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.
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
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.
🏆Brilliant!
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.
🏆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.
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.
Dreamcast
Shoot Em Up
Developed by Takumi who produced Gigawing, Mars Matrix encourages you to build up piles of cash to upgrade to new weapons. Collecting in succession has a multiplier effect encouraging paint scorching near-misses. Only grizzled shmup veterans need apply, but the shield option does provide some respite – especially when it fires back enemy projectiles or even doubles as a smart bomb; not without a price of course. And its due to this recharge period that the shield must be tactically used. Lovely Battle Garegga proportion attention to detail with molten shrapnel wizzing past.
Dreamcast
Action
Full of Sega’s arcade prowess making it to the DC via the Model 2 arcade board with a few cosmetic enhancements. Multiple routes are possible but this is just like its Hollywood counterpart Die Hard in that action comes above all else.
PS2
Shooter
Gungrave Overdose proves you can’t have too much of a good thing with its overhead third person perspective adding to the gameplay and adrenalin. Not that it need cranking up: the tension is high from the very off with the introduction. The story is full oof twists and intrigue – not that there’s much need to ponder it. Top end (Red) Entertainment.