email230425
Here we have all the games in the email230425 Section.
PS2
Action
Eidos goes out on a limb to show the Tomb Raider developers diversity in creating an almost Nintendo-esque shepherding game. Animals need guiding back to their pen, but certain creatures will sink in water or be unable to jump adding to the lateral thinking of the shepherd. Very enjoyable and underrated.
Famicom Cart
Action
Cherished action RPG that takes a martial arts theme skilfully blending tough looking avatars, hit points and actual fight sequences in the martial arts mecca Temple of Shaolin itself.
Playstation
Simulation
A nice curio for the Playstation that comes with cable to link players phones to the console to be able to use the home and phone version of the virtual pet Toro’s games.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
3D incarnation of the much loved SNK treasure with evasive moves, ‘kick me when I’m down’ brutality and fast footed gameplay firmly on the offensive. Includes a mission mode for collecting various outfits and other unlockables. The church stage with stained glass windows looks stunning; indeed lighting on the whole has been cunningly employed. Also known as King of Fighters Maximum Impact.
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.
Game Gear
RPG
The final release of the four part series on the Game Gear never made it overseas and always seems in high demand from collectors. It is based on part A of the A.R.S. PC versions, yet the story has been re-jigged. Yet its not just down to coming late in the handhelds cycle that this instalment is in demand: Compiles composed hand and slick presentation is present throughout as it guides you by the hand through its 3D dungeons like a kind Carbuncle. The Bakeshon of the title is a pun on the Japanese pronunciation English word vacation, with “bake” meaning ghost…
Nintendo 3DS
RPG
Bowser comes to the fore as Mario & Luigi negotiate through his body whilst Bowser himself happily romps around terra firma. Colourful, clear graphics help eagle eyed players spot the key to progress. Lashing of the Big N, triple-A polish.
Playstation
RPG
Konami’s cult Mirumo world looking mighty fine on the Playstation with four adventure quests to savour full of brightly drawn fairies, luscious green backdrops and plinky plonky chip tunes matched and blended perfectly to the in quest action.
PS2
Platform
Absolutely lush backgrounds feel like they are bringing a fairytale to life in this spiritual sequel to the much vaunted Princess Crown on the Saturn. Items and experience are important as magical spells are released with a fair heap of graphical gunpowder. But at its core its good old fashioned 2D platform fighting and this cat is lapping it up. Absolutely huge quest with some nightmare inspired bosses.
Gamecube
Action
Full on compilation of all out action mini games that utilise the relentless pacing of the anime to be crammed full of visual impact as tough as the attacks themselves. Memorable games include the parachuting sequence with an octopus parachute in a bizarre twist on the Pilotwings series. A rhythm action take on a RPG fight sequence in tidy cel shaded sprites and the mayhem of random objects reigning down from above whilst under attack make it hard to encapsulate the chaos into words.
XBOX
Action
Samurai slasher less cerebral than the ‘Biohazard’ series, but the beautifully realised feudal Japanese world draws you in.
Famicom Cart
Shooter
Nicely done conversion of the arcade smash, unfortunately missing the Uzi controller. Uses a cross hair marker instead of light gun in a similar vein to the Neo Geo classic Nam 75. The gun toting hero is hard as nails.
Playstation
Puzzle
From hardcore gamers much loved Takumi, which was created (along with Cave) from the fallout from Taoplan’s demise, comes this distinctive puzzler. Usually more at home with shmups like Gigawing and Mars Matrix, Takumi demonstrates another string to its bow as you work to match weather symbols with some delightful characters. The symbols can be slid along sideways to make combo’s, but it keeps it nice and frantic not having to concentrate purely on the top line as in Puyo Puyo et al. Very refreshing. Also known as Weather Tales.
🏆Brilliant!
Brilliant Gamecube
Action
A request from Shigeru Miyamoto lead to the orginal creator of Pac Man producing this update where in a novel twist the player can control the ghosts. Available only as a demo disk from Club Nintendo, Pac Man is reinvented by controlling the ghosts making for amazing multiplayer matches. The way it works is to have Pacman play via the GameBoy Advance link up so that the ghosts cannot see Pac’s position, only that of the 3D maze on the television screen.
Nintendo 64
A Bit Special
Amazingly recreates the feel of flying through the sky be it on the rocket belt or gyrocopter flying through hoops or chasing the thermals to stay up in the hangglider to get a better photo of a whale. Packed full of ideas – a breath of fresh air to the games industry.
PSP
A Bit Special
Masses of monkey themed mini games as players collect the many cards on offer with a few bananas changing hands, but not before a quick game of ‘paper, scissors, stone’ to determine which mini game is played. Progress round the map and eventually a boss challenge will become available. Beat the boss and not only will a new area of the map become accessible, you’ll also get their very own card. Its also possible to unlock a bit of monkey magic in the form of costumes – the Santa and Terminator monkeys are real corkers. The sequel has vastly improved over the initial primate prequel Also known as Ape Escape Academy. Subtitled ‘Aiai Saruge Janken Battle’.
Sega Saturn
Puzzle
Cuteness as only the Japanese know how, ‘Puyo Puyo’ style gameplay which is great fun in two player mode.
GameBoy Original
Simulation
Captures the fun of taking print club pictures which dominated the arcades of Japan. Features can be tweaked in capturing a dream sticker. Also known as Purikura Club Pocket.
Nintendo DS
Rhythm
Update of the GBA original which became a big hit. The use of the stylus adds an extra dimension to the refreshing concept. Combines the refreshing delights of the Made in Wario series with funky, fly beats therefore taking the gameplay on to a higher plane by combining demands on visual and aural reflexes. With such delightful gameplay its hard to put down but unless you got rhythm you wont see the credits roll.
Playstation
Platform
Genki may be going soft, but we miss the day when you could find a safe spot on the screen and simply blast away until the boss destructs. With a slight pang towards a greater challenge, these bad boys demand not only full attention to weak spots, but also to keeping an eye on the platforms to avoid tumbling to boss rush purgatory. Rats!
Dreamcast
Rhythm
Pop a couple of maracas in the hands of a non-gamer and sit back and enjoy the show. Mould breaking, pure distilled fun from the Sonic Team.
Dreamcast
Rhythm
Updated version of the arcade smash with plenty more tracks to choose from including a rock version of A-Ha’s “Take On Me.” Also includes Hustle mode where moving the maracas around in time to the beat is the central premise as opposed to hitting the beats. Then there’s Love Love mode where success is measured by how many beats you can hit together with your partner. Preach no more: this is the game to convince non gamers to get involved and samba. Bursting with colour and sunshine – at least when you’re hitting the beats.
PS2
Sports
Puritans will head straight for the Arcade mode with its accurate and unforgiving top down conversion of the vintage coin op. Those less familiar with the original will find much fun and frolics wading around in the Grand Prix mode which features the ability to power up to a massive mobile, or to increase jump potential. Ambulances smash their way through the drivers to get to stricken drivers and there are more on screen calamities than Wacky Races. A fine claret that has matured to near arcade perfection.
GameBoy Color
Simulation
Off-shoot of the mega series with authentic avatars and card-based combat as players explore the Shin Megami world and meet its mystery inhabitants.
Dreamcast
Shooter
All the frills of the arcade on this home version. Alas a giant snipers rifle may not have proved the most practical so is sadly missing. But other than that, this is a fine light gun game that works a treat on the standard controller as the sight is zoomed around the screen before zooming in for a better look. That is a better look when the power has not just been shot out in the claustrophobic, near darkness levels. The tactical element is grand too with adversaries being taken down through hotel windows within the time limit to preserve the peace. And some fine Bond like tunes.
Dreamcast
Rhythm
Gyrate to the beat with the sexy Space Channel reporter Ulala. Just don’t ask about the story! Unique feel to graphics, full of futuristic frolics. A Dreamcast must have.
Soundtracks
Soundtrack
Available exclusively to members of the Square Enix community and of course Genki, this compilation includes some of gamings finest scores that really send a tingle down the spine right to the tips of your toughened gaming fingertips. Toe tapping tunes and stirring scores from Final Fantasy IV, Legend of Mana, Star Ocean and even a rare recording from the 97 Tokyo Game Show of Einhander.
🏆Brilliant!
Brilliant Mega Drive
Action
The original cart is a rather rare side scrolling beat ’em up from Kemco with solid 2D visuals and gameplay that they don’t make quite like they used to. Each character has their own special move – the hand grenade can certainly have its use at times. Simultaneous two player mode adds to the enjoyment of this very playable romp.
Playstation
Sports
Mario Kart tribute with the PlaySation’s hardware getting a good work out spinning the course around on screen. The levels are full of fun with sea and beach based sunshine level looking particularly good in Micro Machines style overhead view. Then there is also the battle mode. The use of fighting like Road Rash as player pass helps it dig its own niche.
PC Engine Super CD ROM
RPG
Contains two playable demos of about one hour of Tengai Makyo II (including the lavish introduction sequence as well) and about two hours of Dragon Slayer. Nice little sample of two very good RPG’s.