Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
The first release from the Fatal Fury series to make it across to the Saturn and this heavyweight weighs in without a ram cart meaning a few frames of animation get lost in the conversion process from the whopping Neo Geo big brother. Still an admirable effort though as SNK come out from their corner fists flailing.
Super Famicom
One on One Beat Em Up
Truly jaw dropping in its hey day with the train and waterfall backdrops particularly memorable, this grandmaster can still pull off a few tricks on the Super Famicom like old Jubei Yamada. Full of that distinct SNK style much imitated, but never surpassed and another excellent Takara conversion.
Nintendo Hardware
Console
Allows you to play Japanese Famicom titles bringing back some heady memories. However it is not compatible with every game released for the Famicom system, there are some that won’t run on it.
Miscellaneous Hardware
Accessory
Famicom and Super Famicom replacement Japanese AC adaptor for those with a step down transformer who just want to plug in and play their Famicom and Super Famicom. Handy considering the Super Famicom never came with a power supply due to the success of the compatible Famicom power cord. Lightweight and compact, similar to a phone charger. Also suitable for the AV Famicom, SFC Jnr, PC Engine and Mega Drive.
Super Famicom
RPG
Striking artwork up there with the finest Sega Fantasy. Tactical combat in positioning troops and some lavish cut scenes to the combat to help crank up the tension alongside the triumphant soundtrack. A fine example of the genre.
Super Famicom
Simulation
Striking artwork up there with the finest Sega Fantasy. Tactical combat in positioning troops and some lavish cut scenes to the combat to help crank up the tension alongside the triumphant soundtrack. A fine example of the genre.
PS2
Sports
Stunning 60 frames per second graphics on par with the coin op release, tight controls and, as the name would suggest, a real challenge to get to grips with demanding more and more from the driver to really push you to the limits. Sega has worked hard on the physics, handling, collisions and this realistic title pushes Gran Turismo right up against the guard rail with Yu Suzuki’s expertise shining through like lens flare. Realistic too in the sense that braking is a must to progress, making for some slight initial teething but that is soon soothed away as you power slide to perfection.
GameBoy Color
Simulation
Not sure if its our northern roots, but there should be more releases in the looking after Ferret genre as the pet gets well looked after, even with trips to the pet shop to really spoil your companion. Known as Ferret Monogatari in Japan.
Famicom Cart
Simulation
Military action as the army must capture enemy territory, but fear not: its arcade roots make this very accessible to pick up and play with hidden tactical depth for the budding field marshals.
PSP
Sports
Fine scaling to ensure the on pitch action also remains on-screen. Graphically very sound and a smooth passing engine with the razzmatazz of the crowd and excitable commentators.
Gamecube
Sports
Fully licensed by FIFA and the Japan Football Association ensuring the proper teams. Packed with evidence EA’s panache for presentation. The series has come a long way since its Mega Drive incarnations.
Nintendo Hardware
Controller
A sound, Super Famicom, seven button joystick with auto fire features to make fight fans and jaded shmup veterans jump for joy. Ascii is a well respected controller manufacturer and this compact stick justifies its official license fully.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
A dream title for Sega fight fans which sees the creme of Virtua Fighter pitched head on against the elite of Fighting Vipers. Choc-a-bloc with hidden eggs which gives the game longevity comparable to VF’s Shun. Mention must go to Kumachan, a Genki legend.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
A dream title for Sega fight fans which sees the creme of Virtua Fighter pitched head on against the elite of Fighting Vipers. Choc-a-bloc with hidden eggs which gives the game longevity comparable to VF’s Shun. Mention must go to Kumachan, a Genki legend.
PS Vita
One on One Beat Em Up
A collaboration between the publishing arm of Media Works, who made the likes of Catherine and the fine reads in the Dengeki Dreamcast and Saturn magazines, and Sega to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Dengeki. As such speed lines and sleek characters in bike jump suits meet the fine mechanics of a Sega fight title. Doujin designs but a fight engine honed by Segas arcade experience as Akiba meets the master carpenter. Certainly put a flutter in Genki’s calloused fingers and a neon flash in the eye.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Features solid looking contestants realised in full 3D and looking very good for it with full 3D backgrounds and sizeable fighter models doing justice to their real life dimensions. Xing once again show their hand as cunning Playstation programmers. Subtitled K1 Grand Prix.
Playstation
One on One Beat Em Up
Ring walks set the tension, but it’s the ability to zoom out to fit in the ring that adds much to the fight action. The camera does zoom in too and the mixed martial arts blows feel like they have real force behind them due to the solid 3D pugilists.
PC Engine HU Card
One on One Beat Em Up
As the title would suggest, jousting between massive mechas – proving beyond doubt the Japanese gaming fraternity’s obbsession with fighting robots. The giant mechas battle it out travelling along a road, hence the ‘Run’ part of the title. Better in two player mode where power ups are keenly fought over.
Sony Hardware
Controller
A generous 3m cable, Slow, Medium and Fast settings for turbo fire and above all Hori’s precision engineering make for a sleek, streamlined stick worthy of the PS3’s contours. A well recommended entry level stick that sits intuiatively in the hand.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
Genki still enjoys the confined feel of Viper’s arenas and the delight found in smashing your opponents armour off. Japanese version contains Pepsi Man as one of the many hidden characters.
Sega Saturn
One on One Beat Em Up
Genki still enjoys the confined feel of Viper’s arenas and the delight found in smashing your opponents armour off. Japanese version contains Pepsi Man as one of the many hidden characters.
PC Engine HU Card
Shoot Em Up
Pilot the winged ship that can launch a fire phoenix attack and is also equipped with a smart bomb attack, but that loses all your power ups. Varied stages including over the surface of a planet, space ship and through a pyramid. Quite challenging too as the game engine seems to up the difficulty ante depending on how many power ups you have remaining at the end of the stage.
Playstation
RPG
Visually a real feast for the eyes and aurally exquisite, full of raw emotion and soothing scores. Uematsu san deserves a Knighthood for getting the orchestral chip tunes to jump through hoops. The storyline is a real roller coaster: the highest tribute is the degree of attachment to the characters you feel. Known as Final Fantasy III in the West. Only sold through convenience stores in Japan making it quite exclusive.
Nintendo DS
RPG
Return to form of the lavish Final Fantasy franchise as a multiplayer team assembles once again to try and track down the source of the mystery poison gas and in the meantime use the heavily guarded Mana trees to keep it at bay. The look is stunning with smoggy gas and bedazzling shards of crystal refraction that maze with a splendid score. In a bid to keep the action ticking over experience points are replaced by the reward for completing action tasks. Its still necessary to build a balanced team with the skills required to progress.
Merchandise
Guide Book
Beautifully illustrated as you may expect for a guide book based on such a high-end game. Famitsu have put together a very comprehensive guide to the game well-worthy of the fine software.
Famicom Cart
RPG
Combines the first two adventures on the series on one rather large cart. Also includes a fold out map with the layout of the two worlds along with a paperback guide book/instruction manual in full colour with plenty of screenshots and illustrations. Highly collectable.
Wonderswan
RPG
Fight back against the evil empire whose Dark Knights have burnt down your village. Square does justice to its immense FF series with this sparkling update of the Famicom original.
Playstation
RPG
Fight back against the evil empire whose Dark Knights have burnt down your village. Square does justice to its immense FF series with this sparkling update of the Famicom original.
Famicom Cart
RPG
Fight back against the evil empire whose Dark Knights have burnt down your village. Square does justice to its immense FF series with this sparkling sequel to the Famicom original.
Famicom Cart
RPG
The early potential of Square’s masterpiece realised in a superb piece of programming. Simple commands to attack, block, run or use an item but when he story is so skilfully woven it stands as a tapestry in RPG design. The airship allows players to take to the skies opening up the gaming universe allowing greater freedom without the trekking.