PixlBit

So for March I have console Generation 3 as the time period (NES, SMS, Arcades, Atari 8bit, C64, Amiga, Apple II and such - you know, second half of the 80s). To limit the choices, I thought about what genres were interesting at that time to me and Beat 'em Ups came up first but more specifically Hack 'n' Slash games are really my more focused favorite. Also a limit of 20 games, although, I did make a much bigger list in case I run out. Let's get into it. 

Hack 'n' Slash games (or Slay 'em Ups) are a sub genre of Beat 'em Ups. They're basically the same type of action games but with melee weapons instead of just fisticuffs. Some Beat 'em Ups have weapons but if you're mainly fighting with a sword, then that's hack 'n' slash. There are many grey areas here and omissions that I may fix over time. I based this first 20 game list from wiki's lists, and I think it's not perfect. So anyway, here's the 20 so far. 

1. 1985 - Guantlet - Old Guantlet. I wonder if magic counts as hack 'n' slash. Maybe only the Fighter really counts? I'll play this within Midway Arcade Origins. 
2. 1985 - Legend of Kage -  I'll play this within Taito Legends 2, although, you can also play it as part of the Arcade Archives series on PS4/NS. 
3. 1986 - Guantlet II - Midway Arcade Origins again has this. I struggle to really like the early Guantlet games these days, but I'm determined to find a way to game them in some way, and make them fun. 
4. 1987 - Shinobi - It's in every Sega collection, specifically though, I'll play it within Sega Genesis Classics. 
5. 1987 - Rastan - Part of Taito Legends and Arcade Archives. 
6. 1987 - Tiger Road - A Capcom game within Capcom Arcade Stadium. 
7. 1988 - Sword of Sodan - A Genesis only game I'm still looking for. 
8. 1988 - Dark Chambers - This a Atari 8bit game on the Atari 50 collection. It's like an easier and more enjoyable Gauntlet. 
9. 1989 - Revenge of Shinobi - On Sega collections, where I will play it again.
10. 1989 - Shadow Dancer - Genesis only and looking for it. 
11. 1989 - Skull and Crossbones - NES only and I'm still looking for it.
12. 1989 - Astyanax - On the Switch subscription service for NES. I also got a cart for cheap to play.
13. 1989 - Golden Axe - A classic I'll happily revisit within Sega Genesis Classics.
14. 1989 - Strider - On Switch Sub service for Genesis and as part of Capcom Arcade Stadium.
15. 1991 - Warrior Blade: Rastan Saga - Within Taito Legends collection and a Arcade Archives on PS4/NS.
16. 1991 - Saint Sword - Genesis only and still looking.
17. 1991 - First Samurai - SNES only and looking.
18. 1991 - Dungeon Magic - Taito Legends 2. I'm so glad I have both Taito collections still on PS2. 
19. 1997 - Dynasty Warriors - PS1 only and looking. I've tried the series before and didn't take to it but it might be worth another shot. 
20. 1998 - Medievil - PS1 and a remake on current systems along with it's sequel. I've tried it too before and liked it to a point. May take it on again. 

Well, I think about some games not on this list out before 2000 and few come to mind that might fit the hack 'n' slash description like TMNT. So I might do some more research and update the list.

I also made a longer list of 138 games reaching to the present just in case, but I'm going to try and keep to the oldest games as much as I can. 

And that's what's up for March for the most part. On any given game day I may stray to other stuff if I get bored though. You never know. I discovered another Sonic racing game and the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games last month.