Recommended
Recommended games and hardware - our favourites from the last couple of weeks.
Famicom Cart
Action
Any game with a guest appearance of Genki hero Xandra of Super Famicom Xandra’s Big Adventure fame is worthy of any collection in Genki’s humble opinion. RPG elements in this action title not very well known outside Japan. Catapulting around levels is great fun and saves having to revisit areas of this huge game.
Mega Drive
Shooter
Overhead perspective strategic action blast in which espionage is the order of the day as enemy bases are sabotaged with bombs placed in the correct position within the time limit. Ammo is limited but the emphasis is more on stealth as Konami’s more famous title implemented equally well with varied levels of guard AI. A two player cooperative mode is very cunningly implemented and much more enjoyable than many two player competitive modes.
Super Famicom
Shoot Em Up
Old school shooter with big, bad bosses filling up most the screen that require taking down bit by bit. The unique feature is the ability to be able to shift altitudes to avoid confronting the meaner looking machines gunning for you which adds a nice tactical element to the battle. An enjoyable blast.
Playstation
Sports
Mario Kart tribute with the PlaySation’s hardware getting a good work out spinning the course around on screen. The levels are full of fun with sea and beach based sunshine level looking particularly good in Micro Machines style overhead view. Then there is also the battle mode. The use of fighting like Road Rash as player pass helps it dig its own niche.
Miscellaneous Games
Shoot Em Up
A vertical scrolling shooter from master blasters Sega with clever programming and tasty chip tunes. Can’t go wrong with Sega’s hertitage.
GameBoy Original
Simulation
Captures the fun of taking print club pictures which dominated the arcades of Japan. Features can be tweaked in capturing a dream sticker. Also known as Purikura Club Pocket.
Dreamcast
Shooter
All the frills of the arcade on this home version. Alas a giant snipers rifle may not have proved the most practical so is sadly missing. But other than that, this is a fine light gun game that works a treat on the standard controller as the sight is zoomed around the screen before zooming in for a better look. That is a better look when the power has not just been shot out in the claustrophobic, near darkness levels. The tactical element is grand too with adversaries being taken down through hotel windows within the time limit to preserve the peace. And some fine Bond like tunes.
Sega Saturn
Puzzle
Cuteness as only the Japanese know how, ‘Puyo Puyo’ style gameplay which is great fun in two player mode.
GameBoy Advance
Puzzle
Good mix of modes including the Survival mode where you must try to win back the gems that have been stolen from the royal crown, hence the title. Two player link up battles are also possible using just a single cartridge. As simple and addictive as ever – the ultimate journey companion.
Game Gear
RPG
The final release of the four part series on the Game Gear never made it overseas and always seems in high demand from collectors. It is based on part A of the A.R.S. PC versions, yet the story has been re-jigged. Yet its not just down to coming late in the handhelds cycle that this instalment is in demand: Compiles composed hand and slick presentation is present throughout as it guides you by the hand through its 3D dungeons like a kind Carbuncle. The Bakeshon of the title is a pun on the Japanese pronunciation English word vacation, with “bake” meaning ghost…
Famicom Cart
Shoot Em Up
Tate, meaning vertical, scrolling shoot em up from Capcom’s classic stable of WWII plane blasters. Good, solid arcade mechanics and plenty to keep the guns ratatating in both smaller planes and the big, bad boss versions.
Dreamcast
Sports
Whittle away a few peaceful hours on Lake Paradise trying to land a big bass renowned for their fighting ability. Tactical choice of lure is essential as you cajole the bass to take the bait. Once you have a bite the line tension gauge must be carefully monitored to stop the line from snapping. Arcade and DC original modes to select with the latter being far more forgiving than the arcade mode in which you must land sufficient weight within the time limit to you move on to the next stage. Failure to bag anything will leave you gutted.
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 DS
Action
Reminiscent of the seminal Super Famicom ‘Yoshi’s Island’ both in terms of gameplay and pastal shaded graphics, play involves using the stylus to sketch clouds to protect baby Mario.
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.
GameBoy Advance
Action
Seemingly taking inspiration from SNK in the period setting, this action fight fest has scrumptious fight areas and extensive attention to animation detail. Plenty of hidden characters and accomplished effects. A very appropriate tribute to the samurai slicing anime series.
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.