Across the decades, August 11th has brought us genre-defining RPGs, visionary adventures, adrenaline-fuelled racers, comic-inspired brawlers, and revitalised dungeon crawls. These launches were not just games on a shelf, they were moments where players across the country took a leap into worlds of imagination, skill, and story. Today we look back at the releases that made this date one to remember for fans of all stripes.
Chrono Trigger (SNES) 1995
At A Glance
For me and a very lucky few, Chrono Trigger unofficially arrived via grey NTSC imports into Australia on August 11. Crafted by an all-star development team at Square, this time-hopping adventure brought together vivid characters, rich storytelling, and multiple endings in a way that felt revolutionary. For many, it was the RPG that set the gold standard for the genre.
Gameplay Gist
Chrono Trigger is a turn-based RPG with an innovative Active Time Battle system that blends strategy and speed. You recruit a party of distinctive characters, each with unique abilities, and unleash combined tech attacks that look spectacular on the SNES. Time travel forms the backbone of the adventure, allowing you to influence events across past, present, and future in ways that shape the outcome.
Behind The Scenes Trivia
The game was developed by what Square called the “Dream Team” which included Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii, and Dragon Ball artist Akira Toriyama. The soundtrack by Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu is considered one of the best in gaming history, with compositions that remain instantly recognisable decades later.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Active Time Battle system with dual and triple tech attacks
- Time travel mechanic influencing story and world state
- Multiple endings based on choices and timing
- Memorable cast designed by Akira Toriyama
Any Controversies?
While universally acclaimed, the game’s limited (mostly mom and pop store importing) release in Australia made it difficult to find, frustrating fans who missed its original window. Some also debated the balance of the later battles, noting how certain tech combinations could trivialise key fights.
Kinda Similar
Final Fantasy VI, Dragon Quest V, Secret of Mana
Where To Play It Today
eBay Australia search for Chrono Trigger (SNES)
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (Xbox) 2006
At A Glance
When Dreamfall: The Longest Journey landed in Australia in 2006, it promised a rare thing on consoles at the time — a sprawling, narrative-driven adventure that demanded patience and curiosity. Acting as the sequel to the cult hit The Longest Journey, it whisked players between futuristic dystopias and magical realms with a blend of intrigue, drama, and otherworldly charm.
Gameplay Gist
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey mixes third-person exploration with point-and-click-inspired puzzle solving, light stealth, and occasional combat. Conversations are a core mechanic, with branching dialogue shaping relationships and plot outcomes. The pacing is deliberate, encouraging you to linger in environments and absorb their atmosphere while juggling the perspectives of three playable protagonists.
Behind The Scenes Trivia
Ragnar Tørnquist returned to lead development at Funcom, deliberately designing Dreamfall: The Longest Journey to bridge traditional adventure games with console-friendly presentation. The game’s cinematic feel was aided by fully voiced dialogue in multiple languages, with particular praise given to Sarah Hamilton’s return as April Ryan. It also introduced Zoe Castillo, a protagonist who would become central to the series’ identity.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Three playable protagonists with interwoven storylines
- Blend of puzzle-solving, exploration, and light action
- Branching dialogue impacting relationships and endings
- Expansive, richly detailed worlds blending sci-fi and fantasy
Any Controversies?
Some fans of the original criticised Dreamfall: The Longest Journey for its reduced puzzle complexity compared to its predecessor, feeling the balance had shifted too far toward cinematic storytelling. Others lamented its cliffhanger ending, which would remain unresolved for years until Dreamfall Chapters released.
Kinda Similar
The Longest Journey, Syberia, Life is Strange
Where To Play It Today
eBay Australia search for Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (Xbox)
WipEout HD (PS3) 2008
At A Glance
In 2008, WipEout HD brought the beloved anti-gravity racing series into high definition for the first time, delivering blistering speed and razor-sharp visuals on the PlayStation 3. It reimagined classic tracks from earlier entries while adding a modern polish that showcased the console’s power. For many, it was a perfect blend of nostalgia and technical mastery.
Gameplay Gist
This futuristic racer challenges players to pilot sleek craft along twisting, gravity-defying circuits at breakneck speeds. Success demands precision control, careful use of weapons, and mastery of airbraking to shave seconds off lap times. WipEout HD also introduced full online multiplayer and Zone Mode, a hypnotic test of endurance where speed steadily climbs until only the most skilled can survive.
Behind The Scenes Trivia
Developed by Sony’s Liverpool Studio, WipEout HD reused and remastered tracks from WipEout Pure and WipEout Pulse, bringing them together in a single high-definition package. The game’s soundtrack featured electronic heavyweights like The Chemical Brothers, Kraftwerk, and Noisia, cementing its identity as much through music as through gameplay.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Anti-gravity racing at 60 frames per second in 1080p
- Zone Mode for endless speed challenges
- Online multiplayer with up to 8 racers
- Remastered tracks from PSP WipEout titles
Any Controversies?
The game’s initial delay was attributed to additional epilepsy testing after reports of flashing effects being too intense during pre-release builds. While it launched to critical acclaim, some long-time fans wished for more entirely new content rather than remastered material.
Kinda Similar
F-Zero GX, Redout, BallisticNG
Where To Play It Today
Part of WipEout Omega Collection on PlayStation 4
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (PS3) 2010
At A Glance
Released in 2010, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World turned Bryan Lee O’Malley’s cult comic series into a colourful, chaotic side-scrolling brawler on PlayStation 3. Bursting with retro charm, pixel art flair, and a chiptune soundtrack, it delivered a punchy homage to classic beat ‘em ups while riding the wave of the film adaptation’s release.
Gameplay Gist
Players battle through a series of themed levels, each ending with a boss fight against one of Ramona Flowers’ seven evil exes. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World blends combo-heavy combat, RPG-like stat progression, and co-op play for up to four players. Its style leans heavily on the nostalgia of arcade-era brawlers while weaving in modern humour and visual gags.
Behind The Scenes Trivia
Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, the game was heavily inspired by River City Ransom. It became infamous for its delisting in 2014 due to licensing issues, which kept it unavailable for years until a re-release in 2021. The original digital-only release helped highlight early conversations about digital preservation in gaming.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Gorgeous pixel art faithful to the comics
- Co-op for up to four players
- RPG-style levelling and stat boosts
- Memorable chiptune soundtrack by Anamanaguchi
Any Controversies?
The game’s multi-year delisting frustrated fans and became a rallying point for digital game preservation advocates.
Kinda Similar
River City Ransom, Castle Crashers, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge
Where To Play It Today
Search for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World on eBay Australia
Gauntlet: Slayer Edition (PC, PS4) 2015
At A Glance
Launching in 2015, Gauntlet: Slayer Edition was a modern reimagining of the iconic dungeon-crawling franchise, available on PC and PlayStation 4. It kept the core formula of hacking, slashing, and looting intact while injecting fresh visuals, tighter controls, and a refined combat loop. This was classic fantasy co-op fun with a contemporary polish.
Gameplay Gist
Players choose from four distinct heroes, each with unique abilities, and fight through procedurally generated dungeons teeming with monsters, traps, and treasure. Gauntlet: Slayer Edition rewards teamwork as players balance combat efficiency with resource management, all while pushing forward into increasingly dangerous lairs.
Behind The Scenes Trivia
Developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, the team wanted to maintain the spirit of the original Gauntlet arcade experience. The Slayer Edition overhaul addressed criticisms of the 2014 release, adding new enemy types, tweaking hero abilities, and refining the overall pace of dungeon runs.
Connoisseur Cheat Sheet
- Distinct hero classes with unique playstyles
- Procedurally generated dungeons
- Enhanced enemy variety in Slayer Edition
- Local and online co-op
Any Controversies?
The original 2014 release drew criticism for being too linear and repetitive. Slayer Edition was seen as a course correction but some players still longed for deeper RPG mechanics.
Kinda Similar
Diablo III, Helldivers, Magicka
Where To Play It Today
Search for Gauntlet: Slayer Edition on eBay Australia
