email201125
Here we have all the games in the email201125 Section.
Nintendo DS
Shooter
A National Treasure gets a worthy update to hopefully woo more with its charms. Full of tongue in cheek humour as you’d expect from this developer and some very funny English translations. Huge title with plenty of levels and even a level editor for the DS version. Cunning counter attack method involves waiting until your ship is in imminent danger before launching the counter, and the results are the more spectacular depending on the level of danger. And based on the experience of past competitions, Treasure have made data transferable via sound so that another DS can upload it or even it can even be sent onto the net for the real high rollers.
🥇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.
Nintendo DS
Action
Reminiscent of the seminal Super Famicom ‘Yoshi’s Island’ both in terms of gameplay and pastal shaded graphics, play involves using the stylus to sketch clouds to protect baby Mario.
GameBoy Advance
Action
Best described as an underwater Pac Man in which players avoid the hazards to collect as much of the stolen treasure as possible by spinning around. Oh and the player is a fish. Well suited to the small screen.
GameBoy Advance
Puzzle
Good mix of modes including the Survival mode where you must try to win back the gems that have been stolen from the royal crown, hence the title. Two player link up battles are also possible using just a single cartridge. As simple and addictive as ever – the ultimate journey companion.
🏆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.
Nintendo DS
Shoot Em Up
Old school shooter but done in the third dimension producing quite stunning results with crisp, colourful pixels on the small screen. Utilises the dual screen and touch function well with a useful radar, but its wireless two player with only one cart that really whisks up a hail of bullets frenzy. Quite rare of late.
GameBoy Advance
Platform
Famicom Mini Series capture the imaginative packaging and the unforgiving, old school gameplay of the source material from the Nintendo Famicom Disk Drive – never released outside Japan. The Series was commissioned to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Famicom or NES. Old school barrel jumping action reminiscent of the playground smash Game & Watch title.
GameBoy Advance
A Bit Special
Possibly the cutest game we have ever seen, even by Japanese standards. The kawaii animal club tour town to complete mini games to progress. Subtitled Tama chan Monogatari
GameBoy Advance
Action
Update of the futuristic Super Famicom classic with jumps, power boosts and plenty of mad machines such as Hot Violet, Stingray and Crazy Horse making it a great gaming universe.
Nintendo DS
A Bit Special
A Club Nintendo title that could only be obtained in Japan by those holding sufficient points which should no doubt add to its collectability in years to come. Transforms your DS into a Game & Watch machine in which Nintendo first cut its handheld teeth complete with clock. Two titles are included this time: Octopus and Parachute to help while away any waiting lounge.
🏆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.
GameBoy Advance
Simulation
Trading card game with Konami’s class shining through like the beams of sunlight in its European style fantasy world.
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’.
GameBoy Advance
Platform
Genki may often rant and rave about the performance of the GBA, but it is a special handheld in Genkis eye. Perhaps its our Game & Watch upbringing and love of the Super Famicom, but with such high class programming, attention to detail and lack of requirement to sell the hardware in terms of visual tricks makes for many a triple A release like Kirby here. Kirbys sheer versatility makes for varied action with his hammer attack and ability to tornado himself round the screen. Known as Hoshi no Kirby Yume no Izumi Deluxe in Japan.
GameBoy Advance
Sports
Compilation of two Kunio Kun games: dodgeball and basketball. Dodgeball is similar to ‘kingy’ in the UK: throw a ball at your opponents. Hit them and they take damage until turning into an angel and floating up to heaven. Unfortunately each team has a big bruiser far from being an angel, complete with powerful super move. Kunio and his motley crew add a great deal of fun to an otherwise limited genre. Starting under the gaze of Mount Fuji and the cherry blossom, a victory brings a trip to Naxat International for a flight (on Naxat Airlines) to London complete with Beatles style chip music. Next: a trip to Iceland complete with penguins. The basketball is set at a US Military base and being able to kick and punch somewhat changes the flow of the games a crucial times. And with multiple baskets, being able to score in your own net and teams with teleport powers, theres never a dull moment. Feels like a title made by gamers for gamers though.
GameBoy Advance
Sports
Compilation of two more Kunio Kun games: Sports Day and Soccer. Sports Day has track & field events spiced up by the ability to throw punches, bottles and even bowling balls during your rivals attempts. Soccer allows players to enjoy the fierce rivalry of rather over competitive football between Japanese high school teams. Similar to the Neo Geo classic Soccer Brawl in terms of the violent challenges possible. Pretty difficult to track down as the games star and biker gang look-a-like Kunio Kun has a strong following in Japan.
GameBoy Advance
RPG
Miyamato’s masterpiece deserves every superlative ever heaped on it, yet it remains as humble as lead character Link. A wonderful story that shines bright like one of the torches in the castle’s darkest, dank gaming dungeons. Miyamoto’s dream world turned into a gaming reality for all to behold. The finest RPG ever? Looking superb on the GBA. And 4 Swords is also a pleasure, never a chore with great use of the GBA link when entering a confined area. Dazzling in four player mode.
🥇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.
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.
🏆Brilliant!
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.
GameBoy Advance
RPG
Nintendo demonstrates its lighter side in this Japanese tongue in cheek take off of the RPG obsession amongst gamers. Set in America with unique, cartoon-like graphics reminiscent of Charlie Brown and his chums. Known as Earthbound in the West.
Nintendo DS
Puzzle
Don’t let the saccharine sweet, pastal graphics deceive you – this is one mean Mr Driller. Drill deep 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.
🏆Sizzler
Nintendo DS
RPG
Anything that the hand of Studio Ghibli touches screams animated gold and this emotive RPG is no exception. Right from the start Oliver sheds a tear wishing his mother would return and its the emotional investment in this exquisitely animated adventure that makes it so worthwhile. The accompanying Magic Book contains simple drawings that can be copied onscreen to unleash powerful attacks in the Final Fantasy style battle sequences. Miyazaki’s characters seem to almost transcend language and speak from the heart. Unless of course we are just trying to gloss over this being Japanese language… Yet should this fail to make a translation, to miss out on it would surely be the more heinous crime…
Nintendo DS
RPG
A real triple A title that brings to mind the delights of Goemons romps with a feudal Japan setting. The graphical look is innovative and feels like an animated New Years greetings card with such delightful execution. Played as the young wolf setting out on an epic adventure which we would hate to ruin. A real treat for lone wolfs from start to finish and worthy of higher accolades.
🏆Brilliant!
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.
Nintendo DS
A Bit Special
Namco does a heroic job of reinventing its yellow pill muncher making use of the DS to innovate and originate. Play begins by drafting a quick sketch of our little yellow friend who then trots off to the bottom screen. Pacman is then controlled by the stylus on the upper screen with appropriate flicks taking him where required. Skills honed in early stages are soon called on in full as the action heats up, such as being able to draw arrows or bombs. Boss encounters provide an opportunity to demonstrate a bit of lateral thinking adding much to the overall experience. As an extra there is a sketch book to enjoy seeing what happens when a few creative doodles are produced. Pure gameplay, highly original and exactly the kind of title Nintendo preached the DS stylus would deliver.
🏆Brilliant!
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.