Genre: Action RPG | Released: 1992 | Platform: Game Boy | Developer: Nintendo R&D1 and Intelligent Systems | Publisher: Nintendo | Language: Japanese | Length: 10 hours | Difficulty: Easy | Do I Need To Play Anything First: Nope | Accessibility Options: None | Monetization: Single Purchase | Microtransaction: None | Gambling Elements: None | Content Warning: Very mild cartoon violence | Parenting Guide: All ages | How Did You Play It: I played the fan English translation via my Steam Deck | Did you need a guide: Never | Mods: English Translation

Is It Good: It’s charming.

Back of the Box: Nintendo, please translate yo games.

This was a fun one. This is a game that never made its way to the west and was trapped on the ol’ black and white (green) Gameboy, but thankfully via the interwebz fans have translated it (extremely well too) into English. It is baffling to me why Nintendo chose not to localize it, as The Frog for Whom the Bell Tolls stands up even today. It’s a top down RPG with fun dialogue, characters, and a clever mechanic where the main character changes into a frog and a snake for some light puzzle and platforming.

Now a cult classic, this is a great dip into the well of lost games for those looking to see what could have been. Easy, fun, and short, what else could you want?

Genre: Lonely Dragon Riding RPG | Released: 1998 | Platform: Sega Saturn (sigh) | Developer: Team Andromeda | Publisher: Sega | Language: English | Length: 18 hours | Difficulty: Moderate | Do I Need To Play Anything First: No, I this is the first Panzer Dragoon Game I have played | Accessibility Options: Zilch | Monetization: Single Purchase | Microtransaction: None | Gambling Elements: None | Content Warning: Very mild violence and mild substance references | Parenting Guide: 13 and up for sure | How Did You Play It: On a Sega Saturn. And I totally bought a legit copy and not a knock off, for sure yes yes | Did you need a guide: Yes, I could not for the love of god find a hallway hidden behind a building | Mods: None

Is It Good: Yes, it’s excellent.

Back of the Box: Hey, it’s that game on eBay for $900.

Legend has it that only 10,000 copies of Panzer Dragoon Saga were made for the English world. Plus it’s exclusive to the Sega Saturn which, well, did not sell very well. Given its frankly insane current market value most people have not played this game, nor have they heard of it (unless you are a filthy pirate, which I know none of you are).

This is a shame as Panzer Dragoon Saga a landmark RPG that deserves a spot along in the pantheon of fantastic Japanese Role-Playing games. This is lean, exciting, no fluff RPG with a fantastic battle system, fun plot (Which is fully voiced), great cinematics, and outstanding art design. I loved that battle system, a fascinating combination of a rail shooter and turn-based combat.

This is no hidden gem, it’s a full-on JRPG crown. Wear it if you can.

Genre: Jazzy Arcady Action | Released: February 2019 | Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch | Developer: Gabe Cuzzillo, Bennett Foddy, Matt Boch | Publisher: Devolver Digital | Language: English | Length: 2-4 hours | Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult, but forgiving | Do I Need To Play Anything First: No | Accessibility Options: Nearly none, I wish you could change the game speed | Monetization: Single Purchase | Microtransaction: None | Gambling Elements: None | Content Warning: Graphic blood, it is cartoony but people explode in puddles of blood | Parenting Guide: Rated M for mature, and I agree | How Did You Play It: On my steam deck | Did you need a guide: Nope | Mods: None

Is It Good: Oh baby yes!

Back of the Box: Peta approved

Ooooohhh wow wow wow I really liked this. You play as a big ol’ monkey smashing into military goons while desperately trying to make a mad dash for escape. All set to the smooth sound of Jazz.

This is technically a Hotline Miami clone, but it brings such a clear identity and sharpness of vision it feels fresh and new. Highly recommend, it’s short, clever, and wicked fun.