Beat Every Game Boy Game - 2024 - 117/566

[Floating Platforms | 720]

And NFL Football is done

This game is still trash. Took a few times and some quick resets when the CPU got touchdowns. Picking random teams. Anyway, don't pass the ball and hope you can intercept enough to get the win. I actually managed to run into the endzone for the first time and added more field goals that I expected.

I'm not sure what's next. I'm thinking a simple platformer like Yogi Bear or maybe Battleship

[Matt 4120 | 240]

Surprisingly, Vegas Stakes is done

I don't really like this game. It's a shame because HAL did a great job with the presentation. It doesn't feel like your playing the games to progress in the game, it just feels like your playing until you reach one of the events. The events are the only way I made real progression in the game. The only two games that were worth playing were the slots and the roulette. Earlier today I had around $45,000 from playing a little here and there over the week. I had absolutely horrible luck, but after a while I came upon good luck in the form of a string of events that allowed me to get to the $90,000 at which point I just played the roulette to get to $100,00. When I got to the last casino, I exclusively played the roulette and kept a large amount, but not enough where if I lost it I wouldn't be super upset. I did loose a few times but eventually I managed to beat it. 

I have started playing Boxxle. I am not having fun. I think in my previous attempt I made it to some where around the 9th world and I am currently on 04-03. Hooray....

[Ankos | 442]

Kirby's Dream Land 2.

[Floating Platforms | 720]

well, I learned that trying to play even simple platformers like Yogi Bear is tough for me when just using keyboard as my controller. So I'm nearly half done with Battleship

[TDIRunner | 2,742]

I finished Donkey Kong tonight.  I don't believe I've ever finished this game before.  The last two worlds were very unfamiliar.  The last few worlds are also pretty frustrating.  It's still an amazing game.  

[PII | 1,886]

Bombjack is done.

Had my best single credit run this time up to level 42 before needing a continue..

[Splain | 2,571]

On 1/12/2024 at 4:47 PM, Matt 4120 said:

I Also finished Wario Land 2

So, we can discuss this, but there's some history to the posted requirement to this game. Years ago, the guy who ran this thread before I took over on NA said that it would count as beating Wario Land 2 to get any ending at all, which includes the ending you get in the very first level if you don't ever get out of bed. So like, a total of 2 minutes of playtime, skipping every single level in the game. We ended up discussing it at length, and we landed on "complete every level" as the requirement. But since that feels like requiring 100%, we can decide if that's an appropriate requirement or not.

[Gloves | 11,790]

6 minutes ago, Splain said:

So, we can discuss this, but there's some history to the posted requirement to this game. Years ago, the guy who ran this thread before I took over on NA said that it would count as beating Wario Land 2 to get any ending at all, which includes the ending you get in the very first level if you don't ever get out of bed. So like, a total of 2 minutes of playtime, skipping every single level in the game. We ended up discussing it at length, and we landed on "complete every level" as the requirement. But since that feels like requiring 100%, we can decide if that's an appropriate requirement or not.

Is there any reason to not just say "Requirement: get any ending but the joke ending"? 

[TDIRunner | 2,742]

20 minutes ago, Gloves said:

Is there any reason to not just say "Requirement: get any ending but the joke ending"? 

I'm definitely of the belief that any ending to a game still counts as beating it.  For example, in the original Wario Land, I don't see any reason to require the best ending.  Even if you get the bird house ending (I think that's the worst ending), you've still completed the main part of the game and the final end boss.  That should count in my book. 

But of course, there can and should be exceptions.  I don't think it's unreasonable to not count the "joke" ending of Wario not getting out of bed.  I also wouldn't count games that end half way through if you are playing on easy (like Magical Chase).  While I'm 100% against games penalizing you for playing on easy, if the developers choose to cut you off at the half way point, then you should have to play on normal to be able to beat the game.  

These are just my opinions and I'm not overly attached to any of them.  If the general consensus disagrees, the person running the contest, can set the rules as they see fit and I certainly won't lose any sleep over it.  

[Matt 4120 | 240]

7 hours ago, Splain said:

So, we can discuss this, but there's some history to the posted requirement to this game. Years ago, the guy who ran this thread before I took over on NA said that it would count as beating Wario Land 2 to get any ending at all, which includes the ending you get in the very first level if you don't ever get out of bed. So like, a total of 2 minutes of playtime, skipping every single level in the game. We ended up discussing it at length, and we landed on "complete every level" as the requirement. But since that feels like requiring 100%, we can decide if that's an appropriate requirement or not.

I kinda assumed that when the clear condition said “clear all levels”, I thought this just meant to beat the main path of the game.

As for a clear condition, I think that beating the main game chapters to get the default ending would be a viable one, since you would get the “default” ending. But I think getting an ending other than the sleeping ending could work too.

If we come to a better condition I can definitely go back to clear it.

[the_wizard_666 | 1,325]

The general rule has typically been that in the case of multiple endings, any would suffice, though in a case like that, omitting the ending you get for not playing the game makes sense, and is totally in the spirit of the game. 

With regard to difficulty settings, I go with "what is the intent?" Something that locks out levels on lower difficulties would require the highest setting to complete.  Otherwise, it'd be whatever settings let you see the true ending.  

[Splain | 2,571]

Ok, we're all on the same page then. Years ago the guy who started the thread (it was Peko) insisted that the early ending was not only valid, but that it was the best and most satisfying ending. If nobody here feels that way, then we're home free.

Actually, looking at it now, you still have to play 5 levels to get an ending. I swear it used to end right away when I was a kid. They must have changed it.

To someone playing this game for the first time, it's not obvious what is the "main" path through the levels. Wario 2 is actually the Game of the Month on the r/gameboy subreddit right now, and we're seeing people get different paths (unlocking different groups of picture tiles) on their first time through. So let's say any ending except that early one is valid. I'll update the requirement and count @Matt 4120's clear.

[PII | 1,886]

Burgertime Deluxe is done.

Fun update on the Classic.  I had to use a continue on the last couple of levels.  Would be cool to eventually be able to 1CC this game...

[Floating Platforms | 720]

Golf is done

The game has its charms, but hiding below the surface of the cute character sprite and the simplistic gameplay is a surprisingly difficult, demanding golf game. There are 2 courses: Japan (easier) and US (harder). Both offer hole layouts that are anything but straightforward most of the time. There is little to no opportunity to hit a par 4 green in one shot or a par 5 in two. They show little pockets of fairway in "alternate" routes, but those rely on perfect conditions and the random wind to be going the right direction (which it never does), so really they are fake outs. There are also several longer holes where your 1W is going to end up in the water or sand, so you have to scale back and set up a shot to get over the hazards. The ball physics are not good. If you are in deep rough, virtually every club is garbage. If the ball hits the green, it will almost always bounce or roll until it's in the rough (where your putter is garbage even though you're right on the edge). Basically friction doesn't exist on the green unless you're already on it and trying to put. The putting is also quite specific and demanding. Anyway, the "saving" grace of the game is that it saves your progress after every shot settles. The manual tells you that and tells you how to reset, so if you hit a bad shot, you can reset before it's done rolling and try again. That's pretty much the only way to get the 6 or 7 under par needed for the victory screen in Japan (12 or 13 under for the harder US course). Since I abused that feature, I went ahead and got both courses done but the endings are the same and there's nothing extra for doing both.

I also started Maui Mallard last night. It's pretty bad but unless the last couple of levels are brutally hard, I think I'll get it done Monday.

[Splain | 2,571]

26 minutes ago, Floating Platforms said:

Golf is done

The game has its charms, but hiding below the surface of the cute character sprite and the simplistic gameplay is a surprisingly difficult, demanding golf game. There are 2 courses: Japan (easier) and US (harder). Both offer hole layouts that are anything but straightforward most of the time. There is little to no opportunity to hit a par 4 green in one shot or a par 5 in two. They show little pockets of fairway in "alternate" routes, but those rely on perfect conditions and the random wind to be going the right direction (which it never does), so really they are fake outs. There are also several longer holes where your 1W is going to end up in the water or sand, so you have to scale back and set up a shot to get over the hazards. The ball physics are not good. If you are in deep rough, virtually every club is garbage. If the ball hits the green, it will almost always bounce or roll until it's in the rough (where your putter is garbage even though you're right on the edge). Basically friction doesn't exist on the green unless you're already on it and trying to put. The putting is also quite specific and demanding. Anyway, the "saving" grace of the game is that it saves your progress after every shot settles. The manual tells you that and tells you how to reset, so if you hit a bad shot, you can reset before it's done rolling and try again. That's pretty much the only way to get the 6 or 7 under par needed for the victory screen in Japan (12 or 13 under for the harder US course). Since I abused that feature, I went ahead and got both courses done but the endings are the same and there's nothing extra for doing both.

I also started Maui Mallard last night. It's pretty bad but unless the last couple of levels are brutally hard, I think I'll get it done Monday.

Awesome, so would you say topping the board on either course is good to call it beaten?

[Floating Platforms | 720]

3 hours ago, Splain said:

Awesome, so would you say topping the board on either course is good to call it beaten?

Yes, definitely. I was hoping (but not expecting) that beating both would do something else, but oh well.  I did not test the theory of just getting under par and not reaching #1, though. So, if someone later comes through and does get congratulations on a #2 score, we should probably adjust it again.

[Floating Platforms | 720]

I was hoping to get it done last weekend, but 48 levels took a few nights. Anyway, Battleship is done.

I also knocked out a quick one with Pinball Dreams

That second board is dumb with so much empty space and plenty of rebounds that lead straight to the gutter. But jackpots are super easy overall so this didn't take tons of time.

[the_wizard_666 | 1,325]

Super Scrabble is done.

[Floating Platforms | 720]

Maui Mallard in Cold Shadow is done

Sadly, it's not good. The game has good ideas and intentions and a bit of variety in the levels and in the bosses but the controls and hit detection make this duck sink instead of swim. First we have some of the floatiest jumps I've encountered - on par with Toy Story and Pagemaster, and the movement is slippery as well. Everything must be made of ice. It's unclear what you can actually land on sometimes and it's unclear where your exits are. Some doors work, most don't. I found this manhole looking thing that took me to the next part of a level but it felt like a glitch. The powerup icons can be tough to read against the background and there are bug enemies and bug ammo, so be careful to avoid the moving ones. The ninja mechanic is slightly broken. You use your staff to swing on certain points and the hit detection to actually latch on is extremely finicky and inconsistent. You also need to swing at the bottom of the animation for some reason. There's supposed to be a thing where you use your staff to wedge between walls and climb, but that didn't work ever. Ropes were near impossible to grab as well.  Of course there are blind jumps and limited continues. Thankfully I found a cheese spot for the final boss at least. Maybe the 16-bit versions are better but I had to fight against the character too much here.

Also, Popeye 2 is done

This would have been a lot more fun if my cartridge wasn't freezing so much. One time I got to the final boss, lost, and then had a freeze on my way back. Thankfully I was able to get it clean enough and thankfully the game is short enough when you know what to do, that I was able to power through. It's a fun, mostly easy, platformer that reminded me a bit of Super Mario Land, Batman, and a touch of Castlevania Adventure. Solid level layouts with only the very last one including a really devious part in the beginning. The boss fights ranged from mindless to I'm not totally sure what to do so I'll try ways to brute force it. The sprite work was solid and the music had it's moments. I wish you could use the people you rescue as one-time power-ups or for some function but at least I learned how to use the inventory as that was key to helping me win.

I'm now working on Paperboy. Any reason why the goal isn't to get through Sunday on here?  If it's just the high score, I got that on my second run, but I'm going to keep trying until I can do the full week.

[Splain | 2,571]

13 hours ago, Floating Platforms said:

I'm now working on Paperboy. Any reason why the goal isn't to get through Sunday on here?  If it's just the high score, I got that on my second run, but I'm going to keep trying until I can do the full week.

Are you talking about Paperboy 2?

[Floating Platforms | 720]

3 hours ago, Splain said:

Are you talking about Paperboy 2?

Sorry, nevermind... I have an old spreadsheet that I work off of sometimes to compare times with other GB runners. There the goal is listed as beat the high score of 11,000.  I see that it does say get through the week here.

I also have a note about paperboy 2 where I put "get through 3 weeks?" but haven't looked into that at all and don't recall where I would have come across that

[Splain | 2,571]

6 hours ago, Floating Platforms said:

Sorry, nevermind... I have an old spreadsheet that I work off of sometimes to compare times with other GB runners. There the goal is listed as beat the high score of 11,000.  I see that it does say get through the week here.

I also have a note about paperboy 2 where I put "get through 3 weeks?" but haven't looked into that at all and don't recall where I would have come across that

Hmm, interesting. Maybe I'll take a look. I've started 3-4 GB games this past week, might as well toss in another.

[Splain | 2,571]

Finished Tesserae.

[sp1nz | 612]

I've been playing on RetroAchievements and random rolling games to master this year, so might as well join this endeavor. Here's first 5 I've beaten this year that are on the list unclaimed (in clear order):

Kirby's Block Ball

The Flintstones

Balloon Kid

The Little Mermaid

The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt

[Floating Platforms | 720]

Decided to do another pinball game on the couch. Revenge of the Gator is done after a lot of resets. I didn't accept a first ball score under 100,000. The ball physics in this are not great and there are tons of cheap losses.