Many have nostalgic value, others not so much, all are pretty boring on freeplay after the first run through. 
Just to flood the general discussion with more side scroller nonsense (Thanks Tighe), how about we all share our personal Top 5 JAMMA side scrollers. Yes, I know there are like 100s of them, but you can only pick 5 from any genre.
Here are mine in no particular order. I'd say nostalgia was a big factor in my selections, not necessarily "best game." I'm sure after hearing from some of you, I'll have second thoughts. For instance, I think games like DD:SoM, Turtles in Time and Ghouls 'n Ghosts would definitely be in a Top 10 list for me.
1. Willow. Loved the movie, the soundtrack kicks ass, the game actually follows the movie timeline, the graphics are cool, the RPG element adds a bit more. Great game.
2. Double Dragon. Probably one of the first arcade games I ever played as a kid. I remember playing this with my older brother a lot. This one most would consider THE classic side scrolling beat'em up.
3. Final Fight. Took the DD concept and made it 10X better. I also remember playing this a lot as a kid with my brother. We spent a summer in Korea and beat it multiple times at the arcades there.
4. Golden Axe: RoDA. Great 4P dungeon crawler. Awesome character and level design. This sequel definitely took Golden Axe to a different level.
5. Rastan. Another classic side scroller I played a lot. The whole fantasy/conan theme with the dramatic music made it appealing to me I guess.
Just to flood the general discussion with more side scroller nonsense (Thanks Tighe), how about we all share our personal Top 5 JAMMA side scrollers. Yes, I know there are like 100s of them, but you can only pick 5 from any genre.
Here are mine in no particular order. I'd say nostalgia was a big factor in my selections, not necessarily "best game." I'm sure after hearing from some of you, I'll have second thoughts. For instance, I think games like DD:SoM, Turtles in Time and Ghouls 'n Ghosts would definitely be in a Top 10 list for me.
1. Willow. Loved the movie, the soundtrack kicks ass, the game actually follows the movie timeline, the graphics are cool, the RPG element adds a bit more. Great game.
2. Double Dragon. Probably one of the first arcade games I ever played as a kid. I remember playing this with my older brother a lot. This one most would consider THE classic side scrolling beat'em up.
3. Final Fight. Took the DD concept and made it 10X better. I also remember playing this a lot as a kid with my brother. We spent a summer in Korea and beat it multiple times at the arcades there.
4. Golden Axe: RoDA. Great 4P dungeon crawler. Awesome character and level design. This sequel definitely took Golden Axe to a different level.
5. Rastan. Another classic side scroller I played a lot. The whole fantasy/conan theme with the dramatic music made it appealing to me I guess.
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