7. Super Dodge Ball
Developer: Techns Japan Developer Techns Japan was already in the process of cementing its legendary status in the video arcade industry by the time they began to bring games over to Nintendo's Famicom in 1987. Karate Champ was already immensely popular in arcades and was paving the way for the fighting game craze that would hit the planet in the 1990's and beyond. Their 2D co-op brawler, Double Dragon, would soon follow Karate Champ and was equally influential in defining a genre as well. While their impact in the console space may not have been as loud, their trilogy of "Kunio-kun" games that hit Western markets were particularly beloved by those who had the good fortune to play them. The first title, Renegade, was one of the earliest beat 'em ups that could be played in the home, and the third title, River City Ransom, remains one of the most enjoyable co-op experiences on the Famicom and NES. However, it is the second game in the trilogy, Super Dodge Ball, that may actually be the best of the bunch. A great two-player competitive game (a single player campaign is also included) that has you playing 7 on 7 matches of dodge ball is undoubtedly the best reason to play this game, as the gameplay is surprisingly deep for such an old game, a characteristic River City Ransom also shares. After selecting a country to represent, you duke it out across various maps from all over the world. Players on each team have strengths and weaknesses, and perfect timing will allow you to catch an opponent's ball and hurl it back at them as they retreat. Also, having teammates on the out-of-bounds area on your opponent's side allows for a whole new set of tactical gameplay to open up. Super Dodge Ball is one of those games that still plays amazingly well, even 25 years after its release on the Famicom. Its basic simplicity is its strength, and it reveals its intricacies slowly to the player, especially if you can get a friend to play a match with you. Released on a console that had so many great player vs. player games, it's a testament to Super Dodge Ball that many gamers still consider it to be the best competitive game on the Famicom. Techns Japan slowly faded away from consciousness once the 90's rolled around, but the gems they left in their wake will always be remembered as some of the most enjoyable and influential games of their time. Super Dodge Ball is easily the most underrated of them all.