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.
PS2
A Bit Special
More of the madcap mayhem that made the prequel such a popular title with plenty of bizarre inhabitants as the giant ball engulfs all that it can rolling around Japanese towns all wondrously realised in the games unique style. Not just towns though – a school, ski resort, even the bottom of a lake keep things fresh and innovative. Tactical additions to gameplay such as having to race your katamari or having to become a giant fireball through collecting wood and rubber. Known in English as We Love Katamari.
Dreamcast
Puzzle
Bringing the mahjong mass market to Western players is worthy of commendation and allows gamers to access the vast array of Japan only mahjong titles. The strangely zen meditative properties of clearing the on screen titles is a very enjoyable Sunday afternoon pastime. Independently produced Dreamcast title.
PS2
Sports
Japan exclusive title with realistic graphics produced using motion capture technology. Includes the twelve top Japanese Professional teams with their full squads: even down to the mascots so players can savour Giants vs Tigers match ups. Some hyped up commentary helps to crank up the pressure with bases loaded and Konami’s experience in the genre with the Powerful Pro Yakyuu series shines through.
PS2
A Bit Special
A superb concept and it works like a treat as players expertly use cooking chopsticks to deliver and flip slices of meat and vegetables to hungry punters. The meat sizzles away and the sound effects are very authentic so you can almost smell the beef grilling over the hot coals making for a great pre dinner blast. Customers chatter away but burnt meat or slow service will soon have their satisfaction meter tumbling down. Theres a great array of clients though but harder levels reveal a gaggle of fussy gourmet diners.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Mixed martial arts groups are very popular and Pride is the appropriately named leader of the pack. Plenty of footage to get you in the mood with the music and announcer cranking up the tension, pugilists stroll out as player characters as they would in a real bout. A wealth of camera angles ensures not a single feint is missed with intelligent switching as the action progresses and you land on your opponent with a sharp knee. Brutal but mightily impressive and essential for fans of the movement.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Konami goes head to head against Capcoms Pride series and can stand toe to toe with just as much pride in its mixed martial arts fight fest. The fighters are solid, the glitz OTT as you might hope and it captures the adrenalin of a K1 bout. Fighters are realistically represented right down to moles on the skin and the action is relentless as the soundtracks beat.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Mixed martial arts mayhem in the form of the K1 world in which knock downs play a huge part with the commentators excitement reaching crescendo as the camera zooms in on the befallen fighter. Button hammering is a must to get them back up, but its much more tactical as the different body parts can be targeted to get a quicker knock down. But theres emphasis on defense to avoid button mashing.
Nintendo DS
RPG
Set in a myopic future where man has a created a computer to solve the seemingly inevitable environmental destruction yet unfortunately the computer has decided to destroy mankind is the solution to the problem. Very stylish setting with a gritty, apocalyptic feel to proceedings as players travel from town to town battling monsters to earn welcomed cash. Luckily there are stores that can be visited advertising the various rewards on offer for the capture of the most heinous monsters – dead or alive.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Two retro tinged titles from yesteryear get a Playstation makeover but no graphical glitz is required when the gameplay is as pure as this. Puzzle of Atlantis is a definite Super Mario tribute complete with warps and all but the developers have also taken note of the talent behind the level design. Route 16 is a maze based racer where players dip in and out of levels in order to get to the chequered flag. Happy days.
Playstation
Shoot Em Up
Tribute to Dezaemon as gamers get to become construction kings of the 3D shooter. The ultimate dream of fans of the genre from Star Fox to Star Blade. Now its possible to prove you could do it better.
Playstation
Simulation
Developed by Marvelous Entertainment, this anime take makes good use of the license and the artistic merit is worthy of its prime time slot it enjoyed since disposing Sakura Wars of the honour. Known in Japan as Muteki Oh Trizenon. The Tri of the title comes from the three mysterious objects that arrived in Japan from deep space in ancient times. Fearing their powers, the locals buried them deep below but now powerful robot Zenon has awakened! Not wishing to sound like the back of a box too much, the game involves plenty of anime streamed straight from the series alongside fun mini games of fishing and dancing to enjoy.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Koei once again raises the torch to burn the sky to the blood red colour of grand battles. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer as the wisdom of the Five Rings is put to the historical battle test. Koei has made it’s war chest trading historical battle games based on ancient Chinese history. The nation has been divided into three kingdoms. You must unite the country or be destroyed by the prevailing anarchy. Also known as Sangokushi Eiketsuden.
PC Engine CD ROM
A Bit Special
A rare collectable featuring the animated sequences from the Cosmic Fantasy series compiled on the one disk. Coming under the Telenet label made this even more desirable to the PC Engine fanatic.
PS2
Rhythm
Refreshingly original title playing most like a rhythm action titles except this time players take the role of an orchestral conductor to try and save the concert hall from closing down. As in a rhythm action title such as Samba De Amigo, the backgrounds shift according to player performance so the conductor soon knows if they are hitting the right notes. Rather than simple button presses though, the degree of pressure applied is the important factor in keeping the orchestra together. Bravo indeed. Known as Mad Maestro in the West.
Nintendo DS
Rhythm
Based on the hit manga series that was made into a popular live action drama starring the young conductor and the affections of Megumi Noda or the Nodame of the title. The bulk of the game involves conducting the orchestra and the stylus is utilised to near perfection for controlling the innovative rhythm action. The quirkiness of the manga shines through in the madcap mini games – such as running across the moon avoiding falling comets or the funky Taiko no Tastujin tribute taking advantage of the Bandai Namco connection.
Super Famicom
Simulation
Board game take on the Zenki world that is little known with four player mode and dynamic anime cut scenes. Full of fun and a great off shoot for fans of the series.
PC Engine CD ROM
A Bit Special
CD format magazine for PC Engine users to cast an eye over upcoming releases as well as enjoy a bit of light entertainment. This issue has plenty of demos, animation and information to sample.
Dreamcast
Sports
Comes with a pack in Bible that explains the rules making for a large pack. The game is a fine product of Sega Sports with plenty of cheer and razzmatazz along with the fluid mechanics and slick presentation you would expect. Good for gamers with no prior knowledge required.
PC Engine Super CD ROM
Simulation
Pachio kun is a little ball with legs, a Pachinko ball to be precise, who here travels into outer space for the theme to this Pachinko controller compatible table game. Pachinko involves a pile of steel balls falling from the top of screen and players trying to manipulate them to fall out to the players collection. Here without the deafening sound.
Super Famicom
Sports
Overhead perspective race title that simulates the real sport in the need for lightening fast reflexes and ideally a good memory of the the corners. Increases the tactical element by requiring pit stops and the overall presentation is as good as any race girl.
PS2
Platform
Absolutely lush backgrounds feel like they are bringing a fairytale to life in this spiritual sequel to the much vaunted Princess Crown on the Saturn. Items and experience are important as magical spells are released with a fair heap of graphical gunpowder. But at its core its good old fashioned 2D platform fighting and this cat is lapping it up. Absolutely huge quest with some nightmare inspired bosses.