9 February 2007, 1:49 AM
I own 18 Treasure games currently, so making a top 10 was no trouble in the slightest, especially given their solid reputation for the '90s and most of the early '00s.
Here's a link to find what games they've developed, just in case you have played one: List of Treasure games made!
Milky's List!
1. Radiant Silvergun (Sega Saturn) - Even if Gunstar Heroes was the the company's greatest achievement, I still had the most fun with this game simply because it begged you to be a more advanced player with each go-around. Your ship could gain levels (which would be saved everytime you restart), and you had 4 different attacks, including a sword that could absorb enemy shots and catapault them back into an incredible double-sword explosion. The difficulty of this game, combined with its astounding e-bay price make it anything but accessible. But as far as import games go, easily one of the best ever made.
2. Alien Soldier (Mega Drive!) - Another import game, but it kept its business straight: this game is a non-stop boss fiesta with endless weapon strategy and evasion tactics for mass playability. In truth, Gunstar Heroes still remains more playable with its hand-to-hand combat techniques. However, Alien Soldier demanded you pick a stance (with mobile fire or stationary fire modes with the touch of a button) and keep yourself in step with the enemy, analyzing the situation as it's put in front of you. Marvelous stuff.
3. Gunstar Heroes (Sega Genesis) - Treasure's claim to fame, this game matches the hype, and even kept me away from Contra all these years thanks to its incorporation of weapon combinations and throwing of enemies in any direction. In truth, probably their best designed game, and the bosses are as colorful as any game will depict (I even like how their attacks are listed!). Fun with yourself, better with two-players (so be nice and share some health!).
4. Guardian Heroes (Sega Saturn) - Imagine a brawler with rpg elements added inside, and you have a taste of the uniqueness this title brings. There's an array of special moves and spells, alongside an undead partner you can issue commands to. Add in the multi-layered stages, and you have chaos waiting to happen, as the sprites move most impressively on this system I might add! Also, there's multiple branching paths, plenty of characters to choose from, and attributes you can upgrade at the end of each level. The best part: it has a fighting rabbit!
5. Dynamite Headdy (Sega Genesis) - A quirky platforming game about a puppet who can launch his head at his enemies, complete with a colorful cast of characters to compliment such a bizarre premise, and yet it's all done like a stage production. Hands down, my favorite presentation in a Treasure game. There's also a fun variety of heads you can choose from at certain points in the game, so use that "head" of yours and find the perfect fit for the right situation. "Target!"
6. Bangai-o (Sega Dreamcast) - This game is so hilarious, as the completely nonsensical narrative combined with hyper anime-style personalities equalled something that was beyond words. The way structures could be destroyed, and the speed of your tiny mech busting through it all was genius. But the best part about this game is the super attack, and the even better part is when you fight a boss who retorts it with his/her own, and then you retort with yet another and the cycle goes on until somebody's exausted. It's that crazy!
7. Sin and Punishment (Nintendo 64) - Treasure's swan song for the late 64-bit system featured an on-rails shooting premise on foot, and yet you also could jump over obstacles and use your sword to destroy certain obstructions. The control scheme is definitely not easy to master, but once fully grasped, this game will challenge you with its array of bosses and exciting level layouts. The presentation was even in English for being an import, with a dark feel and strange plot twists. In truth, a sleeper hit that the company should get more recognition for.
8. Silhouette Mirage (Sony Playstation) - Before Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga color-coded enemies, this game brought about the double-sided culture that is this game's world. There's a great variety of weapons available in shops, the enemies are the weirdest things I've ever seen in my life, and Treasure reveals its true love for the common boss fight in some the most intensely hilarious moments in gaming ever. "You are the rust of my sword!"
9. Mischief Makers (Nintendo 64) - In this game, you play as a, uh, robot that throws and shakes weird looking things called "clancers." The presentation is colorful and full of "wtf?" laughs that keep one amused. But it's the embrace of the "hands-on" gameplay that makes this title so original, as you must throw or shake something to advance, and you even have to do some math later in the game! The boss fights really test your reflexes, aside from the puzzles or bizarre trials that inhabit the normal levels. And you have to collect certain gems just to get the full "real ending" for the game, how's that for demanding your time?!
10. Ikaruga (Nintendo Gamecube) - The sequel to Radiant Silvergun seems to tone down on all the attacks and settles for a simple battle of "light and darkness" with two different shaded shots. However, the difficulty is severely ramped up, as you must switch between the two firing modes on the go and absorb like-shaded shots to keep yourself from dying. In truth, if Radiant Silvergun made me scream, then this game wanted me to cry.
Honorable Mentions - Astro Boy: Omega Factor, Wario World, Gradius V, Gunstar Super Heroes, Light Crusader, and Stretch Panic.
Note - wasn't much for Silpheed: The Lost Planet
Here's a link to find what games they've developed, just in case you have played one: List of Treasure games made!
Milky's List!
1. Radiant Silvergun (Sega Saturn) - Even if Gunstar Heroes was the the company's greatest achievement, I still had the most fun with this game simply because it begged you to be a more advanced player with each go-around. Your ship could gain levels (which would be saved everytime you restart), and you had 4 different attacks, including a sword that could absorb enemy shots and catapault them back into an incredible double-sword explosion. The difficulty of this game, combined with its astounding e-bay price make it anything but accessible. But as far as import games go, easily one of the best ever made.
2. Alien Soldier (Mega Drive!) - Another import game, but it kept its business straight: this game is a non-stop boss fiesta with endless weapon strategy and evasion tactics for mass playability. In truth, Gunstar Heroes still remains more playable with its hand-to-hand combat techniques. However, Alien Soldier demanded you pick a stance (with mobile fire or stationary fire modes with the touch of a button) and keep yourself in step with the enemy, analyzing the situation as it's put in front of you. Marvelous stuff.
3. Gunstar Heroes (Sega Genesis) - Treasure's claim to fame, this game matches the hype, and even kept me away from Contra all these years thanks to its incorporation of weapon combinations and throwing of enemies in any direction. In truth, probably their best designed game, and the bosses are as colorful as any game will depict (I even like how their attacks are listed!). Fun with yourself, better with two-players (so be nice and share some health!).
4. Guardian Heroes (Sega Saturn) - Imagine a brawler with rpg elements added inside, and you have a taste of the uniqueness this title brings. There's an array of special moves and spells, alongside an undead partner you can issue commands to. Add in the multi-layered stages, and you have chaos waiting to happen, as the sprites move most impressively on this system I might add! Also, there's multiple branching paths, plenty of characters to choose from, and attributes you can upgrade at the end of each level. The best part: it has a fighting rabbit!
5. Dynamite Headdy (Sega Genesis) - A quirky platforming game about a puppet who can launch his head at his enemies, complete with a colorful cast of characters to compliment such a bizarre premise, and yet it's all done like a stage production. Hands down, my favorite presentation in a Treasure game. There's also a fun variety of heads you can choose from at certain points in the game, so use that "head" of yours and find the perfect fit for the right situation. "Target!"
6. Bangai-o (Sega Dreamcast) - This game is so hilarious, as the completely nonsensical narrative combined with hyper anime-style personalities equalled something that was beyond words. The way structures could be destroyed, and the speed of your tiny mech busting through it all was genius. But the best part about this game is the super attack, and the even better part is when you fight a boss who retorts it with his/her own, and then you retort with yet another and the cycle goes on until somebody's exausted. It's that crazy!
7. Sin and Punishment (Nintendo 64) - Treasure's swan song for the late 64-bit system featured an on-rails shooting premise on foot, and yet you also could jump over obstacles and use your sword to destroy certain obstructions. The control scheme is definitely not easy to master, but once fully grasped, this game will challenge you with its array of bosses and exciting level layouts. The presentation was even in English for being an import, with a dark feel and strange plot twists. In truth, a sleeper hit that the company should get more recognition for.
8. Silhouette Mirage (Sony Playstation) - Before Radiant Silvergun and Ikaruga color-coded enemies, this game brought about the double-sided culture that is this game's world. There's a great variety of weapons available in shops, the enemies are the weirdest things I've ever seen in my life, and Treasure reveals its true love for the common boss fight in some the most intensely hilarious moments in gaming ever. "You are the rust of my sword!"
9. Mischief Makers (Nintendo 64) - In this game, you play as a, uh, robot that throws and shakes weird looking things called "clancers." The presentation is colorful and full of "wtf?" laughs that keep one amused. But it's the embrace of the "hands-on" gameplay that makes this title so original, as you must throw or shake something to advance, and you even have to do some math later in the game! The boss fights really test your reflexes, aside from the puzzles or bizarre trials that inhabit the normal levels. And you have to collect certain gems just to get the full "real ending" for the game, how's that for demanding your time?!
10. Ikaruga (Nintendo Gamecube) - The sequel to Radiant Silvergun seems to tone down on all the attacks and settles for a simple battle of "light and darkness" with two different shaded shots. However, the difficulty is severely ramped up, as you must switch between the two firing modes on the go and absorb like-shaded shots to keep yourself from dying. In truth, if Radiant Silvergun made me scream, then this game wanted me to cry.
Honorable Mentions - Astro Boy: Omega Factor, Wario World, Gradius V, Gunstar Super Heroes, Light Crusader, and Stretch Panic.
Note - wasn't much for Silpheed: The Lost Planet