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Shadowrun – Action / RPG (GEN)
Blue Sky / FASA

Shadowrun is a classic tabletop RPG system – in a dark, apocalyptic-esque future, complete with all the different races that are a hallmark of fantasy, mercenaries called “Shadowrunners” try to eke out a living. It’s a dark, gritty, yet somehow opportunity-filled world where individuals have the potential to take on the mighty megacorporations. The two games that have come out in the setting (this one and the SNES one) are no exception, although this is the more open-ended of the two games.

8 Eyes – Action / Adventure (NES)
Seta / Thinking Rabbit / Taxan

This game is actually surprisingly good; it may initially come off as a clone of Castlevania, and at first glance that is exactly what it seems to be. This game, however, does several things that Castlevania did not.

Xexyz – Action (NES)
Hudson Soft

Although cursed with a name that makes no sense and is difficult (if it’s even possible) to pronounce, Xexyz is among the more underappreciated games out there.

Jumping Flash! 2 – Action (PSX)
Sony CEI

As a PSX game, JF! 2 may seem relatively short and overly easy. If you try it out, though, you might find a rewarding experience that is, yes, sadly far too short.

axanadu – Adventure/RPG (NES)
Hudson Soft / Falcom

If you’re thinking about playing an action RPG for NES, you’ve basically got two choices: Crystalis and Faxanadu. Faxanadu is evidently an offshoot from the Dragon Slayer series (a sequel to Xanadu), which Legacy of the Wizard is also from.