I also remember when
Primeval Titan was banned.
There was some sentiment among the EDH community at the time that if you weren't playing green, then you were doing it wrong. This was all because of Prime Time. It's not just the ETB trigger. You can ramp 2 non-basics every turn for just the low price of attacking with a 6/6 trample. No other card lets you do that for just 6 mana. Games often became a race of who could get their Prime Time online first.
Sure, there are answers. This is Magic. There are ALWAYS answers (except for emblems, but that's a completely different rant
) But if you need a turn or two to get them, it's often too late against the player who has gotten 3 or 4
Primeval Titan triggers. Even if they weren't getting degenerate land combos.
I will say, of all the banned cards this one surprised me the second most. The most surprising to me was
Sylvan Primordial.
Happy Brewing