Recommended
Recommended games and hardware - our favourites from the last couple of weeks.
Dreamcast
A Bit Special
A treasure hunt title known as Yukawa Otakara Sagashi in Japan that was a promotional disk, but could also be bought. Players at the time were lucky enough to be able to win ten thousand Yen to allow them to order the likes of Border Down or Space Channel 5.
Virtual Boy
Shoot Em Up
Assume control of the Rangnarok ship in the battle to regain control of a rogue space colony. 2D vertically scrolling blast fest given a 3D element by the ability to shift between different planes. Relatively short, but the usual shields, weapon and pod power ups and detailed backgrounds make this a blast worthy of the Hudson Soft brand.
Famicom Cart
Action
Stirring chip tunes with that famous film anthem sounding great as Luke negotiates tricky platform sections in a variety of sand and snow based lands, not made easier by dissolving platforms. Taking to the X Wing to take down Tie Fighters (nearly incurred the wrath of the Empire then by getting that mixed up!) Looks impressive in 3D before the vertically scrolling section take on the Death Star tunnels.
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.
Nintendo DS
A Bit Special
A Club Nintendo title that could only be obtained in Japan by those holding sufficient points which should no doubt add to its collectability in years to come. Transforms your DS into a Game & Watch machine in which Nintendo first cut its handheld teeth complete with clock. Two titles are included this time: Octopus and Parachute to help while away any waiting lounge.
Famicom Cart
Action
Plenty of tributes to its mighty back catalogue in game for the discerning gamer. Taking out tanks that appear in the maze means keeping a keen eye out for where they will appear, if in control of the skirmish. Otherwise it means grabbing those freeze power ups or blasting a whole in the maze to sit in, perhaps even behind camouflage.
Famicom Cart
Action
A beautiful taster of what was to come in Parodius et al. The Penguin hero of the title piles on the pounds with each hit and therefore gets less likely to make the time limit controlled end of level. Full of colourful, Konami fun and humour and a real gem of a Famicom game.
Famicom Cart
RPG
Combines the first two adventures on the series on one rather large cart. Also includes a fold out map with the layout of the two worlds along with a paperback guide book/instruction manual in full colour with plenty of screenshots and illustrations. Highly collectable.
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.
GameBoy Advance
RPG
Nintendo unleash their fine and healthy imagination in Ketchup World in this tomato themed action RPG really looking the colourful part. Surely a classic of the future and deserving of a wider audience.
Famicom Cart
Platform
The Battletoad games are very collectable and its easy to see why in this Rare crafted version. Cliched some of the locations may be, but when the execution is of such high standard its easy to see why they become much imitated and rarely bettered. Fun, wholesome action that squeezes every iota out of the hardware.
Famicom Cart
Shoot Em Up
Vertically scrolling helicopter based blaster. Think 1941 with copters for planes. Taito once again showing its expertise in crafting very competent shooters. Also known as Kyukyoku Tiger.
GameBoy Advance
A Bit Special
Possibly the cutest game we have ever seen, even by Japanese standards. The kawaii animal club tour town to complete mini games to progress. Subtitled Tama chan Monogatari
Famicom Cart
Shoot Em Up
A fine blast in the Fantasy Zone style as players pilot their vessel (looking very much like an Opa Opa) in the horizontally scrolling shooting levels. Unusually the ship has stats like in a good RPG and the levels can be boosted by handing over some hard earned currency to the friendly shopkeeper who seems more than willing to assist.
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Smashing conversion tailoring the game to the DC’s hardware and adding in a plethora of unlockable extras. Intelligent use of the ‘striker’ character is essential to progress and there are plenty of potential candidates who rush on launching a scathing attack, then disappear after a bit of taunting. With thirty five slickly animated playable characters to choose from matched by the same number of strikers there’s plenty to get your teeth (and fists) into.
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Cheaper alternative to the Sega Direct Matching Service release only missing the online versus battle option. Update of the Saturn title with masses of fighters with some funky costumes including the cos play inspired Mika.
Dreamcast
One on One Beat Em Up
Hi-res, mean and moody gritty urban look to proceedings as Playmore gets tough after SNK’s demise. Includes tidy puzzle mode where you can send a special move out to devastate your opponents play field. Love it or loathe it: you have to admire the bold graphical shift to reflect darker street fashion.
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.
Famicom Cart
Action
Charge into the screen Space Harrier style, but this is a platform style escapade and the player must avoid gates and space critters on the planets surface. The 3D effect is impressive and quick reflexes are needed to keep up with the rapid pacing. The Sequel to Tobidase Daisakusen.
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.