email030725
Here we have all the games in the email030725 Section.
Dreamcast
RPG
Released with the console itself, spooky adventure based in London in a similar mould to “D”. A collectors item as one of the first Dreamcast releases.
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?
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Welcomed sequel to the atmospheric samurai slasher set during the Meiji restoration in Japan’s modernisation. Includes new fatality moves subtly executed with the series distinct style. And with it being samurai based there are lethal weapons to utilise. Adds deflect moves to the equation: rather than blocking outright, players can deflect an attack leaving their opponent wide open to a counter. Fine attention to detail in the backgrounds with even the puddles making splashes as the fighters square up to each other. The lavishly illustrated manual looks like it was drawn by Hokusai and similar high art can be found in the games gallery.
Gamecube
Sports
Swish presentation is a given with Nintendo and the colourful characters are full of sunshine in this pleasant stroll round the course like that first spring sun on your back as the birds herald their return.
Gamecube
Sports
Spiffing graphics, perfect ball physics and smooth menus are a given with Nintendo sports titles. Yet there is plenty to add to the fun of the tennis here with octopus opponents, special moves smashes and interactive courts
Mega Drive
Shooter
The sheer pace of Mercs makes for a fun run and gun where the run is at a good pace. As such the players has to think fast in this old school combat game and be wary of dynamite instead of power ups. Thankfully there are plenty of weapon upgrades on offer. Known in Japan as Senjou no Ookami II.
PC Engine HU Card
Shoot Em Up
A great little cartoony shooter that allows free movement in the helicopter complete with under carriage feet.
XBOX
Action
Mech based shooting game where you are the hunter and the hunted. Allows a selection of weapons depending on the situation of the mission – some requiring great haste to take down the enemy android in time. Tight, intuiative controls making good use of the shoulder buttons for speed control. Really enjoyable to zip through the stunningly realistic skyscrapers at mach speed. Some nice bonus extras to unlock help you to strive to meet each goal.
XBOX
Shooter
So named from the flash of light from the barrel when the sniper pulls the trigger in this fine shooter with accuracy and stealth paramount to progress. Very exciting in terms of building the pressure – similar to the seminal Goldeneye on the N64.
Gamecube
One on One Beat Em Up
Evolves the fighting engine more honing it down rather than taking a chisel and hammer to it but whilst subtle, the improvements are welcomed. Countering moves makes for some slick comebacks and the uber specials are only possible in certain circumstances such as when low on energy. A Mission mode adds welcome distraction and a challenge worthy of a ninja. Mana from heaven for Naruto fans.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Takes a moody approach to the table top game with its heavy metal soundtrack and mystery monk figure drifting around the intro, besides the vocal interludes. But the table themselves are well thought out and further impress on the good work of Last Gladiator in this accomplished sequel.
Wii
A Bit Special
Bound to bring a tear of joy to the eye of Saturn loving gamers containing both the Saturn original and a brushed up version for the Wii. This version has a wealth of extras plus there are beautiful cut scenes to celebrate Nights twelfth anniversary. And the rumours persist the game can be changed into Christmas Nights somehow.
Gamecube
RPG
A real Nintendo tour de force with Mario, Yoshi et al enjoying the colourful scenery, pseudo 2D look and Nintendo’s love of the gamer, never leaving you high and dry without a clue. So good it was remade for the Switch.
PC Engine HU Card
Platform
PC Kid’s giant head comes in handy to deliver cranium crushing Glasgow kisses to enemies that come at you surfing, fishing, even catching insects. Full of fresh ideas. Also known as ‘Genjin’ or ‘Bonk 2’ or perhaps even ‘Bonk’s Revenge’.’
Dreamcast
RPG
Only four worlds, yet with bonds to be forged with other players to talk, trade and eventually team up the world seemed a cosy place. Like any good RPG PSO cleverly allowed you to mould you character in your own way aswell as their personal android and threw in a sprinkling of rare items for good measure. Touched on online gaming nirvana for a while, but now that Pandora’s Box has been opened the Holy Grail quest for the ultimate online experience continues.
PC Engine HU Card
Sports
Power Drift was a monster of a mechanised, car based coin-op released in the late eighties. Asmik has done an honourable job of the conversion, keeping the jostle for positions and this remains a fun reminder of a golden era of Sega arcade dominance.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
Risque girl on girl fighting game originally on the Super Famicom, all aspects of the title have been improved as you’d expect. The developers have also tweaked the saucy-ness factor in the move away from Nintendo with it now warranting a yellow over 18’s badge from Sega.
PC Engine Super CD ROM
Puzzle
Puyo Puyo is Japanese onomatopoeia for something soft to touch, such as the jelly like balls that fall from the sky to be aligned with similar colours in this saccharine soaked, kawaii puzzler.
Sony Hardware
Controller
A real work of ergonomic art, such is Hori’s achievement that it has hardly changed throughout the decades. A real must for fight fans of a certain vintage.
Game Gear
Simulation
Gundam in Japan is huge in both popularity stakes and sprawling stories. Humans enter the cockpits of giant mecha robots to fight with other suitably proportioned mecha robots.
Sega Saturn
RPG
Fans of the great Shining Wisdom series will not be disappointed with Working Designs great update. The sickly sweet sprite world draws you in for an epic, Zelda like adventure.
Playstation
Sports
Always endearing to its devoted fans as players sample the night time racing scene in Tokyo with big, looping tunnels and highways to put spaghetti junction to shame.
Sega Saturn
RPG
Futuristic, self-proclaimed cyber punk adventure. Very slick Blade Runner style gameplay. One of Konami’s finest moments.
Gamecube
One on One Beat Em Up
Arcade port is almost perfect with stirring orchestral score and dazzling, fluid special moves and combo’s. Still remains one of the finest fighters ever to grace the console scene.
PS3
One on One Beat Em Up
Doesn’t seem fair that Darth Vader can elevate an opponent whilst strangling them remotely, but it certainly is a pleasure to be able to test his lightsabre skills against the Soul Calibur crew, complete with the swishing hum sound effect. Happy days.
Nintendo 64
Shoot Em Up
Enter the Star Wars inspired world of Fox McCloud to nimbling manoevre your Star Wing through obstacles whilst blasting anything that moves. Nintendo magic.
PS2
Platform
Based on the atmospheric anime from Akira creator Otomo san and set in an alternative Victorian England, Steam Boy must harness the power of the Steamball. But this only follows the latter half of the anime: an original off-shoot in the plot awaits. Fan service at its finest, this captures the feel of all those weird and wonderful steam powered contraptions along with the period setting very well.
PS3
One on One Beat Em Up
Keeps the 3D strictly to a pseudo effect and the gameplay is all the better for its slick, rolling combos as a result. The backdrops look stunning too – upgraded on the old school approach but still looking lavish.
PC Engine CD ROM
Shoot Em Up
Outer space meets the Atlantic Ocean in this vintage series full of robotic aquatic creatures of the deep that appear to be rejected prototypes for Tomy’s latest toy range.
Super Famicom
Platform
Rare developed the Donkey Kong series with revolutionary, rendered, solid visuals squeezing high level performance out of the SFC and sleek play mechanics. Team work is essential to succeed with each monkey having their own special ability: Dixie can hover in the air thanks to her rotating pony tail, Diddy can roll through enemies to get out of a tight fix. Plenty of ropes, switches and barrels make the player develop primordial levels of inquisitiveness with the backgrounds toying with anything that looks remotely interactive. Its easy to see where the series continued to go from strength to strength without any slip ups.