Recommended
Recommended games and hardware - our favourites from the last couple of weeks.
Sega Hardware
Controller
Improve your dance step using this DDR mat compatible with the Dreamcast titles. Far better to practise in the comfort of your own home before unleashing your moves on the arcade groupies. Genki keeps the curtains firmly shut when grooving and gyrating, for now…
Sega Hardware
Accessory
A wonderous accessory to the Mega Drive Mini, this bag can store the Mega Drive Mini console, up to two Fighting Pad 6B control pads, a USB power cable and an HDMI cable.
Mega Drive
Shoot Em Up
Solid conversion of the eternal shmup with some clever parallax. Whilst mutiple routes mean there are only seven levels to get through, the replay value is massive with twenty eight levels to savour. There must have been some catfish in the Taito office at the time judging by all the aquatic themed and highly imaginative enemies you need to take down.
Mega Drive
Side Scrolling Beat Em Up
Fine, retro feel to the gameplay in a genre itself that is long since forgotten. Yet Konami made a real splash with its arcade scrolling fighters and Turtles fits its masterplan with quick paced gameplay and the ability to pummel an opponent once their collar can be gripped. Good variety in the gameplay as players go from rusty 80’s downtown to surfing the high seas, catching up with pirate ships.
Mega Drive
Puzzle
Sprightly puzzle game where tiles must be rotated to clear the screen: much easier in practise than words. Adopts various styles to the game view be it the dynastic classical Chinese mahjong tiles, fantasy role playing medieval style or playing cards on the beach setting. Famous for its small box styling: one of only a handful of Mega Drive games released in mini boxes.
PC Engine Hardware
Multitap
Allows you to play Bomberman the way it should be enjoyed amongst one of the plethora of games to benefit from human competitors. Five connector ports.
Sega Hardware
Controller
A smart white finish to this wireless pad that uses a connector (not supplied) to both the joypad ports to hook it up to the Saturn to run via infra-red. Enjoys a comfortable 5 metre range and beats untangling cables any day. Also has TV control button!
GameBoy Original
A Bit Special
Recreating the joy that represented Nintendo’s Game & Watch series that covered infinitely more playground kudos that any Rubiks Cube or Fart Spray. In this delightful piece of simplicity we have Vermin, Parachute, Chef, Helmet and Donkey Kong. Each title is available in nostalgic original form or in updated modern day shape. Either way the pure gameplay is irresistible.
Nintendo Hardware
Controller
These controllers hark back to Nintendo getting back to its Famicom roots and were released for use with the cracking Nintendo World Championships and Famicom Nintendo Classics Switch games. They look great stuck on the side of the Switch proving its hardcore tattoos as a home of all good things retro.
GameBoy Original
One on One Beat Em Up
Takara shows exactly why it was so at home with the GB’s humble architecture in this jaw crunching conversion of the arcade bad boy. Slickly animated, every character each moving seamlessly through their martial arts routine.
Wonderswan
RPG
Improved visuals (including a stunning sea shrine update), conversation speed, combat system and new cut scenes along with an uplifting, orchestral music score. Huge bosses that seem to want to crawl out the screen. Playable as fighter, thief, ninja or three mages. So much loving from Square. Highly collectable.
PS2
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.
Gamecube
A Bit Special
Nintendo have a fine tradition of challenging the gaming genres, many of which they established themselves. And Pikmin is a fine example as the wee creatures are dispatched to complete various tasks in what becomes a vey strangely compelling, highly-addictive game that is much easier to pick up and play than describe.
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 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.
Wonderswan
Simulation
Evokes the spirit of the hardy warriors of the Water Margin with swords and kwando weapons never far from being drawn. The Art of War in a video game.
Wonderswan
Sports
In association with turntable masters Vestax and Tomi-E and DJ Yuze, Bandai brings you a fresh title seeing you go up against fellow DJ’s in a music stand off. Funky visuals in a similar street stylie to ‘Jet Set Radio.’
GameBoy Original
Action
Makes ace use of the monochrome screen as players bound the platforms clearing away the Bero men baddies with a tactical comb or two in order to clear the level and progress. Much sort after due to being released in a collectable tin, as opposed to a card box.
Virtual Boy
Puzzle
Join Bomberman’s quest to make the golden Bomberman statue his own by winning the three medals. All of the enemies and levels are of a spooky nature, but in a cuddly Bomberman style. Gameplay is in a similar vein to Columns.
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.
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.
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.