Recommended
Recommended games and hardware - our favourites from the last couple of weeks.
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.
Famicom Cart
RPG
Rescue the Tomato Princess and receive the praise of the Broccoli King to become a fine, upstanding cucumber. Possibly the strangest way to encourage salad consumption, but a wonderfully crafted adventure and in friendly Hiragana for those budding students of Japanese: be in language or culture. Known in Japan as Salad no Kuni no Tomato Hime.
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.
Dreamcast
Sports
Masses of Japanese, American and European cars to choose from each with unique handling as Sega steers away from its arcade rally races and gets realistic in this Gran Turismo style racing game. Good graphical attention to detail seen for example in the whirl of red light left behind when a car jams on the anchors at night.
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.
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’.
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 cajoule the bass to take the bait. Once you have a bite the line tension guage 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.
Nintendo DS
A Bit Special
Namco does a heroic job of reinventing its yellow pill muncher making use of the DS to innovate and originate. Play begins by drafting a quick sketch of our little yellow friend who then trots off to the bottom screen. Pacman is then controlled by the stylus on the upper screen with appropriate flicks taking him where required. Skills honed in early stages are soon called on in full as the action heats up, such as being able to draw arrows or bombs. Boss encounters provide an opportunity to demonstrate a bit of lateral thinking adding much to the overall experience. As an extra there is a sketch book to enjoy seeing what happens when a few creative doodles are produced. Pure gameplay, highly original and exactly the kind of title Nintendo preached the DS stylus would deliver.