By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Some games that come to mind:

1) Gumshoe (NES) - Platformer that uses the NES Zapper as the controller.
2) Bayou Billy (NES) - A beat em up during most levels that also has driving/Zapper levels.
3) Blaster Master (NES) - Half Metroidvania in a jumping tank with unique upgrades.  The other half is a top down shooter like Ikari Warriors.
4) Hogan's Alley (NES) - Feels like a Police Training exercise.  Back in the day I found it super fun, but I haven't played it since the 80's.
5) Bionic Commando (NES) - 2D Platformer that uses a bionic arm for movement rather than jumping.

6) Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (NES, Apple II, etc...) - The most unique RPG I've ever played.  There is no big bad.  The goal instead is to master the 8 virtues.  This is the only RPG video game where I felt I was truly roleplaying for much of the game.

5) Actraiser (SNES) - It's like a cross between Populous and Castlevania.  Yep, you just have to play it to understand it, and it's way more fun than you think it should be.
6) Earthbound (SNES) - They still don't make many RPG's set in modern day Earth, and they don't make many RPG's this wacky either.

7) Comix Zone (Genesis) - A beat em up set in a comic book, where you go from one panel to the next.

8) I.Q., Intelligent Cube (PS1) - unique puzzle game
9) Suikoden (PS1) - Assemble the 108 Stars of Destiny.  I haven't encountered another RPG series with a cast nearly this large.  It makes the game feel significantly different from other RPGs.

10) Q-Bert (Arcade, etc...) - Change the color of all the tiles.  A strange puzzle game.