email270326
Here we have all the games in the email270326 Section.
Sony Hardware
Controller
A very ergonomically snug pad for the PS2 taking inspiration from the elusive Saturn style that works a treat with beat em ups such as the many fighters its stable has produced. And its pure class on fighters.
Mega Drive
Puzzle
Sound puzzle title from a thoroughbred Sega stable that allows up to five player mash ups with a multitap. The Egyptian themed one player mode is fun, but its multiplayer where the action really heats up. Special power ups distinguish this from other Columns titles as special jewels trickle down the screen. These can lower your own playing field or raise up your opponents. Nastier jewels send the screen black and white making distinguishing the colours somewhat tricky, or reverse the controls messing with the min, or even flip the playing field upside down. Overall a fine arcade puzzler.
Super Famicom
One on One Beat Em Up
Data East rolls its sleeves up and shows its coin up credentials in this one on one martial arts contest with characters such as minotaur using his horns to devastating effect. Plenty of other characters from Greek and Roman mythology and a solid title for the fight enthusiast. Also known as Mutant Fighter.
Wonderswan
Simulation
A digital universe with some bizarre, some very cute digimons to interact with a power up your own collection as Bandai backs its swan song to the hilt.
Sega Hardware
Accessory
Sadly the Dreamcast ran out of time before the merits of this fine three megapixel camera and webcam could be fully exploited. Still it remains a nice collectors item, even if it brings out a sigh as to what could have been. The headphones aren’t quite out of Space Channel, but still look fine (if not as good as Ulala’s.)
Sega Hardware
Controller
The only way to play Pop N Music as the makers intended. Fiddly and frustrating at times on the joypad, this dedicated controller soon become intuitive and most importantly fun. A massive series in Japan but to really appreciate its many merits, it takes this controller.
Miscellaneous Games
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.
Nintendo Hardware
Controller
A sound, Super Famicom, seven button joystick with auto fire features to make fight fans and jaded shmup veterans jump for joy. Ascii is a well respected controller manufacturer and this compact stick justifies its official license fully.
Wonderswan
RPG
From the anime series comes this spin off adventure with original story and plenty of stunningly realised scenes.
Miscellaneous Hardware
Console
The 3DO dream was a very brave one – allowing many manufacturers to produce hardware taking as much advantage of the multimedia aspect that was seen as the future of gaming and taking on the dominance of Sega and the Big N at the same time. And whilst the headlines screamed DOA and 3DOH! There were still some fine games for the system here seen in the slender lines of the Panasonic model.
Brilliant Switch
Shooter
Few will forget their first blast on Kikikaikai. The initial barrier was to be able to pronounce it to the local importer in the pre-internet days. And despite being just the early nineties, few gamers were sufficiently cross-pollinated with games of its ilk to understand the ensuing cultural chaos. Not that it requires understanding with fast paced shooting fury the order of the day. Yet a randy raccoon tanuki friend that can deflect shots with his tail did raise a few eyebrows. The Shinto inspired Japanese blaster draws on mythology as necks extend inexplicably and one-eyed umbrella ghosts hop past. Cultural references aplenty all in a luscious sprite-based world driving gamers on to see more. Unrelenting pace as you the priestess battle against all the evil of underworld armed with nothing more than a purification branch. A Super Famicom classic well-worthy of this fine update and hopefully new and old audience with new playable characters. Known in the West as Pocky and Rocky Reshrined.
Wonderswan
Sports
Kinikuman is an alien prince whose escapades are detailed in the Shonen Jump manga. This is a whacked out wrestling game could teach the WWF games a half nelson or two. Shrunk down sprite characters look good on the small screen with some great avatars to show the emotion behind the wrestling masks.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
Capcom once again recreates the period splendour of a feudal Japan setting for the Onimusha series to delve into a Samurai Spirits style fighting melee. An element of the supernatural is provided by the spooky Nobunaga whose clan of undead warriors must be laid to rest before seeking revenge on the leader himself. Oozes atmosphere with blood red skies, enchanted forests and spine tingling sound effects. There are also plenty of extra items to go back for the completist. Also known as Onimusha Blade Warriors.
PS2
Sports
Wide, sweeping curves to savour as players put the pedal to the metal. Slick presentation as players swoop in from an aerial view to the finely tuned gaming engine. Plenty of visual treats too such as flags fluttering and balloons lazily drifting by.
Switch
Simulation
The tactical battle simulation based on the PSP incarnations of the games and looking amazing on the souped up hardware. The source material has clearly inspired the developers to attain new heights in its sumptuous appearance with a devilishly cunning gameplay engine underneath the bonnet.
Brilliant Switch
Simulation
The tactical battle simulation based on the PSP incarnations of the games and looking amazing on the souped up hardware. The source material has clearly inspired the developers to attain new heights in its sumptuous appearance with a devilishly cunning gameplay engine underneath the bonnet.
Sega Hardware
Controller
Hori has some track record when it comes to bringing the game centre experience into the home and this sturdy contender brought out to complement Virtua Fighter 2 really feels the part. The usual high spec production values and sturdy finish make for a very pleasurable and finger cramp free joystick.
Virtual Boy
Shooter
Plays like Star Fox done in vector graphics – all the levels and enemy ships to shoot at are made up of red lines, but it works well to give a fast flowing, fully 3D environment with the developers showing a fine eye for attention to detail. Various camera angles have been implemented to find the best one for enjoying the challenging levels and boss fights. Plenty of work has been put in on the controls too making them inherently intuitive with evasive rolls and tight turns. The player’s ship not only takes damage to the shields, but also runs low on fuel requiring pilots to posses a ruthless hit and fly streak to flourish. Mention must go to the atmospheric intro too.
Sega Hardware
Controller
Compatible with the likes of Wing Arms, Soviet Strike, Black Fire. The Mission Stick brings the flight of fancy to such airbourne titles and really adds the extra dimension to the gameplay. If you thought Desert Strike got a bit hairy with a joypad, try using the Mission Stick to finish Soviet Strike. Sega once more shows its supreme love of its fan base in making this stick switchable between left and right sides. Bravo! Also has a turbo fire feature and thumb throttle.
Sega Hardware
Controller
Sankyo produce pachinko machines, so their controller accurately replicates the handle used in the arcades to control the speed of the steel balls that fly here, there and everywhere within the machine. A great collector curio and adds much to games for those fans of the hobby.
Sega Hardware
Controller
Designed for use with the AM2 cracker Virtual On with massive mecha trying to crush each other. Makes the game a real joy when you master the control of the double stick system. Chic Retro feel to the graphical overlay on the sticks top panel.
Virtual Boy
Sports
Playable from behind the pugilists boxing gloves, you take on robot opponents in a slug fest. The 3D effect works well as the fists fly towards you.
NEO GEO CD
One on One Beat Em Up
The superlatively detailed backgrounds and imaginative combatant design that characterises any quality SNK release are present, as is the power up bar from the 97 version which allows for super moves when full which is preferred by many to the striker system introduced in the sequels from here on in. Just like the real world of martial arts, its takes dedication and hard work to progress with this old school black belt. Today’s crop of beat em ups would take a pasting off this bruiser.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
A well-established developer of love adventures which once again shows its hand is capable of beautifully drawn escapades.
GameBoy Color
RPG
Played as Ippei or Mina charged with clearing the universe of the junk loving Garakutas. Comes in limited edition collectors pack with ‘Full Charger’: a hand held device used to power up your chosen character to special ‘bright’ levels to aid in the RPG quest. In order to change the in game character special items must be tracked down in the expansive towns offering high levels of freedom. Written on the box as Zok Zok Heroes.