Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Be a winner at the game of life with this Saturn version of the popular board game that melds money, love and education in one title. Known in Japan as DX Jinsei Game.
Super Famicom
Side Scrolling Beat Em Up
Playable as either Gundam F-91 or Ultraman Great in super deformed, squashed down style this title also stars Kamen Rider Balck EX of the rich host of anime related characters on show. Side scrolling fighting action with added fireball move to lash out at the bizarre bunch of imaginative alien assailiants inspired by the Ultraman and Gundam series.
PS2
Action
Superb old school British accents as the player is tasked with escaping the prisoner of war camp in WWII in this well made game of stealth and cunning with plenty of tension to avoid detection.
Playstation
Shooter
Fine tribute to the Namco tongue in cheek light gun games with players going up against a fair array of enemies including ghosts in the graveyard and plenty of whacky, Nippon inspired adversaries. Great fun and a real arcadey fresh feel to proceedings.
Compatible with the Gunkon.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Build up the medieval town with strategic planning and charge around hacking and slashing with your sword to ensure it remains the pristine paradise it is meant to be. Fine FMV sequences of its era, as Crystal Dynamics loved.
Dreamcast
Action
Eye catching arcade whizz converted with style and panache to the Dreamcast maintaining the dark, tragic, Gothic feel of the arcade big brother. Requires a steady nerve and fast trigger finger. A real blast in two player.
Sega Saturn
Sports
Virtua Fighter style polygon pugilists go head to head and toe to toe in this early Saturn release. Seemingly inspired by the Rocky series if the bad boy Victor is anything to go by. The build your own boxer mode adds that important degree of personal involvement to keep wanabee Rockys motivated as they slug their way through the later rounds.
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.
PS2
One on One Beat Em Up
SNK once again reinvents its long running scrapping series and manages to invigorate the genre at the same time with fine backgrounds including a luscious aquarium. 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. Just try and resist the urge to unleash the desperation move until the time is right.
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
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.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Sequel to the original 94 release and mean fighter, but actually the first conversion to the PSX. Plenty of specials and a guest appearance of Neo Geo Land, Japan as one of the stages. The dark and moody Korean stage with rain lashing down and burning tree gets Genki’s vote though. The game zips along even if the loading times aren’t quite as fast missing the Saturns extra cart.
NEO GEO CD
One on One Beat Em Up
Sequel and mean fighter. Plenty of specials and a guest appearance of Neo Geo Land, Japan as one of the stages. The dark and moody Korean stage with rain lashing down and burning tree gets Genki’s vote though.
GameBoy Original
One on One Beat Em Up
Takara shows exactly why it was so at home with the GB’s humble architecture in this jaw crunching conversion of the arcade bad boy. Slickly animated, every character each moving seamlessly through their martial arts routine.
NEO GEO CD
One on One Beat Em Up
The superlatively detailed backgrounds and imaginative combatant design that characterises any quality SNK release are present, as is the power up bar from the 97 version which allows for super moves when full which is preferred by many to the striker system introduced in the sequels from here on in. Just like the real world of martial arts, its takes dedication and hard work to progress with this old school black belt. Today’s crop of beat em ups would take a pasting off this bruiser.
NEO GEO CD
One on One Beat Em Up
The superlatively detailed backgrounds and imaginative combatant design that characterises any quality SNK release are present, as is the power up bar from the 97 version which allows for super moves when full which is preferred by many to the striker system introduced in the sequels from here on in. Just like the real world of martial arts, its takes dedication and hard work to progress with this old school black belt. Today’s crop of beat em ups would take a pasting off this bruiser.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Survival mode is a real challenge with only one energy bar to defeat all comers, but the true fan wouldn’t have it any other way. A truly vast range of 32 characters – and thats just the starting line up. Being able to call up a comrade in times of need certainly helps as they can launch an assault or restore some well needed health. Fine extras for fans including sound clips and gallery showcasing SNK’s superb design flair.
XBOX 360
One on One Beat Em Up
Despite the fine backdrops such as the intriguing, if not slightly stereotyped, Chinese market in a nod to a Chinese fighting lady in a title that slips my mind; the core gameplay remains true to the combo hungry spirit of the SNK original. The fighters look mightily impressive and move with a fluidity befitting such well honed martial artists, but the true artistry in is the eye of the creator here.
Super Famicom
Sports
Tackling the mammoth Paris to Moscow to Beijing Rally may not be everyone’s cup of tea and plenty of stamina is needed to get through the race. Yet due to the nature of the race, it is compelling to hang on in there like being just off the Play Offs in Football Manager. Good use of Mode 7 and various terrains even mean the screen bumps around on some levels. Just ensure to have a good navigator.
PC Engine HU Card
One on One Beat Em Up
In the immortal words of Master Onion: “Kick, punch – its all in the mind.” Some huge pugalists match up in this traditional kung fu fest. One of the earliest Engine games released at the same time as the PC Engine.
Super Famicom
RPG
The friendly village folk are well represented in the detailed houses of the town. Its a shame they don’t offer more weaponry for free seeing as it is your good self that has to enter the dark dungeon and plough through the creatures and critters that stand in your way. Still free enterprise does bring a good range of merchandise to squander your hard earned currency on.
Famicom Cart
Platform
Genki Gurus will be more than aware of our unhealthy penchant for ninjas. Still at least it doesn’t result in donning ninja suit and heading for the local park to test our skills. Yet few would be able to turn down Kage’s charms as or hero runs through the snow laden forests taking down opponents as you may clearing a path through the bamboo. Indoor levels show off some beautiful screens and more varied adversaries donning big bowled hats of a pilgrim. Yet rescuing the kimono clad princess makes it all worth while.
Soundtracks
Soundtrack
Two delightful disks with one hundred and five tracks to stir memories of Hyrule and uplifting moments in the Zelda games and want you to jump bare back onto a horse and ride off on a mission. A Cub Nintendo release making it a little exclusive which is a shame as many would lap up this aural experience of the highest order.
Playstation
Rhythm
Classical music conductor simulation that pretty much has the market to itself. But the baton controller makes for a fun, if slightly pompous night in front of the TV. Getting the right tempo as well as volume from the orchestra is strangely compelling and an enjoyable, original experience further developed (albeit without the classy baton controller) in Mad Maestro (aka Lets Bravo Music) also on the Playstation 2.
Playstation
Action
Expands on the Rockman or Megaman series by following the roguish Tron and her army of robots. Charge around towns using mechanical mayhem created by the robots to rob the poor town folk and escape police stings. Captures Capcoms craft and guile in producing fine arcade action titles full of colour and with relentless pacing. Known in Japan as Toron ni Kobun.
Part of the Rockman Dash series.
PS2
Sports
Martial arts mayhem unleashed with this cross style face-off involving boxers, kick boxers, karate experts, wrestlers, judo masters and a host of other fighting disciplines amongst the ten selectable characters. Special moves can be unleashed when the spirit meter is sufficiently charged. Bouts can be won with a submission besides a knock out depending on your sportsman’s skills and ability to thrash the PS2 buttons with sufficient vigour – a sight to behold in multiplayer match ups. And in a nod to the dangers of the sport limbs can be broken by repeatedly targeting the same area. Definitely influenced by the famous gatherings such as K1 and Pride but that’s no bad thing. ‘
PC Engine HU Card
Platform
The cute kiwi bird armed with a bow and arrow is the only New Zealand connection in this classic Taito style release, believed to be a precursor to Liquid Kids. As Tiki your quest involves rescuing your chick who was taken away by a kiwi vending leopard seal. Plenty of extras such as screen freeze, speed ups, balloon and underwater levels and warps to help you along.
PS2
RPG
Fabulous action RPG that uses the confines of the towers dungeon like levels well with beautiful lighting (as well as possibly getting round any hardware limitations, but Genki wouldnt be so cynical.) The isometric look leaves plenty of creative freedom to the developers and they have risen to the challenge with aplomb. The action is well suited too to the clear layout and escaping the underground caverns does feel like a breath of fresh air, such is the effectiveness of the underground atmosphere.
PS2
Action
Played as a young yakuza wanabee getting to rough up citizens on your territory for cash to spend on items such as the defensive leather jacket or the pretty mean sword. Whilst not the longest title, its a very fun, budget ride through the underworld while it lasts.
PC Engine CD ROM
Sports
A big slugging title containing all the stats of the Japan based baseball stars (including the big – earning, ageing foreigners) as well as a full complement of Japanese teams and stadiums.