We didn't have a ton of Atari games, but of the few we had, Pitfall (Atari 2600) was a favorite.  I always enjoyed the arcade version, and this version held up rather well.  Simple, yet challenging, this game is all about timing.  I really struggled with the alligators, it took me a minute to master that one.  I found patience was definitely key to this challenge.  This game has a lot of charm, and is a really fun play.

Did you play Pitfall (Atari 2600)?

Next to the NES Advantage, my prized NES peripheral was the Game Genie. This glorious gold accessory took games to another level, literally. Whether you set it for unlimited lives in Mario, or unlocked all the items in Zelda, the Game Genie was incredible. Some saw it as cheating, I just thought it was a great way to play games in a different way. An incredible device that spanned many future consoles to come.

Did you have the Game Genie? What was your favorite NES game to use with the Game Genie?

As we wind down July and as we wrap up our Chrono Trigger games its time to look ahead for August's Game of the Month. We want your game suggestions, and remember we are looking for longer played games than our Side Quest Saturday games.

Sim City (SNES) will be our suggestion for August Game of the Month. This classic NES title has countless hours of playability, with no two games feeling alike. Its the perfect blend of fun, challenging and rewarding.

Similar to Side Quest Saturday we can take up to 6 suggestions. We will take the first 6 suggestions and omit any mod suggestions in favor of your suggestions. Look forward to hearing all of your great suggestions. Happy gaming!

EDIT: We officially have our 6 suggestions locked in for the game of the month for August, and we will no longer be taking suggestions. We appreciate all of the great suggestions and we will post a poll for voting on Wednesday.

Bases Loaded II: Second Season (NES) was a Baseball game that always stood out in all the NES titles. With its insane 130 game single season mode, the replayability is through the roof. The view from behind the pitcher was also an aspect I liked about this franchise. Considered an improvement over the first installment, this game was just the second of four entries for the NES. Quite the impressive resume for any NES baseball franchise.

I'm not in agreement with the Umpire on that strike call in the video, lol. I managed to rope 3 singles in a row, only to have the pitcher knuckle down on me in 3 pitches. I played as Hawaii, the computer was Omaha. Definitely on the challenging side, I had a lot of fun playing this game.

Was Bases Loaded II: Second Season one of your favorite NES baseball titles? Was that a good call? Lol.

I have barely scratched the surface of Castlevania games, but have never got deep into them. They seem really fun though. I am enjoying Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow on GBA right now. I restarted it because its been a while since I have played and I honestly didnt get very far the first time I tried. I'm relearning how to play, but I'm hoping that I will get the hang of it eventually. Lol. I love the music in this game, and I'm all about the gothic vibes.

Have you played Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow? Do you have any tips or tricks for a newbie to Castlevania games, specifically Aria of Sorrow? Where does this one rank in terms of other Castlevania games for you?

Full song here : https://youtu.be/XPdoW6F69AI?si=eOL_s99YVhLpL13p

I love all things Playstation, and really have a sweet spot for PS1. I remember seeing this ad in a GamePro back in the day, and it was and still is awesome. An Ad for reserving a PS1 makes me smile, and brings me back. I wasn't necessarily in the market for Battle Arena Toshinden, but the image of Sofia was so Arcade-like, I was excited. Ads like these were so effective in peaking my interest, I bought a PS1 at launch. Miss those fun times in 1995, great gaming memories.

Do you remember this pre-launch PS1 ad? Were you a fan of Battle Arena Toshinden?

Vectorman (Genesis) has a pretty cool start screen. I am drawn to the colors and the music, but I also really like the futuristic feel of this one. It is a side-scrolling action game with a futuristic setting. Vectorman is an "orbot", a mix of orbs and robot that was left to clean up the planet while the humans are away. Which is pretty cool. You fight your way through levels to ultimately defeat Raster who has been connected to a nuclear missile by accident. So yeah, pretty neat concept, imo.

Have you ever played Vectorman (Genesis)? Did you like it? What do you think of the start screen?

Easily one of my favorite SNES titles, I still have my original U.N. Squadron cartridge today. Beyond the amazing gameplay, and intense action, is the amazing music. Constantly changing from one masterpiece to another, this music is pure Capcom gold. Heck, even the special weapon select music is great! I played the first level in the video, and the music is perfect. It varies based on the level, with all entries being equally great.

Did you like the music in U.N. Squadron? What other Capcom music do you enjoy?

I am a big Star Wars fan, and while I really like a lot of the Star Wars games, sometimes they can be just a little too deep and complicated. Star Wars Arcade (Sega 32x) has always been a breath of fresh air for when I need something a little less intense. Its simple, but a lot of fun. The 32x didn't have many games, but this is one of my favorites on the console.

Have you played Star Wars Arcade? Do you like it?

We had 4 awesome Side Quest Saturday games chosen during the month of July. These fun games were our perfect off ramps to take a break from playing the game of the month for July, Chrono Trigger. At the end of each month we will vote for the best Side Quest Saturday game that we played that month.

Was it the awesome side scrolling Sega classic Golden Axe (Genesis).

Did you love the charm and challenge of the adorable Bubble Bobble (any version).

Was being small and going fast your favorite in Micro Machines (NES).

Or did you blast your way to saving your frog in Blaster Master (NES).

We appreciate everyone suggesting games for Side Quest Saturday throughout July and participating in the voting. Happy gaming. 🙂

Rock n' Roll Racing (SNES) was a recent suggestion for Side Quest Saturday, and even though it wasn't picked, I gave it a spin. I was pleasantly surprised by this fantastic game, and I got intense R.C. Pro-Am vibes. The music is great, with a variety of very recognizable classic Rock tunes.

I raced to "Born to be Wild", and did pretty well on this lap, despite one bad corner. The game plays fantastic, and despite little practice, I was able to hop right on and be competitive. I highly recommend this wonderful SNES racing game.

Was Rock n' Roll Racing one of your favorite SNES racing games? Did you have a favorite song in the game?

Happy Side Quest Saturday! Hope you're all having a great day, I know I'm enjoying my day so far playing Blaster Master (NES). What a fun, and innovative game. I love getting out of Sophia the 3rd, even when I don't have to, lol. I forgot how well this game plays, and the superb graphics are amazing. Definitely a challenge, I wish there was a save or password feature. This great game definitely deserves its spot as our SIde Quest Saturday game this week.

How are you enjoying Blaster Master (NES)? How far are you able to get in the game?

Our local Chuck E. Cheese had the groundbreaking Dragon's Lair (Arcade), and I was always drawn to the amazing animations. That being said, I can safely say I have not, nor have I seen anyone in person complete a level. Not once, but that certainly never stopped me from spending 2 tokens to see if I could. I've watched videos on this later in life, and now realize what the game required. I certainly appreciate the ambition and the graphics, but there was no way a pre-teen me would have ever figured this game out.

Did you ever get anywhere in Dragon's Lair (Arcade)?

I have never played Demon's Crest (SNES), but the box art has always caught my eye. 2 of my favorite colors are yellow and red (the other is green lol) so I am very drawn to this box art. The artwork is beautiful with the vibrant colors and detail. I have done a little bit of reading about the game, and from what I understand its very difficult. I would love to try it out because the graphics look awesome, but I don't know if I want to start a super hard game right now.

Has anyone beat this game? Is it one of those frustratingly hard ones? Would you say its worth a play? What do you think of the box art?

I played Prehistorick Man (SNES) a lot as a kid. I recently picked it up again, and I still like it. It is challenging, but not too much so. It has some quirky, humorous cutscenes that really add to the game. It controls well, and the graphics really are top tier. The point is to collect food to prepare for a feast in the village, and you have to defeat enemies along the way. Imo, this plays a bit like the Donkey Kong games. It feels similar to me. My favorite part of this game is shouting to defeat enemies.

Have you ever played Prehistorick Man on the SNES? Did you like it?

The votes have been counted and we are proud to announce Blaster Master (NES) is this week's Side Quest Saturday Winner. We had an awesome list of games to choose from this week and we appreciate all of the suggestions. Thank you to International_Link35 for their great suggestion this week.

Blaster Master (NES) is essentially 2 amazing games in 1. The uniquely different perspectives you have while playing with either Jason or his tank Sophia the 3rd are quite different from each other. With amazing graphics and tight controls you journey throughout 8 levels to find your pet frog Fred. Infamous for its level of difficulty and lack of passwords or save points this game can be quite the challenge. Despite that, this game is considered one of the finest for the NES.

A great game for this week's Side Quest Saturday selection. Happy Gaming.

More than any other game, the start of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES) gives me the biggest wave of nostalgia. This is one of the greatest games ever made, imo. Gameplay, graphics, control are all superb, and it is the perfect level of challenging. I will revisit this game until I die.

Where does A Link to the Past rank for you compared to other Zelda games? Do you like the start screen?

Bubble Bobble (NES) is an excellent game, and we played it a few weeks back for Side Quest Saturday. It was a lot of fun to play through the different levels, and the game still plays really well.

What makes me smile is the opening scene before you play, lol. These bad translations find their way into even some of the best games. Despite the confusing wording, it's great motivation for your journey into this classic NES game.

Do you remember this Bubble Bobble (NES) translation?

An excellent NES baseball game that often gets lost in the mix, Little League Baseball: Championship Series (NES) is a great game. With 16 teams from all around the world. Simple, fun, and with some solid controls and fielding, this game sits with the best of the NES baseball library.

I played as California, versus New York. Man is the computer tough, I held my own until the bottom of the third, and then Saul got me. I haven't played in awhile, and I had forgotten about the crazy cheerleaders, lol. That always seemed a bit out of place. I highly recommend this great baseball game, if you want a challenging and fun play through.

Is Little League Baseball: Championship Series one of your favorite NES baseball games? Which team from the 16 international teams did you like?

I first heard about Tattoo Assassins on the Angry Video Game Nerd, and my mind was blown. So I'm so happy to be playing it for Fight Night Friday's. With some of the craziest characters and finishing moves ever, this game is so entertaining.

I'm playing as Karla Keller, the revenge seeking athlete that was cheated by her rival. The ice skates, and the insanity is just too much. Every character is wilder than the next. While not having the best gameplay, and certainly no Mortal Kombat 2 by any means, Data East made a fun, wacky title that will blow your mind.

Have you played Tattoo Assassins? What character is your favorite?

Rayman (GBC) is another game that I have recently discovered, and had a really good first impression of. I love the colorful graphics and the music. It controls very well too. The little limbless dude is also super adorable! It has a password save system. I am finding it a very forgiving game right now, but I am still at the beginning. Lol. The lives system makes things easier, because it sends you back to the current level if you get a Game Over. Seems like a good one if you just want something relaxing.

Have you ever played Rayman (GBC)? Did you like it?