Recommended
Recommended games and hardware - our favourites from the last couple of weeks.
Sega Hardware
Controller
The only way to play Pop N Music as the makers intended. Fiddly and frustrating at times on the joypad, this dedicated controller soon become intuitive and most importantly fun. A massive series in Japan but to really appreciate its many merits, it takes this controller.
NEO GEO CD
One on One Beat Em Up
The superlatively detailed backgrounds and imaginative combatant design that characterises any quality SNK release are present, as is the power up bar from the 97 version which allows for super moves when full which is preferred by many to the striker system introduced in the sequels from here on in. Just like the real world of martial arts, its takes dedication and hard work to progress with this old school black belt. Today’s crop of beat em ups would take a pasting off this bruiser.
Mega Drive
Puzzle
Sound puzzle title from a thoroughbred Sega stable that allows up to five player mash ups with a multitap. The Egyptian themed one player mode is fun, but its multiplayer where the action really heats up. Special power ups distinguish this from other Columns titles as special jewels trickle down the screen. These can lower your own playing field or raise up your opponents. Nastier jewels send the screen black and white making distinguishing the colours somewhat tricky, or reverse the controls messing with the min, or even flip the playing field upside down. Overall a fine arcade puzzler.
Miscellaneous Hardware
Console
The 3DO dream was a very brave one – allowing many manufacturers to produce hardware taking as much advantage of the multimedia aspect that was seen as the future of gaming and taking on the dominance of Sega and the Big N at the same time. And whilst the headlines screamed DOA and 3DOH! There were still some fine games for the system here seen in the slender lines of the Panasonic model.
Mega Drive
Shoot Em Up
Gritty World War styled horizontally scrolling shooter that positively zips along besides the parallax skies, cliffs or well drawn clouds. As well as the gunning ability of the plane, budding pilots will have their bombing skills tested too as enemy boats zip along the ocean to try and get a pot shot in. Wears its old school credentials proudly and few would be able to roll up to reveal a more impressive tattoo at the retro bar of gaming.
Super Famicom
Shoot Em Up
Star Fox utilised the new FX chip to the maximum producing a tight 3D shooter worthy of the Nintendo branding. As with all Nintendo classics, the gameplay is introduced to you gradually as you slowly begin to master control of the nippy airwing. Great control sees you weaving between buildings, skirting under bridges and taking on fruit machines in no time… With lavish presentation including banter with your fellow animal wing men, Starfox is a Super Famicom must have.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Stunning visual impact showing the effort that went into this little known Blade Runner inspired RPG that snuck out in the Dreamcast’s shadow. Well worthy of reinvestigating.
Dreamcast
RPG
Gorgeous Sega online RPG when the company poured its heart and soul into its dream machine. Superb, intuitive combat engine with slick presentation, stunning cut-scenes and emotional avatars.
Mega Drive
One on One Beat Em Up
Quality Konami licensed title that sees our fine turtle clan taking on all comers with the three buttons: kick, punch and taunt. There are also special moves that can only be executed when the player is on their last legs to try and even up the bout. Arcade feel to the gameplay which is very pick up and play, but the producers class shines through.
Wonderswan
Puzzle
Match up spheres as your character runs frantically around the bottom of the screen firing the balls up. Being in possession of a special move often helps keep on top of things. But you are always only a few misplaced balls away from failure. Highly compelling.
Super Famicom
RPG
The friendly village folk are well represented in the detailed houses of the town. Its a shame they don’t offer more weaponry for free seeing as it is your good self that has to enter the dark dungeon and plough through the creatures and critters that stand in your way. Still free enterprise does bring a good range of merchandise to squander your hard earned currency on.
Mega Drive
Action
Big box EA special with fast-paced run and gun platform action and stonking tracks that grind out every iota of resonance from the chip tunes. Known in the West as Fatal Rewind.
Switch
Action
Classic Famicom material of gameplay over graphics, now given the graphics to match the gameplay thanks to this Switch conversion. Collect the money whilst avoiding ninjas made far more appealing by Sunsoft’s imagination: daikon and lantern power ups as well as the appearance of a rather rough looking geisha of questionable gender.
Dreamcast
RPG
The original D represented a key period in gaming history before the 3DO went critical, without which would we have had Silent Hill or Biohazard? Kenji Eno san delves into the dreaded “Interactive Movie” genre but the results are incomparable to early Mega CD releases. Disturbed and depraved survival horror from the Canadian outlands.
Wonderswan
Puzzle
An unusual puzzle game for the WS in which players have to prove themselves worthy to their father by negotiating the maze levels that feature five hazards trying to get you. The hazards vary but the best we can mention are being attacked by armpit hair or by mucus from a dripping nose. Charmingly fun.
Wonderswan
Simulation
Board game sequel to the colourful capers of the pirate crew with players each trying to outwit the others to find it to the treasure – loved by pirates everywhere. Pretty animation and plenty of work has gone into this worthy sequel that has been refined but is more of the fine formula.
Playstation
RPG
Konami’s cult Mirumo world looking mighty fine on the Playstation with four adventure quests to savour full of brightly drawn fairies, luscious green backdrops and plinky plonky chip tunes matched and blended perfectly to the in quest action.
Super Famicom
Platform
Lovely artwork, low Japanese sales and the popularity of the GameCube versions has made Super Metroid quite a collectable. Yet it wouldn’t be right to leave this on the shelf with such carefully crafted gameplay. A truly expansive gaming area full of hidden pockets only accessible when suitably powered up, but the map keeps you right. Atmospherics other titles can only dream about. A true Nintendo classic.
Super Famicom
One on One Beat Em Up
Plenty of foxy female protagonists going tete a tete in the Pretty Fighter 2D mould each trying to be the champ (with a side bet on the highest hemline.) Popular enough to be found on the PC Engine and Saturn as well with PSX updates.
NEO GEO CD
One on One Beat Em Up
A patriotic American wrestler called Eagle, an overweight policeman called Gordon and a gymnast called Carol who tosses medicine balls at you from out of her hair – it could only be Savage Reign. Interactive backgrounds including a go kart that’ll knock you down if you lurk in the rear too long. The Genki fave has to be the Chinese Chun Li tribute stage, though we doubt Capcom enjoyed it as much.
Sega Hardware
Controller
Spacious and well laid out with turbo feature bringing you closer to Sonic Team and AM2 than ever before.