Extremely Weird And Obscure Games

[Badseed Badseed]

Mr. Boston 1983 Vectrex

A hard liquor brand looked to make a game pushing their branding.
Its my favorite obscure game because of the extreme rarity, the
est. value (loose around $8,000 new in box $17,000) and the fact that-
THE VECTREX RULES THE WORLD!!!

 

[stealthRUSH stealthRUSH]

Kahen Soukou Gunbike Speed Power Gunbike

 

[667]

XCom Apocalypse

 

[stealthRUSH stealthRUSH]

PO'ed

https://www.mobygames.com/game/15920/poed/promo/

 

[Cardboardtubeknight Cardboardtubeknight]

Mister Mosquito

 

[Tonberry]

Came to post this as well.
This is Stretch Panic/Freakout right?

 

[null.problem]

Hat World, New Testament: A sprawling and super unique turn based rpg for pc (works on steam deck, I hear, emulates fine with wine). This is kinda like a Saga game, but has a crazy but compelling story. Play several scenarios with different characters whose stats are preserved across scenarios, and eventually get rolled into one big super-scenario. Lots of character build possibilities and some tough bosses later on. Think Saga Frontier or Live a Live and you are on the right track. Freeware! A longer description and where to get it on this reddit thread. https://www.reddit.com/r/JRPG/comments/11yzcgw/hat_world_new_testament/
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Vantage Master: English by Falcom - yes, *that* (Ys, Trails) Falcom. Cool turn based strategy with discrete levels where you summon different spirits and fight it out. Spirits can get 'veteran' ranks in a battle, but only MC carries on between levels. You get new spirits to summon as you pass levels. Pretty dang hard, so make sure you like turn based tactics. Think Advance wars with the CO on the battlefield fighting it out and summoning freaky monsters. Freeware, distributed by Falcom: https://www.falcom.co.jp/vantage/index_e.html
Bonus: Check out lord monarch, by Falcom, too https://www.falcom.co.jp/monarch/index_e.html
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Nectaris (or military madness): A hex/turn based strategy with really well-balanced gameplay. Discrete levels that get more difficult as you go. You don't 'buy' units, but take over bases with neutral (or your opponents) troops inside with infantry, then you can deploy and use them. There are lots of versions (some are available here). The DOS version has a lot more content and I think the nicest music and graphics. Can get it at 'My abandonware'.
Cheers!

 

[Jvsouza11]

Came to post this as well.
This is Stretch Panic/Freakout right?

Yes, its stretch panic/freakout.

 

[Nasty]

I have grimm fandango, snatcher and policenauts installed.

You got taste, dude. Grim Fandango is awesome. I played it what feels like a lifetime ago. Policenauts a lot more recently hehehehe

Post automatically merged: Oct 7, 2025

Yes, its stretch panic/freakout.

I like the dual title cause a freakout is exactly what the player has when they realize THERE IS NO TUTORIAL SECTION! It's all been 'the game' the whole time!

 

[irkella irkella]

Well, here's my example (also, one of my faves of all time):

View attachment 117100

Would suggest checking out Sorry We're Closed if you want something that might scratch a bit of that itch!

Kinda blends RE-type tank controls and first person critical point aiming like Killer7, in a fairly bizarre world.

 

[DreamCPS]

Uniracers for the Snes is one of them. Ive heard it got cancelled at the time...

 

[Max]

Spoiler: I can't say much except that these were made by satan

Syakuga
Demonophobia
Soft and Cuddly

 

[Turbo Kid]

 

[NeonKnights]

 

[Jvsouza11]

Spoiler: I can't say much except that these were made by satan

Syakuga
Demonophobia
Soft and Cuddly

This is not soft and cuddly at all.

 

[Anoobis]

 

[UnrealCC]

Always end up replaying it every once in a while, it's nothing special but I think it's neat.

 

[MegaHiro91]

Among the many cute as hell games with gorgeous pixel-art that remained in Japan and sadly hasn't got a fan translation is "Milano no Arubaito" (aka Milano's Odd Jobs), which I discovered via one of those "obscure Japanese games"-youtube videos. It is one of those games that make me realize that while I am aware my backlog as a gamer is massive, full of games I likely will never get around to, AND that I may never even get around to this one.... part of what I think being a gamer is about, is not necessarily playing everything you discover and become aware of, but just as must just appreciating it and sharing it with others.

Again, I may never get the time to play this, but I can appreciate its existence, marvel at its spritework, and be grateful I know about it. And then of course share it around with likeminded who may themselves take the time to play it.

Speaking of, an English dubbed rerelease was announced earlier this year, if you wanna play and actually understand the story.

 

[ThatOneLum ThatOneLum]

This actually looks like a really cute experience. I wonder exactly when in 2025 they're planning on releasing this thing

I always end up playing more games during the winter months so I might play it this year.

 

[sneakyguts]

im interested to try this game

 

[MegaHiro91]

I wonder exactly when in 2025 they're planning on releasing this thing

Same. You can't even pre-order it anywhere yet. Stay tuned, I guess...

 

[Boscobilly]

Key tip for getting through your backlog that's helped me: really cut down on browsing gaming forums and social media. Spend more of that time playing games instead.

 

[Vexicrypt]

Yep, this is the first official translation of Hilltop's team. They did great English translation work on Boku no Natsuyasumi 2, Jingle Cats, Dr. Slump and some other obscure gems. Good to see them going official and actually getting paid for their work.

 

[trickybus]

This sounds like a cozy game I could get into! I like the idea of down-to-earth life-sim that isn't just a farming simulator.

Thanks you for the recommendation!

 

[Deleted member 660650]

And part of being a gamer is learning Japanese (which is why I learned it way before English).