Recommended
Recommended games and hardware - our favourites from the last couple of weeks.
Playstation
A Bit Special
Subtitled ‘The Start of History’, one might expect more familiar titles than Son Son, Higemaru, Exed Exes and Vulgus. Exed Exes is probably the pick of the four, but with Son Son containing NHK Monkey’s exploits it will always be the apple of Genki’s eye.
Wii
A Bit Special
A little bit of a different experience with the games main protagonist and hero Minon being able to alter the domino action world. Fingers crossed this can be as enjoyable as No One Can Stop Mr. Domino on the PSX. Eight stages to enjoy with a battle mode and two player play possible.
Mega CD
Action
A pack in title for the launch of the Mega CD which was only released in CD format in Japan. The action involves wrestling fellow mech for supremacy in a myopic future.
PS3
One on One Beat Em Up
Well worth the wait as Sega polishes its massive series to create a visual punch capable of knocking players out cold for the count. Pugilists flow like water with seamless animation making it at times difficult to concentrate on countering the attacks, such is the graphical splendour. And its not only the players full of fluidity Ethe waterfall level will take a few attempts to get used to before players can focus fully on the battle in-hand. Seventeen playable fighters with some vicious special moves to master to become king of the arcades as players tour round the game centres fighting new challengers. Master is the operative word with ranking determined by performance against tougher opponents with the ultimate aim being to reach tenth dan. So the dojo is a sound place to start for some solid training in the foundations. Tournament mode allows competitors to pick up money or a new outfit to radically alter the player’s on-screen persona’s appearance.
PSP
A Bit Special
Masses of monkey themed mini games as players collect the many cards on offer with a few bananas changing hands, but not before a quick game of ‘paper, scissors, stone’ to determine which mini game is played. Progress round the map and eventually a boss challenge will become available. Beat the boss and not only will a new area of the map become accessible, you’ll also get their very own card. Its also possible to unlock a bit of monkey magic in the form of costumes – the Santa and Terminator monkeys are real corkers. The sequel has vastly improved over the initial primate prequel Also known as Ape Escape Academy. Subtitled ‘Aiai Saruge Janken Battle’.
PC Engine Super CD ROM
RPG
Contains two playable demos of about one hour of Tengai Makyo II (including the lavish introduction sequence as well) and about two hours of Dragon Slayer. Nice little sample of two very good RPG’s.
Neo Geo Pocket
Simulation
Colourful slot machine game with Mexican themed reels including obligatory sun, sombrero and tequila symbols. Gamble your nudges.