Playstation
Here we have all the games in the Playstation Section.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
The multi-discipline martial arts fest known as K1 – a contest that enjoys much popularity in Japan – brought to the PS courtesy of Xing. Features the real contestants realised in full 3D and looking very good for it with full 3D backgrounds and sizeable fighter models doing justice to their real life dimensions. Xing once again show their hand as cunning 32Bit programmers.
Playstation
Rhythm
Based on the boy band, bishonen anime with the real voice actors, plus an abundance of footage and an introduction from the series, Kaikan Phrase pits the player on stage needing to successfully hit the beats to progress. Initially only the anime’s intro song is available, but loads more are available to be unlocked. Each band member varies in difficulty regarding the speed and frequency of beats with the drummer being a particularly tough nut to crack. A Tour Mode keeps interest in a very stylish title.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Ticks all of Genki’s boxes: fighting blokes in rubber suits, cheesy 70’s soundtrack and our Kamen Rider himself looking like a big-eyed fly. Superbly captures the essence of the series.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Very fluid animation and the screen zooming in and out add much drama to the proceeding as the fly like Kamen Rider puts paid to many a latex loving bad guy and ensures a legion of armchair followers in the process. Very smart backgrounds too: impressive performance levels from the PSX.
Playstation
Platform
Fine 2.5 dimension platform romp with Klonoa being able to utilise its ears to float back to earth. Its the way Klonoa inflates enemies to utilise then to bounce to higher platforms or hit switches that really makes this stand out though. Buzzing around with the propeller unit is a joy too. Very underated, possibly down to the lead character?
Playstation
A Bit Special
Nice Playstation curio coming with disk and cable that allows it to be linked to a Japanese mobile phone. Once hooked up, users can save their data from their phone or play around with a few new melodies on the console.
Playstation
A Bit Special
The Kids Station controller simplifies the buttons from the control pad making for simple mini games, but plenty of fun. The lower age range makes this a great tool for those learning Japanese, especially at Genki’s level.
Playstation
A Bit Special
The title translates as ‘I can do it on my own’ and has players making various dishes that even Genki fancies being able to rustle up. Based on the NHK programme, the Japanese equivalent of the BBC.
Playstation
A Bit Special
A fine collectable curio for Playstation devotees coming with this Winnie the Pooh themed mouse to help those progress through the educational levels of the game.
Playstation
Shooter
Every early adopter of a new, exciting system ends up playing their limited releases to death and Kileak was no exception in Genkis experience. Dank, dim tunnelled areas are explored in a mecha suit solving basic puzzles and firing off volleys of projectiles to any unwanted company.
Playstation
Shooter
Impressive draw distance and frame rate as someone has found the light switch for this zippy sequel. Attentive looks at the map radar are a must as false walls have to be blown down from time to time besides the odd switch to flip. Luckily our mecha packs a decent punch of weaponry to survive the claustrophobic levels. Known as Epidemic in the West.
Playstation
Simulation
NEC cut its dating sim teeth on the PC FX and this Playstation release continues in that distinctive and knowledgeable style with a band of fair ladies full of fun to vry for the attentions of the gamer. Be wary of trying to juggle too many eggs though.
Playstation
Action
Self-described ‘trap simulation game’, torch-lit dungeons mask undead inhabitants awaiting in the shadows which players must lure into traps to save ones soul. Increasing ingenuity is required to progress and capture those that mean you malice. Genki’s favourite must be the gachapon style UFO catcher that grabs the Roman Legion in a comic twist from the sombre mood.
Playstation
RPG
Sacnoth takes on the Silent Hill mantle with a fantasy style exploration through 3D levels to meet some seriously unhinged opponents in the darker and danker corners. Sacnoth’s approach differs from the usual path taken and is intriguing as such.
Playstation
RPG
Remaining firmly rooted in 2D and looking wonderful for it with imaginative gameplay adding the third dimension to proceedings. Aurally maintains the high standards you’d expect from Square. But the real time battles and Zelda overtones make this one for all RPG fans to savour. A true Legend.
Playstation
Action
Deluxe Pack including accurate conversions of the classic light gun titles Lethal Enforcers and Lethal Enforcers II done justice to by the PSXs power. Perfectly playable even with just a joypad as the city and Western settings add much to the tension. The showdown in China Town is particularly memorable. Includes a few interesting options to play around with on the conversion including being able to switch the blood on or off.
Playstation
Simulation
A Slime breeding game which involves building up the world for these loveable lumps of jelly. Strangely compelling drawing you into their slippery slope like an exotic flower.
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.
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. The sequel is equally skilled on the ball with plenty of tricks up the sleeve to drop a shoulder.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
A tongue in cheek take on the fighting world from Konami, not particularly renowned for its fighters, but this is an accomplished piece of well presented programming. The action is 3D all interspersed with smooth 2D cut scenes adding much to the entertainment. Mega combos and massive super moves which are charged by holding the button down when given the opportunity.
Playstation
Action
Played in Matrix style environments that break up as they are destroyed to reveal sparking circuitry beneath, players take control of one of the three female androids charged with extinguishing the alien threat. Each lovely android has her own attributes: the all rounder, the slow, but punch packing and the nippy but weedy requiring different androids for the various missions and the weapons are very satisfying. Controls are similar to Virtual On with the analogue sticks coming to the fore: soon mastered though giving a great sense of interaction. The anime cut scenes are of production quality and good reward for a hard fought battle. Yet to see the whole selection takes time and increases the replay value multi-fold with performance determining which sequence is rewarded.
Playstation
Sports
Graphically simplistic tennis game neatly drop shot-ing the polygon heavy approach for a more playable full screen affair. Rally potential aplenty with plenty of venues and characters to choose from.
Playstation
Sports
Graphically simplistic tennis game neatly drop shoting the polygon heavy approach for a more playable full screen affair. Rally potential aplenty with plenty of venues and characters to choose from.
Playstation
Sports
Graphically simplistic tennis game neatly drop shoting the polygon heavy approach for a more playable full screen affair. Rally potential aplenty with plenty of venues and characters to choose from. Four player matches can bring up language reminiscent of a Connors McEnroe match up.
Playstation
RPG
Advanced RPG engine in that every action in game has an effect on the overall quest, even seemingly insignificant events. Players have full control over their destiny as the game starts you off in a random section of the immense gaming world. This allows RPG-ers to express their own personality: be it peace loving or belligerent. Very impressive levels of freedom for a home console.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Part of the Kenki Ippai series and as such related to Crane and Shovel Master, here players must again don hard hat and take up the challenge of mastering the controls of vehicles ranging from dumpers truckers to bulldozers. Features mini games seeing diggers scramble for buried treasure, or see who can build the biggest pile of earth – a lot more fun than it may sound. But the main bulk of the game is on the building site – once drivers can show the harsh lipped foreman they have the necessary skills.
Playstation
Action
Genki once again grapples the mighty Macross plot and comes away with our tail between our legs. Suffice as to say: the pop idol group Milky Dolls has been kidnapped. The intergalatic rescue mission involves a variety ship and mech based of 3D shooting missions. The cramped cockpit of the mech suit captures the essence of the anime competently.
Playstation
Puzzle
Gameplay is similar to the ‘Puzzle Bobble’ series from Taito therefore not recommending itself to the colour blind gamer. Match up spheres as your character runs frantically around the bottom of the screen firing the balls up. Being in possession of a special move often helps keep on top of things. But you are always only a few misplaced balls away from failure. The usual array of cute, super deformed, fantasy characters to choose from. Two player is where Magical Drop excels. Highly compelling.
Playstation
Simulation
Excellent characterisation and Konami’s slick presentation ensured this became a massive title in Japan that was followed up on the PS2. Colourful ‘Kappa’ green disk.
Playstation
Rhythm
Sony’s answer to Samba De Amigo with high tempo soundtrack (including of course Tubthumping) but instead of using maracas, players attach sensors to their wrists and ankles. The player then follows the martial moves of their on screen persona gaining points for successfully landing a kick or punch at the correct time. There is also a visual reward for landing the moves on time such as being able to see a fireball travel across the screen. Done with intent the techniques give a good work out and the graphics are nicely done set in stereotypical Chinese situations. Includes a two player mode where on screen adversaries swarm in for the kill and they are dispatched with a deft flick of the wrist.