Recommended
Recommended games and hardware - our favourites from the last couple of weeks.
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.
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.