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Here we have all the games in the email121225 Section.
Switch
A Bit Special
No one did over the top like SNK and it brings a tear to the eye to see these titles Neo Geo again: not that Genki had encountered Shock Troopers being so rare. King of Fighters 94, Metal Slug X, Garou Mark of the Wolves, Samurai Spirits Zero, Aso II, Rising Hero, Top Hunter, Top Players Golf, Savage Reign and Shock Troopers make up the very accomplished roll of honour.
🏆Brilliant!
Brilliant Switch
A Bit Special
With some many titles crammed onto each memory card, it is testament to the vast array of 100 Mega Shocks released over the years that here we are in the tenth instalment. The King of Fighters 97, Real Bout Garou Densetsu 2, 2020 Super Baseball, Samurai Shodown Zero Special, Metal Slug 3, Stakes Winner, Sengoku Legend 2, Pop’n Bounce, Ninja Masters and Magical Drop 3 bring home the ultimate coin-op experience to Switch fans.
🏆Brilliant!
Switch
A Bit Special
Ten of the dream team of SNK gaming that set pulses racing in their day, yet still bring a type of gaming not easily found these days to the modern arena. King of Fighters 95, Metal Slug 4, Samurai Spirits, Fatal Fury 2, Shock Troopers 2, Ghost Pilots, Baseball Stars, Mutation Nation, Big Tournament Golf, and Stakes Winner looking very fine and glad you’re mine.
Switch
A Bit Special
King of Fighters 96, Samurai Spirits III, Fatal Fury, World Heroes Perfect, Last Resort, Sengoku Densho, Ninja Combat, Fire Suplex, Blazing Star and Baseball Stars 2 make up the roster of Neo Geo back-catalogue titles in this third tribute to the Rolls Royce of consoles. The shooters will stir interest: Last Resort well worth a blast and the Blazing Star was almost always out of most gamer’s financial reach, even back in the day, until now.
Switch
A Bit Special
King of Fighters 2000, Art of Fighting, Last Blade, Ninja Commando, Joy Joy Kid, The Super Spy, Ragnagard, Neo Geo Cup 98, plus the star shoot ’em up Pulstar and the original Metal Slug. Enough to retire on for owners of the AES carts, this sublime selection will treat Switch users to some true coin-op classics. Just don’t try inserting the credit card memory card that was transferrable between home AES and arcade MVS versions.
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.
🏆Brilliant!
Brilliant Switch
A Bit Special
It is some roster to be able to plunder for SNK – a veritable booty of treasure. The ninth slice of paradise weighs in with some big hitters: The King of Fighters 2001, Fatal Fury 3, Samurai Shodown 2, Super Sidekicks 3, King of the Monsters, Magician Road, World Heroes, Fighters History Dynamite, Magical Drop 2 and Dunk Dream.
Switch
Shoot Em Up
Aleste is a well-respected series which has survived more skirmishes than the Millennium Falcon. This includes four versions of the game on the cart in: Aleste (Mark III), GG Aleste (Game Gear), GG Aleste II (Game Gear) and Power Strike II (Master System.)
Switch
Shoot Em Up
Brings to mind the beautiful 16 bit era of shoot ’em ups with its pastel shading all the bells and whistles. Detachable boss limbs, arachnoid bosses, scaling in and out adversaries and what looks like extras from the Salamander series – there are many a nod from its knowledgeable developers to what has gone before in the shoot ’em up fraternity.
🏆Brilliant!
Brilliant Switch
Shoot Em Up
Brings to mind the beautiful 16 bit era of shoot ’em ups with its pastel shading all the bells and whistles. Detachable boss limbs, arachnoid bosses, scaling in and out adversaries and what looks like extras from the Salamander series – there are many a nod from its knowledgeable developers to what has gone before in the shoot ’em up fraternity.
Super Famicom
RPG
Genki frequently harks back to the golden era of SFC RPGs, but its hard not to indulge in some rose tinted nostalgia when you hear the familiar soundtrack to exploring caves and dungeons and spot the familiar cracks in the wall that require further investigation. A happy RPG journey as Koei leads you by the hand through the fantasy world of Brandish.
🥇Game of the Week
Game of the Week Switch
Platform
Includes the rare DS version Gallery of Labyrinth – 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 – 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.
PS5
Platform
Includes the rare DS version Gallery of Labyrinth – 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 – 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.
🏆Brilliant!
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.
🥇Game of the Week
Game of the Week PS5
Shoot Em Up
Taking the original Reboot that sought authenticity to the original and cutting a bit loose on the broomstick with a new character, extra multipliers, graphical shift and the highly amusing enemy capture adding much hilarity. Gaming veterans Beep reveal their retro tattoos and it’s a young witch on a broomstick. A fine series to go back to, especially such a relatively unknown version.
Switch
Shoot Em Up
Taking the original Reboot that sought authenticity to the original and cutting a bit loose on the broomstick with a new character, extra multipliers, graphical shift and the highly amusing enemy capture adding much hilarity. Gaming veterans Beep reveal their retro tattoos and it’s a young witch on a broomstick. A fine series to go back to, especially such a relatively unknown version.
Miscellaneous Games
A Bit Special
A very tidy SD Card for the Egret II Mini Arcade that boosts the roster of games by another ten with real, retro appeal. Shmup fans will lap up Daisenpu, Gekirindan and Slap Fight. Purilula is a must for those who appreciate a vintage video game. Backed up by Cleopatra Fortune, Dungeon Magic (looking intriguing in its isometric fight form), Riding Fight (experimental coin op), Grid Seeker, Great Swordsman and Gladiator. Re-release of the original print, but without the Taito Station magazine.
Miscellaneous Games
A Bit Special
Ten top titles to savour as Taito gives another blast of arcade gaming in the form of this third instalment SD card for the Egret mean machine: Mr. Do, Rumba Lumber, Wiz, Metal Soldier Isaac 2, Extermination, Dr. Toppel Tonkentai, Top Landing, Aqua Jack, Galactic Storm and Space Invaders 95 Attack of the Lunar Loonies make up the roster. Re-release of the original print, but missing the Taito Station magazine.
🔜Pre-order
Miscellaneous Games Preorder
A Bit Special
Having witnessed the success of the Astro City Mini, Taito comes to the party with this scaled down replica of its 1996 Egret II boasting SD Card slot for extra games and five inch screen, besides HDMI output. The save facility certainly helps and the real arcade cognoscenti can tweak the game settings as well as rotate the push out screen to TATE mode. An immense roster including Kikikaikai, Metal Black, The Legend of Kage, Gun Frontier, Ninja Kids, Tatsujin: the roster of forty inclusive titles is rich and varied. This is the violet version and looks very snazzy in it.
Dreamcast
Sports
The Giant Gram series actually follows on from where Virtua fighter based All Japan Pro Wrestling left off on the Saturn. This makes the 2000 version the third instalment and an enjoyable hoedown even for those who leave the leopard spot leotards to the professionals. A bucket load of techniques to master including some super charged specials and counter moves, a commentator as keen as mustard, a crowd that’s easily whipped into a frenzy – what more could a grappler ask for apart from perhaps Giant haystacks on the roster of many All Japan Pro Wrestling legends? Four players can really have some button bashing fun.
Dreamcast
RPG
One of the Saturn’s finest RPGs (which is more than sufficient recommendation given the plethora of on the system) gets a Dreamcast update. Painstakingly detailed towns to explore in this ‘Skies of Arcadia’ style RPG.
Dreamcast
Simulation
Mahjong, Shogi and card games all played in the relaxing surrounds of a hot spring in this third instalment of the popular series. What more could you ask for? The Japanese title of this game is ‘Guru Guru Onsen 3.’
Dreamcast
Puzzle
Uber kawaii Kitty played a big part in the Dreamcast marketing. Maybe Sega should have gone for Godzilla instead? Simple puzzle game with guest appearances of Kitty’s friends.
Nintendo Hardware
Controller
Funky Famicom controller that works one handed, though perhaps Genki lacks a bit of dexterity and needs a bit more practise. Comfortable layout and a fine additional controller for the system.
🏆Brilliant!
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.
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
Gunforce, Geo Storm and Air Duel are the trio that launch the second instalment of Irem Collection with all guns blazing. Gunforce is a take on the mighty Contra licence, but this time with mech style power suits and massive adversaries to test the architecture to the limits. Tough like Konami’s opus with one hit kills, yet some supreme weaponry soon gets players in the necessary gung-ho spirits. A few tactically placed vehicles also help – its always a joy to tear through enemy lines in motorised, marauding machine. The two-player mode also lifts moral with a bit of teamwork. The coin-op sequel feels like it inspired Metal Slug with its further use of vehicles and some sublime parallax scrolling to boot. Arcade Air Duel looks initially like a 1942 vertical scrolling tribute, before the developer reveals their license to go off the rails with imaginative adversaries.
Switch
Shoot Em Up
Irem does have a sublime line of arcade shoot ’em up heritage to raid and this third instalment proves there is plenty still to come with the PC Engine fave Mr Heli, coin-op exclusive Mystic Riders which utilises a broomstick for close up blast encounters and finally Dragon Breed which utilises the shield element of the dragon’s tail in its blasting escapades. Really bring the flavour of the arcade era home to savour.