email031025
Here we have all the games in the email031025 Section.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
A Bit Special
The colossus SNK back catalogue is the gift that keeps on giving with no let up in quality as we hit the fifth instalment. The retro roster reads The King of Fighters 2002, Art of Fighting 2, Real Bout Garou Densetsu, Twinkle Star Sprites, Slash Rally, Burning Fight, Aggressors of Dark Kombat, Sonic Wings 2, Super Sidekicks and Cyberlip. The Future is now!
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
A Bit Special
Including games never released on the home formats really gets the pulse racing for fans of cult developer SNK. This sixth instalment features: The King of Fighters 98, Samurai Spirits III, Real Bout Garou Densetsu Special, Last Blade 2, Over Top, Ultimate 11, Football Frenzy, Sengoku Densetsu 2001, Sonic Wings 3 and Operation Ragnarok (aka Zed Blade.)
Switch
A Bit Special
The Switch has become quite a retro paradise with more shooters than you could shake a joystick at and a roll call of re-releases fit for a king from this Rolls Royce of consoles continues unlimited here. The King of Fighters 2003, Fatal Fury Special, World Heroes 2, Futsal 5 on 5 Mini Soccer, Metal Slug 5, King of the Monsters 2, Zupapa, Prehistoric Isle 2 Primitive Island, Puzzle Bobble and Power Spikes 2 complete a well-rounded line up take on all comers. The pseudo-3D of the dinosaurs in Prehistoric Isle are well-worth a second look having never encountered it before at Genki HQ, and the same goes for Zupapa with its colourful coin-op appeal of a bygone era.
Switch
A Bit Special
The gift that keeps on giving, and its definitely a back catalogue worth ticking off all the titles made. This eighth chapter is a thriller: The King of Fighters 99, Art of Fighting, World Heroes 2 Jet, Fuun Super Tag Battle, Super Sidekicks 2, Metal Slug 2, Crossed Swords, Raguy, Nam 1975 and Puzzle Bobble 2. The Future is now.
PS4
Platform
Another mighty fine delve from Superdeluxe into Castlevania’s dank dungeons coming up trumps with the much-sought after GameBoy Advance versions. Pixel-perfect platforming action awaits those pure of heart and with iron will.
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Brilliant PS4
Platform
Another irresistible Superdeluxe offering going back to Konami’s Gothic opus this time with a cracking array of titles from the much loved series. Includes the original Akumajo Dracula, a graphically enhanced remake version, Castlevania II Simon’s Quest, Akumajo Densetsu, Dracula Densetsu, Dracula Densetsu II, the rare Mega Drive Vampire Killer and Akumajo Special Boku Dracula Kun. Don’t have nightmares!
š„Game of the Week
Game of the Week Switch
Platform
Includes the rare DS version Gallery of Labyrinth –Ā Gothic chic has never looked so good as Count Dracula tries with all his vim and vigour to rid himself and his mansion of the trespassing Belmont clan ā even if protagonists Jonathan and Charlotte’s links to the Belmont ancestry are slim. Both players have a different skills set. Keeps true to the manuscript of the Castlevania tradition and those familiar with its whip cracking action will feel right at home in the spooky splendour of the Counts castle. Concessions are made to the modern gamer in being able to plough right through quickly, yet the seasoned vampire slayer will take their time to explore the plethora of in game secrets. Plus players can leap into paintings to take on off shoots from the castle with plenty of visual variety in this platformer set in WWII. The bosses mark a stunning return to form and show the Konami team to not be shy on eating cheese before bed.
Another fine DS conversion in Castlevania Order of Ecclesia included too: Konami style alright – packed full with a bounty of varied levels and surprises all drawn in the most chic gothic fashion as the developers seem to have been hanging around the streets of Shinjuku with Gackt look a likes as much as Transylvanian castles. Plenty of innovative touches and a commendable blend of keeping true to the series traditions and bringing in new blood.
Finally includes the arcade version of Castlevania: Akumajo Dracula Revisited, also known as Haunted Castle.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Shoot Em Up
Another Switch update: this time of the fantastic, funky Super Famicom version. Roughly translating as ‘Super Big Brother’, this is the closest you get to the Village People on a console. Highly imaginative, very wacky digitised graphics to the point where you’ll wonder if shiitake are the only mushrooms the creators have been having in their miso soup. Drifts away from the shooting action of its predecessors for a one on one fist fest taking place in mid air – even with female characters too. Although the fart attacks are certainly no way to treat a lady.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Shooter
Contra Anniversary Collection celebrates the series that demands gamers to be cut from a similar ilk to the legendary game heroes. Ten titles: Contra (arcade), Super Contra Alien Strikes Back (arcade), Contra, Contra (US version), Super Contra, Contra Spirits, Contra (91 version), Contra The Hardcore, Super Probotector Alien Rebels and Probotector. Serious run and gun gameplay for the equivalent of a gaming marine.
PS4
Shooter
Contra Anniversary Collection celebrates the series that demands gamers to be cut from a similar ilk to the legendary game heroes. Ten titles: Contra (arcade), Super Contra Alien Strikes Back (arcade), Contra, Contra (US version), Super Contra, Contra Spirits, Contra (91 version), Contra The Hardcore, Super Probotector Alien Rebels and Probotector. Serious run and gun gameplay for the equivalent of a gaming marine.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Figures
Figure
Nobody does it better than Kotobukiya and this tribute to Treasure’s fabulous Ikaruga shooter captures the fine form of the players ship. The stand really shows off its fine design. 1/144 scale. 15.5cm.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Shoot Em Up
Highly unusual graphical style with psychedelic characters and brash colours make this feel like a manga dream gone awry. Full of vibrant fun and originality from first credit to game over.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Shoot Em Up
Truly crazy psychedelic shoot ’em up – think Jet Set Radio meets Shibuya street style with some seriously colourful colour schemes thrown in for good measure as Mebius throws a full roster of projectiles at players. A real cult following since its Wii days and well worth a look for those looking for a shooting blast off the usual scale.
Switch
Shoot Em Up
Much-cherished Milestone shoot ’em up gets a Switch reboot and there are Hitchcock overtones for this crow related shooter. Utilises power ups for the shot, sword and shield giving it a strategic element. Known as also ‘Crows’ and ‘Karous’.
š„Game of the Week
Game of the Week Switch
Shoot Em Up
Much-cherished Milestone shoot ’em up gets a Switch reboot and there are Hitchcock overtones for this crow related shooter. Utilises power ups for the shot, sword and shield giving it a strategic element. Known as also ‘Crows’ and ‘Karous’.
Switch
Shoot Em Up
Mamoru Kun has a dedicated following from its Xbox 360 days and its easy to see why with appealing artwork, colourful characters and pick up and play shooting gameplay that hides devilish edge. Well worthy of reviving for the Switch – a haven for shoot ’em up fans.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Shoot Em Up
Mamoru Kun has a dedicated following from its Xbox 360 days and its easy to see why with appealing artwork, colourful characters and pick up and play shooting gameplay that hides devilish edge. Well worthy of reviving for the Switch – a haven for shoot ’em up fans.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Shooter
Four fabulous shooters from the coin-ops of old whose charm would no doubt lure you in through the tobacco smoke and neon. Operation Wolf needs no introduction and its sequel Operation Thunderbolt is also included which is like Wolf but as driven along in a 4×4 wheel drive. Space Gun is also a light gun game, but with self-explanatory out of this universe setting. Night Striker is a real gem cherished by many of the Playstation and Saturn as what looks like Michael Knight’s KITT car takes on the role of drive and gun blaster.
šBrilliant!
Switch
Shooter
Four fabulous shooters from the coin-ops of old whose charm would no doubt lure you in through the tobacco smoke and neon. Operation Wolf needs no introduction and its sequel Operation Thunderbolt is also included which is like Wolf but as driven along in a 4×4 wheel drive. Space Gun is also a light gun game, but with self-explanatory out of this universe setting. Night Striker is a real gem cherished by many of the Playstation and Saturn as what looks like Michael Knight’s KITT car takes on the role of drive and gun blaster.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Platform
Tomba is full of mischievous spirits and tumbles around on screen belly laughing, riding around on unsuspecting creatures, balancing on ledges whilst peeking round the corner in fine, early 2.5D platform fashion. Full of innovation and sheer gaming joy that makes the series a really treasured retro romp now revived from the Playstation original to make the Switch.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Shoot Em Up
R Type tread boldly into the unknown world of 3D in its Playstation incarnation and delivered superb graphical gee whizz to go with luscious lighting effects. The weapons system uses auto targeting which can be a real blessing when things are starting to get a bit hairy. The revamping of the game shows what a seminal release it was.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant PS5
Shoot Em Up
R Type tread boldly into the unknown world of 3D in its Playstation incarnation and delivered superb graphical gee whizz to go with luscious lighting effects. The weapons system uses auto targeting which can be a real blessing when things are starting to get a bit hairy. The revamping of the game shows what a seminal release it was.
Switch
Platform
Not so sure on the art of vengeance, but the art of this game is truly gorgeous: like a tour of Japan itself with high, snowy peaks, speed lined neon backdrops, bamboo forests – not that the old school platform hack, slash, bounce from wall to wall avoiding the rotating chainsaw blade gameplay gives any respite for sight seeing. Truly 2D at its roots and its a triumphant game thanks to the skill of Sega’s select ninja few programming crew.
Brilliant Switch
Shoot Em Up
Beautiful gaming world looking straight out of a Miyazaki anime such as Porco Rosso with all manner of flying contraptions that keeps the action fresh. In the Mega Drive version players had two vessels to choose from: the land bombing plane or the air mine depositing Zeppelin each whose advantages must be weighed against the needs of the mission ahead. Lovingly presented in a wartime movie style, the overall package oozes quality of a bygone era now lovingly brought to the burgeoning roster of Switch shooters.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Shoot Em Up
Kiaidan 00 was a rare PC Engine title even back in the day, so its happy days many can discover its power laser rays. Final Zone II is a gritty run and gun overhead scroller – you can almost taste the metal of the grenade pin in your mouth as you pile in all guns blazing. Browning is also of the PC Engine stable along side Legion, which shows Telenet’s fair hand at shoot em ups.
šBrilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Shoot Em Up
The line-up reads like the tattooed sleeve of an arcade veteran: Zero Wing, Hellfire, Slap Fight, VV, Tatsujin, Tatsujin Oh/Truxton II, Vimana and Daisenpu. Serious shooting action from the days of no consumer compromise and it makes no apologies for it. A true pleasure to sample those not previously released outside the arcades. Just grateful its not 100 Yen a pop with Genki’s success rate.