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Help Me Identify This Game: The Details You Need to Provide

I Can't Remember It For You—But You Can Give Me the Clues

Game identification works like a detective case. The more specific evidence you provide, the faster the solve. Copy this template, fill in what you know, and ask anywhere (Reddit r/tipofmyjoystick, BGG forums, Discord, me).

Essential Identification Template

Field	What to Include	Example
Platform	PC (Steam, GOG, Epic, browser), Console (PS1–5, Xbox, Switch, NES, etc.), Mobile (iOS/Android), Arcade, Board game, Handheld (Game Boy, PSP, etc.)	PC (Windows 98 CD-ROM)
Approx. Year Played	Year range (1995–1998) or "late 90s," "early 2000s," "kid in 2010s"	1999–2002
Genre / Gameplay	Platformer, FPS, RTS, RPG, puzzle, point-and-click, text adventure, fighting, racing, sim, strategy, horror, edutainment	2D side-scrolling platformer
Visual Style	Pixel art (8-bit/16-bit/32-bit), pre-rendered, 3D (low poly/early/PS1-style), FMV, vector, claymation, anime, realistic	16-bit pixel art, bright colors
Perspective	Side-scrolling, top-down, isometric, first-person, third-person, split-screen	Side view
Protagonist	Human/animal/robot/vehicle; gender; distinctive look (hair, clothes, weapon)	Blonde boy in red cap, throws boomerang
Enemies / NPCs	Memorable foes, bosses, companions, merchants	Robot animals, mad scientist boss
Key Mechanics	Jump/dash/shoot/puzzle/stealth/craft/dialogue choices/deck-building/deck-destruction	Boomerang throws, glide, collect gears
Level Structure	Linear levels, open world, metroidvania, hub world, procedural, single screen	Linear levels, world map
Music / Sound	Chiptune, orchestral, licensed songs, memorable track, voice acting (language?)	Upbeat chiptune, "na-na-na" vocal hook
Specific Scenes	Opening, ending, a boss, a puzzle, a cutscene, a line of dialogue, a menu	Start in bedroom; mom says "Wake up!"
Box / Media	Cartridge (color?), CD-ROM (disc art?), floppy, cassette, cartridge shape (N64, GB, GBA)	Gray cartridge, red label
Region / Language	US, Japan, EU, Korea, China; English, Japanese, Spanish, etc.	US English
Multiplayer?	Local (couch), LAN, online, hotseat, asymmetric	Single player

Pro Search Tips

MobyGames → Advanced Search: platform + year range + genre + perspective.
Giant Bomb / IGDB → Filter by same.
Google Images: "1999 platformer boy red cap boomerang" → click images.
YouTube: "obscure 90s platformer," "lost game 2000s."
r/tipofmyjoystick: Post filled template; solved in hours usually.
BGG "Game Identification" forum: For board games.

Common "Lost Game" Archetypes

Edutainment CD-ROMs: JumpStart, Reader Rabbit, Magic School Bus, Pajama Sam, Freddi Fish, Putt-Putt.
Shareware/Floppy era: Doom shareware, Commander Keen, Duke Nukem (1/2), Jill of the Jungle, Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure.
Early 3D PC: Descent, Terminal Velocity, Forsaken, Incoming.
Console rental memories: Blockbuster/Hollywood Video rentals → often N64, PS1 games played once.

Fill the template. Post it. The internet never forgets a game.

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