Recommended
Recommended games and hardware - our favourites from the last couple of weeks.
Famicom Cart
Shooter
Run and gun action as players charge into the screen avoiding the pillar boxes, motorbikes and hand grenades as everything including the kitchen sink gets thrown at you to prevent your advance. Its hard not to warm to such gameplay with simple objectives and nothing to blame but your own lack of skill (and possibly army training) for not progressing and meeting the mission goal.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Brings back the gaming fun with a unique twist on the platform genre in that it is played by a car. Drivers must cover as many of the platform levels as possible and in doing so complete the road they drive over. Some mightily impressive sprite rotation techniques as the players car changes direction or it fires a bullet into the pursuing police cars to spin them out of control. Nice backgrounds too with the Statue of Liberty and Big Ben guesting.
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.
Famicom Cart
Action
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 to be avoided at all costs. Classic Famicom material of gameplay over graphics.
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.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Turtles on platform this time avoiding blokes with chain saws – usually a good policy in Genki’s humble experience. Makes good use of the turtles nature and taking to underwater sections. April’s always on hand to offer support.
Famicom Cart
Action
A Jidaigeki is a historical drama as Kunio takes a trip back in time to enjoy some of Japan’s rich feudal history with samurai and chonmage hairstyles. Our Kunio fits the bill just fine though: equally at home fighting bad dudes down the game centre as unhinged bullies trying to capture his girl.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Cheerful chip tunes and big, bold sprites, plus the character of Kai ensure this is a well treasured Famicom title. Collecting keys and potions, avoiding fire breathing dragons and escape to the door out of the level by the skin of your teeth are the order of the day. Translates as Kai’s adventure. Also known as The Quest of Ki.
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.