Recommended
Recommended games and hardware - our favourites from the last couple of weeks.
Playstation
Platform
Genki may be going soft, but we miss the day when you could find a safe spot on the screen and simply blast away until the boss destructs. With a slight pang towards a greater challenge, these bad boys demand not only full attention to weak spots, but also to keeping an eye on the platforms to avoid tumbling to boss rush purgatory. Rats!
Dreamcast
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. A Dreamcast must have.
Nintendo 64
A Bit Special
Amazingly recreates the feel of flying through the sky be it on the rocket belt or gyrocopter flying through hoops or chasing the thermals to stay up in the hangglider to get a better photo of a whale. Packed full of ideas – a breath of fresh air to the games industry.
PC Engine HU Card
Sports
Tests the drivers concentration as the break neck speed employed by the programmers ensures its essential to keep a beady eye on the hints as to which corner comes next. Very nice celebratory scene in reaching the podium, for those who appreciate their sprites.
PS2
Action
With interesting side quests such as finding all the mushrooms, players get to gallop through the wide, expansive game area on steeds in a great feel of freedom like a nomad through Outer Mongolia with the wind effect adding to the feel. Strewn throughout the world are what looks like Roman ruins. Pierced with strong shards of like amongst the atmospheric shadows, players negotiate tight crevices, Yet few will forget their first encounter with the Colossus. Up there with Ico on the system and one of the finest on any system. Beautiful, emotive, immense, Colossus. Known as the Shadow of Colossus in the West.
Gamecube
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.
XBOX 360
One on One Beat Em Up
Seemingly having done a lot of homework, Arc System Works infuse their Guilty Gear skills along with Akiba, sleek styling, gothic, Harajuku fashion, huge scaled opponents of the quintessential Capcom, Saturn era classic X Men, even what looks like a ghost from Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. The depth in detail to the backgrounds with exquisite lighting is a sight to behold. But the all important engine, where fight titles are swept mercilessly to the floor or soar with a flying foot into the opposition, has been honed with the teams years of experience.
PSP
A Bit Special
Clever use of word linking in the title as players get to savour the delights of the otaku’s Mecca (or should that be mecha?) That is Akihabara. Its possible to explore the game shops, electrical stores, anime haunts and obligatory maid cafes with authentic realism in terms of layout. Plenty of fliers and Aikiba info can be viewed. Battles also ensue and those taking a beating tend to lose their dignity instead of getting a cauliflower ear in an intriguing take on the Yakuza series, hence the title. A clever concept covering all bases and uncovering a few surprises.
NEO GEO CD
One on One Beat Em Up
The Jet of the title refers to the extra speed in movement added to the mix to make a very tasty fight fest with a few extra specials thrown in for each character just to keep you on your toes and fleet footed. The graphics are the pinnacle of the series on the AES and the results are up there with the finer fight titles on the system – no mean feat amongst such refined company.
Famicom Cart
Shooter
Nicely done conversion of the arcade smash, unfortunately missing the Uzi controller. Uses a cross hair marker instead of light gun in a similar vein to the Neo Geo classic Nam 75. The gun toting hero is hard as nails.
Sega Saturn
A Bit Special
This disk has four demos from Bomberman SS, Sakura Wars, Virtua On and Tengai Makyo. A nice curio for the dedicated Saturn conehead.
PSP
A Bit Special
Intriguing project that exudes Sony chic on the PSP. Basically a compilation of mini games pulled together on the premise of the rise in part-time work in modern Japan. Players save their very hard-earned cash to buy strange gashapons in the hope of unlocking another job, whilst chatting to their fellow part-time friends via the in game emails to pick up tips. An initial four games are available: catching baseballs to try and get up to a thousand. Putting pen caps on biros with an unhinged soundtrack to really feel the daily grind and mess with your sanity. Crossing the road frogger style avoiding the high speed cars. Finally counting pedestrians as they dart across a busy street. All executed with great style. A surprising unknown cracker in the PSP world.
Playstation
Simulation
A cracking title in which you get to become a master crane operator through the various stages and challenges including pulling out fish as in the child’s toy fishing game. There is also an expert course to graduate aswell as the grind of work mode where going about your duties is strangely gratifying. Only in Japan, but well worth a spin. Known as Crane Master ni Narou in Japan. See also Shovel Master and Machine master in the Kenki Ippai series.
PS3
Simulation
Special title capturing the hopes and mainly fears of a late twenty something stuck in a cycle of not wishing to work too hard in a part time position but suffering the lack of financial stability that results in. The ever pressing fear of pregnant girlfriends and the alluring yet foreboding Catherine prey heavily on our protagonists mind as the character interaction plays out with a wealth of mini games. One such involves shifting platforms to climb to the top of the tower and success in these is linked to progress in the special game.
Dreamcast
Rhythm
Updated version of the arcade smash with plenty more tracks to choose from including a rock version of A-Ha’s “Take On Me.” Also includes Hustle mode where moving the maracas around in time to the beat is the central premise as opposed to hitting the beats. Then there’s Love Love mode where success is measured by how many beats you can hit together with your partner. Preach no more: this is the game to convince non gamers to get involved and samba. Bursting with colour and sunshine – at least when you’re hitting the beats.
PS2
Platform
Absolutely lush backgrounds feel like they are bringing a fairytale to life in this spiritual sequel to the much vaunted Princess Crown on the Saturn. Items and experience are important as magical spells are released with a fair heap of graphical gunpowder. But at its core its good old fashioned 2D platform fighting and this cat is lapping it up. Absolutely huge quest with some nightmare inspired bosses.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Plethora of zany characters from the anime hero Dam Dam to a fish head on legs which have to jump on each others shadows to win the bout. A glimpse of the creativity Sony harnesses when its developers are given a free reign.
Nintendo DS
Rhythm
Update of the GBA original which became a big hit. The use of the stylus adds an extra dimension to the refreshing concept. Combines the refreshing delights of the Made in Wario series with funky, fly beats therefore taking the gameplay on to a higher plane by combining demands on visual and aural reflexes. With such delightful gameplay its hard to put down but unless you got rhythm you wont see the credits roll.
PS2
Simulation
Live the dream: drive your bus around the big T not forgetting to announce the stops and shut the door before departure. Oh and buses run on time in Japan. White drivers gloves not supplied. Conversion of the much loved Dreamcast classic.
Playstation
Puzzle
From hardcore gamers much loved Takumi, which was created (along with Cave) from the fallout from Taoplan’s demise, comes this distinctive puzzler. Usually more at home with shmups like Gigawing and Mars Matrix, Takumi demonstrates another string to its bow as you work to match weather symbols with some delightful characters. The symbols can be slid along sideways to make combo’s, but it keeps it nice and frantic not having to concentrate purely on the top line as in Puyo Puyo et al. Very refreshing. Also known as Weather Tales.
PS2
Rhythm
Trial version in which players transform into the uber funky Giatroo Man by picking up an electric guitar and strum some riffs to dispatch of your adversaries in a unique twist on the rhythm action genre. Get in the groove and react in sync and the music plays along more smoothly. As exquisitely colourful as a trip to Shibuya and full of Eastern insanity making this a must have purchase.