for that series, and I've probably played it more than all the rest.

[Necromancer]

Ys Book I & II, no explanation required.

[spenoza]

Frikkin' Splash Lake, hands down. There are some great games on that list but I think Splash Lake tops them all. It is one of the best action-puzzle games I've ever played. It's a unique concept and an excellent implementation with a challenge level that scales pretty darn smoothly. It gets hard, very hard, without seeming completely cheap. Every victory in the higher levels is hard won and worth it.

Besides, that, the graphics, animation, and sound are all very appropriate and well-done.

I think this game has all the spit and polish necessary to make it the best on the list.

My runner-up choices are:
Buster Brothers
Ys III (a personal fave of mine)

[nat]

Even though I picked Wonderboy, Splash Lake is a definite runner-up. Great game.

[Joe Redifer]

I'm pretty sure Sherlock Holmes 2 would work on the pussified, non-super CD-ROM (known as Average CD-ROM or Mediocre CD-ROM).

[Sinistron]

Ys 1 & 2.  I know its an obvious pick- but there's a reason for that.

[Turbo D]

Ys Book I & II, no explanation required.

I second that!

[Necromancer]

Frikkin' Splash Lake, hands down. There are some great games on that list but I think Splash Lake tops them all. It is one of the best action-puzzle games I've ever played. It's a unique concept and an excellent implementation with a challenge level that scales pretty darn smoothly. It gets hard, very hard, without seeming completely cheap. Every victory in the higher levels is hard won and worth it.

Besides, that, the graphics, animation, and sound are all very appropriate and well-done.

Agreed on all points, but you forgot to mention the awesomeness of Ostrich Theater.

[esteban]

It really comes down to what I'm in the mood for.

#1 Ys I & II (epic, great soundtrack, but the lack of replay value brings this down...)

#2 Monster Lair (love this game! and the music is great! 2-player co-op rocks!)

#3 Valis III (I have a soft spot for this game. I really dig it. Music should have been better.)

Runner-up:
Buster Bros. (2 player co-op rocks!)
Splash Lake (peer pressure!)
Valis II (for the music alone!)

[SignOfZeta]

Y's 1&2. No question.

[vestcoat]

I'm pretty sure Sherlock Holmes 2 would work on the pussified, non-super CD-ROM (known as Average CD-ROM or Mediocre CD-ROM).

Don't forget Terraforming.

Ys 1-2 is obviously the best but Ys 3 is my personal favorite.  After that, I'm partial to Last Alert.

[Black Tiger]

1: Ys I & II
2: Monster Lair
3: Vasteel....

[natethegreat82]

I went with Ys I & II, with honourable mentions going to Ys III, Monster Lair, Buster Bros. and Cosmic Fantasy 2.

Shouldn't Exile be on the poll too?

[Keranu]

Voted Magical Dinosaur Tour!

#1 Ys I & II (epic, great soundtrack, but the lack of replay value brings this down...)

I just can't agree with this . I think Ys Book I & II has by far the best replay value of any other RPG I've played. I've played through that game so many times and in close periods to each other and it's refreshing every time. I know it's still an RPG and a RPG obviously won't have the same kind of replay value as a more simple genre, but I wouldn't deduct any kind of "score", if you will, off Ys because that's just the genre for 'ya.