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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!
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
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.)
Game Gear
Side Scrolling Beat Em Up
Known as Streets of Rage in the West, this cheesy side scrolling scrapper obeys the first rule of Double Dragon in including a multitude of weaponry to dispatch enemies with and also includes the second rule in that its fun to be able to set about roughing up your partner. As such it avoids the trap Final Fight fell into in ignoring the two player mode – thankfully you can stand shoulder to shoulder against the street scum in Bare Knuckle. The start of a sublime series on the mini Game Gear.
Game Gear
Side Scrolling Beat Em Up
Brilliant mini version of its Genesis big brother. Multiplayer link up, special moves for the characters, the addition of extra levels (and keeping the bike, knife and pipe weapons) plus lavishly detailed sprites add up to make an excellent pocket game that packs quite a punch. Known in the West as Streets of Rage 2.
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 Bradish.
🥇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.
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.
Miscellaneous Games
A Bit Special
Coin-op crackers dominate this Arcade Collection and its great to see the Egret getting the reciprocation it deserves from the gaming cognoscenti. Technos Japan and Data East finest are on board: Double Dragon, Kunio Kun, Mysterious Stones, Bogey Manor, Xain’d Sleen’a, Chelnov, Dark Seal, Edward Randy, Boogie Wings and Wolf Fang 2001. Some strange sounding titles, but they play like a retro dream.
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.
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’.
🥇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’.
PS4
Shoot Em Up
Battle Garegga, Feveron, Kingdom Granprix plus Ketsui with the M2 gadget feature gives even the most grizzled shoot em up veterans plenty to get their teeth into, providing they remove the grenade pin in there already. The PS4 seems to have taken on the Xbox 360s mantle of master of shooters.
🥇Game of the Week
Game of the Week Super Famicom
Platform
Redesigned packaging to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of this still stunning Super Famicom platformer with gothic overtones, stunning shafts of sunshine and fleeting shadows. A rare SFC title in the mould of such sublime titles as Demons Crest and Nosferatu with a twist of the graphical skills of the Actraiser teams. Some of the in-game assailants and bosses are more than a bit twisted looking like they just broke out of the Splatter House. The main hero can thankfully upgrade his skills as the supernatural bosses are dispatched – all the way up to the big hoedown with the Demon King. And these transformations help even if the concept of becoming a demon to beat them doesn’t sit too nicely when surrounded by such creepy creatures.