Thread by @Ramo_Antoine

A thread of Japan-exclusive PS1 gems! A few years ago, I browsed the entire list of the console's releases, found an incredible lot of secret masterpieces or oddities, and listed my favorites. I will present roughly 100 of them, posting each day through the month of March! =>

Aconcagua (Sony, 2000), a diplomatic survival adventure in the Andes. Control the 5 survivors of a plane crash, including the revolutionary woman the government is trying to murder. Unique, radical & smart in every aspect. Its worldwide release was abandoned for unknown reasons.

Suzuki Bakahatsu (Sol, Enix, 2000), a puzzle game about a girl who encounters bombs everywhere she goes. You'll have to inspect, open up, understand and defuse explosives which look like mundane objects. Designed by Kouichi Yotsui, it's original, pleasant and polished!

Germs: Nerawareta Machi (KEJ, 1999), an early 3D open-world. You're a journalist exploring your hometown, which has been infected by aliens. When you kill someone, you can see their thoughts. It's quite popular online, mostly because of its unique strangeness and atmosphere!

Mizzurna Falls (Human, 1998), an open-world investigation inspired by Twin Peaks. Often compared to Shenmue (1999) because of its calendar, phonebook and NPC routines, it's even more ambitious: you can drive a Beetle. And a boat. A cult gem, accessible thanks to @residentevie!

Also by Human Entertainment: Twilight Syndrome - Tansaku-hen & Kyumei-hen (both 1996), followed by Moonlight Syndrome (1997). A popular series of horror games directed by @suda_51, about high schoolers investigating urban legends. 3D sound, minimal interaction, great atmospheres!

After Moonlight Syndrome, Suda51 left Human to found Grasshopper Manufacture and develop The Silver Case (1999), an investigation visual novel playable as the detective or as the journalist. A defining piece of the studio's universe, it was finally released worldwide in 2016!

Its director, Taichi Ishizuka, is now a hiking tour guide in Canada. He gave an interview to John Szczepaniak for his book The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers, and it's available on the Project Mizzurna blog => projectmizzurna.tumblr.com/post/136983221….

If you want, you can also check Bruno de Figueiredo's blog => easternmind.tumblr.com/post/290601314… or this cool article by @_Kimimi => …thegameeatingshemonster.wordpress.com/2020/09/13/cou…

You need to see more images

The Book of Watermarks (Arc, 1999), a point & click adventure loosely inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest. It looks a lot like Myst, but its transitions are animated. It features a nice soundtrack (with vocals by Irish singer Moya Brennan) and FMVs recorded in English!

Kowloon's Gate (Zeque, 1997), an esoteric adventure game with 3D dungeons & a rich universe. Its designers have labeled its distinctive, intricate style as "Asian Gothic": a mix of religious architecture, Chinese philosophy & cyberpunk. Cult in Japan, it had a VR sequel in 2019!

Planet Laika (Zeque / Quintet (!!!), 1999), a psychological RPG set on Mars. You're a dog-faced human with 3 distinct personalities. You try to uncover the bleak secrets of this world ruled by a mind-bending AI. A terrifying game about identity, hallucinations & the apocalypse.

If you'd like to know more, you can follow @kowloon_officia and read Brian Crimmins' article for @HG_101! => hardcoregaming101.net/kowloons-gate/

Let's take a moment to introduce Love-de-Lic! It was a studio made up of former Square employees, including @Route24 (Incredible Crisis, GiFTPiA, Chibi-Robo!), @yoshiro_kimura (Chulip, Rule of Rose, Little King's Story), @A8quattro (Michigan, Contact) & Taro Kudo (Endonesia).

The 3 games they made together are some of the most innovative and wholesome I know of. One of them is L.O.L.: Lack of Love, an evolutionary life sim for the Dreamcast, with a memorable soundtrack by @ryuichisakamoto. The others are the next two entries on this list:

Moon: Remix RPG Adventure (1998), a deconstruction of the genre, set in the dreams of a child. Gather love, and save the souls of the innocent beings killed by "the hero". After @tobyfox called it a major inspiration, this miracle was recently released worldwide by @oniongames!

UFO: A Day in the Life (1999)! You're an alien trying to rescue 50 fellow creatures stuck on earth in a residential building. But they're invisible. To find them, you'll have to study the daily life of the human residents, and notice the tiny disruptions caused by the aliens!

Charumera (Victor, Pack-In, 1999), a yatai simulator. Wander through the streets, play the flute, have a few conversations and prepare some ramen. Each client has different tastes, which can evolve through time. You'd like to stop and contemplate the city, but your work is hard!

If you'd like to know more about Love-de-Lic and related studios such as Onion Games, Vanpool, Punchline or Skip, you should follow @LovedelicLife, and of course @oniongames!

Boku no Natsuyasumi (Millenium Kitchen, 2001), a game about spending the summer vacation in the countryside. During these 31 days, there are many beautiful places to explore, things to learn, conversations to have, activities to undertake and great mysteries to discover!

Although this masterpiece and its 3 sequels are all Japan-exclusive, they are loved everywhere now. Their designer, @ayabekaz, also created Bokura no Kazoku and Attack of the Friday Monsters!. He's now directing the recently announced Crayon Shin-Chan game.

Mushi Taro (Victor Entertainment, 2000), a bug-catching game which could have been a Boku no Natsuyasumi spin-off. There are many zones, populated by different types of insect. Each type is caught using a different technique. It's beautiful, soothing and encyclopedic.

Tokyo Insect Zoo (General Entertainment, 1996), the intriguing adventure of a boy changed into a beetle. He will meet many insects along his way through the soon-to-be demolished zoo. A wholesome game about death. It features numerous FMVs animated by the renowned Studio Pierrot.

Wonder Trek (Zest Works, Sony, 1998), an action-adventure game set on a deserted island. To protect its wildlife from the poachers, you'll have to solve puzzles, engage in fights and uncover the area's many mysteries. The game is sponsored by the WWF!

Deserted Island (Mediamuse, KSS, 1996), a first-person survival/exploration game. The year is 1904, and you're the first expedition sent on a newly discovered island. Manage your members' fatigue, hunger and mental health, and try to document the area's strange wildlife!

This is one of the most accessible non-localized titles for people who can't read Japanese. We completed it in a few days with @dyna_elunabane, @Zeph_Hareng and a bunch of other friends, and had a really good time!

Hyouryuu Ki: The Reportage Beyond the Sea (KSS, 1999), a survival adventure. The events take place just after a plane crash on a deserted island. Manage up to 6 characters, keep them alive, use materials to build increasingly complex structures, and try to find a way to escape!

Deep Sea Adventure – Kaitei Kyuu Panthalassa no Nazo (Barnhouse Effect, Takara, 1997), an ocean exploration adventure/RPG. Visit cities, upgrade your submarine, fight pirates, look for treasures in wreckages and find your lost father.

B.L.U.E Legend of Water (CAProduction, Hudson,1998), an undersea exploration adventure. You're a teenager named Maya, whose father works in a research station on the ocean. Swim with your dolphin pal Luka, visit mysterious ruins and uncover their secrets!

Aquanaut no Kyuujitsu II (Artdink, 1999) & Memories of Summer (1996), ocean exploration games by Kazutoshi Iida (Doshin the Giant). Discover ruins, build a coral reef to attract sea creatures, and communicate with them! Only the first game of the series was released worldwide.

Kaze no Notam (Artdink, 1997), a hot air balloon simulator and the most soothing game I know of. Perfect for eating junk food at 3 AM. You barely control anything because you depend on the winds and can only adjust your height. Its OST is a miracle: .

There have been many train simulation games on the PS1, from the very popular Densha de Go! series (5 games on the console) to the more specific SL de Ikou! series (2 games), which focuses on steam trains.

And let's not forget this cool bunch of dekotora sims! The Bakusou Dekotora series (Human, 1998 / Spike, 1999), and the Art Camion series (TYO, 1999 / Affect, 2000), truck racing games with heavy customization and story modes, except for the 2nd Art Camion which is a board game!

Racing Lagoon (Squaresoft, 1999), a street racing game with RPG elements, reminiscent of Initial D and produced by Akitoshi Kawazy (SaGa). Drive freely through Yokohama by night, challenge drivers, improve and customize your car. Gorgeous game, unusual story, terrific soundtrack!

A special tribute to @HyperBrotherKGO and @PsEuDoLeSs_1 !

These games were designed specifically for @MortisGhost

Potestas (Video Champ, Nexus, 1996), a political simulator. Understand the problems of your island's citizens, and try to solve them by submitting new laws to the parliament. Can be played in versus mode by up to 4 players!

Azito (Aztec 21, 1996) and its sequels (1998, 2000), a series of evil underground facility management games. Conduct researches on the most cutting-edge secret weapon technologies, keep your facility economically self-sufficient, and build giant fighting robots!

Neo Planet (ISCO, Map Japan, 1996), a management game focused on sustainability. Sent by a futuristic civilization (of your choice), you manage its development on a newly explored planet. Make sure its resources, wildlife and ecosystem are preserved! Narrated by Masaaki Yajima.

Egg (Toshiba EMI, 1998), a perfectly unique strategy puzzle game. It's basically a city builder played by throwing an egg on a surface on which life will then start developing. You can choose between 4 different eggs. You should also know that there's a 4-player versus mode. Yes.

Velldeselba Senki: Tsubasa no Kunshou (Tenki, Sony, 1997), an action RPG with real-time 3D aerial battles and gorgeous anime FMVs. During the 2D parts, you can receive missions, hire crewmembers and change, repair or upgrade your ship. Quite an outstanding game!

The Airs (Victor, Pack-In, 1999), an RPG with turn-based aerial battles. Customize your flying engine, engage in battles or races, and visit the floating continent. The game features vibrant colors, a charming design, and a day/night cycle with exclusive dialogue options.

Shachou Eiyuuden – The Eagle Shooting Heroes (Sony, 2000), an RPG set in China under the Song Dynasty. Based on Jin Yong's novel series with the same title, it was voiced by a cast of prominent actors and actresses, becoming the first game with Mandarin as primary voice over.

Hanabi Fantast (Magical Company, 1998), a fireworks creation tool, wrapped up in a very simple adventure. You're here to make people happy with a gorgeous show! Very cute game, with a delightful universe.

Segare Ijiri (Enix,, 1999), an indescribable pile of gags, puns and visual oddities. Explore, unlock areas, talk to monsters and make word plays about poop. Reminiscent of the Sega CD game Panic!, it's a cult hit in Japan and had a PS2 sequel.

Fushigi Deka (Capcom, 2000), an absurd investigation adventure set in a cartoon world. This is some truly unique approach to the murder case trope.

Jingle Cats: Love-Para Daisakusen no Maki (Sony, 1998), a mix of a digital pet and a puzzle game, in which you have to take care of several cats and make 2 of them fall in love. Very cool art style and animations! It's actually based on Mike Spalla's Jingle Cats songs.

Nyan to Wonderful (Pandora Box, Banpresto, 1996) and its sequel (1999) are basically Nintendogs + Cats before it's time. Feed your pet, train your pet, play with your pet, and take pictures of your pet on the moon. The game's mascot is a weird mouse.

Neko Zamurai (Aim at, Human, 1999), an adventure game set in an alternative feudal Japan populated by humanoid cats. It is quite ambitious, and features over 100 characters with voice acting and facial animation. There are also some cinematic fights with quick time events.

Schrodinger no Neko (Dual, Takara, 1997), an adventure game with RPG elements. From medieval Europe to Atlantis, you travel through time and space, fight monsters, solve mysteries and chase a mysterious cat. Caution: eating pistachios will leave you paralyzed.

Shinkai Densetsu Meremanoid (Xing Entertainment, 1999), an underwater RPG based on a little-known anime series. One of its distinctive features is the character's ability to actually move through all 3 dimensions in order to explore its large fantasy environment.

Stray Sheep: Poe to Merry no Daibouken (Robot, 1999), an exciting and delightful adventure based on a series of animated spots. For this one, I'll leave you with @PIXELATEDCROWN's very cool thread and playthrough, the last part of which was just released!

https://twitter.com/PIXELATEDCROWN/status/1348447445668167680?s=20

Koko Hore! Pukka: Dig A-Dig Pukka (MuuMuu, Sony, 2000), a very elaborate digital pet. Take care of Pukka, upgrade his adorable ship, explore, and look for space stones! Developed by the creators of the Pet in TV and Jumping Flash series, it's a very unusual and charming game!

Purumui Purumui (F2 Company, Culture Publishers, 1999), a "morphing" action-RPG. The mascot (Mui) can transform if you prepare different dishes for them, and the main character (Madoka) can change her persona by collecting medals. Charming environments and fine music!

Community Pom (Fill-In Café, 1997), an action-RPG / city-builder which begins when a watermelon monster attacks your village. The poms are tiny creatures who can fight by your side! In exchange, you help them build and organize their own little town.

The first 3 PoPoLoCrois games (G-Artists / Sugar & Rockets, Sony, 1996, 1998, 2000), tactical RPGs about peace and compassion, adapted from a manga series. Very rich and pleasant universe, gorgeous pixel art, cool anime FMVs, and your character grows older through the game!

The first 3 World Neverland games: Olerun Oukoku Monogatari (Riverhill Soft, 1997), Pluto Kyouwakoku Monogatari (1999) & Waneba Island (2000), life simulators set in a fantasy world. Develop relationships, work, fight, have children, grow old and influence the country's life!

Mystik Ark: Maboroshi Gekijyo (Produce!, Enix, 1999), an adventure game with some action sequences. This enigmatic journey across multiple worlds is a sequel to the Super Famicom RPG Mystik Ark. They both belong to an informal series which began with The 7th Saga.

Elder Gate (Konami, 2000), an RPG about combining different types of energy. As a keeper of the passage between two worlds, you'll have to restore their balance. The game features procedurally generated dungeons, maps, scenarios, and a soundtrack composed by Michiru Yamane!

London Seirei Tantei-Dan (Bandai, 1999), an RPG set in Victorian-era London. You're a homeless boy who starts working for a detective, solving multiple cases for him and gradually uncovering the mysteries of the spirit world. A gorgeous game with an impressive environment!

Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salburg (Gust, 1997) and its sequel Atelier Elie (1998), the first 2 entries in the Atelier series. Explore the region, collect ingredients, create potions, fight foes and complete quests in order to graduate from the Salburg Academy of Alchemy!

Pixygarden (Escot, Imageworks, 1999), a fairy-raising simulator. In this complex system, you'll have to transform the environment and make it spiritually harmonious, so that different types of fairies can grow from it. It's based on the 2D PC-98 game of the same name.

Fuuraiki (Full on Games, O-TWO, 2001), an unusual combination of adventure, romance and photography. You're a young reporter travelling through Hokkaido to write an assignment. Over the course of a month, you will interview residents, take pictures, and develop relationships!

Gaball Screen (System Sacom, Antinos Records, 1996), a fascinating ego trip by Tetsuya Komuro, the most successful music producer in Japan. Travel through worlds as a flying shoe, meet dolpins, scratch with aliens, find hidden CDs and listen to some music. 100% kitsch, 200% cool.

Planet dob (Microvision, Hudson Soft., 1999), a promotional game for a band called Date of Birth. You're an amnesic alien collecting Bits: each Bit adds a new instrument to the background music. A surprising adventure game with puzzles, mini games, and even some mixing stages!

Pepsiman (Kid, 1999), a 3D action/runner advergame often compared with Crash bandicoot. It was known in Japan as a very affordable, yet pretty good game. There are Pepsi logos on everything.

Shoutout to @Zeph_Hareng who recommended this game to me 3 or 4 years ago!

Cho Aniki: Kyuukyoku Muteki Ginga Saikyou Otoko (Pre Stage, Nippon Computer System, 1995), the 2nd horizontal scrolling shooter in the Cho Aniki series. Similar to the first one, except everything is now digitized sprites of powerful bodybuilders. A legendary & splendid baka-ge.

Kyuin (Media Entertainment, 1996), a horizontal scrolling shooter about 2 siblings visiting a charming fairy tale world while cleaning the house. Your ship is a vacuum cleaner, so you can absorb some of the enemies and their bullets! It's basically a family-friendly Parodius.

Internal Section (Positron, Squaresoft, 1999), a barrel shooter and a synesthetic experience. Similar to REZ (2002) in many ways, it focuses on spirituality, music and immersion. You can switch between 12 ships, each one corresponding to an animal from the Chinese zodiac.

Front Mission 2 & Front Mission Alternative (G-Craft, Squaresoft, 1997), tactical RPGs about mechas. The series began on Super Famicom, and will reach the west with Front Mission 3. Excellent and successful games, with diverse characters, cool stories and meaningful choices!

Love & Destroy (Arc, Inti Creates, Sony), a third-person shooter & a dating sim. Aliens invaded earth and you have to fight them with your mecha, alongside 3 other pilots (robot girls from the future). Character design by Masakazu Katsura & anime FMVs by Production I.G!

Godzilla: Trading Battle (Toho, 1998), the deck-building game we all needed. It features every Toho kaiju of the time, and 6 exclusives! There's a story mode, a duel mode, and a deck mode which allows you to browse through your own collection of cool kaiju cards.

King of Producer (Aqua Rouge, GMF, 2000) & The Game Maker (Kuusou Kagaku, Success, 2000), strategy/simulator games which allow you to lead a team of game developers. You'll have to make sure everyone gets enough rest, appreciation and karaoke (this is what developers need).

* Bakuhatsu

Rakugaki Showtime (Treasure, Enix, 1999), a 3D battle arena fighting game with a unique sketchbook style. 4 players can compete in the arena (using the multi-tap). Many objects will appear, drawn by the "god hand", and most of them can be used as projectiles!

Slap Happy Rhythm Busters (Polygon Magic, ASK, 2000), a stylish fighting games in which super moves are performed via a seamlessly integrated rhythm minigame. It features over 20 unique playable characters, fun finishing moves, and it looks like Jet Set Radio!

Gekisou Tomarunner (Desert, Sony, 1999) & Gekitotsu Toma L'Arc (2000), foot racing games. Punch opponents, find shortcuts, bounce on walls, swim, jump and jostle! It's wild, and there's a kappa. The sequel includes members from the rock band L'Arc-en-Ciel as playable characters!

Dr. Slump (Bandai, 1999) a stunningly beautiful action-adventure game based on the 2nd anime adaptation of Akira Toriyama's manga series. This long game features 7 chapters, many characters and minigames, hidden golden poop and a gorgeous Penguin Village!

Space Battleship Yamato - Eiyuu no Kiseki & Ai no Senshi-Tachi (NK System, Bandai, 2000), real-time tactical games closely adapted from the series. Story of the Galaxy Express 999 (Polygon Magic, Banpresto, 2001), an action-adventure game, is another Matsumoto Reiji adaptation!

Ibarado: Rapture no Kaeru Machi (System Sacom, 1997), an action-adventure game based on Naohisa Inoue's imaginary land, Iblard. You're a young boy who entered this fantastical world, and you must prevent it from vanishing!

Persona 2: Innocent Sin / Tsumi (Atlus, 1999), the only Japan-exclusive installment in the cult psychological RPG series. It is similar to its predecessor, with Kouji Okada, Kazuma Kaneko & Tadashi Satomi returning. Thankfully, its PSP remake was released worldwide in 2011!

Echo Night 2: Nemuri no Shihaisha (From Software, 1999), an horrific adventure game. Visit a gorgeous haunted mansion, and set ghosts free by uncovering secrets. Once again, a great but Japan-exclusive entry in an otherwise localized series. Good news: there's a fan-trad now!

King's Field (From Software, 1994), a groundbreaking first-person RPG. Unlike the rest of the series, it wasn't localized (what we know as King's Field outside Japan is in fact its sequel). A spiritual predecessor to the Souls series, it already featured most of its qualities.

LSD: Dream Emulator (OutSide Directors Company, Asmik Ace, 1998), a precursor of walking simulators. No goal: only short dreams, poems & FMVs. The textures, events & BGM patterns are influenced by our behavior, dream after dream. Hugely innovative, cult, and fucking captivating.

Other PS1 games from @osd_word :

- Tokyo Wakusei Planetokio (OSD, Asmik Ace, 1999), a unique adventure game with turn-based RPG battles against aliens!

- Rhythm 'n' Face (2000), a "Rhythm Paint Game" in which you follow the music to recreate funny characters (it's quite hard!)

Nemu lu Mayu: Sleeping Cocoon (Dual, Asmik Ace, 2000), an esoteric first-person RPG / dungeon crawler. The world is ruled by a demon. You can cast spells by following the rhythm of a rune. It's very complicated and hard to play, but everything about it is fascinating!

@Zeph_Hareng and I made a video essay about this game (and Metroid Prime) a few years ago:

And for Global Game Jam2021, we made an LSD: Dream-inspired tiny game together! antoine-ramo.itch.io/lone-seashore-…

ParanoiaScape (Jorudan, Mathilda, 1998), a first-person horrific action/pinball game. Its visuals and sound effects were designed by Screaming Mad George, a renowned special effects artist. You play as the flippers (bones), moving through horrible levels & pushing the fireball!

GeGeGe no Kitaro: Noroi no Nikuto Katachi Tachi (BEC, Bandai, 1997) & Gyakushuu! Youma Daichisen (Konami, december 2003!), a 3D adventure game and a 2D platformer, both adapted from Shigeru Mizuki's works. The platformer is gorgeous and features this Kuniyoshi-inspired monster!

Ugetsu Kitan (Will, Tonkin House, 1996), an adventure game adapted from Ueda Akinari's supernatural tales. It features terrifying digitized yōkai and a 4th wall-breaking ending. There are many similar PS1 games but I like this one because it reminds me of Cosmology of Kyoto.

Forget me not: Palette (Nishida Yoshitaka, Enterbrain, 2001), a bleak adventure game set inside the mind of an amnesiac girl. A predecessor of Yume Nikki, it's originally an amateur RPG Maker game. It was remade for the PS1 because it won the 4th ASCII Entertainment contest!

Gokuu Densetsu: Magic Beast Warriors (Allumer, 1996), a fighting game inspired by Journey to the West. It features awesome digitized characters, indescribable psychedelic backgrounds, Super Sentai-like FMVs and an over-the-top heavy metal soundtrack. Cheesy and cool!

Doki Oki (Banpresto, 1995), one of the first PS1 FMV adventure games. You're a human sent in another world, which is populated by robotic Dogū figurines. By talking to them, you may unlock or upgrade new areas of knowledge which will help you progress. Incredible style!

The next 3 days will be dedicated to interesting ports and remakes! In some cases, the original game was localized. Some of these games aren't even Japanese at all! What matters here is that the PS1 version was Japan-exclusive.

Linda³ Again (Alfa System, Sony, 1999), a port of the cult 18+ PC Engine RPG (1995). The planet will be destroyed in 8 years so you must gather pairs of animals to save. As the seasons pass, cities become derelict. 3 unique scenarios/timelines, now with gorgeous anime FMVs!

Pu-Li-Ru-La (Taito, Xing, 1997), a port of the eccentric Arcade beat'em up (1991). Retrieve the stolen key which kept time flowing in Radishland! Along with this imaginative storyline, the game features a wonderful art style with some truly unexpected visuals & digitized sprites.

G.O.D Pure: Growth or Devolution (Infinity, Imageneer, 1998), a port of the mystical Super Famicom RPG Mezame yoto Yobu Koe ga Kikoe (1996). Written by playwright Shoji Kokami, with sound design by metal legend Demon Kakka! A vast game with a truly surprising storyline.

Gadget: Past as Future (Synergy, 1997), a port of Haruhiko Shono's PC masterpiece (1993). Its linear storyline is masterful and nightmarish. Its environments are gorgeous and bleak. Its ambience & soundtrack are extremely powerful. Unlike the original, this port wasn't localized!

Tales of Phantasia (Wolf Team, Namco, 2000), an eccentric port of the Super Famicom RPG classic (1995). This version features a revamped combat system, a new opening by Production I.G, a 3D world map, a new playable character, re-drawn 2D sprites & re-recorded voices!

Baroque: Distorted Delusions (Sting, Hamster, 1999), a port of the Saturn's post-apocalyptic roguelike RPG (1998). Easier than the original, it features a new vendor, a new vocal theme, some voice acting by Minami Takayama and an improved procedural level generation.

A Baroque prequel was released for the PS1, and it wasn't localized either. It's called Baroque Syndrome (Sting, 2000), and it is a visual novel adapted from the promotional novella Baroquism: Syndrome, which ran in Sega Saturn magazine.

Quantum Gate I: Akumu no Joshou (Affect, Gaga, 1997), a port of the groundbreaking interactive movie/adventure game Quantum Gate (Hyperbole, Media Vision, 1993) originally released on PC. Apparently, the game's sequel, The Vortex: Quantum Gate II, was never ported to PS1.

Darkseed (Cyberdreams, GaGa 1995) & its sequel (B-Factory, 1997), ports of the MS-DOS horror point & clicks based on artworks by H.R. Giger (Destiny Media, 1992, 1995). You have 3 real-time hours to solve the first game, until the dark seed erupts from your brain. Sick.

And a small selection of other notable ports:
Klaymen Klaymen (The Neverhood, Riverhill Software, 1998), from PC.
Policenauts (Konami, 1996), from PC-9821.
Curiosity Kills the Cat? (Impact/Eyst, ASCII, 1998), from PC.
Septentrion: Out of the Blue (Human, 1999), from S-Famicom.

For the 3 remaining days, I will share 12 games each afternoon instead of 3, but I won't include any description. This way, you can freely imagine what lies behind these strange covers!

Tadaima Wakusei Kaitakuchuu! (Pure Sound, Altron, 1995).
Doki Doki Poyatchio! (M2/Saizensen/Zero System, King Records, 1998).
Kuru Kuru Marumaru (JAM, Hudson, 2001).
The Oni Taiji: Mezase! Nidaime Momotarou (Prism, Nippon Ichi, 1995).

Bonogurashi: Kore de Kanpeki Disu (Amuze, 1996).
Suna no Embrace: Eden no Sato no Never (Idea Factory, 2000).
Utau-Uh: Seirei Songs (Opus Corps, Enix, 2000).
Suzu Monogatari (Capcom, 2000).

The Famires: The Family Restaurant (Artdink, 1999).
Butage: Deiin Janai? (Shangri-La, 1998).
Love Love Torokko (TYO, 1999).
Ten Made Jack: Odoroki Manenoki Daitoubou (Extrays, Enix, 2000).

Astronoka (System Sacom, Enix, 1998).
Robbit Mon Dieu (Sugar & Rockets, Sony, 1999).
Slime Shiyo (Tohoku Shinsha, 1996).
Mushi no Idokoro (Gen Soft, 1996).

Salzburg no Majo / The Witch of Salzburg (T.Dogs, 1997).
Jellyfish: The Healing Friend (Visit, 2001).
Senran (Hokusho, Angel, 1996).
Ore no Shikabane wo Koete Yuke (Alfa System, Sony, 1999).

Serial Experiments Lain (Pioneer, 1998).
Ecsaform (Emotion, Bandai, 1999).
Oasis Road (Idea Factory, 1999).
Addie no Okurimono: To Moze from Addie (Sony, 2000).

Ring of Sias (Athena, 1996)
Eve: The Lost One (C's Ware/Tose, Imageneer, 1998).
Otogirisou (Chunsoft, 1999), a port from the Super Famicom game.
Akagawa Jirou: Yasoukyoku (Open Sesame, Victor, 1998).

Yuyami Doori Tankentai (Spike, Exit, 1999).
Kyoufu Shinbun (Atelier Double, Yutaka, 1996).
Oumagatoki (Break, Marvelous, 2001).
Inagawa Junji: Kyoufu no Yashiki (Billiken, Visit, 2000).

Yamiifuku Natsu: Teito Monogatari Futatabi (B-Factory, 1999).
Tokyo Dungeon (Kadokawa Shoten, 1995).
Cho-Nazo-Oh (Bandai, 2000).
Yaku: Yuujou Dangi (Axes Art Amuse, Idea Factory, 1996).

Souten no Shiroki Kami no Za: Great Peak (Pandora Box/ARC, Sony, 1998).
Kasei Monogatari (Japan Vistec, ASCII, 1998).
Yaoi Junichi Gokuhi Project: UFO Wotsuie! (Japan Clary Business, 1996).
Kuro no Juusan (Tonkin House, 1996).

The thread is now over! If you want more, you can find some sources and recommendations right here! =>

https://twitter.com/Ramo_Antoine/status/1377299297771872256