Playstation
Here we have all the games in the Playstation Section.
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.
Playstation
A Bit Special
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.
Playstation
A Bit Special
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.
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. Rumours are there’s an unlockable Lupin song in there too for when you’re Chumbawhamba-ed out.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Two rich licenses collide in a veritable pastiche of martial madness with Capcom pulling the strings. Animation is incredibly fluid – even with four characters slugging it out and play mechanics are balanced to a micro gram. A sizeable roster of colourful characters to master. Possibly the pinnacle of 2D fighting gaming on the Playstation.
Playstation
Action
Whizz through the isometric levels freeing captured cuties and get to the exit in the time honoured tradition given a 3D spin.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Contains two real gems from Sunsoft’s back catalogue: Ikki and Super Arabian. In Ikki you must collect the money whilst avoiding ninjas – made far more appealing by Sunsoft’s imagination: daikon and latern power ups as well as the appearance of a rather rough looking geisha of questionable gender to be avoided at all costs. In Super Arabian letters must be collected to form a word and clear the Middle Eastern themed level. Simple, yet fiendish: classic old school material of gameplay over graphics.
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
Simulation
Dating sim mixed with mech battles making for lashings of mayhem and plenty of work for the voice actors.
Playstation
Shooter
Early Playstation mecha shooter with similarities to Metal Head on the 32X and Iron Soldier for those familiar with Ataris big cat. The cross hair surveys the landscape but the tranquillity only lasts briefly before a barrage of missiles hone in. Coming under attack causes glitches to the gamers view to simulate the damage being incurred. It must have been nice for the developer to be allowed a glitch in the actual game.
Playstation
Platform
SNK truly mastered the ability to produce fun games in 2D such as Metal Slug which reminded the gaming cognoscenti there was life and gameplay without polygons. Pure refined game mechanics to bring a smile to the face of the most grizzled gaming veteran.
Playstation
Shooter
SNK truly mastered the ability to produce fun games in 2D such as Metal Slug which reminded the gaming cognoscenti there was life and gameplay without polygons. Pure refined game mechanics to bring a smile to the face of the most grizzled gaming veteran.
Playstation
A Bit Special
J Pop all girl quartet Mini Moni get involved in some Konami capers with a variety of mini games such as paper, scissors, stone, rhythm action dancing sections and skipping where timing is crucial. Nothing too taxing but perfect for a quick laugh with solid Konami play mechanics under the candy sweet exterior.
Playstation
Rhythm
Compatible with the Dance Dance Revolution controller, this Mini Moni themed rhythm title allows you to work on your para para step to the all-girl, J-Pop band’s back catalogue. There is also a mini game mode for when feeling fatigued keeping up to the spritely tunes.
Playstation
Sports
The start of the series and its clear how much planning Sony put into making the definitive golf game, just as it did with Gran Turismo and the driving circuit. The course design excels, as does the character design with a colourful roster of players. Fine weather effects and the feel of the great outdoors (albeit a little over-done) to truly refresh like the effect of a stroll round eighteen holes would have.
Playstation
Sports
The start of the series and its clear how much planning Sony put into making the definitive golf game, just as it did with Gran Turismo and the driving circuit. The course design excels, as does the character design with a colourful roster of players. Fine weather effects and the feel of the great outdoors (albeit a little over-done) to truly refresh like the effect of a stroll round eighteen holes would have.
Playstation
Sports
Includes multiplayer match play mode for some fine showdowns as even with a double bogey there’s still a chance for a comeback on the next hole with each hole being awarded, not accumulative score. Still there’s always the training mode if you find yourself in the rough a bit too much and are getting sand in your ears. And a nice club upgrade wouldn’t go a miss too. Fine character animation on missing a shot helps relieve some of the frustration with a good chuckle.
Playstation
RPG
Konami’s cult Mirumo world looking mighty fine on the Playstation with four adventure quests to savour full of brightly drawn fairies, luscious green backdrops and plinky plonky chip tunes matched and blended perfectly to the in quest action.
Playstation
Puzzle
A simple concept involving comparing two images side by side and finding the differences. Enjoyable and relaxing, yet strangely satisfying to complete the challenge. Full title: Machigai Sagashi Game Missland.
Playstation
Puzzle
A simple concept involving comparing two images side by side and finding the differences. Enjoyable.
Playstation
Simulation
Side scrolling shooting action as mechs go cockpit to cockpit with nicely rendered fighters and smooth backgrounds that smoke away in the background adding to the at war feel. Players also take to space similar to Cybernator, but the fight action is closer combat. The slick anime cut scenes are a given with Bandai’s backing.
Playstation
Sports
Very fast as our mach speed mean machines seem to positively stick to the track as players whiz round the varied and colourful course in this popular PSX game well worth its nostalgia. A real test of driving skill with the cartoony handling adding to a title not taking itself too seriously and the fun in the sun shining through as a result.
Playstation
Puzzle
Don’t let the cute graphics deceive you – this is one mean Mr Driller. Drill down before your oxygen runs out. Easy to pick up, but prone to that just one more go mentality where minutes become hours. You have been warned.
Playstation
A Bit Special
A compilation of Namcos highly treasured back catalogue with four titles in their original form and updated 3D incarnations. The four titles are: Babel, a tower adventure, Star Luster, an Elite style space blaster not quite as cerebral as the BBC Micros masterpiece, Wrestle Ball, a video game take on the cult film RollerBall meets the BitMap Bros Speedball and finally Haou no Tairiku, a strategic intervention into Dynastic China.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Once again hats off to Namco: Adventure of Valkyrie, Pac Attack, King of Kings and Namco Classic II. Valkyrie is an absolute treat with its Kikikaikai style free roaming shooting gameplay and pixel perfect realisation of the fantasy styled world. Pac Attack throws the infamous ghosts into a Tetris style puzzle game and the odd Pac drops down from the heavens too to gobble them up. Namco Classics is a golf game with Neo Geo style kawaii caddy and King of Kings is a little known war sim.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Import only and as such the rarest release featuring Rolling Thunder complete with ammo rooms to duck into, Wonder Momo, King & Balloon, Dragon Saber (sequel to Dragon Spirit), Rompers, Skykid and Moto. King & Balloon has you popping balloons that keep trying to whisk your girl away. Rompers is the hidden gem with arcade puzzle action as you push walls on to dinosaurs. Simple and highly addictive. Complete with scans of the original arcade posters and photo’s of the motherboards. Games can also be played vertically as initially intended.