I don’t know if it’s the same where you are, but here in London, where I hail from, the sun has finally come out, christening both the start of a new month and a new selection of GotX Games
What Is GotX?
GotX stands for “Game of the X” – these are the games members of the Retro Handhelds Discord play together. We originally started this as Game of The Month (GotM) but later added Game of the Week (GotW) for shorter games, and (new this month) Game of the Quater (GotQ) for longer games. As we’re fans of shorthand, we lump all three categories together and call them GotX. As mentioned, GotQ is a new addition and sits in the spot previously held by “RPG of the Quarter” – the only major difference is that any genre can be selected for GotQ, not just RPGs.
We judge which part of GotX a game is eligible for, using the average time to beat on the website “How Long To Beat”
- GotM: Any game is eligible
- GotW: Any game with an HLTB time of 2 hours or less is eligible
- GotQ: Any game with an HLTB time of 30 hours or more is eligible
In order to help motivate community members into completing games, demonstrating completion of a GOTX game – by uploading a screenshot to the right place in the Discord server – will earn the player a point, and these points can later be exchanged for RH merch, including the fabled RH Bag, which can only be obtained using RH Points.
I think the best GOTX months are the months where there’s enough variety for there to be something for everyone. Looking at the 4 new GotX games in April, I think that applies this month.
Game of The Month: Astro April
GotM Winners from Astro April
Each month’s Game of the Month selection follows a selected theme. This month the theme was Astro April – essentially games that either involve space travel or aliens. Once a theme is selected, active members of the RH Discord nominate and then vote on which three games are selected – each GotM is from a separate time period based on the initial release date. This month, the three games selected are Star Fox (aka Star Wing), Pikmin, and Beyond Good & Evil.
GotM (1995 and before): Star Fox
- Console: SNES
- Release: 1993
- Genre: Shooter
- HLTB: 1 hour
In this month of something for everyone, Star Fox is the game for players who either want a quick completion or want to game on lower-powered handhelds like the Miyoo Mini. Star Fox is an on-rails shooter where the player takes control of Fox McCloud, leader of a mercenary team drafted by the planet Corneria’s defence force to save them from an interplanetary invasion force. Back in the day, Star Fox was famous for having the SuperFX graphics chip included in the SNES cart, allowing much better rendering of 3D graphics compared to the standard SNES game.
GotM (1996-2001): Pikmin
- Console: GameCube, Wii & Switch
- Release: 2001
- Genre: Real Time Strategy
- HLTB: 8 hours
In this month of something for everyone, Pikmin is the game for puzzle-loving players or players who want a game with a Goldilocks length (not too short, not too long).
Pikmin is the only of April’s GotM games that I haven’t previously played myself, so this is likely to be the game I choose to play in order to keep my streak going. Pikmin is a Real Time Strategy game where the player takes control of Captain Olimar who crash lands on a mysterious planet and must lead the native population of plant/animal hybrids on a quest to recover the missing ship parts required for take-off, while ensuring they are kept safe from their natural predators across the planet.
GotM (2002 and later): Beyond Good & Evil
- Console: GameCube, PS2 & Xbox
- Release: 2002
- Genre: Action-Adventure
- HLTB: 11 Hours
In the month of something for everyone, BG&E is the game for players who want an engaging story with fleshed-out characters.
BG&E is the story of Jade, who initially finds herself unable to protect the orphans in her care during an alien attack due to a lack of money. Jade then finds herself part of a group of freedom fighters trying to overcome an oppressive regime while earning money on the side by working as a photojournalist.
GB&E was not a commercial success upon release but later gained a cult following – I played the Xbox 360 remaster nearly 10 years after the initial release and found it to be one of the very best games I’ve ever played. I’m very much looking forward to fellow GotMers being able to experience this game I love for the first time.
GotQ: Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire
- System: Game Boy Advance
- Release: 2002
- Genre: RPG
- HLTB: 36 Hours
In the month of something for everyone, Pokemon is the game for players who want a slower-paced absorbing experience, which can be picked up and played in both bite-sized pieces across the whole 3 months or powered through in a shorter time.
This Pokemon game is the story of Brandan and May (which character you play as depends on which version of the game you choose to play), as they work to improve as Pokemon trainers in the new Hoenn regions, battling all the other Pokemon Gym Leaders in order to earn the right to challenge the Elite Four on the way to becoming the Hoenn League Champion.
Completion of either Ruby or Sapphire will earn the player a GOTM point, however, no additional points will be granted for playing through both. Like RPGotQ, additional points can be earnt for GotQ games like Pokemon Ruby / Sapphire by completing all listed retro achievements. Doing this will earn you 2 extra RH points, making 3 in total.
Game of the Week, aka RetroBits
If you’re looking for something smaller, a new GotW game will be announced on the RH Discord every Saturday Evening. GotW games are shorter games, which should only take 1 or 2 hours to complete. Unlike the other options, gamers only have 7 days to complete a GotW game, and completion only earns ½ a point, as opposed to earning a full point for GotM & GotQ games. The great thing about GotW games is that if this week’s selection isn’t for you, another one will come along shortly.
Retro Handhelds Discord
If the idea of discussing the GotX games and your playthrough sounds attractive, I strongly recommend joining the RH Discord. I’ve been a member of the GotM for nearly 3 years now, and I find it to be one of the best corners of the internet. Within the RH Discord, there’s a section dedicated to GotX. In that section you’ll find separate discussion threads for each GotM game, and also threads for GotW and GotQ. Newbies are welcomed and, after engaging in conversation for a short while (and playing GotM games), will be able to help select future GotM themes and future GotM & GotQ games.
GotX Randomiser
For anyone who wants a comprehensive list of all the games previously nominated/selected for GotX, we host the GotX randomizer on the RH website. This serves both to show the nomination history of a selected game and also offers players the ability to randomly select a game from GotX history for a playthrough. If analysis paralysis ever strikes while looking through a game list, this could be the solution.
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