Budget Basement
All games listed under £12 are to be found in this basement section
All budget items in stock. Use the menu to narrow your search.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
No compromise on the one hit kills adding the harsh reality of samurai life in feudal Japan to this sword fighting game. Varied weaponry to select all with pros and cons to be carefully weighed up when game over is only a slice away. Square sticks firmly by its swords and the result is a highly rewarding title for those with the patience to fight through with emphasis as much on defense as attack.
PS2
RPG
Fantasy style space adventure (or should that be Phantasy with its similarity to PSO?) The group battles are intense and the plot woven with the extreme skill of a games company with a wealth of experience. Very emotive soundtracl perfectly suited to the on screen action.
PS2
Shooter
Its surprising how intuitive controlling a massive mecha can become and, with a good range of movements to master, players soon can strafe with the finest before unleashing a powerful rocket into an opponents mid rift.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Cheery, department style tunes and equally happy avatars accompany the doe eyed mange inspired characters as players interact to as best win over their favour and at worst avoid a slapped cheek.
PS2
Rhythm
The sequel to the genre defining title brings a welcomed save feature and plenty more mini game madness including a Galaga style shoot em up where tapping the drum skin fires shots (Namco not being one to forget its rich gaming roots) and drum rolling to blow up balloons – a tap on the rium when done. But the crux of the fun remains the songs – from Doraemon and Anpanman anime songs to Beethoven via J Pop from the likes on Mini Moni.
PS2
A Bit Special
A real treat as Sony goes out on a limb requiring the player to voice act to the various in game scenarios: be in horror movie, comedy scene or Western to great comic value.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Cracking fight title with clear, arcade style arrows making sure players know which one their fighter is in the middle of a melee. Four player bouts are a real scream, but the multi player action works just as well alone adding an extra dimension to the bout in having to keep an eye firmly focused on opponent fighters. The anime license adds a real varnish of classy sheen to an already well polished, triple A title.
PS2
Action
Third and possibly final installment of the samurai slasher seeing refreshing new backgrounds with the addition of Parisien Jaques played by Jean Reno (Leon, Wasabi.) Whilst never cynical, Genki is very envious of the angel who teaches Jaques to speak Japanese in an instant. Reaches new pinnacles on the PS2 with fully rendered scenery in glorious 3D including beautiful forests and marvellous magic effects. A true samurai would only play with the sword controller though.
Nintendo 64
Sports
Water physics so realistic you feel the brine in your face with every wave smashing into your jet ski pushing you off course. Feels so good with responsive controls via the analogue stick. Nintendo’s raison d’etre.
Merchandise
Merchandise
Straps to attach to face masks to make them more comfortable. Also comes with an accessory charm. Great for the gaming or anime convention.
PS2
Sports
Each wrestler makes a dramatic introduction complete with visual razzmatazz to get the adrenalin flowing pre-bout. Plenty of care and attention has been laden on the gameplay rather than just on each wrestler’s persona making for a fluid grapple. Square’s RPG eye for detail remains firmly intact with spots of blood remaining in the same place during the bout. And as innovatively as ever the controls are implemented by the analogue sticks making pulling off a special an achievement rather than a piece of cake adding much reward to a victory.
Figures
Figure
Pop out 3D figure from Dragon Quest in this Derumurin Island version tribute to Dai no Bouken. The effect works very well to bring it to life.
Nintendo Hardware
Accessory
Sticker sheets with eyes and letters to customise Labo creations besides colourful tape.
PS2
Sports
Konami’s crack Major A outfit worked wonders on the PS2 achieving very near perfection in this fluid football game and plays a posession game for the top of the league spot. A real treat to feel like scoring is possible from any position, not just set places on the pitch. Total football.
Super Famicom
RPG
A delight from start to finish no matter how many times you savour its entwining story with luscious visuals and recapture the powerful emotions stirred by in game events with a moving musical score. Gameplay is nicely balanced between action and exploration with a solid array of weapons to power up and spells to cast. Best to put everything else on hold before entering this enchanting world. Japanese title Seiken Densetsu 2.
Super Famicom
RPG
Truly epic and immense adventure that you know has the high Squaresoft assurance of quality from the very outset. With excellent characterisation thanks to the endeavours of Akira Toriyama of DragonBall Z fame and the input from the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest producers add an extra A to this triple-A title. Aurally it delights too with Yasunori Mitsuda’s genius imprinted all over the soundtrack that is appropriate to each era.
Famicom Cart
One on One Beat Em Up
Take on the deft of foot Oolong or the brute Chain in this grandmaster of martial arts antics. Gameplay is like a vintage port that only seems to improve with age. Hot fighting history indeed.
Figures
Figure
From the Yuru Camp anime and manga series (or ‘relaxed camp’) set in Yamanashi ken, these squishy figures look ace and are a good way to let off stress.
SNK Hardware
Accessory
The legacy can indeed live on thanks to these screen protectors that protect against screen scratches.
PS3
A Bit Special
The small, monkey like pet comes to life on the TV and those family members in the room are on screen too thanks to the Eye Toy. The family can then interact with the monkey: giving them a wash, playing tennis, generally monkeying around. Innovative as ever from Sony.
PS4
Action
Like a Hollywood Blockbuster, Destiny 2 grabs the bull by the horns and charges for its entire duration with relentless combat, huge pyros and dramatic score with obligatory voice acting.
PS3
Sports
Baseball game simulator that looks like watching a televised game with the switch of cameras and succinct commentary. Very slick.
PS3
Sports
Good scale to proceedings to be able to put on a burst of pace past a clambering defender, but still be able to see that killer through pass from the strikers run ahead. Oozes atmosphere with great attention to detail in the stadia and their dedicated supporters.
XBOX 360
Sports
The Winning Eleven series updates and renovates itself on the 360 offering the widest array of options for its home console. Graphically breaks previous records on the console absolutely dripping style with players features easily recognised. Yet this is no FIFA – only the well-worked move will result in a rippling onion bag with the quicker play engine being further honed towards a modern masterpiece. The AI is varied and being all-important to the league challenge, makes for a fine knock round in 1P mode. Crossing and heading works a treat as Genki found: getting to the by-line a traditional yet preferred choice of attack. If England fans can bear the reminder from the front cover…
PS3
Sports
Incredible baseball game that plays like a televised game with excitable commentary as the batter unleashed a home run. The attention to detail down to reflections on the shiny helmets, is astounding.
PS2
Platform
From the Ghouls and Ghosts saga and its easy to tell as only the most skilled and virtuous knights won’t end up in their firecrackers without armour. Bold take of the series into 3D and a fine action platformer for the worthy.
Playstation
Sports
Plenty for grapple fans to get to grips with including the special moves and good array of wrestlers to choose from. Subtitled Hyper Tag Match.
PS2
RPG
From the spoof warning of jokes on the packaging, it clear this version of Hanjuku Hero is very tongue in cheek throughout the RPG experience and it works a treat in setting the right tone of humour.
XBOX
Sports
Cruise the streets of cities such as Tokyo or past Big Ben in London looking fine in World Street Racing with responsive in car viewpoint and impressive rear-view mirror or perhaps take the OutRun style of the whole car.
Famicom Cart
Puzzle
Line up the colourful characters from the famed Sanrio series, with none more infamous than Hello Kitty herself, in this fine and dandy Puyo Puyo tribute.
Playstation
Sports
Intriguing twist on the football scene in that players take a third person perspective view of their teams star man and play the 90 minutes as that single player. Give and go or risk being subbed off after thirty minutes.
Famicom Cart
Shooter
Take off and get up to altitude whilst dog fighting other fighter jets at Mach speed in your aviator shades. Impressive frame rate.
Playstation
Sports
Fine ball physics and interesting characters to play against, including the Train Spotting look a like Timothy. Players must be wary of getting hustled when greenbacks are on the table. Not sure what Ronnie would make of the fast-paced soundtrack between shots mind.
PS2
Simulation
Genki is just pleased its more than a slot or fruit machine simulator with Ken and the post-apocalyptic scenes adding to the atmosphere, rather than just menacingly crunching their knuckles and waiting to mutter the immortal words of the series.
Merchandise
Merchandise
A very tidy Animal Crossing colouring in book with colourful note labels, maze puzzle and a character sheet.
PS2
Action
Gothic Splendour meets Castlevania style Transylvania as our J Rock style hero slices up all and sundry in order to prevent being over-whelmed. Stylishly executed both in terms of the gameplay and in terms of the hero’s actions.
Super Famicom
Sports
Mode 7 made for such a game with the engine revs blaring out. Effortlessly copes with the split screen multiplayer too – impressive results putting the hardware top of the podium.
PS2
Action
Samurai slasher less cerebral than the ‘Biohazard’ series, but the beautifully realised feudal Japanese world draws you in. Capcom’s class oozes through this title along with some sublime action sequences.
Super Famicom
Shooter
Star Fox utilised the new FX chip to the maximum producing a tight 3D shooter worthy of the Nintendo branding. As with all Nintendo classics, the gameplay is introduced to you gradually as you slowly begin to master control of the nippy airwing. Great control sees you weaving between buildings, skirting under bridges and taking on fruit machines in no time… With lavish presentation including banter with your fellow animal wing men, Starfox is a Super Famicom must have.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Few fighters manage to wield as much weaponry and yet remain true to a balanced bout as Namco brings a true arcade experience back to the PSX cognoscenti. Arenas are impressive with rice fields, Chinese temples and rafts on water all linked by the common denominator of being able to ring out. Yet it’s the character design where Namco has made most graft and its fruits are a real roster of splendid scrappers.