Recommended
Recommended games and hardware - our favourites from the last couple of weeks.
GameBoy Color
Sports
Gives the sport a more exciting translation to the handheld as it doesn’t try to be too realistic and can be easily picked up and played, such is Nintendo’s way.
Famicom Cart
Platform
The game has nice, solid sprites and slick anime cut scenes to reward the gamer for the tricky platform sections.
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.
Animal Crossing Figures
Figure
Looking very dapper in top and tails, Jack’s deadpan expression reveals his character. Fine tribute to a wonderful series.
XBOX
Action
Samurai slasher less cerebral than the ‘Biohazard’ series, but the beautifully realised feudal Japanese world draws you in.
Super Famicom
RPG
Sadly not the 776 release which attracts pension funds, such is its year on year value inflation. But true gamers will cherish this standard version of the Nintendo RPG just as much. As ever, Nintendo’s standards set the bar which others must attain and this fine piece of programming could only be called a flop in terms of the Fosbury Flop, such as it raises the bar. A beautiful gaming world and a moving gaming experience.
PC Engine Super CD ROM
Shoot Em Up
Seven levels in all in this verticle blaster with a well crafted organic feel in contrast to the usual space stations. The sea level is also worthy of a mention for squeezing every drop out of the Engine hardware so well. Some cracking power ups but they are drip fed to you in game to make sure they are fully appreciated. The ship is capable of bulking up to looking more like a mechanical cicada insect. A very tidy, if little known, shooter underlining Telenet’s cult popularity.
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Welcomed sequel to the atmospheric samurai slasher set during the Meiji restoration in Japan’s modernisation. Includes new fatality moves subtly executed with the series distinct style. And with it being samurai based there are lethal weapons to utilise. Adds deflect moves to the equation: rather than blocking outright, players can deflect an attack leaving their opponent wide open to a counter. Fine attention to detail in the backgrounds with even the puddles making splashes as the fighters square up to each other. The lavishly illustrated manual looks like it was drawn by Hokusai and similar high art can be found in the games gallery.
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Until released it never was truly believed that such an otaku’s dream of Ryu vs Terry Bogart battles would actually become a reality. Two of the giants of the 2D one on one combat world locking horns has never been such fun.
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Genki would love to diverge more details if only the plot of Hirohiko Araki’s suitably named manga made sense… Recommended to fans with Capcom’s solid fighting engine and JoJo’s insane animation skilfully blended together. The special moves are the cocoa dust on top to fans of the series.
Dreamcast
A Bit Special
Ryo continues on his quest for revenge to Hong Kong and the mountains of China. Incredible cinematic experience that incredulously never received a North American release: such craft deserved the widest possible audience.
Sega Hardware
Controller
Stylish Dreamcast keyboard. Great for the typing games. Includes handy wrist rest.
đSizzler
Nintendo DS Preorder
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…
GameBoy Advance
RPG
A splendid, sprawling epic cocooned in a wonderful threads of Shining Force story. Lovingly crafted sprites reminiscent of the halcyon era of the Super Famicom.
Dreamcast
Rhythm
Intriguing twist on the rhythm action style of game with J Pop music that adjusts to your skill level. Protaganists Amp and Spica must dance their way through the colourful Cool Cool Town using their dancing skills to appease yellow werewolves and diffuse bombs. Gameplay is similar to Space Channel 5 and Neo Geo Pocket link up is possible in this last import only SNK release for the Dreamcast. This link up lets you unlock instruments in the Pocket version which can then be used in the Dreamcast version
Nintendo DS
Action
A Japan exclusive and special release in that Club Nintendo members were the only ones able to obtain a copy. A tribute to the classic title and very tasty Game & Watch making good use of the DS’s merits and with clever single and multi player modes to extend the games longevity.
Famicom Cart
One on One Beat Em Up
A classic case of a brilliant game released late into a hardwares life scale and as such some what slipping under the radar. A one on one fighter with some quirky differences that makes it a bit of a genre bender and all the more enjoyable for it. Anyway check out the Hardcore Gaming guide for a fine assessment… Virtua Fighter for the Famicom.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
A dream title for Sega fight fans which sees the creme of Virtua Fighter pitched head on against the elite of Fighting Vipers. Choc-a-bloc with hidden eggs which gives the game longevity comparable to VF’s Shun. Mention must go to Kumachan, a Genki legend.
đBrilliant!
Brilliant Gamecube
Action
Classic title from a golden era of gaming where players take on the role of knight tasked with clearing mazes. Set apart by Namcots flair for appealing sprite graphics and some fine gameplay blending quick thinking and fast pacing to create a title as loved today in updates such as this and on virtual consoles.
đBrilliant!
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.
GameBoy Advance
Platform
Platform romp with distinct Japanese humour and cultural references aplenty, including a cheeky boss run in reminiscent of Ghouls and Ghosts. If the cliché can be forgiven, a hidden gem, or possibly more a hidden whoopee cushion.