New Arrivals - Games & Hardware
All the latest games, hardware, figures, merchandise, gaming magazines etc that have recently arrived in store are here. Use the filter below to select your console and narrow your search
All new arrivals. Use the menu to narrow your search.
XBOX 360
One on One Beat Em Up
Despite the fine backdrops such as the intriguing, if not slightly stereotyped, Chinese market in a nod to a Chinese fighting lady in a title that slips my mind; the core gameplay remains true to the combo hungry spirit of the SNK original. The fighters look mightily impressive and move with a fluidity befitting such well honed martial artists, but the true artistry in is the eye of the creator here.
Super Famicom
RPG
Certainly bizarre as players pick a card and go through a sim style battle with a rich wealth of characters that wouldnt look out of place in the mystic field on day three of Glastonbury. Colourful and true to the unusual source material.
Nintendo 64
Sports
Suitably whiny engines and plenty of sparks both visually and literally as the N64 gets a challenging work out and handles it without breaking sweat. The starting line up being displayed is a nice touch (with plenty more attention to detail in the anchor lights) and the essential speed makes the cut to appease fans of the series with little time to admire the sponsors signs, bridges or grandstand.
GameBoy Advance
Simulation
Based more on the Rockman Exe Anime series than any other previous Mega Man game, progress rewards the player with new armour and chips are collected from defeated foe. Plenty of exciting material for fans of the little Mega Man.
Sega Saturn
RPG
Solve the riddle of the mystery virus running rife through the hospital in this (dare we type it) FMV based adventure.
Dreamcast
Simulation
A plethora of zany mini games based on the various Bikkuriman characters. Not the most cerebral title, but plenty of frolics on offer if party game complations float your gaming boat.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Based on the anime exploits of a school student who visits a wonderful land in his sleep whilst spending his days playing RPG games when not at school. (Marchen is German for ‘fairy tale.’) Yet in this enchanted land our young protege finds his strength massively increased – a good job considering this is a fight fest. Graphics are beautifully cel shaded and the gameplay reaches the mighty plateau you’d expect from high riding Konami.
PS2
Rhythm
The Para Para dance craze swept Japan like the cherry blossom front with deeply tanned girls and bleached blond boys tossing about there limbs in the clubs from Shibuya to Sekijo. The game involves flicking out arms and legs in time to the beat and onscreen prompt proving a fine work out and building up a fine ability to para para!
Playstation
Shoot Em Up
Arcade classics 1942, 1943 and 1943 Kai on the one CD which is great to see as, aside from the 1941 Super Grafx conversion, until this release the home versions had been a tad disappointing. Thankfully Capcom’s back catalogue is well worth cashing in on. This particular version comes with a splendid art book detailing enemy planes from the games.
Super Famicom
Platform
Colourful, innocent platforming romp from the rink dink panther. Nice pacing and theme to the levels with plenty of power ups and comic twists to keep interest.
PS3
Action
Immortalised by the line ‘You are already dead’ and Kenshiro’s lightning fast attacks, the post-apocalyptic world of North Star was one of the first animes released in the West. Think of a cartoon Mad Max where you meet adversaries and more often than not, their heads explode. Koei gets nasty and heads roll with their multi character mechanics working a treat in a top, top license.
PS3
Sports
The Winning Eleven series arrives on the PS3 with all the graphical whizz bang wallop one might expect from the Sony powerhouse adding an extra tier to the atmosphere. Yet this is no FIFA: only the well-worked move will result in a rippling onion bag with the 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…
Super Famicom
Action
Inspired by the weighty puppet license comes a worthy video game translation with great use of the series many vehicles such as the giant air balloon used in great effect in a shoot em up scenario. Plenty of cut scenes to remind you who the heroes are.
Super Famicom
Platform
Full of the characteristic humour that has made Goemon one gaming character to get those who savour their retro gaming with an Eastern infusion misty eyed. Clever use of mode 7 in the Goemon mecha battles as was de rigueur with a top SFC title. A tuneful, traditional Japanese soundtrack bodes well with the warm feel to the towns and their friendly folk. Slightly more cerebral than previous installments with the townsfolk yielding important assistance at times. But its the tactical switching of characters that is most intriguing: be it for Ebisumaru’s ability to shrink, Sasuke’s powerful ball destroying bombs or Yae’s swimming ability. Goemon of course remains the good all-rounder.
Wii
Action
One of the most beautiful games imaginable from the Odin Sphere team that looks like a Hiroshige woodprint brought to life with all the colours of a summer kimono. An absolute treat of a game too with fluid platform slash action make for the most essential of Wii releases. Makes you drool its so lavish and feels like Princess Crown studying at the Ninja Dojo. Bon appetite.
PSP
Action
Epic proportions to Capcom’s tasty slice of monster battling with a posse of well designed beasts and some mean armour to bring them the cold justice of steel. Graphically very polished as one might expect from a series that is building up quite a following in Japan. The attack patterns have been improved and with it being possible to miss attacking through lack of player skill; there’s plenty of variety and substance to keep players going for a good while.
Dreamcast
Simulation
Mahjong, Shogi and card game all played in the relaxing surrounds of a hot spring. What more could you ask for? The Japanese title of this game is ‘Atsumare! Guru Guru Onsen.’
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Join three high school girls: Kaori, Takami and Miyuki through their school life to see if, eighty five days later, it ends in love. Or detention. Anime style.
Sega Saturn
RPG
This RPG comes from the solid stable of ‘Guilty Gear’ producer Arc. Play in charge of a group of hard studying magicians.
Dreamcast
Sports
Soccer management sim testing all areas of your knowledge of the game. Luckily Rooney style Anglo-Saxon language isn’t a part of the game in Japan making your job that little bit easier!
Playstation
RPG
A more compact quest than the open gaming world featured in the initial instalment with players savouring the action through different time lines that cross each other adding to the replay potential. Painstakingly beautiful gaming world that is full of vibrancy thanks to the 2D graphics. Executed with that distinctive Square class that the developer exudes.