Shop
Here we have all the games in the Shop Section.
Super Famicom
Simulation
Worthy of purchase for the box artwork alone if it weren’t for the well designed mecha waiting their turn to attack each other inside. A lesson in strategy combat titles thats truly absorbing and well worthy of the Squaresoft label. Praise due to the Cybernator creator Toshio Tsuchida’s work on the mecha design.
Super Famicom
Simulation
Worthy of purchase for the box artwork alone if it weren’t for the well designed mecha waiting their turn to attack each other inside. A lesson in strategy combat titles thats truly absorbing and well worthy of the Squaresoft label. Praise due to the Cybernator creator Toshio Tsuchida’s work on the mecha design.
Playstation
Simulation
One of Square’s finest moments sees the Front Mission series return to gallant form with excellent isometric battle scenes, slick intro, inspirational regimental soundtrack, a two player mode, genius proportion character designs and plenty of options to turn your mish-mash of robots into a lean, streamlined battalion. All this plus gameplay that runs very deep.
Playstation
Simulation
Fantastic attention to detail, particularly with the mechs that battle it out before your eyes in this fine continuation of the series that sells itself to non strategy fans due to its gradual learning curve. Visit towns to chat and bulk up your firepower at the local shop with some serious kit on offer.
PS2
Simulation
Fine history to this hard hitting mech series right from the Super Famicom days and the fourth installment heads out to South Africa and Germany. As you’d expect with Square the attention to detail is immense and moody, sometimes grim lighting effects add to the destructive, apocalyptic atmosphere. Great weapons with a real weighty feel to them.
PS2
RPG
Fine history to this hard hitting mech series right from the Super Famicom days and the fifth installment sees it reach a real epoch with a superbly realised 3D world. As you’d expect with Square the attention to detail is immense and moody, sometimes grim lighting effects add to the destructive, apocolyptic atmosphere. Liberal use of the flamethrower soon brightens things up, but Genki loves the feel of the chunky gattling gun ripping through mecha metal.
PSP
Action
Steampunk inspired fast-paced fight action with over the top special moves and a plethora of speed lines.
PS2
Action
Atmospheric anime fight fest with cel shaded sprites seamlessly making the transition from cut-scene to the battle arena. The size of the arenas adds to the gameplay allowing for jump attacks from the obligatory stack of crates. High production values to this accomplished tribute to the source material.
PS2
Action
Genki is certainly grateful Alphonse is on our side: a definite first pick in the playground such is the tough exterior of our robotic chum with a human heart. Some great scenarios such as bombing along on the back of a train like in all great Westerns. Hats off to this all action cowboy. Subtitled Tobenai Tenshi in Japan.
PS2
Action
More action orientated than a one on one fighter with a plethora of platforms to leap onto or simply get propelled smashing through. The real highlight is the Venetian style level as players leap from gondola to gondola view low hanging bridge. The specials are also a bit tasty too and override the on screen action by bringing up players in a small screen whilst the pyrotechnics get unleashed. Nice cel shading graphics and some snazzy anime cut scenes. Happy days for the import PS2 fan.
Sega Saturn
RPG
Well loved series that spanned the console generations successfully with its fine, fantasy RPG gameplay and plenty of emotive moments that pull on the heart strings as much as the orchestra has pulled on the cello strings.
PS2
Action
Samurai sword fighting with skill required to master yielding the blade properly rather than just hack and slash. Worthy opponents have to be lured into making a mistake, before the steel blade swooshes in. The atmosphere is well-set with feudal Japan cut-scenes, beautiful buildings and obligatory cherry blossom.
Famicom Cart
Shoot Em Up
A fine blast in the Fantasy Zone style as players pilot their vessel (looking very much like an Opa Opa) in the horizontally scrolling shooting levels. Unusually the ship has stats like in a good RPG and the levels can be boosted by handing over some hard earned currency to the friendly shopkeeper who seems more than willing to assist.
Game Gear
Shooter
Sound conversion of the 360 degree rotating arcade machine that came with appropriately placed panic button for those not quite up to making it in Top Gun. Each level demands a quota of enemy fighter planes or tanks be taken out to progress within the time limit. Deft pilots will find themselves able to stash away a few hard earned greenbacks to bolster weaponry and boost armoury.
Playstation
Shooter
Early PSX 3D shooter which adopts a Blade Runner style cityscape for the G Police to explore in futuristic copters. The cut scenes are plentiful, de rigueur at the time.
PSP
Action
A heady mix of high school, a yakuza style teacher and a few students who don’t mind a scrap. Even a few maid costumes thrown in there – not too sure how they manage to get involved in the story. Plenty of fisticuffs with a few side quests such as fishing thrown in for good measure. Title translates as Wild Teacher In High School.
PC Engine HU Card
Simulation
Battle simulator set in a myopic future where mecha dominate. A good engine and spritely graphical effects.
PC Engine HU Card
Simulation
Little known strategy title from Nihon Computer Systems.
Mega Drive
Action
Full of arcade action in the Ikari Warriors mould, Gain Ground has a good half century of well varied levels taking you through the ages keeping it visually fresh. Plays like a dream in two player with the goal being either to take everyone out in the time constrained levels or to get to the exit. Rescuing a hostage adds another member to your merry band to choose from with often an ace arsenal that goes with them. A real unheralded treat for Sega action fans.
Mega Drive
Action
Full of arcade action in the Ikari Warriors mould, Gain Ground has a good half century of well varied levels taking you through the ages keeping it visually fresh. Plays like a dream in two player with the goal being either to take everyone out in the time constrained levels or to get to the exit. Rescuing a hostage adds another member to your merry band to choose from with often an ace arsenal that goes with them. A real unheralded treat for Sega action fans.
Dreamcast
Board Game
Toilet obsessed title which looks like Goemon meeting a Mexican wrestler as participants in the board game use a slot machine wheel to determine their progress rather than a dice. Plenty of references to dropping the kids off at the school ensue in an intriguing insight into Japanese humour.
Virtual Boy
Sports
From the creator of the Virtual Boy (and the WonderSwan) Gunpei Yokoi comes this outer space themed realistic pinball title with crisp digitised sound and samples, along with a save facility so high scores can be saved. The hardware’s 3D effect works well.
Sega Saturn
Simulation
Anime style graphics and sweet voice acting bring this off beat title to life. Welcome to the tweaked, saucy, crazy, cosmic, Sci Fi world of Yuna – Galaxy Fraulein.
Playstation
Sports
Subtitled “One and Only Road to Victory.” To quote: “GR3 will realize your dream. The super thoroughbreds wait for your ride. Why not play the real 3D jockey racing game? It’s the ultimate horse riding game, you’ve never seen!!”
Game Gear
Simulation
Good roster of rogues and more respectable folk to take on in games of Poker and on the slot machine. The UFO Catcher crane game is good fun and the memory challenge gives the brain a good work out long before the DS. Roulette, Black Jack, Billiards and more make this purchase not so much of a gamble.
PC Engine CD ROM
Simulation
A thoroughly crazed mahjong title full of mad characters with a guest appearance of that well known mahjong master ET! ‘ET reach!’
PC Engine CD ROM
Puzzle
Mahjong themed puzzle game with plenty of bizarre characters and both training and tour modes of play.
Soundtracks
Soundtrack
Twenty-one gaming based tracks on this fine single CD including toe tapping beauts from Persona, Sengoku Basara and Idol Master with more spine chilling numbers from Fate/Zero and Devil Survivor. All loving mixed by DJ Ponpon.
Merchandise
Merchandise
Known as Block Kuzushi in Japanese, the different speeds of game ensure saving has never been such fun. The coin op finish looks a real treat with the game being used to illustrate the machine.
Merchandise
Merchandise
With three minute, standard and forty line modes, this piggy bank makes saving a pleasure. The coin op finish looks a real treat with the game being used to illustrate the machine.