Recommended
Recommended games and hardware - our favourites from the last couple of weeks.
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.
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.
Super Famicom
One on One Beat Em Up
Riding on the mighty sweep Street Fighter II unleashed on the 16Bit gaming world, Brass Numbers would have a good swing at Capcom’s cash cow. Telenet’s idy parallax scrolling is complemented by a few touches of its own in players being allowed to choose their next opponent and also being able to use their rewards earnt in bouts to boost their vital stats. Known as Doomsday Warrior in the West.
Super Famicom
Sports
Featuring a temperamental ace striker on each world team each with their own attributes and awareness of their own importance. Plays a slick passing game with nice arcade mechanics. Known in the West as Football Champ.
Virtual Boy
Sports
Accomplished take on the sport with players choosing their peg before casting off. A nice feeling of satisfaction at bagging a beauty and true fishermen and ladies will relish the challenge of the fight. Well presented and nicely animated. Whilst not up there with Virtual Bowling and Gundam, its slowly becoming a bit of a dark horse in VB collecting.
Miscellaneous Games
Shoot Em Up
The arcade classic R-Type gets a miraculous handheld conversion. The sheer originality of Irem’s opus has yet to be bettered. Who can forget the level one alien embryo boss?
32X
Action
The Metal Head is a giant mech requiring piloting around the cityscapes taking down enemy targets and accidentally blasting chunks out of surrounding skyscrapers. All very impressively realised in textured polygons showing the prowess of the 32X in the right hands.
Famicom Cart
RPG
This version has more going for it that didn’t make the cut for the English language release. Jammed full of Chinese cultural references, or at least Chinese culture from a Japanese perspective, it can be pretty zany at times.
Sega Saturn
Sports
Wrestling from the kings of grapple Human. Genki wouldn’t fancy getting pinned off the Canadian judo killer Joe nor coming up against the mysterious moves of the Hong Kong Dragon God much either!
PC Engine HU Card
One on One Beat Em Up
As the title would suggest, jousting between massive mechas – proving beyond doubt the Japanese gaming fraternity’s obbsession with fighting robots. The giant mechas battle it out travelling along a road, hence the ‘Run’ part of the title. Better in two player mode where power ups are keenly fought over.
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.
Miscellaneous Games
Action
Arcade level graphical achievements and gameplay to match as the players penguin pecks platforms to negotiate a safe passage for the egg through the screens laden with traps and adversaries. A real gem in Sega’s crown that shows why it enjoyed the fine times ahead.
Game Gear
A Bit Special
The bizarre Crayon Shinchan world gets an appropriately off-kilter selection of mini games to savour in that unique graphical style like a child’s doodles. Great variety: from pumping balloons to a fun fair shoot out via digging for treasure on the beach.
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.
Gamecube
Action
A quest based adventure as the mouse everybody loves seeks the pieces of the broken mirror to get back home. The gaming world looks a treat, as if Disney would have it any other way but with the added Capcom polish it really shines with a sparkle. In game events can set off a frantic button bashing sequence to overcome the challenge. And the mini games such as flying a plane around collecting items or snowboarding down the slopes provide a good clean fun diversion.
Can be linked to the GBA through the link cable (game and cable sold separately) to change around the Magical Mirror world.
PS3
One on One Beat Em Up
Warming the cockles of side on scrapper starved gamers comes the sequel to the anime expose to satisfy the most demanding of fight fans. The all female cast is reminiscent of the seminal Asuka series, but unfortunately such high-res graphics were never a possibility on the humble PC Engine. Presentation is spot on with a wee nod to the doujin fan and a fine story mode with pre-bout banter between the cat like ladies. The title comes from the Arcana power which is chosen to help each character get through the bout. Great to see the ladies are still doing it in 2D. Keep them coming we requested and our pleas have been answered.
Dreamcast
Sports
Beautiful weather and water textures add to the natural healing that comes from cruising the lakes in the great outdoors, dropping a line every now and then. The boat can be manoeuvred to a favoured spot on the lake adding an extra dimension to gameplay, particularly with the boat being equipped with a depth monitoring device. Spiritual healing for the urban oppressed.
Super Famicom
Simulation
A nice Mario collectable with picture related puzzles and animated pictures all created with the ease of a Nintendo user friendly interface. The naughty Wario pops up adding a bit of mischief to the arty mix.
PS2
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.
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.
Mega Drive
Simulation
Players build up their civilisation encouraging them to construct dwellings and mine resources, before raising an army to battle other countries. Known as Tyrants in the US.